A promising technology replacing fossil energy carriers for the production of electricity, heat, fuels for transportation and synthetic chemicals is steam gasification of biomass in a dual fluid bed (DFB). The principle of this technology is the separation into a gasification and a combustion reactor. Bed material, nowadays olivine, circulates between them, and has two functions. It acts as a heat carrier from the combustion to the gasification zone and as catalyst regarding gasification reactions. Today, an alternative to olivine does yet not exist. In this work, experiments in a lab-scale test rig were performed investigating the catalytic activity of different fresh and used bed materials, such as olivine and quartz. The enhancement of the catalytic activity due to particle coatings was tested regarding the water-gas-shift reaction and steam reforming of toluene. Calcite is known as an active material in this respect and is therefore used as a benchmark substance. Experiments revealed a correlation between the catalytic activity of bed particle coatings towards both the water-gas-shift reaction and the reduction of toluene by steam reforming. Results showed bed material particles with a calcium (Ca)-rich layer achieve satisfactory conversion of carbon monoxide and reduction of toluene. Furthermore, a qualitative comparison regarding hydrogen production relative to the benchmark material CaO is given for the water-gas-shift and steam reforming of toluene and ethene used as model substance for lighter hydrocarbons. These results are the basis for further research on the catalytic properties of potential bed materials for DFB gasification of biomass. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.