Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation of an unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock comprising: (1) preparing a granular material, wherein the particles of the granular material comprise a hydrogenation catalyst, or a precursor thereof, and one or more organic compounds, wherein the one or more organic compounds comprise one or more carboxlic acid and/or one or more ester and/or one or more ether moieties; (2) providing an unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock; (3) preparing a mixture comprising the granular material obtained in (1), the unsaturated hydrocarbon feedstock provided in (2), hydrogen gas, and optionally a solvent system; (4) heating the mixture prepared in (3) to a temperature in the range of from 210 to 360° C. for hydrogenating the hydrocarbon feedstock.