Ni-Zr alloys were SHS-produced from Ni-Zi powder mixtures containing 4% Teflon powder as a chemical activator. In the presence of Teflon, the burning velocity increased by a factor of 15, at a combustion temperature of 1550°C. The synthesized powder was found to contain NiZr and Ni10Zr7 with a particle size of 1–5 μm and pores 100–300 μm in their size. In dehydrogenation of cyclohexane, the alloy exhibited a catalytic activity commencing from 160°C; at 500°C, the cyclohexane conversion attained a value of 78%. Our results illustrate the potential of SHS technology in production of heterogeneous catalysts active at relatively low temperatures.