Activated Carbon Market Synopsis

The activated Carbon Market Size Was Valued at USD 5.2 Billion in 2023, and is Projected to Reach USD 8.6 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 5.7% From 2024-2032.

Activated carbon is a term that refers to activated charcoal which is applied in various sectors including gaseous and air purification and used/reusable recovery sector. Rising environmental concerns and awareness have however pushed the development of IGV regulated emissions standards. This has in turn led some manufacturers to make investments into developed technologies and concepts in utilization of the product in applications such as cleaning and air treatment. It is widely employed in water treatment applications, including potable water, service water, potable water well water, and municipal water for wastewater.

  • The major hope is a drive in demand of water treatment and sewage treatment sectors. As many small pores on the surface of the activated carbon or called charcoal is its main characteristic. When there are more pores or a rougher surface, there will be a larger surface are, which enhances the adsorption of the element. It is commonly used for processing potable water and purification of sewage as well as in many other processes. The improvement in manufacturing technical is expected to pull a brighter growth.
  • Some of the inputs for manufacturing the product are coconut shell, resin, wood etc besides viscose rayon. When large amount of raw material is incorporated into the manufactured goods, the total carbon output is high. For example, the demand for activated carbon black is progressively rising and the materials from which it is produced are barely available which has greatly affected the market price. Thus, manufacturers are in a continuous search for better techniques for production so that they can minimize expenses on raw materials that are deemed costly for production in order to make enough profit to sustain themselves.
  • The market must be better coordinated, which indicates similar cost values and characteristics of activated carbon. This is an endemic problem in such markets that has a negative effect on trading activity and the growth of a credible and viable market. The factors which have contributed to the growth of the activated carbon market include; increasing pollution awareness, which has triggered the development of stricter legislations and regulations on water and air pollution. Besides, the growing trends in water and air purification owing to population rise, increased life expectancy, enhanced living conditions, and pollution concerns are also influencing the market.
  • The main function of the product is to remove dissolved organic matter and to filter unwanted substances causing the odor and taste changes. This has led to the development of the product in the Injection (ACI) technology where there are cheaper ways of purifying the product as noted from the ratio. These methods are applied primarily in cement kilns and power plants according to the minimization of hg emissions. Based on this argument, the increasing level of pollution resulting from emissions generated during production has been a major driver of the market.

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Activated Carbon Market Trend Analysis

Government policies at reducing emissions of pollution

  • Increased air pollution experienced worldwide has translated to increased demand of air purification systems in factories and generators. More so, in the previous years, the levels of industrialization and the number of coal-fired electricity generation plants have resulted in increased levels of air pollution. Thus, governments of various countries have decided to introduce new policies aimed at reducing emissions of pollution. Hence, pressure has been up for end products like carbon filters as consumers consume them in the pursuit of cleaner air. These filters polish the impurities from the air as they flow through them because of their bed construction from powdered or granular carbon.
  • Also, such filters perform great job of eliminating VOCs, chemicals, SOX, and NOX as well as other dangerous gases. But on the other side, in the same period, the number of patients suffering from dyspnea (breathing illness) has tremendously risen because of the newly formed micropollutants in the air. This has created a very big demand for air filtration products in the residential application.
  • Consequently, the number of implementations of the air filtration system in the manufacturing units and also the coal-based power plants reduced mercury emissions. They include the U. S. that has implemented strict laws on cleaning the air by restricting the use of mercury and other toxic substances in the production of lights. Hence all these consumption factors combined with imposed regulations lead to increase of product demand from end-use industries like air & gas purification.

Increases usage of activated carbon for personal care

  • Market for activated carbon is expanding rapidly because activated charcoal has appropriated its place in personal care segment. The rise of skin oriented concerns, improved personal care products, and enhanced consumer income are some of the factors believed to augment the personal care industry in the future.  This leads to the consumption of activated charcoal in the personal care industry In the next section, the comprehensive research study will focus on analyzing the personal care industry in more details. The facet that the product is capable of eradicating germs, toxins, end dirt and chemicals on the surface of skin curtailing acne makes it a common merchandise preferred in health practices.
  • Additionally, activated charcoal is great at purifying and is found in several cosmetic products due to this characteristic. It is present in hair conditioner to calm an itchy sensation, in face masks to help eliminate things one wants to purge, and in toothpaste to whiten and the scaly heads’ surface. Also, the external application of activated charcoal aids in the unblocking of the pores by making them available for use without any blockage and recommended for users with oily skin. These characteristics of product informed several manufacturers to develop products with embraced activated charcoal that targeted the personal care industry. For instance, Yardley operated throughout 2022, adding new products to its line and releasing body washes with activated charcoal in May. With this particular launch, the company pays attention to the concepts of washing needs and reducing extreme hygiene-related worries.
  • Also, it appears suitable for washing away dirt and germ protection and contains a suitable product. The upsurge in global personal care market, shifting consumer tendencies to buy activated charcoal products, and raising awareness of the effectiveness of activated charcoal in the people’s market will propel product adoption. Thus, this seems to be expected to boost the consumption of activated carbon over the given duration in the above-stated regions.  

Activated Carbon Market Segment Analysis:

Activated Carbon Market is segmented based on Raw Material, product, application, and end-use.

By Product, Powdered activated carbon (PAC) segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period

  • When focusing on the type of product, powdered activated carbon (PAC) held the largest space in the market in 2023. PAC has characteristics of high adsorption, can meet the extensive treatment goals, and can filter out the majority of the particles. Some of the lead players like the Cabot Corporation increased activated carbon production capabilities in Canada to fulfill the PAC demand. The company announced an increase in PAC production capacity by 35 million lbs/year to capture the increasing demand for the product in the coal-fired utility industry for the removal of mercury.
  • Another segment that is developing rapidly is the granular activated carbon segment. This might be due to the regeneration of the components. It is widely applied in air treatment and the municipal water treatment works. Essential raw materials employed in the production of GAC include coal and coconut shell charcoal.

By Application, Gas segment held the largest share in 2023

  • Gas form accounted for a significant revenue market share in in 2023 on average. An increasing necessity for water treatment techniques due to the Standards & Regulations that require various industries to use these methods form the next important facet expected to spur the potential market. Such standards have been promulgated by governments and agencies to protect the environment. It is believed that these initiatives will assist the market in the forecasted period.
  • The major role of the gas phase is the elimination of impurities in the air as well as fumes. Some of the key formulators in the global market include Kuraray Corporation and many others especially for gas phase uses. At present in the air purification industry, activated carbon is widely used in gas masks and air conditioners. In gas phase application, it also finds uses in gas separation, solvent recovery and in others.
  • The liquid phase has become the second-most significant source of revenue on a worldwide basis. Some of the factors that have led to the development of this market include; increased environmental consciousness and general or specific laws that compel companies to practice environmentally friendly water treatment processes. Some of the players in the market include Evoqua Water Technologies, which designs and sells AquaCarb granular activated carbon for liquid phase applications as well as other Waterates.

Activated Carbon Market Regional Insights:

Asia Pacific is Expected to Dominate the Market Over the Forecast period

  • Asia Pacific emerged as the largest market for global gentle herding financial services in 2023. This is the case because Asia Pacific can be regarded as a proper market for procurement of coconut shells as well as coconut shell-based AC. A very active form of carbon, activated carbon is mainly employed in water and poly using and gold extraction in the region. It has shown that the dried coconuts imported from India are more desirable than those of the other countries in the Asia Pacific because they contain more oil. Some of the key market players such as Haycarb and Jacobi Carbons source the coconut shells from the Asian countries; Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India.
  • The major players across the globe are involved inorganic growth across the APAC and are constantly investing on acquisitions through joint ventures and licensing agreements. After the Asia Pacific, North America is the second biggest market. The increasing automobile usage and sales in the geography, ageing population, and the concerns about environmental influences are presumed to be the significant factors that will give a positive boost to the global commercial vehicle market. A sharp increase in PAC applications is anticipated, and the same is predicted for its major end-user – the gas phase applications.

Active Key Players in the Activated Carbon Market

  • CarbPure Technologies
  • Boyce Carbon
  • Cabot Corporation
  • Kuraray Co.
  • Carbo Tech AC GmbH
  • Donau Chemicals AG
  • Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd.
  • Jacobi Carbons Group
  • Kureha Corporation
  • Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd.
  • Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
  • Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC
  • Carbon Activated Corporation
  • Hangzhou Nature Technology Co., Ltd.
  • Datong Coal Jinding Activated Carbon Co.
  • CarbUSA, Sorbent JSC
  • Other Key Players

Key Industry Developments in the Activated Carbon Market:

  • In March 2023, Klaxon called out that Evoqua Water Technologies LLC bought out Bob Johnson & Associates, a Texas-based industrial water standard treatment service business from Kemco Systems to expand its operation network in North America. America.
  • In October 2022 it completed the machinery check and commenced its full scale operations in the Feluy facility in Belgium. This decision was made once the company has opportunity to test the functionality of the reactivated carbon production facilities hence providing Calgon Carbon with supplied of activated carbon at a global level.

Global Activated Carbon Market

Base Year:

2023

Forecast Period:

2024-2032

Historical Data:

2017 to 2023

Market Size in 2024:

USD 5.5 Bn.

Forecast Period 2024-32 CAGR:

5.7 %

Market Size in 2032:

USD 8.6 Bn.

Segments Covered:

By Product

  • Powdered
  • Granular
  • Others

By Raw Material

  • Coal
  • Coconut
  • Wood
  • Peat
  • Others

By Application

  • Liquid Phase
  • Gas Phase

By End-use

  • Water Treatment
  • Food & Beverage Processing
  • Pharmaceutical & Medical
  • Automotive
  • Air Purification
  • Others

By Region

  • North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)
  • Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Rest of Eastern Europe)
  • Western Europe (Germany, UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Western Europe)
  • Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, Australia, New-Zealand, Rest of APAC)
  • Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Israel, South Africa)
  • South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SA)

Key Market Drivers:

  • Increased demand for water treatment

Key Market Restraints:

  • Rise in Prices due to dhortage of raw material

Key Opportunities:

  • Manufacturing technical developments boost growth

Companies Covered in the report:

  • CarbPure Technologies; Boyce Carbon; Cabot Corporation; Kuraray Co.; CarboTech AC GmbH; Donau Chemie AG; Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd.; Jacobi Carbons Group; Kureha Corporation; Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd.; Evoqua Water Technologies LLC; Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC; Carbon Activated Corporation; Hangzhou Nature Technology Co. Ltd.; Datong Coal Jinding Activated Carbon Co.; CarbUSA; Sorbent JSC., and Other Major Players.
  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
    3. RESEARCH PROCESS
    4. SCOPE AND COVERAGE
      1. Market Definition
      2. Key Questions Answered
    5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
  2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
  3. MARKET OVERVIEW
  4. GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES BY SEGMENT
  5. MARKET LANDSCAPE
    1. PORTER’S FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS
      1. Bargaining Power Of Supplier
      2. Threat Of New Entrants
      3. Threat Of Substitutes
      4. Competitive Rivalry
      5. Bargaining Power Among Buyers
    2. INDUSTRY VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS
    3. MARKET DYNAMICS
      1. Drivers
      2. Restraints
      3. Opportunities
      4. Challenges
    4. MARKET TREND ANALYSIS
    5. REGULATORY LANDSCAPE
    6. PESTLE ANALYSIS
    7. PRICE TREND ANALYSIS
    8. PATENT ANALYSIS
    9. TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION
    10. MARKET IMPACT OF THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
      1. Geopolitical Market Disruptions
      2. Supply Chain Disruptions
      3. Instability in Emerging Markets
    11. ECOSYSTEM
  6. ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET BY PRODUCT (2017-2032)
    1. ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET SNAPSHOT AND GROWTH ENGINE
    2. MARKET OVERVIEW
    3. POWDERED
      1. Introduction And Market Overview
      2. Historic And Forecasted Market Size in Value (2017 – 2032F)
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size in Volume (2017 – 2032F)
      4. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      5. Geographic Segmentation Analysis
    4. GRANULAR
    5. OTHERS
  7. ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET BY RAW MATERIAL (2017-2032)
    1. ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET SNAPSHOT AND GROWTH ENGINE
    2. MARKET OVERVIEW
    3. COAL
      1. Introduction And Market Overview
      2. Historic And Forecasted Market Size in Value (2017 – 2032F)
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size in Volume (2017 – 2032F)
      4. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      5. Geographic Segmentation Analysis
    4. COCONUT
    5. WOOD
    6. PEAT
    7. OTHERS
  8. ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET BY APPLICATION (2017-2032)
    1. ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET SNAPSHOT AND GROWTH ENGINE
    2. MARKET OVERVIEW
    3. LIQUID PHASE
      1. Introduction And Market Overview
      2. Historic And Forecasted Market Size in Value (2017 – 2032F)
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size in Volume (2017 – 2032F)
      4. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      5. Geographic Segmentation Analysis
    4. GAS PHASE
  9. ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET BY END-USE (2017-2032)
    1. ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET SNAPSHOT AND GROWTH ENGINE
    2. MARKET OVERVIEW
    3. WATER TREATMENT
      1. Introduction And Market Overview
      2. Historic And Forecasted Market Size in Value (2017 – 2032F)
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size in Volume (2017 – 2032F)
      4. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      5. Geographic Segmentation Analysis
    4. FOOD & BEVERAGE PROCESSING
    5. PHARMACEUTICAL & MEDICAL
    6. AUTOMOTIVE
    7. AIR PURIFICATION
    8. OTHERS
  10. COMPANY PROFILES AND COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
    1. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
      1. Competitive Positioning
      2. Activated Carbon Market Share By Manufacturer (2023)
      3. Industry BCG Matrix
      4. Heat Map Analysis
      5. Mergers & Acquisitions
    2. CARBPURE TECHNOLOGIES
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Company Snapshot
      4. Role of the Company in the Market
      5. Sustainability and Social Responsibility
      6. Operating Business Segments
      7. Product Portfolio
      8. Business Performance (Production Volume, Sales Volume, Sales Margin, Production Capacity, Capacity Utilization Rate)
      9. Key Strategic Moves And Recent Developments
      10. SWOT Analysis
    3. BOYCE CARBON
    4. CABOT CORPORATION
    5. KURARAY CO.
    6. CARBO TECH AC GMBH
    7. DONAU CHEMICALS AG
    8. HAYCARB (PVT) LTD.
    9. JACOBI CARBONS GROUP
    10. KUREHA CORPORATION
    11. OSAKA GAS CHEMICALS CO., LTD.
    12. EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    13. OXBOW ACTIVATED CARBON LLC
    14. CARBON ACTIVATED CORPORATION
    15. HANGZHOU NATURE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    16. DATONG COAL JINDING ACTIVATED CARBON CO.
    17. CARBUSA, SORBENT JSC
  11. GLOBAL ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET BY REGION
    1. OVERVIEW
    2. NORTH AMERICA
      1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      2. Key Manufacturers
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Product
      4. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Raw Material
      5. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Application
      6. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By End-use
      7. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Country
        1. USA
        2. Canada
        3. Mexico
    3. EASTERN EUROPE
      1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      2. Key Manufacturers
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Segments
      4. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Country
        1. Russia
        2. Bulgaria
        3. The Czech Republic
        4. Hungary
        5. Poland
        6. Romania
        7. Rest Of Eastern Europe
    4. WESTERN EUROPE
      1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      2. Key Manufacturers
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Segments
      4. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Country
        1. Germany
        2. United Kingdom
        3. France
        4. The Netherlands
        5. Italy
        6. Spain
        7. Rest Of Western Europe
    5. ASIA PACIFIC
      1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      2. Key Manufacturers
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Segments
      4. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Country
        1. China
        2. India
        3. Japan
        4. South Korea
        5. Malaysia
        6. Thailand
        7. Vietnam
        8. The Philippines
        9. Australia
        10. New-Zealand
        11. Rest Of APAC
    6. MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
      1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      2. Key Manufacturers
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Segments
      4. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Country
        1. Turkey
        2. Bahrain
        3. Kuwait
        4. Saudi Arabia
        5. Qatar
        6. UAE
        7. Israel
        8. South Africa
    7. SOUTH AMERICA
      1. Key Market Trends, Growth Factors And Opportunities
      2. Key Manufacturers
      3. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Segments
      4. Historic And Forecasted Market Size By Country
        1. Brazil
        2. Argentina
        3. Rest of South America
  12. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
  13. ANALYST VIEWPOINT AND CONCLUSION
    1. Recommendations and Concluding Analysis
    2. Potential Market Strategies

Global Activated Carbon Market

Base Year:

2023

Forecast Period:

2024-2032

Historical Data:

2017 to 2023

Market Size in 2024:

USD 5.5 Bn.

Forecast Period 2024-32 CAGR:

5.7 %

Market Size in 2032:

USD 8.6 Bn.

Segments Covered:

By Product

  • Powdered
  • Granular
  • Others

By Raw Material

  • Coal
  • Coconut
  • Wood
  • Peat
  • Others

By Application

  • Liquid Phase
  • Gas Phase

By End-use

  • Water Treatment
  • Food & Beverage Processing
  • Pharmaceutical & Medical
  • Automotive
  • Air Purification
  • Others

By Region

  • North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)
  • Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Rest of Eastern Europe)
  • Western Europe (Germany, UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Western Europe)
  • Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, Australia, New-Zealand, Rest of APAC)
  • Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Israel, South Africa)
  • South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SA)

Key Market Drivers:

  • Increased demand for water treatment

Key Market Restraints:

  • Rise in Prices due to dhortage of raw material

Key Opportunities:

  • Manufacturing technical developments boost growth

Companies Covered in the report:

  • CarbPure Technologies; Boyce Carbon; Cabot Corporation; Kuraray Co.; CarboTech AC GmbH; Donau Chemie AG; Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd.; Jacobi Carbons Group; Kureha Corporation; Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd.; Evoqua Water Technologies LLC; Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC; Carbon Activated Corporation; Hangzhou Nature Technology Co. Ltd.; Datong Coal Jinding Activated Carbon Co.; CarbUSA; Sorbent JSC., and Other Major Players.
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Frequently Asked Questions :

What would be the forecast period in the Activated Carbon Market research report?

The forecast period in the Activated Carbon Market research report is 2024-2032.

Who are the key players in the Activated Carbon Market?

CarbPure Technologies; Boyce Carbon; Cabot Corporation; Kuraray Co.; CarboTech AC GmbH; Donau Chemie AG; Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd.; Jacobi Carbons Group; Kureha Corporation; Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd.; Evoqua Water Technologies LLC; Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC; Carbon Activated Corporation; Hangzhou Nature Technology Co. Ltd.; Datong Coal Jinding Activated Carbon Co.; CarbUSA; Sorbent JSC., and Other Major Players..

What are the segments of the Activated Carbon Market?

The Activated Carbon Market is segmented into raw material, product, application, end-use, and region. By raw material, the market is categorized into Powdered, Granular, and Others. By product, the market is categorized into Coal, Coconut, Wood, Peat, and Others. By application, the market is categorized into Liquid Phase, and Gas Phase. By region, it is analyzed across North America (U.S.; Canada; Mexico), Europe (Germany; U.K.; France; Italy; Russia; Spain, etc.), Asia-Pacific (China; India; Japan; Southeast Asia, etc.), South America (Brazil; Argentina, etc.), Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia; South Africa, etc.).

What is the Activated Carbon Market?

Activated carbon referred to as activated charcoal is applied in the process of cleaning gases and air, which requires recirculation in the industry. Concerns for the environment and customers awareness make the focus on strict emissions requirements. This, in turn, has prompted some manufacturers to develop better technologies as well as high concepts of the use of the product in areas like cleaning as well as air treatment. Recently much applied to water treatment for drinking water, service water, ground water, waste water etc.

How big is the Activated Carbon Market?

Activated Carbon Market Size Was Valued at USD 5.2 Billion in 2023, and is Projected to Reach USD 8.6 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 5.7% From 2024-2032.