Global Activated Carbon Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a type of carbon that has been processed to increased surface area for chemical reactions and adsorption. It is produced from carbonaceous sources such as coconuts, nutshells, coal, peat, and wood. Activated carbon is produced in multiple forms, including powdered activated carbon (PAC), granular activated carbon (GAC), extruded activated carbon, and activated carbon fibres, each tailored for specific applications. Activated carbon is used in a variety of applications to purify liquids and toxic gases, including food and beverage processing, potable water treatment, odour removal, and controlling industrial pollution.

The activated carbon market development is experiencing an upward growth due to several key drivers. The increasing demand for clean drinking water and the use of activated carbon in water treatment applications, along with the need for air purification to control air pollution, particularly in the emerging economies, are significant factors propelling the market forward. Furthermore, the widespread use of activated carbon in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage production, and automotive products is contributing to its market growth. Additionally, stringent environmental regulations and the need for companies to comply with emission standards are further boosting the activated carbon market demand.

Key Trends and Developments

Activated carbon, or activated charcoal, is widely being used in pharmaceuticals, where it has wide applications as an adsorbent to get rid of pollutants during drug manufacturing. This is likely to further aid the activated carbon market growth.

Another application sector for activated carbon is water treatment, accounting for nearly half of the total market share. Activated carbon is a highly effective tool for water purification, as it effectively absorbs pollutants from water and is used in the filtration process to remove residual contaminants from wastewater. Activated carbon also removes chlorine from the wastewater and has a large surface area that makes the absorption of contaminants from wastewater highly effective.

Additionally, carbon activation is being used in the automotive sector to monitor emissions, eliminate VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as improve cabin air quality. These diverse applications of activated carbon is expected to be a continuing activated carbon market trend.

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Global Activated Carbon Market Segmentation

Powdered activated carbon is expected to hold significant market share due to its increasing demand from multiple industrial sectors

Powdered activated carbon is expected to increase the activated carbon market share, accounting for more than 50% of the total market. The segment is driven by its rising demand from multiple industrial sectors to control toxicity and mercury levels.

Both powdered as well as granular activated carbon are used in water treatment, where granular activated charcoal is used for the elimination of pollutants from the groundwater.

Coconut shells dominates the feedstock segment due to its wide use in production of activated carbon

According to the activated carbon market forecast, coconut shell is one of the emerging feedstock materials used in the production of activated carbon. An increase in coconut production provides an impetus to the market for activated carbon.

However, wood and coal are the other most common raw materials in the market currently, accounting for more than 60 per cent of the production. Coal-based activated carbon is extensively used in potable water purification, which is a major application sector of activated carbon.

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Competitive Landscape

The market players are engaged in acquisitions and product portfolio expansions to stay ahead in the competition.

Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Kuraray Co., Ltd. is one of the major Japanese chemical companies operating in various sectors, including chemicals and resins, fibres and textiles, high-performance materials, and medical products. The company has been operating since 1926 and has developed a diverse product portfolio, including products such as polyvinyl alcohol resin and film, methacrylic resin, nonwoven fabrics, polyester fibres, and activated carbon, among others.

Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC

Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC is a leading manufacturer and distributor of activated carbon solutions, ...

Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd.

Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd., founded in 1972, is a Sri Lankan company specialising in the production of cocon...

Indo German Carbons Limited (IGCL)

Indo German Carbons Limited (IGCL) is a leading international manufacturer and supplier of coconut s...

*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*

Other key players in the global activated carbon market analysis include Shinkwang Chem. Ind. Co., Ltd, S.I.C.A.V Spa, Century Chemical Works Sdn. Bhd, Cabot Corporation, Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd., Donau Carbon GmbH, Norit Nederland B.V., Carbon Activated Corporation., Ingevity Corporation, Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH, CPL Activated Carbons, Eurocarb Products Limited, Euroquarz GmbH, Puragen LLC, and Active Carbon India Pvt. Ltd., among others.

Asia Pacific maintains a significant market growth due to region’s abundance of coconut shells

In the Asia Pacific, activated carbon is commonly derived from coconut shells and is increasingly preferred over the wood-derived kind due to its renewability and high adsorption properties, which can remove large quantities of micro-impurities. In emerging markets such as India and China, the expansion of the activated carbon market is expected to benefit from regulatory modifications, including amendments in China's environmental protection laws. China is a leading exporter of activated carbon, accounting for more than one-fourth of the total exports.

North America occupies the second largest market share due to the rising level of imports for activated carbon in the region. The United States is a leading importing country for activated carbon, followed by Japan. The main factors expected to boost the activated carbon market are rising environmental concerns, an increase in the geriatric population, and growing automotive demand in the region.