United States Activated Carbon Market Outlook Report - Market Size, Share Analysis and Forecast (2026-2035)

Key Trends in the Market

Activated carbon or activated charcoal is a porous carbon form which is used to filter contaminants from air and water through adsorption of impurities. It is produced from various natural sources such as bamboo, wood, coconut husks, and sawdust, among others.

• Growing usage of activated carbon for air purification in the residential and commercial sectors is one of the major factors driving the United States activated carbon market growth. As per a study done by the US Department of Energy, air filters with activated carbon remove over 70 per cent more airborne pollutants when compared to air filters without one.

• Activated carbon is also utilised in the mining sector as an adsorbent to recover gold from the ore. It possesses a high adsorption capacity, which allows gold molecules to strongly attach themselves to the molecules present on the activated carbon surface, which can be later desorbed from the surface easily.

• The introduction of innovative production processes such as microwave-assisted activation and hydrothermal carbonisation, which improves product quality, is also a crucial trend aiding the United States activated carbon market expansion. Microwave-assisted activation process uses microwave energy to lower activation time and energy consumption as well as enhance the activated carbon quality, whereas the hydrothermal carbonisation process reduces the carbon footprint during production and increases the product yield.

• Developmental efforts by market players to increase their manufacturing plant capacity also boost the United States activated carbon market demand. For example, in October 2023, Calgon Carbon Corporation announced that it completed the expansion of its activated carbon manufacturing plant at Pearlington, Mississippi. With this expansion, the plant is expected to produce over 200 million pounds of activated carbon every year.

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Purchase the Regional Overview for USD 1099

If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

United States Activated Carbon Industry Segmentation

Market Share by Phase

The gaseous phase occupies a significant portion of the United States activated carbon market share, due to the rising usage of activated carbon in its gaseous form for air purification purposes in air conditioners and gas masks, among others. It can also be used for the adsorption of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as the gas separation process in the industrial sector.

Furthermore, the liquid phase is expected to gain sizeable growth in the forecast period, due to the high usage of liquid-activated carbon in the water treatment process.

Market Share by End Use

As per the United States activated carbon market analysis, the water treatment sector accounts for a substantial market share, owing to the growing use of activated carbon for removing the unpleasant odour and taste from the water. It can also eliminate harmful contaminants such as heavy metals and toxic gases through an effective adsorption process.

Granular activated carbon technology is widespread in the USA water treatment market as it has a high removal efficiency of up to 99.9 per cent for VOCs.

Competitive Landscape

Other United States activated carbon market players include Puragen Activated carbon, Ingevity Corporation, Carbon Activated Corporation, Hangzhou Nature Technology Co., Ltd., CarbUSA LLC, Carbon Solutions, LLC, and Donau Chemie AG, among others.

United States Activated Carbon Market Report Snapshots

United States Activated Carbon Companies