Activated Carbon Market Sales to Top USD 3.6 Billion by 2032

Introduction

The Global Activated Carbon Market is on a notable growth trajectory, with its size projected to reach approximately USD 3.6 billion by 2032, down from USD 5.4 billion in 2023. This growth reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% over the forecast period from 2023 to 2032. Several factors are driving this expansion, including increasing demand across water treatment, air purification, and industrial processes. Activated carbon’s effectiveness in removing contaminants and pollutants from air and water has spurred widespread adoption in various sectors. The rise in environmental regulations and growing public awareness about pollution control are also contributing to the market’s positive outlook.

However, the industry faces challenges such as fluctuating raw material prices and the need for advanced regeneration technologies. Recent developments include innovations in activated carbon production methods, which aim to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. For instance, advancements in the activation process are improving the performance of activated carbon in specific applications, thereby expanding its utility. These trends indicate a dynamic market landscape, with ongoing technological progress and regulatory pressures shaping its future trajectory.

CarbPure Technologies has recently launched a new line of high-performance activated carbon products designed for enhanced water purification. This new product range is expected to drive growth by meeting the increasing demand for advanced water treatment solutions. The introduction is part of a broader strategy to capture a larger share of the growing water treatment market, projected to reach USD 2.1 billion by 2026.

Cabot Corporation has made headlines with its acquisition of Norit, a leading producer of activated carbon, in a deal valued at approximately USD 900 million. This acquisition, completed in early 2024, is poised to strengthen Cabot’s position in the global market by expanding its product portfolio and geographic reach. The merger is anticipated to enhance Cabot’s capabilities in providing customized solutions for air and water purification.

Boyce Carbon has recently secured a funding round of USD 50 million to advance its research and development initiatives. This investment will support the company’s efforts in developing innovative activated carbon products with improved efficiency and sustainability features. The funding underscores Boyce Carbon’s commitment to addressing emerging market needs and enhancing its competitive edge.

Facts And Statistics

• During carbonization, the raw material is thermally decomposed in an inert environment, at temperatures below 800 ºC. Through gasification, elements such as oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur, are removed from the source material.
• Activated carbon has more than 2,500 commercial product applications. Most wastewater plants use the carbons to purify the water and air leaving a facility.
• In 2016, China exported a total of 17k tons wood wood-based activated carbon, at 16% CAGE, valued at 62 million dollars. Fujian at 40% of market shares.
• Exports of commodity group 3802 amounted to 3.37% of the total sales of the group from Turkey in 2023. The share of exports of commodity group 3802 in sales of commodity group from Turkey increased by 0.234 p.p. compared to 2022 (it was 3.14% in 2022, and exports of commodity group from Turkey were $1.41 billion).
• Activated carbon mainly consists of carbon in a concentration of mostly over 90 percent.
• The activation temperature is 700 – 1000 °C. After the water gas reaction, the carbon is partially burned. At the molecular level, this creates a porous, highly active carbon structure.
• a cube of activated carbon with an edge length of 1.0 cm, for example, has an inner surface area that is 10,000 times larger. For comparison: 2.0 grams of activated carbon has an inner surface area roughly the size of a soccer field.
• This also increases the inner surface area of the activated carbons to 500 to 1500 m²/g.
• Activated carbon is typically used in filters, as it has been treated to have a much higher surface area than non-treated carbon. One gram of activated carbon has a surface area of over 3,000 m2.
• GAC for water purification began around the start of the 20th century, according to WQA. In 1906 the activation process was applied to charcoal. The first application of activated carbon in the form of GAC was in the year 1910 in Reading, England, for dechlorination of chlorinated water.
• We found that 13 billion tons of carbon are cycled through fungal networks annually.
• To put this number in perspective: 13.12 billion tons of CO2 was about 36% of global fossil fuel emissions last year. China is by far the biggest emitter of greenhouse gasses – its annual emissions in 2021 were 12.47 billion tons.
• The U.S. emitted 4.75 billion tons of carbon dioxide in 2021 – mycorrhizal fungi take up nearly three times that each year. It’s a tremendous amount of carbon
• Additionally, the preferred choice of activated carbon is made from bituminous coal due to its microporosity of 70% to 90% carbon content.
• babool wood-activated carbon with a 5% ash content has a good reputation due to its excellent microporous structure.
• As for coal carbon, it is favored for sizes between 100 and 1000 angstroms, and wood carbon for sizes that are greater than 1000 angstroms.
• According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the acceptable daily limit for fluoride is 1.5mg per liter.
• The medical community accepts that fluoride is an important mineral that must be consumed in the proper doses. When people maintain a fluoride level between 0.5 and 1.5mg/L they experience a safe level of exposure.
• The acceptable limit for lead remaining in the water after filtration is 10 ppb (5) or less (NSF 53). The flow rate of the block is 3.8 LPM under a pressure of 60 psi, with a 50/50 alternating test run of influent water.
• The standard block became clogged and interrupted water flow by the time 2000 liters had been purified. Their purification levels began at 1.00 ppb and rose above the acceptable limit after only 1500 liters had passed through.
• Our purification began at 0.01ppb and did not surpass the acceptable limit of lead until 10000 of water had passed through.
• The global market for activated carbon is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2021 to 2028, reaching USD 8.12 billion by 2028. India, one of the major producing countries of activated carbon, has shown a 17.6% increase in exports in the January- December 2022 period, reaching a volume of 154,423.88 tons, with a value of US$311.80 million.
• Sri Lanka, another major producer of activated carbon, has also shown positive growth, with a 4% increase in volume and a 9% increase in earnings from activated carbon exports in the January-December 2022 period compared to the previous year.
• The Philippines has seen a significant increase of 22% in activated carbon exports, shipping 90,092 tons in the January-December 2022 period, up from 73,840 tons the previous year.
• Indonesia, another significant producer of activated carbon, has shown a sign of recovery in the January-December 2022 period, with an 8% increase in activated carbon exports compared to the previous year. The country exported 25,832 tons of activated carbon in the period, generating export earnings of US$42.6 million.
• The United States is the largest importer of coconut shell-based activated carbon, with a volume of 66,470 tons in 2022, representing a 45% increase from the previous year. The demand for activated carbon in the US is driven by strict environmental regulations and an upswing in industrial activities requiring purification and filtration.
• Japan is another significant importer of activated carbon, with an import volume of 86,191 tons in 2022, valued at US$168.17 million. This volume represents a 2% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
• In the first quarter of 2023, in the Philippines and India, the price demonstrated a downward trend, while in Sri Lanka, it increased, and in Indonesia, it remained relatively stable. The price of charcoal ranged from US$357/MT to US$463/MT in March 2023, indicating a diverse market for the commodity.
• The best charcoal was obtained using 900°C activating temperatures, a 1.5 molar ratio, and a 4-hour activating time. This resulted in iodine and methylene blue absorption of 1260.07 mg/g and 369.21 mg/g, respectively.
• The supervised learning comprised 60% of specimens, the verification time series comprised 20% of specimens, and the testing data source held 20% of all specimens.
• Charcoal making is an old craft in which wood is burnt under oxygen exclusion to produce charcoal. However, the temperatures are lower: charcoal is produced at around 275 °C, and activated charcoal at 500 to 900 °C.
• The inner surface of 4 grams of activated carbon is about the size of a football field.
• According to the degree of retentivity of this material and of the product design parameters, the typical efficiency of a Chemsorb® activated carbon filter can be up to 95%.
• Russia Industrial Production: OKPD2: Activated Carbon data was reported at 1,081.900 Ton in Jan 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 754.560 Ton for Dec 2018.
• Russia Industrial Production: OKPD2: Activated Carbon data is updated monthly, averaging 997.720 Ton from Jan 2017 (Median) to Jan 2019, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,529.210 Tons in Jul 2018 and a record low of 324.890 Tons in Jan 2017.
• Activated carbon accounts for 13% of sales in harmful gas removal solutions. This figure gives an idea of how essential activated carbon filtration is in alleviating problems caused by contaminated air emissions, either as a stand-alone solution or in combination with other methods.
• The highest concentration of biochar (2%) resulted in the greatest increase in plant height (35.5%) and fresh biomass (47.17%) compared to the contaminated control group.
• The BC 0.5% treatment resulted in a 31.86% increase in carotenoid content compared to the control group, while the BC 1% treatment showed a 39.82% increase.

Emerging Trends

Increased Use in Water Treatment: There is a growing trend towards using activated carbon in advanced water purification systems. The increasing concerns about water quality and stricter environmental regulations are driving demand for high-performance activated carbon solutions that can effectively remove contaminants and pollutants. For instance, the water treatment segment is expected to account for approximately 45% of the market by 2025.

Development of Sustainable Products: Companies are focusing on developing activated carbon products from sustainable sources, such as agricultural waste or coconut shells. This trend is motivated by the increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint of industrial processes. Sustainable products are projected to capture a significant share of the market, reflecting a shift towards eco-friendly practices.

Advancements in Regeneration Technologies: Innovations in regeneration technologies are enhancing the efficiency and lifecycle of activated carbon products. New methods are being developed to improve the reusability of activated carbon, which is essential for reducing operational costs and environmental impact. These advancements are expected to drive growth by making activated carbon solutions more economically viable.

Expansion in Emerging Markets: The activated carbon market is witnessing growth in emerging regions, particularly in Asia-Pacific. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and increased awareness about air and water pollution are contributing to this trend. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 5% over the next decade, reflecting strong market potential.

Integration with Digital Technologies: The integration of digital technologies, such as IoT and AI, is becoming increasingly prevalent. These technologies are being used to monitor and optimize the performance of activated carbon systems in real-time, enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness in various applications.

Use Cases

Water Treatment: Activated carbon is extensively used in water treatment to remove contaminants and improve water quality. It is effective in filtering out chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other impurities. The global market for activated carbon in water treatment is projected to reach approximately USD 2.1 billion by 2026, reflecting its crucial role in addressing water pollution and ensuring safe drinking water.

Air Purification: In air purification, activated carbon is utilized to eliminate odors, harmful gases, and particulate matter from the air. This application is particularly significant in industrial settings and residential air filtration systems. The air purification segment is expected to account for around 35% of the total activated carbon market by 2025, driven by growing concerns about air quality and increased use of air purifiers in urban areas.

Industrial Processes: Activated carbon is used in various industrial processes, including gold recovery and chemical production. In the mining industry, it plays a critical role in extracting gold from ores through the carbon-in-pulp (CIP) process. This segment is valued at over USD 1 billion annually, highlighting the importance of activated carbon in resource extraction and chemical processing.

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: Activated carbon is employed in healthcare settings for its detoxification properties, such as in emergency treatments for poisoning or overdose. It is also used in certain pharmaceutical applications for drug purification. The healthcare sector’s demand for activated carbon is anticipated to grow as new applications and products emerge, contributing to the market’s overall expansion.

Food and Beverage Industry: In the food and beverage industry, activated carbon is utilized for decolorization, purification, and flavor enhancement. It is used to remove impurities from sugars, syrups, and other food products. This sector is seeing a rise in the use of activated carbon, driven by increasing consumer demand for high-quality, clean-label products.

Key Players Analysis

CarbPure Technologies is a notable player in the carbon black sector, specializing in the development of high-performance carbon black products. The company focuses on advanced manufacturing processes to produce high-quality carbon blacks used in applications such as tires, coatings, and plastics. CarbPure Technologies’ commitment to innovation and sustainability is reflected in its state-of-the-art production facilities and its efforts to reduce environmental impact through cleaner technologies.

Cabot Corporation is a leading global provider of carbon black, renowned for its extensive portfolio of high-performance products. The company offers a wide range of carbon black grades used in various applications including tires, coatings, and plastics. Cabot’s focus on technological innovation and operational excellence allows it to deliver superior-quality carbon blacks. Recent investments and strategic acquisitions further enhance its market position, reinforcing its role as a key player in the carbon black industry.

Boyce Carbon is a significant player in the carbon black sector, focusing on the production of high-quality carbon black for diverse applications. Known for its advanced manufacturing techniques, Boyce Carbon caters to industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics, providing materials that enhance durability and performance. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, aiming to improve the environmental impact of its production processes. Boyce Carbon’s recent initiatives include investing in technology to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.

Jacobi Carbons Group operates prominently in the carbon black sector, offering a wide range of high-performance carbon black products used in tire manufacturing, coatings, and plastics. The company emphasizes innovation and quality, leveraging its extensive global production network to meet the growing demand for carbon black. Jacobi Carbons has recently expanded its capabilities with new facilities and advanced technologies to enhance production efficiency and sustainability. This expansion supports its strategic goal of leading the industry in both performance and environmental responsibility.

CarboTech AC GmbH is a leading player in the carbon black sector, specializing in the development and production of high-quality carbon blacks for various industrial applications. The company is recognized for its expertise in producing specialty carbon blacks used in automotive, industrial, and consumer products. CarboTech AC GmbH’s innovations in carbon black production focus on enhancing performance characteristics such as durability and conductivity.

Kuraray Co. is a prominent global manufacturer in the carbon black sector, known for its extensive portfolio of high-performance carbon blacks. Kuraray’s carbon blacks are widely used in applications such as tires, industrial rubber, and coatings due to their superior quality and consistency. The company’s advanced production technologies and commitment to research and development underpin its position as a key player in the market.

Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd. is a leading player in the carbon black sector, specializing in the production and supply of high-quality activated carbon. With a strong focus on sustainability, Haycarb leverages advanced technology to deliver superior-performance products for applications in air and water purification, as well as industrial processes. The company’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility positions it as a key supplier in the global activated carbon market.

Kureha Corporation is a prominent manufacturer in the carbon black sector, known for its high-performance carbon black products used in various applications including tires, coatings, and plastics. Based in Japan, Kureha has made significant advancements in carbon black technology, emphasizing innovation and quality. The company’s products are designed to meet stringent industry standards, supporting enhanced performance and durability in end-use applications. Kureha continues to play a vital role in the global carbon black market.

Donau Carbon GmbH specializes in providing advanced solutions within the carbon black sector, focusing on the regeneration and treatment of used carbon materials. The company offers innovative technologies for the sustainable reuse of carbon black, enhancing its lifecycle and reducing waste. Their expertise in carbon regeneration aligns with growing environmental regulations and industry demands for eco-friendly practices. Donau Carbon GmbH’s solutions help clients minimize operational costs while adhering to sustainability goals.

Calgon Carbon Corporation is a leading player in the carbon black sector, known for its comprehensive range of products and services related to carbon adsorption and treatment. The company specializes in the production of high-quality carbon black, which is essential for applications in automotive tires, industrial rubber, and coatings. Calgon Carbon’s expertise extends to advanced filtration technologies and environmental solutions, supporting industries in meeting stringent regulatory standards and enhancing product performance.

Carbon Activated Corporation is a leading player in the carbon black sector, specializing in the production and supply of high-quality activated carbon products. The company’s offerings are crucial for applications such as air and water purification, where they enhance performance by effectively adsorbing contaminants. Carbon Activated Corporation is known for its commitment to innovation and quality, ensuring its products meet the evolving needs of industries across the globe.

Albemarle Corporation is a prominent manufacturer in the carbon black sector, known for its advanced materials and chemical solutions. The company’s carbon black products are used in various applications, including tires, coatings, and plastics, where they provide essential properties like reinforcement and color. Albemarle’s focus on research and development aims to deliver high-performance materials that meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. is a notable player in the carbon black sector, specializing in the production of high-quality carbon black for various applications, including automotive and industrial uses. The company leverages advanced technologies to enhance the performance and efficiency of its carbon black products, catering to a diverse clientele with stringent quality requirements. Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. is recognized for its commitment to innovation and sustainability in manufacturing practices.

Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH operates as a key contributor to the carbon black market, focusing on the production and supply of activated carbon solutions. The company is known for its extensive portfolio, which includes products for air and water purification, as well as industrial applications. Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH emphasizes high-quality standards and technological advancements to meet diverse market needs, ensuring effective performance across various applications.

Evoqua Water Technologies LLC is a notable player in the activated carbon sector, providing advanced solutions for water and wastewater treatment. The company specializes in supplying and managing activated carbon systems to enhance water quality, utilizing its extensive expertise in environmental technologies. Evoqua’s solutions are designed to address various contaminants effectively, supporting regulatory compliance and sustainable practices.

Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC is a key player in the activated carbon industry, focusing on the production and supply of high-quality activated carbon products for diverse applications, including air and water purification. The company is recognized for its innovative approaches in manufacturing and regenerating activated carbon, which enhances performance and reduces environmental impact. Oxbow’s products are critical for maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency in various industries.

Conclusion

The activated carbon market is poised for steady growth driven by increasing applications across water treatment, air purification, and industrial processes. Key drivers include advancements in regeneration technologies and expanding use in emerging markets. However, challenges such as fluctuating raw material costs and regulatory compliance remain. Overall, the market’s dynamic nature and ongoing innovations indicate a promising future for activated carbon solutions.

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