Global Activated Carbon Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2024 - 2030)

The global activated carbon market is segmented by type, application, and end-use industry to provide a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics and opportunities. In terms of types, the market is categorized into powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, and others. Powdered activated carbon is finely ground and widely used in liquid phase applications due to its high surface area and adsorption capacity. Granular activated carbon, on the other hand, consists of larger particles and is primarily utilized in gas phase applications such as air purification and gas separation. The others category may include specialized forms of activated carbon tailored for specific applications or niche markets. From an application perspective, the market is divided into liquid phase applications and gas phase applications. Liquid phase applications encompass water treatment, wastewater purification, and liquid filtration processes where activated carbon is used to remove impurities, contaminants, and pollutants from liquids. Gas phase applications include air purification, industrial gas processing, and emission control, where activated carbon is employed to adsorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and harmful gases from gas streams. Furthermore, the end-use industry segment categorizes the market based on the industries utilizing activated carbon products. Water treatment emerges as a dominant end-use industry, driven by the extensive use of activated carbon in municipal water treatment, drinking water purification, and groundwater remediation applications. The food and beverage industry also represents a significant market segment, leveraging activated carbon for decolorization, deodorization, and purification of food and beverage products. Additionally, activated carbon finds applications in healthcare, automotive, industrial processing, and various other industries for purposes such as pharmaceutical purification, automotive emission control, and solvent recovery.

Global Activated Carbon Segment Analysis

In this report, the Global Activated Carbon Market has been segmented by Type, Application, End-use Industry, and Geography.

Global Activated Carbon Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Global Activated Carbon Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Global Activated Carbon Market Share (%), by Geographical Region, 2023

Asia-Pacific dominates the global activated carbon market and is projected to achieve a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.49% during the forecast period. The region's growth is primarily driven by the flourishing chemicals, food and beverage, and energy industries in countries such as China, India, and Indonesia. China, in particular, serves as both the leading producer and consumer of activated carbon globally, buoyed by its status as a major electric vehicle manufacturer. Anticipated increases in consumption for energy storage and pharmaceutical applications are expected to further propel market growth in the region. Additionally, the pressing need for water purification and reuse in Asia-Pacific's industrial sector, driven by water scarcity concerns, is poised to drive significant demand for activated carbon in the coming years. The expansion of the automotive industry in the region, coupled with the escalating adoption of activated carbon to mitigate gaseous emissions from automobiles, is also forecasted to contribute to regional market expansion.

North America is forecasted to register a notable CAGR of 7.27% over the forecast period, driven by increasing regulatory pressure from bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US government to curb mercury emissions across industries. The region's market growth is further supported by the availability of advanced technologies and the heightened demand for water purification in the US industrial sector. Moreover, the widespread use of activated carbon in water purification applications continues to underpin market growth in the region.

In Europe, stringent government regulations pertaining to toxic gas emissions and the growing momentum towards industrial water reuse initiatives are key drivers of market growth. The adoption of onsite water reuse by industries, motivated by pollution reduction and energy conservation objectives, is gaining traction across European nations. Additionally, the extensive utilization of activated carbon for decolorization purposes in the food and beverage sector, particularly in developed countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia, is expected to drive market growth in the region.

Latin America's market growth is primarily fueled by substantial consumption of activated carbon in water purification applications, driven by water quality challenges in the region. Furthermore, the treatment of wastewater using activated carbon for agricultural irrigation purposes is contributing to market expansion. Additionally, concerns surrounding automotive air pollution are expected to further boost demand for activated carbon in emission control applications.

In the Middle East and Africa, the oil and gas sector emerges as the primary user of activated carbon, given the region's prominence as a major crude oil producer and holder of extensive natural gas reserves. The sector relies on activated carbon for various purification processes, including the removal of heavy polynuclear aromatics (HPNA) during hydrocracking and desulfurization of natural gas. Moreover, investments in the oil and gas industry aimed at boosting production are anticipated to drive demand for activated carbon for air purification purposes in the years ahead.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Global Activated Carbon Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Increasing Demand for Water and Sewage Treatment

• Increasing Focus on Air Purification- The rising air pollution across the globe has surged the demand for air purification systems in factories and generators. Over the past few years, rapid industrialization and the increasing number of coal-based electricity-generating power plants have increased air pollution. As a result, the governments of different countries have issued new policies to control pollution.

  Therefore, product consumption has increased in end products, such as carbon filters. These filters extract the micro impurities from the air when they pass through it as their bed structure is made of powdered or granular carbon. Additionally, such carbon filters offer remarkable filtration against Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), chemicals, and hazardous gases, such as SOX and NOX.The number of dyspnea (breathing illness) patients has increased drastically in the past few years due to the presence of micro-pollutants in the air. This has created a massive demand for activated carbon from air filtration systems in residential areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 90% of the global population breathes polluted air, and more than 4.1 million people die from air pollution every year.

Restraints

• High Production Costs
• Limited Availability of Raw Materials

• Hike in Prices Due to Raw Material Shortage to Impede- The scarcity of raw materials, particularly coconut shell charcoal, poses a significant challenge to the growth of the activated carbon market. With increasing demand for activated carbon across various industries, the prices of raw materials have surged, impacting production costs. Additionally, coal-based products have witnessed price hikes due to heightened energy requirements in sectors like cement production, iron and steel manufacturing, and electricity generation, notably in China. This surge in demand has led to a shortage of coal grades essential for activated charcoal production.

  Furthermore, the decrease in coconut production has further exacerbated the situation, as coconut shell charcoal is a key raw material for activated carbon production. To address this shortage, producers have sought to ramp up their production capacities by up to 50-60%. However, this increased production has resulted in additional costs, leading to further price hikes for activated carbon products. Overall, the scarcity of raw materials presents a significant challenge for market players, necessitating strategies to mitigate supply chain disruptions and manage cost pressures effectively.

Opportunities

• Technological Advancements
• Rising Industrialization and Urbanization

• Rising Adoption in Food and Beverage Industry- Activated carbon is increasingly utilized in various processes within the food and beverage sector, including decolorization, deodorization, and purification. One of the primary applications of activated carbon in this industry is in the purification of food and beverage products. Activated carbon effectively removes impurities, off-flavors, and unwanted substances from food and beverage ingredients, additives, and final products, thereby enhancing their quality, appearance, and taste. Additionally, activated carbon plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and quality requirements set by food safety authorities. By effectively removing contaminants and undesirable substances, activated carbon helps food and beverage manufacturers maintain product integrity and safety, thereby bolstering consumer confidence and trust.

  Moreover, the versatility of activated carbon enables its application across a wide range of food and beverage products, including alcoholic beverages, juices, sweeteners, edible oils, and food additives. This versatility, coupled with its high adsorption capacity and efficiency, makes activated carbon a preferred choice for manufacturers seeking to improve product quality and meet consumer expectations. Furthermore, as consumer preferences shift towards healthier and cleaner-label products, the demand for activated carbon in the food and beverage industry is expected to rise further. Activated carbon offers a natural and effective solution for purifying and enhancing the quality of food and beverage products without the need for artificial additives or chemical treatments, aligning with evolving consumer preferences for clean and transparent labeling. Overall, the rising adoption of activated carbon in the food and beverage industry not only presents lucrative opportunities for market growth but also underscores the vital role of activated carbon in ensuring the safety, quality, and integrity of food and beverage products consumed by consumers worldwide

Key players in Global Activated Carbon Market include:

• 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

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis