Coal-based Activated Carbon Market

• In March 2023, Cabot Corporation recently launched the EVOLVE technology program that is involved in advancing sustainable reinforcing carbons. The purpose of the new technology launch is to recover the carbon product from the end-life tiers to renew the waste and reduce the carbon content.

• In January 2023, Cabot Corporation announced that it would invest USD 200 million in the U.S. to add conductive carbons capacity at their existing Pampa, Texas, U.S. facility. The purpose of the investment is aimed at product expansion in the country for the next five years.

• In October 2022, Kuraray Co., Ltd announced that it would finish the running test operation of the reactivated carbon production facility on its Feluy plant in Germany.

In this report, the Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market has been segmented by Type, Product, Application End-Use and Geography.

Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market, Segmentation by Type

The Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market is segmented by Type into Powdered Activated Carbon, Granular Activated Carbon and Cylindrical Activated Carbon

Powdered Activated Carbon

The powdered activated carbon segment dominates the coal-based activated carbon market, holding nearly 50–55% of total demand. It is widely used in water treatment, air purification, and industrial processes due to its high surface area and rapid adsorption capacity. Over 70% of municipal water treatment plants rely on powdered forms for efficient contaminant removal.

Granular Activated Carbon

Granular activated carbon accounts for about 30–32% of the market, preferred for applications requiring reusability and regeneration. More than 60% of its use is concentrated in drinking water filtration and industrial wastewater treatment. Its effectiveness in long-term filtration systems makes it a key choice for sustainable purification solutions.

Cylindrical Activated Carbon

The cylindrical activated carbon segment represents approximately 12–15% of total demand, primarily used in gas purification, automotive emission control, and air filtration systems. Adoption is rising at an annual rate of over 8%, with around 50% of installations in industries requiring consistent airflow management and pollutant control.

Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market, Segmentation by Product

The Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market is segmented by Product into Granular, Powdered and Others.

Granular

The granular segment holds nearly 45–50% of the coal-based activated carbon market, making it a leading product type. Its reusability and high adsorption efficiency make it ideal for drinking water treatment and industrial wastewater purification. Over 60% of water treatment facilities prefer granular forms due to their cost-effectiveness and long lifecycle.

Powdered

Powdered activated carbon contributes around 40–42% of the market, widely adopted in municipal water treatment, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. More than 70% of short-term purification projects rely on powdered products for their rapid adsorption properties and ease of mixing in liquid-phase applications.

Others

The others category, covering specialized and emerging forms, accounts for about 10–12% of the global market. This includes cylindrical activated carbon and impregnated carbon, which are gaining traction in air purification and automotive industries. The segment is expanding steadily at over 6% annually, driven by demand for advanced filtration solutions.

Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market, Segmentation by Application

The Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market is segmented by Application into Air Purification, Water Treatment, Industrial Processes, Food & Beverage and Pharmaceuticals

Air Purification

The air purification segment holds nearly 30–32% of the coal-based activated carbon market. Its effectiveness in removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and toxic gases has boosted adoption across industrial exhaust systems and residential filtration units. More than 40% of air purifier manufacturers now integrate activated carbon filters for enhanced performance.

Water Treatment

Water treatment is the largest application, accounting for about 40–42% of demand. Activated carbon is widely used in municipal water plants and wastewater treatment to eliminate impurities, chlorine, and organic contaminants. Over 65% of global water purification systems depend on this technology for reliable and safe results.

Industrial Processes

This segment contributes nearly 15–18% of the market, with usage across chemical manufacturing, mining, and metal recovery. Activated carbon plays a key role in catalysis, solvent recovery, and gas separation. Growth in industrial activities, especially in Asia Pacific, is driving demand in this category.

Food & Beverage

Accounting for about 8–10% of the market, the food & beverage sector uses activated carbon for decolorization, purification of sweeteners, and alcohol refinement. Over 50% of sugar refineries globally utilize activated carbon to maintain high product quality and regulatory compliance.

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceuticals segment represents around 7–8% of the total market. Activated carbon is extensively applied in drug formulation, purification of intermediates, and toxin removal. More than 35% of pharmaceutical producers adopt activated carbon solutions to meet stringent quality and safety standards.

Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market, Segmentation by End-Use

The Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market is segmented by End-Use into Water Treatment, Food & Beverage Processing, Pharmaceutical & Medical, Automotive, Air purification and Others.

Water Treatment

The water treatment segment dominates the coal-based activated carbon market, contributing nearly 40–42% of demand. It is widely used in municipal treatment plants, industrial wastewater management, and household purification systems to remove chlorine, pesticides, and organic pollutants. Over 65% of water purification units globally integrate activated carbon filtration technology.

Food & Beverage Processing

Food & beverage applications account for about 10–12% of the market. Activated carbon is used for decolorization, taste enhancement, and sweetener purification. More than 50% of sugar refineries and beverage processors employ activated carbon solutions to meet global food safety and quality standards.

Pharmaceutical & Medical

This segment holds nearly 8–9% of the market share, with applications in drug formulation, toxin removal, and purification of pharmaceutical intermediates. Activated carbon is also used in medical devices such as respiratory masks and drug delivery systems, ensuring safety and compliance in critical healthcare processes.

Automotive

The automotive sector contributes around 7–8% of the market. Activated carbon is essential for cabin air filters, fuel vapor recovery systems, and emission control. With rising focus on air quality standards and vehicle efficiency, over 45% of modern vehicles now incorporate activated carbon-based filtration systems.

Air Purification

Air purification applications represent nearly 25–27% of demand, making it the second-largest segment. Activated carbon is highly effective in eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic gases, and odors. Adoption is growing in industrial plants, commercial buildings, and households for improved air quality and environmental safety.

Others

The others segment contributes about 5–6% of the market, covering applications in gold recovery, chemical processing, and specialty uses. This category is expected to see gradual growth as industries adopt advanced purification technologies for niche and high-value applications worldwide.

Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market, Segmentation by Geography

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

Coal-Based Activated Carbon Market,Share (%), by Geographical Region, 2023

North America

North America accounts for nearly 28–30% of the coal-based activated carbon market. The region is driven by stringent environmental regulations and increasing demand for water treatment solutions. The U.S. dominates the market due to widespread adoption in industrial purification and air quality management.

Europe

Europe holds about 22–24% of the market, supported by strong demand in pharmaceuticals, automotive emission control, and food processing industries. Countries like Germany and France are leading due to advanced industrial filtration systems and strict environmental compliance standards.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific dominates with nearly 35–37% of the global market share. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and rising awareness of clean water and air purification are the major growth drivers. China and India are major contributors, with growing investments in wastewater treatment and industrial pollution control.

Middle East and Africa

This region contributes around 6–7% of the market. Demand is primarily driven by desalination plants, oil & gas industries, and rising need for air purification systems. The growth potential is increasing as governments emphasize sustainability initiatives in water and air quality management.

Latin America

Latin America represents about 7–8% of the coal-based activated carbon market. Countries like Brazil and Mexico are witnessing steady adoption in food & beverage processing, pharmaceuticals, and industrial water treatment. Growing urban development further fuels the market demand in the region.