Activated Carbon Market Competitive Analysis: Key Trends and Strategies for Industry Leaders

The global activated carbon market size was estimated at USD 4.92 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2024 to 2030.Activated carbon is used to purify liquids and gases in various end-use applications including municipal drinking water, food & beverage processing, and automotive among others. This is attributable to its beneficial properties such as cost effectiveness, easy removal of bad taste, color stability, and quick removal of bad odor.

Stringent regulations related to the maintenance of air quality, coupled with the rise in investments to set up municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants worldwide, is likely to positively impact the market. They are commonly used in water treatment chemicals due to its ability to remove impurities and contaminants from water. The process of using the product in water treatment involves adsorption, which is the binding of contaminants to the surface of the carbon material.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Global Activated Carbon Market

Type Insights & Trends

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) segment held the largest market share in 2023. This type of activated carbon possesses high adsorption capacity and thus is used for numerous applications. It is considered an economical recommended technology for effective removal of effluent organic matter (EfOM) and petroleum hydrocarbons (PhC) from wastewater.

Application Insights & Trends

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a highly porous form of carbon that is used in gas-phase applications owing to its ability to adsorb gases and vapor. It is typically used in the form of small pellets, granules, or powder in gas-phase applications. Activated carbon is commonly used in gas-phase applications for air purification purposes. It is used in air filters to remove pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone, and other gases. They adsorbs these pollutants as they pass through filters containing it, thereby cleaning the air.

End Use Insights & Trends

Water treatment segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 42.3% of the market in 2023 owing to continuous technological advancements and innovations in water treatment and recycling plants. The automotive segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is attributable to the rise in use of the product in the automotive industry. They are an essential component in the automotive industry as it is used in cabin air filters, evaporative emission control canisters, and ultra-capacitors. Granular activated carbon is used in cabin air filters of vehicles to eliminate odor and purify the air inside passenger compartments.

Regional Insights

North America is characterized by the presence of stringent regulations on air and water pollution. This prompts the surged demand for activated carbon in the region as it can remove harmful contaminants from water & air. In addition, government regulatory agencies in North America have suggested the usage of activated carbon for impurity removal from water as well as air.

Browse through Grand View Research's Bulk Chemicals Industry Research Reports.

Borage Oil Market: The global borage oil market size was valued at USD 51.8 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2030.

Oil Spill Management Market: The global oil spill management market size was valued at USD 148.14 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2024 to 2030.

Key Activated Carbon Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Kuraray Co., Jacobi Carbons Group, and Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd. among others.

Kuraray Co., Ltd. produces and sells activated carbon, along with other products. Its products are categorized under plastics & polymers, fibers & textiles, chemicals/elastomers & rubber, new businesses, engineering, and medical & environment related categories. The company also has a research and development department, which comprises two research and development centers in Kurashiki and Tsukuba. The company has a significant global presence with offices in countries such as the U.S., Germany, Belgium, China, Korea, Hong Kong, and India.

Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd. is a Japan-based company, which operates through two major business segments, namely, advanced material solutions and absorption & separation solutions. The products of the company are categorized as fine chemical materials, surface processing, resin additives, wood preservatives, industrial preservatives, and activated carbon and its products. Activated carbon products of Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd. are marketed under the brand, Shirasagi. The company has a product development center and a distribution center in Osaka, Japan. In addition, it also has a technology center in Nara, Japan.

CarbPure Technologies, CarboTech AC GmbH, and Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd., among others, are some of the emerging market participants in the market.

CarbPure Technologies, a part of Advanced Emission Solutions, Inc., is a manufacturer and supplier of high-quality activated carbon products. Its products are majorly used in water treatment applications. The company is vertically integrated to ensure a constant and reliable supply of quality products to its customer base. CarbPure Technologies also has research and development centers to introduce new instrumentation required in unique product development techniques. The products of the company are regulated and tested under the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. It also has various supply agreements and partnerships to ensure a constant and quick supply of its products throughout various regions.

Carbotech is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of granulated, powdered, and extruded activated carbon products. Its products are used in the food & beverages industry, as well as in fluid treatment, hydrogen purification, air & gas purification, water & wastewater treatment, and carbon molecular sieve applications. The production facility of the company is located in the industrial Ruhr conurbation of Germany. Under its sustainability initiatives, Carbotech is shifting its focus from producing powdered activated carbon to granular activated carbon owing to the highly sustainable nature of the latter. The products of the company are Halal, Kosher, and ISO certified and fulfill the REACH requirements.

Key Activated Carbon Companies:

The following are the leading companies in the activated carbon market. These companies collectively hold the largest market share and dictate industry trends.