The global activated carbon market size was valued at USD 5.70 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 5.62 billion in 2025 to USD 10.04 billion in 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period. Activated carbon, also referred to as activated charcoal, is widely recognized for its superior adsorption capabilities. It serves as a key material across various applications, including air purification, water treatment, and numerous industrial processes. The market has witnessed robust growth driven by rising environmental concerns and the implementation of stringent regulatory standards. Heightened awareness about pollution control has prompted manufacturers to invest in advanced technologies and innovative applications of activated carbon. Its use is expanding particularly in water treatment processes, encompassing drinking water, groundwater, service water, and wastewater purification.
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Segmentation Analysis:
Which type of activated carbon holds the highest market share?
The granular activated carbon (GAC) segment holds the highest share of the market. Its dominance is mainly due to strong demand from air treatment and water purification systems, driven by its reusability and effective contaminant removal properties.
Why is granular activated carbon preferred over the powdered form?
Granular activated carbon has a larger particle size than powdered activated carbon, making it more suitable for removing contaminants from liquids, air, and gases. This form is especially useful in continuous filtration systems and offers the benefit of easy regeneration and reusability, contributing to its growing market demand.
What are the key applications of granular activated carbon (GAC)?
GAC is widely used in the food & beverage industry to remove impurities, odor, and color from products such as sweeteners, syrups, beverages, amino acids, and organic acids. It is also employed in wastewater treatment to eliminate oil, industrial pollutants, heavy metals, and pesticides.
Which application segment dominates the activated carbon market?
The water treatment segment held the largest share of the activated carbon market in 2024 and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period.
What factors drive the demand for activated carbon in water treatment?
Rising global demand for clean and safe drinking water and the enforcement of strict environmental regulations are key drivers. Activated carbon is widely used in water treatment due to its high porosity and large surface area, which enable it to effectively adsorb organic compounds, odor, taste compounds, toxic substances, and oils.
Market Dynamics:
Drivers
- Rising Demand for Water Purification: Growing global concerns over clean and safe drinking water, coupled with stricter discharge standards, have boosted the adoption of activated carbon in municipal and industrial water treatment.
- Increasing Air Pollution and Emission Control: Industrialization and stringent regulations for mercury, VOCs, and flue gas emissions are driving product demand in air purification applications.
- Technological Advancements: Improved activation techniques and development of specialized pore structures enhance adsorption efficiency, supporting broader industrial applications.
Trends
- Growing Focus on Reactivation and Recycling: Reactivation of spent activated carbon reduces waste and raw material costs, aligning with global sustainability goals.
- Customized Product Development: Manufacturers are introducing application-specific carbons with tailored pore size distribution to remove targeted pollutants.
- Shift Toward Renewable Raw Materials: Rising use of coconut shell and biomass-based carbons to reduce carbon footprint.
Restraints
- High Production Costs: Energy-intensive activation processes and fluctuating feedstock availability can limit supply and increase costs.
- Competition from Alternative Adsorbents: Substitutes such as zeolites and synthetic resins may restrain demand in specific applications.
List of Key Companies Profiled:
- Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Japan)
- Donau Carbon GmbH (Germany)
- Cabot Corporation (U.S.)
- PURAGEN ACTIVATED CARBONS (U.S.)
- CARBOTECH AC GMBH (Germany)
- Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Japan)
- KUREHA CORPORATION (Japan)
- Activated Carbon Technologies (Australia)
- Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH (Germany)
- Ingevity (U.S.)
- Iluka Resources (Australia)
- James Cumming & Sons (Australia)
Key Industry Development:
- May 2024 – Kuraray Co., Ltd. along with its U.S. subsidiary Calgon Carbon Corporation is set to acquire Sprint Environmental Services, LLC’s industrial reactivated carbon business.
- March 2023 – Cabot Corporation launched the EVOLVE technology program that is involved in advancing sustainable reinforcing carbons. The purpose of the new technology launch was to recover the carbon product from the end-life tiers to renew the waste and reduce the carbon content.
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