Global Activated Carbon Market Overview, 2023-28

Activated carbon is processed carbon with small, low-volume pores to increase the surface area for chemical reactions and adsorption. Activated carbon is produced by processing organic material with high carbon content. Furthermore, health risks associated with drinking impure water are constantly rising among consumers. Improvements in drinking water treatments, growth in automobile ownership rates, and increases in manufacturing and environmental standards boost the growth of the activated carbon market. Moreover, health risks associated with drinking impure water are constantly rising among consumers. Improvements in drinking water treatments, growth in automobile ownership rates, and increases in manufacturing and environmental standards boost the growth of the activated carbon market. Furthermore, activated carbon is used in a variety of automotive applications, including emissions control systems and cabin air filters. Improvements easing the focus on reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality are expected to increase the use of activated carbon in this sector in the coming years. Moreover, as concerns over water scarcity and pollution continue to grow, the demand for activated carbon in wastewater treatment applications is expected to increase. This represents a significant growth opportunity for activated carbon manufacturers. In addition, as new technologies and production methods are developed, the quality and efficiency of activated carbon production are expected to improve. This could lead to increased demand for activated carbon in various industries and applications. According to the research report, “Global Activated Carbon Market Overview, 2023-28”, published by Bonafide research the market is anticipated to reach USD 9.02 Billion by 2028 with the significant CAGR of 6.55% during the forecast period from USD 6.22 Billion in 2022. Asia Pacific will hold the majority of the market (more than 50%). China and India are expected to maintain their dominance during the projection period because they are two of the top consumer nations, particularly for water treatment applications. Due to the region's increasing demand for clean, safe drinking water, the Asia Pacific region's exponential population growth has increased the demand for activated charcoal. Raw materials are also expected to be readily available and inexpensive, bolstering market growth. Furthermore, the demand for clean energy is increasing in North America, which is driving the need for high-performance energy storage solutions. Moreover, the market for activated carbon in North America is highly competitive, with several large manufacturers operating in the region, including Calgon Carbon, Cabot Corporation, and Kuraray. In addition, air pollution is a significant problem in many parts of North America, particularly in large urban areas. Activated carbon is an effective material for removing pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter from the air, and as a result, demand for activated carbon in air purification applications is growing.

Based on product type, the market is segmented into powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, extruded or pelletized activated carbon, and others. Among them, powdered activated carbon is a popular product category in the North American activated carbon market and will have the largest market share in 2022. Powdered activated carbon is easier to handle than other forms of activated carbon, such as GAC or extruded or pelletized activated carbon, due to its fine particle size. It can be easily mixed with water or other liquids, and it can be used in a variety of equipment types, such as fixed-bed absorbers, fluidized-bed absorbers, and slurry absorbers. Furthermore, PAC is often used in the production of activated carbon face masks, which can filter out harmful pollutants and particles from the air. Furthermore, granular activated carbon (GAC) is expected to have the highest CAGR of more than 8% during the forecast period in the global activated carbon market. GAC has a longer life cycle compared to other activated carbon products due to its larger particle size. This means that GAC needs to be replaced less frequently, reducing operating costs. Based on the raw material used for its production, the global activated carbon market is divided into coal-based, coconut shell-based, wood-based, and others. Coal-based activated carbon holds the highest market share in the global activated carbon market. This is primarily due to the abundant availability of coal as a raw material and it’s relatively low cost compared to other raw materials. Coal-based activated carbon is produced by carbonizing bituminous coal and then activating it using steam or chemicals to create a highly porous structure. Furthermore, coconut shell-based activated carbon is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Coconut shell-based activated carbon is produced by carbonizing coconut shells and then activating them using steam or chemicals to create a highly porous structure. It has a high surface area and high micro porosity, making it an excellent choice for water purification and air filtration applications. The market is divided into the liquid phase and the gas phase. Liquid-phase activated carbon has the highest market share in the global activated carbon market. The demand for liquid-phase activated carbon is driven by environmental regulations governing the discharge of contaminants into waterways. The use of liquid-phase activated carbon can help industrial facilities comply with these regulations by removing pollutants from their wastewater streams. The gas phase activated is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Gas-phase activated carbon is widely used for air purification in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. The increasing awareness about the harmful effects of air pollution on human health is driving the demand for gas-phase activated carbon in global.

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Manmayi Raval

Research Consultant

The global activated carbon market is segmented based on end-use applications such as water treatment, air purification, food and beverage processing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and others. Among these, the water treatment segment has the highest market share. Activated carbon is commonly used in water treatment to remove impurities and contaminants from drinking water, wastewater, and industrial process water. Activated carbon can effectively remove organic compounds, pesticides, chlorine, and other chemicals that can cause unpleasant taste and odour, colour, and toxicity in water. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical industry is growing rapidly worldwide, driven by the ageing population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and rising healthcare expenditure. This is driving the demand for high-quality and pure pharmaceutical products, which require the use of activated carbon for purification and separation. Government regulations play a crucial role in the activated carbon market globally. The production, import, and use of activated carbon are regulated by various national and international regulatory bodies. Governments worldwide have implemented environmental regulations to control the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Activated carbon is used in several industries, including power plants, refineries, and cement manufacturing, to reduce emissions. These industries are subject to regulations that mandate the use of activated carbon to meet emission standards. Furthermore, governments regulate the use of activated carbon in water and wastewater treatment to ensure that drinking water and discharge water meet safety standards. Activated carbon can remove contaminants such as organic matter, pesticides, and heavy metals, making it a vital component of water and wastewater treatment systems. Moreover, governments also regulate the import and export of activated carbon to protect domestic industries and prevent the illegal trade of products. Activated carbon is subject to import/export duties and quotas, and trade agreements between countries can impact the market dynamics. There are several organisations and associations involved in the activated carbon industry globally; including The International Activated Carbon Conference (IACC) is a biennial conference that brings together researchers, manufacturers, and users of activated carbon to discuss the latest developments and applications of the technology. The conference is organized by the International Activated Carbon Society (IACS). Furthermore, the International Activated Carbon Association (IACA) is a global trade association representing the activated carbon industry. It promotes the use of activated carbon through education and advocacy and works with regulatory bodies to ensure that the industry operates in a responsible and sustainable manner. Moreover, the American Carbon Society (ACS) is a non-profit organization that promotes the understanding and use of carbon materials through education, research, and collaboration. The organisations include members from academia, government, and industry and are involved in several areas, including activated carbon. In addition, the European Activated Carbon Association (EACA) is a non-profit organization that represents the activated carbon industry in Europe. It promotes the use of activated carbon through research, education, and advocacy and works with regulatory bodies to ensure that the industry operates in a sustainable and responsible manner.

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Recent Development: • October 2022- Cabot Corporation raised the prices of carbon black products sold by its specialty carbons worldwide, starting with all shipments on or after November 6, 2022, or as per contract. The rise in raw material costs and other production-related costs necessitates this price increase. The increase and timing will vary by product and geography. • March 2022: Cabot Corporation sold off its activated carbon unit, Norit Activated Carbon, to One Equity Partners. Following the divestiture, Norit Activated Carbon became an independent company serving its customers with a broad portfolio of activated carbon solutions through its 10 production facilities in seven countries. Covid-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative influence on the market for activated carbon in 2020, significantly decreasing its CAGR. In 2020, manufacturers and suppliers of activated carbon were significantly impacted by federal and national safety and legal orders. The majority of businesses have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mandates for business closures, restricted municipal and state government office activities, and social conventions of distance had an impact on the production of activated carbon in 2020. Additionally, demand for activated carbon decreased across a range of end-use sectors. The pandemic epidemic also resulted in a decline in global investments in the water sector. Companies Mentioned in this Report: Considered in this report • Geography: Global • Historic year: 2017 • Base year: 2022 • Estimated year: 2023 • Forecast year: 2028 Aspects covered in this report • Global Activated Carbon market with its value and forecast along with its segments • Region-wise Activated Carbon market analysis • Various drivers and challenges • On-going trends and developments • Top profiled companies • Strategic recommendation Regions covered in the report: • North America • Europe • Asia-Pacific • SA • MEA By Product type: • Powdered Activated Carbons (PAC) • Granular Activated Carbons (GAC) • Extruded or Pelletized Activated Carbon • Others (Pellet Shaped, Bead Shaped, Impregnated Carbon, Polymer Coated Carbon, etc.) By Raw Material Type: • Coal Based • Coconut Shell Based • Wood Based • Others (Petroleum Pitch, etc.) By Phase Type: • Liquid Phase • Gas Phase By End –user Type: • Water Treatment • Food & Beverage Processing • Pharmaceutical & Medical • Automotive • Air Purification • Others (Gold Treatment, Respirators, Solvency Recover, Mining, Industrial Chemicals, etc.) The approach of the report: This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources. Intended audience This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Activated Carbon industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.