Activated Carbon Market by Type (Powdered Activated Carbon, Granular Activated Carbon), Application (Liquid Phase Application, and Gas Phase Application), End-Use Industry, Raw Material (Coal, Coconut, Wood, Peat), and Region - Global Forecast to 2030

Activated Carbon Market by Type (Powdered Activated Carbon, Granular Activated Carbon), Application (Liquid Phase Application, and Gas Phase Application), End-Use Industry, Raw Material (Coal, Coconut, Wood, Peat), and Region - Global Forecast to 2030

The activated carbon market size is estimated to be USD 4.4 billion in 2023, and it is projected to reach USD 8.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.8%. Among the three types of activated carbon, Powdered Activated Carbon, Granular Activated Carbon, and Others; Powdered Activated Carbon holds the largest market share. This is due to its smaller particle size compared to granular activated carbon, resulting in a larger surface-to-volume ratio. This characteristic enhances its effectiveness in wastewater treatment. Additionally, powdered activated carbon offers a low initial cost and allows for dosage adjustment based on changing contaminant levels, making it advantageous for water purification. These factors contribute to the growth of the activated carbon market during the forecast period..



By Type, Granular Activated Carbon accounted for the second highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a type of activated carbon produced by crushing or grinding carbon-rich materials like coconut shells, wood, or coal into small granules. These granules undergo activation through heating in the presence of a gas, leading to the development of a porous network and an increased surface area. This highly porous material effectively adsorbs impurities and contaminants from water and air, making it suitable for applications such as water purification and air purification. Therefore, the widespread use of GAC contributes to the activation of the active carbon market during the forecast period.

By Application, Liquid Phase Application segment accounted for the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period

Activated carbon finds widespread usage in liquid phase applications for purifying, filtering, and adsorbing impurities from liquids. With its high surface area and pore volume, activated carbon effectively adsorbs a diverse range of contaminants from water, beverages, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. It is extensively used in wastewater treatment and the removal of organic compounds and pollutants from industrial effluents. Consequently, the increasing demand for activated carbon from various end-use industries such as water treatment, food & beverages, etc., is anticipated to increase market growth during the forecast period.

By End-Use Industry, automotive segment accounted for the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period

Activated carbon serves various purposes in the automotive sector, including air purification, emissions control, fuel storage, odor control, and more. The implementation of strict emissions regulations by governments worldwide to resist environmental pollution is expected to drive the demand for activated carbon in the automotive industry in the forecast period.

By Raw Material, wood segment accounted for the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period

Wood-based activated carbon is derived from wood through a process called activation, involving heating wood to high temperatures in the presence of gases like carbon dioxide or steam. This procedure generates numerous tiny pores in the wood, significantly enhancing its surface area and adsorption capacity. With applications spanning water and air purification, removal of impurities from industrial processes, and utilization as a catalyst in chemical reactions, wood-based activated carbon plays a crucial role in supporting the growth of the activated carbon market during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is projected to account for the fastest-growing in the activated carbon market during the forecast period

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth in the activated carbon market. This growth encompasses countries like China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and others. China and India, in particular, are expected to drive the demand for activated carbon due to their increasing population and rising living standards, leading to a higher need for purified air and water. Furthermore, the demand for activated carbon is propelled by various end-use industries such as food & beverage, automotive, pharmaceutical & medical, among others. The expanding automotive, food & beverage, and medical sectors in the region are forecasted to further boost the demand for activated carbon in the forecast period.

In-depth interviews were conducted with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the activated carbon market.

By Company Type: Tier 1: 40%, Tier 2: 25%, and Tier 3: 35%

By Designation: C Level: 35%, Director Level: 30%, and Others: 35%

By Region: North America: 25%, Europe: 20%, APAC: 45%, Middle East & Africa: 5%, and South America: 5%

Companies Covered: The global activated carbon market comprises major manufacturers, such as Diagas Group (Japan), Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Japan), Haycarb PLC (Sri Lanka), Norit (Netherlands), Kureha Corporation (Japan), BASF SE (Germany), Albemarle Inc. (US), Ingevity (US), Iluka Resources Limited (Australia), Tronox Holdings Plc (US), Evoqua Water Technologies LLC (US), among others.

Research Coverage

The market study covers the activated carbon market across various segments. It aims at estimating the market size and the growth potential of this market across different segments based on type, raw material, application, end-use industry, and region. The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of key players in the market, their company profiles, key observations related to their products and business offerings, recent developments undertaken by them, and key growth strategies adopted by them to improve their position in the activated carbon market.

Key Benefits of Buying the Report

The report is expected to help the market leaders/new entrants in this market share the closest approximations of the revenue numbers of the overall activated carbon market and its segments and sub-segments. This report is projected to help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape of the market, gain insights to improve the position of their businesses, and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also aims to help stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on the key market drivers, challenges, and opportunities.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Analysis of key drivers (Rising pollution control to generate the demand for activated carbon, Stringent water pollution regulations, and Rising automotive industry helps to drive the demand), restraints (Scarcity of raw materials causing price hikes of activated carbon), opportunities (Reactivated carbon to provide lucrative opportunities to activated carbon producers) and challenges (Weak economic conditions to lower industrial growth).

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product & service launches in the activated carbon market

Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets – the report analyses the activated carbon market across varied regions

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products & services, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the activated carbon market

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players like Kuraray Co., Ltd.(Japan), Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd. (Japan), Haycarb Pvt. Ltd.(Sri Lanka), Norit (Netherlands), and Kureha Corporation (Japan), BASF SE (Germany), Albemarle Inc. (US), Ingevity (US), Iluka Resources Limited (Australia), Tronox Holdings Plc (US), Evoqua Water Technologies LLC (US), among others in the activated carbon market. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the activated carbon market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.