Activated Carbon Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Product Type (Granular/Crushed, Powdered, Extruded/Pelletized), Raw Material (Wood Based, Coconut Shell Based, Coal Based), Application, End User, and By Geography

Activated Carbon Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Product Type (Granular/Crushed, Powdered, Extruded/Pelletized), Raw Material (Wood Based, Coconut Shell Based, Coal Based), Application, End User, and By GeographyAccording to Stratistics MRC, the Global Activated Carbon Market is accounted for $6.34 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $12.05 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period. Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is utilized in different modern applications, for example, gas and air cleaning, involving reusable recovery. Activated carbon is processed carbon with small and low-volume pores to increase surface area for chemical reactions and adsorption. Activated carbon is produced by processing organic material with high carbon content. Physical adsorption is main property of activated carbon, which is useful for purification, decaffeination, metal finishing, medicine, filters, removal of pollutant, and fuel storage. Liquid and gaseous phases of activated carbon enhance its uses in removal of lead, dissolved radon, mercury, and other odor-causing compounds.

China (801K tonnes) remains the largest activated carbon producing country worldwide, accounting for 35% of total volume. Moreover, activated carbon production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (309K tonnes), threefold. The U.S. (242K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share. In China, activated carbon production increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2007-2019. In other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+6.2% per year) and the U.S. (+0.1% per year).

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Growing use of activated carbon to control pollution

The global activated carbon market expected to drive growth during the forecast period, due to the growing requirement for mercury control technology for different industrial air purification applications. In the years to come, numerous production facilities across the US and Europe will be expected to meet stringent new emission standards for mercury and other dangerous air pollutants. These include clinker cement plants, coal-fired power plants and facilities operating large industrial boilers.

Restraint:

Low industrial growth due to weak economic conditions

The hindering factors of global activated carbon market are as the industrial growth is influenced by the weak economic condition across the globe. Activated carbon is mainly used in different industries such as chemical, petrochemical, food & beverages, pharmaceutical, mining, and automotive industries and water treatment amongst others. Fluctuations in crude oil prices have an impact on the value chain of petrochemical, chemical and its allied industries. Low industrial activities have a direct impact on the growth of activated carbon market.

Opportunity:

Growing popularity of the product in smart electronics

The global activated carbon expected to have numerous opportunities for the market growth, as carbon based materials are gaining popularity in different energy-related applications as they are easy to process, available in loads, have chemical and thermal stability. Activated carbons are important carbon materials for these applications due to their large surface area and high pore volume, and relatively low cost.

Threat:

Disadvantages of activated carbon as a filter

The global activated carbon market threatening challenges as activated carbon filters are not fine at eliminating chemicals that are not attracted to carbon, such as sodium, nitrates, heavy metals, and fluoride. Moreover, powdered Activated Carbon can't be reactivated after use and is also sometimes difficult to dig out of water treatment reservoirs. Thus, the disadvantages of activated carbon as a filter threatens the market growth.

Covid-19 Impact:

The activated carbon market hugely affected by the COVID-19 with an extensive decline in its CAGR. Safety and authorities orders issued on the federal and country level drastically affected activated carbon manufacturers and providers in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected majority of the businesses. Activated carbon manufacturers were affected in 2020 due to business shutdown mandates, limited local and state government office activities and social distancing norms. The demand for activated carbon declined from various end-use industries as well. The outbreak of pandemic also led to reduction in investments in the water sector globally.

The Gas phase is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The Gas phase segment is expected to have a lucrative growth, due to gas phase applications involves activated carbon for different purposes, for example, deodorization and filters for industrial air, chemical processing plants, exhaust fumes, and smoking rooms. It is predominantly utilized in automotive and industrial applications to control exhaust gas emissions and odor and for the recovery of solvents. Activated carbon finds its application in automotive industry for removal of ultrafine (UF) particles from air filters. Strict government regulations concerning flue gas emissions are expected to drive the demand for activated carbon in the automotive industry.

The granular segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The granular segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period, owing to the high demand for the product from many end-use industries such as water treatment and air & gas purification. Granulated activated carbon has a relatively larger particle size than powdered form, thus making it appropriate for eliminating contaminants from liquids, air, and gases. Granulated activated carbon is used in the food & beverage industry to eliminate impurities, odor, and color from sweeteners, syrups, beverages, amino acids, and organic acids. It is also used in wastewater treatment to eliminate oil, industrial pollutants, heavy metals, and pesticides.

Region with highest share:

The Asia Pacific region market is estimated to witness a highest share of the global activated carbon market during the forecast period, due to their growth in economic activities and fast industrialization in the developing economies of China and India. The market would also boost by growing awareness of maintaining a healthy workplace in developing countries of Asia Pacific, causing an increase in demand for the dust extractors.

Region with highest CAGR:

North America is projected to have the highest CAGR over the forecast period, due to growing demand for water and air purification applications. Regulations imposed by the government on the disposal of industrial wastewater and gas emissions have led to the growth in the use of the product for removing contaminants such as CO, mercury vapors, and other toxic gases.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Powder Metallurgy market include BASF SE, Jacobi Carbons Group, Cabot corporation, Kureha corporation, Albemarle Corporation, Donau carbon GMBH, Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd., Silcarbon atkivkohle GMBH, Kuraray co. Ltd., Carbotech AC Gmbh, Carbpure Technologies, Oxbow activated carbon LLC, Prominent systems inc., Osaka gas co., ltd., Desotec, Jacobi Carbons Group, Boyce Carbon, Advanced Emissions Solutions Inc., Ingevity, CPL Activated Carbons.

Key Developments:

In February 2022, Desotec announced the opening of its new reactivation plant in Roeselare, Belgium, with an aim to expand its capacity of recycled spent Activated Carbon by 70%. The opening of the plant will also strengthen the company’s leading position in Europe for closed-loop mobile purification services.

In September 2021, Cabot Corporation launched a unique styrene acrylonitrile-based black masterbatch named PLASBLAK XP6801D. This formulation will serve the needs of the styrenics market. This new product has excellent mechanical properties, UV performance with around 50% less material, reducing transport logistics, handling, and other transportation-related GHG emissions.

In March 2021, Cabot Corporation launched the ENERMAX 6 carbon nanotube series, which helps to enhance battery performance at lower loadings and enables higher energy density of the battery. Additionally, it lowers the direct current internal resistance of the battery cell while using this CNT loading compared to previous CNT products. It also reduces the total loading of conductive carbon additives by achieving a comparable conductivity of the electrodes.

Product Types Covered:
• Granular/Crushed
• Powdered
• Extruded/Pelletized
• Other Product Types

Raw Materials Covered:
• Wood Based
• Coconut Shell Based
• Coal Based
• Other Raw Materials

Applications Covered:
• Liquid Phase
• Gas Phase

End Users Covered:
• Water Treatment
• Food & Beverage Processing
• Pharmaceuticals & Medical
• Automotive
• Air Purification
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2028
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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