Specialty Carbon Black Market Report 2026

The specialty carbon black market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.7 billion in 2025 to $4.21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising demand for conductive carbon black, growth in plastics and rubber industries, increasing application in paints and coatings, technological advancements in furnace black production, expanding use in inks and toners.

The specialty carbon black market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.98 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for uv-protective carbon black, increasing applications in battery electrodes, rising use in high-performance plastics, development of customized specialty grades, expansion in sustainable and eco-friendly carbon black solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of conductive carbon black applications, increasing use in uv protection for plastics, growth in high-performance inks and toners, rising demand in paints and coatings industry, customized carbon black grades for specialized industrial use.

The growth of the automotive industry is expected to drive the expansion of the specialty carbon black market. The automotive industry encompasses the production, sale, and maintenance of vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other modes of transportation. Specialty carbon black is utilized in the automotive sector for tire manufacturing, automotive rubber components, conductive plastics, coatings and pigments, and battery components. For example, in October 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, a U.S.-based government agency, reported that total vehicle production in the United States reached 11.06 million units in September, up from 10.77 million units in June. Consequently, the growth of the automotive industry is contributing to the expansion of the specialty carbon black market.

Leading companies in the specialty carbon black market are concentrating on product innovation to improve tire performance and sustainability. Product innovation in carbon black encompasses the creation of new and enhanced carbon black products, including innovative formulations, manufacturing techniques, or applications, designed to boost performance, sustainability, or competitive edge in the market. For example, in March 2024, Cabot Corporation, a US-based company specializing in performance materials and specialty chemicals, introduced the PROPELE8 engineered reinforcing carbon black. The PROPEL E8 grade is specifically designed to tackle the unique challenges presented by electric vehicles (EVs), which tend to be heavier and generate higher torque than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, resulting in increased tire wear.

In September 2025, Tokai Carbon Company Limited, a Japan-based manufacturer of carbon products and specialty carbon black, along with its affiliate Thai Tokai Carbon Product Co., Ltd., acquired Bridgestone Carbon Black (Thailand) Co., Ltd. from Bridgestone Corporation and Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd. for approximately THB 2 billion (USD 62.8 million). Through this acquisition, Tokai Carbon aimed to strengthen its global specialty carbon black presence by expanding manufacturing capabilities in Southeast Asia and consolidating its supply chain for high-performance carbon black products. Bridgestone Carbon Black (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is a Thailand-based producer of carbon black used in rubber, plastics, and specialty applications across the Southeast Asian market.

Major companies operating in the specialty carbon black market report are Cabot Corporation, Birla Carbon, Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd., Continental Carbon Company, Omsk Carbon Group, Orion Engineered Carbons, Phillips Carbon Black Limited, Denka Company Limited, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Sid Richardson Carbon and Energy Co., Imerys Graphite & Carbon, Asbury Carbons Inc., Black Bear Carbon B V, Nippon Pelletized Carbon Co. Ltd., OCI Company Ltd., Ampacet Corporation, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd., Pyrolex AG, Asahi Carbon Co. Ltd., Atlas Organics Private Limited, Lion Specialty Chemicals Co. Ltd., Hexing Chemical Industry, Ebory Chemical, Zaozhuang Xinyuan Chemical Industry, China Synthetic Rubber Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the specialty carbon black market in 2025.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the specialty carbon black market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the specialty carbon black market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The specialty carbon black market consists of sales of conveyor belts, plastics, and printing inks. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.