Activated Carbon Market Report 2025

The activated carbon market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.13 billion in 2024 to $8.17 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to strong economic growth in emerging markets, scarcity of safe water, and increased health consciousness.

The activated carbon market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $14.23 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for clean water, rising urbanization, increasing water consumption, rising global population and supportive government initiatives for water management. Major trends in the forecast period include focus on innovations in high-flow carbon filter systems to strengthen product portfolio, focus on increasing investments to increase production capacities, focus on product innovations to attract more customers and focus on mergers and acquisitions to improve product portfolio and expand geographic presence in the market.

The activated carbon market is poised for growth, propelled by the escalating demand for clean water. The surge in demand is attributed to rapid urbanization and industrialization, which are driving the need for both clean water and activated carbon, a crucial element in water purification processes. The United Nations World Water Development Report highlights a concerning projection that nearly 6 billion people will face a lack of clean water by 2050, underscoring the urgency in addressing clean water scarcity. Consequently, the heightened requirement for clean water and the growing scarcity of this vital resource are anticipated to contribute significantly to the increased demand for activated carbon in water purification applications throughout the forecast period.

Supportive government initiatives are expected to be a key driver for the growth of the activated carbon market in the forecast period. Activated carbon plays a pivotal role in water management, and favorable government initiatives aimed at improving water management practices will spur demand for activated carbon. An exemplary initiative is the launch of the 2022-2027 U.S. Global Water Strategy by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in October 2022. This strategy outlines U.S. government efforts over the next five years to enhance health, prosperity, stability, and resilience through improved water resources management and increased access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Additionally, the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG) was launched with more than 1,000 partners from the private sector, government, and civil society, facilitated close to $1 billion in financing for water-related programs, and aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. These substantial government initiatives are anticipated to be instrumental in driving the growth of the activated carbon market in the foreseeable future.

Major companies in the activated carbon market are emphasizing technological advancements, such as the use of coconut shell-based activated carbon, to improve adsorption efficiency and sustainability in their products. Coconut shell-based activated carbon is derived from coconut shells. For instance, in May 2024, Indcarb Activated Carbon Private Limited, an India-based manufacturer of coconut shell-based activated carbon, launched inline water filters. These filtration systems are installed directly into water supply lines, allowing for continuous purification as water flows through. Inline water filters utilize coconut shell-based activated carbon along with various filtration media to effectively remove impurities, contaminants, chlorine, and odors, ensuring clean and safe drinking water. Indcarb aims to market these filters as high-performing options for health-conscious consumers, tapping into the growing demand for reliable water purification systems.

Leading companies in the activated carbon market are focusing on technological innovations, such as Sanjeevak Carbonisation Systems (SCS) technology, to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of activated carbon production. SCS technology is an innovative process designed to convert organic materials, especially agricultural and biomass waste, into activated carbon efficiently. For example, in May 2024, Organic Recycling Systems Limited, an India-based construction engineering company, launched GAC-01 and the Alpha Carbon platform. GAC-01 is a biomass-based activated carbon product intended for water treatment applications. It is made from various discarded biomass feedstocks, primarily coconut shells, using proprietary Sanjeevak Carbonisation Systems (SCS) technology. The Alpha Carbon platform is designed to produce high-quality activated carbon products for multiple industries.

In June 2023, Desotec, a European mobile filtration solutions provider, acquired Evoqua Water Technologies' carbon reactivation business to enter the North American market. Evoqua Water Technologies, a US-based company, specializes in high-quality virgin and reactivated carbons sourced from bituminous coal, coconut shell, and anthracite coal for water and wastewater treatment solutions. The acquisition amount remains undisclosed.

Major companies operating in the activated carbon market include Ingevity, Haycarb PLC, Kuraray Co. Ltd, Daigas Group, Cabot Corporation, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Veolia, Kureha Corporation, Tronox Inc, Carbon Activated Corporation, Kalpaka Chemicals Pvt. Ltd, Jacobi Carbons India Pvt. Ltd, Boyce Carbon, Adsorbent Carbons Pvt. Ltd, Kalimati Carbon Pvt. Ltd, Chifeng Zhonglin Zhongtian Chemical Industry, Datong Coal Jinding Activated Carbon, Datong Locomotive Coal, Datong Municipal Yunguang Activated Carbon, Fujian Xinsen Carbon, Fujian Yuanli Active Carbon, Fujian Zhixing Activated Carbon, Donau Carbon GmbH & Co. KG, CarboTech AC GmbH, Evoqua Water Technologies GmbH, Carbo France, Eurocarb, LKAB Minerals, Sorbacal, Chemviron Carbon, Carbonactiv, Mako Industries, DILO Armaturen und Anlagen GmbH, Metrohm AG, Addfield Environmental Systems Limited, Technokomplex, California Carbon Co. Inc., Kleen Industrial Services, Pure Effect Inc., Carbon Supply Inc., Yardney Water Management Systems Inc., General Carbon Corporation, Birla Carbon, Esco's Nanocarb, ELGA Lab Water, Benchmark Technologies, ABP Chemical and Ventilation Engineering Ltd, Trietel, Jacobi's carbons, Toxsorb's MAC, CG Carbon, Tradeasia, CELAR Water Equipment Company, Rotocarb, Panthera, SNF, Nautilus Chemicals, Hive Carbon.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the activated carbon market in 2024. North America was the second largest market in the activated carbon market. The regions covered in the activated carbon market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the activated carbon market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

Activated carbon is a versatile substance crucial for purifying gases and liquids across multiple sectors such as municipal water treatment, industrial pollution control, food and beverage processing, and odor elimination. It aids in de-colorization and solvent purification in chemical, petrochemical, mining, and automotive industries. This carbonaceous material is derived from sources such as nutshells, coal, coconut, wood, and peat.

Diverse types of activated carbon include powdered, granular, extruded (pelletized), and other variations. Powdered activated carbon (PAC) comprises finely milled particles, while granular activated carbon, made from organic materials, finds utility in both liquid and gas applications. Bead-activated carbon, derived from petroleum pitch, serves purposes such as air deodorization, gas adsorption, and water purification. Extruded or pelletized activated carbon is shaped cylindrically, ideal for gas phase applications. These types cater to various sectors such as water treatment, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, automotive, air purification, among others.

The activated carbon market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides activated carbon market statistics, including activated carbon industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an activated carbon market share, detailed activated carbon market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the activated carbon industry. This activated carbon market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The activated carbon market consists of sales of catalytic activated carbon and impregnated activated carbon. 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.

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