The activated carbon market size was US$ 5.7 billion in 2021. The global activated carbon market is forecast to grow to US$ 12.9 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.

Factors Influencing the Market

• Activated carbon is used for water decontamination and sewage water treatment. Thus, the increasing demand for waste-water treatment is likely to benefit the global activated carbon market during the study period.
• The increasing demand for reactivated carbon is forecast to maximize the profits of the industry players in the coming years.
• Growing industrialization along with product launches are creating major investment opportunities for the activated carbon market.
• In addition, government laws related to the extraction of mercury from natural gas production units are likely to propel the activated carbon market forward.
• The high cost associated with activated carbon may limit the growth of the market.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a moderate impact on the global activated carbon market. Activated carbon is in high demand as they are used to manufacture activated carbon filter masks. In addition, the rising demand for personal protective equipment is driving the growth of the industry. Carbon filters in masks appear to have increasingly important as they strengthen lung capacity and respiratory muscles. Thus, the demand for activated carbon is increasing and will increase in the coming years.

Regional Analysis

North America is forecast to hold the highest share in the global activated carbon market. The growth of the region is attributed to the rising urbanization and increasing demand for decontaminated water. In addition, increasing industrialization in Asia-Pacific is expected to fuel the growth of the overall activated carbon market during the forecast period. 

Competitors in the Market

• ADA-ES Inc.
• Albemarle Corp.
• Arkema group
• Cabot Corporation
• Calgon Carbon Corporation
• Carbon Activated Corporation
• Carbon Resources LLC
• Carbotech
• Clarinex Group
• Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
• Haycarb PLC
• Indo German Carbons Ltd.
• Jacobi Carbons AB
• Kuraray Co. Ltd
• Kureha Corporation
• MeadWestvaco Corporation
• Ningxia Huahui Activated Carbon Company Ltd.
• Osaka Gas Chemical Co. Ltd.
• Oxbow Corporation
• Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
• Other Prominent Players

Market Segmentation

The global activated carbon market segmentation focuses on Type, Application, End-Use, and Region. 

The activated carbon market has been segmented based on type –

• Powdered Activated Carbon
• Granular Activated Carbon
• Others (Pelletized Activated Carbon)

The activated carbon market has been segmented based on application -

• Liquid Phase
• Gaseous Phase
• Metal Extraction
• Others (Medicine)

The activated carbon market has been segmented based on end-use -

• Water Treatment
• Food & Beverage Processing
• Pharmaceutical & Medical
• Automotive
• Others

The activated carbon market has been segmented based on region

• North America
• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• Western Europe
• The UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Poland
• Russia
• Rest of Eastern Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia & New Zealand
• ASEAN
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Rest of MEA
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of South America