The activated carbon market is projected to grow from USD 4.46 billion in 2023 to USD 8.41 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.8%. Activated carbon (also called activated charcoal, activated coal, or active carbon) is a very effective adsorbent. Due to its high surface area, pore structure (micro, meso, and macro), and high degree of surface reactivity, activated carbon can be used to purify, dechlorinate, deodorize, and decolorize both, liquids and gases. Activated carbons are economical adsorbents for various applications such as water purification, food-grade products, cosmetology, automotive, industrial gas purification, petroleum, and precious metal recovery, mainly for gold. The base materials used for the production of activated carbon are coconut shells, coal, or wood.
The activated carbon reactivation technology is experiencing significant growth driven by increasing demand for sustainable solutions and stricter environmental regulations. Reactivation is the process of restoring the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon. During the application of activated carbon, the pores of activated carbon begin to fill up with chemical substances. However, at some point, when there is not enough space available on the surface of activated carbon, the required performance criteria will not be met, and the carbon is said to be “spent”. Hence, three options are available to deal with spent carbon: landfill, regeneration, or reactivation. The landfill and incineration options necessitate the purchase of new carbon and may not be environment friendly. Regeneration and reactivation allow for the reuse of the activated carbon. Regeneration may be more favorable than the landfill option, but only if it is used to recover and reuse a valuable adsorbate. It is generally not applied for strictly environmental reasons because it is usually less efficient than reactivation.
Reactivation of spent activated carbon is experiencing significant growth driven by increasing demand for sustainable solutions and stricter environmental regulations.
According to Kuraray Co., Ltd., in US, the demand for reactivated carbon for industrial applications is expected to increase in the upcoming years. Hence, to maintain its market position, in 2024, Calgon Carbon Corporation (a subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) announced the acquisition of an industrial reactivated carbon business from Sprint Environmental Services, LLC (US). Additionally, in 2022, Chemviron (a subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) finished the expanding and running test operations of the reactivated carbon production facilities at its Feluy Plant, Belgium.
Based on type, the powdered activated carbon segment is projected to register the highest market share during the forecast period. Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is finely ground activated carbon, known for its extensive surface area and outstanding adsorption capabilities. PAC is utilized in a wide range of applications, including water treatment, air purification, gas and vapor treatment, wastewater treatment, and various industrial processes. In water treatment, PAC efficiently eliminates impurities, contaminants, and odors, ensuring the provision of clean and safe drinking water. Similarly, in air purification systems, PAC effectively captures odors, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), thereby enhancing indoor air quality. PAC is utilized in gas and vapor treatment to remove pollutants and impurities, in wastewater treatment for the elimination of organic and inorganic contaminants, and in industrial processes for purification and filtration purposes. Its versatility and efficiency make powdered activated carbon an invaluable solution for addressing environmental and industrial challenges.
Based on raw material, the coal raw material segment is projected to register the highest market share during the forecast period. Coal-based activated carbon, derived from coal sources through activation, has a porous structure ideal for adsorption. Its applications span water treatment for purification, air purification for odor and gas removal, gas and vapor treatment in industrial processes, gold recovery in mining, industrial processes, and environmental remediation for soil and groundwater cleanup. This versatile carbon type effectively addresses various environmental and industrial challenges by removing impurities and contaminants from liquids and gases.
Based on application, the gas phase application is projected to register the highest market share during the forecast period. In gas phase applications, activated carbon effectively adsorbs harmful gases, airborne dust, pollutants, and odors. It is extensively used in sectors like automobiles and industrial gases to fulfill diverse gas phase requirements, including deodorization and filtration in industrial air systems, chemical processing plants, exhaust fumes, and smoking rooms. Primarily utilized in automotive and industrial settings, activated carbon is crucial for managing exhaust gas emissions and odors, as well as in solvent recovery processes.
Based on end-use industry, the Water Treatment sector is projected to register the highest market share during the forecast period. Activated carbon is essential in water treatment, effectively removing impurities, contaminants, and odors from water by adsorbing organic compounds, chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants. Its porous structure enhances water quality by improving taste, odor, and clarity. Activated carbon is used in wastewater treatment to eliminate chlorine and organic compounds for safe discharge. It is commonly used in municipal and industrial water treatment systems, as well as point-of-use and point-of-entry systems in households, ensuring clean and safe drinking water. Additionally, activated carbon filters remove residual disinfectants like chlorine and chloramines, enhancing water taste and odor. Overall, activated carbon is a versatile and efficient solution for improving water quality worldwide.
The activated carbon market is studied in five regions, namely, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. North America is projected to be the second largest market during the forecast period. The North American market is expected to rank as the second largest globally in terms of value. Within the region, the US market is forecasted to experience the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% in terms of value during the forecast period. North America has established itself as a leader in product innovations and quality standards, particularly in countries like the US and Canada. It serves as a prominent manufacturing hub for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage products. Stringent regulations governing the purification and separation of these products have encouraged manufacturers to adopt advanced adsorption technologies, thereby fueling the demand for activated carbon in the region.
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The demand for activated carbon has increased significantly owing to the stringent regulations regarding the maintenance of air quality and the increasing number of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. A major consideration in the activated carbon industry is the increasing pressure on activated carbon producers regarding the high production cost of activated carbon. Hence, activated carbon producers have a high focus on the production of reactivated carbon. Reactivated carbon costs approximately half as much as fresh or unused granular activated carbon. It is an economical alternative to traditional activated carbon. This offers a major opportunity for the maximization of profits for market players.
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