Global Activated Carbon Market Overview
Activated carbon or activated charcoal is the most versatile substance known for its large surface area, polymodal porous structure, high adsorption capacity, and variable surface chemical composition. It is a highly absorbent carbon form with a large surface area for better absorption and chemical reaction. The global activated carbon market will witness healthy growth during the forecast period due to the worldwide sustainability trends, increased demand for air and water purification, and more environmentally friendly process alternatives. Activated carbon plays vital roles in chemical process industries applications, including water treatment, food & beverage processing, pharmaceutical & medical, automotive, and air purification. Activated carbon sorbents are tailored as per applications based on pore size and pore volume requirements.
According to Value Market Research, the global activated carbon market size was valued at about USD 4.78 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 3.21% during the forecast period 2023 to 2030.
Activated carbon is demanded for two broad applications: air and water purification. It is also required in the food industry to remove bad taste and odor from the beverage. Non-purification applications of activated carbon include chemical reaction catalyst, gold recovery from cyanide leaching solutions, gas storage, and electrodes for capacitors, among others. Activated carbon is being added to the cosmetic formulation as dirt removal ingredients. It is also consumed for the removal of hydrogen sulfide and siloxanes from biogas. These two emerging new applications will bring ample opportunities for market growth. Greater automotive vehicle production, implementation of stricter emission standards, thriving use for medicine making, and chemical processing will also support activated carbon demand in developing and developed nations. The activated carbon market is experiencing significant hindrance due to a shortage of raw materials, causing a price rise of activated carbon. Materials rich with carbon content are the raw materials for the activated carbon production, such as coal, coconut shell, petroleum coke, and wood. These materials' availability is shrinking and is limited, which is caused a burden on pricing, hindering the market growth.
The global activated carbon market is partially consolidated. CarbPure Technologies, Boyce Carbon, Cabot Corporation, Kuraray Co., CarboTech AC GmbH, Donau Chemie AG, Haycarb (Pvt) Ltd., Jacobi Carbons Group, Kureha Corporation, Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd., Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC, Carbon Activated Corporation, Hangzhou Nature Technology Co. Ltd., Datong Coal Jinding Activated Carbon Co., CarbUSA, Sorbent JSC are key players ruling the global activated carbon market.
In this research report, the activated carbon market is segmented by product, application, end use, and region.
Analysis, By Type
By product, the market is fragmented into powdered, granular, and others. Powdered is the fastest growing product segment in the global activated carbon market. The powder form of activated carbon is highly preferred across application areas due to increased surface area, overall yield in the activation process, and less expensive. Emerging application in cosmetic formulation and for biofuel purification drives its increased growth over the granular segment. The granular segment is growing steadily due to demand from beverage and water purification, easy recovery, and easy installation.
Analysis, By Application
By application, the market is segmented into liquid phase and gas phase. The gas-phase segment is proliferating at an increased rate due to the booming demand for air purification to remove mercury removal, hydrogen sulfide removal, chlorine removal. Activated carbons are used in gas-phase in the form of granules because they offer excellent selectivity for gases and organic vapors, high adsorptive capacity per unit volume, a high retention capacity, low resistance to gas flow, high preferential adsorption of gases in the presence of moisture, and a complete release of adsorbates at decreasing pressures and increasing temperatures.
Analysis, By End Use
By end use, the market is bifurcated into water treatment, food & beverage processing, pharmaceutical & medical, automotive, air purification, and others. The air purification end-user segment led the global market in 2020 and will remain dominant throughout the forecast period. Growing air pollution and stringent effluent emission norms enacted on various sectors is steering segment growth. Activated carbon is broadly used for air purification due to its exceptional properties. Activated carbon can trap 99.97% of small particles, 0.3 microns and higher, and larger particles or spores. Water treatment is the second-largest end-use market for activated carbon. Activated carbon removes harmful impurities such as pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and other contaminants and removes taste and odor.
Analysis, By Region
Based on region, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. The Asia Pacific is the leading global activated carbon market by region. The region is also forecasted to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecasted timeframe. The regional demand is promoted by spurring manufacturing activities, a combination of regulatory changes, flourishing sectors, rising government support for industrial growth, and increasing investment. India and China will exhibit some best gains. Europe and North America are other significant markets for activated carbon. Growing sustainable initiatives, escalating demand for high productive substance, and increasing air and water pollution drive the regional growth pace.
Market Segmentation covered in the Report:
By Type
By Application
By End-Use
- Water Treatment
- Food & Beverage Processing
- Pharmaceutical & Medical
- Automotive
- Air Purification
- Others
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East and Africa
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