Activated Carbon Market Size (2026 – 2031)

The Global Activated Carbon Market was valued at USD 6.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a market size of USD 10.10 billion by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period of 2025-2030, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6%.

The Activated Carbon Market centers on one of the most remarkable materials in modern industry—a powerful, high-tech adsorbent that acts as the world’s microscopic sponge. Activated carbon is a form of carbon that has been processed to have an incredibly vast internal network of small, low-volume pores. This "activation" process creates a material with an extraordinary surface area; a single gram of activated carbon can possess a surface area equivalent to a football field. It is this immense, labyrinthine internal structure that gives the material its potent ability to adsorb, or bind, a vast range of impurities and contaminants from liquids and gases. It functions as a molecular-scale filter, selectively trapping unwanted molecules within its pores, thereby purifying the medium that passes through it. The current market landscape is fundamentally driven by the global megatrends of environmental stewardship, industrial efficiency, and public health. Activated carbon is the silent workhorse behind many of the systems that provide us with clean water and breathable air. It is the critical agent used in municipal water treatment plants to remove taste, odor, and harmful organic compounds, and in industrial smokestacks to capture mercury and other hazardous air pollutants. The market's significance extends deep into countless industrial processes. The market's trajectory is thus inextricably linked to the stringency of environmental regulations, the pace of industrialization, and the continuous search for purer products and cleaner processes.

Key Market Insights:

• McKinsey’s recent analysis projects that demand for durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits could reach ~100 million tonnes CO₂ by 2030, roughly double the currently announced supply. While that report is in the carbon-removal context, a corollary is emerging adsorbent materials (including activated carbon, modified carbon sorbents, carbon-based capture media) may see rising demand as industrial and direct air capture efforts scale.
• Coconut shell-based activated carbon, prized for its high hardness and microporosity, accounted for over 85% of the material used in the global gold mining industry for the highly efficient carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and carbon-in-leach (CIL) recovery processes in 2024.
• An analysis of air purification applications in 2024 revealed that regulations mandating mercury and air toxics standards (MATS) in the power generation and cement industries were responsible for consuming over 300,000 metric tons of powdered activated carbon.
• In the automotive sector in 2024, every new passenger vehicle manufactured contained an average of 1-2 kilograms of activated carbon in its evaporative emissions control canister (for capturing gasoline vapors) and cabin air filtration system.
• The food and beverage industry in 2024 utilized an estimated 250,000 metric tons of activated carbon for purification and decolorization purposes, including sugar refining, glycerin purification, and removing off-tastes from alcoholic beverages.
• An estimated 10% of total R&D spending by major manufacturers in 2024 was allocated to developing novel activated carbons with precisely engineered pore structures for high-tech applications like ultracapacitors and biogas purification.

Market Drivers:

The most potent driver for the activated carbon market is the relentless tightening of environmental laws worldwide.

Governments are imposing increasingly stringent limits on industrial air emissions (such as mercury, dioxins, and VOCs) and the concentration of pollutants in drinking water and wastewater effluent. Activated carbon is often the best available control technology (BACT) to meet these mandates. As regulations concerning contaminants like PFAS become more widespread and standards for air and water quality are raised, industries and municipalities are compelled to install or upgrade their purification systems, creating a direct, regulation-driven demand for activated carbon.

Beyond environmental compliance, activated carbon is a critical enabler of quality and efficiency in a vast array of industrial processes.

The food and beverage industry relies on it for purification and decolorization to meet high consumer standards. The pharmaceutical sector uses it to purify active ingredients, ensuring product safety and efficacy. In the mining industry, it is essential for the efficient recovery of precious metals like gold. As global manufacturing expands and product quality standards become more exacting, the demand for high-performance activated carbon as an indispensable process purification agent grows in tandem.

Market Restraints and Challenges:

The primary restraint for the market is the inherent volatility in the cost and availability of raw materials like coal, coconut shells, and wood, which are subject to fluctuations in commodity markets and agricultural cycles. The production of activated carbon is an energy-intensive process, making manufacturers' profit margins sensitive to changes in energy prices. Additionally, in certain applications, activated carbon faces growing competition from alternative purification technologies such as membrane filtration, ion exchange resins, and advanced oxidation processes.

Market Opportunities:

A monumental opportunity lies in the development of specialized activated carbons tailored for the removal of emerging, hard-to-treat contaminants, particularly PFAS, from water supplies. The expansion of carbon reactivation services presents a significant circular economy opportunity, offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution for users of granular activated carbon. Furthermore, new high-tech frontiers are opening up, including the use of advanced carbons in energy storage devices like ultracapacitors and batteries, and as a key material for the purification of biogas and hydrogen.

ACTIVATED CARBON MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Activated Carbon Market Segmentation:

Activated Carbon Market Segmentation by Type:

• Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)
• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
• Extruded (Pelleted) Activated Carbon
• Others

The fastest-growing segment is Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC). Its growth is driven by its use in applications requiring rapid adsorption, such as seasonal taste and odor control in water treatment plants and as an injectable sorbent for mercury control in flue gas. Its lower upfront cost for intermittent use makes it an attractive option.

The most dominant segment is Granular Activated Carbon (GAC). GAC is the workhorse of the industry, used in large-scale fixed-bed adsorbers for continuous water and air treatment. Its durability and, critically, its ability to be reactivated and reused multiple times make it the most widely used and economically viable form for long-term applications.

Activated Carbon Market Segmentation by Application:

• Liquid Phase Applications
• Gas Phase Applications

The fastest-growing segment is Gas Phase Applications. This growth is propelled by increasingly stringent air quality regulations globally, targeting industrial emissions of mercury, VOCs, and other pollutants. The expanding use of activated carbon in cabin air filters, natural gas storage, and biogas purification is also a major contributor.

The most dominant segment is Liquid Phase Applications. Dominated by the colossal water treatment sector, this segment represents the largest share of the market. Its use in purifying drinking water, treating municipal and industrial wastewater, and in various food, beverage, and chemical processes solidifies its dominant position.

Activated Carbon Market Segmentation by Raw Material:

• Coal
• Coconut Shell
• Wood
• Others (Peat, Lignite, etc.)

The fastest-growing segment is Coconut Shell. This growth is fueled by its unique, highly microporous structure, which makes it superior for gas phase applications and gold recovery. Critically, its status as a renewable, sustainable raw material gives it a significant market advantage in an increasingly eco-conscious world.

The most dominant segment is Coal. Due to its widespread availability, relatively low cost, and the ability to produce a durable carbon with a pore structure suitable for a wide range of water treatment and industrial applications, coal-based activated carbon remains the dominant raw material by volume.

Activated Carbon Market Segmentation by End-User Industry:

• Water Treatment
• Food & Beverage
• Air Purification
• Automotive
• Mining

The fastest-growing segment is Air Purification. This is driven by tightening industrial emission standards (e.g., for coal plants and cement kilns), a greater focus on indoor air quality in commercial and residential buildings, and its use in an ever-expanding range of consumer products, from kitchen hoods to air purifiers.

The most dominant segment is Water Treatment. This industry is the largest consumer of activated carbon globally. The fundamental need for safe drinking water and the legal requirement to treat municipal and industrial wastewater before discharge make this a massive, stable, and foundational end-user market.

Activated Carbon Market Segmentation: Regional Analysis:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

The dominant and fastest-growing region is Asia-Pacific, commanding an estimated market share of 45%. Its dominance is fueled by rapid industrialization, which creates purification needs, and severe environmental challenges (air and water pollution), which necessitate regulatory action. The region's massive manufacturing base and population growth ensure it is both the largest and fastest-expanding market.

Activated Carbon Market COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

The COVID-19 pandemic had a dual impact on the activated carbon market. While some industrial applications saw a temporary slowdown due to lockdowns, this was significantly offset by a surge in demand for materials used in public health. Activated carbon became a critical component in the filtration layers of high-grade respiratory masks (e.g., N95, FFP2) and in air purification systems for hospitals and public spaces. The heightened global focus on air quality and respiratory health has provided a lasting positive influence on the market.

Latest Market News:

• September 2025: Calgon Carbon Corporation announced the successful commissioning of a new reactivation furnace at its European facility, increasing its capacity to recycle spent activated carbon by 20% to meet growing demand from municipal water authorities adhering to circular economy principles.
• July 2025: Kuraray Co., Ltd. launched a new series of high-performance activated carbons derived from a proprietary wood-based feedstock, specifically designed for the pharmaceutical industry to offer superior purity and lower levels of extractable impurities for API synthesis.

Latest Trends and Developments:

A primary trend is the development of highly specialized, application-specific activated carbons with precisely tailored pore structures to target specific molecules, such as PFAS or pharmaceutical residues. The circular economy is another major trend, driving significant growth in reactivation services and the development of mobile filter units that are serviced and exchanged by the supplier. There is also a strong push towards using novel and more sustainable raw materials, such as bamboo, olive stones, and other forms of agricultural waste.

Key Players in the Market:

1. Cabot Corporation
2. Kuraray Co., Ltd.
3. Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd.
4. Calgon Carbon Corporation
5. Jacobi Carbons
6. Haycarb PLC
7. Ingevity
8. Donau Carbon GmbH
9. ADA Carbon Solutions, LLC
10. Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH