Regional Insights into the Activated Carbon Market: Key Segments and Growth Forecast

The global activated carbon market was valued at USD 4.92 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% from 2024 to 2030. Activated carbon plays a crucial role in purifying liquids and gases across a broad spectrum of end-use applications. These include municipal drinking water treatment, food and beverage processing, automotive industries, and many others. The growing demand for activated carbon in these applications can be attributed to its numerous advantageous properties, such as cost-effectiveness, its ability to remove bad tastes, color stability, and its efficient odor removal capabilities.

One of the most important applications of activated carbon is in water treatment. Activated carbon is effective in removing a wide range of contaminants, including chlorine, pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals from both drinking water and wastewater. The primary mechanism by which activated carbon works is adsorption—the process by which contaminants adhere to the surface of the carbon material. This makes activated carbon particularly effective in eliminating impurities from water, improving its taste, odor, and overall safety.

The use of activated carbon in water treatment processes is essential in many regions, especially where water contamination is a significant issue due to industrial pollution or agricultural runoff. As the global population continues to grow and as water scarcity becomes a more pressing concern in many parts of the world, the need for efficient and cost-effective water treatment solutions, such as activated carbon filtration, is expected to increase.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Activated Carbon Market

Regional Insights

North America:

North America, particularly the United States, is marked by strict regulations on air and water pollution, which significantly influence the demand for activated carbon. Activated carbon is highly effective in removing harmful contaminants from both air and water, making it an essential material for complying with environmental standards. Regulatory agencies in the U.S. and Canada have increasingly recommended the use of activated carbon for impurity removal in water and air treatment systems to meet stringent pollution control measures.

US:

In the U.S., public drinking water systems, which are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), supply water to approximately 90% of the population. There are over 155,000 public water systems in the country, with around 82% of the population relying on these systems. The U.S. government has set stringent regulations to monitor the disposal and treatment of wastewater, driving the demand for activated carbon in water treatment applications. With these regulations in place, the market for activated carbon in the U.S. is expected to grow steadily, particularly in municipal and industrial water treatment sectors.

Europe:

In Europe, the demand for activated carbon has surged due to growing awareness about pollution hazards, the tightening of environmental regulations, and increased demand from the manufacturing sector. The food and beverage industry, in particular, has contributed significantly to the regional market, as activated carbon is commonly used for purifying water and air in various industrial processes.

Germany:

Germany, as one of the leading economies in Europe, is witnessing substantial growth in its activated carbon market. The food and beverage processing sector, particularly the production of beverages such as beer, soft drinks, and wine, is one of the major drivers. Germany, along with the UK, Poland, and Spain, is a key producer of beer in Europe, and the increasing consumption of beer and other beverages is expected to significantly fuel the demand for activated carbon. This market growth is further supported by Germany’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance, driving the need for efficient air and water treatment solutions.

Asia Pacific:

The Asia Pacific region is a major consumer of activated carbon, holding a dominant revenue share of 49.7% in 2023. The region’s significant consumption can be attributed to the widespread use of coconut-based activated carbon in countries like Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka, where coconut cultivation is prevalent. The demand for activated carbon in these countries is growing due to increasing air and water pollution, along with the rising focus on water purification and air filtration solutions.

China:

China’s activated carbon market has been experiencing steady growth, driven by a growing demand for air purification systems. As air quality concerns continue to rise, particularly in urban areas with high levels of industrial emissions and vehicular pollution, the need for activated carbon has surged. This demand is primarily fueled by the widespread use of activated carbon in air purifiers and filtration systems, both in residential and commercial sectors.

Central South America:

Central and South America are emerging markets for activated carbon, with a strong projected growth trajectory during the forecast period. Countries like Brazil and Argentina are investing in new technologies for air and water treatment, which is expected to fuel the demand for activated carbon. The ongoing push for environmental sustainability and improved water management systems is encouraging the use of activated carbon in these regions.

Argentina:

In Argentina, the activated carbon market is expected to see significant growth, particularly in the use of granular activated carbon (GAC) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) in water treatment applications. The country's Integrated Urban Water Management initiative, which aims to enhance water quality control across urban areas, is set to drive demand for activated carbon. The initiative focuses on using advanced technologies to improve water management, and activated carbon plays a key role in purifying water supplies.

Middle East Africa:

The Middle East Africa region presents a significant opportunity for the activated carbon market. The region’s increasing concern about water sanitation, health, and hygiene is contributing to the growing demand for activated carbon in both air and water purification applications. The region is investing heavily in industrial, residential, and commercial air purification systems, where activated carbon is a crucial component due to its high efficiency in filtering harmful pollutants.

Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia’s activated carbon market is experiencing considerable growth, driven by the country’s water scarcity issues. Saudi Arabia is the third-largest consumer of water in the world, following the U.S., and this has led to an increased demand for water treatment and purification solutions. The country’s National Water Company (Qatrah) has highlighted the urgency of water conservation and reuse, which further boosts the demand for activated carbon in water treatment applications. In both urban and rural areas, the demand for water reuse and advanced purification technologies is expected to increase, making activated carbon a vital material for addressing the country’s water challenges.

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Key Companies Market Share Insights

The activated carbon market is characterized by the presence of several key players that operate across different segments, including product development, research and development (RD), and global distribution. Some of the leading companies in this market include Kuraray Co., Ltd., Jacobi Carbons Group, and Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd., among others.

Key Players in the Activated Carbon Market:

Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Kuraray Co., Ltd., a Japan-based multinational, is a significant player in the activated carbon market. In addition to its activated carbon products, the company offers a wide range of other products, which are categorized under several business segments including plastics and polymers, fibers and textiles, chemicals, elastomers and rubber, engineering, and medical and environmental products.
Kuraray has a research and development (RD) division with two key centers located in Kurashiki and Tsukuba, Japan. These centers focus on advancing product development, improving existing products, and enhancing manufacturing processes to meet global market demands. With a strong global presence, Kuraray has operations and offices in key international markets, including the U.S., Germany, Belgium, China, Korea, Hong Kong, and India. This extensive network allows the company to serve a broad customer base across various industries, including water treatment, air purification, industrial processes, and medical applications.
Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd.
Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd., also based in Japan, operates through two primary business segments: advanced material solutions and absorption separation solutions. The company's product range includes fine chemical materials, surface processing agents, resin additives, wood preservatives, industrial preservatives, and activated carbon. The activated carbon products from Osaka Gas Chemicals are marketed under the brand name Shirasagi, a well-established name in the activated carbon market.
Osaka Gas Chemicals also has a strong emphasis on product development, supported by its Product Development Center and a Technology Center located in Nara, Japan. These centers play a critical role in driving the company's innovation in activated carbon and other related chemical products. Furthermore, the company operates a distribution center in Osaka, ensuring efficient logistics and timely delivery of its products to customers across various regions. Osaka Gas Chemicals’ focus on quality and technological innovation has positioned it as a key player in the activated carbon industry.
Jacobi Carbons Group
While not specifically detailed here, Jacobi Carbons Group is a global leader in the activated carbon market. Known for its vast range of activated carbon products, Jacobi Carbons specializes in solutions for air and water purification, industrial processes, gold recovery, and environmental cleanup. The company operates with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, offering a comprehensive range of services, including activated carbon filtration systems, regeneration services, and technical support to its customers across multiple industries.

Key Activated Carbon Companies:

The following are the leading companies in the activated carbon market. These companies collectively hold the largest market share and dictate industry trends.