Activated Carbon Global Market Report 2026

Activated carbon is a versatile substance crucial for purifying gases and liquids across multiple sectors such as municipal water treatment, industrial pollution control, food and beverage processing, and odor elimination. It aids in de-colorization and solvent purification in chemical, petrochemical, mining, and automotive industries. This carbonaceous material is derived from sources such as nutshells, coal, coconut, wood, and peat.

Diverse types of activated carbon include powdered, granular, extruded (pelletized), and other variations. Powdered activated carbon (PAC) comprises finely milled particles, while granular activated carbon, made from organic materials, finds utility in both liquid and gas applications. Bead-activated carbon, derived from petroleum pitch, serves purposes such as air deodorization, gas adsorption, and water purification. Extruded or pelletized activated carbon is shaped cylindrically, ideal for gas phase applications. These types cater to various sectors such as water treatment, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, automotive, air purification, among others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the activated carbon market by increasing costs of imported coconut shells, coal-based feedstocks, activation equipment, and processing machinery. Water treatment and air purification sectors in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces higher export-related cost pressures. These tariffs are raising product prices and impacting supply consistency. However, they are also encouraging local sourcing of biomass materials, domestic activation capacity expansion, and innovation in alternative feedstocks.

The activated carbon market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides activated carbon market statistics, including activated carbon industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a activated carbon market share, detailed activated carbon market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the activated carbon industry. This activated carbon market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The activated carbon market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $8.07 billion in 2025 to $9.26 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of municipal water treatment facilities, growth of industrial pollution control, increasing use in mining and metal recovery, rising demand for odor control solutions, availability of carbonaceous raw materials.

The activated carbon market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15.71 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in clean water infrastructure, rising demand for air purification systems, expansion of pharmaceutical purification applications, growing focus on sustainable carbon sources, increasing adoption in electric vehicle air filtration. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for water and air purification solutions, rising use of activated carbon in industrial emission control, growing adoption in food and beverage processing, expansion of renewable carbon sources, enhanced focus on high-adsorption materials.

he growth of the automotive industry is expected to drive the expansion of the activated carbon market. The automotive sector involves the design, manufacture, and sale of motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and their components, along with supporting infrastructure. Rising consumer demand for advanced, technology-rich vehicles is fueling the industry's growth. Activated carbon is utilized in the automotive sector for capturing fuel vapors and purifying air in emission control systems and cabin filtration. For example, in January 2024, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association reported that the EU car market grew by 13.9% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching total annual sales of 10.5 million vehicles. Therefore, the expansion of the automotive industry is propelling demand for activated carbon.

Major companies in the activated carbon market are emphasizing technological advancements, such as the use of coconut shell-based activated carbon, to improve adsorption efficiency and sustainability in their products. Coconut shell-based activated carbon is derived from coconut shells. For instance, in May 2024, Indcarb Activated Carbon Private Limited, an India-based manufacturer of coconut shell-based activated carbon, launched inline water filters. These filtration systems are installed directly into water supply lines, allowing for continuous purification as water flows through. Inline water filters utilize coconut shell-based activated carbon along with various filtration media to effectively remove impurities, contaminants, chlorine, and odors, ensuring clean and safe drinking water. Indcarb aims to market these filters as high-performing options for health-conscious consumers, tapping into the growing demand for reliable water purification systems.

In June 2023, Desotec, a European mobile filtration solutions provider, acquired Evoqua Water Technologies' carbon reactivation business to enter the North American market. Evoqua Water Technologies, a US-based company, specializes in high-quality virgin and reactivated carbons sourced from bituminous coal, coconut shell, and anthracite coal for water and wastewater treatment solutions. The acquisition amount remains undisclosed.

Major companies operating in the activated carbon market are Calgon Carbon Corporation, Cabot Corporation, Kuraray Co., Ltd., Haycarb PLC, Donau Carbon GmbH, Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd., Jacobi Carbons AB, Chemviron Carbon, CarboTech ACG GmbH, Carbon Resources, LLC, Ingevity Corporation, Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC, Kureha Corporation, Desotec NV, Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH, CPL Activated Carbons Ltd., ADA-ES, Inc., Norit Nederland B.V., Evoqua Water Technologies Corp., TIGG LLC

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the activated carbon market in 2025. North America was the second largest market in the activated carbon market. The regions covered in the activated carbon market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the activated carbon market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The activated carbon market consists of sales of catalytic activated carbon and impregnated activated carbon. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Activated Carbon Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses activated carbon market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for activated carbon ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The activated carbon market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Powdered Activated Carbon; Granular Activated Carbon; Extruded Or Pelletized Activated Carbon
• 2) By Application: Liquid Phase Applications; Gas Phase Applications; Metal Extraction; Medicine
• 3) By End Use: Water Treatment; Food And Beverage Processing; Pharmaceutical And Medical; Automotive; Air Purification
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC): Standard PAC; Specialty PAC (for specific applications)
• 2) By Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): Standard GAC; Specialty GAC (tailored for specific uses)
• 3) By Extruded Or Pelletized Activated Carbon: Extruded Activated Carbon; Pelletized Activated Carbon
• Companies Mentioned: Calgon Carbon Corporation; Cabot Corporation; Kuraray Co., Ltd.; Haycarb PLC; Donau Carbon GmbH; Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd.; Jacobi Carbons AB; Chemviron Carbon; CarboTech ACG GmbH; Carbon Resources, LLC; Ingevity Corporation; Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC; Kureha Corporation; Desotec NV; Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH; CPL Activated Carbons Ltd.; ADA-ES, Inc.; Norit Nederland B.V.; Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.; TIGG LLC
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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