The global activated carbon market is witnessing robust growth owing to rising environmental regulations, heightened demand for water purification, air filtration, and advancements in carbon activation technologies. Usage spans multiple industries including water treatment, food & beverage, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and industrial processing. Increasing investments, development of advanced products, and strategic alliances among leading players are accelerating market expansion. The period 2025–2035 is anticipated to see substantial revenue growth with the Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe dominating regional demand, propelled by industrialization and government initiatives.
Latest Market Dynamics
Key Drivers
Stringent environmental regulations globally mandating water and air purification are fueling adoption of activated carbon, with Kuraray Co., Ltd.
ramping up production to meet regulatory demand in APAC.
Rising demand for potable water, especially in developing economies, has led companies like Evoqua Water Technologies LLC to expand their water treatment solutions portfolio utilizing activated carbon.
Key Trends
Surge in application of activated carbon in automotive emission control systems, urged by new OEM partnerships, as showcased by General Carbon Corporation’s collaborations in 2024.
Shift towards sustainable and renewable raw materials in activated carbon production, with Haycarb PLC launching coconut-based activated carbon solutions in 2024 to address eco-conscious markets.
Key Opportunities
Expansion of industrial processing sectors in emerging markets offers new avenues for activated carbon suppliers, with DESOTEC Activated Carbon focusing on customized solutions for APAC manufacturers.
Innovation in chemical and physical activation techniques unlocks higher adsorption efficiency, with Osaka Gas Chemicals developing high-performance products to serve pharmaceutical applications.
Key Challenges
Volatility in raw material costs, especially coal and coconut shells, impacting production economics; Cabot Corporation addressed this by investing in diversified sourcing post-2024 price spikes.
Competition from alternative filtration technologies is challenging market share, with Veolia investing in integrated treatment solutions to stay ahead of substitutes.
Key Restraints
High production and processing costs act as a restraint for adoption among small and medium firms, as observed with Carbon Activated Corporation in its Q2 2024 earnings.
Stringent quality standards required for pharmaceuticals and food applications create barriers for new entrants, highlighted by Kureha Corporation’s investment in next-gen compliance.
Global Activated Carbon Market Share (%) by Type (2025)
In 2025, Powdered Activated Carbon will dominate the global market share, driven by its effectiveness in water treatment and food processing. Granular Activated Carbon follows, notably utilized in air & gas purification and industrial processing, owing to its high surface area and regenerability. Extruded and pelletized variants, although smaller in share, are finding increased traction in automotive and specialty filtration applications. The overall market split reflects broader demand trends for versatile, renewable, and cost-effective purification solutions, aligning with sustainability and efficiency needs across key end-use industries.
Global Activated Carbon Market Share (%) by Application (2025)
Water Treatment remains the largest application segment in 2025, constituting the highest share of activated carbon consumption. Air & Gas Purification is the second largest, supported by increasing air quality regulations and industrial demand, particularly in urbanized and industrial regions. Food & Beverage Processing, Pharmaceuticals, and Industrial Processing together form a significant chunk, driven by purity and compliance demands. The distribution underscores the critical role of activated carbon in addressing environmental and health-related challenges across multiple sectors.
Global Activated Carbon Market Revenue (USD Million), 2020–2035
The global activated carbon market is projected to soar from 4,890 million USD in 2020 to over 10,150 million USD by 2035. The industry is gaining traction owing to increased investments in water infrastructure, stricter environmental norms, and growing adoption in diverse industrial applications. Consistent year-on-year growth highlights strong end-user uptake, advancements in carbon activation technologies, and intensified efforts for sustainable resource management by public and private sector stakeholders.
Global Activated Carbon Market YOY (%) Growth, 2020–2035
The year-on-year growth rate for the activated carbon market showcases an expansion trend marked by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% between 2025 and 2035. While initial years (2020–2025) reflect a sharper uptake, growth stabilizes post-2027 as the market matures and new regulations start to normalize demand. However, OEM innovations and government initiatives are expected to keep the momentum robust, even beyond 2030, supporting strong market fundamentals.
Global Activated Carbon Market Share (%) by Region (2025)
Asia Pacific leads the activated carbon market in 2025 with nearly half the global share, propelled by strong industrial growth, water quality initiatives, and air purification needs. North America occupies the second spot, driven by stringent environmental standards and a mature application landscape. Europe, while competitive, trails slightly behind due to slower industrial expansion but remains significant due to regulatory push for sustainability. Other regions, including the Middle East, South America, and Africa, represent emerging growth opportunities.
Global Activated Carbon Market Players Share (%) (2025)
Prominent market participants lead with diversified portfolios and global footprints. Cabot Corporation and Kuraray Co., Ltd. jointly command the largest shares, leveraging innovation and broad end-use reach. Other critical contributors include Haycarb PLC, Osaka Gas Chemicals, and Jacobi Carbons AB, all of which are recognized for high-quality, specialty offerings. Market share distribution underlines consolidation among key international vendors, with new entrants gradually gaining ground through niche application targeting.
Global Activated Carbon Market Buyers Share (%) (2025)
Industrial buyers, particularly from water treatment and air purification sectors, account for the largest share of activated carbon demand in 2025. Food & beverage companies and pharmaceutical firms follow as major consumers, requiring high-purity activated carbon for process and compliance reasons. The remainder encompasses automotive OEMs and specialty sector buyers, illustrating the varied but industry-heavy nature of end-user consumption.
Study Coverage
Metrics
Details
Years
2020-2035
Base Year
2025
Market Size
6320
Regions
North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East, Africa
Segments
By Type (Powdered Activated Carbon, Granular Activated Carbon, Extruded Activated Carbon, Pelletized Activated Carbon, Bead Activated Carbon, Others), By Application (Water Treatment, Air & Gas Purification, Food & Beverage Processing, Pharmaceutical & Medical, Automotive, Industrial Processing, Others), By Distribution Channels (Direct Sales, Distributors/Wholesalers, Online, Retail, OEMs, Others), By Technology (Physical Activation, Chemical Activation, Steam Activation, Gas Phase Activation, Microwave Activation, Others), By Organization Size (Small, Medium, Large)
June 2024: Haycarb PLC introduced a new line of eco-friendly coconut shell activated carbon for air purification, focusing on sustainability.
July 2024: Kuraray Co., Ltd. expanded its activated carbon plant in China to address rising APAC demand in water and gas purification.
August 2024: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC launched a turnkey activated carbon filtration project for municipal water in India.
September 2024: Cabot Corporation announced the acquisition of a specialty carbon supplier to strengthen its portfolio in North America.
October 2024: DESOTEC Activated Carbon developed a new mobile purification system targeting rapid-response industrial emergencies in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Author
Lena
Senior Research Consultant
Lena is a Senior Research Consultant specializing in market research, industry analysis, and business consulting across Chemical & Material. Lena brings a commercially grounded perspective to sectors shaped by changing demand, innovation, and competitive dynamics, helping turn complex market trends into clear strategic insights for business decision-makers. With 10+ years of experience across research, analytics, and strategic advisory roles, Lena has helped organizations translate data into actionable growth strategies.
Chemical & MaterialMarket ResearchIndustry AnalysisStrategic Consulting
Key Questions Answered
»What is the market size and growth rate of the global and regional market by various segments?
»What is the market size and growth rate of the market for selective countries?
»Which region or sub-segment is expected to drive the market in the forecast period?
»What factors are estimated to drive and restrain the market growth?
»What are the key technological and market trends shaping the market?
»What are the key opportunities in the market?
»What are the key companies operating in the market?
»Which company accounted for the highest market share?
