Activated carbon is a structure of carbon processed to have tiny, low-volume pores that raise the surface area available for chemical reactions. According to BlueQuark Research & Consulting, the global Activated carbon Market is expected to grow significantly during the forecasted period. Factors such as the increased demand for water treatment and sewage treatment applications are expected to drive the need for the Activated carbon market in the forecasted period. Further, the rise in industrialization and growth in coal-fired power plants leads to increased air pollution. This increase in the need for purified air is anticipated to drive the need for the Activated carbon market in the forecasted period. Furthermore, stringent environmental regulations about mercury pollution and high requirement in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry are expected to propel the need for the Activated carbon market in the forecasted period. However, narrower markets, due to the raised costs of some grades of activated carbon, the threat of substitutes such as silica gel, and the development of better opportunities are expected to restrain the market's growth.

Activated carbon is used in various applications to purify liquids and toxic gases, including food and beverage processing, potable water treatment, odor removal, and industrial pollution control. It is produced from carbonaceous sources such as coconuts, nutshells, coal, peat, and wood.

The water treatment segment leads the global activated carbon market. It is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecasted period due to the increase in demand for water treatment processes due to scarcity of water and the rise in industrialization soon, which holds the opportunity for the growth of the water treatment market. Using activated carbon is one of the most effective methods for treating municipal/industrial wastewater. Activated carbon is usually used in granular form to remove contaminants, such as nonbiodegradable organic compounds, color compounds and dyestuffs, absorbable organic halogens, and pesticides. Wastewater and ballast water treatment, groundwater remediation, surface impoundments, and cleanup of groundwater and accidental spills are other applications of activated carbon.

Activated carbon also helps remove the odor in wastewater plants, where biological activity creates hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia, VOCs, etc. Water treatment is a popular application of activated carbon. Most water treatment filters are made of granular activated carbon. It removes organic-chemical substances and colorants and reduces trace substances, such as chemicals. Various companies globally are innovating and developing new technologies for water treatment recycling. Standards mandating companies to adopt structured water disposal techniques and utilize eco-friendly compounds are presumed to aid the market further. Moreover, the product is increasingly utilized in wastewater treatment applications, like systematically treating individual effect streams and removing toxic substances from bacteria in biological wastewater treatment. In addition, activated carbon produces environmental and economic benefits as the granular activated carbon utilized in the adsorber can be thermally revived and reused. Thus, increasing demand for activated carbon in water treatment applications is predicted to fuel the growth of the activated carbon market.

North America dominates the activated carbon market and will continue to flourish its trend of dominance during the forecast period as well. Increasing the implementation of environmental regulations to minimize water pollution is one of the major factors fostering the growth of the activated carbonate market. Conversely, Asia-Pacific will register the highest CAGR for the forecasted period owing to the growing demand for activated carbon materials from end-use industries, including food and beverages, water treatment, and others. In addition, the market for electric vehicles in China is anticipated to witness substantial growth over the forecast period due to the rapid development of rising government initiatives, increasing number of manufacturing companies, and increasing charging infrastructure. Rising adsorbent applications in the food and beverage and processing industry are expected to develop the market. Activated carbon has various benefits, such as easy removal of bad tastes, quick, cost-effective, and complete removal of unpleasant odors providing long-term color stability.

These advantages make activated valuable carbon in the food and beverage industries. Industrial air treatment is gaining attention, as many industrializing countries struggle with significant air pollution issues. This results in the rise of activated carbon demand from the major industrial economies to control mercury levels. The granular types of the product are expected to witness a healthy demand from the wastewater treatment industry as it effectively removes residual disinfectants and organic contaminants. The product also finds wide applications in the mining industry, specifically in the gold purification process, as it acts as an effective adsorbent in the gold recovery process. An increase in gold mining activities, thus, is also pushing the activated carbon industry growth further. Coconut shell is one of the most dominant feedstock materials used in producing the product. An increase in coconut production provides an impetus to the activated carbon industry. Other primary feedstock materials, like wood and coal, are also expected to drive the activated carbon industry.

The market's key players are CarbPure Technologies, Boyce Carbon, Cabot Corporation, Kuraray Co., and CarboTech AC GmbH.

On March 2022, One Equity Partners acquired Nort Activated Carbon from Cabot Corporation Boston-based Nont manufactures activated carbon products for purification needs in renewable natural gas, chemicals, automotive, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. This approval has further widened the growth opportunity for the activated carbon industry.

In October 2022, Kuraray Co. Ltd announced that Belgium-based Chemviron SA, the European base of its US-based subsidiary Calgon Carbon Corporation, finished expanding and running test operations of the reactivated carbon manufacturing facilities at its Feluy Plant and has started full-scale operations.

The Global Activated Carbon Market report provides deep insight into the market's current and future state across various regions. The study comprehensively analyses the market by segmenting it based on Product Type (Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC), Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), and Pelletized or Extruded Activated Carbon), End-user Industry (Water Treatment, Food and Beverage, Healthcare, Automotive, Industrial Processing, and Other End-user Industries), and geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). The report examines the market drivers and restraints and the impact of COVID-19 on market growth in detail. The research examines emerging market trends, developments, opportunities, and challenges in the industry. This report also covers extensively researched sections on the competitive landscape with prominent companies and profiles, including their market shares and projects.