The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market Size was estimated at 2.73 (USD Billion) in 2022. The Pelletized Activated Carbon Industry is expected to grow from 2.85(USD Billion) in 2023 to 4.2 (USD Billion) by 2032. The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 4.4% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).
A surge in demand for water purification, gas purification, and air purification applications is driving the growing market of pelleted activated carbon. The market is poised for significant growth as environmental sustainability becomes more important to industries and strict regulations encourage the adoption of advanced filtration technologies.
The key factors contributing to this growth include increasing levels of air and water pollution, a rise in the demand for drinking water, and industrialization in developing countries. Moreover, within drug formulations in pharmaceuticals, pelletized activated carbon provides tasteless and odorless ingredients that require diverse needs for different products. It can also be used as an adsorbent to provide high-quality materials.
Presently, there are several trends suggesting that production processes linked with activated carbons tend to be sustainable and environmentally friendly, such as the utilization of renewable feedstocks or waste streams. Also, innovative technologies aimed at increasing the adsorption capability of activated carbons through modification are responsible for shaping the landscape of this industry. Besides enhancing its performance with respect to emerging demands, researchers are currently deducing new potential areas where pelletized activated carbon could be deployed.
Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Pelletized activated carbon (PAC) is a highly effective adsorbent used in water purification processes to remove contaminants such as chlorine, pesticides, heavy metals, and organic pollutants. The growing demand for clean and safe drinking water, coupled with stringent environmental regulations, is driving the market for PAC. PAC is widely used in municipal water treatment plants, industrial wastewater treatment facilities, and residential water filtration systems.Its ability to remove a wide range of contaminants makes it an essential component of water purification systems, ensuring the delivery of clean and healthy water to consumers.
The pharmaceutical and medical industries have been taking PAC seriously due to its outstanding adsorption characteristics. It can be used in the purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the removal of impurities from drug formulations, and detoxification processes. In addition, PAC is useful for the production of high-quality medicines because it selectively absorbs certain molecules. Moreover, it is employed in various medical applications such as wound dressings, drug delivery systems, and hemoperfusion treatments by making use of its toxins-absorbing capability and wound healing promotion ability.
The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market Industry is experiencing growth due to the expanding applications of PAC in various industries. It is used in the food and beverage industry for decolorization, purification, and taste improvement. In the chemical industry, PAC is employed in the purification of chemicals, recovery of solvents, and removal of impurities. Furthermore, PAC is gaining popularity in the automotive industry for emission control and air purification systems, contributing to the reduction of harmful pollutants released into the environment.
The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market is divided into Liquid Phase and Gas Phase segments by Application. The market was dominated by the larger Liquid Phase segment in 2023, which is also expected to continue leading during the forecast period. The growing dominance of the Liquid Phase category can be explained by the increasing usage of pelletized activated carbon in water and wastewater treatment applications. It is used in a range of liquid-phase applications such as Municipal water treatment: Pelletized activated carbon helps remove chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants from drinking water.
Industrial wastewater treatment: Pelletized activated carbon helps remove oil/grease, organic compounds, and heavy metals from industrial wastewater. Food and beverage processing: Pelletized activated carbon helps remove impurities such as colorants, flavors, and pesticides from food and beverage products. Pharmaceutical manufacturing: Pelletized activated carbons help remove impurities like excipients or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)from pharmaceutical products. The Gas Phase segment is anticipated to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period.
The rising demand for pelletized activated carbon in air pollution control applications has helped spur this growth. Several gas-phase uses exist for pelletized activated carbon, including Odor Control -Pelletized AC, which is used to get rid of odors that come out as emissions from industries like chemical plants, landfills, and refineries, among others. Air purification: Pelletized activated carbon removes pollutants such as smoke, dust, pollen, etc., which are present in indoor air. Vehicle emissions control: Pelletized active carbons are used to get rid of pollutants present in vehicle exhaust gases like CO NOx PM10.
Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Pelletized activated carbon’s quality and cost-effectiveness depend heavily on the source sector. Coal-based activated carbon is extensively used, with more than 50% of the market share, because it has a high surface area and adsorption capacity. Coconut shell-based activated carbon made from hardwoods such as coconut shells is a new entrant that provides better adsorptive properties for applications where cleanliness and selectivity are important. In water treatment as well as gas purification systems, activated carbons derived from coconut shells are considered hard and extremely durable.
The demand for highly efficient activated carbon is growing across many different sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, water and wastewater treatment, and food and beverages, among others, which will be the leading factor propelling the growth of the pelletized activated carbon market. The coal sources accounted for a share of about USD 1.5 billion in the coal-based pelletized activated carbon market in 2023. It is expected that this segment will cross at least USD 2.2 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.5%. Additionally, the wood source segment is envisaged to show constant growth up to USD 0.8 billion by 2030, while the coconut shell source segment is predicted to rise with a CAGR of 5.2%, and it will achieve USD 0.4 billion up to the forecast period end.
Manufacturing processes can be divided into two groups: Physical and chemical processes. In this case, the physical activation is done by heating the raw material without air, while chemical activation adds chemicals such as phosphoric acid or zinc chloride to make an explicit porous structure. Despite some disadvantages, each of these methods has its own advantages, with the latter being most commonly used because it is relatively cheaper. In 2023, Physical activation accounted for a greater percentage of total revenue at about 65% compared to the remaining 35% from Chemical Activation.
The physical activation market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period starting from 2024 till 2032 and reach USD 2.7 billion by the end of that period in 2032. Likewise, the Chemical Activation segment expects growth at a CAGR of around 4.6% over this same time period, resulting in a valuation worth approximately USD 1.5 billion by the end of 2032.
Mesh Size Segment Insights and Overview The pelletized activated carbon market is segmented by mesh size into 8x30 Mesh, 12x40 Mesh, and 4x8 Mesh. Among these, the 8x30 Mesh segment held the largest market share in 2023, accounting for over 45% of the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market revenue. The 12x40 Mesh segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate over the forecast period, owing to its increasing adoption in water treatment applications. The 4x8 Mesh segment is primarily used in gas purification and has a significant market share.The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for water purification, growing awareness about environmental protection, and stringent government regulations on wastewater discharge. The market is also expected to benefit from the rising adoption of activated carbon in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and automotive. The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market is highly competitive, with several major players operating in the market. Some of the key players include Cabot Corporation, Calgon Carbon Corporation, and Kuraray Co., Ltd.These companies are investing in research and development to improve the performance and efficiency of their products. They are also expanding their production capacities to meet the growing demand for pelletized activated carbon.
The regional segmentation of the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market provides insights into the market's geographic distribution and growth potential. North America held the largest market share in 2023, accounting for approximately 35% of the revenue. The region's dominance is attributed to the presence of well-established water and wastewater treatment industries, stringent environmental regulations, and a growing demand for activated carbon in various applications. Europe is another significant region, with a market size of USD 750 million in 2023 and a projected growth rate of 4.2% CAGR during the forecast period.The region's growth is driven by increasing awareness of environmental sustainability and the adoption of advanced water treatment technologies. The APAC region is expected to witness the fastest growth, with a CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period. The region's growth is attributed to rapid urbanization, industrialization, and increasing disposable income, leading to a surge in demand for water purification and wastewater treatment solutions.
Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Major players in the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market industry are constantly striving to expand their market reach and develop innovative products to cater to the evolving needs of customers. Leading Pelletized Activated Carbon Market players are investing heavily in research and development to enhance the efficiency and performance of their products. The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market industry is highly competitive, with key players focusing on strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market position. The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market competitive landscape is expected to remain dynamic in the coming years, driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for effective purification solutions in various industries.A prominent competitor in the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market is Cabot Corporation. The company holds a significant market share and is known for its high-quality activated carbon products. Cabot Corporation has a presence and caters to a wide range of industries, including water treatment, food processing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The company continuously invests in research and development to improve its product offerings and maintain its competitive edge. Cabot Corporation emphasizes sustainability and environmental responsibility in its operations and product development.Another major competitor in the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market is Jacobi Carbons. The company is recognized for its expertise in activated carbon production and its commitment to innovation. Jacobi Carbons has a strong presence with manufacturing facilities in various regions. The company offers a wide range of pelletized activated carbon products tailored to meet the specific requirements of different industries. Jacobi Carbons focuses on providing customized solutions to its customers and collaborates with them to develop tailored activated carbon solutions. The company's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has enabled it to establish a strong reputation in the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market.
The pelletized activated carbon market is projected to grow from USD 2.85 billion in 2023 to USD 4.2 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period. Rising demand for pelletized activated carbon in water and wastewater treatment, coupled with growing awareness about environmental sustainability, drives market growth. Additionally, increasing industrialization and stringent government regulations regarding pollution control further contribute to market expansion. Key developments include strategic partnerships, product innovations, and capacity expansions by leading market players. For instance, in 2023, Cabot Corporation announced plans to invest USD 15 million to expand its activated carbon production capacity in the Asia-Pacific region.
| Report Attribute/Metric | Details |
| Market Size 2022 | 2.73(USD Billion) |
| Market Size 2023 | 2.85(USD Billion) |
| Market Size 2032 | 4.2(USD Billion) |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) | 4.4% (2024 - 2032) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
| Base Year | 2023 |
| Market Forecast Period | 2024 - 2032 |
| Historical Data | 2019 - 2023 |
| Market Forecast Units | USD Billion |
| Key Companies Profiled | Purolite Corporation, Jacobi Carbons, Cabot Corporation, Aquacarboneutral, Kuraray, CPL Carbon Link, Tedia Company, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Br Carbon, Carbon Activated, West Virginia Activated Carbon Company, Grainger, Carbon Resources, Norit Activated Carbon, Ingevity Corporation |
| Segments Covered | Application, Source, Manufacturing Process, Mesh Size, Regional |
| Key Market Opportunities | Water Treatment Industrialization Healthcare Pharmaceutical Food and Beverages Growing Demand Environmental Regulations Stringent Norms Rising Demand for Activated Carbon with High Adsorption Capacity |
| Key Market Dynamics | Rising demand for water treatment Increasing adoption in the food and beverage industry Growing environmental regulations Technological advancements in production Expanding applications in pharmaceuticals |
| Countries Covered | North America, Europe, APAC, South America, MEA |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :
The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market was valued at around USD 2.85 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach around USD 4.2 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of approximately 4.4% over the forecast period 2024 to 2032.
North America is the largest consumer of pelletized activated carbon, accounting for over 50% of the market share. The region's rapid industrialization and growing population are the primary drivers of this growth.
Pelletized activated carbon is extensively used in various applications, including water treatment, gas purification, food and beverage processing, and pharmaceuticals. It is particularly effective in removing contaminants, impurities, and odors from liquids and gases.
Some of the key competitors in the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market include Cabot Corporation, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Jacobi Carbons, Kuraray Co., Ltd., and Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd.
The growth of the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market is primarily driven by increasing demand for water and air purification, stringent environmental regulations, and rising industrialization in emerging economies.
The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market faces challenges such as fluctuating raw material prices, intense competition, and the availability of alternative technologies for water and air purification.
Emerging trends in the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market include the development of sustainable and eco-friendly activated carbon, the use of advanced technologies for production, and the growing demand for customized solutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate impact on the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market. While some industries experienced a decline in demand, others, such as healthcare and water treatment, saw increased demand for activated carbon.
The Pelletized Activated Carbon Market is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, driven by increasing demand from various industries and the growing awareness of the importance of clean water and air.
Key factors influencing the growth of the Pelletized Activated Carbon Market include the increasing demand for clean water and air, stringent environmental regulations, and the growing adoption of pelletized activated carbon in various industries.
Senior Research Analyst With an experience of over five years in market research industry (chemicals & materials domain), i gather and analyze market data from diverse sources to produce results, which are then presented back to a client. also, provide recommendations based on the findings. as a senior research analyst, i perform quality checks (qc) for market estimations, qc for reports, and handle queries and work extensively on client customizations. also, handle the responsibilities of client proposals, report planning, report finalization, and execution
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