Specialty Carbon Black Market Analysis

Global Specialty Carbon Black Market Overview

The Specialty Carbon Black Market Size was valued at USD 2.35 Billion in 2022. The Specialty Carbon Black industry is projected to grow from USD 2.87 Billion in 2023 to USD 5.40 Billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.0% during the forecast period (2023 - 2030). The growing population and urbanization have stimulated the overall growth of the specialty carbon black market growth. For instance, countries like India and China have proposed plans to develop their infrastructure and construction which has significantly stimulated the overall growth of the specialty carbon black industry.         Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Specialty Carbon Black Market Trends

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  The significantly growing demand for printing inks in the packaging industry is fueling the demand for specialty carbon black.

  
  

The potential characteristics of specialty carbon black such as UV protection, conductivity in plastics, aesthetical values, and higher performance in carbon additive batteries used in electric vehicles are considered the major drivers of specialty carbon black market growth. In the automotive industry, the utilization of the specialty carbon black is in electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Developed countries are adopting electric vehicles in recent times. These electric vehicles that are operated in lithium-ion battery technology utilize high-performance carbon additives as battery electrodes. This factor is considered the major market driver of specialty carbon black market growth. 

Additionally, The specialty carbon black market was highly influenced by the multi-national and single country-based products, the increasing investments from these sectors and the key market players such as Cabot Corporation, Orion Engineered Carbons, and significant others were building their production plants to reduce the expenses have presented favorable conditions for the overall growth of specialty carbon black industry during the forecast period.

In 2024: Continental Carbon unveiled a new range of specialty carbon blacks with improved performance in automotive and industrial applications.

Specialty Carbon Black Market Segment Insights

Specialty Carbon Black Grade Insights

The Specialty Carbon Black Market segmentation, based on Grade, includes Conductive Carbon Black, Fiber Carbon Black, and Food Contact Carbon Black. Conductive grades are majorly utilized in manufacturing conductive polymers, paints & coatings, and printing inks. Growth of manufacturing sector spending, owing to population expansion coupled with growing demand for polymers is anticipated to drive market growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, conductive grade accounted for 27.60% of the total market share in 2021. Increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries is anticipated to further boost market growth during the forecast period. It is expected to gain market share and accounts for 29.25% by 2030.

Food contact was the largest product segment in 2021, accounting for around 30% of the revenue share. The growing consumption of convenience foods in developing nations is the major driving factor for the growth of the food packaging industry. Visual appeal and convenience are the other two aspects that drive the growth of the food packaging industry. Mounting consumption of packaged food and beverages due to changing consumer lifestyles coupled with rising per capita disposable income is anticipated to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Figure 2: Specialty Carbon Black Market, by Grade, 2023 & 2030 (USD Billion)             Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Specialty Carbon Black Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific emerged as the fastest-growing market for specialty carbon black with a revenue share of more than 45% in 2021. The growth in this region can be attributed to increasing plastic consumption in major end-use industries, such as construction, automotive, conductive polymers, and packaging. Increasing polymer production in China, India, and Southeast Asian countries, such as South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, is anticipated to remain a key driving factor in the regional market growth during the forecast period.

Figure 3: SPECIALTY CARBON BLACK MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2023 (%)       Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

North America occupied a significantly large share of the Specialty Carbon Black Market in 2021. Economic recovery in the U.S. and expanding automotive and commercial building activities are likely to trigger product demand in paints & coatings, molded plastics, and wires & cables. There is substantial demand for food and conductive grade specialty carbon black in North America concerning the growth of polymer and packaged food industries.

Europe was the second-largest regional segment in terms of revenue in 2021 and is anticipated to expand with a CAGR of 7.9% in the coming years. This is attributed to the recovery of the overall economy along with strong demand from the textile industry. However, Europe and North America are relatively mature markets, with stagnancy and low growth prospects. Additionally, these regions are highly regulated by many legislations, and manufacturers are required to follow several stringent procedures to ensure the overall sustainability of the product.

Specialty Carbon Black Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the Specialty Carbon Black market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the Specialty Carbon Black industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

The major market players are investing a lot of money in R&D to expand their product lines, which will spur further market growth for Specialty Carbon Black. With significant market development like new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their global presence. To grow and thrive in a market climate that is becoming more competitive and growing, competitors in the Specialty Carbon Black industry must offer affordable products.

Manufacturing locally to cut operating costs is one of the main business tactics manufacturers use in the global Specialty Carbon Black industry to benefit customers and expand the market sector. The Specialty Carbon Black market has recently given medicine some of the most important advantages. Major Specialty Carbon Black market players, including Imerys, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Denka Company Limited, Phillips Carbon Black Limited, Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd., and others, are attempting to increase market demand by funding R&D initiatives.

Imerys is a provider of mineral-based specialties for various industries. It operates through two segments: Performance Minerals (PM) and High-Temperature Materials & Solutions (HTMS). The PM segment supplies functional additives in the plastics, rubber, paints and coatings, filtration, ceramics, mobile energy, paper, and board, food and beverage, health, and personal care markets.

Also, Tokai Carbon USA is a company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of engineered carbon and graphite materials. It offers fine graphite for semiconductors, CVD SiC coatings, glassy carbons, silicon carbide heating elements, EAF elements, and friction materials.

Key Companies in the Specialty Carbon Black market include

• Cabot Corporation


• Imerys


• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation


• Denka Company Limited


• Phillips Carbon Black Limited


• Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.


• Lion Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.


• Birla Carbon


• Ampacet Corporation


• Himadri Specialty Chemical Ltd.


• Continental Carbon


• Orion Engineered Carbons


• Asbury Carbons


• Pyrolex AG

Specialty Carbon Black Industry Developments

In the year 2021, one of the leading market players, Birla Carbon joined hands with Circtec and they announced their partnership and their vision towards manufacturing the materials for tires, mechanical rubber goods, and supply to the plastic industries. This acquisition is expected to increase the specialty carbon market value during the forecast period.

Specialty Carbon Black Market Segmentation

Specialty Carbon Black Grade Outlook

• Conductive Carbon Black


• Fiber Carbon Black


• Food Contact Carbon Black

Specialty Carbon Black Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America