Global Activated Carbon Market: 3.3M tons and $9B Value Growth Expected by 2030

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The activated carbon market is forecast to see significant growth over the next seven years, with a projected CAGR of +3.3% in volume and +5.8% in value. This growth is fueled by rising demand globally and is expected to result in a market volume of 3.3M tons and market value of $9B by 2030.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for activated carbon worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.3M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.8% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Activated Carbon

In 2023, global activated carbon consumption was estimated at 2.6M tons, remaining stable against the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 2.7M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global activated carbon market value shrank slightly to $6.1B in 2023, almost unchanged from the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, consumption increased by +61.5% against 2015 indices. Global consumption peaked at $6.1B in 2022, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of activated carbon consumption was China (795K tons), comprising approx. 30% of total volume. Moreover, activated carbon consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (291K tons), threefold. The United States (245K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 9.3% share.

In China, activated carbon consumption increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2013-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+4.5% per year) and the United States (+3.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest activated carbon markets worldwide were the United States ($1.4B), China ($1.3B) and India ($487M), together accounting for 51% of the global market. Turkey, the UK, Indonesia, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Mexico, Italy, Thailand and the Philippines lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +17.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of activated carbon per capita consumption in 2023 were South Korea (1,232 kg per 1000 persons), the UK (1,058 kg per 1000 persons) and Turkey (964 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Activated Carbon

In 2023, global activated carbon production expanded to 2.7M tons, growing by 2.4% compared with the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume at 2.8M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, activated carbon production totaled $6.1B in 2023 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a moderate increase from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, production increased by +59.7% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Global production peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Production By Country

China (1.1M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of activated carbon production, accounting for 39% of total volume. Moreover, activated carbon production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (413K tons), threefold. The United States (218K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.1% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China amounted to +3.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+3.9% per year) and the United States (+2.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Activated Carbon

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of activated carbon decreased by -6.8% to 939K tons in 2023. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 9.3% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 1M tons in 2022, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, activated carbon imports declined to $2.4B in 2023. In general, total imports indicated moderate growth from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports increased by +27.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 19%. Global imports peaked at $2.7B in 2022, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of activated carbon imports in 2023 were the United States (85K tons), Germany (82K tons), Japan (81K tons), South Korea (66K tons), Belgium (47K tons), France (43K tons), Italy (41K tons), China (40K tons), the Netherlands (35K tons), the UK (30K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (27K tons) and India (21K tons), together amounting to 64% of total import. Spain (19K tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +8.8%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($224M), Germany ($203M) and China ($175M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, together accounting for 25% of global imports. South Korea, Japan, Belgium, Italy, France, the Netherlands, India, the UK, Taiwan (Chinese) and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

In terms of the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +10.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2023, the average activated carbon import price amounted to $2,598 per ton, declining by -2.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $2,659 per ton in 2022, and then reduced in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($4,342 per ton), while Japan ($1,880 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+5.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Activated Carbon

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of activated carbon decreased by -3.8% to 999K tons in 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 1M tons in 2022, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

In value terms, activated carbon exports declined to $2.4B in 2023. In general, total exports indicated a tangible expansion from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +23.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 17% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $2.6B in 2022, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports By Country

China was the key exporting country with an export of around 302K tons, which accounted for 30% of total exports. India (142K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 14% share, followed by Belgium (7.5%), the Philippines (6.2%), Germany (5.9%), the United States (5.8%) and Sri Lanka (5.4%). The Netherlands (36K tons), Australia (31K tons), Indonesia (25K tons), Vietnam (19K tons), Malaysia (19K tons) and Mexico (16K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2013 to 2023. At the same time, Mexico (+9.1%), Vietnam (+5.4%), Australia (+4.4%), Sri Lanka (+3.6%), Belgium (+3.5%), Germany (+3.3%), India (+3.3%), Indonesia (+2.2%) and Malaysia (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mexico emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +9.1% from 2013-2023. The Philippines experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-2.7%) and the Netherlands (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+3.6 p.p.), India (+3.1 p.p.) and Belgium (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2013-2023, the share of the Netherlands (-2.2 p.p.) and the United States (-2.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($518M), the United States ($362M) and India ($242M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2023, with a combined 47% share of global exports. Belgium, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Germany, the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Mexico, with a CAGR of +14.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average activated carbon export price stood at $2,408 per ton in 2023, waning by -3.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average export price increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $2,500 per ton, and then declined in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($6,239 per ton), while Indonesia ($1,594 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+7.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform