Market overview
The global activated carbon market is worth USD 6.3 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 11.8 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Granular is the largest by form segment.
| Scope | Activated carbon in powdered, granular and extruded forms made from coal, coconut shell and wood, used in water and air purification, gold recovery, food and pharmaceuticals. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 5.9 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 6.3 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 11.8 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 6.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 2,056 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 3,494 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 3,056 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Activated Carbon market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 6.3 bn |
| 2027 | USD 6.7 bn |
| 2028 | USD 7.1 bn |
| 2029 | USD 7.6 bn |
| 2030 | USD 8.1 bn |
| 2031 | USD 8.6 bn |
| 2032 | USD 9.2 bn |
| 2033 | USD 9.8 bn |
| 2034 | USD 10.4 bn |
| 2035 | USD 11.1 bn |
| 2036 | USD 11.8 bn |
Activated Carbon market segmentation
By form
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powdered | 38.0% | 36.2% | USD 2.4 bn | 6.0% |
| Granular | 50.0% | 50.0% | USD 3.1 bn | 6.5% |
| Extruded and pelletised | 12.0% | 13.8% | USD 754 mn | 8.0% |
By raw material
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal-based | 56.0% | 53.7% | USD 3.5 bn | 6.1% |
| Coconut shell | 28.0% | 30.9% | USD 1.8 bn | 7.6% |
| Wood and other | 16.0% | 15.4% | USD 1.0 bn | 6.1% |
By application
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water treatment | 48.0% | 49.7% | USD 3.0 bn | 6.9% |
| Air and gas purification | 24.0% | 26.1% | USD 1.5 bn | 7.4% |
| Food and pharma | 12.0% | 10.8% | USD 754 mn | 5.4% |
| Gold and mining | 8.0% | 6.5% | USD 503 mn | 4.4% |
| Automotive and others | 8.0% | 6.9% | USD 503 mn | 4.9% |
By activation method
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam activation | 74.0% | 70.0% | USD 4.6 bn | 5.9% |
| Chemical activation | 20.0% | 23.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 8.0% |
| Impregnated and modified | 6.0% | 7.0% | USD 377 mn | 8.2% |
By pore structure
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microporous | 46.0% | 42.0% | USD 2.9 bn | 5.5% |
| Mesoporous | 36.0% | 38.0% | USD 2.3 bn | 7.1% |
| Macroporous | 18.0% | 20.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 7.6% |
Top 25 countries for activated carbon by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 81.7% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.9%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 1.8 bn | 28.0% | USD 3.5 bn | 7.0% |
| 2 | United States | USD 1.3 bn | 21.0% | USD 2.4 bn | 6.0% |
| 3 | Japan | USD 503 mn | 8.0% | USD 778 mn | 4.5% |
| 4 | India | USD 377 mn | 6.0% | USD 979 mn | 10.0% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 314 mn | 5.0% | USD 507 mn | 4.9% |
| 6 | South Korea | USD 220 mn | 3.5% | USD 389 mn | 5.9% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | USD 188 mn | 3.0% | USD 307 mn | 5.0% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 157 mn | 2.5% | USD 307 mn | 6.9% |
| 9 | France | USD 157 mn | 2.5% | USD 259 mn | 5.2% |
| 10 | Australia | USD 138 mn | 2.2% | USD 248 mn | 6.0% |
| 11 | Netherlands | USD 116 mn | 1.9% | USD 205 mn | 5.8% |
| 12 | Belgium | USD 102 mn | 1.6% | USD 182 mn | 5.9% |
| 13 | Poland | USD 90 mn | 1.4% | USD 159 mn | 5.8% |
| 14 | Thailand | USD 79 mn | 1.3% | USD 183 mn | 8.7% |
| 15 | Indonesia | USD 70 mn | 1.1% | USD 160 mn | 8.7% |
| 16 | Philippines | USD 62 mn | 1.0% | USD 142 mn | 8.7% |
| 17 | Saudi Arabia | USD 54 mn | 0.9% | USD 124 mn | 8.7% |
| 18 | Vietnam | USD 48 mn | 0.8% | USD 110 mn | 8.7% |
| 19 | Canada | USD 42 mn | 0.7% | USD 74 mn | 5.8% |
| 20 | Mexico | USD 37 mn | 0.6% | USD 65 mn | 5.8% |
| 21 | Russia | USD 33 mn | 0.5% | USD 46 mn | 3.5% |
| 22 | Spain | USD 28 mn | 0.5% | USD 51 mn | 6.0% |
| 23 | Turkey | USD 25 mn | 0.4% | USD 58 mn | 8.7% |
| 24 | Taiwan | USD 22 mn | 0.3% | USD 39 mn | 5.9% |
| 25 | Malaysia | USD 19 mn | 0.3% | USD 45 mn | 8.7% |
| Rest of world | USD 322 mn | 5.1% | USD 540 mn | 5.3% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Calgon Carbon (Kuraray)
- Cabot Corporation
- Jacobi Carbons
- Osaka Gas Chemicals
- Haycarb
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Donau Carbon
- Ingevity
- Carbotech
- Boyce Carbon
- Ningxia Huahui Activated Carbon
- Oxbow Activated Carbon
- Carbon Activated Corporation
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Kureha
- Puragen
- ADA Carbon Solutions
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the activated carbon market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by form, by raw material, by application, by activation method, by pore structure. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the activated carbon market?
The global activated carbon market is estimated at USD 5.9 bn in 2025 and USD 6.3 bn in 2026.
How fast will the activated carbon market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 11.8 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 5.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for activated carbon?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 1.8 bn in 2026, 28.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 57.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 10.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which activated carbon segment is largest?
In the by form split, Granular is the largest segment with 50.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading activated carbon companies?
Global leaders include Calgon Carbon (Kuraray), Cabot Corporation, Jacobi Carbons, Osaka Gas Chemicals.
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