United States Activated Carbon Market Outlook Report - Market Size, Share Analysis and Forecast (2025-2034)

The United States activated carbon market size reached approximately USD 425.71 Million in 2024. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.20% in the forecast period of 2025-2034, reaching a value of around USD 642.38 Million by 2034.

Key Trends in the Market

Activated carbon or activated charcoal is a porous carbon form which is used to filter contaminants from air and water through adsorption of impurities. It is produced from various natural sources such as bamboo, wood, coconut husks, and sawdust, among others.

• Growing usage of activated carbon for air purification in the residential and commercial sectors is one of the major factors driving the United States activated carbon market growth. As per a study done by the US Department of Energy, air filters with activated carbon remove over 70 per cent more airborne pollutants when compared to air filters without one.
• Activated carbon is also utilised in the mining sector as an adsorbent to recover gold from the ore. It possesses a high adsorption capacity, which allows gold molecules to strongly attach themselves to the molecules present on the activated carbon surface, which can be later desorbed from the surface easily.
• The introduction of innovative production processes such as microwave-assisted activation and hydrothermal carbonisation, which improves product quality, is also a crucial trend aiding the United States activated carbon market expansion. Microwave-assisted activation process uses microwave energy to lower activation time and energy consumption as well as enhance the activated carbon quality, whereas the hydrothermal carbonisation process reduces the carbon footprint during production and increases the product yield.
• Developmental efforts by market players to increase their manufacturing plant capacity also boost the United States activated carbon market demand. For example, in October 2023, Calgon Carbon Corporation announced that it completed the expansion of its activated carbon manufacturing plant at Pearlington, Mississippi. With this expansion, the plant is expected to produce over 200 million pounds of activated carbon every year.

United States Activated Carbon Industry Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “United States Activated Carbon Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Form:

• Powdered Activated Carbon
• Granular Activated Carbon
• Others

Market Breakup by Raw Material:

• Coal
• Coconut
• Wood
• Others

Market Breakup by Phase:

• Liquid Phase
• Gaseous Phase

Market Breakup by End Use:

• Water Treatment
• Food and Beverage
• Pharmaceutical and Medical
• Automotive
• Air Purification
• Others

Market Breakup by Region:

• New England
• Mideast
• Great Lakes
• Plains
• Southeast
• Southwest
• Rocky Mountain
• Far West

Market Share by Phase

The gaseous phase occupies a significant portion of the United States activated carbon market share, due to the rising usage of activated carbon in its gaseous form for air purification purposes in air conditioners and gas masks, among others. It can also be used for the adsorption of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as the gas separation process in the industrial sector.

Furthermore, the liquid phase is expected to gain sizeable growth in the forecast period, due to the high usage of liquid-activated carbon in the water treatment process.

Market Share by End Use

As per the United States activated carbon market analysis, the water treatment sector accounts for a substantial market share, owing to the growing use of activated carbon for removing the unpleasant odour and taste from the water. It can also eliminate harmful contaminants such as heavy metals and toxic gases through an effective adsorption process.

Granular activated carbon technology is widespread in the USA water treatment market as it has a high removal efficiency of up to 99.9 per cent for VOCs.

Competitive Landscape

The comprehensive EMR report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter's five forces model along with giving a SWOT analysis. The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the United States activated carbon market, covering their competitive landscape and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, investments, and expansion plans.

Cabot Corporation

Cabot Corporation, founded in 1882 and headquartered in Massachusetts, the United States, is a performance materials and speciality chemicals company. The company has production plants and research and development activities in over 20 countries. Some of its popular products include adhesives and sealants, batteries, coatings, and consumer rubber products, among others. The company aims to achieve net zero emissions by the year 2050 as per the Paris climate agreement.

Invica Limited (CPL Activated Carbons)

Invica Limited (CPL Activated Carbons), established in 1990, is a supplier of activated carbon, based in Wigan, the United Kingdom. Its specialities include activated carbon, carbon regeneration, carbon filters, biogas purification, edible oil purification, and water purification solutions, among others. The company offers its products and services in the sectors of food and beverage, chemical and pharmaceuticals, and mining, among others.

Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Kuraray Co., Ltd. is a functional resins and chemical products supplier, incorporated in 1926 and headquartered in Japan. Its comprehensive range of products includes fibres and textiles , resins and films, chemicals, elastomers, and rubbers, among others. The company promotes sustainability through climate change measures, biodiversity conservation, and water and air purification, among others.

Other United States activated carbon market players include Puragen Activated carbon, Ingevity Corporation, Carbon Activated Corporation, Hangzhou Nature Technology Co., Ltd., CarbUSA LLC, Carbon Solutions, LLC, and Donau Chemie AG, among others.
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