Rising Purification Demand Drives 10% CAGR in Activated Carbon Market

Activated carbon market was valued at $4,989.6 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $12,855.0 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period (2026-2035).In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF reported that 1 in 4 people worldwide (about 2.1?billion) still lack access to safely managed drinking water services, highlighting persistent gaps in water quality and access despite global efforts to improve sanitation and safety.   Which is driving the demand for advanced water and air purification solutions. And due to this the demand for activated carbon is accelerating globally.

Browse the full report description of  “Activated Carbon Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Form Type (Powdered, Granular, and Extruded/ Pelletized), and by End Use (Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Metal Extraction, Air & Water Purification, Industrial Chemicals, Automotive, Personal Care & Beauty Products, and Others (Odor Removal), Forecast Period (2026-2035)” of https://www.omrglobal.com/industry-reports/activated-carbon-market

As, activated carbon has ability to adsorb organic and inorganic contaminants which makes it a cornerstone technology in filtration systems that target pollutants such as PFAS, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), heavy metals, and industrial effluents in water and air applications.

Degrading air quality has also become a major concern which are compelling manufacturers to deploy advanced filtration technologies to curb harmful emissions. As per WHO report around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air that lead to diseases such as stroke, heart disease among others. Pollutants include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Both ambient (outdoor) and household (indoor) air pollution are harmful for health.  To overcome this activated carbon plays crucial role as it has a high surface area and porous structure, enabling it to adsorb these gases from ambient and indoor air.

And in this scenario also activated carbon filters, often combined with HEPA filters, can adsorb fine particles in air purifiers, HVAC systems, and industrial emission controls, reducing human exposure.

Also, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that activated carbon injection (ACI) is one of the control technologies used to reduce mercury and other hazardous air pollutant emissions from coal? and oil?fired power plants under the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards by them.

And collectively this efforts of air and water purification are driving the demand for activated carbon market globally.

 Activated Carbon Market: Key 2025 Business Developments and Expansion Initiatives

• In December 2025, Calgon Carbon Corporation received an USD?13.2?million investment from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to expand its Neville Township operations near Pittsburgh. The project will add manufacturing, recycling, and equipment capacity to boost domestic activated carbon output and recycling.

• In December 2025, Calgon Carbon Corporation announced that it had been granted a US Patent for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) sorbent materials and their use. The patent covers the removal of PFAS from liquids or gases using reactivated carbon and complements the company’s existing research on using its proprietary carbon reactivation process for PFAS removal in drinking water and wastewater treatment.

• In September 2025, Kemira announced full investment approval for a new reactivation plant at its Helsingborg, Sweden, site. The facility, requiring a low double-digit million?euro investment, will reactivate spent granular activated carbon for reuse in drinking water treatment, targeting residues such as micropollutants, including PFAS (‘forever chemicals’), which are increasingly regulated across Europe.

Market Coverage

• The market number available for – 2025-2035
• Base year- 2025
• Forecast period- 2026-2035
• Segment Covered-
• Form Type
• End Use

• Competitive Landscape – Cabot Corp., Calgon Carbon Corp., Haycarb PLC, Jacobi Carbons Group and Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Key questions addressed by the report.

• What is the market growth rate?
• Which segment and region dominate the market in the base year?
• Which segment and region will project the fastest growth in the market?
• Who is the leader in the market?
• How are players addressing challenges to sustain growth?
• Where is the investment opportunity?

 Global Activated Carbon Market Report Segment

By Form Type

• Powdered
• Granular
• Extruded/Pelletized

By End Use

• Food & Beverage
• Pharmaceutical
• Metal Extraction
• Air &Water Purification
• Industrial Chemicals
• Automotive
• Personal Care & Beauty Products
• Others (Odor Removal)

Global Activated Carbon Market Report Segment by Region

North America

• United States
• Canada

Europe

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

Asia-Pacific

• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Australia and New Zealand
• ASEAN Economies
• Rest of Asia-Pacific

Rest of the World

• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

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