Chemicals Industry Today
Activated Carbon Market Growth to Record CAGR of 7.60% up to 2035
Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a highly porous form of carbon with an exceptionally large surface area and strong adsorption capacity. It is widely used across industries for purification, filtration, and chemical processing due to its ability to trap contaminants at the molecular level. From water treatment and air purification to pharmaceuticals and energy storage, activated carbon plays a critical role in modern environmental and industrial processes.
Activated Carbon Market was valued at 6.84 USD Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach 15.31 USD Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.60% from 2025 to 2035.
Structure and Characteristics
The unique effectiveness of activated carbon lies in its structure. It consists primarily of amorphous carbon atoms arranged in a disordered, microcrystalline lattice that provides a large internal surface area — typically between 500 to 1500 m² per gram. This extensive surface area allows it to adsorb a wide variety of substances.
Activated carbon features three main types of pores:
Micropores (< 2 nm): These account for the majority of the surface area and are responsible for adsorbing small molecules.
Mesopores (2–50 nm): Important for adsorbing larger molecules and facilitating diffusion.
Macropores (> 50 nm): Function as transport channels to the smaller pores.
Because of this hierarchical pore structure, activated carbon can capture and retain gases, vapors, and dissolved solids, making it highly effective in both gaseous and liquid phases.
Production Process
Activated carbon can be produced from a wide variety of carbon-rich raw materials, such as coconut shells, wood, coal, peat, and agricultural residues. The production process typically involves two main stages — carbonization and activation.
Carbonization:
In this stage, the raw material is heated in an inert atmosphere (usually nitrogen or argon) at temperatures ranging from 400°C to 800°C. This process removes volatile components and yields a char with a rudimentary pore structure.
Activation:
The carbonized material is then “activated” to develop its porous structure. There are two main activation methods:
The choice of activation technique depends on the desired pore structure, application, and raw material availability.
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Types of Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is available in various physical forms depending on the intended application:
Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC): Fine particles with a high surface area, typically used for water and wastewater treatment.
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): Larger particles suitable for continuous flow systems such as air and water filters.
Extruded or Pelletized Activated Carbon: Cylindrical pellets used in gas phase adsorption and solvent recovery.
Impregnated Activated Carbon: Treated with chemicals to enhance adsorption of specific compounds such as mercury, hydrogen sulfide, or ammonia.
Adsorption Mechanism
Activated carbon works primarily through adsorption, a surface-based process in which molecules adhere to the surface of the carbon. This is different from absorption, where substances penetrate the bulk of the material. Adsorption on activated carbon occurs due to van der Waals forces and chemical interactions between the carbon surface and the adsorbate molecules. Factors such as temperature, pore size distribution, surface chemistry, and the concentration of contaminants influence adsorption efficiency.
Applications
Activated carbon is used extensively across diverse industries:
Water and Wastewater Treatment:
It removes organic contaminants, chlorine, pesticides, and heavy metals, improving water taste and safety. Activated carbon filters are essential in both municipal water systems and household purifiers.
Air and Gas Purification:
It adsorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and toxic gases. In industrial settings, it is used to recover solvents and control emissions.
Food and Beverage Industry:
Activated carbon is used for decolorization and purification of sugar solutions, alcoholic beverages, and edible oils.
Pharmaceutical and Medical Uses:
In medicine, activated charcoal is employed as an antidote for certain poisonings because of its ability to bind toxins in the gastrointestinal tract. It is also used in drug purification processes.
Energy Storage and Environmental Technologies:
Recently, activated carbon has gained importance in supercapacitors, fuel cells, and carbon capture systems due to its high conductivity and adsorption properties.
Environmental and Economic Significance
Activated carbon contributes significantly to environmental sustainability. By enabling efficient pollution control and resource recovery, it supports cleaner industrial operations and safer ecosystems. Furthermore, with the growing focus on renewable materials, research has increasingly turned toward producing activated carbon from agricultural and biomass waste — an approach that not only reduces production costs but also minimizes environmental impact.
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Activated carbon stands out as one of the most versatile and effective materials for purification and adsorption applications. Its vast surface area, customizable pore structure, and chemical stability make it indispensable across industries. As global environmental regulations tighten and sustainability becomes a priority, the demand for high-performance activated carbon derived from eco-friendly sources is set to grow rapidly. Its continuing development will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in advancing cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable industrial practices.
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