Top Activated Carbon Companies

The global activated carbon industry is growing at speed due to environmental regulations and the battle against water and air pollution in residences, businesses, and cities. There continues to be rising demand for activated carbon in water treatment, gas purification, and air filtration, all of which follow tightening rules, such as U.S. EPA, EU REACH, and China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment. It has made the market much stronger through the demand of pharmaceuticals and processed foods and beverages. Investments in sustainable infrastructure and recycling wastewater, as well as enhanced emission control, signal the growing importance of the industry in promoting global sustainability efforts. This page will highlight the principal market trends and drivers' companies are leveraging.

Industry Overview

According to SkyQuest Technology “Activated Carbon Market By Type (Powdered Activated Carbon and Granular Activated Carbon) By Raw Material (Coal, Coconut, Wood, and Peat), By Application, By End-Use Industry, By Region - Industry Forecast 2025-2032,” the granular activated carbon (GAC) segment is expected to experience a faster compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in comparison to PAC because GAC is more durable, capable of being reused or regenerated, able to purify the gas phase, and suitable for systems where a longer contact time is required.

Top 10 Global Activated Carbon Companies

1. Cabot Corporation

Cabot Corporation' has been established in 1882. The Bostonian Cabot was the one to earn almost USD 3.99 billion in 2024. This company is a global leader in performance materials as well as special chemicals. Provides chemical additives, reinforcing materials, and activated carbon for sale. Cabot's activated carbon products are unique for their further applications as adsorbents for industrial gases, air cleaning, and water treatment-all environmental initiatives. Furthermore, the company provides services for the reactivation of carbon, thus allowing its clients to reuse the carbon, increasing efficiency while at the same time reducing waste and operational expenditure. Company innovates new methods that enhance environmental sustainability, transforming global industries.

2. Calgon Carbon Corporation

Calgon Carbon Corporation was founded in 1942. Calgon Carbon, formerly Pittsburgh Coke & Chemical Company, currently has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and has projected revenue of about USD 750 million in 2024. Leading in technology surrounding activated carbon, the company offers complete system infrastructures for both gas and liquid purification. Its products touch thousands globally in vapor recovery, odor control, air purification, and treatment of water. Still Calgon Carbon, the biggest company in the world, is in matters inline with reducing emissions and cleaning the environment. Their trademark carbon products and valuable reactivation services are famous.

3. Haycarb PLC

Haycarb PLC founded in the year 1973. It is based in Colombo in Sri Lanka and made revenues of about USD 203 million in 2024. Thus, on a global scale, it is the largest manufacturer of activated carbon from coconut shells. The company markets high-grade carbon applicable in food and beverages, gold recovery, and purifying water and gas and air treatments. Haycarb stands as a front-runner in environmentally friendly carbon production because of its energy-efficient production techniques and by sourcing raw materials in an ecologically acceptable method. This helps to achieve the company's goals regarding circular economy and thus aids in making the world a better place.

4. Jacobi Carbons Group

Jacobi Carbons Group founded in the year 1916. In 2024, Jacobi Carbons Group was predicted to make a revenue of about USD 871.5 million, and it is owned entirely by Osaka Gas Chemicals, a Japanese firm. The business manufactures activated carbon products, which undergo conversion from raw materials such as wood, coal, and coconut shell, to be sold for industrial filtration, air treatment, and water purification. With almost a century of experience in the distribution business, Jacobi features highly specialized adsorption and impregnation capabilities. Jacobi with vast worldwide networking and technological proficiency in emission control and sustainable purification technologies stands as a major player.

5. Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Kuraray Co., Ltd. founded in the year 1926. Japan is where Kuraray Co, Ltd, with worldwide operations, is primarily based. It has an estimation of about $5.4 billion revenues for 2024. It has a complete line of chemical solutions that includes filtering materials and activated carbon. Essential in terms of processing industrial purification systems, gas absorption systems, and water treatment systems its solutions are. The diverse industries in which Kuraray can be relied on are manufacture, healthcare, and environmental management. This comes as a result of its commitment towards sustainable and innovative practices. It promotes greener industrial operations and lowers emissions globally.

6. Kureha Corporation

Kureha Corporation is indeed a Japanese multinational that was established in 1944 and generated humongous revenue of $177.97 billion in 2024. This mammoth revenue is because of its well diversified product range. The products line of the company includes innovative materials, specialty chemicals, and activated carbon. Kureha manufactures high-quality carbon products for environmental protection, water purification, and industry. This emphasizes the manufacture of high-quality carbon products that go into environmental protection, water purification, and industry. The concentration of Kureha on precise engineering and emerging technology has made it the world's leader in sustainable materials. The efforts of the company on further research work and international collaboration continue to play an important role in the application of carbon-based technologies for industrial waste treatment and reduction of emissions.

7. Donau Carbon GmbH

Donau Carbon GmbH, a German and Austrian company, earned around USD 8,600,000 by the year 2024. Adding to the products, the company also develops granular, powdered as well as extruded activated carbon from lignite, wood and coconut shells. This has at least found application in water purification systems, in the filtration of process wastes in industries, in gas cleaning systems, and in the treatment of exhaust air. A very environmentally friendly concern with special design adopted adsorption systems by Donau Carbon. It offers reactivation services and thus assists companies from a wide range of European sectors in being more sustainable.

8. CarboTech AC GmbH

CarboTech has been founded in 1938, a reputable European company in manufacturing activated carbon and molecular sieves. Its main office is in Essen, Germany. It produces extruded, granulated, and powdered carbon that can be used in gas separation, air purification, and environmental management. Aside from that, it also provides catalyst support services and rents out mobile adsorbers, providing industrial clients with more control on how they can manage their companies. CarboTech is well known in Germany and across the globe for pollution control and filtration systems, having a very wide knowledge in technical areas and an added touch of reliability.

9. Silcarbon Aktivkohole GmbH

Since its founding in 1987, Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH has operated as a German company with revenues rising to above $5 million in 2024 and is engaged in providing activated carbon materials and charcoal products meant for air filtration, water purification, and odor control. Furthermore, it provides technical assistance and spent carbon reactivation that aid in sustainable and economically sustainable purification techniques. Silcarbon has been successfully serving the clients of industrial air purification as well as municipal treatment in view of its fundamental commitment to quality and environmental protection.

10. Ingevity Corporation

According to Ingevity Corporation, which is a spinoff of WestRock and located in North Charleston, South Carolina, sale revenue is expected to be between USD 1.25 and USD 1.40 billion by 2025. The company is a superlative provider of specialty chemicals and uniquely tailored materials of carbon for absorb engines of fuels evaporating vapor, filters for air and water cleaning, and emission reduction devices. Ingevity is a key actor in the global situation toward cleaner solutions for industry and sustainability since its revolutionary high-performance carbon technologies make compliance easier with environmental regulations and consumption of energy.

Other Leading Global Activated Carbon Companies

• Iluka Resources Limited
• Universal Carbons
• Carbon Activated Corporation
• Boyce Carbon
• Suneeta Carbons
• Desotec Activated Carbon
• Fujian Yuanli Active Carbon Co., Ltd.
• Western Carbon & Chemicals
• Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC
• Shinkwang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

Conclusion

Tighter environmental regulations, demand for industrial cleaning, and the global sustainability movement are all driving rapid growth in the activated carbon market. Some of the large companies growing their product portfolio with new technology and green products include Cabot, Calgon Carbon, Haycarb, Kuraray, and Ingevity. Likewise, regional manufacturers in Asia & Europe have garnered global spotlight from their local specialty adsorption and activation service. With legitimate consumers aiming for clean air, clean water, and waste emissions, our industry is primed for continued global growth.