Activated Carbon

Report Overview

US demand for activated carbon, including virgin and reactivated products sold by activated carbon suppliers, is expected to rise 3.5 percent per year through 2020. Forecast growth is expected to be considerably slower than the gains seen in the 2010-2015 period, when the market for activated carbon significantly expanded in response to two key environmental regulations:

• Disinfection Byproducts (DBP) Rule, which required that municipal water treatment facilities meet disinfection byproduct removal standards by 2015

• Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), which set limits on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), clinker cement plants, and other facilities, by early 2016

Coal-generated electricity requires air purification

In industrial air purification -- the largest application for activated carbon -- demand is projected to increase at an above-average pace. The US’ continued reliance on coal-generated electricity will necessitate continued use of powdered activated carbon for air purification. In addition, powdered activated carbon generally is not reactivated, so these products must be fully replaced when spent. The number of activated carbon injection (ACI) systems is also expected to increase, as some CFPPs are expected to install additional ACI systems to either replace temporary mercury removal systems or to supplement existing equipment.

Water treatment applications exhibit slow growth

In water treatment -- the second largest application for activated carbon -- gains are expected to be slower than the overall average. In municipal drinking water, granular activated carbon is favored for the removal of DBPs. Because granular activated carbon is used in large volumes in these applications, many users have invested in on-site reactivation equipment or have contracted with outside companies for reactivation services. This will limit demand for virgin or regenerated carbon sold by suppliers.

Study coverage

Activated Carbon presents historical demand data (2005, 2010 and 2015) plus forecasts (2020 and 2025) by type (powdered, granular), application (liquid phase, gas phase) and US region. The study also considers key market environment factors, assesses the industry structure and evaluates company market share.