Top 10 Companies in the Granular Activated Carbon Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Global Purification

In Business Insights
November 02, 2025

The Global Granular Activated Carbon Market was valued at USD 2.13 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.98 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.1% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This growth is being driven by stringent environmental regulations, increasing water treatment needs across industrial and municipal sectors, and the accelerating adoption of Surface-Modified GAC Solutions for emerging contaminant removal applications.

As global water quality standards intensify and industrial purification requirements expand, the spotlight is on the key activated carbon manufacturers who are driving innovation, efficiency, and cleaner water pathways. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Granular Activated Carbon Industry—a mix of global chemical leaders, specialty manufacturers, and sustainability pioneers shaping the future of global purification technologies.


🔟 1. Cabot Corporation (Norit)

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Coconut Shell-Based GAC, and Surface-Modified GAC Solutions

Cabot Corporation, through its Norit acquisition, has established itself as the global leader in granular activated carbon production, offering comprehensive solutions for water treatment, food processing, and industrial applications. Their advanced product portfolio includes specialized formulations for PFAS removal, mercury control, and pharmaceutical purification, serving clients across 100+ countries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • EcoSorb™ series with 30% reduced carbon footprint

  • Leading supplier for municipal water treatment plants

  • Comprehensive reactivation services for used carbon

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/261615/global-granular-activated-carbon-forecast-market


9️⃣ 2. Calgon Carbon Corporation

Headquarters: Moon Township, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Coconut Shell GAC, Reactivation Services

Calgon Carbon Corporation, a Kuraray Group company, operates as a leading manufacturer of granular activated carbon with extensive capabilities in water purification, air treatment, and specialty applications since 1942.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Proprietary reactivation technology

  • Strategic focus on PFAS remediation solutions


8️⃣ 3. CECA S.A. (Arkema Group)

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Wood-Based GAC, Impregnated Carbon Solutions

CECA S.A., part of the Arkema Group, maintains a strong European presence with advanced granular activated carbon products for water treatment, food and beverage, and industrial processes.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • European leader in biomass-based activated carbon

  • Specialized impregnated carbons for mercury removal


7️⃣ 4. Jacobi Carbons Group (Osaka Gas Chemicals)

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Coconut Shell GAC, Coal-Based GAC, Reactivation Services

Jacobi Carbons Group, backed by Osaka Gas Chemicals, operates as a global leader in high-purity activated carbons derived from coconut shells and coal.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Advanced coconut shell carbon production

  • Strategic partnerships with Asian water utilities

Download FREE Sample Report: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/261615/global-granular-activated-carbon-forecast-market


6️⃣ 5. Ingevity Corporation

Headquarters: North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Specialty Activated Carbons, Reactivation Network

Ingevity Corporation, formerly MeadWestvaco, specializes in high-performance activated carbon solutions for environmental purification, solvent recovery, and catalyst carrier applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Leading supplier for automotive emission control

  • Proprietary technologies for VOC abatement


5️⃣ 6. Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Coconut Shell GAC, Medical Grade Activated Carbon

Kuraray Co., Ltd. has strengthened its position in the granular activated carbon market through strategic acquisitions and technology development.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Recent acquisition of Calgon Carbon Corporation

  • Pharmaceutical-grade GAC production expansion


4️⃣ 7. Donau Chemie AG

Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Wood-Based GAC, Reactivation Services

Donau Chemie AG maintains a strong European footprint with activated carbon production facilities in Austria and strategic partnerships across Eastern Europe.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on Central and Eastern European markets

  • Expanding biogas purification applications


3️⃣ 8. CPL Carbon Link Ltd.

Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Coconut Shell GAC, Reactivation Technology

CPL Carbon Link Ltd. operates as a specialty activated carbon manufacturer with focused expertise in water treatment applications across the UK and Ireland.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Specialized water treatment solutions

  • Strategic focus on industrial wastewater treatment


2️⃣ 9. Eurocarb Products Ltd.

Headquarters: Leicester, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Coconut Shell GAC, Specialty Application Carbons

Eurocarb Products Ltd. specializes in high-quality granular activated carbon products derived from coconut shells and coal for various purification applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on European water treatment markets

  • Developing sustainable biomass-based products


1️⃣ 10. Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH

Headquarters: Rosenheim, Germany
Key Offering: Coal-Based GAC, Wood-Based GAC, Reactivation and Regeneration Services

Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH operates as a specialized German manufacturer of activated carbon products with particular expertise in industrial air and gas purification applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Specialized impregnated carbon technologies

  • High-purity GAC for pharmaceutical applications

Get Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/261615/global-granular-activated-carbon-forecast-market


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Granular Activated Carbon Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The granular activated carbon market is undergoing a transformative shift toward sustainable production methods and advanced purification technologies. While traditional coal-based GAC still dominates volume, the industry is investing substantially in renewable biomass sources, surface modification technologies, and digital monitoring systems.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising PFAS remediation demand across North America and Europe

  • Regulatory push for advanced water treatment standards by 2030

  • Digitalization of carbon bed monitoring and regeneration scheduling

  • Strategic partnerships between GAC manufacturers and technology providers

Get Full Report Here: https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/261615/global-granular-activated-carbon-forecast-market

The companies listed above are not only powering global purification—they’re spearheading the green transformation of water and air treatment systems worldwide.