Top 10 Companies in the Activated Alumina Balls and Powders Industry (2025): Market Leaders Driving Purification and Sustainability

In Business Insights
November 16, 2025


The Global Activated Alumina Balls and Powders Market was valued at USD 746.46 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 907.00 million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.30% during the forecast period (2024–2029). This steady growth is primarily fueled by escalating demand for water treatment solutions, stringent environmental regulations on air and water quality, and the expanding use of activated alumina as a catalyst and adsorbent across various industrial processes.

As industries worldwide intensify their focus on purification, emission control, and sustainable operations, the role of high-performance adsorbents has become paramount. In this detailed analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Activated Alumina Balls and Powders Industry—a dynamic mix of global chemical giants and specialized manufacturers leading innovation and setting quality standards in this essential market.


🔟 1. Honeywell UOP

Headquarters: Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Balls (SORBEAD®), Powders, Specialty Adsorbents

A subsidiary of Honeywell International, Honeywell UOP is a preeminent global supplier of catalysts, adsorbents, and process technologies for the petroleum refining, gas processing, and petrochemical industries. Their SORBEAD® line of activated alumina is renowned for its high crush strength and exceptional performance in drying gases and liquids.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Dominant presence in refinery and natural gas dehydration applications

  • Extensive R&D focused on enhancing adsorbent lifecycle and efficiency

  • Global supply chain and technical service network

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Global Activated Alumina Balls and Powders Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Axens

Headquarters: Rueil-Malmaison, France
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Balls (AxTrap®), Catalyst Carriers, Purification Solutions

Axens is a leading provider of process technologies, catalysts, and adsorbents for the energy sector. The company offers advanced activated alumina products designed for the removal of impurities like fluoride, arsenic, and selenium from water, as well as for gas-drying applications in hydrocarbon processing.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Specialization in tailored solutions for complex purification challenges

  • Strong focus on sustainability and helping customers meet environmental standards

  • Strategic partnerships with major oil, gas, and chemical producers worldwide


8️⃣ 3. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Powders, Spheres, Catalyst Supports

BASF SE, one of the world’s largest chemical producers, offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-purity activated aluminas. Their products are used extensively as catalyst supports in chemical synthesis, adsorbents for drying cracked gas, and in the purification of industrial liquids.

Key Market Strengths:

  • World-class manufacturing capabilities and stringent quality control

  • Integrated production from raw materials to finished specialty chemicals

  • Leading innovator in developing alumina for sustainable chemical processes


7️⃣ 4. Huber (J.M. Huber Corporation)

Headquarters: Edison, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Powders, Engineered Adsorbents

Huber’s Engineered Materials division is a key player in the activated alumina market, producing high-quality powders known for their consistent particle size and high surface area. Their products are critical in applications ranging from plastics and rubber as a flame retardant to use as a selective adsorbent.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Expertise in manufacturing highly porous alumina for specialty applications

  • Strong customer relationships in the polymer and refining industries

  • Commitment to product innovation and application-specific solutions

Download FREE Sample Report:
Global Activated Alumina Balls and Powders Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Porocel Industries

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Balls, Spent Catalyst Recycling Services

Porocel Industries is a globally recognized leader in the production of activated alumina balls for the mercaptan oxidation (MerOx) process in refineries and for gas drying. A significant part of their business model involves the reactivation and recycling of spent alumina catalysts, promoting a circular economy.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Industry-leading expertise in catalyst reactivation and recycling

  • Cost-effective solutions for sulfur removal in hydrocarbon streams

  • Global operational footprint with facilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia


5️⃣ 6. Sumitomo Chemical

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Powders, Catalyst Carriers

Sumitomo Chemical, a major Japanese chemical company, produces high-grade activated alumina powders used primarily as catalyst carriers in the petrochemical industry and for various adsorption applications. Their products are known for their thermal stability and purity.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Strong technological base and focus on high-performance materials

  • Significant market share in the Asia-Pacific region

  • Diversified applications across automotive catalysts, chemicals, and electronics


4️⃣ 7. CHALCO (Aluminum Corporation of China Limited)

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Balls, Powders, Alumina Hydrate

As China’s largest alumina and primary aluminum producer, CHALCO has a substantial presence in the activated alumina market. Leveraging its vertical integration from bauxite mining, the company produces a wide range of alumina products for adsorbent and refractory applications.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Massive production capacity and control over raw material supply

  • Cost-competitive products catering to price-sensitive markets

  • Growing focus on expanding its specialty chemicals portfolio


3️⃣ 8. Jiangsu Jingjing New Material

Headquarters: Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Balls, Desiccants, Catalyst Carriers

Jiangsu Jingjing New Material is a specialized Chinese manufacturer focused on molecular sieves and activated alumina products. The company has carved a niche by providing reliable adsorbents for drying compressed air, natural gas, and various industrial gases.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Specialization in desiccant and purification products

  • Competitive pricing and responsiveness to regional market needs

  • Rapidly expanding production capabilities to meet growing domestic demand


2️⃣ 9. Sorbead India

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Balls, Powder, Dessicants

Sorbead India is a prominent supplier of adsorption products, including a wide range of activated alumina balls and powders. The company serves diverse sectors such as petrochemicals, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, providing effective solutions for moisture control and purification.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Strong distribution network within India and neighboring countries

  • Product offerings tailored for tropical climates with high humidity

  • Focus on affordability and accessibility for small and medium enterprises


1️⃣ 10. Shandong Boyang New Materials

Headquarters: Zibo, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Activated Alumina Balls, Powders, Ceramic Balls

Shandong Boyang New Materials is a growing manufacturer in the Chinese market, producing activated alumina primarily for water treatment applications, particularly fluoride removal. The company is expanding its reach by offering products that meet international quality standards.

Key Market Strengths:

  • Focus on water purification markets, a high-growth segment

  • Increasing investment in production technology and quality improvement

  • Strategic location in a major Chinese industrial and chemical hub

Get Full Report Here:
Global Activated Alumina Balls and Powders Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Activated Alumina is Efficient and Eco-Conscious

The activated alumina balls and powders market is evolving beyond its traditional roles, driven by a global push for cleaner industrial processes and safer water. While standard adsorbents continue to see steady demand, innovation is focused on high-capacity, regenerative, and application-specific formulations that offer greater efficiency and a lower environmental footprint.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Growing adoption in biogas purification and renewable energy sectors

  • Development of modified aluminas for targeted removal of specific contaminants like arsenic and perfluorinated compounds (PFAS)

  • Increasing regulatory standards for drinking water quality in developing economies, boosting demand for fluoride and arsenic removal media

  • Rise of circular economy models, including spent alumina reactivation and recycling services

Get Full Report Here:
Global Activated Alumina Balls and Powders Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not merely supplying a chemical product; they are providing the essential materials that purify our water, clean our air, and enable efficient industrial production, making them fundamental to a sustainable industrial future.