Top 10 Companies in the Bead-shaped Activated Carbon Market (2026): Key Players Driving Global Purification Standards

In Business Insights
February 13, 2026

The Global Bead-shaped Activated Carbon Market was valued at USD 116 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 171 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is propelled by increasingly stringent environmental regulations for water and air purification, coupled with expanding applications in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food & beverage industries, where high-purity adsorption is critical.

As industries worldwide prioritize cleaner processes and compliance with environmental standards, the demand for advanced adsorption materials like bead-shaped activated carbon is surging. These spherical carbon beads are prized for their uniform size, high mechanical strength, and low pressure drop, making them ideal for continuous-flow purification systems. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Bead-shaped Activated Carbon Market—a group of specialized chemical manufacturers and innovators shaping the future of purification technology.


🔟 1. Kureha Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: BAC (Bead-shaped Activated Carbon), specialized grades for VOC recovery and water treatment

Kureha Corporation is a global leader in the production of bead-shaped activated carbon, with a strong focus on high-performance applications. The company’s BAC products are manufactured using a proprietary process that ensures exceptional purity, uniform bead size, and high adsorption capacity. Kureha serves a diverse range of industries, including water purification, air separation, and solvent recovery systems.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of high-surface-area beads for demanding applications like gold recovery

  • Investment in reactivation technology to promote circular economy principles

  • Focus on reducing environmental impact through efficient manufacturing processes

Download FREE Sample Report: Bead-shaped Activated Carbon Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Shirasagi Bead-shaped Activated Carbon, specialized adsorbents

Osaka Gas Chemicals is a major player renowned for its Shirasagi brand of bead-shaped activated carbon. The company leverages advanced manufacturing technologies to produce beads with tailored pore structures for specific applications, from municipal water treatment to high-purity chemical processes. Their products are known for consistent quality and reliability in critical separation tasks.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Continuous R&D for developing beads with enhanced adsorption selectivity

  • Expansion of production capacity to meet growing global demand


8️⃣ 3. Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Kuraray Coal Beads, resin-based activated carbon

Kuraray is a diversified chemical company with a significant presence in the bead-shaped activated carbon market. The company produces both coal-based and resin-based bead activated carbons, offering solutions for various purification needs. Kuraray’s expertise in polymer science allows it to create beads with specific functional properties for challenging applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of specialized beads for mercury removal and catalyst supports

  • Focus on sustainable production methods and product lifecycle management


7️⃣ 4. Cabot Corporation

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Activated carbon products, specialty carbons

Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company with a strong portfolio of activated carbon solutions. While offering various forms of activated carbon, Cabot has developed specialized bead-shaped products for applications requiring precise flow characteristics and high purity. The company’s global reach and technical expertise make it a key supplier to multiple industries.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in developing sustainable carbon materials from renewable resources

  • Collaborations with industry partners to develop next-generation adsorption solutions

Download FREE Sample Report: Bead-shaped Activated Carbon Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Jacobi Carbons

Headquarters: Helsingborg, Sweden
Key Offering: Activated carbon products, including specialized bead forms

Jacobi Carbons is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of activated carbon, with a comprehensive product range that includes bead-shaped activated carbon. The company serves a global customer base across water treatment, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Jacobi’s technical support and customized solutions strengthen its market position.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of application-specific bead carbons for targeted contaminant removal

  • Implementation of sustainable sourcing and manufacturing practices


5️⃣ 6. Calgon Carbon Corporation

Headquarters: Moon Township, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Activated carbon products, including bead-shaped variants

Calgon Carbon Corporation, a subsidiary of Kuraray, is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of activated carbon. The company offers bead-shaped activated carbon as part of its diverse product portfolio, focusing on applications where low pressure drop and high mechanical strength are critical. Calgon Carbon’s extensive research capabilities drive continuous product improvement.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Advanced reactivation services to extend product life and reduce waste

  • Development of innovative adsorption solutions for emerging contaminants


4️⃣ 7. Shanxi Xinhua Chemical

Headquarters: Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
Key Offering: Various activated carbon products, including bead-shaped carbon

Shanxi Xinhua Chemical is a significant Chinese manufacturer of activated carbon, producing bead-shaped variants alongside other forms. The company benefits from proximity to raw material sources and has developed a strong presence in both domestic and international markets. Their competitive pricing makes them a key player in cost-sensitive applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of production capacity to meet growing demand

  • Focus on improving product quality and consistency


3️⃣ 8. Jining Carbon Group

Headquarters: Jining, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Activated carbon products, industrial adsorbents

Jining Carbon Group is another major Chinese producer of activated carbon, including bead-shaped varieties. The company has established itself as a reliable supplier for various industrial applications, leveraging China’s manufacturing infrastructure to offer competitive products. Jining Carbon serves both domestic customers and export markets across multiple industries.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in production technology upgrades

  • Development of specialized products for specific industrial needs


2️⃣ 9. Acro Chemical Corporation

Headquarters: New Taipei City, Taiwan
Key Offering: Activated carbon products, customized solutions

Acro Chemical Corporation is a specialized manufacturer of activated carbon products, including bead-shaped activated carbon. The company focuses on providing tailored solutions for specific customer requirements, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Acro’s flexibility and customer-centric approach have helped it establish a strong niche presence.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of customized bead carbons for specialized applications

  • Focus on technical support and application development


1️⃣ 10. Ingevity

Headquarters: North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Activated carbon products, performance chemicals

Ingevity is a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals and activated carbon products. The company produces bead-shaped activated carbon for applications requiring specific performance characteristics, particularly in air purification and chemical processing. Ingevity’s technical expertise and application knowledge make it a valuable partner for customers with demanding purification needs.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of sustainable carbon solutions from renewable resources

  • Focus on innovation in adsorption technology and application development

Get Full Report Here: Bead-shaped Activated Carbon Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Bead-shaped Activated Carbon Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The bead-shaped activated carbon market is undergoing significant transformation as environmental regulations tighten and industries demand more efficient purification solutions. While traditional applications continue to dominate, the industry is investing in developing smarter, more sustainable products with enhanced performance characteristics.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Increasing demand for high-purity water treatment solutions in emerging economies

  • Development of specialized bead carbons for targeted contaminant removal, including PFAS and microplastics

  • Growing adoption in air purification systems for industrial and indoor applications

  • Advancements in reactivation technology promoting circular economy principles

Get Full Report Here: Bead-shaped Activated Carbon Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not only supplying critical purification materials—they’re driving innovation in sustainable adsorption technology that protects human health and the environment.