The Global Granular Activated Carbon Market was valued at USD 2.8 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 4.5 Billion by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.1% during the forecast period (2023-2029). This growth is being driven by stringent environmental regulations, increasing water treatment applications, and rising industrial demand for air purification across chemical, pharmaceutical and food processing sectors.
As global sustainability standards become more rigorous, granular activated carbon (GAC) plays a critical role in removing contaminants from water, air and industrial emissions. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Granular Activated Carbon Industry – established manufacturers and technology innovators driving advances in purification systems worldwide.
🔟 1. Cabot Corporation (Norit)
Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Specialty carbon products including coal-based, coconut shell-based, and reactivated GAC
Cabot Corporation, through its Norit acquisition, maintains global leadership in activated carbon solutions. Their high-purity granular products serve water treatment, food processing, and pharmaceutical applications with customized pore structures for specific purification needs.
Technical Capabilities:
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Proprietary reactivation technology extending carbon lifecycle
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Specialized mercury removal carbons for industrial flue gas
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Global production facilities across 20+ countries
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9️⃣ 2. Calgon Carbon Corporation
Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Coal-based, coconut shell-based, and specialty GAC products
A Kuraray company, Calgon Carbon brings over 80 years of activated carbon expertise with solutions for municipal water systems, industrial wastewater, and air emission controls. Their global footprint includes manufacturing and reactivation centers across North America, Europe and Asia.
Technical Capabilities:
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REACT™ thermal reactivation technology
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Mercury control systems for power generation
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Gold recovery carbon solutions
8️⃣ 3. Jacobi Carbons (OSAKA GAS)
Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
Key Offering: Coconut shell, coal, and wood-based GAC products
As part of OSAKA GAS Chemicals, Jacobi Carbons delivers high-performance activated carbon solutions with a strong focus on potable water treatment applications. Their products are particularly effective in removing organic compounds, chlorine, and other contaminants.
Technical Capabilities:
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Leading gold recovery carbon producer
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Specialized carbons for food/pharma industries
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Global R&D centers driving material innovations
7️⃣ 4. Ingevity (MWV)
Headquarters: North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Specialty activated carbons for environmental applications
Ingevity’s activated carbon business, formerly MeadWestvaco, excels in vapor phase applications and specialty liquid purification. Their pelletized carbon technology offers unique advantages for automotive and industrial emission control systems.
Technical Capabilities:
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Pioneer in pelletized activated carbon manufacturing
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Leading vapor emission control solutions
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Advanced thermal reactivation services
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6️⃣ 5. Donau Chemie Group
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: Coal-based and coconut shell-based GAC
This European manufacturer provides high-quality activated carbon products with particular strengths in water treatment and food processing. Their vertically integrated production ensures strict quality control from raw material sourcing to final product delivery.
Technical Capabilities:
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Special acid-washed grades for sensitive processes
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Strong Central and Eastern European market presence
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Custom solutions for industrial contaminant removal
5️⃣ 6. CPL Carbon Link
Headquarters: Cork, Ireland
Key Offering: Reactivated and virgin granular activated carbon
CPL Carbon Link specializes in activated carbon reactivation and supply chain services, offering circular economy solutions that minimize waste while maintaining performance specifications for water and wastewater treatment applications.
Technical Capabilities:
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Europe’s largest carbon reactivation capacity
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Closed-loop carbon management services
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ISO 14001 environmental certification
4️⃣ 7. Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH
Headquarters: Erkelenz, Germany
Key Offering: High-purity coal and coconut shell GAC
This German manufacturer produces specialized activated carbon products for demanding applications in water treatment, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries. Their quality-focused approach ensures consistent product performance batch after batch.
Technical Capabilities:
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Ultra-low ash products for sensitive applications
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Custom particle size distributions
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Strict quality control protocols
3️⃣ 8. Eurocarb
Headquarters: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Coconut shell and coal-based GAC
Part of the Carbonscape group, Eurocarb manufactures high-performance activated carbon products with particular expertise in drinking water treatment applications. Their technical support services help customers optimize carbon selection and system design.
Technical Capabilities:
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Specialization in potable water treatment carbons
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Custom impregnated carbons for specific contaminants
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Strong application engineering support
2️⃣ 9. Sorbent
Headquarters: Örebro, Sweden
Key Offering: Wood-based granular activated carbon
Sorbent focuses on sustainable wood-based activated carbon solutions, offering renewable material products for water, air and biogas purification applications. Their manufacturing processes emphasize environmental responsibility throughout the production chain.
Technical Capabilities:
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Renewable raw material sourcing
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Specialized biogas purification carbons
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Low-environmental-impact production
1️⃣ 10. EUROQUARZ GmbH
Headquarters: Dorsten, Germany
Key Offering: Specialized activated carbon products
EUROQUARZ provides high-performance activated carbon solutions with particular expertise in catalyst carrier applications and specialty chemical processes. Their products offer precisely controlled surface properties for demanding industrial applications.
Technical Capabilities:
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Customized pore structure development
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Special catalyst grade carbons
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Technical application expertise
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Granular Activated Carbon Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🌍 Outlook: The Future of Granular Activated Carbon Is Technology-Driven
The granular activated carbon market continues evolving as environmental regulations tighten globally. While traditional water treatment remains the dominant application, new opportunities in air purification, biogas treatment, and industrial processes are accelerating technology innovation.
📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:
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Increasing demand for renewable raw material-based products
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Expansion of reactivation services promoting circular economy
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Development of specialized grades for emerging contaminants like PFAS
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Growing applications in biogas purification and gold recovery
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Granular Activated Carbon Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The companies profiled above represent the industry leaders advancing purification technologies while enabling the sustainable transformation of environmental management systems worldwide.
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