Top 10 Companies in the Activated Carbon as API Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering Global Therapeutics

In Business Insights
February 21, 2026


The Global Activated Carbon as API Market was valued at USD 195 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 282 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.4% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This growth is primarily driven by the rising global incidence of poisonings and drug overdoses, stringent regulatory standards for detoxification therapies, and the expanding application of activated carbon in nutraceuticals and functional foods.

As the pharmaceutical industry intensifies its focus on effective and safe detoxification solutions, the spotlight is on the key manufacturers who are driving purity, innovation, and compliance. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Activated Carbon as API Industry—a mix of established chemical giants, specialized pharmaceutical ingredient suppliers, and innovative wellness brands shaping the future of medical adsorption.


🔟 1. Jemincare Group

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: USP/EP Grade Activated Carbon Powder, Capsules, Tablets

Jemincare is a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company with a robust portfolio of high-purity Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), including pharmaceutical-grade activated carbon. The company’s activated carbon products are manufactured under strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and comply with major pharmacopoeias, making them a trusted supplier for both domestic and international markets. Their focus on R&D ensures consistent quality and high adsorption capacity critical for emergency poisoning treatments.

Key Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • Advanced steam activation and purification processes

  • Rigorous quality control for heavy metals and impurities

  • Scalable production to meet global pharmaceutical demand

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Activated Carbon as API Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Zhejiang Changtian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Activated Carbon API, Customized Particle Size Distributions

Changtian Pharma specializes in the research, development, and production of APIs and intermediates, with activated carbon being a significant part of their offerings. The company is known for its ability to produce activated carbon with specific surface area and pore-size distributions tailored for different pharmaceutical formulations, enhancing the efficacy of the final drug product for gastrointestinal adsorption and systemic detoxification.

Key Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • Tailored porosity for optimized adsorption kinetics

  • Compliance with USP, EP, and ChP standards


8️⃣ 3. Kureha Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-Purity Medicinal Carbon, SHIRASAGI® Pharmaceutical Grade

Kureha Corporation is a renowned Japanese chemical company with a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality activated carbon, marketed under the SHIRASAGI® brand. Their pharmaceutical-grade activated carbon is widely used as an antidote for oral poisoning and in gastrointestinal medication. Kureha’s expertise in carbon technology ensures a product with exceptional purity and consistent performance, trusted by pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide.

Key Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • Proprietary manufacturing process for ultra-high purity

  • Global supply chain with a strong presence in regulated markets


7️⃣ 4. Myvitamins (The Hut Group)

Headquarters: Manchester, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Activated Carbon Capsules for Nutraceutical Use

Myvitamins, part of The Hut Group, is a major player in the direct-to-consumer wellness and supplements market. While not a traditional API manufacturer, the company is a significant formulator and distributor of activated carbon products, primarily in capsule form for the nutraceutical sector. They have popularized activated carbon for everyday detoxification and digestive health, driving consumer awareness and demand.

Key Initiatives:

  • Marketing-driven expansion of activated carbon in wellness

  • Strong e-commerce and direct-to-consumer distribution model

Download FREE Sample Report:
Active Carbon as API Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Cabot Corporation

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Activated Carbon for Pharmaceutical Applications

Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company. While renowned for its carbon black, Cabot also produces activated carbons for various applications, including pharmaceuticals. Their technical expertise in material science allows them to produce activated carbon with specific properties suitable for use as an excipient or API in medical formulations, focusing on purity and compliance.

Key Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • Material science expertise for customized solutions

  • Commitment to high standards of product safety


5️⃣ 6. Haycarb PLC

Headquarters: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Key Offering: Activated Carbon, Purified Carbon for Pharma

Haycarb is a leading manufacturer of activated carbon derived from coconut shell, with a growing focus on purified grades suitable for pharmaceutical applications. The company has invested in advanced purification technologies to meet the stringent requirements for pharmaceutical use, positioning itself as a key supplier from the Asia-Pacific region with a sustainable raw material base.

Key Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • Sustainable coconut shell-based raw material

  • Advanced purification facilities for pharmaceutical compliance


4️⃣ 7. Calgon Carbon Corporation (Kuraray Group)

Headquarters: Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: High-Purity Activated Carbon

Calgon Carbon Corporation, a subsidiary of Japan’s Kuraray Group, is a global leader in activated carbon and advanced purification solutions. The company produces high-purity activated carbons that can be tailored for pharmaceutical applications, leveraging its extensive experience in water and air purification to ensure products with low impurity levels suitable for sensitive medical uses.

Key Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • Extensive experience in impurity removal and purification

  • Global manufacturing footprint and technical support


3️⃣ 8. CarboTech AC GmbH

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: Specialty Activated Carbons for Technical and Pharma Use

CarboTech, a German company, specializes in the production of activated carbon from various raw materials. They offer high-grade activated carbons that meet the demanding specifications of the pharmaceutical industry. Their focus on European quality standards and customized solutions makes them a reliable partner for pharmaceutical companies requiring specific adsorption characteristics.

Key Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • Custom-developed activated carbons for specific applications

  • Strong adherence to European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) standards


2️⃣ 9. Jacob Carbons Ltd.

Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Key Offering: Activated Carbon for Food, Pharma, and Industrial Use

Jacobi Carbons is one of the world’s largest producers of activated carbon, with a product range that includes grades suitable for pharmaceutical applications. The company’s global presence and focus on quality make it a capable supplier of activated carbon APIs, particularly for companies seeking a reliable partner with a broad portfolio and international logistics.

Key Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • Diverse product portfolio from multiple raw materials

  • Global supply chain management


1️⃣ 10. Ingevity Corporation

Headquarters: South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Activated Carbon Solutions

Ingevity provides engineered materials derived from natural resources, including activated carbons. Their expertise lies in creating high-performance carbon materials that can be adapted for pharmaceutical-grade applications. The company’s focus on innovation and sustainability positions it as an emerging player in supplying materials for the healthcare sector.

Key Initiatives:

  • Development of sustainable and high-performance materials

  • R&D focused on advanced adsorption technologies

Get Full Report Here:
Activated Carbon as API Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Activated Carbon as API Is Purer and More Specialized

The activated carbon API market is undergoing a significant evolution. While its foundational use in emergency poisoning treatment remains vital, the industry is investing in advanced purification technologies and exploring new therapeutic and wellness applications.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Stringent global pharmacopoeial standards demanding higher purity levels

  • Rising demand for convenient dosage forms like capsules in the nutraceutical sector

  • Exploration of activated carbon for new indications, such as managing uremic toxins

  • Strategic partnerships between API manufacturers and pharmaceutical formulators

Get Full Report Here:
Activated Carbon as API Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a critical medical ingredient—they’re advancing the science of detoxification and wellness.