Top 10 Companies in the Coal Tar Industry (2026): Market Leaders Fueling Industrial Growth

In Business Insights
February 22, 2026

The Global Coal Tar Market was valued at USD 23,530 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 24,230 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 0.4% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This steady growth is primarily driven by persistent demand from the aluminum and steel industries, alongside expanding infrastructure projects in emerging economies that require carbon black for tire manufacturing and construction materials.

As the industrial sector navigates environmental regulations and seeks sustainable alternatives, the role of key coal tar producers becomes increasingly critical. These companies are not only supplying essential raw materials but are also innovating in refining processes and exploring value-added applications. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Coal Tar Industry—a mix of integrated steel giants, specialized chemical producers, and global distributors shaping the market’s future.


🔟 1. Baowu Steel Group

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: High-Temperature Coal Tar, Coal Tar Pitch, Crude Benzene

Baowu Steel Group is the world’s largest steel producer and, by extension, a dominant force in the coal tar market. The company leverages its massive coking operations to produce substantial volumes of coal tar as a byproduct, which is then refined into high-value chemicals. Its integrated business model ensures a steady supply for both domestic consumption and international markets, particularly in carbon black and aluminum electrode production.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Investing in advanced tar distillation technologies to improve yield and reduce emissions

  • Developing cleaner production processes to comply with China’s environmental policies

  • Expanding capacity in Anhui province to strengthen market leadership

Download FREE Sample Report: Coal Tar Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Rain Industries Limited

Headquarters: Hyderabad, India
Key Offering: Coal Tar Pitch, Carbon Black, Refined Tar

Rain Industries Limited operates through its subsidiary, Rain Carbon Inc., and is a global leader in carbon-based chemical products. The company has a significant footprint in coal tar distillation, producing essential materials for the aluminum and steel industries. Its strategic acquisitions, including full ownership of its European operations, have fortified its position in the global market.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on producing high-purity coal tar pitch for the aluminum sector

  • Implementation of energy-efficient and environmentally compliant manufacturing processes


8️⃣ 3. JFE Chemical Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Refined Coal Tar, Naphthalene, Creosote Oil

JFE Chemical, a subsidiary of JFE Steel, is a key player in high-value coal tar derivatives. The company excels in producing refined chemicals like naphthalene and creosote, which are critical for the agrochemical and construction sectors. Despite Japan’s smaller production volume, JFE Chemical maintains a strong reputation for product quality and technological innovation.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Advanced R&D in synthetic graphite precursors for battery applications

  • Commitment to circular economy principles within its parent company’s steel operations


7️⃣ 4. OCI Company Ltd.

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: Coal Tar Pitch, Carbon Black Feedstock

OCI Company Ltd. is a major chemical producer with a significant role in the coal tar market, particularly through its coal chemical business segment. The company supplies essential pitch products to the global aluminum industry and is actively exploring opportunities in specialty chemicals derived from tar.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Shifting focus towards sustainable and high-margin chemical products

  • Investing in technologies to minimize the environmental impact of tar processing

Download FREE Sample Report: Coal Tar Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Koppers Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Coal Tar Pitch, Creosote, Carbon Black Oil

Koppers is a leading integrated provider of carbon compounds and treated wood products in North America. The company’s coal tar distillation unit is a critical supplier of pitch for aluminum smelting and creosote for railroad tie preservation, holding a strong position in a region with declining coking capacity.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Developing environmentally compliant wood treatment solutions

  • Optimizing distillation processes to maximize yield of high-value products


5️⃣ 6. Himadri Chemicals & Industries

Headquarters: Kolkata, India
Key Offering: Coal Tar Pitch, Special Grade Carbon Black

Himadri Chemicals & Industries is India’s largest coal tar pitch manufacturer and a significant producer of carbon black. The company benefits from India’s growing steel industry and has been expanding its capacity to meet rising domestic and international demand, particularly from the aluminum and specialty carbon sectors.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering the production of specialty oils and advanced carbon materials

  • Focus on backward integration to secure raw material supply


4️⃣ 7. Nippon Steel Chemical & Material Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-Purity Coal Tar Chemicals, Carbon Fiber Materials

Formerly part of Nippon Steel Corporation, this company specializes in producing high-purity chemicals from coal tar. It is a key supplier of raw materials for carbon fiber and other advanced materials, positioning itself in high-growth niche markets beyond traditional industrial applications.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • R&D focused on carbon materials for lightweight automotive and aerospace components

  • Enhancing purification technologies to meet stringent quality demands


3️⃣ 8. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Refined Tar, Carbon Black, Specialty Aromatics

Mitsubishi Chemical is a global chemical giant with a diversified portfolio that includes coal tar derivatives. The company utilizes its advanced chemical synthesis capabilities to produce high-value products for various industries, from plastics to electronics.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Strategic investments in carbon capture and utilization technologies

  • Developing bio-based alternatives alongside traditional tar products


2️⃣ 9. POSCO

Headquarters: Pohang, South Korea
Key Offering: Coal Tar, Pitch

POSCO, one of the world’s largest steelmakers, is a significant producer of coal tar through its coking operations. The company primarily supplies the domestic market but also engages in the export of tar and pitch, supporting South Korea’s robust manufacturing sector.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Exploring hydrogen-based steelmaking to reduce carbon footprint, which may impact future byproduct streams

  • Optimizing byproduct recovery from steel production processes


1️⃣ 10. Shanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group

Headquarters: Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
Key Offering: Crude Coal Tar, Refined Chemicals

As a major state-owned enterprise in China’s coal-rich Shanxi province, this group is a key player in the domestic coal tar market. It operates extensive coking plants and tar refining facilities, supplying basic materials for the country’s chemical and construction industries.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

  • Modernizing plants to meet China’s increasingly stringent environmental standards

  • Focusing on comprehensive utilization of coal resources

Get Full Report Here: Coal Tar Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Coal Tar Is Value-Driven and Sustainable

The coal tar market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional applications in aluminum and steel remain the bedrock of demand, the industry is increasingly focused on deriving greater value from each barrel of tar through advanced refining and exploring new applications in specialty chemicals and advanced materials.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Growing emphasis on high-purity derivatives for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals

  • Technological advancements in distillation to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency

  • Geographic shift in production capacity towards Asia, particularly China and India

  • Increasing regulatory pressure driving innovation in cleaner production methods

Get Full Report Here: Coal Tar Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential industrial materials—they’re driving the innovation and sustainability efforts that will define the industry’s future.