Activated Carbon Prices Surge as Demand Rises Across Water Treatment and Pharma Sectors

08-Dec-2025

Activated carbon markets showed mixed movements in the third quarter of 2025, balancing stronger environmental demand with uneven industrial consumption, according to IMARC Group’s latest publication, “Activated Carbon Prices, Trend, Index and Forecast Data Report 2025 Edition.” The report contains updated insights for Q3 2025 and highlights how rising energy costs, raw material tightness, and stricter environmental regulations influenced pricing across major producing and consuming regions. While North America, Europe, China, and South Korea experienced firm prices amid expanding air and water treatment projects, India saw moderate softness driven by weaker municipal procurement and higher import inflows.

Q3 2025 Activated Carbon Prices:

USA: USD 2,089/MT
China: USD 1,668/MT
Germany: USD 2,586/MT
India: USD 2,027/MT
South Korea: USD 2,735/MT

The Q3 pricing landscape underscores the importance of activated carbon in industrial air purification, wastewater treatment, and emission control. Costs remained elevated in regions with tight feedstock availability, high energy tariffs, and increased compliance spending.

Key Regional Price Trends and Market Drivers:

United States

Prices reached USD 2,089/MT in Q3 2025, marking a continued upward trajectory. Strong demand from emission control, municipal water systems, and wastewater treatment facilities maintained robust consumption. Raw material cost inflation—particularly for coal and coconut shell—alongside rising electricity and freight expenses, contributed to higher prices. Import duty uncertainties and port congestion added volatility, while environmental enforcement across industrial sectors reinforced structural demand growth.

China

Prices climbed to USD 1,668/MT, supported by strong manufacturing recovery and heightened activity in water and air purification projects. Temporary feedstock shortages and environmental audits at smaller plants constrained supply. Rising energy tariffs and stricter quality compliance for export-oriented grades further inflated production costs. Demand from municipal water treatment and chemical sectors remained steady, ensuring firm market sentiment.

Germany

Germany recorded prices at USD 2,586/MT, reflecting higher energy and compliance expenses under EU regulatory regimes. Industrial sectors such as gas purification, emissions control, and pharmaceutical processing sustained demand. Supply constraints and elevated freight rates from Asian suppliers added cost pressure, while cross-border logistics within the EU increased distribution expenses. Producers passed through higher utility and labor costs, keeping European prices elevated.

India

Prices softened to USD 2,027/MT, down slightly from the prior quarter as procurement from municipal water treatment projects slowed. Imports from Southeast Asia stabilized supply, while easing feedstock costs helped curb production expenses. Currency stability between INR and USD kept import bills predictable. Domestic producers reduced prices to maintain competitiveness in export markets amid sluggish domestic demand.

South Korea

Prices advanced to USD 2,735/MT, the highest among the tracked markets, driven by strong consumption from semiconductor, electronics, and industrial gas purification sectors. Capacity utilization remained high, but supply was constrained by limited feedstock imports and rising electricity costs. Regulatory compliance and safety standards increased operational costs, while inland transport and packaging expenses further added to final pricing levels.

Q3 vs Q2:

Country/Region	Q3 2025 (USD/MT)	Q2 2025 (USD/MT)	Q3 vs Q2 Trends
USA	2,089	2,024	Prices rose on stronger industrial and environmental demand and higher logistics costs
China	1,668	1,619	Increase driven by feedstock shortages and environmental compliance costs
Germany	2,586	2,447	Continued upward trend from energy cost inflation and import dependency
India	2,027	2,050	Marginal decline due to weaker municipal demand and stable raw material prices
South Korea	2,735	2,675	Further increase supported by strong electronics and chemical sector demand

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Activated Carbon Industry Overview:

The global activated carbon market reached USD 4.77 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 7.72 Billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 5.51% during 2026–2034. The market’s strength lies in its growing role in pollution control, water purification, and air treatment applications across industries. Regulatory tightening on industrial emissions, wastewater discharge, and municipal sanitation continues to propel long-term consumption.

The United States, Germany, China, and South Korea remain pivotal markets, underpinned by industrial modernization and environmental investment. Feedstock availability—coal, coconut shell, and wood—continues to dictate regional cost structures. While Europe and North America face higher energy-related production costs, Asia maintains competitive export capability despite rising compliance requirements. Technological improvements in reactivation processes, coupled with growth in specialty applications like food processing and pharmaceuticals, are expanding product use cases and supporting value-added market segments.

Recent Market Trends and Industry Analysis:

Global demand for activated carbon strengthened in Q3 2025 as industrial sectors aligned with sustainability and environmental mandates. The U.S. and Europe saw increasing adoption of advanced emission control systems in manufacturing and energy facilities, while Asia led growth in municipal and industrial water purification applications.

Across Asia Pacific, capacity utilization remained high amid growing environmental enforcement, while in India, coconut shell-based producers leveraged lower feedstock prices to maintain export competitiveness. Overall, markets reflected a balance between rising global demand and region-specific supply pressures tied to feedstock sourcing, energy costs, and regulatory complexity.

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