| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.03 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 1.34 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 5.41 % |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Europe Activated Carbon Market Analysis
The Europe Activated Carbon Market size is estimated at USD 1.03 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 1.34 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.41% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the activated carbon market globally as end-user industries were significantly affected. However, the activated carbon market recovered from the pandemic and grew significantly.
- Over the short term, augmenting prominence for air pollution control (especially mercury removal) is expected to drive the market.
- Conversely, the threat of substitutes, like silica gel, and the development of better alternatives are expected to hinder market growth.
- Emerging applications in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors are anticipated to create future opportunities.
- Germany held the largest market share and is anticipated to dominate throughout the forecast period.
Europe Activated Carbon Market Trends
Medicine Segment to be the Fastest Growing Application
- Activated carbon is used in hemodialysis and pharmaceutical applications. It removes contaminants, like chlorine and chloramine, which can harm the patients, from the water used for dialysis.
- Activated charcoal is commonly taken by mouth to treat poisonings. It is also used for intestinal gas, high cholesterol, hangovers, upset stomach, and bile flow problems during pregnancy.
- In pharmaceutical applications, activated carbon removes color and impurities from the intermediates and the final products. It purifies and recovers vitamins, steroids, painkillers, active pharmaceutical ingredients, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical products.
- Europe's pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is robust, with several global market leaders. Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain are among Europe's leading pharmaceutical producers.
- According to AstraZeneca, the projected pharmaceutical sales in 2024 are expected to be USD 633 billion for North America, holding the major share. It is followed by the European Union (excluding the United Kingdom ) with USD 287 billion at the second position, then Southeast and East Asia expected to register USD 232 billion. Although the total spending on medicines in 2020 accounted for USD 1.26 trillion and is expected to propel the demand to generate a revenue of USD 1.59 trillion in 2025.
- Europe is the homeland of the pharmaceutical industry. The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association (EFPIA) represents a sizable proportion of Europe's drug manufacturers. It includes 36 national pharmaceutical associations and 39 of Europe's leading pharmaceutical companies. In Europe, Germany holds the largest healthcare market. The annual expenditure on health in the country is estimated to be more than EUR 375 billion (USD 411.4 billion), excluding fitness and wellness. With demographic changes and digitalization, the country is investing in a mobile healthcare facility, which is providing a platform for the further expansion of the German healthcare sector.
- The growing demand for activated carbon from pharmaceutical products and medical applications is expected to drive the market during the forecast period.
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Germany to Dominate the Market
- The German water treatment technology market is the largest in Europe and is growing considerably. The increasing water treatment activities, primarily in the country's northern region, are boosting the demand for activated carbon. The country's water supply and wastewater treatment sectors account for about ~USD 23.6 billion annually.
- The country is shifting toward green energy and is cutting down on nuclear, oil-fired, coal-fired, and natural gas-fired power plants. The country announced its decision to start decommissioning all the nation's 17 atomic energy facilities by the end of 2022.
- Activated carbon is typically employed in producing lithium-ion batteries, which are utilized in various electronic devices, including electric vehicles. Activated carbon can be used as an electrode material in a battery to aid energy storage. Activated carbon, when used in the battery's anode, provides a large surface area for lithium ions to attach to, thereby increasing the battery's energy storage capacity. According to Statistisches Bundesamt, approximately 500,000 electric vehicles worth EUR 26.2 billion (USD 28.7 billion) were exported from Germany in 2022.
- According to the UN Comtrade database, Germany's exports of pharmaceuticals reached USD 126 billion by the end of 2022. It represents a 5.6% increase from 2021, where exports totaled USD 119.27 billion. Germany is the second-largest pharmaceutical exporter in Europe after the United Kingdom. The United States is the main non-European destination for the preponderance of German pharmaceutical exports.
- Based on the aspects above, Germany is expected to dominate the Europe region in the market studied.
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Europe Activated Carbon Industry Overview
The European Activated Carbon market is consolidated, with the top seven players accounting for around 70% of the market share. Major players in the market (not in any particular order) include Kuraray Co. Ltd, Cabot Corporation, Jacobi Carbons Group (Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd), Ingevity, and Albemarle Corporation, among others.
Europe Activated Carbon Market Leaders
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Kuraray Co. Ltd
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Cabot Corporation
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Ingevity
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Albemarle Corporation
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Jacobi Carbons Group (Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd)
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Europe Activated Carbon Market News
- August 2022: Ingevity invested USD 60 million in a USD 170 million round to acquire an equity stake in Nexeon Limited. It is a strategic move to establish the company's presence in the electric vehicle (EV) market and increase opportunities to grow its activated carbon business.
Europe Activated Carbon Industry Segmentation
Activated carbon is a form of carbon processed with small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area for adsorption or chemical reactions. Usually, activated carbon is extracted from charcoal. Europe's Activated Carbon Market is segmented by type, application, and geography. The market is segmented by type into powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, and extruded or pelletized activated carbon. The market is segmented into gas purification, water purification, metal extraction, medicine, and other applications based on application. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the activated carbon market in 5 countries across the European region. Each segment's market sizing and forecasts are based on revenue (USD).
| Type | Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) |
| Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) | |
| Extruded or Pelletized Activated Carbon | |
| Application | Gas Purification |
| Water Purification | |
| Metal Extraction | |
| Medicine | |
| Other Applications | |
| Geography | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| Spain | |
| Rest of Europe |
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Europe Activated Carbon Market Research FAQs
How big is the Europe Activated Carbon Market?
The Europe Activated Carbon Market size is expected to reach USD 1.03 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 5.41% to reach USD 1.34 billion by 2030.
What is the current Europe Activated Carbon Market size?
In 2025, the Europe Activated Carbon Market size is expected to reach USD 1.03 billion.
Who are the key players in Europe Activated Carbon Market?
Kuraray Co. Ltd, Cabot Corporation, Ingevity, Albemarle Corporation and Jacobi Carbons Group (Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd) are the major companies operating in the Europe Activated Carbon Market.
What years does this Europe Activated Carbon Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Europe Activated Carbon Market size was estimated at USD 0.97 billion. The report covers the Europe Activated Carbon Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Europe Activated Carbon Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Europe Activated Carbon Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Europe Activated Carbon market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Europe Activated Carbon analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
