China: Activated Carbon Market 2024

Activated Carbon Market Size in China

In 2022, the Chinese activated carbon market decreased by -1% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Activated Carbon Production in China

In value terms, activated carbon production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Activated Carbon Exports

Exports from China

In 2022, approx. X tons of activated carbon were exported from China; therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 58%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

In value terms, activated carbon exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +57.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main destinations of activated carbon exports from China, together comprising 38% of total exports. Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Russia, the UK, Malaysia, the United States, Peru and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Peru (with a CAGR of +20.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($X), South Korea ($X) and Belgium ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for activated carbon exported from China worldwide, with a combined 33% share of total exports. Germany, Italy, India, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the United States, Russia, the UK, France and Peru lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Peru, with a CAGR of +20.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average activated carbon export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 28% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average export price increased by 35%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Malaysia (+8.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Activated Carbon Imports

Imports into China

In 2022, the amount of activated carbon imported into China reduced to X tons, waning by -12.1% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, activated carbon imports contracted modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 36%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and Sri Lanka (X tons) were the main suppliers of activated carbon imports to China, with a combined 49% share of total imports. The Philippines, India, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Australia and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +32.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest activated carbon suppliers to China were the United States ($X), Japan ($X) and Sri Lanka ($X), together comprising 62% of total imports. India, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Malaysia, the UK and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +30.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average activated carbon import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 16%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the price for Australia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+5.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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