South Africa: Activated Carbon Market 2024

Activated Carbon Market Size in South Africa

The South African activated carbon market declined to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -2.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Activated carbon consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Activated Carbon Production in South Africa

In value terms, activated carbon production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -8.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Activated carbon production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Activated Carbon Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, the amount of activated carbon exported from South Africa contracted to X tons, shrinking by -12.3% on the year before. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 265% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, activated carbon exports rose notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -1.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 70%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for activated carbon exports from South Africa, with a 27% share of total exports. Moreover, activated carbon exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Tanzania (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zimbabwe amounted to -1.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+29.6% per year) and Tanzania (+3.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for activated carbon exported from South Africa were Zimbabwe ($X), Namibia ($X) and Tanzania ($X), with a combined 59% share of total exports. Guinea, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

Guinea, with a CAGR of +195.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average activated carbon export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, activated carbon export price increased by +237.8% against 2014 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 128%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Swaziland ($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 Guinea (+13.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Activated Carbon Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of activated carbon were imported into South Africa; with a decrease of -2.1% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate modest growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, activated carbon imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 20%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, India (X tons) constituted the largest activated carbon supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 40% share of total imports. Moreover, activated carbon imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), twofold. Sri Lanka (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from India amounted to +6.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+0.1% per year) and Sri Lanka (+14.5% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) constituted the largest supplier of activated carbon to South Africa, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Sri Lanka ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from India amounted to +7.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sri Lanka (+19.3% per year) and China (+2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average activated carbon import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 42%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sri Lanka (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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