Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $551.2m in 2026.
Trends and Insights
EPA’s PFAS drinking water rule rapidly repositions granular activated carbon as compliance-critical
- In April 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency finalized a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation that set enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion, with full compliance required by 2029; a Jacobs analysis reports that this rule will significantly expand GAC use for drinking water treatment.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
2029 PFAS compliance deadline drives a compressed surge in GAC installation and procurement
- A Jacobs briefing on the 2024 PFAS drinking water rule explains that public water systems must achieve full compliance with the new PFOA and PFOS Maximum Contaminant Levels by 2029, creating a fixed five-year implementation window after the rule’s issuance in April 2024.
Biggest companies in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue ($m)
2026 | Profit ($m)
2026 | Profit Margin (%)
2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ingevity Corporation | 77.7 | 38.4 | 49.5 | |
Kuraray Co Ltd | 64.4 | 6.5 | 10.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Powdered activated carbon , Granular activated carbon and Other products. Powdered activated carbon is the largest segment of the Activated Carbon Manufacturing in the US.
Trends and Insights
Powdered activated carbon demand remains driven by regulatory compliance in water treatment and emissions control
- Powdered activated carbon is defined by its fine particle size, high porosity and rapid adsorption rates. The primary applications are in municipal water treatment facilities, industrial wastewater remediation and flue gas mercury removal in power generation. Over the past five years, the revenue share of this product has remained stable, supported by ongoing enforcement of US EPA regulations regarding disinfection byproducts and airborne mercury emissions.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry manufacture activated carbon, which is a form of carbon that has been processed to make it extremely porous. Thus, activated carbon has a very large surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions. Activated carbon is produced from carbonaceous source materials, such as nutshells, peat, wood, coir, lignite, coal and petroleum pitch and is used for a range of purposes, including gas purification and water purification.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States include Powdered activated carbon , Granular activated carbon and Other products .Companies
Companies covered in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States include Ingevity Corporation and Kuraray Co Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States include activated carbon, adsorption and activation.Industry Code
NAICS 325998 - Activated Carbon Manufacturing in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Robust demand in water treatment end-markets, representing nearly half of total sales, continues to drive industry revenue growth. Municipal utilities and industrial users ar...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Powdered activated carbon dominates the industry’s product mix, delivering versatility for both municipal water purification and diverse industrial applications. This entrenc...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Southwest region holds strategic value due to its proximity to key feedstock sources and a high concentration of industrial water users. Manufacturers in this area benefi...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Stringent environmental regulations, technical manufacturing demands and supply chain integration jointly create significant barriers to entry. These conditions deter new com...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Select manufacturers cultivate enduring client relationships by leveraging regulatory expertise and product qualification capabilities, particularly within the water treatment...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Ingevity Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Kuraray Co Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Ingevity Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Kuraray Co Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The continuous tightening of environmental standards, especially by the Environmental Protection Agency, directly dictates operational priorities for the industry. Compliance...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Feedstock and raw material procurement consistently constitutes the largest production expense for activated carbon manufacturers. Volatility in commodity pricing or supply d...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2019-2024)
- Industry Tax Structure (2019-2024)
- Income Statement (2019-2024)
- Balance Sheet (2019-2024)
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2024)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2024)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States is $551.2m in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States in 2026?
There are 18 businesses in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States is likely to be significantly impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States is likely to be significantly impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
Has the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States are Ingevity Corporation and Kuraray Co Ltd
What does the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States include?
Powdered activated carbon and Granular activated carbon are part of the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States is Ingevity Corporation.
How competitive is the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Activated Carbon Manufacturing industry in the United States.
Methodology
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IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
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