Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF) Market
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The global activated carbon fiber market was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 6.3% from 2025 to 2034. Government laws and regulations and the increasing concern for individual health is likely aid the growth of this material in water treatment applications.
In an environment of manufacturing and production expansion, businesses and households that generate a significant amount of toxic solid, semi-solid, liquid, or gaseous wastes are potentially a threat to the ecosystem. This high level of pollution caused by the above parameters of water allows room for the growth of wastewater facilities.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Year: | 2024 |
| Activated Carbon Fiber Market size in 2024: | USD 1.2 Billion |
| Forecast Period: | 2025 - 2034 |
| Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 CAGR: | 6.3 |
| 2023 Value Projection: | USD 2.2 Billion |
| Historical Data for: | 2021 - 2024 |
| No of Pages: | 190 |
| Tables, Charts & Figures: | 200 |
| Segments Covered: | Material, Application |
| Growth Drivers: |
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| Pitfalls Challenges: |
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The activated carbon fiber market is in high demand for its top-notch mixture of advanced materials and technologies. Owing to high adsorption capacity, aerogel fibers are extensively utilized in many environmental technologies, including air and water treatment. A market trend towards bio-activated carbon, which utilizes environmentally friendly raw materials like lignin and biochar instead of pollution-emitting coal for activated carbon production, demonstrates acts of the sector to be in environmentally friendly in future.
A conjunction of new developments and studies is enabling the creation of new cost-effective customizing ACF that would be able to replace when the need arises. With new changes coming in the eco-friendly market, lignin-based carbon fibers are looking useful when it comes to energy storage or for filtration systems. These changes are also backed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s initiatives as new economical precursors broaden the ability for ACF to be utilized in low-cost as well as mass-sensitive markets. Energy storage solutions as well as pollution control will find efficient ACFs effective.
The fabrication of ACF based on PAN incorporates three stages: stabilization, carbonization, and a controlled activation process. This will drive considerable growth of activated carbon fiber industry due to the existing tensile strength that PAN have, making it a good thermoplastic semi-crystalline polymer. Such materials have already proved useful in many areas, including capacitors and catalysts. High demand for catalyst carriers as well as continuous development of supercapacitors will further contribute to growth in demand for this polymer.
In 2024, air purification application generated over USD 285 million of revenue earned from activated carbon fiber sales. The implementation of laws preventing air pollution in numerous countries is already leading to air purification being one of the main factors of activated carbon fiber market growth. Additionally, currently, the adsorptive action of ACF filters when mounted on passenger automobiles, roadside units, and other equipment shows favorable results for the removal of NOx gases and other pollutants. This is because the use of specialized filter as car air purifying filters and the commencement of test air filtration programs in developing countries such as Indonesia, among others, are pushing the segment growth.
The demand from end-use industries in the North America region will propel activated carbon fiber market to increase by a CAGR of around 7.5% between the period of 2024 and 2034. The encouraging growth that the Canadian and U.S. markets within the chemical, petroleum, and equipment sectors will allow will be key to increasing the activated carbon fiber growth rate. Being one of the leading users of ACF products, the U.S. will be able to increase the air-purified and water treatment applications that utilize ACF products in the region. Besides the U.S., an effective distribution channel and the presence of other ACF industries aid in the growth rate as well.
Differentiating companies through eco-friendly production and adsorption capabilities is crucial for greater conversion of industrial clientele. Within the activated carbon fiber industry, companies such as Toyobo, Osaka Gas Chemical, and Kuraray compete on pricing, supply chains, quality controls, and technological integration.
Major players operating in the activated carbon fiber industry are:
In March of 2022, a joint agreement between Tokyo Bo and Mitsubishi Corporation established a joint venture company. The joint company is owned by Tokyo Bo and Mitsubishi at a 51% and 49% stake, respectively. The newly formed company operations completed in 2023. The new JV will deal with photo functional materials, fine chemicals, engineering plastics, water treatment membranes, environment solution devices, activated carbon products, activated carbon filters, spun-bond nonwoven fabrics, lifestyle materials, and high-performance fibers.
Market, By Material
Market, By Application
The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:
The North America market is poised to register nearly 7.5% gains from 2024 to 2034, driven by a positive outlook in the chemical sector and rising demand for chemical and solvent recovery equipment.
Major players in the industry include Anshan Sinocarb Carbon Fibers, Awa Paper & Technological Company, Evertech Envisafe Ecology, Gun Ei Chemical Industry, Hangzhou Nature Technology, HP Materials Solutions, Jiangsu Kejing Carbon Fiber, Jiangsu Sutong Carbon Fiber, Jiangsu Tongkang Activated Carbon Fiber, and Kuraray.
The global market size for activated carbon fiber was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2.2 billion by 2034, driven by a CAGR of over 6.3% from 2025 to 2034.
The air purification segment generated more than USD 285 million in 2024, driven by stringent air pollution regulations worldwide.