The Gulf Cooperation Council activated carbon market size is expanding at one of the fastest rates in the regional specialty chemicals sector. Valued at USD 252.72 million in 2025, the market is forecast to reach USD 857.88 million by 2035 at a CAGR of 13.00% over 2026-2035. Water purification, air quality management, and industrial gas treatment are the primary demand anchors, with Vision 2030-aligned environmental investment adding significant procurement momentum across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Key Growth Drivers
Water Treatment Infrastructure. GCC nations are scaling desalination and municipal purification networks to address freshwater scarcity. Activated carbon is a critical filtration media in these systems, and regional water infrastructure investment is translating directly into sustained procurement volumes.
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Industrial Emission Control. Tightening environmental regulations are compelling petrochemical and refining facilities to install activated carbon-based emission control systems. Regulatory alignment with international standards is accelerating capital investment in air and gas purification across the region's industrial base.
Food and Pharmaceutical Purification. Demand for high-purity activated carbon in food processing and pharmaceutical ingredient purification is growing alongside GCC domestic manufacturing expansion. Local production incentives are encouraging producers to invest in purification infrastructure rather than rely on imported finished products.
Emerging Trends:
Coconut shell-based carbon is gaining preference over coal-based alternatives for water treatment and food-grade applications due to higher purity and sustainability credentials. Reactivation services extending spent carbon lifespan are emerging as a cost management strategy among large industrial users. Tailored carbon specifications engineered for specific GCC water contaminant profiles are also becoming a supplier differentiator with municipal water authorities.
Competitive Landscape:
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. develops activated carbon and emissions control products for industrial air quality applications across global markets.
Boyce Carbon supplies activated carbon for water treatment, air purification, and industrial process applications across regional and international markets.
Cabot Corporation produces activated carbon serving environmental, industrial, and performance materials applications through a global manufacturing network.
Calgon Carbon Corporation manufactures granular and powdered activated carbon for water treatment, air purification, and industrial applications worldwide.
Competition is shaped by grade specialization, reactivation capability, supply reliability, and application-specific technical support.
Outlook:
Gulf Cooperation Council activated carbon market size is expected to nearly quadruple by 2035, driven by water security investment, emission standards, and domestic manufacturing growth. Vision 2030 infrastructure programs and sustainability mandates across Saudi Arabia and the UAE are creating a policy environment that strongly supports continued market expansion through the forecast period.