Activated carbon is one of the most versatile industrial products out there on the market, and it is an essential material in countless industries. From gas and water purification to metal recovery, the applications and industries it influences are wide, and with a market size of 4.4 billion US dollars, the activated carbon industry is always growing. High porosity and adsorption are the defining qualities of activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, and based on the raw materials used and the production process, these qualities can be magnified to achieve targeted goals in various industries. But here we are going to discuss activated carbon prices and how different factors, such as raw material cost, production cost, and availability, can impact them.
Activated carbon production
Activated charcoal is industrially manufactured from carbon-rich raw materials. Carbon is an abundant material in nature, but activated carbon is generally made from raw materials such as wood, coal, bamboo, coconut husk, and lignite. Wood and coconut husk-based activated carbon are most popular among these raw materials because of their high carbon content and industrial efficiency. The production of activated charcoal involves standardised procedures, and the final product is diverse based on size, raw materials, industrial applications, and manufacturing methods.
As we have discussed before, activated carbon is a diverse material and is classified into many forms. For example, powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, extruded activated carbon, impregnated activated carbon, and pelletized activated carbon are all varieties of activated charcoal with different applications and features. This incredible diversity in its form and applications, along with possible uses that still need to be researched and explored, makes activated carbon a truly extraordinary material.
The two main manufacturing procedures for activated carbon are carbonization of raw materials and activation. These manufacturing methods and added steps can create different types of activated carbon with specific qualities. We know adsorption is the defining quality of activated charcoal, and this ability is used to adsorb pollutants or undesired materials from water and gas. The industries that depend on this ability of activated carbon are several, including water purification, chemical industry, waste water treatment, gas purification, chemical industry, food industry, beverage refinement, pharma, and medical industry. Apart from being the main purification agent in several industrial processes, activated carbon plays a big role in fighting soil pollution and is used for soil restoration.
Factors that affect activated carbon costs
The need for effective pollution control and purification is on the rise as we are trying to switch to a sustainable system around the globe, and so is the demand for high-end activated carbon. Cost fluctuations are a normal issue for many industrial products, and activated carbon costs can be affected by various factors, such as the cost of raw materials, government policies, and the production process. Let’s further discuss those reasons here.
Raw material costs
Activated carbon can be manufactured using many raw materials, such as coconut husk, coal, wood, lignite, and bamboo. These raw materials all have different end results, and their costs have a great impact on the cost of activated carbon produced using them.
Coconut: Coconut shell-based activated charcoal is a popular choice for water purification across the world. To produce coconut shell-based activated carbon,the coconut husk is first processed properly, and then it undergoes the carbonization process. These carbonized coconut shell-based charcoals will finally go through the preferred activation process and further screening, and we will finally get the coconut shell-based activated carbon.
The availability of coconut shell is a big cost-altering factor because coconut is a multipurpose material used in several industries, and the cost of processing and transportation is besides that. Coconut is also a tropical plant, so if the production is taking place in a non-tropical region, the availability and cost of transportation will be even greater, and it will directly affect the coast of activated charcoal produced in these regions.
Coal: Coal is another key raw material when it comes to activated carbon manufacturing. Coal-based carbon is made by heating black coal in the absence of air at high temperatures. This process increases the porosity and surface area of coal and enhances its adsorption capacity. Apart from the availability and transportation costs, when it comes to coal, there are mining costs, and special government and environmental policies regarding the mining and trade of coal can also affect the overall cost of coal-based activated charcoal. Coal is also a non-renewable resource, so using it in industrial processes is a chancy affair too.
Wood: Wood is a very common raw material used for the production of activated carbon across the world. For wood, issues such as availability, processing cost, and transportation are common with raw materials like coconut shell and coal, but it is also subject to environmental and governmental policy barriers and regulations. So with such laws and environmental hazards present, acquiring raw materials like wood for the production of activated charcoal could be very costly, and it can definitely influence the cost of activated charcoal.
Other raw materials used in the manufacturing process of activated charcoal, such as peat, bamboo, and lignite, are all subject to the issues above. So in conclusion, we can say that the fluctuations in raw material costs can have a ripple effect on the prices of activated carbon.
Southern Carbon
Now we know that the prices of activated carbon in India and around the world are closely tied to the costs of raw materials such as coconut shell charcoal, coal, wood, peat, and lignite. Southern Carbon, with more than two decades of experience in the activated carbon industry, is one of the best activated carbon suppliers in India. We have a global market we have nurtured throughout the years with high-end activated carbon made from coconut shells and wood and consistent prices. We compete with the top manufacturers of activated carbon in Japan and export them all over the world. We are one of the top Indian exporters of activated carbon in Korea and many countries across Asia and the West. Connect with us to learn more about our customized impregnated carbon and price ranges.