Activated carbon

2024

Growth in the volume of the Russian activated carbon market by 7.6% to 41 thousand tons

The Russian activated carbon market in 2024 reached 41 thousand tons, an increase of 7.6% compared to 2023. This is evidenced by the calculations of the analytical company GuideMarket, based on data from Rosstat and international statistics, published in November 2025.

In monetary terms, the market increased by 21.9%, reaching ₽10,9 billion. The acceleration of value dynamics compared to natural volumes indicates an increase in prices caused by inflation, an increase in the cost of imported supplies and an increase in costs for production, logistics and quality certificates. The market is growing not only quantitatively, but also value, emphasizing the strategic importance of the product.

In 2020, the activated carbon market volume was 25.9 thousand tons. In 2021, the figure increased by 22% and reached 31.6 thousand tons. In 2022, the market continued to expand, increasing by 35.1% to 42.7 thousand tons. In 2023, there was a decrease of 10.8%, the volume amounted to 38.1 thousand tons. In 2024, the market restored positive dynamics, growing by 7.6% to 41 thousand tons.

The consumption of activated carbon in monetary terms increased from ₽37,4 per person in 2020 to ₽74,8 in 2024. Over five years, it has doubled - dynamics that significantly exceed the rate of inflation and the growth of real incomes of the population. In 2021, consumption was ₽59,6 per person, in 2022 - ₽65, in 2023 - ₽61,3.

In physical terms, in 2024, each resident of Russia uses an average of about 280 grams of activated carbon per year. The indicator reflects the aggregate demand of all industries. The growth of consumption per capita indicates the structural expansion of the market and its gradual massiveness.

Demand growth factors

The increased consumption of activated carbon reflects several key processes:

• distribution of home filters and household water treatment systems;
• improving the level of ecological culture;
• updating drinking water quality issues;
• expanding the use of sorbents in medicine and pharmaceuticals;
• changes in standards at enterprises in the food, petrochemical and metallurgical industries.^[1]

The increase in imports of activated coal to Russia by 24% to 30 thousand tons

The supply of activated coal to Russia from foreign countries in 2024 increased by 24% to 30 thousand tons compared to 24.2 thousand tons in 2023, which was the result of the expansion of the use of these products in various sectors of the economy and the simplification of customs procedures with Asian partners. Over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the volume of imports doubled from the base 15.4 thousand tons, demonstrating a steady trend towards an increase in foreign purchases. This is evidenced by the data of the analytical company BusinesStat, released at the end of August 2025.

Leading Russian enterprises in the industry include specialized companies engaged in the production and processing of sorbents:

• JSC Sorbent"."
• Envisi Carbon Rus LLC.
• LLC NPP Polikhim.
• Carbonika-F LLC.
• Vyatka Coal Company LLC.

The main suppliers of activated coal to the Russian market were China and India, which provide a significant share of imports due to competitive prices and developed transport infrastructure. The simplification of customs procedures and the improvement of logistics ties between Russia and Asian countries contribute to the growth of trade in this segment.

The dynamics of activated carbon imports shows uneven growth over the years. In 2021, supplies increased by 29% to 19.9 thousand tons, and in 2022 the increase was 22% with a level of 24.3 thousand tons. In 2023, imports practically stagnated at the level of 24.2 thousand tons without significant changes.

Russia does not have sufficient raw materials to fully meet domestic needs for high quality activated coal. Domestic producers use wood, stone and brown coal as the main raw materials, however, the highest quality activated carbon is produced from coconut shells.^[2]

2023: Import of 24.2 thousand tons of activated carbon into Russia (-0.4%)

In 2023, approximately 24.2 thousand tons of foreign activated carbon were imported into Russia. The volume of imports practically did not change compared to the previous year, when the figure was 24.3 thousand tons. That is, a decline of 0.6% was recorded, as reported in the materials of BusinesStat, published on March 22, 2024.

Activated carbon is used in many areas - in power, non-ferrous metallurgy, food and pharmaceutical industry, medicine, in the production of personal protective equipment, in public utilities and environmental technologies. This substance, in particular, is used as an adsorbent in the treatment of drinking water, wastewater, gas emissions, for the extraction of metals and various compounds from industrial solutions, as well as as a catalyst carrier.

According to BusinesStat estimates, 16 thousand tons of activated carbon were imported into Russia in 2019. A year later, imports fell by 3.8% to 15.4 thousand tons, and in 2021 they rose by 28.9%, reaching 19.9 thousand tons. In 2022, an increase of another 22.1% followed.

In general, in the period from 2019 to 2023, the import of activated coal into Russia increased by 50.6%. The main suppliers of these products are India, China and the Philippines. In particular, in 2023, shipments from India jumped 52.3% compared to 2022. At the same time, China and the Philippines reduced supplies by 2.4% and 32.3%, respectively. The decline in imports from the Asia-Pacific region is due to a lack of raw materials for local production. In addition, against the background of the formed geopolitical situation, shipments from Europe fell.

Russia, as stated in the study, is not fully provided with raw materials for the production of activated carbon. In 2019-2023, imported products accounted for an average of 61.9%.^[3]

Notes