August Activated Carbon Prices First Rise, Then Fall

August 29 update

According to the commodity market analysis system monitoring: At the beginning of the month, the price of activated carbon was 12,833 CNY per ton, and at the end of the month, the price of activated carbon was 12,866 CNY per ton, with a price increase of 0.26%.

Chinese activated carbon manufacturer prices fluctuated this month, initially rising and then falling, but overall showing an upward trend. The factory price of coconut shell activated carbon for water purification (iodine value 1000) ranged between 10,000 and 13,500 CNY per ton. Demand for coconut shell activated carbon in traditional fields such as water treatment and air purification continues to grow. High prices have limited transaction enthusiasm, and market transaction conditions are being closely monitored.

International Perspective: In July 2025, the import volume of shell-based activated carbon (primarily derived from coconut shells) reached 11,092.3 tons, representing a 3% decrease compared to the previous month and a significant 31% drop year-on-year. China’s “Dual Carbon” strategy mandates that activated carbon producers use raw materials with high fixed-carbon content (at least 70%). As a result, Vietnam’s lower-quality carbonized materials—unable to meet stringent carbon-emission accounting requirements—are being phased out, leading to a growing shift in import demand toward higher-quality sources such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

Prediction: The supply of activated carbon raw materials in China is tight, and the room for price increases is limited. It is expected that in the short term, the price of activated carbon may mainly show a strong fluctuation trend.