Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

Activated carbon is a versatile adsorbent derived from carbon-rich materials like wood, peat, coconut shells, or sawdust, processed to create a highly porous structure. It is widely employed in various industries, from medicine to skincare & water purification. It exhibits exceptional absorption properties due to its large surface area & microporous nature. Additionally, it finds applications in air & water purification systems to effectively remove contaminants.

Market Insights & Analysis: Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market (2025-30):

The Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market size is valued at USD 61.5 Million in 2024 & is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.78% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. The nation's commitment to addressing severe water scarcity issues, emphasized in initiatives like Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, is propelling the use of activated carbon in water purification & desalination processes.

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With Saudi Arabia being one of the largest consumers of desalinated water globally, activated carbon plays a pivotal role in removing impurities, ensuring water quality, and meeting the increasing demand for clean water. Other than this, the continued expansion of industrial facilities across food & beverage, biotech, automotive, energy & utilities, etc., is continuing to boost the demand for activated carbon for air purification and compliance with different environmental regulations of the Saudi government. Moreover, as the country continues to invest in infrastructure development, including water treatment plants and industrial facilities, the demand for activated carbon is poised to increase, thus making it a critical component in addressing the nation's water & environmental challenges during the forecast years.

Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market Driver:

Waste Management & Circular Economy Initiatives Driving the Market Demand – The rising awareness of sustainable practices and wastewater management has led to an increased emphasis on circular economy initiatives in Saudi Arabia. Activated carbon plays an important role in water & wastewater treatment, contributing to the efficient removal of pollutants. Besides, the Saudi government is notably promoting the expansion of industrial facilities with the development of enhanced water infrastructures. According to the German Saudi-Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO), in 2022, annual investment in Saudi water infrastructure amounted to about USD 5 billion over the next 20 years.

Moreover, the incorporation of activated carbon into circular economy models, including the regeneration and reuse of spent carbon, aligns with overarching sustainability objectives. Consequently, this factor propels the demand for activated carbon in the evolving waste-water management and water treatment landscape in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market Opportunity:

Surge in Industrialization Activities to Provide a Substantial Boost to Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market – The surge in industrial activities, including the manufacturing of activated carbon as outlined in the ambitious plan to establish 36,000 industrial facilities by 2035, as part of Saudi Vision 2030, is poised to create substantial growth opportunities for the Activated Carbon Market in Saudi Arabia in the coming years. This transformative initiative reflects a strategic shift towards building a diversified & sustainable economy, reducing the nation's reliance on oil revenues. The planned industrial facilities are expected to span various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics, which signifies a significant expansion in manufacturing & industrial processes to fulfill the 2030 targets, including:

• Approximately 85% of food processing localization by 2030
• To boost GDP contribution of about USD75 billion from the domestic mining & metals industry
• To localize over 50% of its military expenditure by 2030.

As activated carbon finds applications in air & water filtration systems, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Protection, etc., within manufacturing plants, its demand is foreseen to grow substantially over the coming years.

Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market Challenge:

Energy Subsidies & Pricing Dynamics to Restrain the Adoption of Activated Carbon – The Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market faces a significant challenge related to energy subsidies, particularly in the desalination sector. The government subsidizes energy costs for desalination processes, artificially lowering the price of desalinated water. This pricing dynamic poses a hindrance to the demand for activated carbon, as the cost of alternative water treatment methods appears comparatively lower. The discrepancy between the subsidized cost & the actual production cost of desalinated water discourages efficient use of this scarce resource.

Consequently, industries & municipalities are often less incentivized to invest in activated carbon solutions for water treatment, impacting the market's revenue growth. Thus, addressing the complexities of energy subsidies and establishing a pricing structure that accurately reflects production costs is crucial for unlocking the full potential of the market in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market Trend:

Expansion of Automotive Manufacturing Facilities Augmenting Demand for Activated Carbon – The expansion of automotive manufacturing in Saudi Arabia presents a significant opportunity for the increased demand for activated carbon, particularly in the context of air purification and emission control within the automotive sector. As the automotive manufacturing industry is expanding in Saudi Arabia, there is a simultaneous rise in production activities, leading to increased emissions from manufacturing processes and the vehicles themselves. This, in turn, is augmenting the need for activated carbon for air purification, solvent recovery, and other emission reduction processes for industrial sustainability in Saudi Arabia. For instance:

• In 2023, Saudi Arabia Wealth Fund and Hyundai went into a joint agreement to develop a car manufacturing plant in the Kingdom with an investment of over USD 500 million.

Thus, with the growing emphasis on improving air quality & creating healthier indoor as well as outdoor environments, the demand for activated carbon in Saudi automotive sectors is anticipated to witness robust growth in coming years. 

Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market (2025-30): Segmentation Analysis

The Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market study by MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends & influencing factors in each segment and includes predictions for the period 2025–2030 at the country level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Type:

• Powdered Activated Carbon
• Granular Activated Carbon
• Extruded & Pelletized Carbon Market
• Impregnated Activated Carbon

Both Powdered Activated Carbon and Granular Activated Carbon are likely to be in high demand, aligning with the country's ambitious water policies & extensive desalination infrastructure. Powdered activated carbon, known for its fine particle size & large surface area, is favored in water treatment processes for its rapid adsorption capabilities. Given Saudi Arabia's focus on addressing immediate water challenges and the need for efficient purification methods, powdered activated carbon could see heightened demand, especially in municipal water treatment plants and industrial applications. While granular activated carbon, with its larger particle size & versatility, finds application in both water and air purification.

The extensive industrialization and urbanization in Saudi Arabia, coupled with the country's commitment to upgrade its water and sewerage services, make granular activated carbon a valuable solution for the removal of contaminants from water sources and the treatment of industrial effluents. As Saudi Arabia continues its trajectory of growth and modernization, the demand for both powdered & granular activated carbon is expected to remain robust, driven by the imperative of ensuring sustainable & clean water resources in the forthcoming years.

Based on End User:

• Water Treatment
• Food & Beverage
• Healthcare
• Automotive
• Industrial Processing
• Others (Cosmetics, Mining, etc.)

Water treatment is a pivotal end-user industry for activated carbon in Saudi Arabia, driven by the nation's unique environmental challenges & ambitious initiatives. Situated in an arid region with severe climatic conditions & a lack of permanent natural water resources, Saudi Arabia faces escalating water demands spurred by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and a burgeoning population. The Saudi Arabian Government (SAG) is actively reshaping water policies to tackle these critical technologies & solutions. Hence, to address increasing water needs, the Kingdom plans substantial investments, necessitating around USD 5 billion annually in infrastructure development for water treatment over the next two decades.

Furthermore, as desalination becomes a cornerstone of water supply, activated carbon proves indispensable for purifying & treating water and removing impurities & contaminants. The nation's commitment to enhancing water infrastructure, coupled with its position as a global desalination leader underscores the strategic importance of activated carbon in meeting Saudi Arabia's evolving water treatment needs.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market Report

• Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
• This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
• Saudi Arabia Activated Carbon Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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