Environmental concerns boost demand
Increasing concern over environmental pollution has resulted in growing
demand for activated carbon in the removal of contaminants from both liquid and
gas streams. Global consumption is expected to grow by 4%py from 750,000t in
2002 to around 840,000t in 2005. Current installed capacity of over 800,000tpy,
planned expansions of over 30,000 tpy and potential new capacity should be
sufficient to meet this new demand. World production capacity for activated
carbon has continued to exceed demand, and this has exerted downward pressure on
prices throughout the last decade. Production capacity is shifting from western
industrialised countries to China and those in South-East Asia, where raw
material, energy and labour costs are lower. New production brought onstream
between 1998 and 2002 exceeded 40,000tpy, over one-third of which is located in
China and a further one-third in South-East Asia.
In contrast, Australia and the USA reduced their capacity over the same
period. Regeneration capacity operated by activated carbon operators worldwide
is estimated at over 100,000tpy. However, the rate of growth in regeneration
capacity may slow through the mid-2000s, as some markets are suffering from
over-capacity after the expansions of the last few years. In addition, the
influx of low-cost imports of new material from China is also exerting pressure
on the regeneration market.
The key trends, issues and developments in the market are now analysed in
this major new report from Roskill. It provides a clear insight into all areas
of the industry and an authoritative analysis of the prospects for the future.
What this report gives you:
- Independent, in-depth research and analysis
- Essential market intelligence for successful business planning
- Detailed survey of production in 27 countries
- Up-to-date profiles of over 100 producing and processing companies and their
activities, including Norit, Calgon Carbon, Mead/Westvaco, Takeda Chemicals and
Shanxi Xinhua Chemical Plant and Haycarb Ltd.
- Forecasts for end-use consumption and world supply and demand
A valuable resource for:
- Chief executive
- Financial analysts
- Strategic planners
- Information centres
- Market researchers
- Product developers
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
The shift in production capacity from the West to South-East Asia is
illustrated by Calgon Carbon's decision to bring a new plant on stream in Datong
province of China, while closing new activated carbon capacity in Belgium and
rationalising their operations in the USA.
This shift is likely to continue through the mid-2000s. Potential expansion
in world capacity through 2005 exceeds 32,000tpy, two-thirds of which is
scheduled for China, mainly based on locally-mined coal. The largest expansion
is planned by Sanxing Liyuan Activated Carbon Plant in Datong province, who plan
to raise output by more than six times.
The introduction of more stringent environmental legislation worldwide should
ensure future growth in demand for activated carbon. Water treatment provides
both the largest market and the main area of growth for activated carbon. World
demand in this market is forecast to increase by 4-5%py between 2002 and 2005,
with higher growth rates of 5-6%py projected for the USA. Higher growth rates
are also forecast for the developing countries of Latin America and Asia.
Other areas of growth lie in gas-phase markets. Growth in US consumption of
activated carbon in these markets is forecast at over 5%py in the medium-term
future. Growth will be higher in terms of value because of the higher prices of
the speciality granular and impregnated grades, and the activated carbon fibre
used in these applications.
T A very large potential market is the use of activated carbon to remove
mercury from coal-fired power plant emissions. Heightened concern over possible
terrorist biological attacks could result in an upturn of demand for activated
carbon in nuclear, bacteriological and chemical filters for gas masks and
personnel protection clothing.
SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY
This report is the result of an extensive programme of research by Roskill
analysts. They have conducted a close appraisal of information from a wide
variety of sources, including governments, trade associations, company sources,
official organisations, trade journals and technical literature.
Information gathering is only the first step in preparing a report. The data
is then extensively analysed so that the finished report provides a
comprehensive insight into the industry today, as well as top-level analysis of
the long-term prospects.
HOW THIS REPORT CAN HELP YOU
- Explore commercial opportunities
- Gather intelligence on your competitors
- Strengthen your business capabilities
- Plan your materials buying and sourcing
- Assess key trends and growth areas
- Establish sales targets for your products
- Analyse company market share
- Save time searching for specialist information
- and improve your results
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