Activated carbon: Feedstocks
Why coconut shell supply, not kilns, limits growth
What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.Activated carbon is made from any carbon-rich solid, but feed decides quality and cost. Coconut shell gives the hardest micropore carbon and is tied to coconut output in South and Southeast Asia. Coal gives cheap volume. Wood and peat suit chemical activation. Charcoal supply, not kiln capacity, limited coconut carbon in 2025, when shell charcoal prices reached about $1,000/t.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cnt Coconut oil | about 2-3 t per t activated carbon (indicative) | carbon source for steam activation | 40-50% of operating cost (IMARC) | IMARC (2026); ICC (2025) |
| Tc Thermal coal | about 2.5-3.5 t per t (indicative) | carbon source | about 20-30% (indicative) | Indicative |
| Tm Timber | about 2-2.5 t dry wood per t (indicative) | carbon source for chemical activation | not published | Indicative |
| Pe Peat | not published | carbon source (Norit) | not published | Indicative |
| Power, steam and fuel | plant power 500 kW-3 MW (India) | activation and finishing | 20-28% of operating cost (IMARC) | IMARC (2026) |
Who is low-cost, and why
Chinese coal-based carbon is the low-cost volume grade. Indonesian coconut carbon ($1,300-2,200/t in 2025) is cheaper than Sri Lankan ($3,000-4,300/t), which commands a quality premium. Indian producers sit between, with shell charcoal at about $629-990/t (ICC, H1 2025).
Raw materials on the commodity table
Tc Thermal coalCnt Coconut oilWhat it is made into
| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| WT Water treatment chemicals | largest use; PFAS and micropollutants |
| Fd Food and feed additives | decolourisation of sugar and sweeteners |
| API Small-molecule APIs | purification and decolourisation |
| CBG Biogas and biomethane | siloxane and H2S removal from biogas |