U.S. Activated Carbon Export Price in March 2023

In March 2023, the activated carbon price amounted to $6,401 per ton (FOB, US), increasing by 6.7% against the previous month. Over the period from March 2022 to March 2023, it increased at an average monthly rate of +2.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in September 2022 when the average export price increased by 14% m-o-m. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in March 2023.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was South Korea ($14,662 per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($3,683 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From March 2022 to March 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Taiwan (Chinese) (+8.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Activated Carbon Exports

In March 2023, approximately 5K tons of activated carbon were exported from the United States; falling by -7.4% against February 2023. In general, exports saw a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in December 2022 when exports increased by 28% month-to-month.

In value terms, activated carbon exports shrank modestly to $32M (IndexBox estimates) in March 2023. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in December 2022 with an increase of 34% m-o-m.

U.S. Activated Carbon Exports by Country

Belgium (1K tons), Mexico (876 tons) and Canada (548 tons) were the main destinations of activated carbon exports from the United States, together comprising 49% of total exports. China, India, South Korea, Taiwan (Chinese), Japan, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

From March 2022 to March 2023, the biggest increases were in the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +8.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($8M) remains the key foreign market for activated carbon exports from the United States, comprising 25% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($3.8M), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 12% share.

From March 2022 to March 2023, the average monthly growth rate of value to Mexico was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average monthly rates of exports growth: Belgium (+0.3% per month) and South Korea (+3.7% per month).

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform