Market Intelligence and Analysis Forecast for Waterproof Honeycomb Activated Carbon

I. Market Price Dynamics
(A) Recent Price Levels
- As of May 7, 2026, the price of waterproof honeycomb activated carbon remained stable at RMB 2,000 per ton, with the three-month average also at RMB 2,000 per ton—positioned within the upper range of the past year.
- Significant price differentiation exists across products with varying iodine numbers:
Low-iodine-number products (300–800 mg/g): Henan Huiyihai Water Purification Materials Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 1,200–1,650 per ton; Henan Hengyi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 1,250 per cubic meter.
Iodine-number-600 products: Henan Sentie Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 5,100 per cubic meter; Henan Hengyi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 2,300–2,600 per cubic meter.
Iodine-number-800 products: Henan Sentie Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 5,220 per cubic meter; Henan Hengyi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 2,800–3,600 per cubic meter.

(B) Price Trend Analysis
- Short-term (January–May 2026): Overall price stability prevailed; however, premium products (e.g., high-iodine-number and customized variants) maintained elevated pricing levels, supported by technological barriers and robust demand.
- Long-term (2026–2028): Annual average prices are projected to decline by 5%–8%, although premium products will continue commanding price premiums. Widespread adoption of regeneration technologies and economies of scale are expected to reduce production costs for medium-iodine-number products, thereby driving downward price pressure.

II. Supply-Demand Analysis
(A) Supply Side
1. Production Capacity Distribution:
East China, North China, and South China constitute core production regions. Quotation agencies concentrated in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province reflect vigorous supply activity in the Central Plains region.
Leading manufacturers—including Jingdezhen Jinghang Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. and Yixing Huan Regeneration Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.—ensure supply stability through large-scale production, achieving annual sales volumes of over 2,000 m3 and 1,500 m3, respectively.
Small- and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers adopt low-price strategies (e.g., Henan Hengyi’s iodine-number-300 product priced at RMB 1,500 per m3) to capture mid-to-low-end market share, or focus on regional niche markets (e.g., Chengdu Muyuan Charcoal Industry’s deep penetration into Southwest China’s food-grade market) to avoid head-on competition.

2. Technological Advancement:
Leading firms optimize pore structure (e.g., Jingdezhen Jinghang’s enhanced adsorption efficiency) and develop regeneration processes (e.g., Yixing Huan Regeneration’s cost-reduction solutions).
Breakthroughs in waterproof honeycomb activated carbon technology (e.g., Guangzhou Senjie’s IP65-rated coating process) are accelerating demand migration toward waterproof variants in high-humidity applications.

(B) Demand Side
1. Industrial Exhaust Gas Treatment:
Steady demand from chemical, coating, and printing industries; high-iodine-number products are favored by environmental engineering companies due to superior adsorption efficiency.
The VOCs abatement market reached RMB 8.7 billion, growing 15.6% year-on-year; as a core adsorbent material, honeycomb activated carbon demand is expanding at over 20% annually.

2. Air Purification:
Growing demand from municipal wastewater treatment plant odor control and industrial park air purification is boosting sales of medium-iodine-number products (e.g., iodine number 500–600).

3. Cost-Sensitive Applications:
Low-iodine-number products gain widespread adoption among SMEs and temporary projects owing to their cost advantage.

4. Policy Drivers:
Full implementation of China’s National VI emission standards has driven over 25% year-on-year growth in the automotive exhaust purification activated carbon market, indirectly stimulating demand in industrial exhaust treatment.
China’s “14th Five-Year Plan” VOCs Control Program mandates VOCs emission concentrations below 20 mg/m3 for key industries, propelling demand for high-iodine-number (≥1,000 mg/g) honeycomb activated carbon.

III. Competitive Landscape
(A) Advantages of Leading Manufacturers
1. Jingdezhen Jinghang Activated Carbon Co., Ltd.:
Core product portfolio centers on coal-based cylindrical honeycomb activated carbon, covering full waterproof and water-resistant variants; holds leading market share in East China.

2. Yixing Huan Regeneration Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.:
Specializes in regenerable cylindrical honeycomb activated carbon, achieving >90% iodine-number recovery post-regeneration—delivering significant cost advantages and commanding prominent market share in the Yangtze River Delta region.

3. Guangzhou Senjie Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.:
Focuses on high-humidity environment–specific waterproof honeycomb activated carbon, holding >20% market share in the Pearl River Delta region, underpinned by high technical barriers.

(B) Strategies of SME Manufacturers
- Pursue differentiated breakthroughs via low-cost positioning or specialization in niche segments (e.g., food-grade or nuclear applications), avoiding direct competition with industry leaders.

IV. Future Outlook
(A) Price Trends
1. Short-Term:
High-iodine-number product prices remain stable, supported by tightening environmental regulations.
Low-iodine-number product prices may experience modest declines due to intensified price competition among SMEs.

2. Long-Term:
With broader adoption of regeneration technologies and increasing economies of scale, annual average prices are projected to decline by 5%–8% during 2027–2028; premium products, however, will retain pricing power.

(B) Demand Structure Evolution
1. Industrial Exhaust Gas Treatment:
Its share of total demand will continue rising, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% between 2026 and 2032.

2. Air Purification:
Expanding application scenarios will broaden market share for medium-iodine-number products (e.g., iodine number 500–600).

3. High-Iodine-Number Products:
Market share is expected to increase from 45% in 2025 to 52% in 2026, primarily driven by upgraded VOCs emission standards.

4. Waterproof Products:
Emerging markets—particularly manufacturing hubs in Southeast Asia—will contribute incremental demand, where Chinese products offer outstanding value-for-money advantages.

(C) Competitive Landscape Evolution
1. Leading Manufacturers:
Will consolidate market leadership through technological barriers (e.g., patented processes, comprehensive product portfolios).

2. SME Manufacturers:
Are likely to pursue niche specialization and differentiated strategies for sustainable growth.