For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Activated Carbon Prices in North America
- In United States, the Activated Carbon Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by escalating energy costs.
- The Activated Carbon Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as producer prices rose by 4.0 percent.
- Consumer prices increased by 3.3 percent in March 2026, reflecting higher energy costs for thermal activation.
- The Activated Carbon Demand Outlook strengthened as the Manufacturing Index expanded during the month of March 2026.
- Retail sales grew 4.0 percent and consumer confidence reached 91.8 in March 2026, supporting consumer-driven filtration applications.
- The unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent in March 2026, ensuring stable funding for municipal water treatment.
- Industrial production grew by 0.7 percent in March 2026, although the manufacturing industrial production index weakened simultaneously.
- The Activated Carbon Price Index faced upward pressure as natural gas energy costs escalated in Jan 2026.
- The Activated Carbon Price Forecast reflected upward pressure as domestic coal feedstock availability stabilized in Q1 2026.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in March 2026 in North America?
- Natural gas energy costs for activation processes escalated during extreme winter weather in Jan 2026.
- Producer prices rose 4.0 percent in March 2026, squeezing margins and forcing cost-pass-through price hikes.
- Demand from municipal water treatment sectors strengthened in Q1 2026 due to ongoing regulatory compliance.
Activated Carbon Prices in APAC
- In China, the Activated Carbon Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock costs.
- The Activated Carbon Demand Outlook strengthened in March 2026 as 1.0% CPI growth supported baseline consumption.
- The Activated Carbon Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026, aligning with a 0.5% PPI year-over-year rise.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, driving industrial-grade Activated Carbon consumption for environmental compliance applications.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% year-over-year in March 2026, ensuring strong order volumes for industrial water treatment.
- Retail sales grew 1.7% and unemployment reached 5.4% in March 2026, softening consumer filtration demand.
- Consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026, reducing discretionary spending on premium residential air purifiers.
- Import costs for coconut shell feedstock escalated in January 2026 following natural disasters in Southeast Asia.
- The Activated Carbon Price Forecast stayed elevated in Q1 2026 as water treatment applications strengthened.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Transportation and storage costs for coconut shell charcoal feedstock surged significantly in January 2026.
- Domestic inventories of coconut shell raw materials tightened across the region in January 2026.
- Total export and import volumes of activated carbon from China contracted during February 2026.
Activated Carbon Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Activated Carbon Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, primarily driven by surging energy costs.
- The Activated Carbon Production Cost Trend increased as national inflation reached 2.7% in March 2026, raising utility expenses.
- Industrial producer prices declined by 0.2% in March 2026, while coal feedstock costs weakened globally during Q1 2026.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, which directly supported a strengthened Activated Carbon Demand Outlook across industries.
- Industrial production remained stagnant at 0.0% in February 2026, resulting in completely flat industrial effluent generation requiring filtration.
- Modest retail sales grew 0.7% in February 2026, although consumer confidence remained negative at -24.7 in March 2026.
- National unemployment stayed low at 4.2% in February 2026, supporting stabilized municipal wastewater treatment procurement in Jan 2026.
- The Activated Carbon Price Forecast reflected upward pressure as domestic German passenger car production increased in March 2026.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Energy costs for carbon activation strengthened as liquefied natural gas prices surged significantly in January 2026.
- Automotive sector demand for emission filters strengthened as passenger car production increased steadily in March 2026.
- Coal feedstock costs for production weakened globally as European market demand softened noticeably in Q1 2026.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Activated Carbon Prices in North America
- In United States, Activated Carbon Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by strengthening natural gas costs.
- Activated Carbon production costs increased in Q4 2025, as natural gas feedstock costs strengthened during the period.
- Overall Activated Carbon demand outlook was mixed in Q4 2025, with industrial production inching up.
- Industrial Production increased 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, supporting Activated Carbon demand in industrial applications.
- Retail sales rose 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, indirectly boosting Activated Carbon demand in consumer-related sectors.
- Consumer Price Index increased 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, raising raw material and energy costs.
- Producer Price Index climbed 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025, indicating rising input costs.
- US manufacturing output weakened in Q4 2025, tempering Activated Carbon demand in some industrial segments.
- Activated Carbon Price Forecast suggests continued upward pressure due to sustained production cost increases in Q4 2025.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in December 2025 in North America?
- Natural gas feedstock costs strengthened in Q4 2025, directly increasing Activated Carbon production expenses.
- Producer Price Index rose 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025, reflecting higher input costs.
- Consumer Price Index increased 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, elevating operational costs.
Activated Carbon Prices in APAC
- In China, the Activated Carbon Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by declining producer prices in December 2025.
- Activated Carbon production costs faced upward pressure from increasing thermal coal prices in late 2025 and surging coking coal in early December 2025.
- Demand for Activated Carbon was supported by expanding manufacturing activity and 5.2% industrial production growth in December 2025.
- The Activated Carbon demand outlook was dampened by weak consumer spending, with retail sales growing only 0.9% in December 2025.
- Inventories of main raw materials for manufacturing declined in October and November 2025, with a narrowing decline in December 2025.
- China's coal imports, including coking coal, showed an upward trend during Q4 2025, supporting supply.
- High-tech manufacturing consistently expanded and showed strong growth in Q4 2025, boosting specific Activated Carbon applications.
- Industrial profitability experienced a substantial recovery in December 2025, reversing a decline from November 2025.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Producer prices declined by 1.9% in December 2025, reducing input costs for Activated Carbon producers.
- Weak consumer demand, with retail sales up only 0.9% in December 2025, dampened overall market sentiment.
- Despite industrial production growing 5.2% in December 2025, overall demand faced headwinds.
Activated Carbon Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Activated Carbon Price Index fell in Q4 2025, reflecting contracting manufacturing output and declining new orders in December 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025, indicating reduced industrial demand for Activated Carbon.
- Industrial production in Germany increased 0.8% year-on-year in October 2025, suggesting sluggish underlying demand.
- The Producer Price Index declined 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, reflecting lower input costs.
- Input costs for German manufacturing rose in December 2025, impacting Activated Carbon production expenses, despite 1.8% CPI.
- Consumer confidence remained pessimistic at -17.5 in December 2025, alongside 6.2% unemployment, impacting demand.
- Retail sales increased 1.1% year-on-year in November 2025, providing stable but not robust consumer spending support.
- German manufacturers cut purchasing activity and input stocks in December 2025, signaling reduced future production.
- Export sales for German manufacturing declined in December 2025, contributing to weaker industrial demand.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Contracting Manufacturing Index in December 2025 signaled reduced industrial demand for Activated Carbon.
- The Producer Price Index declined 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, indicating lower producer costs.
- Rising input costs for German manufacturing in December 2025 partially offset moderated thermal coal prices.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Activated Carbon Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Activated Carbon Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased production costs.
- Activated Carbon production costs increased due to a 3.0% year-over-year CPI rise in September 2025, reflecting broader inflation.
- Producer input costs for Activated Carbon rose 2.6% year-over-year in August 2025, impacting manufacturing expenses.
- Demand for Activated Carbon strengthened in Q3 2025, propelled by stricter environmental regulations.
- Natural gas and coal feedstock costs experienced an overall uptick in Q3 2025, increasing production expenses.
- Industrial production showed a marginal 0.1% year-over-year increase in September 2025, indicating weak growth.
- Robust retail sales, up 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, indirectly supported Activated Carbon demand.
- Manufacturing inventories continued to shrink in Q3 2025, suggesting tighter supply conditions.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in September 2025 in North America?
- Rising natural gas and coal feedstock costs in Q3 2025 significantly increased Activated Carbon production expenses.
- Stricter environmental regulations for industrial emissions bolstered Activated Carbon demand in Q3 2025.
- Inflationary pressures, with CPI up 3.0% in September 2025, contributed to higher operational costs.
Activated Carbon Prices in APAC
- In China, the Activated Carbon Price Index fell, influenced by September 2025's -2.3% year-on-year PPI decline.
- Activated Carbon production costs weakened in Q3 2025, driven by declining coal feedstock costs and elevated inventories.
- Demand faced headwinds from a contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025, reducing industrial output.
- Industrial production expanded 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, providing some support for Activated Carbon demand.
- Strengthening environmental regulations in 2025 are a key demand driver, boosting Activated Carbon use.
- Consumer confidence at 89.6 in September 2025 suggests pessimism, indirectly impacting consumer-facing applications.
- Stable 5.2% unemployment and 3.0% retail sales growth in September 2025 offered indirect demand support.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025 indicated lower industrial demand for Activated Carbon.
- Declining PPI by -2.3% year-on-year in September 2025 reflected weak industrial demand only for September month in Q3.
Activated Carbon Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Activated Carbon Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased production costs and robust demand.
- Production costs increased due to sharply rising wood, surging coconut shell feedstock, and higher energy costs in Q3 2025.
- Demand strengthened in Q3 2025 across gas purification, emissions control, and municipal water treatment sectors.
- Industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, while Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025 putting pressure on supply to fulfil domestic demand.
- Import parity costs for Activated Carbon rose in Q3 2025 due to elevated freight rates and cross-border logistics surcharges.
- Regional supply tightened in Europe during Q3 2025, as several small kilns idled capacity for maintenance.
- The CPI increased 2.4% in September 2025, contributing to higher raw material costs, while PPI fell 1.7% due to lower energy.
- Retail sales rose 0.2% in September 2025, with stable 6.3% unemployment and stabilizing consumer confidence, supporting some demand.
Why did the price of Activated Carbon change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Wood feedstock costs rose sharply in September 2025, increasing production expenses for Activated Carbon.
- Demand for Activated Carbon surged in municipal water treatment and industrial emission control in Q3 2025.
- Elevated freight rates from Asia and inter-EU transport surcharges raised import parity costs in Q3 2025
