Activated carbon market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The activated carbon market in Romania grew from 1 515 t in 2018 to 1 960 t in 2020, driven by rising imports which peaked at 1 941 t in 2020, while domestic production remained low and declined to 94 t.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021–2022, with market volume falling to 1 614 t and then to 1 392 t. This downturn coincided with a 30% surge in domestic coal prices in 2021, which raised input costs for coal-based activated carbon production. In 2022, the legal commitment to phase out all coal-fired power plants by 2032 and the ban on coal-based power generation further pressured the coal sector, indirectly affecting feedstock availability and contributing to the market’s decline.

Recovery began in 2023, with the market reaching 1 502 t, and accelerated to 1 672 t in 2024. That year, high global coal prices—fueled by geopolitical tensions and record demand in emerging economies—alongside stable coal demand in the EU, supported a rebound in activated carbon imports to 1 705 t. Concurrently, the ongoing implementation of Romania’s coal phase-out law continued to reduce coal-fired capacity, which may have indirectly influenced related industrial sectors.

Production activated carbon in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's activated carbon production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 207.2 thousand US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 5.4% compared to 2019. Over the three-year period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 10.5%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 94.2 tonnes of activated carbon, representing a significant drop of 21.5% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 21%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 120.0 tonnes, which saw a slight increase of 0.7% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports activated carbon from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. From the low point in 2017 to the peak in 2020, volumes varied by a factor of 4.9. In 2020, Romania exported 75 tonnes of activated carbon, marking a dramatic increase of 219.9% compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 48.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's activated carbon exports reached a diverse range of buyers. Turkey accounted for 17.7% of exports in volume, Hungary for 16.1%, and Italy for 11.9%. Together, these three countries represented 45.6% of total exports, with numerous other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed an unstable pattern throughout the period. The market hit its lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with values swinging by a factor of 3.9. In 2020, activated carbon exports from Romania reached 230 thousand US dollars, surging by 287.4% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 59 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.4% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's activated carbon exports were distributed across many countries. Even the top three destinations—Turkey, Israel, and Hungary—collectively accounted for only 49.3% of total export value, indicating a broad and diversified market.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports activated carbon to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's activated carbon imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 1,941 tonnes, reflecting an increase of 12.9% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 84.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 22.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017–2020 period, the Netherlands was the leading source of imports in volume, accounting for 28.0%, followed by Italy at 20.4% and the United States at 10.9%. Together, these three countries made up 59.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's activated carbon import value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 9,458 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial gain of 29.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 165%, with an average annual increase of 38.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the largest source of imports in value terms, representing 32.7%, followed by the Netherlands at 19.1% and the United Kingdom at 11.9%. These three countries together comprised 63.6% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020