Carbon Black Market Size, Share, By Type (Furnace Black, Channel Black, Thermal Black and Acetylene Black), By Application (Tire, Plastics & Non-Tire Rubber, Inks and Coating, and Others (Graphite Manufacturing, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Construction Industry, and Metallurgy)), and By Region – Market Trends, Analysis and Forecast till 2034

Carbon Black Market Size was valued at USD 30.1 Billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9%to reach USD 46.65 Billion by 2034.

Carbon black is utilized in the production of coarse staple fibres, which are mostly utilized in the weaving of blankets, carpets, and other textiles. Synthetic textiles are coloured using carbon black as an additive. For example, garments and textiles made of denier polyester and nylon fibres are coloured with carbon black since these materials require strong colour performance. The production of sports and military clothing uses a lot of carbon black. The primary factors propelling the market's expansion are the growing market penetration of specialized black and the expanding applications in the fibre and textile sectors. However, the failing auto industry and the availability of substitutes make it difficult for the market under investigation to grow.

The application performance of carbon black is based on both the degree of dispersion attained and its basic features. The four most crucial physical and chemical characteristics are surface chemistry, porosity, structure, and particle size. These characteristics are distributional in nature, and performance is impacted by this distribution of characteristics. The mixing apparatus, formulation (including the choice of dispersant), and physical form all have a significant impact on the degree of dispersion in any particular matrix.

In the current research scope 2018 is considered as base year and 2019 is estimated year for market value/volume calculations. The report offers market estimates for the forecast period – 2019 to 2029. The report provides factual inputs and analysis based on primary and secondary research, which includes insights gained through in-depth interviews with primary research participants. Also, the data is gathered from authentic secondary sources and is verified by key opinion leaders in the target market. The in-house research is applied on gathered information to provide more accurate data points and reduce the margin of error. The in-house research and analysis efforts include various tools and 360^o data analysis methodology.

Carbon Black Market Drivers:   

Growing Utilization in the Fiber and Textile Sectors

• The purest form of carbon black is specialty carbon black, sometimes referred to as pigment black since it contains the fewest ash, sulphur, and other impurities. In developed countries such as the US, the market for specialty carbon black is growing at a faster pace than that of conventional carbon black. In addition to having a brighter colour, specialty carbon black has better conductivity, viscosity, and UV protection. Every non-rubber application of carbon black, which is projected to increase significantly in the upcoming years, uses specialty carbon black. It is anticipated that specialty black would be highly sought after for printing inks and polymers.

Robust demand from important sectors

•  In many different industries, but especially in tires, rubber goods, and paints and coatings, carbon black is an essential ingredient. Because of its special qualities, such as UV protection and strengthening, it is unmatched in these applications. For example, an expanding automotive industry immediately correlates with an increase in tire demand and, in turn, with an increase in carbon black

Global economic growth

•  Building, manufacturing, and infrastructure development are all on the rise as economies flourish. The demand for carbon black in paints, coatings, plastics, and rubber products utilized in these industries rises as a result of this increasing activity.

Restrains in the Carbon Black Market:

The Availability of Substitutes

• There are now alternatives to carbon black in a number of applications. For example, precipitated, shapeless silica is increasingly being used in place of carbon black as a reinforcing element in the tire industry, especially when making tread compound for passenger and truck tires. Different dynamic properties from carbon blacks are produced by the peculiar surface of silica when it reacts with elastomers.
• The viscosity of the combination increases noticeably with the addition of silica. Because of this, silica has historically been utilized as a filler in conjunction with fluidity components to improve processing efficiency and reinforce properties. Single-wall carbon nanotubes have mostly taken the role of carbon black as an extra conductive material in lithium-ion battery composite cathodes.

Environmental regulations

• Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released throughout the carbon black production process. Tight environmental laws requiring greener production techniques may impede business expansion.

Price fluctuations for raw materials

• Crude oil is a major source of feedstock for carbon black. The cost of production can be greatly impacted by changes in oil prices.

Key Opportunities in Carbon Black Market:

Competitive Market Players and a Cost-Effective Manufacturing Process

• The carbon black market is growing as a result of competitors in the industry focusing on increasing carbon black output in response to rising demand from various industries. The goal of market players is to maintain a competitive advantage. Increased research and development efforts to look into cost-effective and cutting-edge methods of producing carbon black are driving market expansion. The illegal carbon market is growing due to technological advancements. The illegal carbon market in Asian countries like China and India is expanding rapidly.

Increasing Market Penetration for Specialty Black Products

• The finest form of carbon black, sometimes referred to as pigment black, contains traces of sulphur, ash, and other impurities. In developed countries like the US, the market for specialty carbon black is growing rapidly, offsetting the slower increase in demand for standard carbon black. Specialty carbon black has a unique hue and is more conductive, viscous, and UV-protective. All applications of carbon black—aside from rubber, which is projected to experience rapid growth in the coming years—use specialty carbon black. It is projected that specialty black will be highly sought after for plastic and printing inks.

Carbon Black Market is segmented based on based on by Type, Application and Region.

By Type

• Black Furnace - Because of its cost-effective production process and adaptability, furnace black is the market leader in carbon black. It can be produced in multiple grades with diverse particle sizes and shapes, allowing it to be utilized in a multitude of applications. Furnace black is primarily used by the tire industry, which uses its reinforcing qualities to reinforce rubber and enhance tire performance. Given its continuous dominance in the tire industry, which is projected to grow alongside the expanding automotive industry, market analysts estimate furnace black to maintain the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
• Channel Black - Furnace black has a larger market share than channel black. Despite having a high surface area and electrical conductivity, the manufacturing process is often inefficient and harmful to the environment. This could cause channel black's market share to slightly fall in addition to Furnace Black's supremacy. It is still a useful substance, nevertheless, in some applications, such as conductive rubber and specialty coatings.
• Thermal Black and Acetylene Black - In the upcoming years, specialty types like acetylene black and thermal black are expected to grow at a healthy rate. These blacks have special qualities that aren't present in channel or furnace black. For example, thermal black has a fluffy structure and excellent conductivity, which makes it perfect for battery electrodes in lithium-ion batteries and conductive polymers. Acetylene black is used in conductive inks, electrodes, and specialized coatings due to its exceptionally large surface area and electrical conductivity. The market for thermal and acetylene black is anticipated to expand rapidly as technological developments fuel the need for these applications.

By Application

• Tire - With tires accounting for a large share of total output, the tire industry continues to be the principal driver of the carbon black market. Because of the reinforcing qualities of carbon black, tires' rubber is strengthened, which improves tread wear, durability, and fuel efficiency. The tire industry's growth trajectory, which is largely driven by the automobile industry, corresponds to an increase in the need for carbon black.
• Plastics & Non-Tire Rubber - The carbon black market is expected to increase significantly in the plastics and non-tire rubber applications. In this case, carbon black has two functions:
  Reinforcement: It improves the mechanical qualities of rubber and plastic materials, such as tensile strength and tear resistance, much like tires do.
  UV Protection: By shielding rubber and plastics from the deterioration brought on by exposure to sunshine, carbon black's capacity to absorb ultraviolet radiation helps prolong their useful lives.
  Because of these advantages, carbon black is a useful additive for a variety of rubber and plastic items, such as pipes, hoses, belts, and automobile parts other than tires.
• Inks and Coatings - For inks and coatings, carbon black is a common choice because of its coloration and UV resistance. It has great opacity and a rich black hue in inks. It serves as a pigment in coatings and shields the underlying material from UV ray damage. The need for premium inks and coatings in a variety of sectors, including printing, packaging, and construction, is anticipated to sustain a continuous increase in the use of carbon black in these applications.
• Others - This category includes a wide range of industries that use carbon black because of its special qualities. Several noteworthy instances consist of:
• Graphite Manufacturing: Carbon black is a raw material used to make graphite electrodes, which are then utilized in electric arc furnaces to produce steel.
• Lithium-Ion Batteries: High conductivity specialty carbon blacks are becoming more and more popular as conductive additions for lithium-ion battery electrodes.
• Construction Industry: To improve the electrical conductivity of building materials for uses like electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, carbon black can be added.
• Metallurgy: Specific carbon black forms are employed for particular purposes in certain metallurgical processes.

Carbon Black Market Regional Insights:

On region the Carbon Black Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

• North America: it is anticipated that in the upcoming years, the carbon black market in North America will increase steadily. Here, though, the emphasis will probably go to specialist carbon blacks. Industries will need carbon black with particular qualities, such as strong conductivity or a greater surface area, as technology advances. Specialty blacks are in high demand because of their use in conductive plastics and the constantly changing field of lithium-ion batteries.
• Asia Pacific: The Growth Engine as the main engine of the illicit carbon market, this area dominates. The need for carbon black is rising in many industries, driven by the fast industrialization of nations like China and India. One significant source is the rapidly expanding automotive sector, which produces more tires than ever before. Furthermore, some governments in the area might provide advantageous regulations that encourage businesses to use carbon black, thereby speeding up market expansion.
• Europe: The markets in Europe and North America are very comparable. The black market for carbon is probably going to increase steadily in this area as well. Cleaner production techniques will be pushed along with an increase in the need for specialist blacks for sophisticated applications. Europe, though, might adopt a more assertive approach to sustainability. Tighter environmental laws and an increased emphasis on environmentally friendly activities may have a big influence on this region's black market for carbon. Manufacturers will probably be forced to investigate bio-based substitutes or make investments in carbon capture technologies in addition to using greener production methods.
• Latin America: the economy of Latin America is expanding as it is a developing region. This corresponds to an increase in the building industry, infrastructure projects, and the automobile sector. Government spending on industrial expansion and infrastructure could help the Latin American carbon black market grow even further. Consistent growth could be hampered by political unpredictability and restricted access to cutting-edge technologies, though.
• Middle East & Africa: There are certain parallels between Latin America and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. A rising economy offers the carbon black market chances here as well. The increased need for tires and, by extension, carbon black is driven by the automotive industry, especially in nations with significant oil reserves. Moreover, growing disposable incomes may encourage more people to acquire cars, which would stimulate the market even more.

Carbon Black Market Report Scope:

Segments Covered in the Report:

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2024 to 2034. For the purpose of this study, has segmented the Carbon Black Market report based on By Product, By End-User and Region:

Carbon Black Market, By Types:

• Furnace Black
•  Channel Black
• Thermal Black and Acetylene Black

Carbon Black Market, By Application:

• Tire
• Plastics & Non-Tire Rubber
• Inks and Coating
• Others (Graphite Manufacturing, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Construction Industry, and Metallurgy)

Carbon Black Market, By Region:

• North America

  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Russia
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • Israel
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

The key players operating the Carbon Black Market includes Cabot Corporation, Orion Engineered Carbons, Birla Carbon, Continental Carbon Company, Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd., and Philips Carbon Black Ltd., Pyrolyx AG, Nippon Steel & Sumikin Chemical Co., Ltd., Shandon Huadong Rubber Materials Co., Ltd., and Black Bear Carbon BV.

• In March 2024, the new PROPEL® E8 Engineered Reinforcing Carbon Black for Tire Tread Applications is launched by Cabot Corporation. Carbon black is made specifically for high-performance tire tread applications, where it offers exceptional tread endurance at low rolling resistance. This new product tackles the particular difficulties that come with electric vehicles (EVs) because they are heavier and have more torque than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
• In November 2023, China's Second Carbon Black Plant is launched by Orion, a specialty chemicals firm, is commemorating the completion of its first Greenfield project, an advanced carbon black factory in eastern China, with great success. This tactical facility is intended to serve Asia's growing market. Situated in the Anhui province's city of Huaibei, the plant is well-positioned to play a significant role in the production of carbon black for use in coatings, printing inks, rubber, polymers, fibres, and rubber, among other uses.
• In August 2023 VMware Carbon Black extends its Extended Detection and Response (XDR) strategy to cloud native applications with the launch of Threat Detection and Response for Modern Applications. VMware Carbon Black users may now have unified visibility, security, and management in today's extremely complex and dynamic application environments thanks to Cloud Native Detection and Response (CNDR).

• Cabot Corporation

• Company Overview
• Product Portfolio
• Key Highlights
• Financial Overview

• Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.
• Birla Carbon U.S.A., Inc.
• Continental Carbon Company, Inc.
• Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd
• Philips Carbon Black Ltd
• Pyrolyx AG
• Nippon Steel & Sumikin Chemical Co., Ltd
• Shandon Huadong Rubber Materials Co., Ltd
• Black Bear Carbon BV
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
• Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland SA
• Omsk Carbon Group OOO
• Longxing Chemical Stock Co., Ltd
• Ashahi Carbon Co., Ltd

“*” marked represents similar segmentation in other categories in the respective section.