Wooden cylindrical activated carbon

Market Intelligence on Wood-Based Columnar Activated Carbon

I. Price Trends
1. Domestic Market: Recently, prices of wood-based columnar activated carbon in the domestic market have shown a slight upward trend. The average ex-factory prices in major regions (such as Hebei, Henan, and Shandong) have increased by approximately 3%-5% compared to the previous month, with some high-end products seeing an increase of up to 8%.
2. International Market: International market prices remain relatively stable; however, influenced by rising shipping costs, the prices of imported wood-based columnar activated carbon have slightly increased by approximately 2%-3%.

II. Supply and Demand
1. Supply Side:
- Raw Material Supply: Recent prices of wood raw materials have remained stable with a slight increase. Coupled with stricter environmental policies, some small-scale activated carbon enterprises have reduced production or ceased operations, leading to a slight contraction in overall supply.
- Production Capacity Distribution: Production capacity is concentrated in North China and East China. The operating rate of leading enterprises remains above 80%, while that of small and medium-sized enterprises is approximately 60%-70%.
2. Demand Side:
- Water Treatment Industry: The arrival of the summer peak water usage period has increased wastewater treatment demand, driving an approximately 10% increase in demand for wood-based columnar activated carbon.
- Air Purification Sector: Influenced by smog weather and increased attention to indoor air quality, demand for activated carbon used in air purifiers and fresh air systems has steadily risen.
- Chemical Industry: Demand for high-quality activated carbon from industries such as pharmaceuticals and food continues to increase; however, overall growth has slowed due to economic conditions.

III. Costs and Profits
1. Costs: Rising prices of raw materials such as wood and phosphoric acid, combined with increased environmental governance costs, have raised enterprise production costs by approximately 5%-7%.
2. Profits: Leading enterprises maintain relatively stable profit margins through scaled production and technological optimization. In contrast, small and medium-sized enterprises face compressed profit margins due to increased cost pressures.

IV. Policy and Environmental Impact
1. Stricter environmental policies have led to the closure or rectification of some enterprises that do not meet emission standards, further increasing industry concentration.
2. Government support policies for the water treatment and air purification sectors have indirectly driven demand growth for wood-based columnar activated carbon.

V. Analysis and Judgment
1. Short Term: Supported by raw material costs and increased demand, prices of wood-based columnar activated carbon are expected to maintain a slight upward trend, with an increase of approximately 2%-4%.
2. Medium Term: As the summer peak water usage period ends, demand in the water treatment sector may decline. However, demand in the air purification sector will continue to grow, and prices are likely to remain stable.
3. Long Term: Continued tightening of environmental policies and increased industry concentration will drive the wood-based columnar activated carbon market toward high-end and green development, with the price center expected to gradually shift upward.

VI. Forecast
1. Price: Over the next three months, prices of wood-based columnar activated carbon are expected to fluctuate upward from current levels, with an increase not exceeding 5%.
2. Demand: Demand growth in the water treatment sector will slow, demand in the air purification sector will continue to grow, and demand in the chemical industry will remain stable.
3. Supply: Leading enterprises will expand production capacity, while small and medium-sized enterprises will face capacity constraints. Overall supply growth will be lower than demand growth.
4. Competitive Landscape: Industry concentration will further increase, expanding the market share of leading enterprises, while small and medium-sized enterprises will face pressure for integration or exit.