Carbon Black Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Carbon Black Market is segmented By Process (Furnace Black, Channel Black, Thermal Black, Acetylene Black), By Grade (Standard Grade, Specialty Grade), By Application (Tires and Industrial Rubbers, Non-Tire Rubber, Inks & Toners, Plastics, Textile Fiber and Others), and by Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Market Overview

Global Carbon Black Market reached US$ 27.56 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 38.08 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 4.12% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Carbon black is derived from the thermal breakdown of viscous petroleum feedstock materials, including ethylene cracking tar, coal tar and FCC tar. Its advantageous features, including the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and its conversion into heat, enhanced thermal conductivity and increased tire tread wear and rolling resistance, have led to its widespread adoption. The primary application of processes, such as oil furnaces and thermal, is in the manufacturing of products.

An enormous amount of carbon black is employed only in tires as highly effective rubber reinforcing. Carbon black, being a black pigment, is a highly effective coloring ingredient widely employed in printing inks, resin coloring, paints and toners. Moreover, carbon black finds extensive use as an electrically conductive coating in several applications, including antistatic films, fibers and floppy disks. Forecasted market expansion is expected to be driven by its growing use in tire production and other applications.

Pricing in the carbon black market mostly depends on the cost of raw ingredients, auxiliary materials and utilities. Dynamic changes in crude oil prices significantly influence the pricing of carbon black. Additional macro-level variables that impact the price are working capital and pre-operational expenses. The pre-occupational costs encompass the expenses related to installation and start-up, capitalized interests, project engineering and management and commissioning.

Report Scope

Market Dynamics

Advanced Technologies, Sectoral Demand and Strategic Innovations

In the carbon black market, there is a fragmented structure characterized by the existence of numerous domestic and international participants. Market participants are implementing the product differentiation strategy to effectively shield themselves from price competition. Anticipated factors contributing to market growth in the region include the combination of increasing automobile sales and the adoption of advanced technology in tire production.

The increasing need for high-performance coatings in the aerospace and defense sector is expected to continue as a significant driver of growth. The primary objective of carbon blacks is to convert electrical properties from insulating to conductive in various products, including safety applications and automotive components. The carbon black market mostly operates for electrical packaging.

The market dynamics are mostly influenced by the utilization of rubber, electronic discharge compounds and inks, as well as various laws established for manufacturing methods and raw materials adopted. Given the growing need for tires and rubber, transportation is expected to become the leading sector in this business throughout the next seven years.

For example, in November 2022, OCI declared the authorization of the separation of the organization's main operations in the chemical and carbon chemical industries and the establishment of a new legal entity. Within the carbon chemicals industry, the newly established company intends to manufacture a range of carbon products with significant value-added. Additionally, it intends to engage in innovative initiatives such as producing highly conductive carbon black specifically designed for use as conductive additives in rechargeable batteries and high-voltage cables.

Environmental and Health Risks from Hazardous Emissions During Manufacturing Curtail Product Demand

The drop in demand for the product is being caused by the production of several dangerous gases, including as nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, apart from their impact on the environment, these contaminants also exert an influence on human health.

Some of the symptoms that may be induced by exposure to these gases include dizziness, headache, nausea, respiratory distress and chest constriction. In response to this, the governments of several countries have implemented a multitude of highly extensive rules. For instance, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has expressed concerns about the possible adverse impacts that the product could have on human beings. Hence, these factors may impede the acceptability of the product.

Segment Analysis

The global carbon black market is segmented based on process, grade, application and region.

Application In Tires And Industrial Rubbers Dominated The Market 

Given its impact on the mechanical and dynamic characteristics of tires, carbon black is a commonly utilized reinforcement in the tire industry. The compound is employed in diverse formulas including several rubber kinds to tailor the performance characteristics of tires. Primary applications of carbon black include the inner linings, sidewalls and carcasses. When included into rubber formulations, it exhibits superior heat-dissipation properties.

Additionally, it enhances road control, tyre abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency. Furthermore, it offers resistance to abrasion. Carbon black is employed as a filler, stiffening and reinforcing chemical in automobile tires and other rubber manufactured goods. Given its crucial use in tires and rubber products, the trajectory in these sectors is anticipated to support the expansion of the analyzed market.

According to the World Bureau of Chemical Safety and Development (WBCSD), the tire sector accounts for almost 70% of the global consumption of natural rubber. Furthermore, the demand for natural rubber is on the rise, which is creating a wider range of social, economic and environmental prospects linked to the manufacturing of this crucial raw material.

Geographical Penetration

Growing Demand from Automotive Sector in Asia Pacific

According to the statistics published by the National Bureau of Statistics, the Chinese tire sector is seeing expansion, attributing to the rising demand for tires in both the local and global markets. As of March 2023, China's tire production rose by 11.3% to reach 90.87 million, compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. The growth suggests a pattern of increasing demand in the domestic market. For the period of January to March 2023, China's rubber tire production reached 219.98 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 6.4%.

The proliferation of rubber tire manufacturing can be substantiated by the country's status as the foremost global producer of automobiles for several years. Based on data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China has produced over 13.25 million automobiles in the first half of 2023, showing a substantial year-on-year growth rate of 9.3%.

China is renowned for its industrialization and its thriving manufacturing industry, which heavily relies on various paints and coatings. China represents in excess of 25% of the worldwide coatings industry. The China National Coatings Industry Association reports that the industry has sustained a 7% growth rate in recent years.

Furthermore, apart from its use in tires and rubber products, carbon black is also highly sought after in the country for its use as a pigment in paints and coatings, as well as a toner in the textile sector. Accordingly, the market demand is anticipated to be further propelled by the growth trends in the paints and coatings and textile industries in the country.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Orion Engineered Carbons Holdings GmbH, OMSK Carbon Group, Sid Richardson Carbon & Energy Co., Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd., Asahi Carbon Co. Ltd., Ralson Goodluck Carbon, Atlas Organic Pvt. Ltd., Continental Carbon Co., OCI Company Ltd., Birla Carbon, Bridgestone Corp., Cabot Corp.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

The persistent warfare between Russia and Ukraine has had a significant and far-reaching effect on the carbon black supply chain, especially inside the European Union (EU). Prior to the conflict, more than half of the European Union's carbon black procurement was obtained from Russia. Nevertheless, as of November 2023, this dependence had declined to below 40%, mostly as a result of sanctions and counter-sanctions that have caused disruptions in the procurement process.

Furthermore, the European Union is contemplating a more stringent position by potentially prohibiting the importation of carbon black and synthetic rubber from Russia, commencing in July 2024. The aforementioned interruptions have resulted in a surge in demand and prices for carbon black, as customers are moving away from Russian suppliers.

In light of the volatility in the supply chain, numerous customers have resorted to other providers, notably China. Nevertheless, this transition has confronted obstacles, as the cost of acquiring carbon black from China has increased owing to escalating shipping costs. Therefore, the conflict has not only changed the sourcing dynamics but also placed significant pressure on the worldwide carbon black market, exacerbating supply shortages and causing price increases.

By Process

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

By Grade

• Standard Grade
• Specialty Grade

By Application

• Tires and Industrial Rubbers
• Non-Tire Rubber
• Inks & Toners
• Plastics
• Textile Fiber
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• The initiation of tire-derived oil and recovered carbon black production by the pyrolysis of used tires was announced by Bridgestone Corporation in June 2023. The work was carried out using test units located at the Bridgestone Innovation Park in Tokyo.
• In April 2023, Orion Engineered Carbons declared the activation of its novel cogeneration technology, which generates sustainable energy, at its Ivanhoe facility located in Louisiana, US. The system consists of a steam turbine generator that converts the waste steam from the carbon black plant's manufacturing cycle into power.
• Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. formed a strategic alliance with Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. in March 2023 to collaborate on the practical implementation of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technology. The objective of this agreement was to undertake the production of diverse carbon products and materials specifically designed for the purpose of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) as solid carbon.
• In June 2023, PCBL Limited commenced two expansion projects, including the establishment of a new factory in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and the continuation of an existing plant design in Mundra, Gujarat. Consequently, the corporation is projected to achieve a total manufacturing capacity of 790,000 MTPA and implement 122 MW of renewable energy.
• In February 2023, Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) escalated its carbon black manufacturing operations and intends to augment its capacity by up to 20% within the current year. The company plans to further develop its Bhuj facility in the eastern Indian state of Gujarat to achieve an annual production capacity of 198 kilotons.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global carbon black market segmentation based on process, grade, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of the carbon black market with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as Excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global carbon black market report would provide approximately 68 tables, 61 figures and 224 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies