India’s Activated Carbon Exports Boost Coconut Product Shipments

The high price of activated carbon and its increased sourcing, especially by the US, has helped India’s coconut product exports to touch ?2,295 crore during the 2020-21 fiscal, against ?1,762 crore in the previous fiscal, The Hindu BusinessLine reported last week.  Activated carbon made up 65 per cent of the export basket, and garnered a revenue of  ?1,514 crore, with 113,536 tons being shipped.  In comparison, during 2019-20, exports were at 103,071 tons  valued  at    ?1,184 crore. The US alone accounts for ?295   crore  of   exports,   followed   by  Germany,  China, Russia, and Korea.

India has now emerged a major player in the activated carbon market, overtaking countries such as Indonesia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.  A decade ago, the export of activated carbon stood at 20,000 tons. However, the gradual improvement in infrastructure and increased production, especially in the South, has helped India emerge a top destination, officials at the Coconut Development Board said.

Activated carbon is mainly used for the purification of gold, water and air and the quality of the Indian produce, priced at $2 per kg, received a good response from overseas clients. While charcoal is made by burning coconut shells, activated carbon is produced by the steam activation process in which the surface area of charcoal is enhanced manifold by increasing its adsorption capacity. Currently, about 30 companies in India produce activated carbon.