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THE MARKET FOR ACTIVATED CARBON

The demand for activated carbon for mercury control is rising rapidly as all new coal fired 

plants and utilities in the 19 states within the United States and all provinces in Canada with 

mercury regulations are beginning to contract for term supplies. In addition, it is anticipated 

that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will create a new federal mercury emissions 

rule to replace the court remanded Clean Air Mercury Rule. Combined, these market drivers 

will create a very large demand for activated carbon and existing domestic production will 

need to be increased substantially to meet it. 

As the leader in mercury control systems and testing knowledge, ADA is in a unique position to 

understand the interaction between carbon sorbents and mercury emissions. Using the 

experience gained in over 60 full-scale mercury control tests, ADA has applied this knowledge 

base in understanding what makes an effective carbon for mercury control applications.

NEW PRODUCTION PLANT

The demand for activated carbon in 2011 and beyond is expected to outpace domestic supply 

capacity. In order to meet this demand with a high quality domestically produced product, 

ADA began the process of building the largest powdered activated carbon manufacturing 

plant in the world in 2006. In 2008, ADA-ES formed a joint venture with Energy Capital 

Partners (ECP), a private equity company dedicated to investments in electrical utilities and 

power generation. The joint venture is called ADA Carbon Solutions and its main purpose is 

to build a carbon plant focused on the production of activated carbon (AC) for the mercury 

emissions control market for coal-fired power plants, cement kilns and other industrial 

boilers.

Construction of the new carbon plant began in September 2008 in Red River Parish, 

Louisiana. The first production line of this facility is capable of producing 125 to 175 million 

pounds of AC per year and came on-line in June 2010. In addition, the air permit for the 

facility allows for a second production line, which, if constructed, would be capable of 

producing up to an additional 175 million pounds of AC per year.

Two production lines are being permitted at each of the three sites. This will enable future 

demand to be filled quickly and enable each site to produce up to 250,000,000 pounds of 

carbon per year. 

New Red River, Louisiana Carbon Plant

The plant has “state of the art” manufacturing equipment, designed specifically for producing 

carbon for the mercury control market. The initial production line has 4 multi-hearth furnaces 

For more information, please click to 

visit ADA Carbon Solutions web site: 

www. ada-cs.com

Market Demand Estimates

Current U.S. market PAC demand 

452MM lbs/year

State regulations and new plants 

create +200MM lbs/year demand by 

2010

Some under utilized capacity and new 

production has been announced by 

suppliers (~ 100MM lbs/year)

New stricter federal mercury rule could 

increase demand by 300 to 900MM 

lbs/year by 2012 to 2015

More new capacity needed to meet this 

expected demand

ADA - Powdered Activated Carbon Sorbents Page 1 of 2

http://www.adaes.com/mercury/pacs/ 12/15/2011
and advanced pollution control equipment. Finished carbon will be stored in silos until shipment 

is made by bulk bag, tanker truck or railcar. 

Long term supply contracts are already being negotiated with customers who also share the 

view that carbon supply will become scarce, as more and more utilities mercury emissions are 

regulated and controlled with activated carbon.

FUTURE CARBON PRODUCTION

ADA is planning now to be able to meet the growing demand for activated carbon, as more 

plants and industrial facilities will be required to use it for pollution control. Starting the long 

permitting process now, will enable new plants to be built much faster and assure they are 

ready to supply domestically produced carbon when needed for future demand.

ADA has two other sites under consideration for the new plants in North Dakota. Both are 

situated near active lignite mining operations for several reasons. Activated carbon produced 

from low rank coal like lignite, has produced the most effective mercury control carbons in 

numerous full scale tests. Also, citing our new plant near an active mining operation will 

enable the plant to have a ready source of feedstock coal, with a known quality and not risk 

having its supply subject to permitting delays from a new coal mine.

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ADA - Powdered Activated Carbon Sorbents Page 2 of 2

http://www.adaes.com/mercury/pacs/ 12/15/2011