Carbon Molecular Sieves Market Expected to Reach $1.4 Billion by 2031—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Carbon Molecular Sieves Market," The carbon molecular sieves market was valued at $0.9 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $1.4 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2022 to 2031.

Carbon molecular sieves have a porous nanostructure after processing activated carbon as the raw material. Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) is an amorphous solid adsorbent. It is characterized by a nano-structure pore size distribution that allows it to separate molecules depending on their size and shape. As a result, process engineers used CMS for high purity Nitrogen generation using PSA plants technology.

Carbon molecular sieves are a special class of ACs having small pore sizes with a sharp distribution in a range of micropores, as compared with other ACs. They are used for adsorbing and eliminating gas and liquid phase adsorbates of very low concentration like ethylene gas adsorption to keep fruits and vegetables fresh or filtering hazardous gas in power plants.

The most important application of carbon molecular sieves is in gas-separation systems (the swing adsorption method). These materials, exhibiting molecular sieving between branched and unbranched hydrocarbons, have been used for selective hydrogenation of alkene mixtures. 127–129 Carbon molecular sieves are also active for the oxidative dehydrogenation and dehydration of a variety of substrates. 

Carbon molecular sieves (CMS), typically constructed from coconut shells, are the important ingredient of any PSA-Plant for the synthesis of Nitrogen. CarboTech is known across the world for breakthroughs in the field of activated carbon. Its research and development efforts with carbon molecular sieve (CMS) technology have been employed in nitrogen manufacturing and other applications. Pressure swing adsorption is used by manufacturers to obtain high-purity nitrogen (PSA). The exceptionally pure nitrogen is then sent into downstream collection tanks, where it can be injected directly into the customer's grid. Compressed air is fed alternately into two containers containing carbon molecular sieves (CMS) which trap oxygen molecules. 

Increasing adoption of zeolites will drive the market growth during the forecast period. Interest in the uses of molecular sieve materials in catalysis has grown. These materials have a special type of selective catalytic action due to their capacity to distinguish based on molecular size, and they also have a strong resistance to the adsorption of big toxic molecules. Prior to now, zeolites were used to realize their main application, but new platinum catalysts have now been discovered in the Johnson Matthey Research Laboratories with similar qualities and a carbonaceous structure. To transform crude oil into finished petroleum products, zeolites are used as catalysts. Zeolite catalysts, which have a high selectivity, are frequently the most effective and economical processes, especially when turning refinery streams into high-octane gasoline blending stock.  

Fructifying use of carbon molecular sieves in food preservation 

Carbon molecular sieves are a significant alternative for gas separation because of their simplicity in manufacturing, excellent selectivity from molecular sieve separation, and high permeation. Two adsorption towers made of carbon molecular sieve constitute the pressure swing adsorption unit. The CMS's nano-pores collect oxygen molecules from the air when it is put under pressure in one of the towers. As a result, this enables the product gas of purified nitrogen from the air to pass. Therefore, after the CMS has been filled with adsorbed oxygen, it is depressurized so that the adsorbent can regenerate while the other tower is put into operation.

The CMS has specific qualities that make it resistant to prolonged use in pressure swing equipment. Additionally, its excellent auto regeneration characteristics result in high-quality nitrogen generation. As a result, production of pure nitrogen is achievable up to 99.99%. This nitrogen generated using CMS has excellent use in the food preservation and water treatment sectors.  

Maintaining the freshness of the products while extending shelf life is one of the biggest challenges faced by food manufacturers. Failure to slow down rapid food spoiling may cause a decrease in income since consumers will pay less for the impacted food materials. One of the best ways to delay food deterioration and extend shelf life is to incorporate nitrogen in food packaging. High gaseous nitrogen concentrations must be used in food packaging to use nitrogen packing.

Typically, 99.0% concentrations of nitrogen are recommended for food preservation. Because of its distinct chemical and physical characteristics, gaseous nitrogen can be used to process food. As nitrogen is inert, it does not react with ingredients in prepared foods and change their flavors or fragrances. Additionally, gaseous nitrogen will efficiently replace oxygen, reducing oxidation and the growth of bacteria that accelerate the deterioration of food. Many manufacturers are providing their nitrogen gas generator utilizing CMS as an absorbent.

For instance, Kuraray Co., Ltd. offers KURASEP which is a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system nitrogen gas generator in Japan. KURASEP has a wide variety of sizes from small to large models having application in food preservation. Owing to these advantages of nitrogen gas produced using CMS in food preservation, the demand for carbon molecular sieves market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

The carbon molecular sieves market is segmented on the basis of type, application and region. On the basis of type, the carbon molecular sieves market is classified into adsorption cycle 60s, adsorption cycle 120s and others. By application it is categorized into gas separation, biogas upgrading, noble gas recovery and others. Region wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

On the basis of type, the adsorption cycle 120s segment was the largest revenue contributor in 2021 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period owing to many players are offering their products having adsorption cycle of 120 seconds. For instance, AGC CHEMICALS PVT. LTD. provides CMS pellet-shaped with diameter of about 1.0-1.6mm and adsorption cycle of 120 seconds. 

On the basis of application, the gas separation segment was the largest revenue contributor in 2021 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period owing to CMS technology is widely used by nitrogen generators to continuously manufacture ultra-high purity nitrogen.

By region, the Asia-Pacific region segment was the largest revenue contributor in 2021 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period owing to urbanization, rapid population growth, stringent water treatment regulations, growing demand for new water resources, a focus on public health and water quality, and a rise in the number of waterborne diseases are all contributing factors for the need of water treatment eventually leading to rise in demand for carbon molecular sieves market.. 

The major players operating in the industry include ACURO ORGANICS LIMITED, Huzhou Minqiang New Material Technology Co., Ltd., Kuraray Co., Ltd., Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd., RXChemicals, SINOCATA, Sorbead India, Weihai Huatai Molecular Sieve Co. Ltd., Huzhou Qiangda Molecular Sieve Technology Co., Ltd., and Zhejiang Changxing Haihua Chemical Co., Ltd. These players have adopted product launch as their key strategy to increase their market shares. 

Key findings 

• By type, the adsorption cycle 120s segment was the largest revenue contributor in 2021 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. 

• By application, the gas separation segment was the largest revenue contributor in 2021 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. 

• By region, the Asia-Pacific region segment was the largest revenue contributor in 2021 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. 

COVID 19 Impact Analysis

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, consumer behavior has changed substantially. The pandemic has reduced demand for  gas and oil, pushed down prices, and poses a major risk to those working in the gas and oil production and processing industries. Numerous manufacturers of carbon molecular sieves (CMS) and raw materials have delayed the completion of all activities at their manufacturing facilities.