Chinese carbon molecular sieve manufacturers and industrial system.
China carbon molecular sieve industry has formed a complete industrial chain system, with over eighty manufacturers and an annual total production capacity exceeding 150,000 tons. According to the latest market research, domestic manufacturers have occupied more than 60% of the global mid-range market share and achieved an import substitution rate of over 85% in the PSA nitrogen production field. The industry presents a coexisting pattern of “large clusters + specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative” enterprises. The major manufacturers can be classified into three categories: large groups with an annual production capacity of tens of thousands of tons, medium-sized manufacturers with distinctive features (3,000-8,000 tons), and small innovative factories focusing on niche fields.
The carbon molecular sieve manufacturers in China are mainly located in Zhejiang Province, Shandong Province and Anhui Province. Each province has several leading manufacturing enterprises, and each province has introduced targeted support policies: Zhejiang has included carbon molecular sieves in the “New Materials Science and Technology Innovation Highland” construction directory, Anhui offers a 30% tax deduction for the research and development of molecular sieve regeneration technology, and Shandong has established a special fund to support enterprises in purchasing automated molding equipment. Under the impetus of the “dual carbon” goals, the “Group Standard for Green Production of Carbon Molecular Sieves” jointly formulated by the three regions was implemented in 2024, promoting a reduction of more than 15% in industry energy consumption. The three major production areas are forming a collaborative network of “research and development in Zhejiang – mass production in Shandong – application in Anhui” : Zhejiang enterprises transfer their laboratory achievements to Shandong for large-scale production, while Anhui manufacturers make customized improvements for terminal scenarios. This division of labor enables domestic carbon molecular sieves to maintain a price advantage (40-60% lower than imported carbon molecular sieve) while their technical parameters have approached the level of similar German products. The establishment of inter-regional logistics dedicated lines has shortened the transportation time of raw materials and finished products to within 24 hours. According to the latest data from the China Industrial Gases Association, the domestic carbon molecular sieve market size reached 2.87 billion yuan in the first quarter of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 19.3%
The complete industrial system of carbon molecular sieves
一、Upstream of the industrial chain: It mainly involves raw material supplychain. The main raw materials for producing carbon molecular sieves include coconut shells, coal, resins, etc. The quality and supply stability of these raw materials directly affect the performance and production cost of carbon molecular sieves. For instance, phenolic resin, as high-quality raw materials, can produce carbon molecular sieves with good adsorption performance. In addition, some chemical additives and binders are also provided in the upstream of the industrial chain to improve the molding and performance of carbon molecular sieves.
二、The midstream of the industrial chain: It is the production and manufacturing stage of carbon molecular sieves. Manufacturers process raw materials into carbon molecular sieve products with specific pore diameters and adsorption properties through a series of complex techniques, such as carbonization, activation, and molding. This stage requires the mastery of advanced production technology and a strict quality control system to ensure that the products meet the demands of different application fields. At present, some domestic manufacturers have already achieved a relatively high level of production technology and are capable of manufacturing products comparable to the international advanced level.
三、Downstream of the industrial chain: It covers the application fields of carbon molecular sieves. It is mainly applied in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generationunits and widely used in the chemical, electronic, food, pharmaceutical and other industries. In the chemical industry, nitrogen is used as a protective gas, displacement gas, etc. In the electronics industry, a protective gas used in the production process of electronic products; In the food industry, it is used for food preservation and packaging, etc. In addition, carbon molecular sieves also have certain applications in fields such as natural gas purification and air separation.
四、Market situation
Market size: With the rapid development of China’s industry, the demand for gases such as nitrogen is constantly increasing. As the core material for pressure swing adsorption nitrogen production, the market size of carbon molecular sieves is showing a steady growth trend. Especially driven by industries such as chemical engineering and electronics, market demand remains strong. Meanwhile, the increasing environmental protection requirements have also prompted some enterprises to adopt more efficient gas separation technologies, further promoting the development of the carbon molecular sieve market.
Competitive landscape: The domestic carbon molecular sieve market is highly competitive, with both domestic producers and internationally renowned enterprises participating in the competition. Domestic enterprises have certain advantages in terms of price and localized services, while international enterprises have strong competitiveness in terms of technology and brand. At present, some large domestic enterprises have occupied a certain market share and are gradually expanding their market influence by constantly improving product quality and technological level.
五、Development Trend: In the future, China carbon molecular sieve industry will develop in the direction of high performance, environmental protection and customization. With the continuous improvement of the requirements for gas purity and quality in various of industries, the demand for high-performance carbon molecular sieves will continue to increase. Meanwhile, the enhancement of environmental awareness has also prompted CMS factories to develop more environmentally friendly production processes and products. In addition, providing customized carbon molecular sieve products based on the different needs of customers will become an important means for enterprises to enhance their competitiveness.
