Decarbonisation options for the Dutch activated carbon industry

This report describes the current situation for the production of activated carbon in the Netherlands and the options and preconditions for its decarbonisation. The activated carbon production takes place in the Cabot Norit Nederland B.V. plant situated in Klazienaveen. The production process in the Cabot Norit plant is based on physical activation with steam. The plant regenerates spent activated carbon through a thermal activation process.

Activated carbon characteristics

Activated carbon is a material made of elemental carbon and it is characterized by its highly porous structure which has voids between the layers or sheets of carbon. Activated carbon is used to eliminate contaminants from fluids (liquids and gases) by trapping the contaminants in the pores through an adsorption process. Activated carbon is mainly manufactured in the form of powder and granulate and is applied in many sectors, such as the fertilizer, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, petroleum and automobile industries.

Decarbonisation options include material substitution, energy efficiency and carbon capture

The main decarbonisation options analysed for the activated carbon manufacturing process are the substitution of raw materials by biomass-based raw materials, energy efficiency improvements and carbon capture technology.