Activated Carbon

  • Product Details
  • Additional Information

Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, is a natural material and a renewable resource that can be involved within a circular economy system by upcycling non-edible food waste. Made from carbonaceous shells, it is a powder material that is known for its natural filtration properties. Due to its high degree of microporosity, one gram of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 3,000 μm2. It is able to filter certain gases and nanoparticles.

MATERIAL PROPERTIES: At the nanoscale, activated carbon is capable of capturing pollutants through a phenomenon called physical adsorption. Unlike absorption, the particles are not digested but remain stuck onto the carbon surface. At the atomic scale, the material creates a bond with the particles which remain trapped into the pores. Therefore, in addition to being an excellent filtration material, it is also a very good storage material.

Circular Features

Raw Material

Activated Carbon is derived by upcycling non-edible food waste.

Afterlife Plan

Activated carbon is a natural material and is 100% biodegradable.


Conducted by

Marie Melcore

Images: Copyright © Marie Melcore (@marie_melcore),  MA Biodesign (@mabiodesign) and the Grow Lab (@growlabcsm)