Activated Carbon Packets/Refrigerator Deodorizers

I. Customer Pain Points

Daily consumer goods companies (producing activated carbon packets and refrigerator deodorizers) face three fundamental challenges in product development, manufacturing, and market launch: short adsorption duration, limited application scenarios, and lack of safety certification—issues that directly threaten both product repurchase rates and brand sustainability.

Short adsorption duration and low customer repurchase rate

Traditional activated carbon packs use ordinary coal-based carbon (with a specific surface area of 500–800 m²/g), which has an adsorption capacity of only 30–60 mg/g for formaldehyde (0.1–0.5 mg/m³) and refrigerator odors (such as trimethylamine at 0.05–0.3 mg/m³). Their effectiveness lasts less than one month at room temperature (<China GB/T 18883-2022 "Indoor Air Quality Standard" requires formaldehyde ≤0.1 mg/m³). A daily necessities company that collaborates with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon once had 100,000 packs of products removed from e-commerce platforms due to ineffective adsorption performance of the activated carbon packs, resulting in losses exceeding 800,000 yuan.

Limited application scenarios restrict market expansion

Traditional refrigerator deodorizers can only adsorb small molecular odor compounds (trimethylamine ≈ 0.5 nm), but are ineffective against ethylene (released by fruits and vegetables, ≈ 0.4 nm) and hydrogen sulfide (from meat spoilage, ≈ 0.36 nm), resulting in a shelf life of fruits and vegetables in refrigerators shorter than 7 days (while consumer demand requires at least 15 days). A home appliance manufacturer collaborating with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon found that its products could not be properly preserved, leading to a supermarket penetration rate of merely 20%.

No security certification, high compliance risk

Activated carbon bags/deodorizers in direct contact with food (within refrigerators) must comply with EU Regulation EC 1935/2004 "Safety of Materials in Contact with Food" and US FDA 21 CFR Part 177 requirements for heavy metal content in activated carbon ≤0.01%. However, conventional products lack food-grade processing standards (heavy metal content 0.1–0.5%). Annual safety complaints average 10 per company (2022 industry data), and a daily necessities manufacturer collaborating with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon was previously penalized by market regulatory authorities.

II. Application Objectives

The four core objectives for daily consumer goods companies adopting activated carbon align closely with: long-lasting adsorption capacity, adaptability across various scenarios, safety compliance, and cost reduction.

Extend the shelf life and increase repurchase rates.

Using high-specific-area activated carbon (specific surface area 1500–2000 m²/g, ash content ≤0.3%) enhanced the adsorption capacity for formaldehyde (≈0.4 nm) and trimethylamine (≈0.5 nm) to 150–250 mg/g, with a shelf life of ≥6 months at room temperature (compliant with GB/T 18883-2022). After application by a daily necessities company partnered with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon, the customer repurchase rate increased from 30% to 65%.

Multi-scenario adaptation to expand market share

Using gradient-pore activated carbon (with 20% macropores>50 nm, 50% mesopores 2–50 nm, and 30% micropores <2 nm), which simultaneously adsorbs formaldehyde (≈0.4 nm), ethylene (≈0.4 nm), and hydrogen sulfide (≈0.36 nm), the shelf life of fruits and vegetables in refrigerators was extended to ≥15 days. After adoption by a home appliance supplier collaborating with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon, supermarket penetration rates increased from 20% to 55%.

Safety compliance; mitigation of regulatory risks

Using food-grade activated carbon (acid-washed and high-temperature activated, with heavy metal content ≤0.01%), certified under EU EC 1935/2004 and FDA 21 CFR Part 177, and featuring heavy metal residue below 0.005% (compliant with GB 4806.1-2016 "General Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Products"), this product was adopted by a daily necessities manufacturer partnered with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon, reducing the safety complaint rate from 10 cases per year to zero.

Reduce production costs and improve cost-effectiveness

The raw material cost for activated carbon production is only 0.5–1.0 yuan per package (50 g per package)—one-third of that of imported carbon—and it can be regenerated 2–3 times at a cost equivalent to 40% of new carbon production. For example, an everyday goods company collaborating with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon reduced its annual production cost from 500,000 yuan to 180,000 yuan, a decrease of 64%.

III. Application Significance

The application of activated carbon in daily consumer products serves as the core foundation for enterprises to achieve "user loyalty, market expansion, and regulatory compliance."

User loyalty: Globally, 40% of activated carbon pack returns are attributed to "short adsorption lifespan." Activated carbon is one of the few materials capable of maintaining adsorption efficacy for six months at room temperature, significantly boosting repurchase rates (for instance, after a daily necessities company partnered with Shanxi Xinhua Shengtan, its repurchase rate surged from 30% to 65%).

Market Expansion: Gradient-porous activated carbon enables the product to simultaneously meet both formaldehyde removal and refrigerator freshness preservation requirements. After adoption by a home appliance supplier collaborating with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon, supermarket penetration rates surged from 20% to 55%, securing an additional 15% market share.

Compliance Compliance: In 2022,50% of safety complaints in the daily necessities industry were related to excessive heavy metal levels. Activated carbon stands out as one of the few technologies certified under EU Regulation EC 1935/2004 and FDA standards while maintaining cost control, effectively eliminating the risk of product removal from shelves or regulatory notifications (a company incurred a loss of 800,000 yuan due to safety issues).

IV. Application History

The application of activated carbon in daily consumer products has been steadily expanding amid growing demands for indoor environmental protection and increasingly stringent food safety standards.

1990s: Initial Stage

Japan's Toshiba has pioneered the use of coconut shell activated carbon (with a specific surface area of 1,000 m²/g) as a refrigerator deodorizer, achieving an 85% removal rate for trimethylamine through adsorption-filtration technology, making it the world's first commercially available activated carbon-based daily consumer product.

2000s: Promotion Phase

China's 15th Five-Year Environmental Protection Plan identified "indoor air purification" as a priority and promoted the widespread use of "high-specific-area activated carbon." In 2008, Hangzhou Laoguanjia, a cooperative client of Shanxi Xinhua Sheng Carbon, adopted high-specific-area activated carbon, extending the validity period of its activated carbon packs from one month to six months, becoming the first enterprise in China to meet these standards.

2020s: The Intelligent Phase

China's "14th Five-Year Plan for Consumer Goods Industry Development" stipulates that "activated carbon packs must have a validity period of ≥6 months." By integrating the activated carbon with an "IoT humidity monitoring" system, precise replacement reminders can be achieved (e.g., automatically sending replacement notifications based on formaldehyde concentration), thereby enhancing user experience by 30%.

V. Mechanism of Action

Through a triple mechanism of "high specific surface area adsorption, gradient pore adaptation, and food-grade safety," activated carbon addresses the challenges of daily consumer products—short shelf life, limited application scenarios, and potential safety risks.

1. High specific surface area adsorption: "long-term capture" via porous structure

Micro-pores (<2 nm): Accounting for 50% of the total pore volume (specifically designed for small molecular gases), these pores adsorb formaldehyde (≈0.4 nm) and trimethylamine (≈0.5 nm) via van der Waals forces, with an adsorption capacity of 150–250 mg/g—three times that of conventional activated carbon.

Mesopores (2–50 nm): Serving as a "transport channel," they allow medium-sized molecules such as ethylene (≈0.4 nm) and hydrogen sulfide (≈0.36 nm) to diffuse into the micropores, thereby enhancing adsorption efficiency.

Macropores (>50 nm): Serving as an "entry channel" to reduce airflow resistance (<10 Pa) and ensure thorough gas contact with the activated carbon.

2. Gradient pore adaptation: multi-scenario "targeted adsorption"

The gradient pore design (20% macropores + 50% mesopores + 30% micropores) utilizes size exclusion effects for simultaneous adsorption.

Formaldehyde (≈0.4 nm, microporous);

Ethylene (≈0.4 nm, mesoporous);

Hydrogen sulfide (≈0.36 nm, microporous), delivering dual functions of odor removal and freshness preservation.

3. Food-grade safety: "Heavy metal removal" through process treatment

The activated carbon undergoes acid washing with 5% HCl followed by high-temperature activation at 850°C, reducing the ash content to ≤0.3% and heavy metal residues (lead, arsenic) to <0.005% (compliant with GB 4806.1-2016). It is certified under EU EC 1935/2004 and FDA 21 CFR Part 177, ensuring food safety during contact.

VI. Application Methods

Daily consumer goods manufacturers employ a combined process of "high-specific-area activated carbon packs + gradient-pore refrigerator deodorizers + food-grade treatment," covering all scenarios—from indoor formaldehyde removal to refrigerator freshness preservation and odor elimination.

1. Activated carbon pack: High specific surface area + long-lasting design

Application scenarios: Formaldehyde removal for new homes (0.1–0.5 mg/m³); odor elimination for wardrobes/shoe cabinets (methylamine: 0.05–0.3 mg/m³). Validity period ≥6 months required.

process sequence ：

Carbon preparation: coconut shell carbon → acid washing (5% HCl, removing ash to ≤0.3%) → KOH activation (900°C, N₂) → water washing → drying (120°C, 2 hours) → resulting in a specific surface area of 1800 m²/g and an ash content of 0.25%.

Packaging: Activated carbon (50 g per package) → Packaged in a breathable non-woven bag (with a pore size of 0.1 mm) → Sealed (with ventilation holes reserved) → Valid for ≥6 months (formaldehyde adsorption capacity: 200 mg/g).

2. Refrigerator deodorizer: Gradient pore structure + freshness preservation function

Application scenarios: Deodorization in refrigerators (for trimethylamine and hydrogen sulfide) + Food preservation of fruits and vegetables (using ethylene), requiring a shelf life of ≥15 days.

process sequence ：

Gradient-porous activated carbon (comprising 20% macropores, 50% mesopores, and 30% micropores with a specific surface area of 1600 m²/g) → packaged in a breathable plastic shell with ventilation holes → exhibits an ethylene adsorption capacity of 120 mg/g and a trimethylamine adsorption capacity of 180 mg/g → ensures a freshness retention period of ≥15 days for fruits and vegetables.

3. Food-grade processing: Ensuring safety and compliance

Application scenarios: Activated carbon products that come into direct contact with food (refrigerator deodorizers, food cabinet deodorizing packs).

process sequence ：

Activated carbon → Secondary acid washing (2% HCl) → High-temperature activation (850°C, N₂ atmosphere, 2 hours) → Heavy metal testing (lead <0.005%, arsenic <0.005%) → Certified in accordance with EU Regulation EC 1935/2004 and FDA 21 CFR Part 177.

VII. Application Process

Taking a daily necessities company—a cooperative client of Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon—with an annual production capacity of 10 million packs of activated carbon (50 g per pack, valid for ≥6 months)—as an example:

Preparation of high specific surface area carbon: coconut shell carbon → acid washing (5% HCl, 1 hour) → KOH activation (KOH/carbon = 3:1, 900°C, N₂) → water washing (until neutral) → drying (120°C, 2 hours) → resulting in a specific surface area of 1850 m²/g and ash content of 0.22%.

Active carbon pack assembly: Active carbon (50 g) → Pack into a breathable non-woven bag (10 cm × 15 cm, pore size 0.1 mm) → Heat-seal the edges (leaving 5 ventilation holes) → Formaldehyde adsorption capacity: 210 mg/g; shelf life: 7 months.

Refrigerator deodorant production: Gradient porous carbon (20% macropores + 50% mesopores + 30% micropores) → packaged in a PP plastic container (8 cm × 5 cm, with 1 mm diameter ventilation holes) → exhibits an ethylene adsorption capacity of 125 mg/g and a trimethylamine adsorption capacity of 185 mg/g → provides a preservation period of 16 days for fruits and vegetables.

Food-grade processing: finished product → secondary pickling (2% HCl, 30 minutes) → high-temperature activation at 850°C (N₂ atmosphere, 2 hours) → heavy metal testing (lead: 0.004%; arsenic: 0.003%) → affixing the "For Food Contact Use" label.

performance verification ：

Activated carbon bag: Formaldehyde removal efficiency>99% at room temperature (from 0.5 mg/m³ to 0.005 mg/m³), with a shelf life of 7 months;

Refrigerator deodorant: trimethylamine removal rate>98% (0.3 mg/m³ → 0.006 mg/m³); ethylene removal rate>95% (1 mg/L → 0.05 mg/L).

VIII. Application Effects

Following renovations, a daily necessities company saw significant improvements in its key performance indicators (based on actual operational data from clients collaborating with Shanxi Xinhua Shengtan):

metric	Before modification (ordinary coal quality):	After modification (high specific surface area + gradient carbon):	Amplitude Increase	Compliance Status
Durability period of activated carbon pack (months)	1.5	7	Increased by 366.7%	GB/T 18883-2022
Formaldehyde adsorption capacity (mg/g)	50	210	Increase by 320%	—
Refrigerator shelf life (days)	6	16	Increased by 166.7%	user demand
repurchase rate （%）	30	65	Increased by 116.7%	—
Safety Complaint Rate (times/year)	10	0	Reduce by 100%	EC 1935/2004
Annual Production Cost (Ten Thousand Yuan)	50	18	Reduced by 64%	—

IX. Core Advantages

Our customized solutions for daily consumer goods companies offer four unique, irreplaceable advantages:

The product is highly targeted and perfectly suited to specific consumption scenarios.

The developed high specific surface area activated carbon (specific surface area: 1500–2000 m²/g; ash content ≤ 0.3%) is specifically designed to enhance adsorption efficiency with a shelf life of ≥6 months. The gradient-pore activated carbon (comprising 20% macropores, 50% mesopores, and 30% micropores) is tailored for odor removal and food preservation applications. After implementation by a daily necessities company collaborating with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon, the repurchase rate increased from 30% to 65%.

Multi-scenario adaptation, expanding the market

The gradient pore design enables the product to simultaneously achieve three functions: formaldehyde removal indoors, odor elimination in refrigerators, and preservation of fruits and vegetables. After its adoption by a home appliance supplier collaborating with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon, the product's availability rate in supermarkets surged from 20% to 55%.

Safety compliance; comprehensive coverage of all required qualifications.

The product has obtained certifications under GB 4806.1-2016 (Food Contact Materials), EU EC 1935/2004, and FDA 21 CFR Part 177, fully complying with global safety standards for daily-use products. After implementation at a daily-use goods manufacturer partnered with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon, the safety complaint rate dropped from 10 cases per year to zero.

Cost-controlled and highly cost-effective

High specific surface area carbon: raw material cost ranges from 0.5 to 1.0 yuan per package (50 g), which is one-third of that of imported carbon;

Gradient Carbon: Can be regenerated 2–3 times (with regeneration costs accounting for 40% of new carbon production). A daily necessities company collaborating with Shanxi Xinhuasheng Carbon achieved a 64% reduction in annual production costs (from ¥500,000 to ¥180,000).

X. Cost Analysis

Taking an annual production capacity of 10 million packs of activated carbon (50 g per pack) as an example, the cost comparison between the activated carbon production process and traditional methods is as follows:

project	High specific surface area + gradient carbon processing technology	Standard Coal Quality Carbon Production Process
Cost of single package of raw materials (Yuan)	0.8	0.3
Annual Raw Material Cost (Ten Thousand Yuan)	800	300
Re-generation Cost (RMB 10,000/year)	150	0
Total Annual Cost (Ten Thousand Yuan)	950	300
Additional revenue from repeat purchases (ten thousand yuan/year)	500	0
Net Income (Ten Thousand Yuan per Year)	-450	-300

XI. Why Choose Us?

Performance endorsement: We have served major consumer goods clients including Hangzhou Laoguanjia (a leading activated carbon pack manufacturer), U.S.-based Arm & Hammer (a top refrigerator deodorizer brand), and Japan's Toshiba, with our activated carbon solution—characterized by "long-lasting adsorption and versatility across multiple applications" —receiving unanimous acclaim. A daily necessities company collaborating with Shanxi Xinhua Shengtan reported that after adopting our high-specific-area gradient carbon technology, the product's shelf life extended from 1.5 months to 7 months, while repurchase rates surged from 30% to 65%.

Technical capabilities: The pore structure has been optimized to meet specific consumer application requirements (formaldehyde ≈0.4 nm, trimethylamine ≈0.5 nm, ethylene ≈0.4 nm), resulting in the development of "high-specific-surface-area carbon with a specific surface area of 1850 m²/g" and a "gradient pore distribution (20% macropores + 50% mesopores + 30% micropores)", which enhances adsorption capacity by 320% and addresses the limitation of short reaction time inherent in traditional processes.

Global Services: With production bases in Shanxi, Ningxia, and Fujian (with an annual capacity of 45,000 tons), we offer "customized manufacturing + localized distribution." For international clients, we provide end-to-end services covering activated carbon selection, product design, and compliance certification (EC/FDA), ensuring prompt response within 72 hours.​​​​​​​