Skip to content 
Introduction
In the production of fruit juices, soft drinks, beer, and energy drinks, color, off-flavors, bitterness, and trace contaminants generated naturally or during processing can all affect the taste and stability of the final product. Therefore, many beverage factories incorporate activated carbon purification and decolorization steps into their processes to ensure consistent and controllable high standards of purity, color, and flavor.
Zhulin Activated Carbon has long focused on the research and manufacturing of food-grade activated carbon. We offer a variety of powdered and granular activated carbons, widely used in core processes such as beverage clarification, decolorization, deodorization, and contaminant removal.
Why do beverage factories need activated carbon?
In beverage production, impurities originate from various sources, including natural pigments from raw fruits (such as polyphenols and browning products), pesticide residues, mycotoxins, off-flavor compounds, and color precursors generated during processing. For example:
• Polyphenols, browning products, and fruity off-flavors in fruit juices
• HMF and color precursors in grape and apple juices
• Dark hues produced by pasteurization
• Pesticide residues (such as some herbicides and fungicides)
• Bitterness, tannins, and undesirable flavors in beer wort
Color instability in soft drinks and clear beverages. Activated carbon, with its highly developed microporous structure and adsorption capacity, has become a key material for beverage decolorization and purification.
Zhulin Activated Carbon for Beverage
We offer two main types of activated carbon treatment methods:
Charbon actif en poudre (PAC)
It is suitable for batch processing of fruit juice, concentrate, and beverage pulp.
Powdered activated carbon is added to the mixing tank via dosing, ensuring thorough contact with the liquid before filtration. It main uses include:
• Decolorization and deodorization of fruit juice
• Adsorption of pesticide residues
• Removal of HMF and color precursors
• Reduction of mycotoxins (such as patulin in apple juice)
• Adjusting for seasonal variations in fruit juice quality
Charbon actif en grains (CAG)
It is suitable for continuous filtration, such as for beverage bottling water, blending water, and CO₂ purification, it includes:
• Chronication, odor removal, and VOC removal in beverage factory feed water;
• Color adjustment of wort and beer;
• CCO₂ purification in CSD (carbonated beverages);
• Deodorization treatment of sweeteners and base liquor in soft drinks.
Zhulin Activated Carbon Features
Zhulin Activated Carbon’s food-grade activated carbon offers the following advantages:
High decolorization capability
• Low ash content and no unpleasant odor
• High specific surface area and porous structure suitable for adsorption of pigments and flavor molecules
• Excellent filtration performance, reducing filtration burden
• Acid-washed grades are available for high-purity beverage applications
Zhulin Activated Carbon Parameters
| Carbon Type | Valeur de l'iode | Surface | Contenu en cendres | Humidité | Mesh / Size |
| Powder Activated Carbon | 900–1100 mg/g | 950–1200 m²/g | ≤4% | ≤8% | 200–325mesh |
| Application | fruit juice decolorization, deodorization, and pesticide residue removal | ||||
| Carbon Type | Valeur de l'iode | Surface | Contenu en cendres | Humidité | Mesh / Size |
| Granular Carbon | 1000–1100 mg/g | 1050–1200 m²/g | ≤4% | ≤5% | 4×8 / 6×12 mesh |
| Application | Beverage water treatment, CO₂purification, and flavor stabilization | ||||
| Carbon Type | Valeur de l'iode | Surface | Contenu en cendres | Humidité | Mesh / Size |
| Coal-based Acid-washed GAC | 900–1050 mg/g | 950–1150 m²/g | ≤3% | ≤5% | 8×30 mesh |
| Application | Continuous decolorization and deodorization system | ||||
Conclusion
As consumers increasingly demand higher quality, safer, and more natural flavors in their beverages, the adoption of high-performance activated carbon has become a key step for beverage companies to enhance their competitiveness. Whether it’s fruit juice, concentrate, beer, carbonated drinks, or functional beverages, Zhulin Activated Carbon can provide you with higher purity, stronger adsorption capacity, and more stable food-grade activated carbon solutions.
If you are looking for a reliable activated carbon supplier for the beverage industry, or want to optimize your existing purification processes, please contact us immediately. Zhulin Activated Carbon’s technical team will provide you with the most suitable activated carbon model recommendations, dosing method guidance, and process optimization services.