Activated Carbon is an adsorbent and characterized by a large highly developed internal surface area structure, connected through a network of molecular size internal pores. This internal surface area could reach from 500 to 2,500 m2/g of differing diameters, and its adsorptive capacity is highly determined by the manufacturing and activation process as well as the raw materials used. The pore diameters could be broadly categorized as follows:

• Macropores> 5,000 A°
• Mesopores 40 ñ 5,000 A°
• Micropores< 40 A°

In general, macropores are of little value except for the adsorption of very large molecules. Mesopores do not play a large role in adsorption. Thus, it is micropores that provides the most effective means of adsorption.

All activated carbons may contain micropores, mesopores, and macropores, but the relative proportions vary and highly depended on the raw material used. Micropores are predominantly found in coconut shell based activated carbons, and at PT UCI Utama, we use only coconut shell to produce our activated carbons. Our products come in mainly two forms under the brand name of UNICARB®, a registered trademark in Indonesia. :

• Granular
• Powder

For example, the standard mesh sizes range from 4x8, 6x12, 8x30, 12x40, 20x50, 30x50, 40x100, 200 mesh to 325 mesh with CTC from CTC-50 to CTC-70 (lodine 1000 to 1200). Determining the most suitable type and form of activated carbon for a specific application comes from the understanding of the physical and chemical properties of the substances to be adsorbed. In addition, other process-influenced factors may be contributing to its effectiveness as well. In general, activated carbon properties are determined through well-established international standard methods such as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) or European Standard (DIN EN/ CEN Comite European de Normalisation) etc. A combination of CTC (lodine) activity, density, hardness, moisture, ash content and mesh size will enable selection of a suitable carbon for most common applications.

The finished products are packaged and shipped according to the specification of our customers. The standard packaging is available in 20-kg paper bags, 20-25kg poly woven bags or 500-550kg jumbo bags, using certified ISPM-15 pallets. Our terms of sales could either be FOB or C&F Belawan, and our term of payment is either against document, T/T or L/C. Minimum order would be a 20-ft container, with order lead-time of 6-8 weeks.