The influence of carbonisation temperature on the properties and the structure of sorbents obtained from the waste ion exchange resin were investigated. The resin carbonisation process has been carried out in the temperature ranges of 500-850 degreesC using the heating rate of 5 K/min and soaking time 30 min. The char activation process has been performed at the temperature of 850 degreesC using CO2. In the activation process, spherical sorbents of high mechanical strength and high efficiency of the model sewage (toluene-contaminated water) treatment have been obtained. In the char pore structure, the ultramicropores were found to dominate. In the structure of activation products, ultra- and micropores prevailed. The best porous structure in the chars from waste resin was created at 600-700 degreesC. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.