Jatropha curcas L. shells were 2-step carbonized at 600 degrees C and activated with steam and CO2, or solid KOH to study the effect of temp., burn-off and KOH-to-char ratio on porous texture of the chars and activated C. The micropores contributed mainly to the total pores vol. (up to 94%). The chem. activation with KOH resulted in the highest sp. surface area (1974 m(2)/g).