Frac Sand Market Research Report: By Grade (100 Mesh, 140 Mesh, 20/40 Mesh, 40/70 Mesh, 70/140 Mesh, Others), By Application (Hydraulic Fracturing, Foundry Casting, Abrasive Blasting, Glass Manufacturing, Sports and Recreation, Others), By End User (Oil and Gas Companies, Foundries, Construction Companies, Glass Manufacturers, Sports and Recreation Industries, Others), By Source (Northern White Sand, Brown Sand, Jordan Sand, Ottawa Sand, Others) and By Regional (North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa) - F

Global Frac Sand Market Overview

As per MRFR analysis, the Frac Sand Market Size was estimated at 7.37 (USD Billion) in 2022.

The Frac Sand Market Industry is expected to grow from 7.68 (USD Billion) in 2023 to 11.2 (USD Billion) by 2032. The Frac Sand Market CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 4.27% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).

Key Frac Sand Market Trends Highlighted

The Frac Sand Market is experiencing significant growth due to the expanding oil and gas industry, particularly in North America. Frac sand is a crucial component in hydraulic fracturing, a technique used to extract oil and gas from shale formations. The increasing demand for energy and the depletion of conventional oil and gas reserves have driven the adoption of hydraulic fracturing, leading to a surge in frac sand consumption. Key market drivers include the rising global energy demand, increasing oil and gas exploration activities, and technological advancements in hydraulic fracturing. Opportunities for growth exist in emerging markets such as Asia-Pacific, where oil and gas production is rapidly growing. Trends in recent times include the adoption of low-cost, high-efficiency frac sand production methods, as well as the development of environmentally sustainable frac sand solutions. The market is also influenced by regulatory changes and environmental concerns, which are driving the adoption of environmentally friendly frac sand and waste management practices.

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Frac Sand Market Drivers

Rising Demand for Fracking Operations

Drivers and restraints: The increasing shift to fracking to extract oil and gas from unconventionals will drive the frac sand market. To allow hydrocarbons to make their way to the surface at a higher rate, frac sand is mixed with water and chemicals and then pumped into the ground, generating fractures. These fractures are kept open by the sand, which allows the hydrocarbons to pass. Based in Dallas, Texas, U.S. Silica was acquired by Hi-Crush Partners LP. In 2018. Quality, low-cost, fine-grain sand is produced by U.S Silica for use in shale wells, and Hi-Crush produces Northern White sand that companies such as Chevron Corporation use to carry out fracking. Another key player in the frac sand market is Smart Sand, Inc., which mostly operates in Jackson, Wisconsin, the U.S.A.

The organization is concerned with mining, processing, and supply of northern white frac sand for use in Oil and gas wells, glass manufacturing, and other industrial applications. The current concerns with fracking revolve around how it affects the environment; for example, in an effort to increase supplies of domestic energy, the United States lowered the restrictions on the drillers of oil and gas in the country. Crude oil prices, which influence the supply of energy, have also stabilized in 2020, and more price plummeting is yet to have an effect. Although plateaux have not been reached yet, there is a substantial discussion concerning whether the hydroponically harvested tomato will ever be widely embraced because of health concerns and flavor prejudices. But no such resistance was evident to a slew of novel crop varieties, including radicchio palm hearts, that appeared in the Harmarville, Pa., greenhouse.

Government Regulations and Environmental Concerns

In some interests, government regulations and environmental concerns drive the growth of the frac sand market. Namely, with the increasing popularity of fracking, attention to its effect on the environment has also grown, and various governments have introduced regulations limiting the allocation of frac sand. This need to decrease the number of operations should have a diminishing effect on demand, as well. However, some governments support the frac sand industry. For instance, the U.S. government provides tax incentives for the development of frac sand production facilities. This measure is likely to drive the demand for frac sand even more by increasing investment.

Technological Advancements and Innovations

The frac sand market is being driven by bifurcating trends – technological advancements and rising concerns. The technology trend is due to the advancement and introduction of new frac sand products and technologies that are making the fracking process more efficient and effective. For instance, there is an increasing number of companies that are developing frac sand products that have been coated with some special chemicals. As such, these products are more resistant to crushing and are able to keep fractures open for a longer period of time. The market is also benefiting from the development of new technologies in regard to the transportation of frac sand.

Frac Sand Market Segment Insights

Frac Sand Market Grade Insights

Segmentation-by-grade The Frac Sand Market is segmented by Grade into 100 Mesh, 140 Mesh, 20/40 Mesh, 40/70 Mesh, 70/140 Mesh, and Others. By holding the largest market share, the 100 Mesh segment is anticipated to experience the fastest growth. The 100 Mesh frac is generally employed in the oil and gas industry as it possesses characteristics for high pressure and high temperature. The 140 Mesh segment is estimated to experience remarkable acceleration with the forecasted tenure. The demand for this grade of frac sand is increasing owing to its adoption in unconventional oil gas extraction, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, among others. The 20/40 Mesh and 40/70 Mesh are expected to account for revenue by being established in the market. The 70/140 Mesh is likely to hold moderate market growth. The Others segment is anticipated to have a steady rise. On the whole, the analysis of the segmentation yields an insight into the applications and ratios of frac sand grades, thereby aiding the effective ascription of market strategies depending upon the choices and needs of the industry.

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Frac Sand Market Application Insights

The Frac Sand Market is segmented into various applications, including hydraulic fracturing, foundry casting, abrasive blasting, glass manufacturing, sports and recreation, and others. Among these, hydraulic fracturing is the dominant application, accounting for over 75% of the frac sand market revenue in 2023. The growth of this segment is primarily driven by the increasing demand for oil and gas, particularly in North America. Foundry casting is another significant application, with a market share of around 12% in 2023. The demand for frac sand in this segment is expected to remain stable over the next few years due to the growing demand for castings in various industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing. Abrasive blasting, glass manufacturing, and sports and recreation are other notable applications, collectively accounting for around 10% of the frac sand market revenue in 2023. The growth of these segments is expected to be driven by increasing industrial activities and consumer spending.

Frac Sand Market End User Insights

The end-user segment of the frac sand market encompasses various industries that utilize frac sand for diverse applications. Key end users include oil and gas companies, foundries, construction companies, glass manufacturers, sports and recreation industries, and others. Oil and gas companies account for a significant share of frac sand consumption due to its use in hydraulic fracturing operations. Foundries utilize frac sand in metal casting processes, while construction companies employ it in concrete production and infrastructure development. Glass manufacturers leverage frac sand as a raw material in the production of glass products. Sports and recreation industries use frac sand in sports facilities such as golf courses and baseball fields. Other end users include water filtration systems, industrial cleaning, and landscaping applications. The increasing demand for frac sand across these end-user segments is expected to drive the growth of the frac sand market in the coming years.

Frac Sand Market Source Insights

The Frac Sand Market is segmented by source into Northern White Sand, Brown Sand, Jordan Sand, Ottawa Sand, and Others. The Northern White Sand segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market in 2023, owing to its high purity and roundness, which makes it ideal for use in hydraulic fracturing operations. The Brown Sand segment is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, owing to its increasing adoption in unconventional oil and gas exploration and production activities. The Jordan Sand segment is expected to account for a significant share of the market, owing to its availability in large quantities and its cost-effectiveness. The Ottawa Sand segment is expected to witness moderate growth, owing to its use in specialized applications. The Others segment is expected to account for a small share of the market, owing to its limited availability and its use in niche applications. Overall, the Frac Sand Market is expected to witness steady growth over the forecast period, driven by the increasing demand for frac sand in the oil and gas industry.

Frac Sand Market Regional Insights

Regionally, North America dominated the market with a share of over 60% in 2023. The region's dominance can be attributed to the presence of significant shale gas and oil reserves coupled with favorable government policies. Europe is expected to witness a steady growth rate over the forecast period, driven by increasing demand for frac sand in unconventional oil and gas exploration activities. APAC is anticipated to emerge as a lucrative market, owing to the rising exploration and production activities in countries such as China and India. South America and MEA are expected to contribute a moderate share to the overall market growth.

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Frac Sand Market Key Players And Competitive Insights

Players in the Frac Sand Market Industry are continuously focusing on research and development processes to expand their product line and to find cost-effective solutions for market dominance. Leading players in the Frac Sand Market are also finding ways to gain margins through niche products and flexible solution offerings. The Frac Sand Market is segmented based on application types and geographical regions. Market development is driven by the adoption of hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas exploration and production. Hydraulic fracturing uses frac sand to prop open the fractures to allow the flow of oil and gas. APAC, North America, South America and MEA are the primary regions for the Frac Sand Market.

The presence of both global and regional players characterizes the Frac Sand Market. U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., CARBO Ceramics, Inc., Hi-Crush Partners LP and Superior Silica Sands, LLC are some of the key companies in the Frac Sand Market. Companies in the market are focused on expanding their presence globally and to increase their market share. U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. is a leading competitor in the Frac Sand Market and is poised to be a successful firm for years to come. U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. is a North American oil and gas company and is a leading producer of industrial minerals. The company sustainably produces fracking sand and creates clean and safe working environments. U.S. Silica has a global presence in North America, South America, Europe and Asia and is committed to high-quality products. U.S. Silica is also committed to safety and has made significant investments in the research and development process.

CARBO Ceramics, Inc. is another leading player in the Frac Sand Market. The company specializes in the designing and selling of proppants, the company created the ceramic proppant technology and product in 1978. The company has a presence worldwide and developed fracture simulation software and other technologies. The company developed the technology known as Ceramic Proppant in 1978.

Key Companies in the Frac Sand Market Include

• HiCrush Inc.


• Badger Mining Corporation


• R. Grace and Co


• Haakon Industries Inc


• Proppant Express Logistics, LP


• Superior Silica Sands LLC


• Northern White Sand Company


• Covia Holdings Corporation


• Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc.


• Smart Sand, Inc.


• S. Silica Holdings, Inc.


• EP Minerals, LLC


• S Midstream, LLC


• Preferred Sands LLC


• CARBO Ceramics, Inc

Frac Sand Market Industry Developments

The frac sand market is projected to reach USD 11.2 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.27% during the forecast period. Increasing drilling activities in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, coupled with the growing demand for proppants in hydraulic fracturing operations, are primarily driving market growth. The rise in shale gas production in North America and the increasing adoption of multi-stage fracturing techniques are further propelling market expansion. Recent news developments in the market include: In January 2023, U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. announced plans to expand its frac sand production capacity in Texas to meet the growing demand from the Permian Basin. In February 2023, Smart Sand Inc. acquired Covia Holdings Corporation's frac sand business, creating one of the largest frac sand companies in North America. In March 2023, Hi-Crush Inc. reported a surge in frac sand demand from oil and gas producers in the United States. These developments indicate a positive outlook for the frac sand market, driven by the increasing demand for unconventional oil and gas production.

Frac Sand Market Segmentation Insights

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  Frac Sand Market Grade Outlook

  
  
  
  
  • 100 Mesh
  
  
  • 140 Mesh
  
  
  • 20/40 Mesh
  
  
  • 40/70 Mesh
  
  
  • 70/140 Mesh
  
  
  • Others
  
  
  
  

• 
  

  Frac Sand Market Application Outlook

  
  
  
  
  • Hydraulic Fracturing
  
  
  • Foundry Casting
  
  
  • Abrasive Blasting
  
  
  • Glass Manufacturing
  
  
  • Sports and Recreation
  
  
  • Others
  
  
  
  

• 
  

  Frac Sand Market End User Outlook

  
  
  
  
  • Oil and Gas Companies
  
  
  • Foundries
  
  
  • Construction Companies
  
  
  • Glass Manufacturers
  
  
  • Sports and Recreation Industries
  
  
  • Others
  
  
  
  

• 
  

  Frac Sand Market Source Outlook

  
  
  
  
  • Northern White Sand
  
  
  • Brown Sand
  
  
  • Jordan Sand
  
  
  • Ottawa Sand
  
  
  • Others
  
  
  
  

• 
  

  Frac Sand Market Regional Outlook

  
  
  
  
  • North America
  
  
  • Europe
  
  
  • South America
  
  
  • Asia Pacific
  
  
  • Middle East and Africa