Silica Sand Market Analysis

Silica Sand Market Overview

Silica Sand Market Size was valued at USD 42.52 Billion in 2023. The Silica Sand industry is projected to grow from USD 44.787 billion in 2024 to USD 69.340 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.13% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The Silica Sand market is expected to be driven by the Increasing consumption of silica sand in glassmaking applications and use of silica in foundry. Silica sand deposits are most often surface-mined in open-pit operations, but dredging and underground mining are also utilized. It has a high melting point, is rigid, and is chemically inert. These are desirable characteristics for a wide range of industrial applications. It is recognized as a vital raw material, and as such, an appropriate and consistent supply must be provided by preserving stocks of allowed reserves and conserving silica sand resources.

Silica Sand Market Trends

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  Increasing demand for silica sand  in the water treatment industry

  
  

Due to its unique qualities, silica sand is becoming increasingly popular in various water treatment plants. Water filtering with silica sand is utilised in a broad range of applications, including potable and wastewater treatment, swimming and leisure, brewing, paper processing, chemical operations, and power production. The primary filtering media used by the water and food sectors to remove particulates from water is closely sized grades of silica sand. Within the filter vessel, the silica sand is often put on top of a supporting layer of gravel. The incoming water enters the filter and flows through the silica sand, effectively eliminating any particles or waste.

For both water filtration and wastewater filtration processing, industrial silica sand provides an effective filtering bed for eliminating contaminants. Industrial silica sand has the advantage of maintaining PH balance and neutralising acidic substances, which is why it is employed in water filtration. The establishment of water filtration plants throughout the world is expanding, which has boosted the need for industrial silica sands. Because of its great purity, silica sand is an excellent filtration medium. Its low clay, silt, and organic matter concentration assures that the water going through the filter is free of sand contaminants. This high level of purity helps to provide clean and safe drinking water. Because silica sand is chemically inert, it does not react with chemicals used in water treatment operations. Because of this inertness, the sand does not introduce harmful substances into the water supply. The most typical mesh sizes utilised for water filtration applications are 816, 1220, and 1630.Silica sand's consistent particle size and angular shape contribute to its efficacy as a filter media. Uniform size distribution promotes more effective water flow through the filter, which results in greater pollutant removal. The angular form of the silica sand particles enhances the surface area accessible for impurity adsorption, which improves the filtering process even more. In comparison to other filtering media such as activated carbon, Anthracite, and Zeolite, silica sand is becoming increasingly prevalent in the market. Silica sand has established itself as an efficient and cost-effective material for water filtration systems all over the world. As a result, Silica Sand Market revenue expansion is anticipated to be fueled by increasing demand for silica sand in water treatment industry.

Silica Sand Market Segment Insights

Silica Sand Mesh Size Insights

The Silica Sand Market segmentation, based on mesh size, includes < 70 mesh, 70-120 mesh, 120-200 mesh, and >200 mesh. The <70 mesh Silica Sand segment held the majority share in 2022 contributing to around ~40-44% with respect to the Silica Sand Market revenue.

Silica Sand Grade Insights

The Silica Sand Market segmentation, based on grade, includes glass, foundry and chemical. In 2022, the glass segment drove the Silica Sand Market by holding a substantial market share. Glass grade silica sand is of high purity and extensively used in glass production process. This sand is extensively processed and graded the stringent requirement in the glassmaking industry.

Silica Sand Process Insights

The Silica Sand Market data has been bifurcated by product largely into wet silica sand, and dry silica sand. In 2022, the wet silica sand segment drove the Silica Sand Market by holding a substantial market share. It is projected to register a CAGR of 5.57% during the projected timeframe.

Silica Sand Application Insights

The Silica Sand Market data has been bifurcated by application largely into glass, hydraulic fracturing, foundry, construction, chemicals, water filtration, paints & coatings, ceramics, and others. The hydraulic fracturing segment dominated the market in 2022. In the oil and natural gas business, silica sand has increased significantly, largely because silica sand has unique properties that make it an essential component in the fracturing fluid used. The primary function of this fluid is to prop open the fractures, where the high resistance and shape of silica sand makes it an effective proppant.

Figure 2: Silica Sand Market, by Application, 2022 & 2030 (USD Million)

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

Silica Sand Region Insights

By Region, the Silica Sand Market industry study segments the market into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Asia-Pacific Silica Sand Market accounted for USD 17,018.6 million in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a 5.85% CAGR during the study period. This is attributed to the presence of increasing oil & gas exploration and presence of emerging markets in the region.

Figure 3: SILICA SAND MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022-2030 (%)

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

Throughout the forecast period, the North America Silica Sand Market is expected to witness significant growth in the Silica Sand market, with the majority of demand coming from the United States and Canada. The rising demand for silica sand is driven by increasing shale exploration activities in the US. With a drive to reduce dependence on the crude imports, and use of shale gas as an alternative silica sand demand has increase in the region due to increasing fracturing activities.  Furthermore, expansion of industries such as construction and foundry are further expected to drive demand for silica sand on the North America region during the forecast period.

Europe's Silica Sand Market has grown significantly in recent years. This expansion can be ascribed to the rapid adoption of silica sand in water filtration applications, with increasing demand for clean and safe water for consumption. Also, the rapid growth of the glassmaking industry in the region is the primary consumer of silica sand which is expected to further propel market growth in the region during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific Silica Sand Market is expected to dominate the growth owing to presence of emerging nations such as India and China. Population expansion, urbanization, and an increase in private consumption, are the key drivers of demand development.  The rapid growth in the construction, foundry, and glass making industry is expected to drive demand for silica sand in the region. Furthermore, growing onshore and offshore oil & gas exploration and production activities in the region is further expected to drive demand for silica sand for hydraulic fracturing practices in the industry.

Silica Sand Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players’ growth depends on market conditions, government support, and industry development. Thus, the vendors should focus on expanding geographically and improving services. Many global, regional, and local vendors characterize the Silica Sand market. The market is highly competitive, with all the players competing to gain market share. Intense competition, rapid advances in technology, frequent changes in government policies, and environmental regulations are key factors that confront market growth. The vendors compete based on cost, product quality, reliability, and government regulations. Vendors must provide cost-efficient, high-quality products to survive and succeed in an intensely competitive market.

US Silica Holdings, Inc. (US Silica) is a global leader in industrial minerals and logistics, with core experience in mining, processing, logistics, and material science that enables to development and transport of over 1,500 varied products to clients throughout end markets at a low cost. It is the leading proppant and last-mile logistics provider to the US shale sector as well as high-value minerals and specialty goods used in a variety of industrial applications. The company operates in two business segments: oil & gas proppants and industrial & specialty products segment. US Silica offers ground silica, fine ground silica, and whole-grain silica in the silica business segment.

Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty., Ltd (CFSM) is one of the leading producers of silica sand in the world with one of the world's greatest reserves and production capacities for silica sand. It is a completely owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation since 1977. CFSM has been providing silica sand, a raw material for glass used in solar power generation, display glass, and other applications, to many Asian nations for over 50 years, including Japan through an integrated supply chain that makes use of the logistics and sales network of Mitsubishi Corporation to cover all operations from mining and processing to exports and sales. The company offers silica sand of various quality and different mesh sizes of +20 to +270 for various industrial applications across the globe.

Key Companies in the Silica Sand Market include:

• US Silica Holdings, Inc. (US)


• Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty., Ltd (Australia)


• Sibelco Group (Belgium)


• IMOSA Indústrias Mineiras do Mondego, SA (Portugal)


• Badger Mining Corporation (US)


• Cairo Fresh for Minerals and Quarries Materials (Egypt)


• Tochu Corporation (Japan)


• American Elements (Japan)


• Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Japan)


• JFE Mineral & Alloy Company, Ltd. (Japan)

Silica Sand Industry Developments

August 2022: Sibelco Group acquired Echasa, a mining company that extracts silica sand at Laminoria Quarry near Vitoria in northern Spain's Basque Country and is approximately 160 km from Sibelco's nearest silica sand mine in Arija.

December 2021: Badger Mining Corp. (BMC) has collaborated with TranSand Inc. to significantly increase the region's frac sand trans-loading capability. This expansion lays the groundwork for growth in North Montney to track expansion and allow for the conversion to a unit train capable of transload. It will also increase daily capacity to meet the increased demands at the well site.

January 2019: U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. has acquired a former ceramic proppant factory in Millen, GA, which will be turned into a high-end product manufacturing facility for the Company's Industrial and Specialties Products (ISP) division. The Millen facility will help to increase capacity to fulfill growing customer demand for ISPs. This new feature will help industrial customers by accelerating new product launches, improving product quality, and facilitating key product customizations.

Silica Sand Market Segmentation

Silica Sand Market Mesh Size Outlook

• <70 Mesh


• 70-120 Mesh


• 120-200 Mesh


• >200 Mesh

Silica Sand Market Grade Outlook

• Glass


• Foundry


• Chemical

Silica Sand Market Process Outlook

• Wet Silica Sand


• Dry Silica Sand

Silica Sand Market Application Outlook

• Glass


• Hydraulic Fracturing


• Foundry


• Construction


• Chemicals


• Water Filtration


• Paints & Coatings


• Ceramics


• Others

Silica Sand Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Russia
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  • GCC Countries
  
  
  • South Africa
  
  
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  


• South America
  
  
  
  • Brazil
  
  
  • Mexico
  
  
  • Argentina
  
  
  • Rest of South America