Silica Sand Market

The global silica sand market is on an upward consumption trend driven by increasing demand worldwide. Market performance is forecasted to continue with a CAGR of +3.1% in volume and +4.3% in value from 2022 to 2030, reaching 489M tons and $36B, respectively. Consumption increased in 2022 after two years of decline, with the United States, China, and Italy being the top consumers. Production and exports show fluctuations, with the United States and China leading in production, and the United States dominating exports. Prices vary by country, with the United States having the highest average export price. Overall, the market is expected to see gradual growth in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 489M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $36B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Silica Sands (Quartz Sands Or Industrial Sands)

In 2022, consumption of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) increased by 7.8% to 382M tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

The global silica sand market value stood at $25.6B in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $28.8B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (109M tons), China (92M tons) and Italy (16M tons), together accounting for 56% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +8.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($7.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($2.4B). It was followed by China.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States amounted to +7.8%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Italy (-0.3% per year) and China (+0.3% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of silica sand per capita consumption in 2022 were the Czech Republic (993 kg per person), the Netherlands (543 kg per person) and the United States (324 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Silica Sands (Quartz Sands Or Industrial Sands)

In 2022, production of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) increased by 9% to 374M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 14%. Global production peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, silica sand production shrank to $22.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 14%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $28.1B. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (114M tons), China (88M tons) and Turkey (15M tons), with a combined 58% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +8.5%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Silica Sands (Quartz Sands Or Industrial Sands)

In 2022, global silica sand imports fell to 28M tons, with a decrease of -8.8% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 40M tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand imports expanded modestly to $1.5B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 26%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

Canada (5.6M tons) and China (3.9M tons) represented roughly 34% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Singapore (2.4M tons), Belgium (1.6M tons) and Italy (1.6M tons), together generating a 20% share of total imports. Japan (1,071K tons), Turkey (1,005K tons), South Korea (927K tons), Mexico (834K tons), the United States (796K tons), France (701K tons), the Netherlands (589K tons) and Germany (562K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +37.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($250M), China ($208M) and Japan ($88M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 36% of global imports. Italy, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Turkey, the Netherlands, Singapore, Belgium, the United States and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +14.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $54 per ton in 2022, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 17%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($125 per ton), while Singapore ($15 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+7.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Silica Sands (Quartz Sands Or Industrial Sands)

In 2022, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) was finally on the rise to reach 19M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at 25M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand exports rose sharply to $1.2B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $1.2B in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports By Country

The United States was the main exporting country with an export of around 6.3M tons, which amounted to 32% of total exports. Belgium (2.1M tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the Netherlands (1,072K tons) and Germany (893K tons). All these countries together took near 21% share of total exports. The following exporters - Malaysia (802K tons), Indonesia (800K tons), Portugal (799K tons), France (695K tons), Saudi Arabia (689K tons), the Czech Republic (595K tons), Hungary (542K tons), Bulgaria (501K tons) and Poland (480K tons) - together made up 30% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to silica sand exports from the United States stood at +4.1%. At the same time, Indonesia (+30.7%), Hungary (+16.3%), Portugal (+13.1%), Poland (+8.7%), Malaysia (+8.0%), Bulgaria (+5.1%), the Czech Republic (+3.1%), the Netherlands (+3.0%), Saudi Arabia (+2.2%), France (+1.8%) and Belgium (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Indonesia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +30.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Germany (-6.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United States, Indonesia, Portugal, Malaysia and Hungary increased by +10, +3.8, +2.9, +2.2 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($552M) remains the largest silica sand supplier worldwide, comprising 45% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($98M), with a 7.9% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States amounted to +5.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belgium (+1.0% per year) and Germany (+1.4% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average silica sand export price amounted to $63 per ton, surging by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 17%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($88 per ton), while Hungary ($9.5 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+11.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform