World Industrial Silica Sand

World demand to rise 5.6% annually through 2018

Global demand for industrial silica sand is forecast to advance 5.6 percent per year to 289 million metric tons in 2018. Accelerations in construction spending and manufacturing output worldwide are expected to drive growth in important silica sand-consuming industries, including the glass, foundry, and building products sectors. Particularly rapid gains are projected for the hydraulic fracturing market as horizontal drilling for shale oil and gas resources expands, largely in North America. Nevertheless, faster gains in the overall market will be constrained by ongoing efforts to incorporate higher volumes of recycled glass cullet in the manufacture of glass containers. In addition, increased reclamation of foundry sand is expected to limit demand for industrial sand used in the production of metal casting molds.

China to remain leading silica sand consumer

China is expected to retain its position as the leading world market for industrial silica sand through 2018, accounting for over one-third of global demand. The country’s massive glass industry, the largest worldwide, will continue to bolster industrial sand consumption for the production of windows, electronic display screens, photovoltaic panels, and other flat glass products. China’s container glass industry will drive further silica sand sales, supported by rising production of glass bottles, particularly in the alcoholic beverage sector. In India, foundry activity will advance at a healthy pace, spurring the production of sand molds to manufacture automotive, machine tool, wind turbine, and other types of metal castings. Indonesia is also projected to register strong growth in industrial sand sales through 2018, supported by swift advances in the output of glass products and metal castings, combined with increased hydraulic fracturing activity.

Hydraulic fracturing to drive growth in North America

Demand for silica sand in North America is forecast to...