Silica sand, a versatile and essential material, plays a vital role in numerous industries worldwide. Among its various forms, washed silica sand stands out as a high-quality and in-demand variant that has found extensive applications across diverse sectors. From construction and glass manufacturing to water filtration and hydraulic fracturing, washed silica sand offers superior quality and performance. In this article, we will delve into the growing washed silica sand market and explore the factors contributing to its expansion.
The global washed silica sand market size is projected to grow from USD 18 million in 2021 to USD 24 million by 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.4% during the forecast year. Washed silica sand refers to silica sand that undergoes a washing and rinsing process after mining. Salt, clay, and other powders and dust are washed out of the overall mixture. It often undergoes additional separating and classification into grain sizes or grit sizing. Washed silica sand comes in coarse, medium, fine, and ultra-fine granule sizes. Washed silica sand is used for various applications, such as glass, foundry, ceramic & refractories, filtration, abrasives, metallurgical silicon, and oil well cementing.
Browse 158 market data Tables and 48 Figures spread through 189 Pages and in-depth TOC on “Washed Silica Sand Market by Fe Content (>0.01%, ≤0.01%), Particle Size (≤0.4mm, 0.5mm — 0.7mm, >0.7mm), Application (Glass, Foundry, Oil well cement, Ceramic & Refractories, Abrasive, Metallurgy, Filtration) and Region — Global Forecast to 2026”
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Market Overview:
The global washed silica sand market has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with a substantial rise in demand from several end-use industries. Washed silica sand refers to the processed form of silica sand, where impurities and unwanted particles are removed through washing and screening processes, resulting in a purer and more consistent product. This enhanced purity and uniformity make washed silica sand highly desirable in a wide range of applications.
Construction Sector Driving Demand:
The construction industry is the primary driver of the washed silica sand market. It finds extensive use in the production of concrete, as the superior quality and well-graded particles enhance the strength and durability of concrete structures. The increasing construction activities, driven by rapid urbanization and infrastructure development in emerging economies, have significantly bolstered the demand for washed silica sand. Moreover, the material’s thermal and chemical stability make it suitable for manufacturing ceramic tiles, flooring compounds, and other construction materials.
Glass Manufacturing Industry:
Another significant consumer of washed silica sand is the glass manufacturing industry. The glass sector requires high-purity silica sand with specific characteristics to produce clear, transparent, and defect-free glass products. The use of washed silica sand ensures the removal of impurities, such as iron and alumina, which can cause discoloration and affect the glass’s quality. As the demand for glass products, including bottles, containers, and flat glass, continues to rise, so does the need for washed silica sand.
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Water Filtration and Hydraulic Fracturing:
Washed silica sand plays a crucial role in water filtration systems, where it serves as a filter medium to remove impurities and ensure clean water supply. Its high porosity and uniform particle size distribution make it an ideal choice for effective water treatment. Additionally, washed silica sand finds application in hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, in the oil and gas industry. It is used as a proppant to prop open the fractures created in the rock formations, allowing for the extraction of oil and natural gas.
Emerging Opportunities:
The washed silica sand market is witnessing a surge in demand due to various emerging opportunities. For instance, the increasing adoption of sustainable construction practices and the growing preference for eco-friendly building materials have created a need for washed silica sand that complies with environmental regulations. This has led to the development of innovative technologies for washing and processing silica sand, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Moreover, the rising awareness about water purification and the need for safe drinking water have fueled the demand for washed silica sand in water treatment applications. As governments and regulatory bodies across the globe focus on improving water quality standards, the requirement for high-quality filtration media like washed silica sand is set to soar.
In terms of value & volume, particle size 0.5mm — 0.7mm is estimated to lead the washed silica sand market in 2020.
Particle 0.5mm -0.7mm is the largest segment for washed silica sand in 2020 in terms of value and volume. The major consumption of this granular size sand in glass making and filtration application is driving the market demand for washed silica sand. Silica sand with particle size 0.5mm -0.7mm is used in water filtration application, owing to its medium granule size, which efficiently helps to filter unwanted particles and other impurities from the water.
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The APAC region is projected to account for the largest share in the washed silica sand market during the forecast period.
The APAC region is projected to lead the washed silica sand market in terms of both value and volume from 2021 to 2026. This region is witnessing the highest growth rate due to the rapid economic expansion. According to the IMF, China and India are among the fastest-growing economies globally. India is expected to overtake China with the highest growth rate, thus driving the global economy. Countries such as Japan and China are expected to post steady growth in the washed silica sand market due to the growing infrastructure development projects and increasing demand for flat, solar, and specialty glasses. In addition to this, the increasing population and urbanization in these countries will drive the industry expansion, thus escalating the demand for washed silica sand.
Washed Silica Sand Market Key Players
US Silica Holdings, Inc. (US), Sibelco NV (Belgium), U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (US), VRX Silica Limited (Australia), Australian Silica Quartz Group Ltd (Australia), and Adwan Chemical Industries Company (Saudi Arabia), amongst others, are the key players operating in the washed silica sand market.
SCR- Sibelco NV is a global material solutions company. It provides specialty industrial minerals, particularly silica, clays, feldspathic sand, and olivine. The company operates different business segments, namely, Covia, Build Environment; Disposal Group Lime, Glass Solutions; Coating, Polymer & Chemical Solutions; and Water & Environment Solutions. Covia operates with 50 million tons of active production capacity. The company produces the crystalline forms of silica — quartz and cristobalite — as both sands and flours. For industrial use, pure deposits of silica capable of yielding products of at least 98% SiO2 are required. The company has three major silica sand production facilities worldwide. It has 114 production sites that are operating in 31 countries worldwide.