Global Silica Sand Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029 for Glass Industry

The global silica sand market for the glass industry is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.24% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Silicon dioxide is required for glass manufacture. Silica sand, rich in silica or silicon dioxide, is a vital raw material in glass manufacturing. However, not all sand resources can be considered usable for the manufacture of glass, and the reality is even bleaker: Only 1% of the 50 billion tons of sand used every year is considered fit for glass manufacture.

The silica sand used dictates the quality of the glass in terms of durability, strength, and clarity. It is crucial to utilize only high-quality silica sand when manufacturing items like car windscreens. This glass fulfills the best vision standards for automobile windscreens.

Another important consideration when selecting silica sand for glassmaking is its chemistry, which varies depending on the kind of bottle. Milk and vodka bottles, for example, are colorless and free of green tinges. Beer bottles are often brown or green, with brown glass providing better protection against UV radiation damage. The levels of iron oxide, chrome, zircon, and metals (including alumina) are closely managed to guarantee that the silica sand satisfies the criteria and expectations of both the glassmaker and the end customer.

GLOBAL SILICA SAND MARKET FOR GLASS INDUSTRY DRIVERS:

• The automobile sector has emerged as a large user of silica sand, owing to its use in manufacturing vehicle glass. The global increase in car manufacturing, particularly in emerging nations, has been a significant driver. With fast economic growth in countries like India, China, and Brazil, automobile circulation has grown, and therefore, the need for glass parts has increased equally.

Thus, the German manufacturers of automobiles fabricated more than 15 million units, according to the GTAI (Germany Trade & Invest), in 2021. More than 3.1 million passenger cars and 3,51,000 units come from commercial automobiles assembled in Germany's manufacturing industries in 2021, which shows that Germany is Europe's largest automotive manufacturing industry. Nonetheless, in fiscal year 2024, India produced 2,84,34,742 units of passenger vehicles, CVs, three-wheelers, two-wheelers & Quadricycle, as per the India Brand Equity Fund.

In addition, it can also be averred that as automobiles have become complex, the proportion of the glass in a car has also risen. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are still based primarily on cameras and sensors, among which there are often glass parts. Moreover, as is seen in current car designs, larger glass portions are also used for looks and to drive visibility.

Furthermore, even though the EV segment is relatively new, it relates to the indirect use of silica sand. Hence, when EV manufacturing rises, so does the requirement for conventional vehicles, which in turn benefits silica sand in the automotive glass sector. China continues to dominate the manufacture and sales of electric (and fuel cell) trucks and buses. In 2022, 54,000 new electric buses and 52,000 electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks were sold in China, accounting for 18% and 4% of its overall sales and about 80% and 85% of global sales, respectively.

Comprehensively, silica sand is in high demand in the glass replacement aftermarket. Accidents, vandalism, and normal wear and tear contribute to the growth of the glass repair and replacement business.

• Technological innovations are considerably propelling the silica sand market for the glass sector. Thus, the modern glass-making process demands material like silica sand that has to be of extremely high purity, uniformly fine-grained, and precise chemistries concerning the glass formula. Currently, the process of producing glass at AGC consumes minimum energy due to new fashionable technology and privileges from Industry 4.0. AGC Glass has achieved unparalleled insulation and solar control performance levels while continuously improving methods to link people. Furthermore, the industry's growing emphasis on energy efficiency needs silica sand, which may improve glass production processes while reducing environmental effects.

Moreover, the development of new finished goods in the glass industry, such as self-cleaning glass and energy-conserving glazing, calls for silica sand with certain characteristics. Both of these specialized glass varieties need good-quality silica sand to achieve the right performance characteristics.

GLOBAL SILICA SAND MARKET FOR GLASS INDUSTRY SEGMENT ANALYSIS:

• In terms of the end-use industry, the construction industry is anticipated to be one of the fastest-growing segments in the market.

The construction sector is undergoing a global boom, which is a main driver of the silica sand market. Several interrelated factors fuel this fast expansion. For instance, urbanization and population expansion are significant causes. As cities grow in size and population density, so does the need for housing and commercial space. This results in a spike in construction activity. Investing in Canada's infrastructure program is one of the ways the government supports various sectors. Moreover, the program also deals with strong, sustainable, and diverse communities for Canadian people and the availability of better, reliable, and updated services to make people's lives easier. The program funds are about USD 33 billion and have been received through two-party deals between Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada and every province and territory. Concurrently, the construction of strong infrastructure, such as transportation networks, hospitals, schools, and public buildings, demands large amounts of concrete and glass, which are largely reliant on silica sand.

Government actions also have an important influence. Infrastructure development initiatives, affordable housing policies, and government subsidies all greatly boost building activity. Furthermore, globalization, which includes increased foreign direct investment in real estate and infrastructure projects, contributes to the overall expansion of the construction industry. In line with this, government statistics from the US Census Bureau presented permit data for April 2024, which included a total permit of 14,40,000 and the completion of 16,23,000 for new residential constructions. To summarise, combining urbanization, population increase, economic expansion, government backing, and globalization has resulted in strong and continuous demand for building materials such as silica sand.

• Asia Pacific's Silica sand market for the glass industry is anticipated to grow significantly.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to become a major market in the worldwide silica sand market for the glass sector. Several significant factors contribute to the quick expansion. Firstly, the area is rapidly industrializing, with China, India, and South Korea leading the way. This industrial expansion generates enormous demand for glass in various industries, including construction, automotive, and electronics. Moreover, China's 14th Five-Year Plan focuses on new infrastructure projects in transportation, energy, water systems, and urbanization. According to projections, the total investment in new infrastructure during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) will be over 27 trillion yuan (USD 4.2 trillion).

Moreover, according to the Shanghai Municipal People's Government data, the retail sales of China's consumer electronics were USD 305 billion in 2023, with a 4% growth rate, and in 2024, the rate rose to 5%.

Secondly, Asia Pacific's construction sector is expanding due to urbanization, increased disposable incomes, and large government infrastructure projects. This increase in construction activity raises demand for glass goods, hence increasing silica sand usage. Furthermore, the automotive sector in nations such as India and China is rapidly increasing, resulting in an increased need for glass components in automobiles. Similarly, as per the statistics gathered from the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), organizations considering vehicle manufacturing in India for both passengers and commercial vehicles reached 23.90 million for the financial year 2023.

Furthermore, the region's growing emphasis on renewable energy, notably solar power, is pushing demand for silica sand, which is used in solar panel manufacture. Government policies encouraging industrial growth and infrastructure projects offer an enabling environment for the silica sand industry to thrive. While environmental rules and supply chain disruptions exist, the area also allows market participants to capitalize by expanding into developing markets, prioritizing sustainability, and forming strategic alliances.

Global Silica Sand Market for Glass Industry Key Developments:

• In May 2024, Covia, a leading provider of mineral-based and material solutions for numerous industrial markets, announced that it had completed the previously announced acquisition of R.W. Sidley's Industrial Minerals Division, which manufactures high-quality silica-based products for filtration, industrial, and sports applications.
• In March 2024, Covia announced that it had reached a deal to buy R.W. Sidley's silica sand mining facility in Thompson, Ohio.
• In January 2023, Solvay invested in its Livorno, Italy, location to establish the company's first circular highly dispersible silica (HDS) unit, created using bio-based sodium silicate generated from rice husk ash. This novel breakthrough silicate technique creates a circular solution by reusing rice husk in a local value chain. When combined with the plant's integration of renewable energy, Solvay reduced CO2 emissions by 50% per tonne of silica.

The Global Silica Sand market for the glass industry is segmented and analyzed as follows:

By End-Use Industry

• Construction
• Automotive
• Solar Energy
• Consumer Goods
• Other Industries

By Geography

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of South America
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Rest of the Middle East and Africa
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Rest of Asia-Pacific