Australia Silica Sand Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

Australia Silica Sand Market Outlook

The Australia silica sand market size was valued at USD 50.19 million in 2023. The market is further projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% between 2024 and 2032, reaching a value of USD 84.47 million by 2032.

Key Takeaways

• Silica sand is one of the most mined commodities globally due to its versatility.

• Angular silica particles interlock together and provides strength. It is highly used in construction activities. For example, approximately 30,000 tons of silica sand is needed for every kilometre of highway.

• Australia possesses significant resources of silica sand, particularly in Queensland and Western Australia. The country accounts for about 1% of global silica sand production, mainly in Queensland.

The expanding application base of silica sand, particularly in industries like the solar panel, chemical, glass manufacturing, and foundry sectors, is fuelling Australia silica sand market growth. The fast-growing solar PV market in Australia is expected to drive an increased demand for premium-quality silica sand. This trend is attributed to the renewable energy revolution gaining momentum, leading to a surge in the need for silica sand in solar panel production and other related applications.

Additionally, the construction industry's growth and the expanding electronics and automotive industries are contributing to the rising demand for silica sand. Moreover, emerging technologies such as lightweight glazing glass, hybrid guide plates, and advanced nanotechnology in flat glass are contributing to the growth of the silica sand market. These innovations are enhancing the utility of silica sand in various industries like glass manufacturing, automotive, and construction, stimulating market development.

The foundry segment has captured a substantial market share, with applications in metal casting processes. The demand for silica sand in foundry applications is influenced by factors such as industrial growth and technological advancements in metalworking industries. Silica sand also finds applications in various chemical production processes, including ceramics, cosmetics, paint and coatings, metallurgy, and oil and gas recovery. Its versatility and unique properties make it a vital component in chemical manufacturing industries.

Silica sand plays a vital role in ceramics and refractories production, providing strength, durability, and heat resistance to these materials. Silica sand is widely used in filtration applications due to its ability to remove impurities from liquids and gases. The filtration segment relies on high-quality silica sand for water treatment, air purification, and industrial filtration processes. As per Australia silica sand market analysis, silica sand is essential in oil and gas recovery processes, where it is used for hydraulic fracturing activities. The oil and gas segment, hence, drives demand for silica sand as a proppant material to enhance oil extraction efficiency.

Market Segmentation

Australia Silica Sand Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Type

• Wet Sand

• Dry Sand

• Frac Sand

• Filter Sand

• Coated Sand

• Others

Market Breakup by Purity

• 94% to 95.9%

• 96% to 97.9%

• 98% to 98.9%

Market Breakup by Application

• Polysilicon

• Silica Gel

• Silica Fume

• Silicon Metal

• Speciality Glass

• Silane Gas

• Others

Market Breakup by End Use

• Glass Manufacturing

• Foundry

• Chemical Production

• Construction

• Paints and Coatings

• Ceramics and Refractories

• Filtration

• Oil and Gas

• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• New South Wales

• Victoria

• Queensland

• Western Australia

• Australian Capital Territory

• Others

Competitive Landscape

Market players are focused on providing premium quality of silica sand across industries to stay ahead in the competition.

• Australian Silica Quartz Group Limited

• Cauldron Energy Limited 

• Diatreme Resources Ltd 

• Metallica Minerals Limited 

• Perpetual Resources Limited 

• VRX Silica Limited

• Others

Key Highlights of the Report