North America And Australia Silica Industry

According to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., the North America and Australia silica market is expected to reach USD 19.93 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for silica across a wide range of applications, including oil & gas, rubber, foundry, glass, agrochemicals, and several others.

Silica used in commercial applications—especially silica sand obtained through mining—is predominantly utilized in the oil & gas, glass, and foundry sectors. On the other hand, specialty silica, which includes precipitated, fumed, colloidal silica, silica gel, and fused silica, is processed via wet and thermal methods. These specialized forms of silica cater to more refined uses such as rubber manufacturing, agrochemicals, oral care, food production, desiccants, and paints & coatings.

Application Insights

The market is segmented based on its applications, namely: oil & gas, glass, foundry, rubber, agrochemicals, oral care, food, desiccants, paints & coatings, and others. Among these, the oil & gas sector is anticipated to remain a significant consumer of silica due to the continued rise in hydraulic fracturing activities. Additionally, the demand for glass products is on the rise, fueled by both the expansion of construction activities and the increasing consumption of beverages, further strengthening silica consumption in this segment.

The rubber industry is also emerging as a key growth area for silica, particularly with the adoption of highly dispersible silica in the production of green tires. These tires offer improved fuel efficiency and safety while maintaining durability, making them increasingly popular in North America. As a result, silica consumption in this sector is projected to surge, especially with the region's growing focus on sustainable automotive manufacturing.

Market Disruptions and Recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the silica market in 2020, as end-use industries scaled back production. For instance, W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn reported a 11.7% decline in sales in 2020 compared to the previous year. However, as economic activity gradually resumed and industrial demand picked up, the market witnessed a rebound. The post-pandemic recovery has led to increased production across industries such as oil & gas, rubber, glass, and foundry, thereby reviving silica demand.

Due to this resurgence in demand, coupled with limited production, silica prices surged in 2021. As an example, U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. announced in November 2021 a price increase of 6% to 14% for its products, effective February 2022, to offset rising costs related to labor, transportation, raw materials, and manufacturing.

Competitive Landscape

The silica market is highly competitive, characterized by a significant number of players and strong product demand across multiple industries. Companies are investing in expansion projects and vertically integrated operations to secure their positions in the market. For instance, in December 2021, Canadian Premium Sand Inc. (CPS) announced plans to establish its first solar glass manufacturing facility in North America. The facility will be located in Selkirk, Manitoba, chosen for its proximity to a high-quality silica sand quarry, emphasizing the strategic importance of raw material sourcing.

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North America And Australia Silica Market Segments Highlights:

  • The oil & gas segment held the largest revenue share in 2024 owing to the increasing number of rigs in North America and growing investments in the Australian oil & gas industry
  • A rise in raw material, energy, and transportation costs during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted final product prices
  • For instance, in August 2021, PQ Corp. announced new prices for its silica products in the U.S. and Canada. The company along with its subsidiary National Silicates declared a price hike of 10–12% for its products
  • Companies in Australia are making efforts to increase the production of silica. For instance, in September 2021, VRX silica started the processing of its second silica sands project at Arrowsmith, Western Australia. The company is currently awaiting environmental approval for its advanced Arrowsmith North project
  • The silica market in Australia is projected to be the fastest-growing in the region over the forecast period. The high market growth is on account of development in the application industries, such as glass and foundry, in the country

North America And Australia Silica Market Report Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global North America and Australia silica market report based on application, and region:

North America And Australia Silica Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Oil & gas
  • Glass Making
  • Foundry Sand
  • Rubber
  • Agrochemicals
  • Oral care
  • Food Industry
  • Desiccants
  • Paints & Coatings
  • Others

North America And Australia Silica Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • US
  • Canada
  • Australia

Key North America And Australia Silica Company Insights

  • Elkem ASA
  • Evonik Industries AG
  • Nouryon
  • PPG Industries, Inc.
  • PQ Corporation
  • Saint-Gobain
  • Solvay
  • U.S. Silica
  • W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
  • Wacker Chemie AG

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