Saudi Arabia Silica Sand Market

Market Overview:

Saudi Arabia silica sand market size reached USD 235.7 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 394.6 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.89% during 2025-2033. The expanding production capacities and the rising emphasis of key players on developing high-purity silica sand for specialized glass manufacturing processes are primarily propelling the market growth across the country.

Silica sand, also referred to as industrial sand, mainly consists of quartz, along with other substances or organic materials, including feldspars, carbonates, iron oxides, micas, clay minerals, coal, etc. Typically found as loose deposits beneath thin soil layers or as part of sandstone, it is obtained from both unbound sand deposits and by crushing softly cemented sandstones. Characterized by its high melting point, minimal thermal expansion, and increased chemical resilience, silica sand is a highly sought-after material for diverse uses. It is widely adopted in glass manufacturing, due to its purity and uniformity. Silica sand is essential in creating specialized glasses used in solar panels, fiber optics, and scientific glassware. In the construction sector, it is a fundamental ingredient in concrete, mortar, and similar cement-based products. Additionally, its use as a proppant in hydraulic fracturing processes for improving oil and gas extraction from subterranean rock formations is elevating its demand in the country.

Saudi Arabia Silica Sand Market Trends:

Increasing Demand from the Construction Sector

The Saudi construction industry is witnessing major growth at the moment, which is fueling the demand for silica sand. The growing infrastructure developments such as residential real estate, commercial spaces, and transportation networks are demanding huge amounts of silica sand for concrete and other construction material manufacturing. The increase in urban developments as well as the Vision 2030 policy initiatives by the government are driving this upsurge, with several mega-projects going on in various parts of the nation. With rising construction activity, manufacturers are depending on silica sand for its significant contribution towards the manufacturing of construction materials. This requirement is projected to keep increasing with additional projects initiated and undertaken, putting the silica sand sector as a key element in the construction process. The IMARC Group predicts that the Saudi Arabia construction market is expected to attain USD 135.6 Billion by 2033.

Increased Demand in Glass Production

The rise in glass production activities owing to the heightened demand for glass products from sectors like building, automotive, and packaging is propelling the market growth. Silica sand, the key raw material in glass production, is seeing elevated demand as glass producers increase their production capacity. The greater emphasis on quality and accuracy in glass materials, especially in architectural and automotive uses, is demanding better-quality silica sand with certain characteristics. While the regional economy becomes more diversified and the demand for high-performance glass grows ever-stronger, manufacturers are finding they are sourcing more silica sand to fill these changing needs. The gradual transition toward high-tech and energy-efficient glass products is driving the demand for silica sand, thus positioning it as a critical material in the developing manufacturing industry in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the government is investing in glass production, thereby catalyzing the need for silica sand. For instance, in 2024, The National Company for Glass Industries (Zoujaj) announced that the board of its subsidiary, Saudi Guardian International Float Glass Company (Gulf Guard), has sanctioned a study to establish a float and insulating glass plant at an assessed cost of 806.2 million Saudi riyals ($215 million).

Expansion of Oil and Gas Exploration

Saudi Arabia's oil and gas industry is presently increasing its exploration and production activities, creating a significant demand for silica sand, especially for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) processes. For instance, in 2025, Aramco revealed the identification of 14 new oil and natural gas locations throughout the Eastern Province and the expansive Empty Quarter desert, highlighting an important advancement in the Kingdom's continuous effort to enhance its energy output and diversify its reserves. Silica sand is an essential element in the fracking process because it is utilized as a proppant to hold fractures open within underground rocks during production. With continued growth in oil and gas production, silica sand demand keeps rising, particularly in areas with massive reserves. With increased investments in energy exploration and the drive to maximize local production capacity, a need for stable and quality silica sand is on the rise. Firms in the energy industry are getting local supplies of silica sand to feed their drilling processes, and this is promoting market expansion in this particular sector. This exploration initiative is thus playing an important role in creating the demand for silica sand in the Saudi market.

Saudi Arabia Road Freight Transport Market Growth Drivers:

Rising Demand for Foundry Applications

The demand for silica sand is continuously increasing in the foundry industry in Saudi Arabia. Silica sand plays a critical role in the production of molds and cores for metal casting processes, which are used in automotive, industrial machinery, and manufacturing industries. As these sectors grow due to rising industrialization, the need for foundry sand is consistently increasing. Saudi Arabia's robust industrial base, especially in steel and aluminum production, is driving the demand for foundry-grade silica sand. Additionally, the growing focus on developing high-tech industries, such as aerospace and defense manufacturing, is further elevating the need for high-quality silica sand in casting operations. As these industries expand, they are continuously sourcing more silica sand for precise and high-performance casting products, which, in turn, is propelling the market for silica sand in the region.

Advancements in Fracturing Technology

Technological advancements in hydraulic fracturing are continuously increasing the demand for silica sand in Saudi Arabia. As fracking technology evolves, the requirement for high-quality frac sand that meets specific specifications, such as particle size and strength, is growing. These advancements are allowing for more efficient extraction of oil and gas from shale formations, thereby boosting the need for silica sand in these processes. Additionally, improvements in horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracking are continuously driving the requirement for larger volumes of frac sand in exploration projects across the kingdom. As the industry seeks to optimize production while maintaining safety standards, the demand for silica sand is expected to remain strong, supporting its growth in the region's energy sector.

Increasing Demand for Industrial Filtration

There is a continuous rise in the demand for silica sand in industrial filtration applications, particularly in water treatment processes in Saudi Arabia. With increasing industrialization, population growth, and agricultural development, the need for efficient water filtration systems is becoming more prominent. Silica sand, known for its excellent filtration properties, is used in water treatment plants and industrial filtration systems. As the government and private sectors invest in expanding water infrastructure to meet rising demand, the use of silica sand in filtration applications is continuously growing. Additionally, the rising focus on sustainable water management in the face of environmental concerns is propelling further use of silica sand in water purification systems, ensuring its critical role in meeting the kingdom's water treatment needs.

Saudi Arabia Silica Sand Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on end use.

End Use Insights:

• Glass Industry
• Foundry
• Hydraulic Fracturing
• Filtration
• Abrasives
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end use. This includes glass industry, foundry, hydraulic fracturing, filtration, abrasives, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Northern and Central Region
• Western Region
• Eastern Region
• Southern Region

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Northern and Central Region, Western Region, Eastern Region, and Southern Region.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Saudi Arabia Silica Sand Market News:

• April 2025: Iraq’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals announced on Tuesday the signing of a significant cooperation agreement between the General Company for Glass and Refractories and Saudi Arabia’s Ajyal Company to create Iraq’s largest integrated industrial complex for silica-based projects in Anbar Province. The facility will emphasize silica as a primary raw material for multiple upcoming industrial initiatives, such as flat glass, bottles and jars, ceramic sanitary products, glass electrical insulators, wall and floor tiles, and sodium silicate, among others.
• February 2025: The mining sector in Saudi Arabia is set for a significant increase, with almost SR29 billion ($7.7 billion) in investments allocated to Wa’ad Al-Shamal. Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the governor of the Northern Borders area, launched multiple industrial, developmental, and hospitality initiatives intended to strengthen the city's position as a key center for the Kingdom's mining sector. The Northern Borders area possesses vast mineral resources worth around SR4.669 trillion. It serves as a significant source of phosphate, an essential component for global food security because of its function in producing agricultural fertilizers. The area also has premium reserves of coal, dolomite, limestone, and silica sand.

Saudi Arabia Silica Sand Market Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Saudi Arabia silica sand market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Saudi Arabia silica sand market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Saudi Arabia silica sand industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.