Silica Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Sales Channel (Direct, Indirect), By End Use (Glass Manufacturing, Foundary, Oil & Gas, Fillers & Building Product, Ceramics, Chemicals, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Global Silica Market was valued at USD 124116.30 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 186219.87 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.52%. Silica, primarily composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), is used in various forms such as quartz, fused silica, precipitated silica, and silica gel. Its versatility and functionality make it essential across key sectors including construction, electronics, automotive, coatings, personal care, and oil & gas.

A major driver of the silica market is the steady growth in the construction and building materials industry. Silica is widely used in the production of cement, concrete, and glass, where it enhances strength, durability, and resistance to abrasion. As urbanization and infrastructure development accelerate in emerging economies, particularly in Asia-Pacific, the demand for silica-based materials continues to rise significantly. However, the silica market also faces notable challenges. Environmental and health concerns related to crystalline silica dust have led to the implementation of stringent occupational safety regulations. These regulations necessitate investment in dust control and protective equipment, increasing operational costs for manufacturers. Additionally, the industry is susceptible to fluctuations in the availability and price of raw materials, particularly quartz and silica sand, which can affect production margins.

Key Market Drivers

Growing Demand of Silica in Glass Industry

The growing demand for silica in the glass industry is a key factor driving the expansion of the global silica market. In 2024, global production of glass bottles and containers was estimated at approximately 830 billion units. Owing to the exceptionally high temperatures involved in the manufacturing process, the glass industry is characterized by a substantial carbon footprint. In 2022, global carbon dioxide emissions from glass production reached an estimated 95 million metric tons. Silica, particularly in the form of high-purity quartz or silicon dioxide, serves as the primary raw material in glass manufacturing. Its ability to provide strength, transparency, and thermal resistance makes it indispensable in the production of various glass products, ranging from flat glass and container glass to specialty and optical glass.

Silica sand serves as the principal source of silicon dioxide, a critical component in glass manufacturing. For silica sand to be suitable for glass production, it must contain a high silica content typically exceeding 95% to meet the stringent quality requirements of the industry. One of the major contributors to this rising demand is the steady growth of the construction and automotive sectors, which rely heavily on flat glass for windows, facades, and windshields. As urbanization accelerates and infrastructure investments increase globally, the need for durable and high-performance glass is simultaneously boosting silica consumption. In parallel, the expansion of the automotive industry particularly electric vehicles is fueling the demand for advanced glazing solutions, further reinforcing silica’s relevance in this domain.

Growing Demand of Silica in Electronic Industry

The rising demand for silica in the electronics industry has become a key driver propelling the growth of the global silica market. In recent developments, flexible electronic devices have been fabricated using a range of materials, including organic compounds, carbon-based structures, and inorganic semiconductors. Among these, silicon (Si) continues to be a highly attractive material for flexible electronics, due to its well-established manufacturing processes, superior electrical, optical, and thermal properties, as well as its cost-effectiveness. As modern electronic devices become increasingly compact, powerful, and sophisticated, the need for high-performance materials such as silica renowned for its electrical insulation, thermal stability, and mechanical strength has grown significantly.

One of the most prominent applications of silica in electronics lies in its use as a dielectric material in semiconductors and integrated circuits. With the ongoing advancement of microelectronics and the proliferation of devices such as smartphones, laptops, and wearables, manufacturers require ultra-pure silica to ensure performance, reliability, and miniaturization of components. Silica’s excellent insulating properties make it essential for preventing electrical cross-talk in complex circuit architectures.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Volatility in Availability of Raw Material

Volatility in the availability of raw materials presents a significant challenge to the global silica market, influencing production stability, cost structures, and supply chain resilience. Silica production depends heavily on the availability of high-quality quartz, silica sand, and other naturally occurring forms of silicon dioxide. Any disruption in the consistent sourcing of these raw materials can adversely affect manufacturing operations and pricing strategies across the industry.

One of the primary factors contributing to this volatility is the uneven geographical distribution of silica reserves. While certain countries possess abundant deposits, extraction and mining activities are often restricted by environmental regulations, land use policies, or local opposition to quarrying operations. In regions where silica mining is permitted, producers must still navigate fluctuating output levels due to seasonal weather conditions, logistical constraints, and evolving governmental policies on natural resource management.

Key Market Trends

Growing Use of Silica in Making of Tires

One of the prominent trends shaping the global silica market is the growing use of silica in tire manufacturing. This shift is driven by the increasing demand for high-performance, fuel-efficient, and environmentally sustainable tires across the automotive sector. The incorporation of silica into tire tread compounds can reduce rolling resistance by approximately 20% to 30%, thereby contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved environmental performance. Precipitated silica, in particular, has gained widespread adoption as a reinforcing filler in tire compounds, offering superior rolling resistance, enhanced grip, and improved durability compared to traditional carbon black.

Automobile manufacturers are under continuous pressure to meet stringent emission regulations and fuel economy standards, especially in regions such as Europe and North America. As a result, there is a rising preference for "green tires" that utilize silica-based compounds to reduce rolling resistance, thereby improving fuel efficiency and lowering CO₂ emissions. Additionally, the enhanced wet traction and braking performance of silica-reinforced tires contribute to increased vehicle safety, aligning with evolving consumer expectations.

Segmental Insights

Sales Channel Insights

Based on Sales Channel, Direct have emerged as the fastest growing segment in the Global Silica Market in 2024. This is driven by increasing demand from large-scale end users for customized solutions, greater supply chain control, and enhanced operational efficiency. Industries such as electronics, automotive, construction, and specialty chemicals where high-purity or application-specific grades of silica are required are increasingly opting for direct procurement from manufacturers to meet stringent quality and performance standards. Moreover, direct procurement helps reduce dependency on intermediaries, lowering transaction costs and minimizing risks associated with product adulteration or supply delays.

End Use Insights

Based on End Use, Foundary have emerged as the fastest growing segment in the Global Silica Market during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing demand for high-performance casting materials across various industrial sectors, particularly automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery. Silica, especially in the form of high-purity quartz sand, plays a critical role in foundry applications as a mold and core-making material, owing to its excellent thermal stability, high refractoriness, and favorable particle size distribution. Moreover, the rapid growth of the automotive sector, especially in emerging economies, has significantly boosted the consumption of silica in metal casting processes for engine blocks, brake discs, and other critical components.

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

Based on Region, North America have emerged as the dominating region in the Global Silica Market in 2024. This is due to a combination of advanced industrial infrastructure, growing demand from high-tech sectors, and robust investments in specialty silica applications. The region benefits from a well-established base of industries such as electronics, automotive, and aerospace, all of which heavily rely on high-purity and specialty silica for applications ranging from semiconductors to precision glass and polymer additives. Moreover, North America, particularly the United States, hosts several leading manufacturers and technology firms that drive innovation in silica-based products.

Recent Development

• In January 2025, Mohammed Hadi Al Rasheed and Partners Co. announced the commencement of a new production line dedicated to manufacturing high-quality silica powder with ultra-fine particles as small as 10 microns. This strategic expansion is designed to strengthen the company’s market presence and unlock new business opportunities in line with its long-term growth objectives. The initiative follows the company’s acquisition of a mining license for its silica mine located in Riyadh, granted by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in July 2024.
• In January 2025, Evonik announced the launch of Smart Effects, a newly formed business unit comprising 3,500 employees globally, resulting from the strategic merger of its Silica and Silanes business lines. Integrated under the ‘Advanced Technologies’ segment of the company’s new organizational structure, the merger is designed to harness the combined strengths of both units to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions for customers and the environment. Smart Effects will focus on key industries such as automotive and tires, electronics, consumer health and nutrition, and building protection. In particular, the synergistic use of silica and silanes has demonstrated strong performance in the production of green tires, enhancing fuel efficiency and road safety.
• In November 2024, Vesuvius commissioned its new alumina-silica and basic monolithic manufacturing facilities in Visakhapatnam, reinforcing its commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This investment is part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its manufacturing footprint in India and meet the growing demand from the iron and steel industries. The new facilities follow the successful commissioning of the Mould Flux plant in April. These state-of-the-art plants will produce high-quality alumina-silica and basic monolithic refractory materials essential for steel production. Upon reaching commercial scale, the expansion will contribute an additional 250,000 tonnes of annual production capacity, positioning Vesuvius as a leading provider of refractory solutions in the region.
• In 2025, Hankook Tire & Technology entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Solvay Silica to jointly develop circular silica for tire production, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable manufacturing. The agreement was formalized at the Hankook Technodome, the company’s state-of-the-art research facility. The tire industry has increasingly adopted silica derived from rice husk ash a byproduct of discarded rice husks as an eco-friendly raw material. However, this approach poses challenges, including elevated costs and limited geographic diversification of supply. Additionally, the high bulk density of rice husks leads to logistical inefficiencies and increased transportation expenses. In response, Hankook is actively collaborating with Solvay to develop alternative circular silica solutions sourced from a broader range of raw materials.

Key Market Players

• Evonik Industries AG
• PPG Industries, Inc.
• Wacker Chemie AG
• AkzoNobel N.V.
• Tosoh Corporation
• Cabot Corporation
• Solvay S.A.
• Oriental Silicas Corporation
• Nissan Chemical Corporation
• Kemira Oyj

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Silica Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Silica Market, By Sales Channel:

o   Direct

o   Indirect

• Silica Market, By End Use:

o   Glass Manufacturing

o   Foundary

o   Oil & Gas

o   Fillers & Building Product

o   Ceramics

o   Chemicals

o   Others

• Silica Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Silica Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Silica Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global Silica Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]