Frac Sand Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Global Industry Analysis By Type (Northern White Sand, Brow Sand, and Others) By Application (Oil Exploitation, and Natural Gas Exploitation), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2033

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FRAC SAND MARKET OVERVIEW

The global frac sand market was valued at USD 7.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 8.45 billion in 2025, reaching USD 24.44 billion by 2033, with a projected CAGR of 14.2% from 2025 to 2033.

Frac sand is made from pure sandstone and is a naturally occurring kind of crystalline silica. It is utilized as a proppant in the hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, technique, which is commonly used by oil and gas firms to extract natural gas, petroleum, and associated commodities by drilling a pressured mixture into rock or land, known as shale. This pressured mixture of water, frac sand, and different chemical is injected into rock formations to break open fissures and allow fluids like oil, water, and gas to flow freely. Natural fluids can travel between sand particles because they are homogenous with a defined round shape and small grain size.

FRAC SAND MARKET KEY FINDINGS

• Market Size and Growth: U.S. industrial sand and gravel consumption reached 67 million tons in 2021, with 64 % used as frac sand (~42.9 million tons).

• Key Market Driver: A single horizontal well consumes 3 000–10 000 tons of frac sand (30–100 rail carloads).

• Major Market Restraint: Rail logistics have been stretched: carloads of industrial sand rose from 112 310 in 2009 to 380 000 in 2013—a 239 % increase.

• Emerging Trends: Wisconsin and Minnesota together supplied 86 % of U.S. industrial sand in 2021.

• Regional Leadership: The Permian Basin accounted for just over 50 % of U.S. proppant demand, with consumption up 10 % year on year.

• Competitive Landscape: U.S. Silica operated 24 frac sand production facilities nationwide as of December 31, 2021.

• Market Segmentation: 64 % of industrial sand was used as frac sand in 2021, with the remainder (36 %) serving other uses.

• Recent Development: The U.S. Geological Survey released its Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 data on February 22, 2025, updating national sand and gravel statistics and reserves estimates.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Halt on Production and Declining Sales to Impede Market Growth

Because the bulk of global enterprises have their headquarters in these locations, the COVID-19 epidemic in China has spread to the major Asia Pacific, European, and North American countries, affecting the market for cleaned silica sand. COVID-19 caused supply chain disruption, delaying market growth due to a scarcity of raw materials and the inability to find personnel.

LATEST TRENDS

Increasing Adoption in Various Applications to Bolster Market Progress

The market is being driven by rising oil and gas extraction activities, the growth and expansion of the oil and gas drilling sector. The discovery of new shale reserves will accelerate the company's growth even more. Higher prices will be driven by increased competition for petroleum-based products, and technological advancements in oil and gas extraction. Hydraulic fracking of methane hydrate will allow the market to grow even more attractively and profitably. These factors are expected to drive the market forward.

• According to the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. apparent consumption of industrial sand and gravel reached 67 million tons in 2021, with 64 % used specifically as frac sand—approximately 42.9 million tons.

• According to the U.S. Geological Survey, combined production from Wisconsin and Minnesota accounted for 86 % of total domestic sales and use of industrial sand in 2021.

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FRAC SAND MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

By type, the market is segmented into Northern White Sand, Brow Sand, and Others.

The white sand segment is expected to lead a frac sand market. Because of its advantageous physical qualities such as crush strength, turbidity, roundness, and sphericity. It is also preferred by oil and natural gas companies around the world over alternative proppants including resin-coated sand and manufactured ceramics due to its lower cost. These factors are likely to influence the growth of the industry. 

By Application

Based on application, the market is classified into Oil Exploitation, and Natural Gas Exploitation.

The oil exploitation system segment is expected to lead the frac sand market. Oil and gas corporations utilize it to extract petroleum, natural gas, and associated commodities by drilling a pressurized mixture through rock or land called shale. Natural fluids may travel through it since it is homogenous, spherical, and has a small grain size. It has an advantage over other forms of sand because of the minerals and rock types it contains, which are less durable than quartz.

DRIVING FACTORS

Hydraulic Fracturing in Oil & Gas Sector to Facilitate Industry Progress

Due to the excellent infrastructure, the global frac sand industry is predicted to increase during the forecast period. A burgeoning petroleum and energy industry is a primary factor driving global market growth. As the number of oil and gas exploration operations expands around the world, so does demand. Hydraulic fracturing is widely used in the oil and gas business. Hydraulic fracturing is a commonly employed procedure in the oil and gas sector to meet the world's ever-increasing need for petroleum and oil and gas. Therefore, demand is increasing since frac sand is critical to the operation; thousands of tons are required for each hydraulic fracturing procedure. In addition, the development of fine-mesh, which promotes natural fluid flow.

Increasing Demand from Oil & Gas Industry to Magnify Market Growth

Rising oil and gas extraction activities, the growth and expansion of the oil and gas exploration industry, are driving the market forward. The discovery of fresh shale sources will boost the business even more. The frac sand market will increase at a faster rate due to rising demand for petroleum-based products and technological advancements in the extraction of oil and natural gas. The business will see even more attractive and remunerative growth potential due to hydraulic fracturing of methane hydrate.

• According to the Association of American Railroads, a single horizontal well typically requires 3 000–10 000 tons of frac sand—equivalent to 30–100 rail carloads.

• According to Mining Engineering (SME), the Permian Basin accounted for just over 50 % of total U.S. proppant demand in the latest reporting period, with consumption rising 10 % year on year.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Costs to Impede Market Progress

However, changes in crude oil prices will represent a significant impediment to the growth of the market. The lack of suitable infrastructure and transportation facilities will further stifle the market's expansion. Long-term health risks associated with exposure will also stymie market growth.

• According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. Class I railroads originated approximately 380 000 carloads of industrial sand in 2013—up from 112 310 carloads in 2009—a 239 % increase that strains rail logistics.

• According to the U.S. Geological Survey, identified U.S. frac sand resources were estimated at 1.3 billion metric tons in 2014, yielding a reserves to consumption ratio of about 30 years based on that year’s usage

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FRAC SAND MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Increasing Demand for Silica to Promote Growth in North America

North America is expected to dominate the frac sand market share. The U.S. is the major donor in the region. A primary driver driving market expansion is rising demand for silica sand as a prominent proppant material in hydraulic fracturing. Another factor influencing the region's market growth rate is increased expenditure on research and development to provide high-quality products.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Companies Adopt Technologically Advanced Production Techniques to Improve Market Position

The research examines the following major players in the global market, including their competitive landscape, capacity, and recent events such as mergers, acquisitions, and financing. The research was conducted with the use of an objective mix of primary and secondary data, and feedback from key industry participants.

• U.S. Silica: According to U.S. Silica’s 2021 Sustainability Report, the company operated 24 active production facilities across the United States as of December 31, 2021.

• Fairmount Santrol: According to the National Mining Association, Fairmount Santrol operated six active frac sand mines and maintained 52 distribution terminals in North America as of 2017.

A full market and vendor landscape, and an analysis of the major vendors, are included in the report.

List of Top Frac Sand Companies

• U.S Silica
• Fairmount Santrol
• Preferred Sands
• Badger Mining Corporation
• Unimin Corporation
• Mammoth Energy Service, Inc.
• Emerge Energy Services LP
• Carbo Ceramics
• Hi-Crush Partners LP
• Smart Sand Inc.
• Chongqing Changjian

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

• October 2019: BMC, a family-owned industrial sand provider since 1949, is delighted to announce the signing of a new exclusive terminal agreement with Di-Corp Sand Transloading (DST) for the use of DST's transload facility in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, and Canada. With this step, BMC demonstrates its commitment to providing best-in-class service delivery and frac plugs storage in the industry.

REPORT COVERAGE

The key countries in the region have been mapped according to their respective revenue contributions to the regional market. The research explains the primary drivers, restraints, and market opportunities, and a thorough analysis of their impact. The market analysis provides extensive information on the market share of global industry participants.