A NEW report highlighting the versatility and economic importance of industrial sand extracted in Britain has been welcomed by the Mineral Products Association (MPA).

In its latest mineral planning factsheet ‘Industrial Sand Future Markets’, the British Geological Survey (BGS) uses data to put the spotlight on critical industrial sand markets and anticipated future trends in consumption.

The document explains that while the range of uses for industrial sand vary widely, they all have two things in common: (1) They support larger, often higher-value industrial sectors and (2) they require specific properties which only a few British quarries can produce.

Because of its high-purity silica (SiO

) chemistry, industrial sand is critical for an overwhelming array of products that support modern life, from glass and glass fibre applications to ceramics, metal castings, rail braking systems, water filtration, chemicals, agriculture, sports pitches, and many others.

According to the MPA, which represents industrial sand producers, the material’s role in the transition to net zero — from energy-efficient buildings and the electrification of transport and to renewable energy generation — make it one of the most economically important minerals extracted in the British Isles.

The BGS data show that total industrial sand production in Great Britain fell slightly from 4.9 million tonnes in 2018 to 4.7 million tonnes in 2023. This reduction, however, is minimal considering the broader decline in construction materials over the same period.

Longer-term analysis of production figures shows that annual sales of industrial sands have hovered around 5 million tonnes for more than two decades, with specialist applications such as energy technologies on the rise. The north-west of England remains the largest producing region, but reserves overall have dropped by 5% since 2018.

Nick Horsley, MPA director of planning and industrial minerals, said: ‘Where industrial sand comes from matters because downstream manufacturers rely on narrow specifications of materials that can only be sourced from a handful of quarries, and mineral deposits are not readily interchangeable. Government policy makers have yet to realize that industrial sand is the non-metallic mineral backbone of the country’s energy transition, let alone its extensive array of other uses. Right now it’s vital to ensure that UK reserves, planning permissions, and supply chains keep pace with demand.

‘For producers this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. By securing sustainable domestic production of industrial sand, the industry can secure its place in underpinning the UK’s ambitions for clean energy – proving once again that the path to net zero is less about policy and innovation, and more about the raw resources beneath our feet.’

The BGS report also highlights some of the key applications that will need a sustained and sustainable supply of UK industrial sand, including:

Glass fibre reinforced plastic has become indispensable in wind turbine blades. Each 30-tonne blade contains roughly 50% glass fibre and most of that is industrial sand – nearly a third of the mass of every turbine blade. This is compounded by the fact that there are currently no viable recycling routes for glass fibre used in blades. Unlike container glass, which can be endlessly recycled, turbine blades demand virgin raw material. As the UK expands its offshore wind capacity, demand for high-purity silica sand will rise too. Unfortunately, the closure of the UK’s only continuous filament fibre manufacturing site in 2025 has already increased reliance on imports, underlining the strategic importance of domestic manufacturing and sand supply.

High-purity industrial sand is critical for glazing. To produce energy-efficient window units, manufacturers require silica content of 98.5–99% with tightly controlled levels of iron and alumina. As the UK moves towards stricter carbon emissions standards, glazing will play a more central role in building performance. The forthcoming Future Homes and Buildings Standard is likely to drive a shift towards triple glazing, a measure that could multiply flat glass requirements for new homes by around 50% and accelerate retrofitting for existing properties. This represents a major growth area for industrial sand, and secure domestic supplies of high-purity material will become increasingly important. Flat glass is also necessary is for solar panels, although current UK sand quarries are not supplying this market.

Industrial sand plays a unique role in railway transport by enhancing traction and braking performance. When trains operate in wet, icy or slippery conditions, the metal wheels can lose grip on the smooth steel rails. Sand with specific grain size and hardness is applied to the rails from on-board sandboxes ahead of the wheels, increasing friction between wheels and track. The extra adhesion helps locomotives accelerate efficiently and, crucially, decelerate safely by reducing wheel slip during braking. While this uses relatively modest volumes of industrial sand compared with some other applications, it remains a critical specialized application for safe and reliable railways.

Another important application for industrial sand is in potable water filtration, where its uniform grain size and high sphericity make it effective at removing suspended solids from water. Sand beds are used in both slow and rapid gravity filters in drinking water treatment and municipal or industrial water systems. As water flows through layers of sand, particulates are physically trapped, clarifying the water before further treatment. The specification for this sand is tightly controlled to ensure good permeability and minimal fine particles. The demand for filtration sand is continuing to rise with infrastructure investment and growing population needs.

‘Industrial Sand Future Markets’ is available on the British Geological Survey

.

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