Global High Purity Quartz Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The global high purity quartz market was valued at US$854.608 million in 2021 and will witness modest growth over the forecast period. High-purity quartz (HPQ) is a specialized form of quartz that contains a very low concentration of impurities, typically less than 30 parts per million (ppm). This high level of purity makes it an ideal material for use in various high-tech applications such as semiconductors, solar panels, optical fibers, and other electronics. In addition, HPQ is also used to produce high-end glass products, including laboratory equipment, fiber-optic lenses, and other high-tech glass applications. As a result, the global high-purity quartz market has been experiencing steady growth over the past few years due to the increasing demand for high-tech applications and the growing demand for high-quality glass products.

The semiconductor industry is a major consumer of HPQ, as it is used to manufacture high-performance silicon wafers, which are then used in a wide range of electronic devices. The solar industry also utilizes HPQ to manufacture photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. In addition to these applications, the high purity quartz market is also driven by the growing demand for high-quality glass products, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries.

Market Drivers

The global high purity quartz market is driven by rising demand for high-tech applications, particularly in the semiconductor and solar industries, and the growing demand for high-quality glass products in the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries.

• The semiconductor industry is a major consumer of HPQ, as it is used to manufacture high-performance silicon wafers, which are then used in a wide range of electronic devices. In addition, the solar industry also utilizes HPQ to manufacture photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. As a result, the demand for high-purity quartz in these industries is expected to continue to increase as these industries expand and innovate.
• The increasing focus on renewable energy sources and the growing adoption of electric vehicles is expected to drive the demand for high-purity quartz in the coming years. The use of HPQ in producing photovoltaic cells and other renewable energy technologies is likely to increase as the need for clean energy grows. Similarly, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles is expected to drive the demand for high-quality glass products in the automotive industry, a key consumer of high-purity quartz. According to reports from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the share of electric cars in new car sales reached a record 4.6% in 2020, up from 2.5% in 2019. Furthermore, the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario projects that by 2030, there could be over 230 million electric cars worldwide, representing around 20% of the global car fleet.

High production costs and a wide range of alternatives are some of the key challenges to the widespread adoption of high purity quartz.

The production of high-purity quartz involves a complex process that requires significant investments in equipment and technology. As a result, the production costs for high-purity quartz can be high, which could make it difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the market. In addition, while high-purity quartz is used in a wide range of high-tech applications, substitutes are available, such as synthetic quartz and fused silica. These materials may offer similar properties at a lower cost, which could limit the demand for high-purity quartz.

Market Developments

• In December 2022, Sibelco, a global material solutions company that produces and supplies high-purity quartz for various applications, including semiconductor manufacturing, optics, and lighting, announced the procurement of the Bassanetti Group situated in Italy. This procurement aligns with their strategic goals of reinforcing their stance in Southern Europe. The Bassanetti Group runs three sand quarries in the North Piacenza province of Italy. For over five decades, the group has been a significant regional participant in the extraction, refining, and trade of particular stone aggregates, sands, quartz, and gravel.

North America accounted for a major share of the global high purity quartz market in 2021, while the European high-purity quartz market is expected to grow steadily over the projected period.

North America is a significant market for high-purity quartz due to several semiconductor manufacturing and solar cell production facilities. The United States is North America's largest market for high-purity quartz, driven by the demand for high-tech applications in industries such as electronics and optics. Europe is another major market for high-purity quartz, with countries such as Germany and France being key consumers. The demand for high-purity quartz in Europe is driven by the growth of the semiconductor industry and the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar power. In addition, the growing adoption of electric vehicles in the region has also favored the growth of the European high purity quartz market. In 2020, European electric car sales surpassed those in China for the first time, with 1.4 million electric cars sold compared to 1.2 million in China, according to International Energy Agency (IEA) reports.

Market Segmentation

By Grade

• Low
• Medium
• High

By End-User

• Electronics and semiconductor
• Solar Industry
• Lighting and optics
• Others

By Geography

• North America
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Others
• Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Israel
  • UAE
  • Others
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Vietnam
  • Indonesia
  • Taiwan
  • Others