Cristobalite Market Expected to Reach $56.6 Million by 2031—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Cristobalite Market," The cristobalite market was valued at $36.3 million in 2021, and is estimated to reach $56.6 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2022 to 2031.

Cristobalite is produced by finely grounding mined crystalline silica rocks. Cristobalite is also known as ground silica sand with a high silica sand which exhibits 98% of silica sand. In addition, cristobalite is white, amorphous powder that is insoluble in water. It has high melting point, good permeability, and high mechanical strength. It has a wide range of applications in the fiberglass, glass & ceramic, refractory, and other end use sectors.  

Current Market Trends: 

• Hue Premium Silica company offers cristobalite which is obtained by heating silica sand at 1470 centigrade and it is quickly cooled so that SiO2 crystals exist in the form of cristobalite. Further, this material is burnt in a rotary kiln by using gaseous fuel to ensure that no dust or smoke will affect product quality and the aesthetics of the environment.  
• According to an article published by Walter de Gruyter GmbH in April 2020, Volcanic SiO2-cristobalite product is a natural product of chemical vapor deposition widely used as an indicator in the oil & gas industry. These current market trends are likley to fuel the market in the upcoming years. 

The increase in global population, improvement in the standard of living, and increase in purchasing power of consumers have led them to seek unique constriction materials for designing their homes. Ceramics is one of the distinctive materials used in both residential and commercial construction including tiles, washbasins, kitchen countertops, and others where grounded silica is used extensively as a glassifying and melting agent. This acts as a driving key for the cristobalite market. The swiftly growing construction industry and increasing demand for engineered stone have surged the demand for cristobalite. Cristobalite adds visual beauty and functionality to the engineered stones which are used as fillers for countertops, flooring, and in bathrooms. This is expected to increase the growth of cristobalite silica in the engineered stone market.  

Cristobalite is present in paints, coatings, glasses, rubber, and tiers. There is a risk associated with these products when a person has prolonged exposure to the cristobalite particle, and it may cause silicosis diseases which in turn leads to eye irritation, heart-related problems, skin-related issues, and others. 

Moreover, preventive approach toward oral hygiene, government funding for dental programs, and presence of independent clinics has surged the demand for cristobalite based enamels and dental implants. This factor is predicted to create remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the cristobalite market in the future. However, there are some restraints like the government restrictions on the use of cristobalite concentration and the availability of alternative substitutes for cristobalite have disturbed the market growth. These factors are adversely impacting the growth of the global cristobalite market.  

Furthermore, the silica based cristobalite is used in the dentistry sector for alginate impressions for making teeth models. This is anticipated to enhance the demand for cristobalite in the dentistry sector. Moreover, the cristobalite has strong adhesion property owing to this it is widely used in household appliances for the repair and maintenance of household objects such as glass, ceramic-based utensils, and others. These factors have surged the popularity of cristobalite in the growing household appliances; thus, it will create remunerative opportunities for the market. In addition, the growing modern theme-based building & construction sector has surged the demand for glass that is used in manufacturing windowpanes, doors, and other building parts where cristobalite is used as glassifying agent an owing to low thermal expansion capacity and high melting point it is used in glass manufacturing units may experience a surge in demand. These are the major factors contributing to market growth. 

The cristobalite market is segmented on the basis of form, application, and region. By form, the market is segregated into granular and powder. The powder form of segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2021, with 60% of total share due to the increase in demand for engineered stone in recent years due to its cost-effectiveness, high strength, and physical properties. According to an article published by NPCs in 2021, U.S.s engineered stone imports amounted to 66.1 thousand sq. ft. during 2015, higher by 55.1% over the preceding year. Engineered stone, to account for 77 thousand ft² in the U.S. countertops market annually by 2017. The powder form of cristobalite is extensively used as filler to make engineered stone. This may act as one of the driving factors for the cristobalite market for powder from the segment.  

By application, the market is fragmented into glass and ceramic, building and construction activities, paints and coatings, foundry, and others. This is attributed to the fact that, the extensive demand for fiberglass in building & construction has led the cristobalite-based fiberglass manufacturers to produce highly efficient fiberglass which is used in wall coverings, fire protection, and other applications. This may act as one of the key drivers responsible for the growth of the cristobalite market for glass and ceramic applications. In addition, cristobalite-based glass has a higher strength-to-weight ratio that makes it suitable for producing lightweight vehicles with improved mileage. This factor is anticipated to increase the demand for cristobalite market for cristobalite and ceramic application in the growing automotive sector.  

Region-wise, the cristobalite material market is analysed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The Asia-Pacific cristobalite market size is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period and accounted for a major cristobalite market share in 2021, with 44% of the total share. The utilization of cristobalite in the sectors such as building and construction, paints and coatings, glass ceramics, chemicals, industrial, and others are the major key market trend in the Asia-Pacific region. Proliferating demand for electronics products has boosted market growth.

Cristobalite-based glass and ceramics are widely used in semiconductor and electronics devices owing to their thermal insulating and conducting properties. In addition, the imports and exports rate of glass and ceramics has increased in India due to growing construction & infrastructural activities. For instance, an article revealed by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in April 2022, India’s exports of Ceramics & Glassware products for 2021-22 hit a record at $3464 Thousand. During FY 2013-14; India’s Ceramic & Glassware products exports were valued at $1292 Thousand. This factor will enhance the overall potential sales of the cristobalite market.  

Key players operating in the global cristobalite market include C.E.D. Process Minerals, Inc., Dinglong Quartz Limited, Goldstar Powders Pvt. Ltd, Goyal Group of Minerals, GRENZEBACH GROUP, Hoben International Limited, Momentive Technologies, Quartz work GmbH, Sibelco, and SILMER. 

Key findings of the study 

• By form the powder segment is accounted for 60% of the share in the global cristobalite market in 2021 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. 
• By application, the glass and ceramics segment are the fastest-growing application segment in the global cristobalite market and is expected to grow end use segment is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2031. 
• Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate, registering a CAGR of 5.1%, during the forecast period.

COVID-19 impact analysis:

COVID-19 had a negative impact on the cristobalite market due to a falling income of customers and international travel restrictions has led to a contraction in the demand for cristobalite in the architecture, paint and coatings, and metallurgy sectors. Also, COVID-19 has put a temporary break on various infrastructure projects, which in turn reduced the demand for cristobalite. 

However, increasing demand from the glass and ceramics sector has enhanced the performance of the cristobalite market post COVID-19. Furthermore, the building & construction, paints and coatings, foundry, and other activities are projected to get back on track and start functioning with full capacity post the COVID-19 period, which is expected to drive the cristobalite market in 2022.