In Q1 2025, prices rose modestly by 0.27% compared to the previous quarter, reflecting a temporary easing in industrial demand after the year-end build-up. The solar glass and construction sectors continued to provide baseline support, but procurement slowed as buyers maintained adequate inventory levels.
Seasonal softness in infrastructure activity and cautious sentiment in export markets also limited upside momentum. On the supply side, steady quarry operations and uninterrupted domestic availability kept the market balanced, resulting in a mild upward price adjustment rather than a sharp movement.
Quartz Sand (SiO₂ 99.5%, Fe₂O₃ 0.017%), China Price Trends
In Q1 2025, prices increased significantly by around 5.41% compared to the previous quarter, reflecting a strong rebound in market activity. This growth was largely driven by renewed demand from the solar energy and semiconductor sectors, where high-purity quartz sand is a critical raw material.
Tight supply conditions, coupled with increased processing costs and firm export demand, supported the sharp price rise. Market sentiment remained optimistic during this period, with buyers securing volumes in anticipation of continued industrial expansion.
In Q2 2025, the Indian Quartz Sand market recorded a moderate increase of 0.47% quarter-on-quarter. This upward movement was primarily supported by steady demand from the glass manufacturing and construction sectors, along with improving procurement activity from ceramic and foundry applications.
However, the pace of growth remained contained due to cautious buying behaviour from downstream industries and relatively stable production output across major mining regions in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Logistics conditions remained broadly stable, preventing any significant cost push, while export demand showed selective improvement rather than broad-based strength.
Quartz Sand (SiO₂ 99.5%, Fe₂O₃ 0.017%), China Price Trends
According to market assessments, in Q2 2025 the Chinese Quartz Sand market recorded a decline of 3.77% quarter on quarter. This downward movement was primarily influenced by softened demand from key downstream industries such as electronics, glass manufacturing, and solar materials.
While high-purity quartz typically benefits from renewable energy applications, particularly photovoltaic glass, a temporary slowdown in export orders and cautious procurement strategies weighed on prices. Additionally, improved supply availability and easing freight costs contributed to the bearish trend, leading to price corrections despite stable long-term demand fundamentals.
In Q3 2025, quartz sand prices moved in opposite directions in China and India due to differing demand and supply conditions. In China, prices declined as weak demand from construction, glass, and photovoltaic industries combined with oversupply and high inventories, while cautious buying and seasonal slowdown further pressured the market.
In India, prices saw a mild increase supported by steady demand from construction, glass manufacturing, and solar-related applications, but gains were limited by ample supply, cautious procurement, and monsoon-related disruptions. Overall, China faced a softer, oversupplied market, while India remained relatively stable with modest upward support.
China: Quartz sand FOB Shanghai, China; SiO2-99.5%, Fe2O3-0.017%; Grade
In Q3 2025, quartz sand prices in China declined by 3.77% compared to Q2, mainly due to weak downstream demand and continued oversupply across the market. Demand from key end-use sectors such as flat glass, construction, and parts of the photovoltaic value chain remained subdued, as end-users relied on existing inventories and maintained cautious procurement amid uncertain industrial activity.
The solar and photovoltaic sector, despite long-term growth potential, saw short-term purchasing pressure from overcapacity and competitive pricing among manufacturers, which reduced raw material demand. At the same time, stable domestic production and sufficient supply kept market fundamentals loose, preventing any tightening despite lower consumption.
Seasonal slowdown toward year-end further weighed on activity, with September recording a 1.36% month-on-month decline as buyers reduced restocking and construction activity softened, reinforcing the overall bearish price trend through the quarter.
India: Quartz sand Ex Bhuj, India; Grade; (SiO2-99.5%, Fe2O3-0.1%)
In Q3 2025, quartz sand prices in India trend increase 0.36% compared to Q2, supported by steady baseline demand from construction and glass manufacturing, along with ongoing structural consumption from solar and industrial applications. However, the market remained broadly balanced due to ample domestic supply and cautious procurement by buyers, which limited stronger price gains.
Seasonal monsoon-related disruptions and uneven construction activity further restrained momentum, leading to softer monthly sentiment. This has been reflected in a 0.24% price decline in September, driven by temporary demand slowdown and inventory management by end-users.
Overall, the quarter reflected a stable but cautious market environment, where steady demand support was partially offset by supply comfort and short-term fluctuations in industrial activity.
In Q4 2025, quartz sand prices in India and China experienced a decline due to weak downstream demand and an overall caution in purchasing. In India, weaker construction and infrastructure activity, as well as moderate demand from the glass manufacturers caused buyers to utilize existing inventories and limit new purchases, putting pressure on the market. Demand from the solar and photovoltaic market provided only limited support and did not offset the overall weakness of the market.
In China, subdued construction and real estate activity had an adverse effect on the demand for flat glass and ceramics, while the photovoltaic sector has been under pressure from previous capacity additions and price corrections.
The existence of high inventories and the use of cautious just-in-time purchasing by buyers both contributed to a negative market sentiment, while an annual seasonal slowdown added to the overall softness. Therefore, the overall trend in both markets has been clearly downward because of weak demand, sufficient supply, and limited purchasing.
China: Quartz sand FOB Shanghai, China; SiO2-99.5%, Fe2O3-0.017%; Grade
In Q1 2026, Quartz Sand prices in China increased by approximately 5.41% compared with Q4 2025, supported by recovering downstream demand and improving market sentiment after the weaker conditions seen in the previous quarter. The Quartz Sand price trend in China remained moderately firm throughout the quarter, driven by stronger consumption from glass, construction, and solar photovoltaic industries.
Seasonal improvement in industrial activity and restocking by buyers following year-end inventory drawdowns also contributed to firmer pricing momentum. Demand from photovoltaic and solar glass manufacturing strengthened further during the period, helping tighten the supply-demand balance across the domestic market.
However, ample local supply availability and cautious procurement strategies among some downstream consumers prevented more aggressive price escalation. In March 2026, Quartz Sand prices in China rose by around 2.18% month-on-month, reflecting stronger buying activity and improved downstream production levels toward quarter-end.
India: Quartz sand Ex Bhuj, India; Grade; (SiO2-99.5%, Fe2O3-0.1%)
In the fourth quarter of 2025, Quartz Sand prices in India dropped by nearly 1.07% from the previous quarter due to slowing activity in the building and utilities sectors reducing overall consumption of Quartz Sand. As such, demand for Quartz Sand has been down overall, with a few exceptions, such as for solar panels and similar products.
There has been adequate Quartz Sand supply in the domestic market, which limited pricing support and the need for immediate purchases from buyers. Overall, there has been a slight decline in Quartz Sand prices in India on a month-to-month basis from November to December 2025, further illustrating the flat market conditions.
