Silica and quartz sands market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

In the late 2010s, the Finnish market for silica and quartz sands began facing stringent new rules on worker exposure to crystalline silica dust. EU Directive 2019/130, along with Finnish hygiene threshold values, set binding limits and classified silica as a carcinogen. These measures, effective from 2020, increased regulatory scrutiny across mining, construction, and glass industries that use quartz sand. The market size, which had reached $10.5 million in 2019, dropped sharply by 21% to $8.3 million in 2020 as the 0.1 mg/m³ exposure limit became mandatory and companies adjusted their operations.

After the initial shock, the market stabilized in 2021 at $8.3 million, aided by the development of a standardized method to measure respirable quartz content in products, which simplified compliance. However, continued regulatory pressure—including revised control criteria in 2022 and stricter supervision guidelines in 2023—weighed on domestic production, which fell by 14% in 2023. A spike in imports lifted the market to $9.3 million in 2022, but it retreated to $8.6 million in 2023 and further to $8.0 million in 2024, underscoring how quartz dust regulations have reshaped local supply and overall market volume over the period.

Production silica and quartz sands in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's production of silica and quartz sands declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 6 057 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 10.2% drop compared to 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 7 257 thousand US dollars, which represented a 2.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.5%, averaging an annual decline of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Finland's production of silica and quartz sands fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output amounted to 180.6 thousand tonnes, down 13.0% from 2019. Production reached its highest level in 2018 at 212.2 thousand tonnes, which was a 10.2% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports silica and quartz sands from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Finland's exports of silica and quartz sands showed notable fluctuations during the period. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 642 tonnes, representing a 68.3% decline from the previous year. In 2020, exports rebounded to 1 541 tonnes, a 139.9% increase compared to 2019. The maximum volume occurred in 2017, with a 3.9-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Latvia were the leading markets for Finland's exports of silica and quartz sands in volume terms, together accounting for 92.5% of total exports. The remaining volume was distributed among other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Finland's exports of silica and quartz sands in value terms increased in 2020. Exports reached 137 thousand US dollars, up 7.1% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 128 thousand US dollars, following a 33.3% drop in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 46.5%, with an average annual decline of 18.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Latvia, and Estonia were the top contributors to Finland's exports of silica and quartz sands in value terms. Russia accounted for 55.6% of exports, Latvia for 23.2%, and Estonia for 4.9%, together making up 83.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020

Imports silica and quartz sands to Finland

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Finland's imports of silica and quartz sands in volume terms rose in 2020. Imports totaled 25 808 tonnes, a 38.4% increase from 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 652 tonnes, which marked a 53.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 43.1%, with an average annual decline of 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium dominated Finland's imports of silica and quartz sands in volume terms, holding an 81.7% share of total imports. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Finland's imports of silica and quartz sands in value terms totaled 2 411 thousand US dollars, down 38.3% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 909 thousand US dollars, which represented a 22.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 26.4%, with an average annual decline of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark were the main sources for Finland's imports of silica and quartz sands in value terms. Belgium accounted for 52.6% of imports, Sweden for 26.0%, and Denmark for 10.3%, together comprising 88.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Finland in value, 2017-2020