"The Industrial Garnet Market is estimated to be USD 511.5 million in 2024. Furthermore, the market is expected to grow to USD 775.5 million by 2031, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.13%."
Industrial Garnet Market Overview
Garnet is an industrial mineral that refers to a group of common silicate minerals that belong to the nesosilicate group, which are typically formed under extreme heat and pressure. The main members of the garnet group are almandine, pyrope, spessartite, grossularite, andradite and uvarovite. Garnet has a general chemical formula of X3Y2(SiO4)3, where X and Y are elements that can vary. Garnets are opaque, transparent to translucent minerals that can be found as individual crystals, pebbles, or clumps of inter-grown crystals. Garnets are mostly found with reddish shades, but can be orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, blue, black, pink, and colorless.
Garnet has been used as abrasives, gemstones, sandblasting, water filtration, glass and tube blasting, anti-slip coating, water jet cutting, textile blasting, tumbling media and non-skid surfaces. Garnets have several industrial applications due to their properties like relatively high specific gravity, angular fractures, nontoxicity, chemical inertness, and its ability to be recycled.
Latest Trends in the Industrial Garnet Market
Increasing Product Launches by Key Players:
In December 2023, GMA Garnet Group and Barton International entered into a supply and distribution agreement for the supply of GMA’s line of GMAX products to surface preparation applications in the Gulf Coast region of the United States.
In October 2023, GMA Garnet announced plans to expand its production capacity by 20% to meet the growing demand for its products. The company will invest in new mining and processing facilities in Australia.
In August 2022, GMA Garnet released a new garnet abrasive, GMA ToughBlast to effectively cut through coatings and efficiently clean surfaces.
In August 2021, The Australian Garnet Mine at Lucky Bay is expected to begin a new mineral sands mine South of Kalbarri in the Midwest; at peak, it will process up to 7.5 million tonnes of garnet-rich sand.
In June 2018, Barton International branded ALLTEK its line of high-performance alluvial garnet abrasives for the waterjet cutting and surface preparation markets.
Developing Eco-Friendly Garnet Abrasives Can Satisfy Legal Requirements:
One of the major trends influencing the market growth is the shift towards eco-friendly and sustainable abrasives, due to the growing demand for industrial garnet in different industries. The global focus on sustainable industrial operations is significantly benefiting the market. In contrast to conventional abrasives like silica sand, industrial garnet stands out as a natural, non-toxic, and non-hazardous material with recyclable and reusable properties. Additionally, garnet proves to be environmentally safer and more cost-effective for disposal after recycling. The growing commitment of manufacturers to recycle used garnet, facilitated by the introduction of innovative equipment and technology to minimize garnet disposal volume, is anticipated to boost market expansion. Recycled garnet maintains high quality and can be resold for diverse industrial applications.
Driving Factors
Growth in Infrastructure Development and Manufacturing Activities:
One of the major factors driving the market growth is increasing investment in infrastructure and construction activities. As governments and private investors increase their spending on infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and airports, the demand for industrial garnet in abrasive blasting and waterjet cutting applications is estimated to increase significantly. Moreover, industrial garnet is widely used in the manufacturing industry for various applications such as cutting, grinding, and polishing. With the rising adoption of automation and advanced manufacturing technologies, the demand for industrial garnet is expected to grow in the coming years. Ongoing construction and renovation projects worldwide require reliable and efficient abrasive materials.
Growing Resources of Heavy Minerals Mining Worldwide:
Garnet resources across the globe are abundant and are found in a diverse range of rocks, particularly gneisses and schists. Ongoing exploration activities in various geological formations have led to the discovery of new garnet deposits. Furthermore, alluvial garnet is present in numerous heavy mineral sand and gravel deposits worldwide. Australia stands out as a major contributor to the world's garnet production, accounting for nearly half of the global output. Other significant producers include India, the USA, and China. Within the U.S., substantial domestic garnet resources are found in North Creek, NY, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Oregon. Garnet resources have also been exploited in Russia and Turkey in recent years, primarily to cater to internal markets. Additional garnet resources are distributed globally, including in Chile, Czechia, Pakistan, Spain, Thailand, and Ukraine. Several of these countries host small-scale mining operations, contributing to the overall availability of garnet in the international market.
Market Challenges
Availability of Substitutes:
The industrial garnet faces competition from alternative abrasive materials such as silica sand, crushed glass, aluminum oxide, zirconium, and others. Fused aluminum oxide and staurolite compete with garnet as a sandblasting material. Ilmenite, magnetite, and plastics compete as filtration media. Corundum, diamond, and fused aluminum oxide compete for lens grinding and for many lapping operations. Silicon carbide and zirconium are sometimes used as an alternative for waterjet cutting. For jewelry applications, particularly in red gemstone settings, ruby or red spinel can be considered substitutes for red garnet.
Environmental and Regulatory Issues:
Environmental issues related to gemstone mining and disposal of chemicals used in garnet manufacturing are estimated to hamper the market growth during the forecast period. The environmental issues caused by mining are land degradation, water contamination, and effects on biodiversity and wildlife, which are expected to hamper market growth. The energy-intensive nature of mining and processing operations for industrial garnet contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The reliance on non-renewable energy sources can exacerbate the environmental footprint of the industry. Implementing sustainable practices, such as reclamation of mined areas, reforestation, and water recycling, can help address environmental issues associated with industrial garnet extraction and processing.
Companies Mentioned
Mineral Commodities Ltd
GMA Garnet Pty Ltd
Trimex Sands Pvt Ltd
BARTON International
RZG Garnet LTD
V.V Mineral
Indian Ocean Garnet Sands Company Ltd.
Zircon Mineral Co.
Mohawk Garnet Inc.
Opta Minerals Inc.
Beach Minerals Company
*The companies above are listed in no particular order.
Report Scope
Details
Market Value- $ Million,2024
USD 511.5 million
Market Growth (Value), (2024-2031)- %
3.13
Leading Region
Xx
Base Year
2023
Forecast Period
2024 to 2031
Segments Covered
By Application, By Product Type, By Sales Channel
Geography Covered
North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South and Central America, and Middle East & Africa