Since the mid-2000s, three of the most important ceramic raw materials—silica, kaolin, and bauxite—have been in high demand as proppants from the North American oil and gas drilling industry as it develops unconventional resources, particularly shale gas and shale oil.

After a recent dip in demand, we are now witnessing another Mother of a Sandstorm of proppant demand. This time it’s slightly different in that silica is totally dominant, but there is the same question of whether there will be enough material for its other markets, including ceramic, glass, and foundry applications. And what about the future of ceramic proppants?