The sales of silica sand in Britain are estimated to have been worth £67 million in 2004 according to the British Geological Survey. This confirms that silica sand is a high value product compared to construction sands reflecting its relative limited occurrence and its importance as a raw material for industry. The Country is virtually self-sufficient in silica sand and the international trade is currently small.

The glass industry is the most important customer producing nearly £1.5 billion in sales in 2004 and employing nearly 10,000 people. Glass in produced for a wide variety of uses including containers, flat glass, and special uses such as for TV screens and ceramic hobs and for fibre glass which is used mainly for insulation.

Its importance as a foundry sand has declined in recent years due to the contraction of the engineering industry however it is estimated that there were about 200 foundries in England in 2002 producing castings mainly for the automotive industry worth about £2.7 billion. The decline in the foundry industry has been matched by an expansion in the use of silica sand in horticultural and sports uses.

Silica sand is an important constituent of many other products such as ceramics, paints, plastics, rubber, sealants and adhesives. It thus helps to sustain many other important industries in Britain.