The estimated U.S. output of construction aggregates produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2022 was 476 million metric tons (Mt), an increase of 4.1% compared with that of the same period of 2021, according to Jason Willett, commodity specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The estimated production-for-consumption of construction aggregates in the first quarter of 2022 increased in four of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2021. Production-for-consumption increased in 25 of the 42 states that were estimated.
The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Florida, Missouri and Arizona. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 169 Mt and increased by 10.5% when compared with that of the same period of 2021.
The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2022 was 185 Mt, an increase of 5.2% compared with that of the same period of 2021.
The estimated production-for-consumption of construction sand and gravel in the first quarter of 2022 increased from that of first quarter 2021 in five of the nine geographic divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 27 of the 45 states for which estimates were made.
The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, California, Texas, Arizona, Utah and Washington. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 76.9 Mt and increased by 8.1% when compared with that of the same period of 2021.
The above estimates are based on information reported to USGS on its quarterly sample survey by construction aggregates producers.
In 2021, industrial sand and gravel valued at an estimated $2.3 billion was produced by 167 companies from 248 operations in 33 states, USGS stated. The value of production of industrial sand and gravel in 2021 increased slightly compared with that in the previous year.
The leading producing states were, in descending order of production, Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Carolina, Alabama, California, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Minnesota. Combined production from these states accounted for about 86% of total domestic sales and use.
Approximately 64% of the U.S. tonnage was used as hydraulic-fracturing sand and wellpacking and cementing sand; 11% as other whole-grain silica; and 10% as glassmaking sand. Other uses were, in decreasing quantity of use, foundry sand, whole-grain fillers for building products, recreational sand, other ground silica sand, and silica gravel, which accounted for 12%, combined.
Other minor uses were, in decreasing quantity of use, chemicals, abrasives, filtration sand, ceramics, roofing granules, fillers, traction, and metallurgic flux, combined, accounted for the remaining 3% of industrial sand and gravel end uses.