The US fracking boom is pushing the demand of quartz sand to new highs . The sand , or proppant , is integral to the fracking process . Normally , this means quartz sand held in chemical solutions , which is then pumped into the hydraulic system to keep it open . Credit Suisse officials predict demand will rise to 73 million tons this year , an increase 30 % from 2014 's peak demand .
The US fracking boom is pushing the price of frac sand to new highs. Frac sand, or proppant, is integral to the fracking process. Normally, this means quartz sand held in chemical solutions, which is then pumped into the hydraulic fracture to keep it open. Credit Suisse analysts predict demand will rise to 73 million tons this year, an increase 30% from 2014's peak demand.