The U.S. barite market size was estimated at USD 513.6 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2024 to 2030. The market is primarily driven by the increasing offshore oil and gas drilling activities. Barite is added to the fluid used for drilling oil and natural gas wells to increase its density. The U.S. oil gas industry is one of the largest markets for barite. A steady rise in tight oil production has played a pivotal role in driving market growth. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. crude oil production was at a record high of 13.3 million barrels per day (b/d) in December 2023. However, it is projected to experience a slight dip in the middle of 2024 and will surpass the December 2023 record by February 2025.

Barite is a versatile mineral that has several important uses in the healthcare industry. Barite is widely used as a radiopaque agent in diagnostic medical tests including X-rays and CT scans to generate clear images of the gastrointestinal tract and other parts of the body. It is also used as a filler in tablets and capsules to help maintain their shape and size.

Barite mining has potential adverse effects on the environment, causing habitat destruction, soil erosion, and water pollution. This has impelled the mining companies to comply with stringent environmental regulations and mitigate the risks. In the U.S., laws and regulations are authorized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the regulations, the metal sector is included in the manufacturing sector (NAICS 31 - 33). It includes the nonferrous metals industry and the metal industry. The presence of strict regulatory norms is aiding ethical manufacturing activities.

U.S. Barite Market Report Highlights

• The oil gas segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 82.7% in 2023 owing to the rising crude oil extraction in the country. As per the EIA, the U.S. crude oil production broke record with an average production of 12.9 million barrels per day. This strengthens the country’s position in the global oil gas industry.

• The fillers segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030. Barite as filler is widely adopted due to its nontoxicity, high specific gravity, and chemical inertness. It is an excellent substitute for materials such as titanium dioxide, basofor, and crypton, which are also used as fillers in paints coatings, and other industries.

U.S. Barite Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue volume growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this report, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. barite market report based on application:

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
  • Oil Gas
  • Chemicals
  • Fillers
  • Others

Order a free sample PDF of the U.S. Barite Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.