Top 10 Companies in the Sandblasting Media Industry (2026): Raw Material Suppliers Powering Surface Treatment Globally

In Business Insights
February 04, 2026


The Global Sandblasting Media Market was valued at USD 5.82 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 7.95 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is being driven by increasing demand from the automotive and construction sectors, stringent regulatory requirements for surface preparation, and the accelerating adoption of eco-friendly and recyclable media solutions across industrial applications.

As surface treatment and cleaning standards become more rigorous worldwide, the focus shifts to the key material suppliers who are driving innovation, efficiency, and cleaner operational pathways. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Sandblasting Media Industry—a mix of global abrasives manufacturers, mineral processors, and recycling pioneers shaping the future of industrial surface preparation.


🔟 1. Saint-Gobain Ceramics Materials

Headquarters: Courbevoie, France
Key Offering: Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide, Specialty Grains

Saint-Gobain is a world leader in high-performance materials, supplying a comprehensive range of abrasive grains for sandblasting applications. Their products are renowned for their consistency, purity, and ability to deliver precise surface profiles, making them a top choice for critical aerospace and automotive components.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of high-purity fused aluminum oxides
  • Closed-loop recycling systems for used abrasives
  • Commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of abrasive production

Download FREE Sample Report: Sandblasting Media Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. GMA Garnet Pty Ltd

Headquarters: West Perth, Australia
Key Offering: GMA Garnet Abrasive

GMA Garnet is the global leader in garnet abrasives, supplying a natural, non-toxic, and recyclable media used in wet and dry blasting. With mining and processing facilities across the globe, the company provides a consistent and high-performing alternative to silica sand, dominating the shipbuilding and oil & gas sectors.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Proprietary mining and refining processes for superior product quality
  • Promotion of garnet as a safe and sustainable silica sand replacement

8️⃣ 3. Opta Minerals Inc.

Headquarters: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Key Offering: Coal Slag, Steel Grit, Recycled Glass Abrasives

Opta Minerals is a leading integrated producer and distributor of industrial minerals, specializing in a wide array of blast media. The company’s strength lies in its diverse portfolio, which includes cost-effective coal slag and environmentally preferred recycled glass, catering to a broad spectrum of customer needs and environmental regulations.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of recycled glass abrasives (Glass Abrasive GB) production
  • Strategic focus on waste-to-value products like coal slag

7️⃣ 4. Harsco Metals & Minerals

Headquarters: Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Inert slag abrasives, Specialty media

A division of Harsco Corporation, this company is a major supplier of environmentally inert slag abrasives derived from industrial by-products. Their media is widely used for heavy-duty cleaning and surface preparation in the metal fabrication and infrastructure industries, offering high stripping rates and low dust generation.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Utilization of steelmaking by-products to create value-added abrasives
  • Focus on low-dust, high-efficiency media formulations

Download FREE Sample Report: Sandblasting Media Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Barton International

Headquarters: Glens Falls, New York, USA
Key Offering: Barton Garnet, Vixen HPA (High-Purity Alumina)

Barton International is a key player in the North American market, known for its high-quality Barton Garnet. The company’s products are engineered for superior performance, offering fast cutting action, low dust, and high recyclability, making them ideal for shipyards, tank cleaning, and structural steel preparation.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Production of high-purity alumina abrasives for delicate surface treatments
  • Investment in garnet processing technology to enhance product consistency

5️⃣ 6. Ervin Industries (Prince Minerals)

Headquarters: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Steel Shot, Steel Grit, ANG (Angular Steel Grit)

Ervin Industries, a Prince Minerals company, is a premier manufacturer of metallic abrasives, including steel shot and grit. Their products are essential for wheel blasting and air blasting operations in foundries, automotive, and metalworking industries, valued for their durability and ability to be recycled hundreds of times.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of specialized angular steel grit for aggressive cleaning
  • Closed-loop abrasive recycling and reclamation services

4️⃣ 7. ABShot Tecnics, S.L.

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain
Key Offering: Steel Abrasives, Cut Wire Shot, Aluminum Oxide

ABShot Tecnics is a leading European manufacturer and distributor of metallic and non-metallic abrasives. The company has a strong presence in the European market, supplying a wide range of media tailored for specific applications, from fine finishing with glass beads to heavy descaling with steel shot.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Specialization in cut wire shot for consistent particle geometry
  • Focus on providing technical support and application-specific solutions

3️⃣ 8. Crystal Mark, Inc.

Headquarters: Glendale, California, USA
Key Offering: Aluminum Oxide, Glass Beads, Plastic Media, Walnut Shells

Crystal Mark is a prominent supplier of a diverse range of blasting media, particularly known for its specialty abrasives like plastic media and crushed walnut shells. These products are designed for delicate applications such as deburring aerospace components and cleaning historical structures without damaging the substrate.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering organic and soft media for non-destructive blasting
  • Expansion of product lines for the restoration and electronics markets

2️⃣ 9. U.S. Minerals, Inc.

Headquarters: Dyer, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Coal Slag, Black Beauty Abrasives

U.S. Minerals is a major producer of coal slag abrasives in North America. Its flagship product, Black Beauty®, is a widely recognized and economical media used for heavy rust and coating removal on bridges, tanks, and industrial structures. The company leverages coal slag, a by-product of coal-fired power generation, promoting a waste-to-resource model.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Leading supplier of recycled coal slag abrasives
  • Ensuring consistent quality and supply from multiple processing facilities

1️⃣ 10. Blastrite

Headquarters: Durban, South Africa
Key Offering: Garnet, Olivine, Coal Slag, Aluminum Oxide

Blastrite is a leading supplier of sandblasting and waterjet abrasives across Africa and internationally. The company offers a comprehensive range of products, with a strong focus on garnet and olivine, catering to the mining, marine, and heavy engineering sectors with a commitment to safety and technical expertise.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Promotion of olivine as a low-free-silica, dust-suppressing alternative
  • Integrated supply chain from mining to distribution

Get Full Report Here: Sandblasting Media Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Sandblasting Media Is Sustainable and Specialized

The sandblasting media market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional media like coal slag and aluminum oxide continue to hold substantial volume, the industry is rapidly innovating with eco-friendly alternatives, advanced recycling technologies, and specialized formulations for high-value applications.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Regulatory phase-out of crystalline silica driving demand for safer alternatives
  • Rising adoption of garnet and recycled glass media in Europe and North America
  • Growth of abrasive recycling services to reduce operational costs and waste
  • Development of media blends for specific surface profile and cleanliness requirements

Get Full Report Here: Sandblasting Media Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying the backbone of industrial cleaning—they’re pioneering the sustainable and efficient future of surface preparation.