Jordan's Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) has invited firms to express interest by 2 March for a project to develop a new silica terminal in Aqaba.

The client issued the expressions of interest notice on 20 February.

The project will be developed on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis with a 20-year concession period.

According to an official statement: "ADC is looking to establish a public-private partnership (PPP) project to handle silica by reusing the existing cement terminal facilities. The project involves rehabilitating the existing facilities [that were] previously used for handling cement and the Mu’tah floating berth under a BOT agreement."

The statement continued: "Only short-listed qualified bidders can participate in the formal tender process."

ADC, owned by the Jordanian government and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, manages assets within the 375-square-kilometre Aqaba Special Economic Zone, including the ports, airport and strategic land parcels.

According to GlobalData, the demand for silica sand is increasing globally due to its application in several industries, including construction, glass manufacturing and electronics. The demand for silica in the automotive sector is robust, particularly for applications in tyres and tubes, as manufacturers report sustained demand from both original equipment manufacturers and the retail segment.

Furthermore, the global semiconductor market presents an opportunity for silica producers, as it is projected to grow significantly, potentially driving demand for silica-based products that are used in the manufacturing of semiconductors.

In terms of competition, while the prices for silicon and ferrosilicon have slightly declined in the US, they remain higher in Europe, indicating a complex pricing landscape influenced by regional demand and supply dynamics.