Graphite; natural, in other forms, excluding powder or flakes

HS code 250490 covers natural graphite in forms other than powder or flakes. Graphite is a naturally occurring mineral that is widely used in a variety of industries due to its unique physical and chemical properties. As a key component in the production of steel, batteries, lubricants, and numerous other products, the graphite industry plays a vital role in the global economy.

Natural graphite is typically extracted from graphite mines through open-pit or underground mining techniques. The raw graphite ore is then crushed, screened, and processed to remove impurities, resulting in the desired forms of natural graphite, such as lumps, flakes, or amorphous graphite. Depending on the end-use application, further processing steps may be required to refine the graphite and achieve the necessary purity and particle size.

The primary inputs for the natural graphite industry include the raw graphite ore, mining and processing equipment, and energy sources to power the extraction and refinement processes. Additionally, the industry relies on a skilled workforce to operate the mining and processing facilities effectively.

The main outputs of the natural graphite industry covered by HS code 250490 are various forms of refined graphite, excluding powder or flakes. These graphite products are then consumed by a wide range of industries, including 720211 Ferro-chromium, 854511 Electrodes of graphite or other carbon, and 851780 Other electrical apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy, among others.