Coke and semi-coke; of coal, lignite or peat, whether or not agglomerated; retort carbon

HS code 270400 covers the production of coke and semi-coke, which are important energy sources and raw materials in various industries. Coke, a solid carbonaceous material derived from the destructive distillation of coal, plays a crucial role in the steel industry as a reducing agent and fuel. Semi-coke, a similar product made from lignite or peat, also finds applications in the energy and chemical sectors. This industry is a vital component of the broader energy and manufacturing landscape, supporting the production of essential goods and services across the global economy.

The production of coke and semi-coke involves a process known as carbonization or pyrolysis. In this process, coal, lignite, or peat is heated in the absence of oxygen, causing the volatile components to be driven off and leaving behind a concentrated carbon-rich material. The specific techniques used can vary, but typically involve heating the raw materials in a retort or coke oven, where the volatile components are captured and the solid coke or semi-coke is produced.

The primary inputs for the production of coke and semi-coke are the raw materials themselves: coal, lignite, or peat. The quality and characteristics of these feedstocks can significantly impact the properties of the final products. In addition to the raw materials, the production process requires specialized equipment such as retorts, coke ovens, and other processing machinery. Energy sources, such as electricity or natural gas, are also necessary to power the heating and distillation processes.

The main outputs of this industry are the coke and semi-coke products, which have a variety of applications. Coke is widely used in the 720110 Pig iron and 720410 Ferrous waste and scrap; remelting scrap ingots of iron or steel industries as a reducing agent and fuel. Semi-coke, on the other hand, is often used in the 270500 Coal gas, water gas, producer gas and similar gases, other than petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons and 281410 Anhydrous ammonia industries as a feedstock or energy source.