Cotton; carded or combed

HS code 520300 covers cotton that has been carded or combed, a crucial step in the textile manufacturing process. This industry plays a vital role in the global economy, providing the raw material for a wide range of textile products, from clothing to home furnishings. The demand for high-quality, processed cotton remains strong, driven by the growing global population and the increasing purchasing power of consumers in emerging markets.

The production of carded or combed cotton involves several key steps. First, raw cotton is harvested and cleaned to remove any impurities. It is then fed into a carding machine, which aligns the cotton fibers and removes any remaining foreign matter. The carded cotton is then passed through a combing machine, which further refines the fibers, removing any short or uneven strands. This process results in a uniform, high-quality cotton fiber that is ready for spinning and weaving into a wide range of textile products.

The main inputs required for the production of carded or combed cotton include raw cotton, as well as specialized machinery such as carding and combing machines. Additionally, energy sources, such as electricity or fossil fuels, are needed to power the production equipment. Labor, both skilled and unskilled, is also a crucial input, as the various processing steps require human oversight and intervention.

The primary output of HS code 520300 is carded or combed cotton, which is then used as a raw material by other industries, such as 520100 Cotton, not carded or combed, 520400 Cotton; gauze, and 520500 Cotton; yarn. These processed cotton fibers are essential for the production of a wide range of textile products, including clothing, home textiles, and industrial applications.