Millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels and the like; of natural stone

HS code 680423 covers a range of natural stone products used for grinding, milling, and polishing applications across various industries. These products, including millstones, grindstones, and grinding wheels, play a crucial role in the processing and refinement of raw materials, contributing to the efficiency and quality of manufacturing processes worldwide. As a key component in the broader machinery and equipment sector, the 680423 industry is integral to the global economy, supporting the production of a diverse array of goods and commodities.

The production of millstones, grindstones, and grinding wheels under HS code 680423 typically involves the extraction, shaping, and finishing of natural stone materials, such as granite, sandstone, and other hard, abrasive rocks. The raw stone is first quarried and then cut or molded into the desired shapes and sizes using specialized machinery and tools. The surfaces of these products are then carefully finished, often through polishing or other techniques, to ensure the desired level of smoothness, flatness, and abrasiveness for their intended applications.

The primary inputs for the 680423 industry are the natural stone raw materials, which are sourced from quarries and mines around the world. In addition to the stone itself, the production process also requires specialized machinery and equipment, such as cutting tools, grinding machines, and polishing equipment. Other significant inputs may include adhesives, binders, and other materials used to assemble and finish the final products.

The primary outputs of the 680423 industry are the millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels, and similar products made from natural stone. These items are widely used in a variety of industries, including 842240 Crushing or grinding machines, 847420 (Machinery for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing, grinding, mixing or kneading earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances, in solid (including powder or paste) form; machinery for agglomerating, shaping or molding solid mineral fuels, ceramic paste, unhardened cements, plastering materials or other mineral products in powder or paste form; machines for forming foundry moulds of sand), and 847490 Parts of the machinery of heading 8474, among others. These products are essential for the processing, refining, and shaping of a wide range of raw materials and finished goods.