Lead; unwrought, refined

HS code 780110 covers the import and export of unwrought, refined lead. Lead is a dense, malleable, and corrosion-resistant metal that has a wide range of industrial applications. It plays a crucial role in the production of lead-acid batteries, which are essential for the automotive industry and various other sectors. The global lead market is influenced by factors such as demand from the battery manufacturing industry, environmental regulations, and the availability of lead scrap for recycling.

The production of unwrought, refined lead typically involves several key steps. First, lead-bearing ores are mined and concentrated through beneficiation processes. The concentrated ore is then smelted, often using a blast furnace, to produce crude lead. This crude lead is then refined, typically through electrolytic or chemical processes, to remove impurities and produce the high-purity, unwrought lead covered by HS code 780110.

The main inputs required for the production of unwrought, refined lead include lead-bearing ores, such as galena (lead sulfide), as well as various energy sources, such as coal or natural gas, to power the smelting and refining processes. Additionally, specialized equipment, such as blast furnaces, electrolytic cells, and chemical processing units, are essential for the production of high-quality refined lead.

The primary output of HS code 780110 is unwrought, refined lead, which is a versatile material used in a wide range of applications. The refined lead produced under this code is often consumed by 854020 lead-acid batteries, which are a crucial component in the 870000 motor vehicles industry. Other industries that may consume the output of HS code 780110 include 852520 telecommunications equipment, 851220 lighting or visual signaling equipment, and 851410 industrial or laboratory electric furnaces and ovens.