Cobalt; mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders

hs code 810520 covers a range of cobalt-related products, including cobalt mattes, other intermediate cobalt metallurgy products, unwrought cobalt, and cobalt powders. Cobalt is a critical metal with a wide range of industrial applications, from superalloys and batteries to catalysts and pigments. As a key component in many high-tech and green energy technologies, the cobalt industry plays an important role in the broader global economy.

Cobalt is primarily produced through the mining and processing of cobalt-containing ores. The main production techniques involve mineral extraction, concentration, smelting, and refining to obtain pure cobalt metal or cobalt-containing intermediates. Cobalt mattes, for example, are produced by smelting cobalt-bearing ores or concentrates, while unwrought cobalt and cobalt powders are further refined from these intermediate products.

The key inputs for the cobalt industry under hs code 810520 include cobalt-bearing ores and concentrates, as well as various energy sources, chemicals, and specialized equipment for mining, smelting, and refining operations. Major producers of cobalt raw materials include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australia, Cuba, and Canada, among others. Significant machinery and infrastructure, such as mining equipment, smelters, and refineries, are also required to extract and process cobalt-containing materials.

The main outputs covered under hs code 810520 include cobalt mattes, other cobalt intermediates, unwrought cobalt, and cobalt powders. These products are then consumed by a wide range of downstream industries, such as the production of 810130 Unwrought cobalt; cobalt powders, 282200 Cobalt oxides and hydroxides; commercial cobalt oxides, and 284450 Cobalt chlorides, cobalt sulphates, as well as the manufacture of superalloys, batteries, catalysts, and other cobalt-containing materials.