Antimony and articles thereof; unwrought antimony, powders

hs code 811010 covers the trade and production of antimony, a metalloid element with a wide range of industrial applications. Antimony is a critical raw material for the manufacturing of lead-acid batteries, flame retardants, and various alloys. It plays a vital role in the global economy, supporting industries such as automotive, electronics, and construction. As a strategic metal, the supply and demand dynamics of antimony are closely monitored by policymakers and industry stakeholders worldwide.

Antimony is primarily extracted from the mineral stibnite (Sb2S3) through a multi-stage process. The ore is first crushed and concentrated, then roasted in a furnace to produce antimony trioxide (Sb2O3). This intermediate product is further refined through smelting or other metallurgical techniques to obtain pure, unwrought antimony metal in the form of ingots, bars, or powders.

The production of antimony requires several key inputs, including the stibnite ore, energy sources for the smelting and refining processes, and specialized equipment such as furnaces, reactors, and casting molds. Additionally, the industry relies on a skilled workforce with expertise in mineral processing, metallurgy, and quality control.

The primary output of hs code 811010 is unwrought antimony, which can be further processed into a variety of antimony-based products. These include antimony trioxide, used as a flame retardant, and antimony alloys, which are incorporated into lead-acid batteries, ammunition, and various metal castings. The outputs of 811010 are often consumed by industries covered under other hs codes, such as 851220 Lead-acid accumulators, 853710 Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases for electric control or the distribution of electricity, and 930630 Cartridges, among others.