Antimony; waste and scrap

hs code 811020 covers antimony and its waste and scrap. Antimony is a silvery-white metalloid that is widely used in a variety of industrial applications, including the production of lead-acid batteries, flame retardants, and semiconductor devices. The global antimony market is an important component of the broader metals and mining industry, with significant economic and strategic implications for both producers and consumers.

Antimony is primarily extracted from the mineral stibnite (Sb2S3) through a process of mining, crushing, and smelting. The smelting process involves heating the ore to high temperatures to separate the antimony from impurities. The resulting antimony metal is then cast into ingots or other forms for further processing and use in downstream industries.

The key inputs for the antimony industry include the raw stibnite ore, as well as energy sources such as coal or natural gas to power the smelting process. Specialized equipment and machinery, such as crushers, furnaces, and casting molds, are also essential for the production of antimony metal. Additionally, the industry relies on a skilled workforce with expertise in mining, metallurgy, and industrial processing.

The primary output of hs code 811020 is refined antimony metal, which is then used as an input for a wide range of products and industries. Some of the main consumers of antimony include the 851240 lead-acid battery industry, the 380610 flame retardant industry, and the 854011 semiconductor industry. Antimony waste and scrap, which are also covered under this code, can be recycled and reused in the production of new antimony products.