Slate, worked; and articles of slate or of agglomerated slate

HS code 680300 covers a diverse range of slate products, including worked slate and articles made from slate or agglomerated slate. Slate is a metamorphic rock known for its durability, water-resistance, and distinctive appearance, making it a popular choice for roofing, flooring, and decorative applications. This industry plays a crucial role in the construction and design sectors, contributing to the development of sustainable and aesthetically pleasing built environments around the world.

The production of slate products typically involves a multi-step process. First, slate is quarried from natural deposits, often using specialized machinery and techniques to extract large, high-quality slabs. These slabs are then cut, shaped, and finished using a variety of tools and methods, such as sawing, splitting, and polishing, to create the desired products. In some cases, slate may also be agglomerated with binders to form composite materials, which can then be molded or pressed into specific shapes and sizes.

The main inputs required for the slate industry include the raw slate material, which is sourced from quarries and mines, as well as various tools and equipment used in the extraction, cutting, and finishing processes. This may include saws, splitting tools, polishing machines, and other specialized machinery. Additionally, the industry may rely on binders and adhesives for the production of agglomerated slate products.

The primary outputs of the slate industry are a wide range of products, including roofing tiles, flooring tiles, countertops, sinks, and decorative items such as sculptures and architectural elements. These slate products are often used in the construction, renovation, and design of residential, commercial, and public buildings. The outputs of the slate industry may also be consumed by other related industries, such as 680800 Panels, boards, tiles, blocks and similar articles of vegetable fibre, of straw or of shavings, chips, particles, sawdust or other waste, of wood, agglomerated with cement, plaster or other mineral binders and 680700 Articles of asphalt or of similar material (for example, petroleum bitumen or coal tar pitch.