Lead; unwrought, unrefined, containing by weight antimony as the principal other element

HS code 780191 covers the trade of lead that is unwrought and unrefined, with antimony as the primary additional element. Lead is a dense, malleable, and corrosion-resistant metal that has a wide range of industrial applications. The global lead market is closely tied to the performance of industries such as automotive, construction, and electronics, making this code an important indicator of economic activity across various sectors.

The production of lead under HS code 780191 typically involves the smelting of lead-bearing ores or recycled lead-acid batteries. The ore or scrap material is first crushed and then subjected to a high-temperature smelting process to extract the lead. The resulting lead is then refined to remove impurities, with antimony being the primary alloying element. This process ensures the lead meets the required purity and composition standards for various end-use applications.

The main inputs for the production of lead under HS code 780191 include lead-bearing ores, such as galena (lead sulfide), as well as recycled lead-acid batteries. Additionally, the production process requires significant energy inputs, typically in the form of electricity or fossil fuels, to power the smelting and refining operations. Specialized equipment, such as furnaces, casting molds, and refining equipment, are also essential inputs for this industry.

The primary output of HS code 780191 is unwrought, unrefined lead containing antimony as the principal other element. This lead is then used as a raw material in various downstream industries, such as the manufacture of 780110 Lead; unwrought, refined for use in batteries, 780120 Lead; unwrought, alloyed for use in construction and electronics, and 780199 Lead; unwrought, n.e.c. in item no. 7801 for other specialized applications.