325180 - Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
The chemical manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of industrial innovation and economic growth. Among its vital subsectors is NAICS code 325180, formally titled Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing. This category encompasses a diverse array of essential inorganic chemicals beyond those assigned to other specialized categories. Whether you're a business owner, industry professional, or government contractor, understanding what falls under this NAICS code is crucial for compliance, market positioning, and opportunities for federal contracting.
What is NAICS Code 325180?
NAICS 325180 refers to establishments primarily engaged in the manufacture of basic inorganic chemicals, excluding those categorized in other specific NAICS codes. This includes manufacture of industrial gases, pigments, and numerous inorganic compounds essential across industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, manufacturing, and environmental services.
The code covers a broad range of chemical products vital to many industrial applicationsāranging from bleaching agents and carbon black to rare earth compounds and synthetic fuel propellants.
Sector Overview: Chemical Manufacturing
- Sector: Chemical Manufacturing
- Industry Group: Basic Chemical Manufacturing
- NAICS Code: 325180
- Title: Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
This sector is a key part of the chemical manufacturing industry, producing inorganic chemicals used for diverse purposes:
- Industrial gas supply (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen)
- Pigments and dyes for paints, coatings, and plastics
- Specialty inorganic compounds for agriculture, metallurgy, and electronics
- Solid fuel propellants and nuclear-related chemical materials
Typical Business Activities Under NAICS 325180
Businesses operating under this NAICS code typically engage in:
- Industrial gas manufacturing (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, argon)
- Pigment and dye production (carbon black, titanium dioxide, chromium oxide)
- Manufacturing inorganic chemical compounds such as boric acid, ammonium compounds, sulfur compounds, and more
- Processing rare earth and radioactive elements for industrial use
Size Standards and Eligibility
To qualify as a small business under NAICS 325180, firms generally must have 1,000 or fewer employees. This size standard is critical for businesses seeking small business set-asides or federal contracting opportunities.
Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 325180
- Industrial gas suppliers
- Pigment manufacturers supplying the automotive and paint industries
- Producers of bleaching agents, such as calcium hypochlorite
- Chemical companies manufacturing specialty inorganic compounds for electronics and agriculture
Detailed Code Activities Table: NAICS 325180
| Chemical/Product Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Alkalies manufacturing | Production of caustic potash, caustic soda |
| Aluminum chloride manufacturing | Manufacture of aluminum based salts and compounds |
| Aluminum hydroxide (alumina trihydrate) manufacturing | Used in ceramics, refractories |
| Ammonium compounds manufacturing | Includes ammonium chloride, hydroxide, molybdate |
| Animal black manufacturing | Carbon black products |
| Antimony oxide manufacturing | Except pigments |
| Boric acid manufacturing | Important in glass, agriculture |
| Bromine manufacturing | Halogen chemical production |
| Calcium hypochlorite manufacturing | Bleaching and disinfecting agent |
| Carbon black manufacturing | Pigments and reinforcing agents |
| Caustic soda and potash manufacturing | Basic alkali chemicals |
| Chlorine manufacturing and compounds | Used in water treatment, chemical synthesis |
| Chromium compounds manufacturing | Includes chromium oxide and salts |
| Copper compounds manufacturing | Includes copper sulfate and chloride |
| Fluorine manufacturing | Critical for pharmaceuticals and refrigerants |
| Hydrogen peroxide manufacturing | Bleaching and oxidation processes |
| Lithium compounds manufacturing | Used in batteries and ceramics |
| Magnesium compounds manufacturing | Used in alloys, pharmaceuticals |
| Nickel compounds manufacturing | Utilized in plating and battery manufacturing |
| Nuclear fuels and scrap reprocessing | Handling of uranium and radioactive materials |
| Phosphorus compounds manufacturing | Fertilizers and chemical intermediates |
| Potassium salts manufacturing | Includes nitrate, hydroxide, permanganate |
| Rare earth compounds manufacturing | Critical in electronics and green energy |
| Sodium compounds manufacturing | Includes bicarbonate, carbonate, hydroxide |
| Sulfuric acid manufacturing | Key industrial acid |
| Titanium dioxide manufacturing | White pigment for paints and plastics |
| Zinc compounds manufacturing | Used in galvanizing and pigments |
Note: The list above represents a broad selection of specific manufacturing activities covered under NAICS 325180.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of chemicals are included under NAICS 325180?
This category includes a wide range of basic inorganic chemicals such as industrial gases, bleaching agents, pigments, metal salts, rare earth compounds, radioactive elements, and various inorganic acids and bases not classified elsewhere.
How does NAICS 325180 differ from other chemical manufacturing codes?
NAICS 325180 covers miscellaneous inorganic chemicals not included in more specific NAICS categories. It excludes organic chemical manufacturing and certain specialized chemical processes which have their own NAICS codes.
What are common industries served by businesses under this code?
Industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, electronics, manufacturing, environmental services, and defense rely on the inorganic chemicals produced within this sector.
What is the small business size standard for NAICS 325180?
Businesses with 1,000 employees or fewer are generally considered small under this NAICS code, qualifying for certain federal contracting preferences.
Conclusion
NAICS code 325180 - Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing plays a pivotal role in producing the inorganic chemical building blocks vital to numerous industries. From industrial gases and pigments to rare earth and radioactive compounds, this sector supports broad and diverse business activities within the chemical manufacturing industry. Understanding the scope, business examples, and size standards of this code empowers companies to position themselves effectively for industry growth and federal contracting opportunities.
Keywords: NAICS 325180, Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing, inorganic chemicals, industrial gases, pigment manufacturing, chemical manufacturing sector, small business size standard, federal contracting, inorganic compound production
