327992 - Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry encompasses a broad range of specialized sectors that contribute to essential materials used in construction, agriculture, and industrial applications. One critical yet often overlooked industry group is covered under NAICS code 327992 – Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing. This niche classification identifies establishments focused on producing ground or chemically treated minerals and earth materials vital to numerous downstream processes.
What is NAICS Code 327992?
NAICS code 327992 primarily includes businesses engaged in the manufacturing of ground or treated minerals and earths. These materials include substances like ground calcium carbonate, ground mica, treated graphite, and various other natural and processed minerals. These products serve as key components in industries like construction, agriculture, cosmetics, ceramics, paints, and plastics.
Sector: Manufacturing
NAICS 327992 belongs to the broader Manufacturing Sector, representing industrial activities that transform raw materials into finished products. This sector supports many supply chains by producing specialty mineral products processed beyond initial beneficiation stages.
Core Business Activities Under NAICS 327992
Businesses within this NAICS classification primarily focus on:
- Grinding and pulverizing minerals such as calcium carbonate and mica
- Treating minerals chemically or thermally to alter properties or improve performance
- Producing treated fillers widely used in paints, plastics, rubber, and paper industries
- Processing diatomaceous earth, feldspar, perlite, kaolin, and other earth minerals beyond beneficiation
- Manufacturing specialty minerals such as activated clay desiccants, graphite powders, and exfoliated vermiculite
Size Standards for NAICS 327992
To qualify as a "small business" under this NAICS code for government contracting and related purposes, an establishment must have 600 or fewer employees.
Examples of Businesses Classified Under NAICS 327992
- Ground Calcium Carbonate Producers
- Manufacturers of Ground Mica Powder
- Treated Mineral Filler Producers used in plastics and construction materials
- Perlite and expanded perlite manufacturers
- Specialty processing firms for talc, soapstone, and graphite powders
Detailed Code Activities Table
| Mineral or Material | Activity Description |
|---|---|
| Barite | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Barium | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Blast furnace slag | Processing |
| Desiccants (activated clay) | Manufacturing |
| Diatomaceous earth | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Feldspar | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Flint | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Fuller’s earth | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Graphite, natural | Manufacturing (ground, pulverized, blended, refined) |
| Kaolin | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Lead, black (natural graphite) | Ground, refined, or blended manufacturing |
| Magnesite (crude) | Calcined, dead-burned, ground manufacturing |
| Mica | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Perlite aggregates | Manufacturing |
| Perlite, expanded | Manufacturing |
| Pumice (except abrasives) | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Pyrophyllite | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Shale, expanded | Manufacturing |
| Silicon, ultra-high purity | Manufacturing |
| Soapstone | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Talc | Processing beyond beneficiation |
| Vermiculite, exfoliated | Manufacturing |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of products are made under NAICS 327992?
Products include ground calcium carbonate, ground mica, treated graphite, perlite, activated clay desiccants, talc powders, and other processed mineral fillers used across industries.
Which industries use products from these manufacturers?
Key users include construction companies, paint manufacturers, plastics and rubber producers, agriculture suppliers, and ceramic and glass industries.
What does "processing beyond beneficiation" mean?
Beneficiation typically refers to the initial physical separation or concentration of minerals. Processing beyond beneficiation includes grinding, chemical treatments, calcination, and other manufacturing steps to produce finished mineral products.
How large can a small business be in this NAICS code?
For NAICS 327992, a small business is defined as an establishment with 600 or fewer employees.
Can mineral processing plants involved in initial mining be classified here?
No, NAICS 327992 covers manufacturing operations beyond mining and beneficiation, focusing on treated or ground mineral products.
Conclusion
NAICS code 327992 - Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing plays a pivotal role in producing essential mineral materials. These specialized manufacturing activities provide high-quality ground or treated minerals used in numerous industrial, commercial, and agricultural applications. Whether you're a business owner seeking government contracting opportunities or a supplier looking to understand market classifications, knowing the specifics of NAICS 327992 can open doors to new possibilities in the manufacturing sector.
Keywords: NAICS code 327992, ground mineral manufacturing, treated earth manufacturing, specialty mineral products, ground calcium carbonate, ground mica, mineral fillers, manufacturing sector, small business size standard 600 employees.
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