Industries in the Primary Metal Manufacturing subsector smelt and/or refine ferrous and nonferrous metals from ore, pig or scrap, using electrometallurgical and other process metallurgical techniques. Establishments in this subsector also manufacture metal alloys and superalloys by introducing other chemical elements to pure metals. The output of smelting and refining, usually in ingot form, is used in rolling, drawing, and extruding operations to make sheet, strip, bar, rod, or wire, and in molten form to make castings and other basic metal products.
Primary manufacturing of ferrous and nonferrous metals begins with ore or concentrate as the primary input. Establishments manufacturing primary metals from ore and/or concentrate remain classified in the primary smelting, primary refining, or iron and steel mill industries regardless of the form of their output. Establishments primarily engaged in secondary smelting and/or secondary refining recover ferrous and nonferrous metals from scrap and/or dross. The output of the secondary smelting and/or secondary refining industries is limited to shapes, such as ingot or billet, that will be further processed. Recovery of metals from scrap often occurs in establishments that are primarily engaged in activities, such as rolling, drawing, extruding, or similar processes.
Excluded from the Primary Metal Manufacturing subsector are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing ferrous and nonferrous forgings (except ferrous forgings made in steel mills) and stampings. Although forging, stamping, and casting are all methods used to make metal shapes, forging and stamping do not use molten metals and are included in Subsector 332, Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing. Establishments primarily engaged in operating coke ovens are classified in Industry 32419, Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing.
3311 Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
33111 Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1)
direct reduction of iron ore; (2) manufacturing pig iron in molten or solid form; (3) converting
pig iron into steel; (4) manufacturing ferroalloys; (5) making steel; (6) making steel and
manufacturing shapes (e.g., bar, plate, rod, sheet, strip, wire); and (7) making steel and
forming pipe and tube.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in -
- Manufacturing nonferrous superalloys, such as cobalt or nickel-based superalloys, - classified in Industry 33149, Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying; and
- Operating coke ovens - classified in Industry 32419, Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing.
331111 Iron and Steel Mills
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following:
(1) direct reduction of iron ore; (2) manufacturing pig iron in molten or solid form; (3)
converting pig iron into steel; (4) making steel; (5) making steel and manufacturing shapes
(e.g., bar, plate, rod, sheet, strip, wire); and (6) making steel and forming tube and pipe.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Operating coke ovens - classified in U.S. Industry 324199, All Other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing ferroalloys (i.e., alloying elements used to improve, strengthen, or otherwise alter the characteristics of steel) - classified in U.S. Industry 331112, Electrometallurgical Ferroalloy Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing concrete reinforcing bar by rolling and drawing steel from purchased steel - classified in U.S. Industry 331221, Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing fabricated structural metal products from concrete reinforcing bars and fabricated bar joists - classified in U.S. Industry 332312, Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing.
331112 Electrometallurgical Ferroalloy Product Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing
electrometallurgical ferroalloys. Ferroalloys add critical elements, such as silicon and
manganese for carbon steel and chromium, vanadium, tungsten, titanium, and molybdenum for low-
and high-alloy metals. Ferroalloys include iron-rich alloys and more pure forms of elements added
during the steel manufacturing process that alter or improve the characteristics of the metal
being made.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing electrometallurgical steel and iron-based superalloys - classified in U.S. Industry 331111, Iron and Steel Mills; and
- Manufacturing nonferrous superalloys, such as cobalt or nickel-based superalloys, - classified in U.S. Industry 331492, Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum).
3312 Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing iron and steel
tube and pipe, drawing steel wire, and rolling or drawing shapes from purchased iron or steel.
33121 Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing
from Purchased Steel
See industry description for 331210 below.
331210 Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing
from Purchased Steel
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing welded, riveted, or
seamless pipe and tube from purchased iron or steel.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Making steel and further processing the steel into steel pipe and tube - classified in U.S. Industry 331111, Iron and Steel Mills.
33122 Rolling and Drawing of Purchased Steel
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in rolling and/or drawing steel shapes,
such as plate, sheet, strip, rod, and bar, from purchased steel.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Making steel and rolling and/or drawing steel - classified in Industry 33111, Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing; and
- Manufacturing wire products from purchased wire - classified in Industry 33261, Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing.
331221 Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in rolling or drawing shapes
(except wire), such as plate, sheet, strip, rod, and bar, from purchased steel.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Making steel and rolling or drawing steel shapes - classified in U.S. Industry 331111, Iron and Steel Mills;
- Manufacturing concrete reinforcing bars in an iron and steel mill - classified in U.S. Industry 331111, Iron and Steel Mills;
- Drawing wire from purchased steel - classified in U.S. Industry 331222, Steel Wire Drawing; and
- Manufacturing fabricated structural metal products from concrete reinforcing bars and fabricated bar joists - classified in U.S. Industry 332312, Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing.
331222 Steel Wire Drawing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in drawing wire from purchased
steel.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Making steel and drawing steel wire - classified in U.S. Industry 331111, Iron and Steel Mills; and
- Manufacturing wire products, such as nails, spikes, and paper clips, from purchased steel wire - classified in Industry 33261, Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing.
3313 Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing
33131 Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1)
refining alumina; (2) making (i.e., the primary production) aluminum from alumina; (3) recovering
aluminum from scrap or dross; (4) alloying purchased aluminum; and (5) manufacturing aluminum
primary forms (e.g., bar, foil, pipe, plate, rod, sheet, tube, wire).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing aluminum oxide abrasives and refractories - classified in Subsector 327, Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing;
- Sorting and breaking up scrap aluminum metal without also smelting or refining - classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade; and
- Operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals are sorted into distinct categories without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 562920, Materials Recovery Facilities.
331311 Alumina Refining
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in refining alumina
(i.e., aluminum oxide) generally from bauxite.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing aluminum oxide abrasives and refractories - classified in Subsector 327, Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing; and
- Making aluminum from alumina - classified in U.S. Industry 331312, Primary Aluminum Production.
331312 Primary Aluminum Production
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) making aluminum from alumina
and/or (2) making aluminum from alumina and rolling, drawing, extruding, or casting the aluminum
they make into primary forms (e.g., bar, billet, ingot, plate, rod, sheet, strip). Establishments
in this industry may make primary aluminum or aluminum-based alloys from alumina.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Refining alumina - classified in U.S. Industry 331311, Alumina Refining; and
- Recovering aluminum from scrap or alloying purchased aluminum - classified in U.S. Industry 331314, Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum.
331314 Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) recovering aluminum and
aluminum alloys from scrap and/or dross (i.e., secondary smelting) and making billet or ingot
(except by rolling) and/or (2) manufacturing alloys, powder, paste, or flake from purchased
aluminum.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Making aluminum and/or aluminum alloys from alumina - classified in U.S. Industry 331312, Primary Aluminum Production;
- Refining alumina - classified in U.S. Industry 331311, Alumina Refining;
- Manufacturing aluminum sheet, plate, and foil from purchased aluminum or by recovering aluminum from scrap and flat rolling or continuous casting - classified in U.S. Industry 331315, Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing aluminum extruded products from purchased aluminum or by recovering aluminum from scrap and extruding - classified in U.S. Industry 331316, Aluminum Extruded Product Manufacturing;
- Manufacturing rolled ingot or billet from purchased aluminum or by recovering aluminum from scrap and rolling or drawing - classified in U.S. Industry 331319, Other Aluminum Rolling and Drawing;
- Sorting and breaking up scrap metal without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 423930, Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers; and
- Operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 562920, Materials Recovery Facilities.
331315 Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) flat rolling or continuous
casting sheet, plate, foil and welded tube from purchased aluminum; and/or (2) recovering
aluminum from scrap and flat rolling or continuous casting sheet, plate, foil, and welded tube in
integrated mills.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Making aluminum from alumina and flat rolling or continuous casting aluminum sheet, plate, foil, and welded tube - classified in U.S. Industry 331312, Primary Aluminum Production.
331316 Aluminum Extruded Product Manufacturing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) extruding aluminum bar,
pipe, and tube blooms or extruding or drawing tube from purchased aluminum; and/or (2) recovering
aluminum from scrap and extruding bar, pipe, and tube blooms or drawing tube in integrated mills.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Making aluminum from alumina and extruding aluminum bar, pipe, tube or tube blooms - classified in U.S. Industry 331312, Primary Aluminum Production.
331319 Other Aluminum Rolling and Drawing
This U.S. Industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) rolling, drawing, or
extruding shapes (except flat rolled sheet, plate, foil, and welded tube; extruded rod, bar,
pipe, and tube blooms; and drawn or extruded tube) from purchased aluminum and/or (2) recovering
aluminum from scrap and rolling, drawing or extruding shapes (except flat rolled sheet, plate,
foil, and welded tube; extruded rod, bar, pipe, and tube blooms; and drawn or extruded tube) in
integrated mills.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Flat rolling sheet, plate, foil, and welded tube from either purchased aluminum or by recovering aluminum from scrap and flat rolling or continuous casting - classified in U.S. Industry 331315, Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing;
- Extruding rod, bar, pipe, tube and tube blooms or drawing tube from purchased aluminum or by recovering aluminum from scrap and extruding - classified in U.S. Industry 331316, Aluminum Extruded Product Manufacturing; and
- Making aluminum from alumina and making aluminum shapes - classified in U.S. Industry 331312, Primary Aluminum Production.
3314 Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing
33141 Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) smelting ores into nonferrous
metals and/or (2) the primary refining of nonferrous metals (except aluminum) using electrolytic
or other processes.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Making aluminum from alumina or recovery of aluminum from scrap - classified in Industry 33131, Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing;
- Recovering copper or copper alloys from scrap or dross and/or alloying, rolling, drawing, and extruding purchased copper - classified in Industry 33142, Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying;
- Recovering nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) from scrap and/or alloying, rolling, drawing, and extruding purchased nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) - classified in Industry 33149, Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying;
- Mining and making copper and other nonferrous concentrates (including gold and silver bullion) using processes, such as solvent extraction or electrowinning, - classified in Industry Group 2122, Metal Ore Mining;
- Sorting and breaking up scrap metal without also smelting or refining - classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade; and
- Operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 562920, Materials Recovery Facilities.
331411 Primary Smelting and Refining of Copper
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) smelting copper ore and/or
(2) the primary refining of copper by electrolytic methods or other processes. Establishments in
this industry make primary copper and copper-based alloys, such as brass and bronze, from ore or
concentrates.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Recovering copper or copper alloys from scrap and making primary forms and/or alloying purchased copper - classified in U.S. Industry 331423, Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Copper;
- Mining and making copper concentrates by processes, such as solvent extraction or electrowinning, - classified in U.S. Industry 212234, Copper Ore and Nickel Ore Mining;
- Drawing copper wire (except mechanical) from purchased copper or recovering copper from scrap and drawing wire (except mechanical) - classified in U.S. Industry 331422, Copper Wire (except Mechanical) Drawing; and
- Rolling, drawing, or extruding copper shapes (except communication and energy wire) from purchased copper or recovering copper from scrap and rolling, drawing, and extruding copper shapes - classified in U.S. Industry 331421, Copper Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding.
331419 Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metal
(except Copper and Aluminum)
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) making (i.e., the primary
production) nonferrous metals by smelting ore and/or (2) the primary refining of nonferrous
metals by electrolytic methods or other processes.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Recovering nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) from scrap and making primary forms and/or alloying purchased nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) - classified in U.S. Industry 331492, Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum);
- Making aluminum from alumina - classified in U.S. Industry 331312, Primary Aluminum Production;
- Primary smelting and primary refining of copper - classified in U.S. Industry 331411, Primary Smelting and Refining of Copper;
- Mining and making copper and other nonferrous concentrates (including gold and silver bullion), by processes, such as solvent extraction or electrowinning, - classified in Industry Group 2122, Metal Ore Mining; and
- Rolling, drawing, and/or extruding nonferrous metal shapes (except copper and aluminum) from purchased nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) or by recovering nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) and rolling, drawing, or extruding - classified in U.S. Industry 331491, Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding.
33142 Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1)
recovering copper or copper alloys from scraps; (2) alloying purchased copper; (3) rolling,
drawing, or extruding shapes, (e.g., bar, plate, sheet, strip, tube, wire) from purchased copper;
and (4) recovering copper or copper alloys from scrap and rolling drawing, or extruding shapes
(e.g., bar, plate, sheet, strip, tube, wire).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Smelting copper ore, primary copper refining, and/or rolling, drawing or extruding primary copper made in the same establishment - classified in Industry 33141, Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining;
- Manufacturing wire products from purchased wire - classified in Industry 33261, Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing;
- Insulating purchased copper wire - classified in Industry 33592, Communication and Energy Wire and Cable Manufacturing;
- Sorting and breaking up scrap metal without also smelting or refining - classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade;
- Operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 562920, Materials Recovery Facilities;
- Die-casting purchased copper - classified in Industry 33152, Nonferrous Metal Foundries; and
- Recovering nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) from scrap, and/or rolling, drawing, extruding, or alloying purchased nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) - classified in Industry 33149, Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying.
331421 Copper Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) rolling, drawing, and/or
extruding shapes (e.g., bar, plate, sheet, strip, tube (except bare or insulated copper
communication or energy wire), from purchased copper; and/or (2) recovering copper from scrap and
rolling, drawing, and/or extruding shapes (e.g., bar, plate, sheet, strip, tube (except bare or
insulated copper communication or energy wire, in integrated mills.))
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Recovering copper or copper alloys from scrap and making primary forms and/or alloying purchased copper - classified in U.S. Industry 331423, Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Copper;
- Drawing copper wire (except mechanical) from purchased copper or recovering copper from scrap and drawing copper wire (except mechanical) - classified in U.S. Industry 331422, Copper Wire (except Mechanical) Drawing;
- Die-casting purchased copper - classified in U.S. Industry 331522, Nonferrous (except Aluminum) Die-Casting Foundries;
- Making primary copper and rolling, drawing, and/or extruding copper shapes (e.g., bar, plate, rod, sheet, strip) - classified in U.S. Industry 331411, Primary Smelting and Refining of Copper; and
- Rolling, drawing, or extruding shapes from purchased nonferrous metal (except copper and aluminum) or recovering nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) from scrap and rolling, drawing or extruding - classified in U.S. Industry 331491, Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding.
331422 Copper Wire (except Mechanical) Drawing
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in drawing or drawing and
insulating communication and energy wire and cable from purchased copper or in integrated
secondary smelting and wire drawing plants.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing copper mechanical wire from purchased copper or by recovering copper from scrap and drawing or extruding - classified in U.S. Industry 331421, Copper Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding;
- Insulating purchased copper wire - classified in U.S. Industry 335929, Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing;
- Making primary copper and drawing copper wire - classified in U.S. Industry 331411, Primary Smelting and Refining of Copper; and
- Manufacturing wire products from purchased copper wire - classified in Industry 33261, Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing.
331423 Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Copper
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) recovering copper and copper
alloys from scrap and/or (2) alloying purchased copper. Establishments in this industry make
primary forms, such as ingot, wire bar, cake, and slab from copper or copper alloys, such as
brass and bronze.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Sorting and breaking up scrap metal without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 423930, Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers;
- Operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 562920, Materials Recovery Facilities;
- Smelting copper ore and/or the primary refining of copper - classified in U.S. Industry 331411, Primary Smelting and Refining of Copper;
- Recovering copper and copper alloys from scrap and rolling, drawing, or extruding shapes - classified in U.S. Industry 331421, Copper Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding;
- Recovering copper and copper alloys from scrap and drawing wire (except mechanical) - classified in U.S. Industry 331422, Copper Wire (except Mechanical) Drawing; and
- Recovering nonferrous metals (except copper, aluminum) from scrap and making primary forms and/or alloying purchased nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) - classified in U.S. Industry 331492, Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum).
33149 Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling,
Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one or more of the following: (1)
recovering nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) and nonferrous metal alloys from scrap;
(2) alloying purchased nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum); (3) rolling, drawing, and
extruding shapes from purchased nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum); and (4)
recovering nonferrous metals from scrap (except copper and aluminum) and rolling, drawing, or
extruding shapes in integrated facilities.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Rolling, drawing, and/or extruding aluminum or secondary smelting and alloying of aluminum - classified in Industry 33131, Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing;
- Recovering copper and copper alloys from scrap, alloying purchased copper, rolling, drawing, or extruding shapes from purchased copper, and recovering copper or copper alloys from scrap and rolling, drawing, or extruding shapes in integrated mills - classified in Industry 33142, Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying;
- Insulating purchased nonferrous wire - classified in Industry 33592, Communication and Energy Wire and Cable Manufacturing;
- Making primary nonferrous metals and rolling, drawing, or extruding nonferrous metal shapes - classified in Industry 33141, Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining;
- Manufacturing products from purchased wire - classified in Industry 33261, Spring and Wire Product Manufacturing;
- Sorting and breaking up scrap metal without also smelting or refining - classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade; and
- Operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 562920, Materials Recovery Facilities.
331491 Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum)
Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) rolling, drawing, or
extruding shapes (e.g., bar, plate, sheet, strip, tube) from purchased nonferrous metals) and/or
(2) recovering nonferrous metals from scrap and rolling, drawing, and/or extruding shapes (e.g.,
bar, plate, sheet, strip, tube) in integrated mills.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Rolling, drawing, and/or extruding shapes from purchased copper or recovering copper from scrap and rolling, drawing, or extruding shapes - classified in U.S. Industry 331421, Copper Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding;
- Recovering nonferrous metals (except copper and aluminum) from scrap and making primary forms and/or alloying purchased nonferrous metals - classified in U.S. Industry 331492, Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum);
- Rolling, drawing, and/or extruding aluminum - classified in Industry 33131, Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing;
- Making primary nonferrous metals and rolling, drawing, or extruding nonferrous metal shapes - classified in U.S. Industry 331419, Primary Smelting and Refining of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum); and
- Insulating purchased nonferrous wire - classified in U.S. Industry 335929, Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing.
331492 Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of
Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum)
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) alloying purchased
nonferrous metals and/or (2) recovering nonferrous metals from scrap. Establishments in this
industry make primary forms (e.g., bar, billet, bloom, cake, ingot, slab, slug, wire) using
smelting or refining processes.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Recovering aluminum and aluminum alloys from scrap and/or alloying purchased aluminum - classified in U.S. Industry 331314, Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum;
- Sorting and breaking up scrap metal without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 423930, Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers;
- Recovering nonferrous metals from scrap and rolling, drawing, or extruding shapes in integrated facilities - classified in U.S. Industry 331491, Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding;
- Operating facilities where commingled recyclable materials, such as paper, plastics, used beverage cans, and metals, are sorted into distinct categories without also smelting or refining - classified in Industry 562920, Materials Recovery Facilities; and
- Recovering copper and copper alloys from scrap and making primary forms; and/or alloying purchased copper - classified in U.S. Industry 331423, Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Copper.
3315 Foundries
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in pouring molten metal into molds
or dies to form castings. Establishments making castings and further manufacturing, such as
machining or assembling, a specific manufactured product are classified in the industry of the
finished product. Foundries may perform operations, such as cleaning and deburring, on the
castings they manufacture. More involved processes, such as tapping, threading, milling, or
machining to tight tolerances, that transform castings into more finished products are classified
elsewhere in the manufacturing sector based on the product being made.
Establishments in this industry group make castings from purchased metals or in integrated secondary smelting and casting facilities. When the production of primary metals is combined with making castings, the establishment is classified in 331 with the primary metal being made.
33151 Ferrous Metal Foundries
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in pouring molten iron and steel into
molds of a desired shape to made castings. Establishments in this industry purchase iron and
steel made in other establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing iron or steel castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
331511 Iron Foundries
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in pouring molten pig iron or iron
alloys into molds to manufacture castings, (e.g., cast iron man-hole covers, cast iron pipe, cast
iron skillets). Establishments in this industry purchase iron made in other establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing iron castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
331512 Steel Investment Foundries
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing steel investment
castings. Investment molds are formed by covering a wax shape with a refractory slurry. After the
refractory slurry hardens, the wax is melted, leaving a seamless mold. Investment molds provide
highly detailed, consistent castings. Establishments in this industry purchase steel made in
other establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing steel castings (except steel investment castings) - classified in U.S. Industry 331513, Steel Foundries (except Investment); and
- Manufacturing steel investment castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
331513 Steel Foundries (except Investment)
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing steel castings
(except steel investment castings). Establishments in this industry purchase steel made in other
establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing steel investment castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331512, Steel Investment Foundries; and
- Manufacturing steel castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
33152 Nonferrous Metal Foundries
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in pouring and/or introducing molten
nonferrous metal, under high pressure, into metal molds or dies to manufacture castings.
Establishments in this industry purchase nonferrous metals made in other establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing iron or steel castings - classified in Industry 33151, Ferrous Metal Foundries; and
- Manufacturing nonferrous metal castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
331521 Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in introducing molten
aluminum, under high pressure, into molds or dies to make aluminum die-castings.
Establishments in this industry purchase aluminum made in other establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Pouring molten aluminum into molds to manufacture aluminum castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331524, Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting); and
- Manufacturing aluminum die-castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
331522 Nonferrous (except Aluminum) Die-Casting Foundries
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in introducing molten nonferrous
metal (except aluminum), under high pressure, into molds to make nonferrous metal die-castings.
Establishments in this industry purchase nonferrous metals made in other establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing aluminum die-castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331521, Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries;
- Pouring molten aluminum into molds to manufacture aluminum castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331524, Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting);
- Pouring molten copper into molds to manufacture copper castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331525, Copper Foundries (except Die-Casting);
- Pouring molten nonferrous metal (except copper and aluminum) into molds to manufacture nonferrous (except copper and aluminum) castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331528, Other Nonferrous Foundries (except Die-Casting); and
- Manufacturing nonferrous die-castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
331524 Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting)
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in pouring molten aluminum into
molds to manufacture aluminum castings. Establishments in this industry purchase aluminum made in
other establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing aluminum die-castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331521, Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries; and
- Manufacturing aluminum or aluminum alloy castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
331525 Copper Foundries (except Die-Casting)
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in pouring molten copper into molds
to manufacture copper castings. Establishments in this industry purchase copper made in other
establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing copper die-castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331522, Nonferrous (except Aluminum) Die-Casting Foundries; and
- Manufacturing copper castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
331528 Other Nonferrous Foundries (except Die-Casting)
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in pouring molten nonferrous metals
(except aluminum and copper) into molds to manufacture nonferrous castings (except aluminum
die-castings, nonferrous (except aluminum) die-castings, aluminum castings, and copper castings).
Establishments in this industry purchase nonferrous metals, such as nickel, lead, and zinc, made
in other establishments.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Manufacturing aluminum die-castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331521, Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries;
- Manufacturing nonferrous (except aluminum) die-castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331522, Nonferrous (except Aluminum) Die-Casting Foundries;
- Pouring molten aluminum into molds to manufacture aluminum castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331524, Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting);
- Manufacturing copper castings - classified in U.S. Industry 331525, Copper Foundries (except Die-Casting); and
- Manufacturing nonferrous castings and further manufacturing them into finished products - classified based on the specific finished product.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
