NAICS 331492 - Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum)
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What is NAICS 331492
NAICS code 331492 covers establishments primarily engaged in the secondary smelting, refining, and alloying of nonferrous metals excluding copper and aluminum. This industry focuses on processing purchased nonferrous metals or recovering metals from scrap to produce primary forms such as bars, billets, blooms, ingots, slabs, slugs, and wire. Businesses in this sector utilize smelting and refining technologies to enhance metal purity and modify alloy compositions for various industrial applications. Companies operating under this code are crucial suppliers of raw and specialty metal materials used in manufacturing, defense, aerospace, and infrastructure projects. Government agencies contract with these businesses to secure reliable sources of refined nonferrous metals that meet stringent quality and performance standards required for national security and critical infrastructure development. The sector plays an essential role in sustainable metal recycling and resource conservation, aligning with government initiatives on environmental responsibility.
Industry Classification for NAICS 331492
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.
Breakdown for NAICS 331492
- Covers alloying and refining of nonferrous metals excluding copper and aluminum.
- Includes recovery of nonferrous metals from scrap materials.
- Produces primary metal forms such as bars, billets, blooms, and ingots.
- Supports industries requiring high-purity and specialized metal alloys.
- Subject to environmental and quality compliance standards.
- Typical business size ranges from small to medium enterprises.
Included Activities for NAICS 331492
- Alloying purchased nonferrous metals to create custom metal compositions.
- Recovering metals from scrap through smelting and refining processes.
- Producing primary metal forms like bars, billets, blooms, cakes, ingots, slabs, slugs, and wire.
- Implementing quality control and testing to ensure metal purity and specifications.
- Complying with environmental regulations related to metal processing emissions.
- Supplying refined metals for defense, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing.
- Managing recycling streams to optimize material recovery.
- Collaborating with government agencies to fulfill contract requirements.
Business Types for NAICS 331492
- Secondary metal smelting and refining companies
- Nonferrous metal alloy manufacturers
- Metal recycling and recovery firms
- Specialty metal processors
- Small and medium-sized metal processing enterprises
- Suppliers to defense and aerospace industries
Subcategories for NAICS 331492
- Alloying purchased nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper)
- Detinning scrap (e.g., cans)
- Germanium recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Gold recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Ingot, nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper), secondary smelting and refining
- Iridium recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Lead recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Magnesium recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Metal powder and flake nonferrous (except aluminum, copper) made from purchased metal
- Nickel recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Nonferrous alloys (except aluminum, copper) made from purchased nonferrous metals
- Nonferrous alloys (except aluminum, copper) made in integrated secondary smelting and alloying plants
- Nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper) secondary smelting and refining
- Paste, nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper), made from purchased metal
- Platinum recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Powder, nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper), made from purchased metal
- Precious metals recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Recovering and refining of nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper) from scrap
- Recovering silver from used photographic film or X-ray plates
- Refining nonferrous metals and alloys (except aluminum, copper), secondary
- Secondary refining of nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper)
- Secondary smelting of nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper)
- Selenium recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Silver recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Silver recovering from used photographic film or X-ray plates
- Smelting and refining of nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper), secondary
- Smelting nonferrous metals (except aluminum, copper), secondary
- Superalloys, nonferrous based, made from purchased metals or scrap
- Tin recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
- Tungsten carbide powder made by metallurgical process
- Zinc dust reclaiming
- Zinc recovering from scrap and/or alloying purchased metals
Government Buyers for NAICS 331492
Federal government agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and General Services Administration frequently procure services and products from establishments under NAICS 331492. These agencies require refined and alloyed nonferrous metals for manufacturing military hardware, energy infrastructure, and research facilities. Materials produced by these firms are vital for defense systems, aerospace components, and advanced technology projects that demand high-performance alloys with specific chemical and physical properties. Additionally, agencies focused on infrastructure and environmental programs may contract for recycled or secondary metals to support sustainable procurement goals and compliance with federal environmental regulations. The consistency, quality, and traceability of metals supplied under this NAICS code are critical factors in government contracting decisions.
Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 331492
Contracts awarded under NAICS 331492 commonly include firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ), and requirements contracts. Procurement methods range from competitive sealed bidding to negotiated contracts depending on the complexity and urgency of the requirement. Contract values can vary widely, from smaller supply contracts for specialty alloys to multimillion-dollar agreements supporting large-scale defense or energy projects. Government agencies often establish long-term relationships with qualified suppliers to ensure continuity of supply and compliance with quality assurance standards. Subcontracting opportunities may also arise within broader manufacturing or defense system contracts that require refined nonferrous metal inputs. Performance-based contracts emphasizing material quality, delivery timeliness, and environmental compliance are increasingly prevalent in this sector.
Details for NAICS 331492
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