Nonmetallic Mineral Products

Statistics and facts on nonmetallic mineral products

Nonmetallic minerals are a special group of chemical elements from which no new product can be generated if they are melted. Nonmetallic minerals are, for example, sand, gravel, limestone, clay, and marble. Such materials lack metallic characteristics like good electric and thermic conductivity, luster, rigor, and malleability; they are, however, essential for many industries.

The nonmetallic minerals industry is best known for the production of cement, ceramics, glass, and lime products. Thus, the range of application is quite broad, from construction materials to sanitary ware to tableware and decorative products. The transformation of nonmetallic minerals into these products is often an energy-intensive process, which can include several steps, such as heating, grinding, mixing, cutting, shaping and honing.

In the United States, the Nonmetallic Mineral Products Industry was formerly known as the Stone, Clay, Glass, and Concrete Products Industry. Under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), this subsector is separated into clay product and refractory, glass and glass products, cement and concrete products, lime and gypsum products, and other nonmetallic mineral products.
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