NAICS 335991 Quarterly Industry Report
Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 335991Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 335991 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and the Small Business Administration[7]. Our research team compiles establishment counts, employment data, and SBA eligibility criteria specific to carbon and graphite product manufacturing. Reports are updated quarterly to reflect new Census releases and regulatory changes.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the carbon and graphite product manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing (NAICS 335991) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing carbon, graphite, and metal-graphite brushes and brush stock; carbon or graphite electrodes for thermal and electrolytic uses; carbon and graphite fibers; and other carbon, graphite, and metal-graphite products. Applications span electric arc furnace steelmaking electrodes, electric motor brushes, mechanical seal faces, semiconductor processing components, and aerospace thermal protection materials. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies this industry under other electrical equipment and component manufacturing.
Roughly 140 active businesses employ an estimated 7,200 workers in this industry. Electric arc furnace (EAF) graphite electrodes represent the highest-volume product category, consumed during steel melting operations and replaced after each heat cycle. Electrode manufacturing requires petroleum needle coke or pitch coke raw materials processed through mixing, extrusion or molding, baking at temperatures above 800 degrees Celsius, and graphitization at temperatures exceeding 2,500 degrees Celsius. This multi-week thermal processing cycle creates long lead times and high energy costs.
Motor brush production serves electric motor aftermarket and OEM replacement needs across transportation, industrial, and appliance sectors. Mechanical carbon seal faces and bearings operate in pumps, compressors, and rotating equipment where self-lubricating carbon properties prevent metal-to-metal contact. Isostatic graphite serves semiconductor and solar manufacturing as crucibles, susceptors, and ion implantation components where extreme purity and thermal stability are critical. Raw material availability, particularly petroleum needle coke supply, directly affects electrode production costs and capacity use across the industry.
What's Included in This Industry
- Graphite electrode manufacturing for electric arc furnaces
- Carbon brush and brush stock production for electric motors
- Mechanical carbon seal and bearing manufacturing
- Isostatic graphite product manufacturing
- Carbon fiber production
- Graphite crucible and mold manufacturing
- Carbon vane and pump component production
- Specialty carbon product manufacturing for semiconductors
- Metal-graphite composite product manufacturing
- Carbon and graphite heat exchanger component production
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 335 |
| Industry Group | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 3359 |
| NAICS Industry | All Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 33599 |
| National Industry | Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing | 335991 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 335312 | Motor and Generator Manufacturing | Manufactures electric motors and generators that consume the carbon brushes and brush stock produced in this classification for commutator contact and current transfer |
| 331110 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | Operates electric arc furnace steelmaking operations that consume graphite electrodes as the primary melt energy delivery tool produced by this industry |
| 335999 | All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | Manufactures miscellaneous electrical equipment not classified elsewhere, distinguished from the specific carbon and graphite products covered by this dedicated industry code |
| 327120 | Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing | Produces clay refractories and ceramic products for high-temperature applications classified separately from the carbon and graphite thermal products manufactured here |
| 325199 | All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing | Manufactures other basic organic chemicals including petroleum coke precursors rather than the finished carbon and graphite products produced from those raw materials |
| 335921 | Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing | Produces fiber optic cable using glass optical fiber rather than the carbon fiber products manufactured under this carbon and graphite classification code |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 12.7% | 20 |
| 2 | Ohio | 11.5% | 18 |
| 3 | Texas | 9.6% | 15 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 8.9% | 14 |
| 5 | Michigan | 8.3% | 13 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 5.1% | 8 |
| 7 | New York | 4.5% | 7 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 4.5% | 7 |
| 9 | Washington | 4.5% | 7 |
| 10 | Alabama | 3.8% | 6 |
% Of Establishments
0%
13%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
16
Total SBA Loans
$3.0M
Total Loan Volume
$190K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.50%
Average Interest Rate
80
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 335991 at 500 employees. Firms below this threshold qualify for small business set-aside contracts and SBA-backed lending programs. Federal procurement includes carbon brushes for military vehicle motors, graphite components for Department of Energy nuclear and fusion research facilities, and carbon seals for Navy pump systems. The SBA's contracting programs[8] support manufacturers pursuing Defense Logistics Agency and Department of Energy specialty material contracts. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[9] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[10] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WesBanco Bank, Inc. | 16 | $3.0M | $190K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 335991?
Manufacturers of carbon, graphite, and metal-graphite products classify here. Products include EAF graphite electrodes, electric motor brushes, mechanical seal faces, isostatic graphite components, carbon fiber, graphite crucibles, and specialty semiconductor-grade carbon parts per the Census Bureau[5] classification.
How is the carbon and graphite product industry structured?
Roughly 140 businesses employ an estimated 7,200 workers per Census data[11]. Large manufacturers dominate graphite electrode production for steelmaking while numerous smaller firms serve specialty niches including semiconductor components, mechanical carbon seals, and custom-machined graphite parts for industrial applications.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 335991?
The SBA[7] sets the threshold at 500 employees. Businesses with fewer than 500 average employees qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA-backed financing programs including 7(a) and 504 loans.
What NAICS codes are related to carbon and graphite manufacturing?
Related codes include 335312 (Motors and Generators), 331110 (Steel Mills), 335999 (Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment), 327120 (Clay Refractories), 325199 (Basic Organic Chemicals), and 335921 (Fiber Optic Cable). Each covers products or materials connected to but distinct from carbon and graphite manufacturing.
What industries purchase carbon and graphite products?
Steel mills, motor manufacturers, pump producers, semiconductor equipment makers, and petroleum refineries interact most directly. Electric arc furnace steelmaking drives the largest volume of graphite electrode consumption while motor brush replacement and mechanical seal demand provide steady recurring revenue for carbon product manufacturers.
What activities are included in NAICS 335991?
Activities include manufacturing graphite electrodes through baking and graphitization processes, producing carbon brushes for electric motors, fabricating mechanical carbon seal faces and bearings, manufacturing isostatic graphite for semiconductor applications, producing carbon fiber, and machining custom graphite components for high-temperature industrial and aerospace applications.
Can carbon and graphite product manufacturers qualify for SBA loans?
Yes, firms below 500 employees qualify for SBA lending programs[8] including 7(a) and 504 loans. Graphitization furnaces, isostatic presses, CNC graphite machining centers, and high-temperature baking kilns represent capital investments suited to SBA 504 equipment financing.
Where are carbon and graphite manufacturers concentrated?
Production concentrates near electric arc furnace steelmaking regions and industrial manufacturing centers, with facilities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Texas. Electrode plants locate near petroleum needle coke supply sources and EAF steel mills to minimize freight costs for heavy, fragile products. Specialty carbon machining operations distribute more broadly near semiconductor and aerospace customer clusters in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA's contracting programs sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504 loans sba.gov
- [11]Census data naicslist.com
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