UNSPSC 15101612: Metallurgical coal

A type of coal, usually anthracite, used primarily in the iron making process specifically for producing coke which acts as a reducing agent, e.g., strips off oxygen from iron ore. This is the high level distinction between coal used for metallurgical reasons --processing of ores to produce metals-- versus coal used for heating purposes--energy or thermal coal used in power stations or other furnaces.

UNSPSC 15101612 Metallurgical coal is a Commodity code that in principle covers coal products used in metallurgical and industrial processes. However, the most recent state and local procurement activity posted under this code does not align with its nominal scope. Sourcewell, a Minnesota local government cooperative, posted RFP #061626 in May 2026 to procure law enforcement equipment on behalf of multiple participating entities across Washington state and beyond — a commodity category unrelated to metallurgical coal. The mismatch between the code assignment and the actual solicitation suggests either a data-entry error in the state and local opportunity posting or a misclassification in how the opportunity was indexed. No recent solicitations for actual metallurgical coal procurement appear in the available record.

The code shows little relevant recent activity under its true commodity scope. Vendors evaluating state and local procurement activity in metallurgical coal should treat this record as a signal that the code does not currently reflect active state or local buying in this product line. If pursuing opportunities in coal supply or industrial fuels for state and local infrastructure or utility operations, search adjacent commodity codes or query directly within state energy procurement portals rather than monitoring this code for relevant solicitations.