NAICS 322130

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the production-oriented standard that federal statistical programs use to classify business establishments so they can collect, analyze, and publish data on the U.S. economy. NAICS was created jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico under the Office of Management and Budget and replaced SIC in 1997; current Economic Census statistics are published on the 2022 NAICS vintage. ¹

NAICS 322130 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing paperboard from pulp. Establishments may make their own pulp or use purchased pulp, and they may also convert the paperboard they produce. Cross-references place standalone pulp-only operations in NAICS 322110; conversion without paperboard manufacturing in NAICS 3222; and insulation or other reconstituted wood fiberboard in NAICS 321219. This industry is part of the Paper Manufacturing subsector and aligns with industry group NAICS 3221. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Manufacture of paperboard from pulp as the primary activity at the establishment. ²
• Paperboard mills that purchase pulp for use in paperboard production. ²
• Paperboard mills that manufacture pulp and paperboard within the same establishment (“integrated” mills). ²
• Conversion activities performed by the same establishment that produced the paperboard (for example, converting own-made paperboard). ²
• Paperboard production classified within the Paper Manufacturing subsector (31–33), industry group NAICS 3221. ²
• Establishments whose principal output is paperboard, regardless of whether they also convert their own paperboard. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	322110	Pulp Mills; pulp manufacturing without making paperboard is classified here. 2
NAICS	322121	Paper (except Newsprint) Mills; paper manufacturing (not paperboard). 2
NAICS	322122	Newsprint Mills; newsprint and uncoated groundwood paper manufacturing. 2
PSC	9310	Paper and Paperboard (supply classification for paper/paperboard commodities). 5

Classification notes and exclusions

• Converting paperboard or paper into products without manufacturing paperboard is classified in NAICS 3222. ²
• Manufacturing pulp without manufacturing paperboard is classified in NAICS 322110. ²
• Insulation board and other reconstituted wood fiberboard are classified in NAICS 321219. ²
• Establishments that make paper (not paperboard) are classified in NAICS 32212, including NAICS 322121 and NAICS 322122. ²

Data availability and adoption

• Census Bureau programs began releasing data on the 2022 NAICS basis with the 2022 Economic Census and expect most programs to adopt 2022 NAICS by the end of calendar year 2027. ³
• Manufacturing sector tabulations (31–33), which include NAICS 322130, are published as part of 2022 Economic Census releases on a 2022 NAICS basis. ⁴

Frequently asked questions

• What does NAICS 322130 include?
  Establishments whose primary activity is manufacturing paperboard from pulp, using either purchased or self-produced pulp. Integrated mills that make both pulp and paperboard are included, and mills may convert the paperboard they produce within the same establishment when paperboard manufacturing remains the principal activity. ²

• Are converting-only operations part of NAICS 322130?
  No. Establishments that convert paper or paperboard into products without manufacturing paperboard are classified under NAICS 3222. Converters that also manufacture paperboard are included in NAICS 322130 only if paperboard manufacturing is the primary activity at the establishment. ²

• How are mills that make both pulp and paperboard classified?
  Integrated mills that produce both pulp and paperboard are classified in NAICS 322130, not NAICS 322110. Classification hinges on the establishment’s principal activity; when paperboard production is primary, the mill is placed in 322130 even if substantial in-house pulp production occurs. ²

• What is the current NAICS vintage and when will it be fully adopted?
  The current vintage is 2022. The Census Bureau began publishing 2022-based NAICS data with the 2022 Economic Census, and most statistical programs are planned to transition to 2022 NAICS by the end of calendar year 2027, at which point time series will reflect the updated structure. ³

• Does the official NAICS description list specific paperboard product types by grade?
  Not specified by official sources. The industry definition centers on manufacturing paperboard from pulp, including integrated operations and on-site conversion of own-made paperboard, without enumerating grades or end-use types within the definition text. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 322130 overview
• Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 guidance) — https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
• Census: NAICS 322130 definition and cross-references (Manufacturing sector, archived NAICS descriptions) — https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
• Census: Implementation of the 2022 NAICS — https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
• Census: 2022 Economic Census — Sector 31–33 Manufacturing data — https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-31-33.html

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 guidance). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Manufacturing sector descriptions (includes 322130 Paperboard Mills and cross-references). https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect31-33.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — Implementation of the 2022 NAICS. https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census: Sector 31–33 Manufacturing. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-31-33.html
5. U.S. General Services Administration — Product and Service Code Manual (PSC 9310 Paper and Paperboard). https://www.acquisition.gov/node/55759/printable/print