NACE 19.1 – Manufacture of Coke Oven Products | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 19.1 covers the production of coke and coke products through thermal upgrading of coal in high-temperature processes. Coke is an industrial input used primarily in steelmaking and may be relevant for certain public procurement needs (e.g. energy production, municipal heat-and-power plants).

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 19.1 cover?

NACE 19.1 (Manufacture of coke oven products) classifies industrial operations that produce blast-furnace coke, coal tar and chemical by-products through the coking of hard coal — an area closely linked to basic-material industry.

Group 19.1 within Section C and Division 19 covers:

Public contracting authorities operate in this area primarily as operators of district-heating and combined heat-and-power plants and as municipal utilities procuring solid fuels for heat and power generation.

Public tenders: coke and solid fuels

Procurement of coke and solid fuels by public undertakings takes place mainly in municipal energy supply and industrial in-house operations — typically through utilities contracting authorities.

Typical contract types

• Blast-furnace coke for municipal steelworks: Procurement by publicly co-owned steel producers or steelworks
• Solid fuels for combined heat and power plants: Coke and coal products for municipal CHP plants
• Coal tar and chemical by-products: Industrial procurement by public chemical operations
• Low-temperature coke and specialty coal: Procurement for special applications in public research institutions

Thresholds and procedure types

Energy procurement by public utilities is frequently subject to utilities procurement law with adjusted thresholds. High-volume energy supply contracts are generally tendered EU-wide.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 19.1

Current tenders with these CPV codes are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Contracting authorities and bidders

Public contracting authorities

In NACE 19.1, the contracting authorities are particularly municipal and state-owned energy utilities, publicly co-owned steelworks and industrial operations, and district-heating operators. Procurement is carried out under utilities-contracting status where energy or heat supply is the main activity. The long-term trend toward decarbonisation gradually reduces public demand for coke products.

Companies and bidders

Coking businesses seeking public contracts must typically demonstrate:

• Product quality: Compliance with specifications (ash content, sulphur content, particle size)
• Supply logistics: Rail or shipping capacity for bulk goods
• Environmental requirements: Compliance with emission limits per the IED directive
• Supply security: Long-term supply capability and storage capacity

Frequently asked questions about NACE 19.1 and public tenders

Is coke procurement still a relevant area for the public sector?
The area is in decline but remains relevant for public undertakings with steel production or industrial heat generation. With the energy transition, focus is shifting to renewable energy carriers, which further reduces procurement of coke products over the long term.

Is energy procurement by municipal utilities subject to procurement law?
Municipal utilities as utilities contracting authorities are subject to utilities procurement law (SektVO in Germany, BVergG-Sectors in Austria). Specific thresholds apply to supply contracts; flexible procedural rules apply, including the negotiated procedure without prior publication under certain conditions.

NACE 19.1 in context: Section C and Division 19

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
• NACE 19 – Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products: Parent division
• NACE 19.2 – Manufacture of refined petroleum products: Related group

Last updated: January 2026
All information provided without warranty. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.