Coal - $ 2.7 billion
A leading sector in West Virginia , coal represents the majority of exports with $ 2.7 billion reported in 2021 . In addition to high-value metallurgical coal for steel manufacturing , West Virginia also produces and exports steam coal for energy production .
Plastics & Chemicals - $ 1.6 billion
Combined , plastics and chemicals made up 26 % of West Virginia ’ s total exports in 2021 . Major chemical companies include DuPont , Chemours , APG , Solvay and others making a variety of chemicals for applications like agriculture , water treatment , oil and gas , electronics and household products . However , this $ 1.6 billion in exports also includes smaller companies that manufacture products like plastic injection molded parts .
Automotive Parts & Machinery - $ 955 million
A growing sector in West Virginia , automotive parts and machinery totaled $ 955 million in exports last year , an increase of 11 % over 2020 . In addition to large , national and international companies , West Virginia is home to many small and medium-sized equipment manufacturers producing quality machinery and parts for international markets like Canada , Mexico , South Africa and Australia . From mining and oil and gas equipment to truck parts , engines and transmissions , West Virginia ’ s reputation for providing superior products is recognized worldwide .
Other Exports - $ 950 million
While the largest sectors of West Virginia ’ s exports are represented by coal , plastics and chemicals as well as automotive parts and machinery , there are other sectors that help to increase the reach of exports . For the purposes of the map and data included , other exports consist of forest products , aerospace and metals .
Forest Products
Hardwood lumber and logs are long-standing pillars of West Virginia ’ s economy . High-end products — like veneer panels and kiln-dried lumber shipped internationally to markets like China and Vietnam — are used in furniture manufacturing and construction and contributed to the over $ 140 million in exports in 2021 . Companies like Allegheny Wood Products , Inc . and AFP Logs and Lumber , Inc ., both based in West Virginia , have been providing wood to domestic and international markets for decades .
Aerospace
West Virginia ’ s aerospace industry includes a variety of parts and products with applications in aviation , space exploration and defense . With an increase of 25 % from 2020 , West Virginia ’ s exports of aerospace products totaled more than $ 150 million last year . Larger firms like Pratt & Whitney and Northrop Grumman have locations within the state , but smaller companies such as FCX Systems , Azimuth Inc . and CFOAM , LLC also contribute to this industry sector .
Metals
Steel , aluminum , nickel , copper , tin and lead , among others , make up West Virginia ’ s metals industry and the $ 251 million in exports last year . From manufactured products like metal buildings and interstate guardrails to raw materials like rolled aluminum sheets , companies like Parkline , Steel of West Virginia and Constellium contribute to this robust sector with diverse applications .