Industrial Sector: Raw Materials, Energy, and Production
Industry: The Main Component of the Secondary Sector
Industry encompasses the processing of raw materials into manufactured products, both for consumption and for further use. The Industrial Revolution emerged in the late 18th century and developed throughout the 19th century. The industrial process is characterized by:
- Use of machines: Machines are devices that create movement, often converting energy into heat, and are not solely reliant on human or animal power.
- Energy sources: Powering these machines.
- Factory-based labor: Workers operating within a factory setting.
- Division of labor: Each worker specializes in a specific task.
Raw Materials
These are resources transformed through industrial processes, including semi-finished products. Raw materials can be classified as:
- Animal origin: Leather, wool, etc.
- Vegetable origin: Rubber, cotton, etc.
- Mineral origin:
- Metallic minerals: Iron, lead, etc.
- Non-metallic minerals: Clay, kaolin, etc.
- Energy minerals: Oil, uranium, etc.
- Artificial origin: Nylon, PVC, etc.
Sources of Power
These are the natural resources that provide the force to transform raw materials, move machinery, and facilitate the movement of people and goods.
Nonrenewable Energies
- Coal: Found in accumulations of plant debris, it is used as fuel for power stations.
- Advantages: Abundant.
- Disadvantages: Expensive extraction.
- Major producers: China, USA, India, Australia, Russian Federation, Republic of South Africa.
- Petroleum: Originates from the accumulation of plankton remains in the sea. Derivatives like gasoline and fuel oil are obtained. It is the most used fuel currently.
- Major producers: Saudi Arabia, Russian Federation, USA, Iran, Mexico, Venezuela, China.
- Advantages: Easy to extract and distribute.
- Disadvantages: Difficult to find; less abundant than coal.
- Natural Gas: Found in layers or pockets within petroleum deposits. Used in factories, for heating, etc.
- Major producers: Russian Federation, USA, Canada, Iran, Norway, Algeria, UK.
- Nuclear Energy: Comes from minerals with a high degree of radioactivity (uranium). Its use is limited due to environmental concerns related to radioactive waste and the risk of nuclear accidents.
- Major producers: USA, France, Japan, Germany.
Renewable Energies
- Hydropower: Generates electricity from the force of falling water.
- Major producers: Canada, Brazil, USA, China, Russian Federation.
- Solar Energy: Derived from the use of solar rays.
- Disadvantages: Only available during sunny conditions, expensive, requires significant space.
- Major producers: USA, Australia, Germany, Canada.
- Wind Energy: Harnesses the force of the wind.
- Major producers: Germany, Spain, USA, Denmark.
- Tidal Power, Geothermal Energy, and Biomass.
Capital
This includes raw materials, energy sources, machinery, industrial facilities, and the funds needed to acquire these items and pay workers. Capital can be acquired by various types of companies: joint ventures, private, or public.
The Company
An organization that manages production factors. Companies develop strategies to maximize profits (management).
- Cartel: A situation where a few companies control an industry economically. The OPEC cartel is a significant example.
- Holding: A partnership of companies, each specializing in a particular area.
Types of Industries
Heavy Industries
These transform raw materials into semi-finished products. They are characterized by:
- Requiring large capital investments and substantial energy.
- Being highly polluting.
- Needing large spaces for their facilities.
Metallurgical Industry: Dedicated to the manufacture of metal products.
Steel Industry: Focuses on steel production. In steel mills, iron is melted at around 2000ºC. Oxygen and/or carbon are then added or removed. The steel sector is currently in recession, leading to significant social problems due to its large workforce.
Equipment Industry
Transforms semi-finished products into industrial goods and finished products.
Light Industry or Consumer Goods Industry
Develops products for direct consumption. These industries:
- Consume fewer raw materials and energy sources.
- Are generally cleaner.
- Are usually located near cities.
- Vary in size.
Industrial Estates
These are peri-urban areas that provide services and infrastructure for industrial activity.
Technological Parks
Industrial areas with high environmental quality that focus on high-technology industries and research centers closely linked to them.
Importance of R&D (Research and Development)
The need for continuous innovation explains the industry’s investment in this area.
Acid Rain
Precipitation with a high degree of acidity caused by the atmospheric emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.