Industrial Sectors in Spain: Key Areas and Activities
Industrial Activity in Spain: Key Sectors
1. Key Sectors: Basic and Consumer Goods Industries
Traditionally, industries have been classified into three groups:
- Basic industry: Takes the first step in the industrial chain, transforming raw materials into intermediate products. These are used as feedstock for other industries.
- Equipment goods industry: Produces machinery or tools used by other industries.
- Use and consumption industries: Transform materials into products for direct use or consumption.
Breakdown of industries:
- Basic Industry (Heavy Equipment):
- Base: Manufacturing of heavy metals and chemicals.
- Team: Construction, metallurgy, and mechanical transformation.
- Goods for Use and Consumption (Light):
- Light chemicals, textiles and garments, food, books, and printing.
2. Traditional Sectors: Metallurgy, Steel, Shipbuilding, and Textiles
These sectors were important during Spain’s industrialization.
Basic Metallurgy
One of the main sectors of Spanish industry. The most prominent is steel metallurgy, in two forms:
- Integrated Steel Industry: Consolidated in the Basque Country, extending to the Mediterranean and Asturias. Oversized for Spanish needs, it faced a crisis and underwent conversion, with significant social implications.
- Non-Integral Steel: Smaller business structure and private equity.
Transformed Metal
Linked to the metallurgical industry. Its expansion was synchronous with societal changes in the 1960s, due to new energy sources for domestic use and the spread of the refrigeration industry.
Shipbuilding
Another traditional sector. Major shipyards were built by the INI (National Institute of Industry). They specialized in large tankers and bulk carriers. Smaller vessel construction companies also exist. Since 1990, it’s a sector in crisis, undergoing restructuring.
Textile, Leather, and Footwear
Very important in Spanish industry. Catalan textiles were a mainstay of industrialization. Over time, it has undergone significant changes (substitution of organic fibers for chemical fibers, corporate restructuring, etc.).
Clothing Industry
A branch of the textile industry, resulting from the population’s demand for apparel instead of fabric.
3. Dynamic Industrial Sectors
The most dynamic sectors include automotive, chemical, and food and agriculture. These are usually high-tech activities, requiring large capital investments, often involving multinational manufacturing.
The Automotive Sector developed in Spain in the 1960s, growing under state protection and INI investments. Spain has major manufacturing plants and is a significant exporter.
The Chemical Industry is built around basic chemistry in large complexes associated with oil refineries. Chemical transformation occurs in smaller factories. It is located in Madrid, Catalonia, and the Basque Country.
The Food Industry is characterized by diverse product origins, processing of agricultural products, and varied corporate structures. Factories are small or medium-sized, located in irrigated areas.
4. Cutting-Edge Industries and New Technologies
High-tech sectors contribute discoveries, new materials, and systems to improve industrial production, leading to a new industrial revolution. This integrates electronics and information technology, often located in technology parks. It requires a skilled workforce and drives innovation in other sectors through R&D&I (Research, Development, and Innovation).