The Secondary Sector: Manufacturing, Raw Materials, and Industrial Classification

Secondary Industries and Manufacturing Processes

Secondary industries are those that make or manufacture things. They process raw materials or assemble components to create a finished product.

Raw Materials for Secondary Production

Raw materials are products obtained from primary sector activities, intended for transformation into industrial products in factories.

Types of Raw Materials

1. Vegetal Sources

   Supplied by:

   • Agriculture: Cotton
   • Fishing: Algae
   • Forestry: Wood

2. Animal Sources

   • Farming: Wool
   • Fishing: Fish, seafood

3. Mineral Sources

   Minerals are categorized as metallic or non-metallic:

   • Metallic Minerals

     • Iron (Construction)
     • Copper (Electric industry)
     • Uranium (Nuclear power stations)

   • Non-Metallic Minerals

     • Phosphates (Chemical industry)
     • Granite (Construction)
     • Slate (Construction)

Energy Sources in Industry

Energy sources are natural resources used to generate motion, strength, light, or heat.

Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources come from endless natural resources such as wind, water, and waves. They are also known as alternative energies because they do not cause pollution.

Classification of Secondary Industries

1. Heavy Industry

Heavy Industry transforms raw materials into semi-finished products, which are then used as raw materials in other industries.

• Metallurgical Industry: Produces steel and iron (e.g., the steel industry).
• Heavy Chemical Industry: Makes products such as sulfuric acid and phosphates.

2. Capital Goods Industry

This sector transforms semi-finished products into finished goods and equipment.

• Construction Materials Industry (e.g., concrete, cement)
• Industrial Machinery
• Agricultural Machinery Industry (e.g., tractors, seed drills)
• Transport Industry:
  • Aeronautics (planes, helicopters)
  • Naval (boats)
  • Railway
• Aerospace Industry (e.g., satellites, spacecraft)
• Timber and Paper Industry
• Electronic and Computing Industry (e.g., machines for industries, microchips, robots)

3. Light Industry

Light Industry manufactures products intended for direct consumer consumption.

• Food Industry
• Automobile Industry (e.g., lorries, vans)
• Light Chemical Industry (e.g., photographic and cosmetic products)
• Electronics and Computing Industry (e.g., televisions, telephones)
• Textile Industry (e.g., clothes, belts)