History manufacturing beltOnline version Rise and decline of the manufacturing belt 1820-2000 by dries raeymaekers 1 1820 2 1900 3 1960 4 2010 8 tons of coals was needed to melt 1 ton of iron ore transportation of the coals was the most expensive Being close to coalmines was key! Many workers were attracted! 4 tonnes of coal needed to melt 1 ton of iron ore The proximity of iron mines was now more important Transportation was easier because there were more and better railways or transportation on the lakes. Being close to those was another location factor. Steel was invented: it was stronger than cast iron! Being close to blast furnaces was a plus! Steel => now we can make better railways! Iron ore is much cheaper from overseas! many blast furnaces and steel companies were positioned close to the sea. This is what we call "maritimisation" (moving towards the sea) To melt 1 ton of iron ore, less than a ton of coal was needed now. Production costs of steel became high because of the labour cost. Steel is still needed, but most of it is imported. Steel is still produced, but no longer with coals. Electricity is used now. The steel-industry declines because it is a very polluting (water, air, noise, traffic)
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