CNRM-The Belgian National Metallurgical Research Centre

Abstract

Belgium is today one of the most highly industrialized countries in the world although she has virtually no raw materials of her own; iron and steel form the base of her industrial activities. In 1968, Belgium produced 11,568,000 tons of steel, which represents 2.3% of the total world output and amounts to over 2,600 lb per inhabitant. In the same year, the per capita figures for the United States and France were, respectively, about 1300 and 900 lb. In the same year 1,104,900 tons of non-ferrous metals were produced including 78% of the world output of cobalt. It is not surprising, therefore, that Belgium should devote much of her scientific research to this crucial sector of her economy. After the second World War, it was clear that the reorganization of the industry in other countries would lead to increased competition, especially in the field of metal manufacturers. Hence, the smaller countries decided to pool their efforts, so as to compete with the larger producers and the CNRM today covers the whole of Benelux. (Paper contributed by the Belgian Institute of Information and Documentation, 3 Rue Montoyer, Brussels)