Production of metals and metal products
The metal industry is one of the most dynamically changing sectors of Polish industry.
Production is growing, the number of enterprises is increasing, automation is progressing. However, there are also threats. The challenge for the industry is the geopolitical situation which significantly affects metal prices. Specialization (metal production) includes research and development mainly in the areas of technologies for producing and shaping metallic and ceramic materials and of waste management. Metal production includes in particular development of metal products for the electrical and energy industries. It also includes research in the field of materials engineering. Other important, non-metallic, raw materials of mineral origin include glass, porcelain, ceramics, cement, lime and gypsum. Within this specialization, Małopolska is very active in research and development. This, in turn, translates into a high innovation rate in individual companies (75% of them have introduced innovations in recent years). The above-average employment rate, relatively high salaries and the pace of emergence of new companies may indicate that the condition of the sector is good and, on the other hand, there is a potential to create high added value.
