Pictures of the Future        Fall 2008

The Future of Raw Materials

Trends: Indispensable Assets
The world’s population is growing, and so is its demand for raw materials. That’s made natural resources costly. Siemens is developing efficient, environmentally-friendly technologies to keep raw materials available at reasonable prices
^{to the trends}

Copper Mining: High-Altitude ProfitsLocated high in the Andes, the Los Pelambres open-pit copper mine in Chile is one of the world’s most profitable mining operations. Siemens automation and drive solutions help to make this facility one of the country’s showpieces for energy efficiency and resource protection
^{Los Pelambres}

Mining Electrification: Monster Drives
At open pit mines all over the world, mechanical monsters are hard at work. They dig for bituminous sand, for example, or transport tons of copper ore. By equipping the giant excavators and trucks with state-of-the-art, ultra-efficient electrical drive systems, Siemens helps its customers to save energy, time, and money
^{monster drives}

Rare Minerals: The Mother of Invention
Copper, indium, germanium—our world would not function without these raw materials and others like them. Yet their prices are increasing dramatically and reserves appear to be declining. A team at Siemens is analyzing what shortages would mean for the company, and suggesting some alternatives
^{to rare minerals}

Interview: Tapping New Technologies for Fuel
Vladimir Troyan, 68, is Chairman of the Department of Geophysics at St. Petersburg State University, on Russia and its raw materials
^{to the interview}

Pipelines: Optimizing Our Lifelines
Pipelines carry valuable raw materials to consumers. Keeping natural gas and oil flowing as quickly and reliably as possible requires powerful compressors and pumps, as well as sophisticated software that monitors and manages pipelines around the clock. Not only does Siemens supply all of the technology needed, but customers can also check out what’s on offer in a new Pipeline Demo Center
^{to the pipelines}

Facts and Forecasts: Balancing Demand and Production
Raw materials are basic substances that enter production in an unprocessed state. There are plant and animal-based agricultural raw materials, industrial raw materials such as petroleum and natural gas, base metal ores such as copper and iron, and construction raw materials such as sand and gravel
^{Facts and Forecasts}

Offshore Drilling: An Ocean of Opportunity
About one fourth of all known oil reserves are beneath the sea floor. Tapping these remote deposits is an extremely complex and costly endeavor. Oil companies must drill kilometers beneath the seabed, while coping with gale-force winds and  stormy seas. Technologies from Siemens play a key role in enhancing safety and reducing costs on offshore platforms and drilling ships
^{to offshore drilling}

Interview: Twilight at the Pump
Matthew R. Simmons, Chairman of Simmons & Company International, a specialized energy investment banking firm, on the future of oil
^{to the interview}

Tar Sands: Electrifying Extraction
Around 90 % of global oil reserves are bound up in tar sands and schists. Although expensive, extracting oil from these reservoirs is becoming increasingly viable. Siemens is developing a revolutionary, induction-based process that promises to obviate excavation, cut water demand, and significantly boost profits
^{tar sands}

Water Purification: Hope on Tap
Clean drinking water is a scarce resource worldwide. But modern membrane technology of the type Siemens produces in Australia can help ensure supplies for people everywhere—like the victims of the recent earthquake in southern China
^{water purification}

Interview: Solving the Global Potable Water Problem
Siemens manager Rhett Butler, who established the Skyjuice Foundation, has transformed a high-tech water treatment process into an everyday application for third world countries. In recognition of this achievement, he was presented with the 2007 Siemens Corporate Responsibility Award
^{to the interview}

Singapore: Pooling Resources
Singapore has established itself as the world’s "Water Hub"—a perfect place for Siemens Water Technologies, with its worldwide water R&D activities. Working with local partners, the company is developing energy-efficient water treatment technologies there
^Singapore

Wastewater Treatment: Making Pollutants Edible
Clothing and analgesic tablets have one thing in common: Their production creates wastewater that may contain large amounts of pollutants that are difficult to decompose. Existing treatment plants are ineffective against some of these pollutants. A new process from Siemens may change that
^{wastewater treatment}

Biomass: Flaming Scrap
A technology developed by Siemens makes it possible to convert biomass waste into energy with a high degree of efficiency
^Biomass

In Brief
Developments, contacts, links, literature
^{to the review}