»CASTING Plant and Technology International« (CP+T) is the leading English-language foundry journal with a worldwide distribution. It covers the entire foundry technology for ferrous and steel castings, as well as non-ferrous metal castings including die casting. Raw and auxiliary materials as well as questions of quality control and environmental protection are included.

The focus is on technical papers from the practice of plant manufacturers, suppliers and foundries.

Short news about new facilities and processes and important events in the foundry industry complete the editorial offer.

Contents of issue 1 - March 2025

CONTENTS

  • ART CASTING - British art and German craftmanship
  • AUTOMOTIVE - Megacasting: a new frontier or unfounded flare-up?
  • PLANT TECHNOLOGY - Honda relies on megacasting from Switzerland
  • MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT- New application fields for light metal aluminium
  • ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING - 3D printing technology for new six-cylinder engine 

SPECIAL DIE CASTING 

  • High Temperature Die Casting - Innovative mold concept made in Italy
  • Plasma coating for superior cast surfaces in release agent-free zinc die casting 
  • Pore-die-casting - a way to save aluminium?

The global market is facing changes

© BDG
Niklas Reiprich, editor-in-chief of CPT © BDG

There is a lot going on in the global economy at the moment. The re-election of Donald Trump as US President is undoubtedly one of the biggest disruptions when it comes to the global impact of economic policy. Countries such as Canada, Mexico and China have already felt the effects of Trump’s harsh course with punitive tariffs. And from 12 March, shortly after this issue went to press, imports of steel and aluminium from various countries, including the EU, are also to be hit. Trump wants to generate considerable revenue and put “America first”. This also includes protecting the domestic steel and aluminium industry from global competition.

The Kiel Institute for World Economy estimates that the EU’s gross domestic product would fall by around half a percent if US tariffs were also introduced against the EU. Inview of the low growth of just  0.9 percent last year, this would be a significant cut.

In addition, the EU is responding to the US‘s turnaround in foreign policy regarding its role in the Ukraine war. Thus, expectations are high in Europe‘s defence sector: The share value of the German company Rheinmetall, for example, has increased more than tenfold since Russia‘s attack on Ukraine in February 2022. In the first week of March alone, the shares have risen by a further 15 percent. The Italian defence company Leonardo, the French Thales Group and the British Rolls Royce Holdings have seen similar developments.

These companies have one thing incommon: among other materials, they rely on cast components to manufacture their military technology. As a result, it is not just a shaky assumption that the European foundry industry can also benefit from this development – to what extent, remains to be seen. In the meantime, the automotive market continues to harbour the greatest sales potential for the foundries.

The vehicle industry has always been one of the main drivers of innovation indie  casting. We have therefore compiled a number of articles from the field of foundry technology in a special feature centred around this area. Another important topic that we have dealt with is megacasting. Two OEMs, Volvo and Stellantis, share their different perspecitves on this trend technology. In addition to this, we take a closer look at a successful project that the system manufacturer Bühler has completed at Honda in Japan.


Have a good read!