European production data for non-ferrous metal castings in kilotonnes

The output of non-ferrous metal alloys is still dominated by light metal castings at a share of 75.1 %, despite a decline by 3.5 percentage points compared to the year before. The share of copper alloys went down from 10.1 to 9.8 %, and the share held by the producers of zinc alloys similarly shrank from 8.7 to 7.3 %. The difference was absorbed by miscellaneous non-ferrous metals and processes that are not detailed in the statistics. 

Data on the number of foundries are given in Table 1.3 and Table 1.4. These data show that there has been a general decline in the number of foundries since 1998, with the loss of about 5 % of the existing foundries each year. This decline is also reflected in the employment numbers, as given in Table 1.5 and Table 1.6. 

Country Total Pressure Die Casting Other Light easting Other Heavy metal alloy easting  

The foundry industry is a major player in the recycling of metals. Steel, cast iron and alirminiirm scrap can all be remelted into new products. The possible negative environmental effects of foundries result from the presence of a thermal process and the use of mineral additives. The environmental effects of a foimdry process therefore mainly relate to the exhaust and off-gases and to the re-use or disposal of mineral residues. 

Dust and particles releases are a general issue in all stages of the foundry process, and for all processes used. Dust is generated in the production and processing of sand moulds and cores, as well as in the finishing of the castings (both from lost moulds and permanent moulds). 

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Table 1.2 European production data for non-ferrous metal castings (in kilotonnes) [168, CAEF, 2002], [202, TWG, 2002]...

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