Portoroz in the face of major challenges for the foundry industry

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Foundry Daily News

02. October 2024

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Thomas Fritsch, Chief Editor

This year's conference in Portorož was once again a central meeting place for the international foundry industry, albeit with slightly fewer participants due to a clash with the Turkish ANKIROS exhibition, which was moved from October to September. Nevertheless, the event brought together 250 participants from 18 countries.

Prof. Rüdiger Deike, Universität Duisburg-Essen

MSc.Eng. Mirjam Jan-Blažič addressed the current challenges facing the industry in her opening remarks, drawing on Nobel Prize winner Angus Deaton's observation that while life had improved until 2013, recent changes could indicate tougher times ahead. She urged the audience to prepare for uncertainty as the industry is increasingly affected by fluctuating raw material and energy costs, global economic conditions and labour shortages.

The plenary sessions particularly focused on issues of competitiveness, sustainability, digitalisation, automation and human resources in the European foundry sector. Key technical topics included advances in areas such as thermal analysis, virtual casting and new testing methods for coatings.

One of the standout presentations celebrated 50 years of research into grey cast iron at the CMRDI Institute in Egypt. Breakout sessions tackled pressing issues such as the transition to sustainable foundry practices, CO₂ reduction in steel production and environmentally friendly coatings.

The conference was accompanied by an impressive exhibition with 49 exhibitors, 10 of whom were participating for the first time. Despite the current challenges facing the industry, the event continued to serve as a valuable forum for networking and knowledge sharing, attracting regular attendees each year who looked forward to reliable insights into the future of the foundry industry.