The 24th German Die Casting Day brought together leading industry representatives in Ingolstadt to discuss current developments, challenges, and opportunities in the die casting sector. The opening speech was delivered by Association President Hartmut Fischer (STIHL), who warmly welcomed participants and provided an overview of the economic situation in the industry.
Challenging Market Conditions
Figures from 2024 indicate that the economic situation remains tense: production declined by 3% to 810,000 tons, total revenue decreased by 11% to 5.455 billion euros, and the number of employees fell by 6% to 30,800. Aluminum die casting foundries, which account for the largest share of production at 400,000 tons, are particularly affected. The causes include the transformation of the automotive industry, rising energy costs, CO₂ pricing, and increasing bureaucracy.
Opportunities for the Industry
Despite the challenges, Fischer also highlighted the opportunities for die casting. Sustainability and recyclability are becoming increasingly important competitive advantages, as die-cast components are ideal for closed material cycles. Megacasting is gaining significance, particularly in the automotive industry, while digitalization and artificial intelligence are enabling efficiency improvements and new business models. Additionally, die casting applications are expanding into sectors such as mechanical engineering, electromobility, and renewable energies.
High-Profile Lecture Program
The lecture program of the 24th Die Casting Day provided insights into key future topics:
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Sustainability and decarbonization in the foundry industry, featuring contributions from BMW Landshut, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.
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Digitalization in production, covering topics from manufacturing control to AI applications.
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Recycling and material efficiency, with a focus on innovative alloys.
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Process innovations and megacasting, a central topic for the future of the industry.
