VDI Conference "Casting Technology in Powertrains" – New Title, New Location, New Topics

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Foundry-Planet Podcast.
My name is Thomas Fritsch – great to have you with us again.

Today, we're taking you on a little journey through time – and at the same time, a glimpse into the future.
We’re talking about an event that has long been a fixed date in the calendar of engine developers and foundry professionals: the VDI Conference on Casting Technology in Engines.

But this year marks a major transformation:
New title, new location, new topics – Casting Technology in Engines becomes Casting Technology in Powertrains, and Magdeburg becomes Frankfurt.

What exactly does that mean?
What ideas and challenges are behind it?

To answer those questions, I’m speaking today with someone who has accompanied the development of this conference from the very beginning:
Dr.-Ing. Götz Hartmann, long-standing member of the program committee and head of the conference since 2017.
Welcome, Götz Hartmann – great to have you with us!

Dr. Götz Hartmann
Hello everyone, and thank you for having me.

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
You're very welcome! Dr. Hartmann, you’ve been actively involved in the VDI conference’s program committee from the start and have led it since 2017.
Take us back for a moment:
How did it all begin – what was the motivation and initiative to launch the Casting Technology in Engines conference?

Dr. Götz Hartmann
It all started around 1998/1999. There was a conversation between Professor Seifert from VW and the Professor Ambos Foundry Institute in Magdeburg.
They realized that there was no real forum where engine developers and foundries – key suppliers – could exchange ideas systematically.

That was the starting point. They saw a gap, and they saw many exciting topics that needed a platform.
That’s why the conference was founded in Magdeburg back then.

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
What were the main thematic focuses in those early years? What content shaped the conference?

Dr. Götz Hartmann
It was primarily about trends in engine development – on the one hand, new technologies and requirements for engines, and on the other hand, innovations in casting production.
We also included materials science topics from academia.

From the beginning, we covered many types of engines, but there was always a strong focus on passenger car powertrains.

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
Today, we’re facing a major shift. With the move from “engines” to the broader “powertrain” concept, a lot is changing.
What led to this new direction, and what were the drivers behind it?

Dr. Götz Hartmann
The shift started to emerge about ten years ago.
Political frameworks tied to the energy and mobility transition presented significant challenges for both engine developers and the foundry industry.

Since then, the conference has regularly addressed transformation topics – with the goal of finding strategies to tackle both risks and opportunities for the future.

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
Along with the new thematic scope, there’s also a change of location – from Magdeburg to Frankfurt. What were the reasons for the move?

Dr. Götz Hartmann
There were some organizational reasons related to the Magdeburg venue that led the VDI to seek a new location.
But the main reason was content-driven.

Over the past 18 months, we’ve seen a shift away from strict political technology mandates toward more goal-oriented policies.
Professor Wechsler, a member of the European Parliament, expressed this very clearly at the Engine Congress in Baden-Baden:

Away from rigid technical prescriptions – toward technology openness.

This creates space for solutions – and the central themes are clearly energy efficiency and emission reduction.
These will now be the main focus areas for both engine development and foundry processes.

Another major topic is the handling of new energy carriers, such as hydrogen and e-fuels – both of which bring major changes for developers and suppliers. We want to address those as well.

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
You just mentioned Baden-Baden. How does the new conference in Frankfurt differ from other formats – like the Engine Congress or the Vienna Motor Symposium?

Dr. Götz Hartmann
Great question!

In events like Baden-Baden or Vienna, foundry and production experts are often only marginally represented – maybe as attendees or occasionally as exhibitors.
Still, I’d say: As a foundry expert, it’s important to attend and listen.

But Frankfurt is different: Here, both sides have a voice – engine developers and foundries.
That’s what makes this event unique.

It’s a space for listening, discussing, and actively shaping the future.
Our high-caliber, balanced program committee was driven by two key developments:

1. The broader range of powertrain technologies – especially due to new energy carriers.

2. The topic of sustainability in casting production.

OEMs now have to prove the sustainability of their materials and manufacturing processes – and this will be a core topic in Frankfurt.

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
That sounds exciting. To conclude: Where is Casting Technology in Powertrains heading in the coming years – and what can we look forward to?

Dr. Götz Hartmann
The stronger focus on diverse powertrain technologies is also giving our conference a new direction.

That’s why I’m now handing over the leadership to someone who will continue the event from the perspective of engine development:
Dr. Armin Pelzer from Audi will take over the conference starting in June 2025.
That sets the course for the future.

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
That’s very exciting. So the conference will take place on June 3–4, 2025 in Frankfurt.
Can people already register?

Dr. Götz Hartmann
Yes, absolutely. Whether you can still find a hotel room is another question – but registration is already open via this Link: https://www.vdi-wissensforum.de/weiterbildung-automobil/giesstechnik-im-motorenbau/
or just search for Casting Technology in Powertrains, and you’ll find the full program and registration information there.

Thomas Fritsch – Foundry-Planet
As always, we’ll share the link with you too.

Thank you very much, Dr. Hartmann, for these valuable insights and the exciting outlook.
And to all our listeners – thank you for tuning in.

Stay curious – until next time on the Foundry-Planet Podcast.

All the best – and: Glück auf!