THE WORLD MARKET OF METAL CASTINGS 2019―2021: COUNTRIES, ALLOYS, TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Gnatush V. 
Published: June 2023

The analysis of the world market of metal castings in 2019–2021 is presented. Due to the fact that as of January 2022 the publication of the world statistics of the production of metal castings did not take place, an analysis of information was carried out regarding the results in the countries that are part of the global Top-10. Among them are China, India, USA, Germany, Japan, Turkey and Brazil. It is noted that in 2021 in China, 54.05 million tons of castings were produced, which is 4.0% more than in 2020. In terms of cast alloys: gray cast iron (share 41.7%), cast iron with nodular graphite (29.5%), aluminum and magnesium alloys (13.3%) and steel (12.2%). In India, the export of metal castings in terms of value for the period from 2016/2017 financial year (FY) to 2020/2021 F. increased from 2.366 to 2.865 billion USD, i.e. with a CAGR of 3.9%. In the USA for the period from 2013 to 2019 the income of the foundry industry increased from 38.7 to 44.3 billion USD, that is, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9%. Under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the slowdown of the economy in 2020. industry revenue decreased to USD 36.7 billion (-17.1% vs. 2019). However, in 2021 the situation improved somewhat ― 43.4 billion USD (18.3% against 2020). In Germany, the production of castings from ferrous metal alloys (gray cast iron, with nodular graphite, malleable and steel) in 2021. amounted to 3.2 million tons, which is 16.4% more than in 2020. At the same time, for the period 2019-2021 production of the specified castings decreased at an average annual rate (CAGR) of -6.0%, and their export ― by -7.0%. In Japan, as a result of the changing economic situation in the world, which was formed after 2019, the production of castings during 2019-2021. is characterized by a downward trend. The production of castings from copper alloys decreased with an average annual rate (CAGR) of -5.6%, castings from aluminum alloys ― -5.1% and castings from iron alloys ― -1.5%. In Turkey in 2021 1.108 million tons of nodular cast iron castings (by 29.6% vs. 2020), 0.921 million tons of gray iron castings (by 49.1%) and 0.279 million tons of steel castings (by 45, 4%). In general, during 2019–2021 the production of castings from ferrous metal alloys in the country increased at an average annual rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. In Brazil, in 2021, foundry enterprises produced 2.5 million tons of castings, which is 21.1% higher than in 2020. At the same time, the production of castings from cast iron increased by 25.5%, from non-ferrous metal alloys ― by 7.0%, and steel ― by 3.9%. In general, during 2019–2021 the production of castings in the country increased at an average annual rate (CAGR) of 3.1%. The presented data indicate that in 2021 the global foundry industry developed in a positive trend. Estimated global production of castings from ferrous and non-ferrous metals by the end of 2021. may amount to 109.2...118.5 million tons against 105.5 million tons in 2020. However, as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine, a number of negative factors have arisen that will cause a slowdown in foundry production in 2022–2023. The review also presents information about the world’s leading foundry companies, as well as examples of the use of 3-D printing in foundry production in the United States and Great Britain.