Joint venture foundry Kosovo The main purpose of the project is setting up a foundry for nodular cast iron (GGG60). Current production of cast iron in Kosovo only includes grey iron, which makes the casting of thin walled and durable products impossible. That is why these products are mainly imported. The project will produce tree grates and counterweights. The majority of the products will be exported to Netherlands, where there is also too little production capacity for the existent demand.The consortium consists of E.L.M. Technische Dienstverlening B.V. and KMI Sh.P.K., Kosovo. The applicant is part of the Ebbers Group, a group of companies specialised in the casting and finishing of several alloys. The local partner specialises in recycling, being licensed for the following activities: the recycling of car acid batteries, the controlled destruction of expired medication and the recycling of iron.The partners will set up a joint venture in the Industrial Zone of Drenas. Here they will create a production facility for casting approximately 1,000 tons of nodular iron per year. The joint venture will hire 30 people, out of which 20 production workers. The production workers will receive specialised training at a vocational school in the Netherlands and an internship at the cast iron foundry of the applicant. The joint venture also aims to start an association with other local Dutch companies in order to combat corruption and contribute to the reduction of red tape.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The project will execute an Environmental Impact Assessment of the facilities and will work according to ISO 14001 norm.The social aspects will be similar to those of the local partner: salaries will be 20% above similar positions (average salary € 600), workers receive long term contracts, the joint venture will provide safe working conditions and extensive training, similar fringe benefits to those of KMI (health insurance, warm meal). Furthermore, the joint venture will actively pursue the recruitment of young people and aim to give their employees a feeling of ownership of the success of the company.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe working conditions include: salaries 20% above similar positions (average salary € 600), long term contracts, safe working conditions and extensive training, similar fringe benefits to those of KMI (health insurance, warm meal). Furthermore, the joint venture will actively pursue the recruitment of young people and aim to give their employees a feeling of ownership of the success of the company.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe products, thin walled nodular cast iron products are new for Kosovo. The project introduces new techniques which lead to the casting of nodular cast iron (GGG60), in comparison to grey cast iron (GG20/30). This also has consequences for the use of natural resources, as it makes it possible to produce thin walled durable products without using 100% raw iron ore. This is also possible because the joint venture will be using a spectrometer to analyse the contact of recycled iron.•	Chain effectsThe project will purchase all inputs locally, but long term contracts are not necessarily agreed with suppliers.The impact on the local market is initially low as only 10% of the products will be sold locally in the PSI phase (plans to expand to 40% locally in the spin-off period).•	Impact on the sectorThe joint venture wants to set up an entrepreneurial association for Dutch investors in Kosovo for combating corruption and red tape.•	EnvironmentThe project will execute an IEA as part of the project and will work according to ISO 14001 norms (though they will not get the certificate). Obsolete products will be recycled. The sand used for the mould will be stored until the quantity is enough for it to be regenerated (method developed by ELM). The storage will not have a negative environmental impact (the same sand is used for underneath roads).•	Position of womenThe project does employ as many women as possible for the type of activities. Four of the 6 women employed will be placed in medium positions. Setting up a foundry for nodular cast iron which leads to the production of approximately 1,000 tons of cast iron per year, in the form of tree grates (60%) and counterweights (40%).