Method for producing a feeder element for the foundry industry, comprising the following steps: (a) producing composite particles having a particle size of less than 2 mm, determined by sieving, in a matrix encapsulation process with the following steps: producing droplets of a suspension from at least the following starting materials: (i) one or more refractory substances selected from the group consisting of refractory solids to be designated refractory according to DIN 51060 and precursors of refractory solids to be designated refractory according to DIN 51060, (ii) one or more density-reducing substances selected from the group consisting of lightweight fillers having a respective bulk density in the range from 10 to 350 g/L, expandants and pyrolysable fillers, (iii) as continuous phase, a solidifiable liquid, solidifying the solidifiable liquid, so that the droplets harden to hardened droplets and the refractory substance or substances and also the density-reducing substance or substances are encapsulated in the solidifying continuous phase, treating the hardened droplets, so that the said composite particles result, wherein the treating is carried out such that the bulk density of the resultant composite particles is lower than the bulk density of the hardened droplets in the dried state, (b) mixing the composite particles produced in step (a) or a fraction of these composite particles with a binder and also, optionally, further constituents to give a feeder composition, (c) shaping and curing the feeder composition to give a feeder element. (a) producing composite particles having a particle size of less than 2 mm, determined by sieving, in a matrix encapsulation process with the following steps: producing droplets of a suspension from at least the following starting materials: (i) one or more refractory substances selected from the group consisting of refractory solids to be designated refractory according to DIN 51060 and precursors of refractory solids to be designated refractory according to DIN 51060, (ii) one or more density-reducing substances selected from the group consisting of lightweight fillers having a respective bulk density in the range from 10 to 350 g/L, expandants and pyrolysable fillers, (iii) as continuous phase, a solidifiable liquid, solidifying the solidifiable liquid, so that the droplets harden to hardened droplets and the refractory substance or substances and also the density-reducing substance or substances are encapsulated in the solidifying continuous phase, treating the hardened droplets, so that the said composite particles result, wherein the treating is carried out such that the bulk density of the resultant composite particles is lower than the bulk density of the hardened droplets in the dried state, producing droplets of a suspension from at least the following starting materials: (i) one or more refractory substances selected from the group consisting of refractory solids to be designated refractory according to DIN 51060 and precursors of refractory solids to be designated refractory according to DIN 51060, (ii) one or more density-reducing substances selected from the group consisting of lightweight fillers having a respective bulk density in the range from 10 to 350 g/L, expandants and pyrolysable fillers, (iii) as continuous phase, a solidifiable liquid, (i) one or more refractory substances selected from the group consisting of refractory solids to be designated refractory according to DIN 51060 and precursors of refractory solids to be designated refractory according to DIN 51060, (ii) one or more density-reducing substances selected from the group consisting of lightweight fillers having a respective bulk density in the range from 10 to 350 g/L, expandants and pyrolysable fillers, (iii) as continuous phase, a solidifiable liquid, solidifying the solidifiable liquid, so that the droplets harden to hardened droplets and the refractory substance or substances and also the density-reducing substance or substances are encapsulated in the solidifying continuous phase, treating the hardened droplets, so that the said composite particles result, wherein the treating is carried out such that the bulk density of the resultant composite particles is lower than the bulk density of the hardened droplets in the dried state, (b) mixing the composite particles produced in step (a) or a fraction of these composite particles with a binder and also, optionally, further constituents to give a feeder composition, (c) shaping and curing the feeder composition to give a feeder element.