Descripción general de la industria de la fundición en 2025

February 19, 2025

1. Technology-driven transformation

Additive manufacturing (3D printing): Sand casting and 3D printing are combined to accelerate prototype development, the production cycle of complex structural castings is shortened by 30%-50%, and the penetration rate of metal direct 3D printing technology in the field of small-batch precision parts is increased.
Smart factory: The penetration rate of AI-driven quality inspection systems has reached 40%, and the real-time defect recognition rate exceeds 95%; digital twin technology covers more than 20% of large foundries, realizing process simulation optimization.
Green smelting technology: The proportion of induction furnaces has increased to 65%, and the hydrogen steelmaking test line has been put into production, with carbon emissions reduced by 50% compared with traditional coke furnaces.

2. Sustainable development has become the core

Material innovation: The utilization rate of recycled aluminum/scrap steel has exceeded 60%, and the application of bio-based binders in sand molds has been expanded, reducing VOCs emissions by 70%.
Zero waste goal: The recycling rate of casting waste sand has increased from 30% en 2020 a 55%, and the installed capacity of waste heat recovery systems has increased by 15% annually.
Carbon tax forces transformation: With the implementation of the EU Carbon Border Tax (CBAM), the average carbon cost of Chinese foundries has increased by 8%, accelerating the substitution of clean energy.

3. Structural changes in market demand

The impact of new energy vehicles: The demand for internal combustion engine-related castings has dropped by 25%, but the integrated die-casting body market has exploded, and the global market size will reach US$12 billion in 2025. Tesla, Weilai and other automakers have built their own die-casting workshops.
Proportion of lightweight materials: The share of aluminum alloy castings has exceeded 35%, the application of magnesium alloys in the aerospace field has increased by 18%, and the sales of semi-solid casting equipment has increased by 30% year-on-year.
The rise of emerging markets: India’s casting output has increased by 7% year-on-year, and Vietnam’s automotive casting exports have doubled in five years due to the influx of foreign capital.

4. Reconstruction of the global industrial chain

Regionalized production: Under the trend of “nearshore outsourcing” in North America, Mexico’s casting capacity has expanded by 15%; Europe’s localization policy has promoted Eastern European countries to undertake high-end casting orders.
Upgrading of technical barriers: ISO 14064 certification has become a must for exporting to the EU, patent competition in the field of precision casting has intensified, and the R&D investment of leading companies accounts for more than 5%.
China’s transformation pains: Environmental protection production restrictions eliminated 10% of small and medium-sized production capacity, but leading companies (such as CITIC Dicastal) built factories overseas to avoid trade risks, and maintained a global market share of 45%.

5. Talent structure subversion

Skill gap crisis: The demand for traditional molders has dropped by 40%, while the gap in industrial robot operation and maintenance positions has reached 250,000, and the salary increase of compound engineers has exceeded the industry average by 5%.
Popularization of virtual training: AR remote guidance system covers 30% of factories, and the participation rate of digital skills training courses has increased by 300% compared with 2020.

6. Risks and challenges

Raw material fluctuations: Nickel prices fluctuated sharply after the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the cost control of stainless steel castings became more difficult. The participation rate of corporate hedging increased to 60%.
Technology investment pressure: The cost of a single-line transformation of the intelligent casting system exceeds 20 million yuan, and the difficulty of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises has become prominent. The number of industry mergers and acquisitions has increased by 20% year-on-year.
Geopolitical risks: The situation in the Taiwan Strait affects the global automotive casting supply chain, and customers require suppliers to have production bases in at least two countries.