Industrial furnaces are core to the foundry and steel industry. There are numerous factors that influence the overall output of a foundry; the number of staff, the raw materials available, and most notably furnace performance. The furnaces used in foundries need to be efficient and safe with extended lifespans. Due to the extremely high temperatures that exist for long periods of time each day, furnaces undergo intense pressure and can be at increased risk of damage and malfunctions. The useful life is required to be maximised in order to ensure long-term and cost-effective operations within a foundry.
Foundry and steel is crucial for many other industries. The castings produced are vital components of manufacturing supply chains, as well as high-demand sectors such as automotive and construction. The global scale of the foundry and steel industry is colossal, and it continues to be put under pressure due to increasing demand. Therefore at Elmelin, we believe its key to offer our support by providing outstanding high temperature insulation solutions for the variety of furnaces used within the industry.
The foundry industry is one which is directly and indirectly affected by an incredibly diverse range of industries in the global economy – from automotive to hospitality, there is a requirement somewhere in the supply chain for the products and materials produced in foundries.
After an incredibly challenging period for industries and organisations worldwide, we look to be heading towards the “next normal”. With additional geopolitical pressures and massive global issues like climate change adding more complex challenges, the foundry industry will require investment and development over the next few years to remain sustainable and profitable.
In this article, we take a look at the trends and challenges in the foundry industry in 2021, and where we might go from here.
The foundry industry in 2021
Although we’re not quite in the position to be declaring we’re in a post-COVID world, we’re certainly in a very different landscape to where we were this time last year – and signs of recovery are showing in many industries.
The European Foundry Association’s monthly report on their Foundry Industry Sentiment Indicator (FISI) for May shows 108.3 index points, 1.1 points above the previous month’s – continuing a steady increase which has been occurring for 6 months, something they refer to as a “robust recovery”.
Despite the optimistic picture that these indicators present, there is still concern around continued problems in the industrial supply chain and material bottlenecks exacerbated by international restrictions which could cause further disruption and hinder any significant development.
The foundry industry relies heavily on the automotive sector – and lower demand caused massive losses last year. The semiconductor shortage earlier this year which had a massive impact on the automotive industry could have had a knock-on effect in some corners of the foundry industry, leading to lower demand from a sector they heavily rely on.
That being said, the easing of contact restrictions in Europe is having a positive effect on hospitality and tourism, and as a result of a more buoyant economy, consumer spending is increasing – which will no doubt lead to an increase in demand for the foundry sector.
Net-zero
We are another year closer to the 2050 deadline of net zero-carbon in the UK. Heavy industry accounted for around 60% of emissions in 2019. The extremely high temperatures at which foundries operate mostly require the burning of fossil fuels – and the industry is expecting to face challenges in this area in the coming years and decades as the need to move away from this and towards alternatives becomes stronger.
Businesses in the foundry industry will need to significantly scale up their focus on lowering carbon emissions in order to meet the government’s targets. As we covered in our previous blog post, alternative methods of generating heat are being explored, including electricity and renewables, but further development is required to make the implementation and usage of this technology sustainable. Other options include implementing measures to offset the carbon emissions produced by the foundry industry – including carbon capture, utilisation and storage.
Elmelin are working closely with customers in the foundry industry to develop innovative solutions for a sustainable future. If you’d like to find out more – get in touch.
As foundries continue to evolve, new technology and safety measures are rapidly being adopted. Our foundry and steel mica insulation materials are an example of this evolution, now playing an essential role in supporting the foundry processes.
Foundry insulation is vital when it comes to foundry safety basics. Foundries work with extreme heat, using intense temperatures to melt metal and pour it into moulds. Due to the acute and constant levels of heat that they involve, these processes, therefore, carry a large amount of risk.
