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Metal Casting
Metal Casting Links
Contact
Keith Chanon (chanon.keith@epa.gov)
National Metal Casting Sector Point-of-Contact
(202) 566-1410
Sector Profile
The U.S. is the largest producer of cast products in the world. In 2000, the U.S. metal casting industry shipped over 14.1 million tons of castings with a value of $19 billion.
Casting Supply and End-use Markets
Supply Markets
- Gray iron - 42%
- Ductile iron - 31%
- Aluminum - 10%
- Steel - 10%
- Copper - 2%
- Zinc - 1.5%
- Other - 3.5%
End-use Markets
- Automotive and light truck - 35%
- Pipe and Fittings - 15%
- Construction, Mining, and Oilfield Machinery - 6%
- Internal Combustion Engines - 5%
- Railroad - 5%
- Valves - 5%
- Farm Equipment - 3%
- Municipal Castings - 3%
- Other - 23%
Major end-use markets cross all sectors of the U.S. economy and include motor vehicles and other transportation equipment, oil field machinery, power generation equipment pipes, industrial machinery, construction materials, and other products vital to our economy and national security.
The industry employed nearly 225,000 people in approximately 2,950 foundries. Metal casting is largely a small business industry. Eighty percent of U.S. metal casters employ fewer than 100 people. Fourteen percent employ 100-250 people and six percent employ more than 250.
The Metal Casting industry is one of the largest recyclers in North American and perhaps the world, saving about 15-20 million tons of scrap metal from disposal in landfills and junkyards each year and using this waste as a source of raw material to produce useful products.
Working with the Industry
Major Achievements
- Sector driver/barrier analysis and stakeholder endorsement of strategic project plan.
- Completion of New Source Review Guidance Primer for the Metalcasting Industry.
- Completion of A Beneficial Reuse of Foundry Sand: A Review of State Practices and Regulations.
- Completion of EMS pilot projects for both Die Casters and Foundries.
- Development of foundry and die cast EMS templates.
- Development of EMS business case for metal casters.
- The Metal Casting chapter in the Sector Strategies Performance Report.
Ongoing Projects
- Distribution of Beneficial Reuse report and implement plan for increasing beneficial sand reuse.
- Developing metalcasting regulatory calendar in partnership with OECA, AFS, and NADCA.
Trade Associations
- American Foundry Society (AFS)
- North American Die Casters Association (NADCA)
- Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO)
- State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators (STAPPA) and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (ALAPCO)