The US metal casting industry is expected to see 1.9% growth in 2019 following a very strong 2018.

According to the 2019 Metalcasting Industry Forecast & Trends report published by the American Foundry Society (AFS), US metal casting industry sales reached $33.1 billion in 2018, a 10% increase over 2017.

Following a dip in 2016 to $27.3 million, the US casting industry recovered quickly and strongly in 2017 and 2018. Growth is expected to continue in 2019 with a 1.9% to $33.7 billion in casting sales. In the short-term, through 2021, the US metal casting industry has a forecasted annual growth rate of 2.4%. Through 2027, this report is estimating a 2.4% long-term annual growth rate for the industry.

The 2019 US metal casting industry is made up of 1 915 facilities, with an industry capacity of 14 million tons and a forecast capacity utilisation of 82%. Top casting industries include motor vehicle manufacturing (NAICS 3361), aerospace product and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3364), transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336), iron pipe, fittings, ingot moulds, and etc. (NAICS 331511), engine, turbine and power transmission (NAICS 3336), pump and compressor manufacturing (NAICS 33391), and industrial valve manufacturing (NAICS 332911). Those industries account for more than 40% of all casting sales.

Aluminium, magnesium, and investment cast steel are expected to have the highest rates of growth in the next 10 years, with annual growth rates above 3%.

Based on the data secured through the “2017 Annual Census of World Casting Production” by Modern Casting magazine, China shipped 49.4 million metric tons of castings in 2017 compared to 12.06 million metric tons by India and 9.7 million metric tons by the US. Following India and the US are Germany (5.5 million metric tons), Japan (5.4), Russia (4.2), Mexico (2.9), Korea (2.5), and Brazil (2.2).

The data in the AFS Metalcasting Industry Forecast & Trends is an estimated forecast based on an economic modelling tool and should be used only as an estimate. AFS cannot be held liable for its accuracy.

Worldwide casting production grew by 5.3% during a busy 2017
In 2017, global production increased to more than 109.8 million metric tons, an increase of 5.3% when compared to the previous year, according to the Modern Casting Census of World Casting Production. The nearly 110 million metric tons of metal castings produced in 2017 represent an increase of 5.5 million tons. This rate of growth comes after two years of less than a half per cent growth.

Of the 33 countries that provided data for the past two years, 25 reported an expansion in annual volumes when comparing 2017 to 2016. Among the top 10 countries in total output, Russia had the highest growth in 2017 with an increase of 8.3% in production. China increased its total production by two million metric tons to a total of 49.4 million. Meanwhile, the US saw its tonnage increase by 4%, and for grey iron heavy India saw an increase of 6.2%.

Total production of iron increased, with grey iron growing 6% and ductile iron expanding by 3.8%. Steel output grew by 6%, while aluminium production jumped by 6.7%.

The data reported in the Census of World Casting Production is supplied by each nation’s metal casting association or similar representatives, as well as the World Foundry Organisation and CAEF, The European Foundry Association.