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• To gather and analyse economical and statistical data related to forging, casting, mold-making and prototyping activities, at national and international levels
• To deliver truthful performance analysis and forecasts, by production technology, by alloy category, by market segment…
• To build and maintain quantitative databases allowing for a regular follow-up or key indicators to our profession; to complete dashboards for the working groups put in place by the Federation and its members
• To address our company members’ requests for documentation on foreign macroeconomic data
• To lead working groups dedicated to technologies, markets
• To define and initiate collective research projects to be carried out with forging and casting technical centers
• To relay information and actions implemented by the European organization for forging, casting, molds and prototyping
• To participate as a full partner in collective actions related to energy and raw materials
• To assist our member companies in the implementation of their recruitment policy by giving more visibility to their job offers, encouraging job placement for young graduates and animating a working group dedicated to human resources management
• To ensure a balance between qualification requirements and training programs through permanent dialogue with and between various training institutions
• To help our member companies to implement the collaboration agreements signed with the Ministry of National Education
• Deliver technical advice to our member companies on issues related to their activity: seek for suppliers, technical surveys and reports, technological alternatives…
• To relay customer sectors’ requests for quotation to our company members
• To lead thematic commissions on maintenance, production, security… at production sites
• To monitor regulatory and technological changes
• To take part in national and European research projects, to lead collective actions for energy and process efficiency progress
• To coordinate specialists and academic staff’s contributions to La Revue Forge Fonderie, relying on an extensive network of researchers from France and Europe
• To ensure and enhance the public visibility of our profession and members, also with client sectors
• To make available various communication supports in order to project a consistent and positive image of our jobs and careers, and highlight the major contribution of our members’ activity to various industries
• To assist and represent our members at key tradeshows to their activity
• To design and publish the Revue Forge Fonderie
• To train our member companies and raise their awareness about essential legal reflexes for them to secure their business activity
• To assist them in the study and defence of their rights and interests
• To inform them of the latest regulatory, judicial and policy changes which can impact their business activities
• To represent them before public authorities and client sectors (by leading commissions) on tax, legal and contractual issues
• To pilot updates and changes in all standard-form contracts used by European foundries and forging companies
• To lead a think tank for and with our members and partners on the challenges and impacts of digitalisation on forging, casting and prototyping industries; to explain the strategic stakes of these changes during working sessions, sites visits, conferences
• To allow our member companies executives to enhance their strategic vision while taking fully into account these impacts of digitalization
• To promote the interests of the profession by taking a direct part in drafting the new regulatory texts through working groups led by the French Ministry of Environment
• To guide our members through the implementation of new regulatory changes in their production sites, thanks to our industrial expertise
• To pass on to our members useful and relevant information related to EHS issues: new regulatory contents, new industry guides, best practice exchanges, participation in themed events (guest speakers, sites visits…)
• To lead an efficient network of professionals in EHS so that it can benefit to our members, in particular through the Environment Commission that consists in EHS managers who share their work on thematic issues
| News |
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April 27 2026
European Foundry Industry shows mixed signals in March 2026 amid moderating outlook
The European Foundry Industry Sentiment Index (FISI), published monthly by European Foundry Federation, while maintaining the same value as a month before – a level of 95.5 points, presented a mixed performance in March 2026, reflecting cautious stabilization in current conditions but weakening expectations for the months ahead, according to the latest data from the European Foundry Federation (EFF).
The European Foundry Industry Sentiment Indicator (FISI) for ferrous castings shows that the assessment of the current business situation improved modestly, increasing by 1.8 points to reach 98.7 index points. This indicates a slight recovery in operational conditions across iron foundries. However, industry expectations for the next six months declined significantly by 3.0 points to 86.1 index points, highlighting growing uncertainty among market participants. A more challenging situation is visible in the steel castings segment. In March 2026, the current business assessment decreased by 2.2 points to 73.9 index points, signaling continued weakness in this segment. Expectations for the next six months also fell by 2.1 points to 98.1 index points, suggesting limited optimism for short-term recovery. In contrast, the non-ferrous castings segment remains a bright spot within the industry. The current business situation improved slightly by 0.6 points to 131.5 index points, while expectations for the next six months increased by 2.5 points to 147.4 index points. This indicates sustained strong demand and a more positive outlook compared to ferrous segments. The broader economic environment provides a cautiously supportive backdrop. The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area remained in slightly negative territory in March 2026 (-0,27), reflecting ongoing fragility in the overall industrial confidence despite some stabilization trends. At the same time, the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI reached 51.9, signaling a moderate expansion in manufacturing activity. While this suggests improving industrial momentum, it has not yet translated into uniformly positive sentiment across all foundry segments. Looking ahead, the European foundry industry is expected to navigate a period of uneven recovery. While current conditions in some segments show resilience, declining expectations—particularly in ferrous and steel castings—point to ongoing concerns related to demand volatility, cost pressures, and geopolitical uncertainties. Non-ferrous foundries are likely to continue outperforming, supported by structural demand in sectors such as automotive electrification and lightweight materials. However, the overall industry outlook remains cautious, with companies closely monitoring order intake and macroeconomic developments. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the modest improvements in current activity can translate into sustained growth, or whether weakening expectations will lead to a broader slowdown across the European foundry sector. The FISI – European Foundry Industry Sentiment Indicator – is the earliest available composite indicator providing information on the European foundry industry performance. It is published by EFF — European Foundry Federation every month and is based on survey responses of the European foundry industry. The EFF members are asked to give their assessment of the current business situation in the foundry sector and their expectations for the next six months. The BCI – Business Climate Indicator – is an indicator published by the European Commission. The BCI evaluates development conditions of the manufacturing sector in the euro area every month and uses five balances of opinion from industry survey: production trends, order books, export order books, stocks and production expectations. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) - in the Euro area is an indicator of the economic health of the manufacturing sector. It is based on such indicators as: new orders, inventory levels, production, supplier deliveries and the employment environment.
EFF • European Foundry Federation |
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© 2016 Fédération Forge Fonderie - Credits & legal notice
