Industry Snapshot

Metal casting is an ancient process in which molten metals become useful products through being poured into in molds of various sizes and shapes. Cast products are found in virtually every consumer and commercial product, ranging from engine blocks to golf clubs to lightweight aircraft parts.  Metalcasting is unique among metal-forming processes because metalcasters can produce complex components in any metal, ranging in weight from several tons to less than an ounce.

Screened foundry sand is a high quality aggregate.

Industry Facts

There are some 2,300 foundries in the United States, with facilities in every state.  Most foundries use sand as their primary molding medium, although there are other casting technologies.  Ferrous (iron and steel) and aluminum foundries produce more than 90 percent of the shipment volume.

For more information on our industry:

American Foundry Society    www.afsinc.org

According to our most recent industry survey:

U.S. metalcasters currently send 28.18% of their used metalcasting sand to non-landfill beneficial reuse programs, according to the results of a recent survey. 

The recent benchmarking survey of 244 metalcasting facilities by AFS was part of a multi-year data gathering expercise.  The data represent the amount of reuse performed from 2004 to 2006 by the participants, who were a representative sampling of foundries nationwide.

Did you know?

Metalcasting is an ancient recycling technique, as any metal can be remelted and reformed into a new cast product.  Foundries have been recycling metal objects for thousands of years. Most of the metal feedstock for American foundries is scrap metal obtained from municipal and commercial recycling program.