Budapest conference studies the 'changing environment.'.

For the first time since it declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1989, Hungary hosted a World Foundry Congress. Some 360 attendees from 32 countries participated in the 63rd World Foundry Congress, September 12-15, in the city capital of Budapest. Under the auspices of the Zurich-based International Committee of Foundry Technical Assns. (CIATF), the 1998 congress was organized by the Hungarian Mining and Metallurgical Society.

The theme of this year's congress was "Casting Without Borders," and it stressed the changing technological and environmental aspects of metalcasting. And if anyone is feeling the massive changes of a rapidly changing industry, it is countries like Hungary and those in Central Europe.

In 1970, with communist principles still setting the direction for Hungarian business and industry, more than 100 foundries operated in this nation, which measures more than 93,000 sq km, or about 1% of the European landmass. With Russia serving as its main customer and benefactor, Hungarian foundries that year shipped more than 280,000 metric tons of iron castings alone. By 1994, just 5 years after breaking away from the former Soviet Union, about 60 Hungarian foundries produced less than 50,000 metric tons of cast iron.

Trying to move into the mainstream of worldwide casting markets has been painful, to say the least, for Hungary's metalcasting producers. It is estimated, for example, that metalcasting technology in much of Central Europe is 20-30 years behind that of the top casting-producing countries around the world.

Technical Forum

In addition to the 44 technical presentations and 25 poster sessions that comprised much of the congress, the program also featured a "Technical Forum," made up of six presentations covering the theme of "Technological Needs in a Changing Market."

In summarizing the worldwide foundry situation, G. Wolf, Foundry Institute of Germany, said, "The restructuring of traditional markets and production processes as a consequence of political reorganization and globalization of markets also is forging ahead in the foundry industry. In so doing, foundries are a reflection of all the economical changes that have occurred in recent years.

"As a result, competition can be seen in the substitution of materials and production processes, not only within the casting process itself, but also in the case of nonmetallic materials or alternative processes. Therefore, we must continually adjust to this competition, exploit opportunities and avoid staying with old structures."

While stressing the use of new technologies, such as 3-D design, computer-assisted programs and rapid prototyping techniques, Wolf also discussed the need for foundries to understand the realities of the new manufacturing arena. "In the long term, foundries must be accepted by their neighbors and political decision makers. We must therefore comply with the ecological demands of society. A purely defensive attitude [toward these issues] will never lead to agreement. The foundries of tomorrow also are faced with the further tasks of reducing emissions and the rational use of energy."

Environmental Recognition

To recognize foundries that have gone to great efforts in the field of environmental control, the CIATF presented 10 foundries with the CIATF Environmental Award. Sponsored by the Polish Foundry Technical Assn., a statuette and a $1000 check were presented to representatives from 10 foundries that submitted their official certificates for environmental management. Those foundries included:

* Von Roll Giesserei Rondez, AG, Delemont, Switzerland;

* Georg Fischer, Automobilguss, GmbH, Singe, Germany;

* Siempelkamp Giesserei, GmbH, Krefeld, Germany;

* ITT Flygt Products, Emmaboda, Sweden;

* Eisengiesserei Mollersdorf, Mollersdorf, Austria;

* Benninger kGuss, AG, Uzwil, Switzerland;

* ZDB a.s. Viadrus Heating Technology Plant, Bohumin, Czech Republic;

* Schonheider Guss, GmbH, Schonheide, Germany;

* Transtec Cast Products-Droitwich, Llanidloes, Wales, U.K.;

* Georg Fischer, GmbH, Leipzig, Germany.

For more information on the proceedings from the [63.sup.rd] World Foundry Congress and Technical Forum, contact the Hungarian Mining and Metallurgical Society (OMBKE), 63rd WFC, P.O. Box 433, H-1371, Budapest.