The 11th China International Metallurgical Industry Expo, the 9th China International Foundry, Metalforming and Industrial Furnace Exhibition (Metal+Metallurgy 2008) and China Casting 2008 successfully completed on June 6 at Shanghai New International Expo Center. Covering a total display area of 60,000 sqm, the four-day fair attracted altogether 1,100 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions to showcase the state-of-the-art technology and equipment of metallurgy and foundry industries. Foundry-related exhibitors occupied 60% of the total exhibiting areas. Three shows saw an excellent turnout of 31,867 visitors all over the world, a 10.7% increase of the overseas visitors compared with the last edition.

The Metal + Metallurgy China is supported by well known industry associations all over the world. From the European side CECOF and CEMAFON with their members AMAFOND and VDMA have a long tradition in supporting this leading fair in China. In addition Spain is represented through its association Fundigex. CISA of America has a great contribution to the international participation.

China Foundry Association, one of the organizers of the integrated show, partners with Japan Foundry Society, The Institute of Indian Foundrymen and Brazilian Foundry Association, who organized visiting delegation of their own country to attend Metal China & China Casting 2008.

Since 2000, China has been the biggest producer across the world in terms of castings output, with the total output of 2006 reaching 28,094,000 tons by altogether 30,000 manufacturers. The nation’s casting consumption has increased 10% every year since 2000 and looks set to grow even faster annually over the next few years. This strong momentum has stirred up great enthusiasm among domestic enterprises. Organized by CFA (China Foundry Association), an impressive line-up of domestic leading companies actively participated in the grand event; among them are Beijing Beiying, Chongqing Qingling Casting, FAW, Ningxia Kocel, Jinan Shengquan Group and Shanghai Honggang Power Station Equipment Casting and Forging.

In this edition of China Casting 2008, various casting products are singled out to form a special display area. Huge castings used in power generation, especially the wind power, as well as auto castings are the highlight of the show. Ningxia Kocel Group, for instance, displaying 1000 MW ultra-super critical steam, weighing 43.5 tons has been the eye-catching to visitors in the Casting Hall. Chongqing Qingling Casting Co.,Ltd. makes a high-profile debut in this show, covering an exhibition space of 300 sq.m. In this exhibition, Chongqing Qingling Casting Co.,Ltd displays 6V all-aluminum automobile engine which represents China’s highest casting level.

Competing with domestic exhibitors on the same arena were over 200 international companies from Germany, USA, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Turkey etc all over the world, occupying a total display area of 12,000 sqm. With their strong attendance highlighting this year’s show, the overseas exhibitors impressed the visitors world-wide with most advanced technological solutions and the latest trends of the industry, all presented in rich forms and contents. The international pavilions boast a line-up of world renowned names including ABP Induction, Ashland, CEC, Danieli, DISA, Gustav Eirich, Foundry Automation, Hunter, Inductotherm, Loramendi, OSCHATZ, PARKER, PAUL WURTH, Siemens VAI, Sintokogio, SMAMeer, SKF, SMSMetallurgy, TENOVA, Timken, TMEIC and Vesuvius.

The Danish enterprises DISA Group, known as “IBM in foundry industry”, attracted many visitors with a blue-colored backdrop at the booth. Their two machines boast as the company’s world renowned patent products. And the patented technology DISMATIC used for the machinery has been keeping its world top position ever since it came out. Not only did most exhibitors display their large-scale machines, quite a few overseas industrial leaders also presented to the visitors their industrial integration solutions. This is intended to tackle the problem with today’s large-scale steel mills that have high-level technology yet lack overall framework.

To meet the demand of domestic industries, the three joint showcases served as a bridge between the global market and the most dynamic, fastest growing market in China. On one hand, exhibitors can make full use of the platform to make face-to-face contacts with to a high number of customers with a very compact investment of time; on the other hand, customers can make comparisons between different technologies, products and prices offered by different exhibitors. And in this manner, both can achieve a win-win outcome. Also, three shows achieved overwhelming thumbs-up from exhibitors. Metal+Metallurgy and China Casting have a growing influence among us. We are very delighted with the quality and quantity of visitors this year. Through the organizers concerted effort, we have yielded the optimum returns at the exhibition and made contacts with many new customers. We are very satisfied with the show.” Jiang Yuhua, General Manager of Zhejiang Wanfeng Technology Development Co., Ltd. commented pleasantly, “We will certainly come back again and further expand our display area.” Stefan Lindner, Project Manager of Siemens AG said delightedly to the organizer, “Here we have more opportunity to present our products and show our professional record to the Chinese market; and we have good meetings with technical personnel and management board from great companies. I believe the show is also a good place for the Chinese market to make new contacts with international players. We will come again in 2010.”

Apart from showcases of leading products and advanced technology, a rich array of high-quality forums were also held in concurrency with the three exhibitions, particularly focusing on “Green Manufacturing”. 8th China Foundry Association Congress themed on “Construct Environment ——Friendly Foundries”, as well as the 2008 Explanation Conference for Multinational Casting

Procurement at the venue have contributed to establishing a broader and more effective platform for business dialogues and academic exchanges within the industries.

China Foundry Association, as the organizer of Metal China and China Casting, appreciates your participation in the edition of 2008 and we sincerely welcome you to be part of China Casting 2009 in September in Shanghai and Metal China 2010 in May in Beijing.