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TU-Clausthal Institute of Metallurgy

World Foundry Organization

Our VISION: To be the reference point for the global metal casting industry

The Verein der Freunde und Förderer der Gießereitechnik an der TU Clausthal e.V. has been a member of the World Foundry Organization (WFO) since 2017. The WFO is the recognized center for strategic foundry knowledge developed to improve the production of metal castings through the professional exchange of the latest technical and sustainable industry practices. It is an association that networks national foundry associations from over 30 countries (only one association per nation is admitted). It represents the interests and collective needs of members/ (foundries, suppliers and universities) on a global level. This creates a global network of technical knowledge and resources that serves as an important tool for every foundry association, foundry and foundry worker around the world.

As a member of the WFO, it is possible to participate in subject-specific, transnational working groups and to attend annual member meetings (as part of a World Foundry Congress or a Technical Forum organized by the WFO). You get exclusive access to industry-relevant figures and statistics from all member countries in the World Industry Report. The organization provides a platform for publications. Further information about the WFO can be found on the homepage and Facebook.

Main tasks and elements of the WFO:

  • A World Foundry Congress is held every two years to present specialist technical articles. It unites the industry and disseminates relevant information in a standardized and systematized manner. It provides an excellent opportunity to expand knowledge for those who want to have an in-depth understanding of the latest research and development in the metal casting industry.
  • In addition, there are social events for delegates and their partners. These include the Technical Forum. It takes place every two years and alternates with the World Foundry Congress. The Forum is generally combined with an already established national event of a member organization. The aim is to highlight practical and industry-based developments at the event.
  • The American Foundry Society (AFS) publishes the International Journal of Metalcasting quarterly. It is the official journal of the WFO. The aim is to promote the transfer of research and technology for the global metalcasting industry. The journal keeps the latest developments in foundry research and technology in front of the scientific leaders in the global industry.
  • There are so-called working groups in which research is conducted. A number of working groups have been active in the past. The reports and published papers that followed from them are available in the WFO bookstore. Active commissions are, for example, the working groups dealing with non-ferrous materials, ferrous metals, die casting, as well as environmental protection and energy saving.