In October 2024, the European Foundry Industry Sentiment Indicator (FISI) experienced a
significant drop, falling to 90.0 index points from 93.8 in September. This decline marks one of
the sharpest monthly downturns of the year, underscoring the worsening challenges faced by
the foundry sector.

This downward trend highlights deteriorating conditions within the foundry sector, especially in
crucial client industries like construction and automotive. High interest rates, rising production
costs, and reduced demand continue to weigh heavily on foundry operations. The construction
sector, a significant consumer of cast products, remains in a prolonged downturn, curbing
orders for structural components. Meanwhile, the automotive industry has shown signs of
slowing, reducing demand for specialized castings needed for vehicle manufacturing.
Geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, have further disrupted
supply chains and added to market instability. While energy prices have slightly moderated
compared to their peak, elevated grid costs and inflationary pressures persist, exacerbating
operational challenges for foundries. At the same time, volatile raw material markets and
fluctuating scrap prices complicate production planning and cost management.
Despite these pressures, there are areas of cautious optimism. Investments in infrastructure
projects and renewable energy are driving localized demand for foundry products, particularly
those supporting green transitions. Nonetheless, overall sentiment in the sector remains
subdued, with many foundries anticipating continued volatility and uncertainty into 2025.