The recent edition of CastForge, held in Stuttgart in June 2026, confirmed its role as a key European reference point for the metalworking subcontracting industry, achieving record numbers and offering a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Attendance figures were encouraging: around 6,000 visitors from 45 countries explored the stands of 576 international exhibiting companies, confirming CastForge’s central role as a strategic platform for the industry.
Across the exhibition stands and during discussion sessions, it became clear that the metalworking subcontracting sector is called to adapt to a constantly evolving landscape. Companies are investing in more efficient processes, diversifying supply sources, and building long-term partnerships to strengthen supply chain resilience.
The role of Zanardi Fonderie: expertise and innovation serving the market
In a context of significant transformation, Zanardi Fonderie leverages its specialization in high-tech castings, built on nearly a century of experience and continuous collaboration with customers. A journey made up of concrete projects that today allows us to be a reliable partner for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, combining metallurgical expertise, engineering capabilities, and application-driven vision.
Our approach is based on three pillars:
Know-how
Thanks to rigorous control across the entire supply chain and consolidated metallurgical expertise, Zanardi Fonderie supports customers in the development of even critical applications—such as in power transmission and agricultural machinery—ensuring consistent quality, reliability, and long-term stability, even under severe operating conditions..
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Component optimization
In numerous projects, the conversion from steel to austempered ductile iron (ADI) has enabled a more efficient redesign of components, achieving weight reduction while maintaining or improving mechanical performance. This approach positively impacts both energy efficiency and the overall product footprint, creating value along the entire supply chain.
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Material innovation
The introduction and development of advanced austempered materials represent a distinctive element for Zanardi Fonderie. In particular, isothermed ductile iron (IDI) opens new application perspectives: recent projects show how traditional components can be redesigned by leveraging the unique characteristics of these high-performance alloys, with tangible benefits in terms of performance, durability, and cost optimization, without the need for alloying elements.
In this way, Zanardi Fonderie translates expertise and research into real-world solutions capable of addressing current industry challenges and anticipating future market needs.
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Focus on austempered materials: ADI and IDI at the center of attention
During the exhibition, Zanardi Fonderie staff recorded strong visitor interest in austempered cast iron solutions, particularly:
ADI (Austempered Ductile Iron)
Increasingly requested for optimizing structural components traditionally made of steel. ADI combines high mechanical performance with significant weight reduction opportunities, helping to improve the overall efficiency of the final product.
IDI (Isothermed ductile Iron)
At the center of growing attention as a “new” austempered alternative, IDI stands out for its advanced mechanical properties and the fact that it does not require alloying elements. Market interest is particularly focused on understanding its ideal applications and potential across different industrial sectors.
Looking ahead: strategic partnerships and continuous innovation
CastForge strongly reaffirmed that the future of the industry lies in strategic collaborations, investment in innovation, and a long-term vision.
In this scenario, Zanardi Fonderie positions itself as a partner capable of supporting customers through the challenges of industrial transition, offering:
- Advanced metallurgical expertise
- Support in selecting the most high-performing materials
- Production reliability and consistent quality
Participation in events such as CastForge represents not only a moment of exchange, but also a tangible opportunity to strengthen dialogue with the market and anticipate customer needs.