The LIFE project six European flagship ferrous foundries will implement at industrial scale the inorganic binder system on their production process implying major changes, starting with selection of the suitable inorganic binder system, changes in processes and investments in new equipment. In parallel different sand reclamation methods will be demonstrated. Based on the results obtained, the foreseen techniques will present an outstanding knowledge for BAT technologies participating to tackle environmental problems and to produce greener products to European market.

The LIFE project aims:
•    To successfully use inorganic binder systems on an industrial scale in six flagship ferrous foundries, including necessary equipment investments, in five European countries
•    To develop tailor-made inorganic binder systems solutions for iron and steel foundries, in cooperation with the flagship foundries
•    To demonstrate different type of sand reclamation methods for inorganic binder system sands (thermal, mechanical and wet methods)
•    To enhance the replication potential by

• contacting 200 and interviewing 100 potential ferrous foundries.
• guiding and testing inorganic binders in 15 selected follower pilot foundries in Europe
• providing new results and experiences for the preparation of the Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Smitheries and Foundries Industry (BREF document).

•    To ensure an efficient communication and dissemination of the project activities.
•    To arrange training workshops in six partner countries for potential follower pilot foundries and other relevant stakeholders.

•    Experiences and know-how from six flagship foundries for implementing inorganic binders in their production

•    Emission reductions after changing from organic binder systems to inorganic binder systems:

• To reduce total hazardous airborne emissions by 80-95% (VOC, SO2, NOx, Particulate Matters…) in the production lines using inorganic binders.

• To create a healthier environment for the workers by improving indoor air quality in foundries by 70% (CO, VOC, PM, formaldehyde, phenols…).

• To reduce the harmful substances in waste sand by 80-90% (DOC, phenols, fluoride, BTEX concentrations)

• To decrease the amount of waste sand to be landfilled by 90% in the partner foundries.

•    Step-by-step implementation plans for flagship foundries for the full-scale implementation of inorganic binders

Proyect coordinator:

Meehanite Technology Oy 
contact: Sara Tapola

Consortium members:

Metalurgica Madrilena S.A. (Spain)
contact: David Valle

Valumehaanika AS (Estonia)
contact: Harri Salu

Peiron Oy (Finland)
contact: Markku Eljaala

F.A. Engineering srl (Italy)
contact: Ivan Stefani

AZTERLAN Metallurgy Research Centre
contact: Erika Garitaonandia Areitio

PEAK Deutschland GmbH (Germany)
contact: Theo Kooyers

SAND TEAM, spol s.r.o. (Czechia)
contact: Michal Vykoukal

Foundry Association of the Basque Country and Navarre (Spain)
contact: Oroitz Unzain

AGH University of Science and Technology (Poland)
contact: Rafal Danko

A-Insinöörit Teollisuus- ja talotekniikka Oy (Finland)
contact: Marko Liikanen

Centre Techniques des Industries Mecaniques
contact: Jean-Bernard Virolle

voestalpine Railway Systems JEZ, S.L. (Spain)
contact: Asier Renteria

OPSA Ltd (Poland)
contact: Maciej Krolikowski

Foundryteam Oy (Finland)
contact: Erkki Karvonen

Universita degli studi di Perugia (Italy)
contact: Stefano Saetta

• Grant agreement LIFE21-ENV-FI-101074439
• Total budget: 7 162 398 €
• EU contribution (60%): 4 297 432 €
• Duration: 09/2022-02/2026

GREEN CASTING LIFE project is co-funded by European Union's LIFE program under grant agreement LIFE21-ENV-FI-101074439. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.