The 73rd World Foundry Congress

The World Foundry Congress, the most important event of the foundry sector, constitutes an excellent occasion for exchanging knowledge and experiences, the newest achievements and innovations.

The 73rd World Foundry Congress will held with motto ‚Creative Foundry‚ including broadly understood thematic blocks:

• Materials

• Technologies

• Digitalisation

• Management

• Ecology

The participants of 73WFC are invited to submit the extended two-page scientific or technical abstracts (detailed two-page short papers) for publication in the 73WFC Proceedings. 

For the authors of congressional papers, special conditions for participation:

• special registration fee,

• publication of the abstracts in the congress materials, 

• possibility of free post-congress publication of full articles in journals accepted in the Web of Science and present in the Polish Ministerial List 

Special session for young scientists: students, doctoral students, young reserchers who work at universities, research centers, knowledge centers, with less than five years’ experience. 

Participation in the session will allow young researchers to present their scientific achievements on the international stage and to publish their works in the organizer's suggested journals and congressional materials.

The registration fee 130 euro only. 

All information for authors

SPECIAL EXHIBITION entitled "Creative Foundry" dedicated to creative and innovative scientific, technical and technological solutions in the field of foundry industry, will be an integral part of the Congress.

We invite universities and research units to present their achievements and research, research-implementation works on this exhibition.

It’s been a quarter of a century since we last had the privilege of hosting members of the World Foundry Organisation in Poland. This has been a crucial period in the history of our country and our industry. So it comes as no surprise that we are thrilled that in September 2018 we will once again have the pleasure of greeting you in Krakow and other Polish cities. This time, WFO sessions will take place in a modern convention centre with a view of the Wawel Castle in Krakow. They will be accompanied by fascinating exhibitions, including international trade fairs, and Polish industry and research centres will also be represented. We are certain that the Congress will also be a time for cultural and aesthetic experiences. Krakow is waiting for participants from all over the world, and the organisers will do their best to make the occasion a memorable display of the country’s hospitality. Please come visit us!

Polish Foundrymen’s Association (STOP)

and the Organisational Committee of the 73rd World Foundry Congress

Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland, named City of Kings, and the main tourist destination in Europe. To this day it remains the most important Polish city and a cultural centre of Poland and Central Europe.

Krakow is situated in southern Poland on both banks of the Vistula River. Krakow has a rich history. It was a residence of Polish kings and the capital for five centuries. The city boasts hundreds of historical buildings, from medieval churches to Art Nouveau edifices and includes ¼ of Poland’s museum resources. The key points of interest are the Market Square (the largest medieval square in Europe), the Wawel Castle, St. Mary’s Church, Barbican, the Cloth Hall, the old Jewish district of Kazimierz and many more. Thanks to the extraordinary accumulation of cultural wealth, the city was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List and today competes with some of the most beautiful European cities. Krakow is also one of the leading centres of science and education in Poland with over 20 institutions of higher education and universities. 

Now Krakow is a modern metropolis but it still has a magical atmosphere which makes the visit an unforgettable experience.

KRAKOW CONGRESS CENTRE

ICE Krakow Congress Centre is a modern world class building designed to host various types of congress, conferences, exhibitions etc. The centre offers 36000 m2 of conference space including an Auditorium ready to host over 2000 people and two smaller ones for 600 and 300 people and multifunctional glazed three-floor foyer with a view of the Wawel Castle. ICE Krakow Congress Centre is located in the historical centre of Krakow in the vicinity of the best hotels and tourist attractions. FOUNDRYMEN’S NIGHT in OLD TRAM DEPOT

Stara Zajezdnia (Old Tram Depot) by DeSilva is a unique place with combines history with modernity. The renovated building of Stara Zajezdnia is a unique facility which was registered on the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List UNESCO, and is known as a historical monument. 

At present it is a beer hall with a mini brewery, a perfect place for organising social events.

FOUNDRY INDUSTRY IN POLAND

Polish foundry industry consists of about 400 foundries. More than 90% of them belong to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) sector producing about 40% of total casting production. Poland was the 16th producer of casting in the world and the 5th in the EU. Total casting production in 2014 accounted for 1 061 950 tonnes and it was higher by 1,2% than in 2013. While analysing the output of casting production in the domestic foundry industry over the years we can observe an increasing tendency for casting of spheroidal and malleable cast iron and casting production of non-ferrous alloys. Production of aluminium castings grew by 0,5% in comparison with the year 2013 and it was two times higher than in the year 2005. At present Poland is the 4th producer of aluminium castings in Europe.

Structure of casting production by materials used in total production:

• 46% grey cast iron

• 15% spheroidal and malleable cast iron,

• 5% cast steel,

• 32% aluminium alloys

• 2% other non-ferrous alloys

In 2014 Polish foundries produced casts mainly for motor industry, construction industry and machine industry. 

Export of castings has accounted for more than 50% of total casting production from 2007 to 2013. In 2014 it was 62% of total production with mostly aluminium parts and wheel accessories for cars to be exported. Polish foundries supplied castings mostly to Germany (50%), Italy, France, Czech Republic and the United Kingdom.

WORK VISITS

Work visits will be an important part of 73. World Foundry Congress. Their aim is to enable the participants to get to know specification of Polish foundry industry. Participants will be able to visit different kinds of foundries as well as universities and institutes which create the scientific base for the foundry industry.