(LIFE21-ENV-FI-101074439) (2022-2026)
GREEN CASTING LIFE Project
As part of the LIFE project, six flagship European ferrous foundries will implement inorganic binder systems in their production processes on an industrial scale. This will involve significant changes, from selecting the most suitable inorganic binder system to adapting processes and investing in new equipment.
At the same time, different sand reclamation methods will be demonstrated. The results will provide valuable knowledge on Best Available Techniques (BAT), helping to address environmental challenges and deliver greener products to the European market.
GREEN CASTING LIFE Project
Objectives and activities
- Successfully implement inorganic binder systems on an industrial scale at six flagship ferrous foundries in five European countries, including the necessary equipment investments.
- Develop customized inorganic binder solutions for cast iron and steel foundries in collaboration with the flagship foundries.
- Demonstrate different sand reclamation methods for inorganic binder sands, including thermal, mechanical and wet processes.
- Strengthen the project’s replication potential by:
- Contacting 200 and interviewing 100 potential ferrous foundries.
- Supporting and testing inorganic binders at 15 selected follower pilot foundries across Europe.
- Providing new results and practical experience for the preparation of the Best Available Techniques Reference Document for the Smitheries and Foundries Industry (BREF).
- Ensure effective communication and dissemination of project activities.
- Organize training workshops in six partner countries for potential follower pilot foundries and other relevant stakeholders.
- Experience and know-how from six flagship foundries on implementing inorganic binders in production.
- Step-by-step implementation plans for adopting inorganic binders on an industrial scale.
- Significant emission reductions resulting from the transition from organic to inorganic binder systems:
- An 80-95% reduction in total hazardous air pollutant emissions, including VOCs, SO₂, NOₓ and particulate matter.
- A healthier working environment, with a 70% improvement in indoor air quality at foundries, including reductions in CO, VOCs, particulate matter, formaldehyde and phenols.
- An 80-90% reduction in harmful substances in waste sand, including DOC, phenols, fluorides and BTEX concentrations.
- A 90% reduction in the amount of waste sand sent to landfill by partner foundries.
Within five years of the project’s completion, 300 ferrous foundries across the EU are expected to transition from organic to inorganic binder systems.
GREEN CASTING LIFE Project
Project Consortium
Meehanite Technology Oy (Finlandia)
Project Coordinator
Contact: Sara Tapola
Metalúrgica Madrileña 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
SAND TEAM, spol s.r.o. (Czechia)
Contact: Michal Vykoukal
AGH University of Science and Technology (Poland)
Contact: Marko Liikanen
A-Insinöörit Teollisuus- ja talotekniikka Oy (Finland)
Contact: Rafal Danko
Centre Techniques des Industries Mecaniques (France)
Contact: Jean-Bernard Virolle
Foundry Association of the Basque Country and Navarre (Spain)
Contact: Oroitz Unzain
voestalpine Railway Systems JEZ, S.L. (Spain)
Contact: Asier Renteria
Foundryteam Oy (Finland)
Contact: Erkki Karvonen
Universita degli studi di Perugia (Italy)
Contact: Stefano Saetta
| Total budget: | 7 162 398 € |
| Contributo UE (60%): | 4 297 432 € |
| Duration: | 09/2022-02/2026 |
| “Co-funded by the European Union. 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.” |
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