What this sector means to us.
Blinding, molten metal pours from a ladle into the mold—a fascinating sight that wouldn’t be possible without specialized raw materials. When people think of the foundry sector, they picture glowing iron, flying sparks, and workers in fire-resistant suits. For us, this industry is a cornerstone of our company, and we look back on a long-standing connection with it. Why? Early on, one of COFERMIN’s founding partners identified a mine in southern Africa that produced chromite sand as a by-product—sand with properties well suited to the European foundry industry. Chromite sand is used in iron and steel foundries for mold and core production when ordinary quartz sand is no longer sufficient in quality. Even though we’ve since expanded our portfolio across many industries, the foundry sector remains central to who we are.
We understand how fundamental foundries and their finished products are to a wide range of value chains—from the engine block or brake disc in a car to the rotor hub in a wind turbine.
At the same time, this rather “old-world,” traditional industry faces major challenges: the electrification of mobility significantly reduces the need for cast parts in automobiles. Developments in 3D printing that enable small-batch production, along with other modern manufacturing methods, will create headwinds for classic foundries. This highly energy-intensive industry is in transition and must prove itself—especially in Germany, where energy costs are high.
In the foundry business, we wear many hats at once. We’re market developers, distributors, agents, processors, and strategic advisors—depending on what’s needed. In practice, that means we connect supply and demand and find the right sources for our customers—worldwide. If a foundry requires a specialty raw material in an atypical particle size or quality, we know which sources or mines fit, or we leverage our network to deliver fast solutions. At the same time, we represent internationally renowned producers in local markets and help them place their specialty raw materials with the right buyers. We process raw materials—blending, screening, or drying them—so they meet foundries’ exact requirements. And we share our market intelligence. As strategic advisors, we provide assessments on market trends, quality issues, and logistics.
A large part of our day is organization and timing. We plan supply chains in advance, manage inventories, and steer around potential bottlenecks. Want an example? Gladly. China is a key market for many raw materials. Events like the Chinese New Year can affect production cycles there. We build such factors into our planning early. Weeks before critical periods, we coordinate with partners—say, in South Africa—so just-in-time supply is secured. Timing—alongside the right quality—is fundamental in this business. Our global network and forward-looking logistics ensure that foundries receive their materials exactly when they need them. That’s how we see our role: as the reliable timekeeper in the background so the furnaces never go cold.
What products do we supply?
• Chromite sand: For mold and core production when heat resistance, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality are critical.
• Calcined fireclay grog: Dust-free, fired grog proven especially in iron and steel foundries.
• Graphite (synthetic & amorphous): An additive for cast iron that gives the molten metal the desired carbon content and target casting quality.
• Zircon sand: A fine specialty sand used in mold washes/coatings and investment casting for smooth surfaces and low reactivity.
Beyond that, we supply many other minerals and chemicals to this sector—from classic iron oxides like hematite and magnetite to modern binder resins for demanding core making. Every foundry has its own formulations and processes, and we make sure the raw materials we supply fit them precisely.
We consciously set ourselves apart from “sell as much as possible” providers. Quality, reliable supply, and fair working conditions are values we insist on. You can see it in our partners’ loyalty. Many customers and suppliers have worked with us for decades. Long-term, trust-based collaboration matters more to us than quick profit. We honor that trust by standing by our commitments even in turbulent markets.
Another thing that sets us apart is our personal approach to advising. We speak the language of casters. Nobody likes hotlines – so we don’t have any. We have raw-material experts who understand the industry. We solve problems through peer-to-peer dialogue pragmatically and without red tape. Our team brings passion to the job, whether it’s arranging an air freight for a rush order or putting a new lot of chromite sand through its paces in the lab. And we take raw-material supply personally – quite literally.
We also consciously avoid the “you have to offer everything” mindset. Not every product and service around foundries automatically ends up in our portfolio. Instead, we focus on what we do really well: sourcing, processing, and delivering high-quality raw materials. This focus lets us put all our energy into our core competencies. Our customers feel that we don’t do things halfway. We’d rather not flip the switch than offer something that doesn’t meet our quality standards or sits outside our expertise. We know what we can do and what we can’t. And that’s exactly what builds trust.
Our product portfolio is used across a wide range of applications, and every industry has its own stories to tell. In our upcoming blog posts, we’ll be widening the lens. There’s much more to discover!
