Annualized SinterCast CGI series production for the first two months of the year reached 3.1 million Engine Equivalents, providing a 5.4% year-on-year increase. The sampling volume at customer foundries remained stable at recent run-rates throughout February, providing a positive indication for foundry shipments into March, SinterCast AB reports.

The start of 2020 provided new series production opportunities beyond the core cylinder block and head market. During February, Hyundai started production of a new bedplate for a 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine in Korea. The bedplate – mated to a SinterCast-CGI cylinder block – had previously been produced in ductile iron. The conversion to CGI was introduced to improve mold yield and to reduce defect rates in the foundry, and to realize productivity gains in machining. During March, SinterCast also received a new order for large components used in industrial power applications. Series production is expected to begin during the first half
of 2020, with the potential to provide more than 100,000 Engine Equivalents per year at mature volume. The new order provides the opportunity for the industrial power sector to continue to account for 5-10% of the total volume, even as the core cylinder block and head market continues to grow.

“The start of 2020 has introduced obvious challenges, but also provided new opportunities," said Dr. Steve Dawson, president and CEO of SinterCast. "While the series production may be temporarily influenced by the COVID-19 virus, we remain confident in our long-term growth, both for series production and new installations.”