Investment Casting

Global investment casting sales grew from $6.1 billion in 2004 to $8.6 billion in 2006.
North America accounted for 50% of global sales of investment casting products in 2003, but has consistently lost market share to emerging leaders such as China.
North America claimed 43% of global sales in 2005 and 41% in 2006.
China’s share of the investment casting market has grown from 14% of global sales in 2003 to 25% in 2006.
China’s 2006 sales of investment casting products reached $2.05 billion.

As China’s dominance has been felt in the overall metal fabrication industry, the number of Precision Investment Casting facilities has risen dramatically in recent years. There were approximately 350 precision investment casting facilities in China at the end of 2003. The number of facilities specializing in this type of casting increased to 450 in 2005 and 480 in 2006.