Coimbatore: The foundry sector in the district is projected to have an annual growth of 13% to 14% in two years compared to the 5% to 7% growth registered in the last few years, foundry and industry representatives said here on Thursday.The increased demand from defence and railway sectors account for the increase in foundry activity, which has also ensured good orders for foundry units in the district, the representatives told reporters at an introductory event for the ninth edition of the National Foundry Conclave to be held in the city on November 16 and 17. The event is organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Institute of Indian Foundrymen.“Though the raw material prices were increasing, foundries were able to cope up because they got good orders. As the investment in defence and railway infrastructure had been growing, the output is also expected to grow,” said Nithyanandan Devaraaj, former national secretary of The Institute of Indian Foundrymen. “Also, because of the restrictions imposed by the US on imports from China, the Indian foundry scene has a potential to grow. From the current production of 11.5 million tonnes per annum, the output is expected to touch 14.5 million tonnes in 2021. This will make the country the second largest in terms of foundry output. Of the national foundry output of 11.5 million tonnes, Coimbatore’s share was around 10%,” he said.Large foundries are seeking mergers and acquisitions in a bid to expand, said M Ramesh, chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry, Coimbatore zone. “The foundry sector is expected to actively invest in expansion and modernisation. While the concept of Industry 4.0 is still in its initial stages in the local foundry scene, some plants have started adopting it.”Speaking of the conclave, event chairman R Saravanan said the first day of the two-day conclave will be a general session. “The second day will have specific session on cast iron, steel and aluminium foundries. About 50 speakers from India and 12 from other countries will conduct sessions. A total of 15 technologies will be on display.”

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