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Nonferrous casting, and nonferrous metallurgy in general,
are of great historic interest in France. It was in this country
that the first pure aluminum was produced, and the
Hall-Heroult process remains the most important process
for primary aluminum reduction. Likewise, France is the site
of some of the earliest motor vehicle and aircraft manufacture,
and maintains an important technological position in these
industries.
Total die casting production stands at around 180,000 metric
tons per year, but not much growth is expected. As with the
other countries in Western Europe, cost pressures are making
importation of die castings from lower cost manufacturing
countries increasingly attractive. France maintains important
trade relationships with former colonies and overseas dependencies
in Africa and the Middle East, and imports can be expected
to increase.
There are about 100 die casting plants in the country. Although
the typical French die casting operation is a single, privately-owned
company like the Fonderie de Precision Alsace, there are some
relatively large groups, including the Groupe Valfond, and
the Belier Holdings. In addition, the Renault foundries group,
including die casting plants, is now under the unified control
of the Italian company Teksid.
Groupe Valfond operates eight aluminum die casting
plants, in total, spread around the country. Valfond also
operates ferrous foundries, and distributes auto parts.
Groupe le Belier has die casting plants in Hungary,
Italy and China as well as in France. Customers are principally
automotive, and include all the major European makers, along
with first tier suppliers including Continental Teves, Siemens
and others.
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