High energy costs and rising international tensions, Zanardi tells Il Sole 24 Ore: “Without action, industry faces real risks”
“Italian foundries are going through a very challenging period. Addressing the current energy crisis—and preparing for a possible further escalation in international tensions—requires structural reforms in energy markets. These are measures we have been calling for for a long time, yet they are still nowhere in sight.” This is the view of Fabio Zanardi, President of Assofond, in an interview with Il Sole 24 Ore.
Assofond Economic Survey: Cast Iron and Steel Hold Steady in Q4 2025, Non-Ferrous Metals Struggle
In the October–December 2025 period, production at Italian foundries showed a partial recovery (+5.8% compared with the previous quarter and +5.7% year on year). Despite this modest rebound, however, overall output is unlikely to match 2024 levels, which were themselves sharply down compared with previous years.
Discover more
CBAM threatens foundry operations. Assofond calls for urgent corrective measures
Uncertainty over the prices of raw materials affected by the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism has thrown markets into chaos, freezing sales and raising the risk of shortages, particularly for iron foundries. Assofond has called for immediate corrective measures from the European Commission and the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy
Discover more
The new issue of "In Fonderia" magazine is available online
The first 2026 issue of In Fonderia, Assofond’s bilingual magazine, is now available for consultation and download on the Assofond.it website. This issue features a special in-depth report on the future of the European automotive industry, following the European Commission’s proposal to revise CO₂ reduction targets for the sector
Discover more
ZANARDI TO IL SOLE 24 ORE: “OUR MARGINS ARE AT HISTORIC LOWS, THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACT NOW”
In an exclusive interview with Il Sole 24 Ore, a focus on the data from the financial analysis carried out by the Assofond Research Center highlights the difficulties currently faced by the sector. President Zanardi calls for urgent measures to enable Italian foundries to compete “on equal terms with European competitors.”
Discover more
Foundries: at the heart of circular economy
Foundries are a central element of the circular economic model: these companies recast scrap metal to create new products, which in turn can be 100% recycled at the end of their life cycle (Italian language only)
Discover more
Foundries are behind more than you imagine
Foundries produce essential components to make cars, the agricultural machinery needed to plant crops in food-producing fields, hydraulic pumps, wind and hydroelectric plants, jet engines for planes and much more (Italian language only)
Discover more
Assofond: your partner in business
Assofond promotes the competitiveness of Italian foundries, represents members' interests in discussions with government bodies and provides support in the following areas: administrative, commercial, economic, tax-related, regulatory, technical, EHS (Italian language only)
Discover more
