https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2024.056
Published: Kem. Ind. 74 (7-8) (2025) 321–334
Paper reference number: KUI-56/2024
Paper type: Review
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Historical Development of the Foundry Industry in the Territory of Present-day Croatia

M. Gojić

Abstract

In this work, a review of the historical development of the foundry industry in the territory of present-day Croatia is presented, covering the period from ancient times to the present day. Foundry as a metallurgical activity in this region dates back more than 6,000 years. Archaeological finds provide evidence of the beginnings of foundry work in the Copper Age. During the Vučedol culture, arsenical bronze was cast. Initially, mainly tools, weapons, jewellery, and similar items were produced by casting. From the 19th century until the beginning of the Second World War, numerous foundries were established, especially in the areas around Rijeka, in Slavonia (Slavonski Brod, Požega), Zagreb, Dalmatia (Šibenik, Split), and Sisak. The equipment of these foundries were very basic, skilled professional staff were scarce, and the work was mostly artisanal. The main carriers of foundry production were casters of foreign origin, while engineers were almost entirely absent. After the Second World War, efforts were made to recover and open new foundries. In 1946, 17 foundries produced about 8 kt of castings. The first 15 years after the war saw very limited investment in modernisation of foundries. In the period from 1959 to 1963, some foundries transitioned from artisanal to industrial modes of production, which led to increased casting output (especially of grey cast iron). The development and modernisation of foundries accelerated from 1964 to 1970, resulting in an average annual production growth rate of 5 %. Production peaked in the period from 1983 to 1987, when the production of castings ranged from 123 to 127 kt. At the end of the 1980’s and early 1990’s, casting production declined significantly However, over the last thirty years, production has steadily increased. In 2023, 25 foundries produced 109.9 kt of castings (31.87 % ferrous and 68.11 % non-ferrous castings) with a workforce of 4,266 employees. Important contributions to the development of the foundry industry have come from high-school and scientific institutions, and the Croatian Foundry Association, among others.

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Keywords

foundry, iron, copper, aluminium, ferrous castings, non-ferrous castings