NFTN Services
The NFTN is mandated to establish a network that provides support to the foundry industry through four focus areas:
- Building technical capacity;
- Regulatory (compliance and licencing) support;
- Skills development and knowledge transfer; and
- Stakeholder relations and awareness raising.
By providing services and support in these areas, the NFTN helps to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the local foundry industry. Services on offer to the sector include:
NFTN Focus Areas
The NFTN facilitates technical support to assist foundries with improving and optimising processes, advancing product quality, enhancing competitiveness, and strengthening industry performance
It encourages the use of modern technologies and innovative manufacturing solutions in the foundry industry, offering guidance on advanced materials and metallurgical innovations.
The NFTN supports foundries in meeting environmental regulations and adopting sustainable practices. The assistance includes guidance on air emissions licensing (AEL), waste management, and implementation of environmental best practices at the firm and sector-wide level, such as exploring ways to repurpose foundry spent sand. The ultimate goal is to promote foundries to operate responsibly, reduce their environmental impact, and enhance long-term sustainability.
The NFTN supports training initiatives aimed at developing critical and scarce skills. This includes artisanship development, technical upskilling, and specialized training programs.
The programme conducts skills gap analyses, offers targeted interventions and workshops, and collaborates with industry partners to enhance the technical capacity of the sector at all levels.
The NFTN strategically represents and promotes the interests of the South African foundry industry through stakeholder engagement, policy input, awareness initiatives, and industry representation at both local and international levels. This advocacy work supports transformation, sustainability, and enhances the visibility of the sector’s contributions to the economy.
How the NFTN supports South African foundries