“I have faith in magnesium die-casting”

When it comes to magnesium as a material, Hartmut Fischer waxes lyrical and says quite openly: “I am fighting for the competitiveness of magnesium die-casting. It must not be jeopardised by political frameworks and constraints.”

The competitiveness of magnesium die-casting must not be jeopardised by politics

As head of the STIHL magnesium foundry in D4, Fischer is well aware of the varying energy costs across Europe, the excessive bureaucracy, the pressure from wage and non-wage labour costs, right through to the Supply Chain Act and the associated documentation requirements. “These are the conditions that are making life particularly difficult for the industry, especially in Germany, which is why we are appealing to decision-makers in politics and society not to place an undue burden on the industry and to halt new regulations,” said Fischer.

STIHL, a company operating worldwide, is committed to its location in Germany and intends to continue investing in the future. This is down to the location’s advantages, the expertise and the well-trained workforce, which must definitely be retained and strengthened. “However, Germany as a business location must become significantly more competitive in order to improve the country’s attractiveness for investment,” as Fischer emphasises.

What is the current situation regarding magnesium as a material?

Magnesium made the headlines at the end of 2021 due to supply bottlenecks, when some businesses experienced shortages and prices soared.

“All that has long since returned to normal,” emphasises Fischer, although price levels have stabilised at a higher level. There are now various new magnesium extraction projects underway worldwide, including in Europe. This will result in a broader supply, including magnesium from Europe, meaning that the disadvantages will no longer have such a significant impact.

What makes magnesium such an attractive material for castings?

Magnesium die-casting is used in a wide variety of industrial sectors and, depending on the specific requirements, offers the following advantages (among others) over aluminium and steel:

• Weight savings: Magnesium is the lightest structural metal, leading to significant weight savings – a crucial factor in the automotive and motorbike industries, for example. E-bikes are a good recent example.
• High specific strength: Magnesium alloys offer a good combination of strength and weight, being 30 per cent lighter than aluminium
• Good thermal conductivity: Magnesium has high thermal conductivity
• Formability: Magnesium alloys have good castability and can achieve complex geometries with thin wall thicknesses
• Electromagnetic shielding: Magnesium offers high shielding to minimise electromagnetic interference

These are advantages that are particularly relevant in lightweight construction within the automotive industry, in aerospace, electronics, sports and work equipment, and in medical technology.

At STIHL, the leading manufacturer of chainsaws and motorised gardening and landscaping equipment, the use of die-cast magnesium plays a particularly important role. The weight savings are especially beneficial for components fitted into end products intended for mobile use.

STIHL– D4 2022:

• Around 40 million die-cast components / approx. 900 employees / remelting capacity 4,500 tonnes / CO₂-neutral Scope 1 and 2
• High vertical integration. All production processes carried out in-house, from casting to powder coating, machining and pre-assembly
• Specialist in magnesium hot-chamber die-casting: 30 casting machines with up to 1,000 tonnes of clamping force

How sustainable is the use of magnesium die-casting?

STIHL is already mathematically CO₂-neutral in terms of its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions through the purchase of carbon offsetting certificates and is confident about meeting future climate regulations. Magnesium is highly recyclable and impresses with its durability and efficiency. As a lightweight material (30 per cent lighter than aluminium), it inherently helps to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

What does the future hold for magnesium die-casting?

“Magnesium is a brilliant material that has never quite made the big breakthrough,” admits Fischer. However, it can certainly hold its own against aluminium and steel.

Magnesium has great potential in the automotive sector. But there are also advantages for e-bikes, the aerospace industry and wherever else the material is used for specific applications. In China, Fischer sees a very different drive towards the use of magnesium in lightweight construction, for example in the lorry sector, which is why it is worth taking a look at the Middle Kingdom from time to time.

When it comes to power sources for chainsaws and other motorised tools, Hartmut Fischer comes across as a true pragmatist. “Electric motors are clearly on the rise and also impress with a good range of performance, but the further away the location in the countryside is from the nearest power socket, the more mature internal combustion engines are to be recommended.”

This is in keeping with the fundamental outlook of a man who champions the competitiveness of his material, magnesium, and advocates an open-minded approach to technology when it comes to key issues for the future.

About Hartmut Fischer:

• Aged 65, married, 3 children
• Graduate Engineer (University of Hanover)
• Career at STIHL (37 years):
• Engineer / Pre-development Supervisor
• Head of the Chainsaw Reliability Testing Department
• Head of R&D, Head of Cylinder Production at STIHL Brazil
• Head of Professional Chainsaw Projects
• Director of Research & Development Services
• Managing Director of Operations / President of STIHL Brazil
• Managing Director of STIHL Magnesium Die-Casting Weinsheim
• 10 years as Chairman, Board Member and President of the European Garden Machinery Federation (EGMF)

Current honorary positions:

• President of the Association of German Die-Cast Manufacturers (VDD)
• President of the International Magnesium Association (IMA)
• Memberships and positions: BDGUSS, VDD, IMA

About STIHL:

The STIHL Group develops, manufactures and distributes power-driven equipment for forestry and agriculture, as well as for landscape management, the construction industry and private garden owners. The product range is complemented by digital solutions and services. The products are generally sold through specialist retailers offering after-sales service and STIHL’s own online shops, which are set to be expanded internationally over the coming years – via 42 of its own sales and marketing companies, around 120 importers and more than 55,000 specialist retailers in over 160 countries. STIHL has production facilities in seven countries worldwide: Germany, the USA, Brazil, Switzerland, Austria, China and the Philippines. STIHL has been the world’s best-selling chainsaw brand since 1971. The company was founded in 1926 and has its headquarters in Waiblingen near Stuttgart. In 2022, STIHL achieved a turnover of 5.49 billion euros with 20,552 employees worldwide.