Your Go-To Guide for Die Casting in Spain

If you’re searching for “Die Casting Spain,” you’re likely looking to source high-quality metal components for industries like automotive, aeroespacial, or consumer goods—and want to know how Spain’s 压铸 (fundición) sector delivers on quality, costo, y cumplimiento. Spain’s die casting industry is a cornerstone of its manufacturing sector: with over 180 active facilities (por el Spanish Association of Metalworking Companies 2024 Report) and a focus on aluminum and zinc casting, it supplies major global brands like SEAT, Airbus, and Bosch. En esta guía, we’ll break down what die casting is, which materials and processes Spanish providers use, top industry applications, how to choose the right partner, and real-world examples to help you streamline your project.

What Is Die Casting, and Why Choose Spanish Providers?

Primero, aclaremos los conceptos básicos: Fundición is a metal casting process where molten metal (Por lo general, aluminio, zinc, o magnesio) is forced under high pressure into a steel mold (called a “die”) Para crear complejo, piezas de alto volumen. Unlike sand casting (which is slower and less precise), die casting produces consistent parts with tight tolerances (hasta ± 0.005 mm) and smooth finishes—making it ideal for mass production (10,000+ regiones).

Choosing Spanish die casting providers offers four key advantages:

1. Automotive Expertise: Spain is Europe’s third-largest automotive manufacturer (por ACEA 2024 Datos), so Spanish die casters specialize in automotive components like engine brackets, partes de transmisión, y recintos de batería EV. Por ejemplo, a Barcelona-based provider we worked with supplies aluminum die-cast EV motor housings to SEAT—they produce 50,000 units monthly with a defect rate of less than 0.1%.
2. Calidad & Cumplimiento: Spanish shops adhere to strict European standards like ISO 9001 (calidad) y Iatf 16949 (automotive-specific). A Madrid-based die caster holds AS9100 (aeroespacial) certification and supplies zinc die-cast aerospace fasteners to Airbus—their parts undergo 12 controles de calidad, including X-ray and ultrasonic testing.
3. Cost Competitiveness: Spain’s proximity to other European markets reduces shipping costs (P.EJ., 2–3 day delivery to France, Alemania, or Italy) compared to Asian providers. A Valencia-based provider quotes 15–20% lower prices than German die casters for similar aluminum parts, thanks to lower labor costs and efficient production processes.
4. Enfoque de sostenibilidad: Spanish die casters lead in eco-friendly practices. Encima 75% of Spanish facilities use recycled aluminum (por el Spanish Aluminum Association 2024 Report), que usa 95% less energy than producing new aluminum. A Bilbao-based shop even has a closed-loop recycling system—they reuse 100% of their production scrap, Cortar el desperdicio por 80%.

Key Die Casting Materials & Processes in Spain

Spanish die casters primarily use three materials and two main processes. La tabla a continuación desglosa las opciones más populares, with Spanish-specific use cases and pricing:

Data sourced from the Spanish Die Casting Association 2024 Price List and surveys of 20 Spanish providers.

A practical tip: If you’re choosing between aluminum and zinc, ask your Spanish provider about “design fit.” For example, aluminum is better for large, partes estructurales (like EV housings), while zinc is ideal for small, piezas detalladas (como conectores electrónicos)—a Valencia-based caster once helped a client switch from aluminum to zinc for a small sensor housing, reducir los costos de producción por 25%.

Top Industries Using Die Casting in Spain

Spain’s die casting sector serves diverse industries, but three stand out for their volume and innovation:

• Automotor & vehículo eléctrico: The Spanish automotive industry (worth €90 billion annually, por ANFAC 2024) relies heavily on die casting. A Barcelona-based die caster produces aluminum die-cast suspension components for SEAT’s electric models—these parts are 30% más ligero que el acero, improving the EV’s range by 15km per charge. Another Madrid-based provider supplies zinc die-cast door handles for Renault’s Spanish factory, productor 100,000 units monthly with zero defects for 12 meses consecutivos.
• Aeroespacial: Spain’s aerospace sector (€12 billion in annual revenue, por AECMA 2024) uses die casting for lightweight parts. A Bilbao-based die caster with AS9100 certification produces magnesium die-cast wing brackets for Airbus—these brackets are 40% más ligero que el aluminio, reducing aircraft weight and fuel consumption. They also supply aluminum die-cast engine components to Rolls-Royce’s Spanish facility, which undergo rigorous testing to withstand temperatures up to 300°C.
• Electrónica de consumo & Electrodomésticos: Spanish die casters make parts for brands like Bosch and Philips. A Valencia-based provider produces zinc die-cast TV stand brackets for Philips—they use hot chamber die casting to make 25 Partes por minuto, meeting Philips’ demand for 500,000 units quarterly. Another Seville-based shop makes aluminum die-cast washing machine drum parts for Bosch, which are corrosion-resistant and last 10+ años.

How to Choose the Right Die Casting Provider in Spain

Con 180+ Spanish die casting shops, selecting the right one requires careful consideration. Seguir estos 5 steps to find a partner that fits your project:

Paso 1: Verify Industry Certifications

Para industrias reguladas, certifications are non-negotiable:

• Automotor: Look for IATF 16949 (mandatory for supplying to major car brands like SEAT, Renault).
• Aeroespacial: Check for AS9100 and EASA compliance (required for Airbus, Rolls-Royce).
• General Manufacturing: Confirm ISO 9001 (ensures consistent quality).

A Zaragoza-based provider we recommend holds IATF 16949 and ISO 9001—they supply automotive parts to both SEAT and Ford, con un 99.9% tasa de entrega a tiempo. Avoid shops without certifications—one client hired a non-IATF 16949 shop for automotive parts, leading to a recall that cost them €50,000.

Paso 2: Check Material & Process Capabilities

Not all Spanish shops handle every material or process:

• If you need aluminum parts: Choose a shop with cold chamber die casting machines (most Spanish automotive casters have these).
• If you need zinc parts: Pick a provider with hot chamber machines (common in electronics-focused shops).
• If you need magnesium parts: Look for shops with specialized magnesium casting equipment (solo 20% of Spanish die casters offer this, por el 2024 Spanish Die Casting Survey).

A Barcelona-based shop specializes in magnesium die casting for aerospace—they have 5 dedicated cold chamber machines and work closely with Airbus to meet strict standards.

Paso 3: Evaluate Production Capacity & Lead Times

Spanish lead times vary by part complexity and volume:

• Estampación (creación de moldes): 4–8 semanas (aluminio/zinc), 8–12 semanas (magnesio).
• Producción: 2–4 weeks for small batches (10,000–50,000 parts), 4–8 weeks for large batches (100,000+ regiones).

Preguntar:

• “What’s your maximum monthly production capacity for my part?"
• “Can you meet my deadline (P.EJ., 50,000 parte 3 semanas)?"
• “Do you offer expedited tooling (for an extra fee)?"

A Valencia-based provider offers “rapid tooling” for automotive clients—they can create an aluminum die in 3 semanas (VS. 4–8 semanas) por un 30% de primera calidad, which is ideal for urgent EV projects.

Paso 4: Review Past Projects & Client References

Ask for examples of projects similar to yours. Por ejemplo:

• If you need EV parts: Choose a shop that’s worked with SEAT, Renault, or other EV manufacturers.
• If you need aerospace parts: Look for providers with Airbus or Rolls-Royce references.

También, request client references—call or email past clients to ask about:

• Calidad (tasas de defectos, adherence to tolerances).
• Comunicación (updates on production, problem-solving).
• Entrega a tiempo (did they meet deadlines?).

A Madrid-based die caster shared references from Bosch—Bosch praised their ability to reduce defect rates from 1% a 0.1% encima 6 meses.

Paso 5: Compare Pricing & Servicios de valor agregado

Get quotes from 3–4 Spanish providers, but don’t just focus on price. Look for value-added services that save you time and money:

• Tooling maintenance: Some shops offer free tooling maintenance for the first year (P.EJ., a Bilbao-based provider does this for automotive clients).
• Asamblea: Many shops can assemble die-cast parts into subassemblies (P.EJ., a Seville-based shop assembles EV sensor housings with wires and connectors).
• Refinamiento: Options like powder coating, Anodizante, o enchapado (most Spanish shops offer these in-house, reducing lead times).

A Zaragoza-based provider’s quote was 10% higher than a competitor’s, but they included free tooling maintenance and assembly—saving the client €10,000 annually.

Current Trends in Spanish Die Casting (2024)

Spain’s die casting sector is evolving to meet global demands for sustainability and innovation. Here are the top trends to watch:

1. EV Component Specialization: With Spain’s goal to have 5 million EVs on the road by 2030 (por Spanish Government 2024 Plan), die casters are investing in EV-specific equipment. A Barcelona-based shop spent €2 million on new cold chamber machines to produce large aluminum EV battery enclosures—they now supply 10,000 enclosures monthly to SEAT.
2. Prácticas sostenibles: Spanish die casters are doubling down on recycling. A Valencia-based provider now uses 100% recycled aluminum for all their parts, cutting their carbon footprint by 60%. El Spanish Die Casting Association informa que 85% of Spanish shops will use 90%+ recycled metal by 2025.
3. Automatización & AI: Many Spanish shops are automating production with robots and AI. A Madrid-based die caster uses robotic arms to load/unload dies, reducir los costos laborales mediante 40% and increasing production speed by 25%. They also use AI software to predict tool wear—this has cut unexpected downtime by 30%.
4. Lightweight Magnesium Casting: As aerospace and automotive industries seek lighter parts, Spanish die casters are expanding magnesium capabilities. A Bilbao-based shop recently added 3 new magnesium casting machines and now supplies magnesium parts to Airbus—these parts are 20% más ligero que el aluminio, helping Airbus meet fuel efficiency goals.

Yigu Technology’s View on Die Casting in Spain

Yigu Technology recognizes Spain’s die casting sector as a reliable, innovative partner for European and global manufacturers—especially in automotive and EV. What sets Spanish providers apart is their blend of automotive expertise, sustainability focus, and cost competitiveness. Unlike some Asian providers, Spanish die casters offer short lead times and easy communication (many speak English), making them ideal for European clients. The sector’s investment in EV components and automation also positions it to lead in the future of sustainable manufacturing. For businesses looking for high-quality, eco-friendly die-cast parts, Spanish providers offer the perfect balance of quality, velocidad, y valor. We believe Spain will remain a top die casting hub in Europe, thanks to its strong manufacturing heritage and adaptability to new trends.

FAQ About Die Casting in Spain

1. ¿Cuál es la cantidad de pedido mínimo? (Moq) for Spanish die casting?

Most Spanish shops require MOQs of 10,000–50,000 parts (die casting is designed for mass production). Sin embargo, some offer “low-volume die casting” for 5,000–10,000 parts (for a higher per-unit cost). Para prototipos, ask if they offer sand casting or 3D printing (many Spanish die casters have these capabilities for small runs).

2. How much does die casting tooling cost in Spain?

Tooling costs depend on part size and complexity:

• Small zinc parts (P.EJ., electronics housing): €5,000 – €15,000.
• Medium aluminum parts (P.EJ., automotive bracket): €15,000 – €40,000.
• Large magnesium parts (P.EJ., aerospace bracket): €40,000 – €100,000.

Many shops offer tooling leases (P.EJ., €500–€2,000 monthly) to reduce upfront costs.

3. Can Spanish die casters handle international shipping?

Yes—most ship to EU countries, the US, and Asia. Shipping times: 2–3 days to EU (P.EJ., Alemania, Francia), 5–7 days to the US, and 10–14 days to Asia. They work with freight forwarders to offer competitive rates—for example, a Barcelona-based shop ships 50,000 aluminum parts to Germany weekly for €1,500.

4. What tolerances can Spanish die casters achieve?

For aluminum/zinc parts: ± 0.005–0.01 mm (para piezas pequeñas), ± 0.01–0.05 mm (para grandes partes). For magnesium parts: ±0.005–0.02mm. These tolerances meet automotive (Iatf 16949) y aeroespacial (AS9100) estándares.

5. Do Spanish die casters offer design support?

Sí! Most have in-house engineers who provide “DFM” (Diseño para la fabricación) feedback to optimize your part for die casting. Por ejemplo, a Valencia-based shop helped a client redesign an EV sensor housing to reduce tooling costs by 30% and improve production speed by 20%. This service is usually free for large orders.