Truckmaker Adopts SinterCast Iron for 13-Litre Engine
A European truckmaker has licensed SinterCast's compacted graphite iron process for a new 13-litre engine cylinder block.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Trucks
A European truckmaker has licensed SinterCast's compacted graphite iron process for the cylinder block of a new 13-litre engine. The block will be cast at the truckmaker's own northern European foundry.
Why it matters
Compacted graphite iron is stronger and stiffer than conventional iron, allowing engineers to build smaller, lighter engines with lower fuel use and CO₂ emissions. The licence adds to SinterCast's recurring production-fee revenue tied to CGI volumes.
The new engine has a 13-litre displacement, and SinterCast expects series output to rise by over 20% at full volume, phasing in during 2027 and 2028. The total volume the licensed block will reach has not been disclosed.
The players
SinterCast
A Swedish company whose compacted graphite iron technology supplies roughly two-thirds of global CGI output and earns its revenue mainly from production fees.
The details
SinterCast's System 4000 Plus is to be installed and commissioned at the foundry in November, connecting to the Ladle Tracker system already running there for tighter process control and traceability. Other SinterCast licensees already hold volumes for the same engine, which was first announced for North America on 5 May and became a global platform on 12 May.
Timeline
5 May 2026: Engine first announced for North America.
12 May 2026: Engine became a global platform.
November 2026: System 4000 Plus scheduled for installation and commissioning.
Before year-end 2026: Casting of the cylinder block expected to begin.
2027 and 2028: Extra volume expected to phase in.
Roadmap
The licence extends compacted graphite iron, a casting process SinterCast says supplies about two-thirds of global CGI output, into a new heavy-truck engine block. It follows the broader industry move toward smaller, lighter diesel engines that meet tighter emissions limits.
Lighter, more efficient engine blocks can reduce fuel use and emissions for fleet operators running heavy trucks. Buyers of new trucks built on this platform should see the effect through engine performance rather than through any change in purchasing terms.
The takeaway
Material choices inside the engine block, such as iron formulation, can cut weight and emissions without changing how drivers operate the truck. Fleet buyers evaluating heavy-duty engines should look at the casting technology behind the block as well as its displacement.
Further reading
Explore more Trucks coverage for context on heavy-duty engine development.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Automotive World.
