The name used for the iron directly produced from a blast furnace. Originally cast into 'pigs' around the base of the furnace, lasted casting machines were developed to produce pigs but iron is now generally transported while still molten and converted into steel on the same site. The name is derived from the impression given of piglets feeding from the sow by the iron being run off the furnace into the original style of sand moulds. Pigs were traditionally sized to be manhandleble. Pig iron changes its name to cast iron when remelted, although no actual processing takes place. Iron casings can be created directly from the blast furnace.