Vietnam-based custom motorcycle studio Bandit9 has unveiled the Bandit9 (RED) 800, a limited-edition Ducati-based motorcycle that combines sculptural aluminium bodywork with a charitable commitment to healthcare programmes. Its defining feature is a hand-painted finish that fades from deep Racing Red at the front into exposed, hand-brushed aluminium towards the rear, making the metal itself a central part of the design. Limited to just nine units worldwide, the motorcycle is priced at USD 49,900, with Bandit9 pledging a fixed USD 14,000 from each bike to (RED), the organisation that raises funds to fight AIDS and other preventable diseases. If all nine examples are sold, the commitment would total USD 126,000. Red paint gives way to sculpted aluminium The Bandit9 (RED) 800 builds on the...
COROS has introduced the DURA 2 SOLAR, a second-generation GPS cycling computer featuring an anodised aluminium alloy frame and a braided carbon fibre back. The new model combines aluminium construction with a larger touchscreen, updated navigation functions and extended battery life. The device features an aluminium upper frame with a profile measuring just 5.7 mm at its thinnest point. Its construction combines the metal with carbon fibre to keep the overall weight at 99 grams without a mount, increasing to 138 grams with a compatible mount. The use of aluminium is part of a broader redesign that gives the cycling computer a slimmer profile. COROS has also expanded the screen size from 2.7 inches in the original DURA to 3.5 inches in the new model, improving the available display area...
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Premier Energies, an Indian solar manufacturer, has reported a robust performance for the first quarter of FY2025–26, posting a net profit of INR 307.8 crore, a 55.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase from INR 198.2 crore in the same period last year. Revenue rose 9.9 per cent YoY to INR 1,820.7 crore, driven by strong operational performance and high capacity utilisation. Solar cell manufacturing utilisation reached 94 per cent, while solar module capacity stood at 77 per cent during the quarter. As of June 30, 2025, the company held a strong domestic order book of 5,545 MW valued at INR 8,603 crore. Of this, 60 per cent is allocated to solar modules, 39 per cent to solar cells, and the remaining 0.6 per cent to EPC services. Also read: Next-gen solar panels built for Rajasthan heat...
Brussels has stopped watching from the sidelines. As the global metals trade grows more asymmetric and carbon commitments face real-world constraints, the European Commission’s decision to implement surveillance on scrap metal imports and exports has moved far beyond being a regulatory formality to a high-stakes chess move in an escalating global scrap tussle. Image for referential purposes only On July 23, 2025, the European Commission launched an official customs surveillance mechanism to monitor all EU-bound and outbound flows of steel, aluminium, and copper scrap. Though presented as a data-gathering initiative under the Steel and Metals Action Plan (SMAP), this policy shift is anything but passive. It is a direct response to growing export leakages, tightening scrap availability...
The world primary aluminium production seems to have withstood all the recent hurdles like escalating trade tensions, raw material costs, and supply chain disruptions with a decent growth rate of 1.4 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025. Albeit a slower than in 2024, the growth in the world’s primary aluminium production in Q2 2025 was largely encouraged by the bullish aluminium price trend on the London Metal Exchange, ranging between USD 2,499 per tonne and USD 2,593 per tonne. However, the increased LME alumina (Platts) price reaching above USD 363 per tonne dampened the mood of primary aluminium producers slightly, offsetting the output volume. Nonetheless, the world primary aluminium production closed the H1 with a Y-o-Y hike, amounting to 36.459 million tonnes versus...
The Indian aluminium sector continues to strengthen its domestic momentum with a strategic collaboration. Vdeal System Limited, a specialist in electric panels, industrial automation, process instrumentation and industrial IoT solutions, has secured a significant order from National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), India’s leading integrated bauxite, alumina, aluminium and powder producer, for the supply of a TTA panel. The partnership will see the electrical equipment manufacturer supplying auxiliary Type Tested Assembly (TTA) panels to NALCO’s plant power system under a domestic contract valued at approximately INR 1.63 crore (USD 196,386). The order is scheduled for completion by January 21, 2026. This collaboration not only supports the operational efficiency of NALCO but also...
India's Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK, signed with hopes of unlocking duty-free market access, has come under fire from trade experts and industry leaders for omitting carbon tax exemptions. This omission, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), could undermine Indian exports worth USD 775 million annually, including key commodities like aluminium, steel, fertiliser, and cement, starting in 2027. GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said, "From January 2027, the UK can impose carbon taxes on Indian steel and aluminium, even as we grant UK goods duty-free access. That's a serious asymmetry." The UK plans to roll out its own Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), following the European Union's lead, to tax high-carbon imports. This border levy will apply to sectors...
For those who see motorcycles not just as machines but as masterpieces, the Bandit9 x Ducati 821 is your next rideable obsession. Initially commissioned by a San Francisco-based collector, this project reflects a deep appreciation for Van Daryl Vincente Villanueva, the Founder and Design Chief of Bandit9 and his visionary approach to motorcycle design, marking a refined evolution of the atelier’s craftsmanship and a redefinition of two-wheeled engineering. Image source: bandit9.com Built upon the foundation of the discontinued Ducati Monster 821, the latest creation reimagines the original naked motorcycle through a distinct, monolithic design language. Every panel and surface has been meticulously redesigned and handcrafted, resulting in a seamless, sculptural form. The body features...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices on Friday, July 25, closed the week hitting a four-month high. The prices hiked by USD 10.5 per tonne or 0.39 per cent to settle at USD 2,656.5 per tonne and USD 2,657 per tonne, driven by more optimistic demand outlook in China and tightening global supply conditions. Market sentiment also improved as traders closely followed developments in US-China trade negotiations, raising hopes for a potential boost in industrial metal demand. On the same day, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also gained USD 7.5 per tonne or 0.28 per cent to halt at USD 2,655.5 per tonne and USD 2,656 per tonne. As per the LME aluminium price graph, December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price surged by USD 10 per tonne or 0.37 per cent to peg at USD...
As aluminium producers and auto component manufacturers grapple with the economics of in-house scrap recycling, the weakest link in many casting operations continues to be chip drying. Thermal dryers remain the default, despite well-known drawbacks such as high operating costs, heavy emissions, and increasing regulatory scrutiny. A recent installation by Retech Systems, part of SECO/WARWICK Group, offers a technical counterpoint. More importantly, a bottom-line recalibration. Image source: https://www.retechsystemsllc.com/ The shift revolves around a patented chip dryer system known as Thermofuge, which is being deployed inside the casting house of one of the company’s auto parts manufacturing sites. The system is not new to the market, wherein 18 units are already operational globally....
Aludecor an Indian manufacturer and supplier of aluminium composite panel (ACP), has introduced ‘Alubreeze’, the country ’ s first home-grown metal sun-louver system, an energy-efficient, design-forward solution engineered to reduce solar heat gain and cooling loads in modern buildings. Image for representational purpose The innovation is positioned at the intersection of sustainability and smart architecture, directly targeting India’s INR 25,000-crore facade market. Built entirely from recyclable aluminium and finished on India’s only roller-coating lines, Alubreeze is available in preset angles of 30 degree, 45 degree, and 90 degree, allowing it to reduce direct sunlight penetration in glazed structures. It not only contributes to energy savings but also adds sculptural depth to flat...
JFA Yachts has released a construction update on its 50.5-metre hybrid explorer project, confirming that the vessel is currently in the outfitting phase, well in advance of its scheduled launch later this year. This development represents a significant milestone in the company's ongoing innovation in hybrid yacht engineering. Image source: jfa-yachts.com Designed by Humphreys Yacht Design, the all-aluminium hybrid explorer showcases advanced naval architecture and exterior styling. A key highlight of the vessel is its extensive tender and toy handling capabilities. According to HYD Co-Director Tom Humphreys, "We took a highly integrated approach to the design, striving to marry all the technical, functional, and Client-specific requirements with a rigorous naval architecture effort to...
Multinational chemicals giant Kemira has unveiled a major investment for the expansion of its production facility in Tarragona, Spain, with the addition of a new aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH) production line. The investment, with an outlay of USD 23 million, is aimed at responding to the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region for high-performance water treatment chemicals. The new cutting-edge plant will significantly boost Kemira's production capacity for ACH, a very cost-effective coagulant applied to many different water treatment applications. The new line is targeted to start production in early 2028, using technology already tested in the US and Poland. Demand is being fueled by stricter environmental rules, climate change and urbanisation. Sustaining the increasing appetite...
Livium, which previously was known as Lithium Australia, sets its sights on transforming recycled EV batteries into a new source of rare earth materials for future tech supply chains. The firm has initiated discussions with international rare earth element (REE) developers and Australian technology providers to explore extraction solutions, laying the groundwork for potential collaborations and licensing agreements aimed at strengthening REE recycling capabilities. Livium views REE extraction as a strategic extension of its recycling services for enterprise clients, unlocking a significant commercial opportunity. The company highlighted that recycling is expected to contribute to the USD 9.6 billion global addressable REE market by 2026. The company's subsidiary, Envirostream, already...
Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A.’s second-quarter 2025 performance revealed a clear regional contrast, with strong momentum in the Americas outpacing limited modest progress in Europe. Demand for beverage cans in North and South America surged, led by continued strength in non-alcoholic categories and 12 per cent growth in Brazil. This translated into a 21 per cent year-on-year revenue increase for the Americas, reaching USD 840 million, and a 34 per cent jump in Adjusted EBITDA to USD 133 million, boosted by strong volume mix and lower operational costs. Europe, by contrast, saw revenue growth of 9 per cent to USD 615 million, but Adjusted EBITDA declined by 3 per cent to USD 77 million. The region faced challenges such as lower input cost recovery and temporary metal timing misalignments,...
After achieveing a strong Q2 earnings beyond Zacks Consensus Estimate , Kaiser Aluminum's shares have reached a new 52‑week high of USD 97.00, indicating a powerful market statement underscoring investor confidence and a remarkable turnaround from last year's low of approximately USD 46.81. It has tapped an impressive year-to-date gain of 34.9 per cent. According to the InvestingPro analysis, Kaiser Aluminum has delivered a strong 1-year performance with an 18.68 per cent gain, backed by 19 consecutive years of dividend payouts and a current yield of 3.3 per cent. With a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.45, the stock is currently trading above its estimated Fair Value. Week-on-week share price analysis On July 18 2025, the firm's stock opened at USD 91.07 and closed slightly lower at USD...
The recent suspension of Aughinish Alumina from Ireland's ex-ante energy market on July 24, 2025, has brought to the fore the increasing dilemmas around geopolitical commitments and industrial continuity, even as the plant, Europe's largest alumina refinery, continues to operating, at least while its owner, the Russian Rusal, is becoming increasingly embroiled in the effect of sanctions arising out of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke confirmed, “We’re working with the company, and that’s the key thing... We need to ensure that there is a pathway.” Despite being disconnected from the energy trading platform, a spokesperson for Eirgrid clarified, “Aughinish Alumina have not been taken offline and remains connected to the transmission system. EirGrid can confirm...
Auckland’s New World Birkenhead is leading the charge in smart recycling with the launch of New Zealand’s first supermarket-based Reverse Vending Machine (RVM). This exciting new trial invites shoppers to recycle their single-use drink containers like aluminium cans, plastic, and glass bottles while raising money for local schools and charities at the same time. The initiative is powered by TOMRA, the global leader in reverse vending and return system technology. Together, they’re aiming to show just how effective and easy modern recycling can be. Here’s how it works - remove the cap, pop your empty container into the machine, and let the built-in sensors take care of the rest, automatically identifying and sorting materials for high-quality recovery. Already a hit across Europe, RVMs are...
When the US slapped a steep 50 per cent tariff on imported aluminium earlier this year, it was pitched as a bold step to revive the country’s flagging smelters and bring metal production back home. But on the ground, something quite different is happening: scrapyards, not smelters are thriving. Across the country, aluminium recyclers are experiencing a surge in demand as manufacturers look for ways to cut costs amid spiking metal prices. With tariffs driving up the price of imported primary aluminium, many downstream industries are shifting toward recycled aluminium, which is cheaper, faster to process, and conveniently free from trade restrictions. With import prices soaring, especially in the US Midwest, manufacturers are facing higher input costs. The Platts Midwest aluminium premium...
India’s bauxite import is witnessing a turning point in 2025, as Ghana makes its debut as a key bauxite exporter, filling the void left by Guinea’s sudden export slump. Image for representational purpose According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, India imported 0.31 million tonnes of bauxite in Q1 2025, a staggering 76 per cent decline compared to 1.28 million tonnes in the same period last year. The plunge underscores both external supply constraints and internal realignments in India's aluminium industry. But despite the overall quarterly decline, March 2025 witnessed a brief rebound, with imports rising to 0.19 million tonnes, a 13 per cent year-on-year increase. Also read: Global Bauxite and Alumina Industry Outlook 2025 for deeper insights. Guinea’s collapse, Ghana’s gain The...
