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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Viva, the India-based aluminium composite panel manufacturer, has launched India's first dedicated facility for producing A2-grade fire-retardant cores. This move marks a significant step toward aligning India's ACP manufacturing capabilities with global fire safety standards. The A2 core made of 90 per cent mineral content and 10 per cent virgin polyethylene is designed to offer minimal combustibility, low smoke emission (s1), and no flaming droplets (d0). These properties have earned it the A2-s1, d0 classification under the stringent EN 13501-1 European fire standard. In addition, the panels have been tested and certified under ASTM E84 and NFPA 285 in the United States, broadening their relevance for fire-sensitive applications worldwide. Conventional PE Core panels, composed entirely...
Global mining giant Rio Tinto has signed a binding agreement with Chile's state-owned mining company, ENAMI, to jointly develop the promising Salares Altoandinos lithium project in the Atacama region, with a USD 425 million contribution. While the deal marks another major push into the booming lithium market , it also sends a powerful strategic signal about the interconnected future of critical minerals and the global aluminium industry, both of which are foundational to the electric vehicle revolution. Beyond aluminium, towards related minerals The agreement, announced Thursday, will see Rio Tinto acquire a majority stake and take the lead in developing the project, bringing its extensive technical expertise and capital to one of the world's most booming lithium regions. The critical...
Two environmental breach cases involving bauxite producer UC Rusal will proceed as separate trials, following a recent ruling by the St. Catherine Parish Court. Image for representational purpose On Tuesday, Acting Senior Parish Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle informed both parties that the court could not grant the application for joinder, which sought to combine the two cases. The matters involve alleged violations of Section 11 of the Wild Life Protection Act. The charges stem from incidents on August 1, 2021, and July 26, 2022, when trade effluent from UC Rusal reportedly contaminated a nearby waterway. Initially, the 2021 matter was scheduled to begin on July 7. Still, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) submitted additional information and, on July 15, applied to...
The global metal packaging coatings market is growing steadily with an estimated CAGR of around 5 per cent from 2020 to 2030 driven by increasing demand for premium, attractive and sustainable packaging. Recent insights show the future of this small but increasingly important market will continue to change as brands focus on premiumisation trends, especially in food and beverage. Premium appeal and functional fuel demand A rise in consumer desire for attractive packaging, with shiny surfaces, colours and shelf appeal to grab attention, has caused manufacturers to invest in new metal coatings such as aluminium. Not only do these coatings look good, but the ways they function are also vital to the success of the packaging. In particular, multilayer films that offer enhanced shelf life and...
Aluminium price on July 24 witnessed slight growth, with both cash bid price and offer price moving up by USD 3 per tonne and USD 1.5 per tonne. The prices closed at USD 2,646 per tonne and USD 2,646.5 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price moved up by USD 1.5 per tonne or 0.05 per cent to settle at USD 2,648 per tonne and USD 2,648.50 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price ascended by USD 8 per tonne or o.29 per cent to peg at USD 2,678 per tonne and USD 2,683 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price, on the other hand dipped by USD 4 per tonne or 0.15 per cent to clock at USD 2,647 per tonne. LME warehouse data showed a slight build in stocks. The opening stock came in at 448,100 tonnes from 4448,00 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled...
Century Aluminum Company, a prominent US producer of primary aluminium, announces that the private placement of USD 400 million of 6.875 per cent senior secured notes due August 2032 has closed, solidifying the company's capital structure and extending debt maturity. The offering is viewed as a compelling opportunity to solidify the company's capital structure given current market conditions. Key financial details of the secured notes offering The notes were issued at par, or 100 per cent of the total principal amount, and will pay interest semi-annually starting on February 1, 2026. The net proceeds are about USD 395 million after deducting purchaser discounts, commissions and expenses related to the offering. Century has specified the purposes for the proceeds: to refinance its existing...
AMAG Austria Metall AG, the leading player in Austria's aluminium industry, has begun to feel the pinch of the US tariffs in its Q2 2025 earnings—though the impact so far remains modest. However, the full brunt is expected to hit in the second half of the year. The company had entered 2025 on a strong footing, managing to weather the initial 25 per cent tariff shock. But that resilience was soon tested, as the tariff rate doubled to 50 per cent effective June 4, marking a clear turning point in AMAG's performance trajectory. It's often said that all's well that ends well, but for AMAG, a strong start may not guarantee a smooth finish. In Q2 2025, AMAG's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) stood at EUR 80.6 million, marking a drop of 15 per cent Y-o-Y...
Tesla’s profit engine sputtered once more in the second quarter of 2025 (Q2 2025), marking its third straight quarterly decline and raising fresh concerns among investors. The EV giant reported $1.2 billion in earnings from April to June, down from $1.4 billion a year earlier. Revenue also slipped to $22.5 billion from $25.5 billion. The last time Tesla recorded a quarterly profit increase was in Q3 2024. Automotive revenue which is Tesla’s bread and butter plunged 16 per cent to $16.7 billion. Adjusted net income dropped 23 per cent to $1.4 billion, or 40 cents per share, falling short of Wall Street’s expectations. The company’s regulatory credit revenue, a long-time profit cushion, also took a hit, tumbling 51 per cent to $439 million. Despite launching an updated Model Y in June,...
Kaiser Aluminium, a US-based company specialising in the manufacturing and sale of semi-fabricated speciality aluminium products, has released its quarterly financial report for the period ending June 30, 2025. The report highlights the company's continued focus on delivering high-performance aluminium solutions across aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors, reinforcing its position as a key supplier in high-value downstream markets. Image source: kaiseraluminium.com According to the financial updates revealed, Kaiser Aluminium’s Q2 earnings stood at USD 1.21 per share for the quarter, significantly surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of USD 0.49 per share. This marks a substantial year-on-year increase of 86.15 per cent compared to earnings of USD 0.65 per share in the same...
The American dream of owning a white-picket-fenced home is quietly being priced out - brick by brick, beam by beam. And no, this time it’s not inflation or rising mortgage rates to blame but tariffs it is, with a maple twist. According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, tariffs imposed on Canadian construction materials can potentially incur an additional cost of USD 10,000 to building a home in the United States by 2027, given some of the key construction materials used in building a house come from Canada. Such as 70 per cent of the lumber used in the US residential buildings, 25 per cent of iron and steel, and 18 per cent of copper. What more? Aluminium, which is widely used in the residential construction sector in US, comes from Canada, is tariff-stricken too. In 2024, the United...
South32, a leading global mining and metals company, has announced that two of its aluminium operations exceeded production targets in FY25. Notably, Brazil Aluminium and Mozal Aluminium, two of the company's key smelters, have surpassed their targets by 6 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively, reflecting strong operational performance and continued efficiency improvements. What's the secret behind this rapid growth in aluminium production? Image source: south32.net Following the restart of operations, the Brazil Aluminium smelter recorded a 30 per cent increase in saleable production in Q2 FY25, reflecting a substantial ramp-up. Similarly, Mozal Aluminium achieved a 13% rise in saleable output during the same period, despite challenges posed by civil unrest in Mozambique and ongoing...
On July 21, 2025, the US Court of International Trade delivered a decisive ruling in Hanon Systems Alabama Corp. versus United States, rejecting the plaintiff’s challenge and sustaining the US Department of Commerce’s final affirmative determination in its anticircumvention inquiry on aluminium foil imports from South Korea. For India and other major aluminium foil exporters navigating an increasingly enforcement-heavy global trade environment, this ruling is a signal flare of the future, wherein circumvention scrutiny is beyond intent, and about consequence. Image for representational purposes only The crux of the case At the heart of the case was the US Commerce Department’s 2023 determination that certain aluminium foil completed in South Korea using Chinese-origin inputs was...
PackEx USA, an all-aluminium packaging and bottling company, is set to make waves in the beverage industry with its upcoming facility in Marianna, a city located in Jackson County (USA). With a strong commitment to sustainability and community pride, the company aims to reshape industry standards. Notably, the East Coast has seen a lack of aluminium bottle and can filling operations, something local officials believe Jackson County is perfectly positioned to change. PackEx is relocating to a facility within Marianna’s industrial park, previously occupied by another bottling company. Following extensive renovations, the site will span 400,000 square feet. “I’m from here and one of the pain points being from here is you do not have an amount of middle-class, decent-paying jobs that offer...
A potential settlement is expected to be reached in a class-action lawsuit filed against Century Aluminium over the release of alumina dust in Berkeley County, South Carolina. The incident, which occurred in October 2023, stemmed from an equipment failure at Century Aluminium’s Goose Creek plant. The malfunction in the facility’s bag room led to the release of alumina dust, a white, powder-like byproduct of the aluminium-making process, into the surrounding environment. State health officials investigated the matter and determined that the substance was non-hazardous. However, nearby residents reported experiencing health issues such as bloody noses, sinus problems and shortness of breath following the incident. In response, affected residents filed a class-action lawsuit against the...
China remains the dominant market for aluminium castings, followed by other key players such as the United States, India, Japan, and Germany. Global demand for aluminium castings is steadily climbing, with consumption projected to grow from 23.18 million tonnes in 2024 to 23.96 million tonnes in 2025, an increase of around 3.36 per cent. This upward trend is fuelled by rising demand in key industries like automotive, aerospace, and construction, where aluminium castings are valued for their lightweight strength, durability, and sustainability. Reflecting this momentum, Chinese engine components manufacturer Tianrun Industrial Technology has announced its strategic move into lightweight aluminium products with the acquisition of Altechno Auto Parts a Korean-owned auto parts maker based in...
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) saw a slight increase on July 23, with both cash and 3-month contract rates moving up from the previous day. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 2,643 per tonne, up 0.19 per cent from USD 2,638 per tonne on July 22. The cash offer price also climbed to USD 2,645 per tonne, a 0.25 per cent increase from the previous day's USD 2,638.5 per tonne. Similarly, the 3-month bid price advanced by 0.32 per cent, moving from USD 2,638 per tonne to USD 2,646.50 per tonne, while the 3-month offer price inched up 0.27 per cent to USD 2,647 per tonne, compared to USD 2,640 per tonne a day earlier. In the longer-dated contracts, the December 26 bid price rose slightly to USD 2,670 per tonne, up 0.07 per cent from USD 2,668 per tonne, and...
RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB Research) has reaffirmed its OVERWEIGHT rating on the Basic Materials sector, placing Press Metal Aluminium Holdings (PMAH) as its top pick amid improving fundamentals for aluminium smelters. The research house is optimistic about the sector’s trajectory, supported by falling input costs, stable demand, and tight global supply even as US-imposed tariffs inject some uncertainty. Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have shown resilience, rebounding to around USD2,600 per tonne after dipping to USD2,300 in April post-tariffs. RHB expects aluminium prices to remain firm over the next three years, underpinned by capped output in China and energy-related delays in European smelter expansions. A key driver of improved margins for producers like PMAH,...
The Bon Ami Project in Guinea, which began back in 2018, have successfully implemented the robust and high-capacity Telestack barge loading systems, helping to meet the demanding conditions prevailing in bauxite imports. The design of the project aims towards rapid construction, which started its production in Q2 2024. Image source: telestack.com In order to address the operational requirements of the Bon Ami Project, a Telestack TB 58 barge loader with a capacity of 3,000 tph at a bulk density of 1.5 T/m³ was installed. Purpose-built for handling bauxite, this high-capacity unit is integrated into a streamlined system where it is fed by two Buffalo reclaim feeders, assisted by dozers. The material is transferred onto a 1 km jetty conveyor for efficient delivery. This setup is designed to...
