Norway will provide a guarantee of up to NOK 150 million (USD 16.08 million) to support revenue security for the planned 255 MW Thakadu solar project in South Africa, helping reduce the risk faced by investors in the renewable energy development. The guarantee will be provided to Lyra Energy, an electricity sales platform jointly owned by Scatec, Standard Bank and Stanlib. It will cover the risk of companies buying electricity from the solar plant failing to make their payments. The agreement, announced on September 14, 2026, is the first involving a private company under Norway's renewable energy guarantee mechanism. The NOK 5 billion (USD 536 million) programme is designed to encourage greater private investment in renewable energy projects in developing countries by taking on part of...
The latest escalation in the US-Canada trade dispute is putting pressure on one of North America's most deeply integrated manufacturing networks, with auto-parts makers facing higher costs and growing uncertainty over where and how components should be produced. The two countries have spent decades building an automotive supply chain in which parts and materials routinely cross the border multiple times before reaching a finished vehicle. The latest tariff measures, including duties on aluminium and steel, threaten to disrupt that model and could force suppliers to reconsider long-established production routes. The immediate challenge for automakers and their suppliers is deciding whether to absorb higher costs in the short term or make expensive changes to their supply chains. For...
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Ardagh Metal Packaging has been awarded the Gold title for its H!GHEND series at The Canmaker Cans of the Year Awards 2022. The flagship technique by Ardagh has been crucial in bringing forward attractive beverage can design, making an ordinary aluminium can look exceptional. H!GHEND, AMP’s revolutionary new addition to its range of can-end options, was appreciated by the industry, given the range of customisable, brand-enhancing creative opportunities it offers, taking the top prize in the Prototype category. Mainly beverage brands are going to benefit from Ardagh’s H!GHEND technology since it would be easier to entice customers with colourful content. Moreover, this also makes it easier for beverage companies to collaborate with other advertisement sub-genres, like a cartoon or comic...
Technal, one of the world’s leading providers of aluminium building systems for doors, windows and facades in France and a part of the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy giant Norsk Hydro announced the launch of ‘Hydro CIRCAL’ in Saudi Arabia. The sixth edition of “World of Technal: Seminar on Sustainability and Building envelopes” was concluded on Wednesday, October 26. Sam Robinson, the managing director at Hydro Building Systems for the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, applauded Saudi Arabia’s building development and construction accomplishments. He also praised the company’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by implementing creative green initiatives like the Line project in Neom. “Technal announced the launch of its latest products “Hydro CIRCAL”...
Melbourne-based coffee roasters, Thieves has created a new subscription plan to include 100% recyclable Nespresso-compatible coffee pods. As these capsules are usually made of aluminium, the brand is also offering a free recycling service. Thieves already had a subscription plan where the customers could pick beans to be delivered from different Australian roasters every month. And now, with their capsule service plans, they are going to attract more coffee lovers. Each month the user has to log on to the Thieves’ website and order the number of coffee pods they would like to have along with the coffee bags of various quantities. At a time, the minimum number of aluminium coffee pods ordered must be ten, while the maximum shipment can be five hundred. The brand has perfectly set up a...
Aluminium and its usage is not just limited to industrial or architectural purposes but have also found their way into the fashion world. Kenta Yoshizawa, a fashion designer, exhibited his most recent creation, the "Silver Cloak," which, as per the reports, has been entirely composed of aluminium sheets and is large enough to cover a person. Designer Kenta Yoshizawa used 988 etched aluminium rectangles to create a design based on the silver ratio with an organic appearance like lizard skin. He showcased his design at the 4th edition COMPOSITION exhibition by Japanese designer Kairi Eguchi. The cloak has been designed based on the exhibition's theme, "Silver to White Ratio," and Yoshizawa embroidered his silver cloak with 988 rectangles of varying sizes in a pattern based on that ratio....
Hitachi Rail has received a €368 million infrastructure contract for producing and delivering 46 new aluminium metro trains for the Milan metro in Italy. Managed by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM), the Milan metro is one of the busiest routes in the country. This arrangement is just the beginning of ATM’s colossal investment plan in delivering Italy with state-of-the-art transport facilities that align with the growing sustainability quotient in the world. Aluminium is key in making the sustainability dream come true as the non-ferrous metal is infinitely recyclable and is extremely suitable for a circular economy. The first pages of the contract notify us about the €168 million, which has been solely allotted for the delivery of 21 aluminium trains which are to begin service in spring...
The new 13-story True Glasgow student housing project received a complete glazing kit from Senior Architectural Systems (SAS), one of the largest known fenestration system companies in the UK. Scottech, a specialised contractor, created and put in Senior's curtain wall, window, and door solutions in aluminium. Individual apartments received the SPW600e tilt and turn aluminium windows from SAS, which were placed specifically to enable daylighting and provide "far-reaching" views of the city. The True Glasgow concept, which consists of shared and single-occupancy apartments, is touted to provide "spacious" living and study facilities. Additionally, the complex has shared amenities, including a gym and a movie theatre. Access to green areas has been added through a rooftop garden and a...
One of the leading outdoor lifestyle brands based in Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States, Groove Life and its products are always known for their chic outlook and durability. The Groove wallet features a black anodised high-strength 6063 aluminium alloy money clip. Medium strength 6063 aluminium alloy is frequently referred to as an architectural alloy and is primarily used in complex extrusion to give the product a visually appealing and colourful finish. It can be easily anodised, has excellent surface polish and corrosion resistance, and is well suited to welding. The thin casing is less than 8.5mm thick, and silicone bumpers are attached to a precisely machined aluminium alloy. The Groove wallet with a money clip can store up to 6 cards, and the silicone bumpers present helps the...
The first-of-its-kind aluminium grate drainage solution launched by Stormtech in Australia ensures high-performing drainage solutions for residential and commercial bathroom applications. This unique aluminium grate drainage solution, dubbed Wave Grate, will revolutionise contemporary drainage by offering an Australian-first solution to architects, specifiers, and other industry experts looking for a premium product at a reasonable cost. Developed and produced in Australia using Australian components, the new anodised aluminium drainage system features a unique wave pattern. It is certified under WaterMark WMTS:-040:2021 to meet the Plumbing Code of Australia and surpass Australian Building Standards for quality and safety. “Wave Grate is 100 per cent Australian in every sense. It is...
Graphene Manufacturing Group from Brisbane was found advocating for its zero-carbon graphene aluminium ion battery that is supposedly 70 times swifter than a lithium-ion battery and can be plugged in and used innumerable times. The company claims this flagship product can alter the course of the Australian energy market in a few years. The continuously emerging use of alternative sources of energy, such as solar power, has been pressurising Australia's old energy grid system for a very long time. Demand for conventional energy sources also plunged during the last few months. Dr Alex Wonhas, the board member of the Energy Corporation of NSW, exclaimed that there was an immediate requirement for more investments in technologies that could store energy yielded from solar cells. To this...
Wildpack Beverage Inc. has initiated a partnership deal with Woodstream Corporation to supply their flagship hummingbird nectar in aluminium cans instead of the usual plastic packaging option. This step is to uphold the sustainability values put forward by both brands. From now on, Woodstream's nectar would come packed in aluminium cans manufactured in Wildpack facilities. Though the historical packaging material for the same has always been plastic, this switch might positively benefit the companies as aluminium is infinitely recyclable. This innovative addition might eradicate almost 150 tonnes of plastic which is quite commendable. Moreover, the exclusion of plastic might also be beneficial for the birds feeding on hummingbird nectar because aluminium is not as toxic as plastic. This...
The end-user sector has been extremely active with various innovations throughout the week. Ball Corporation has published its Q3 2022 net profit of US$392 million because of its diluted earnings per share of US$1.24 and net sales of US$3.95 billion. This is greater in comparison to the US$179 million net earnings and US$3.55 billion of sales during the same time frame in 2021. Ardagh Group also released its Q3 financial results declaring an adjusted EBITDA for the quarter, which fell to US$140 million with a 15 per cent decline on a constant currency basis. However, the company exported major consignments of beverage cans during the same time. The first indigenously manufactured aluminium train rake was flagged off by Indian Railways from Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The innovation was possible...
Profile Group, a Te Rapa-based aluminium door and window company was declared the overall winner of the annual Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. The Profile Group is a family of businesses and is the sole integrated supplier of aluminium window and door solutions in New Zealand. Te Rapa is a semi-rural suburb in the northwest of central Hamilton, New Zealand, with a mixture of light industrial and large-scale retail. The Foster Construction Group 2022 Supreme Award, together with the Business Growth and Service Excellence awards, were won by Profile Group. The judges commended Profile Group for its "world-class role models" status in various areas, including future vision, product innovation and design, continued dedication, and true caring for the community, Aotearoa, and the...
Blå Station, the Swedish furniture brand, has relaunched Stefan Borselius and Fredrik Mattson's stackable chair, Sting, which was initially created in 2003. In the latest version, the seat and backrest of the chair are manufactured from 90 per cent recycled aluminium, while the chair's legs are constructed of stainless steel. "At home indoors as well as outdoors, Sting has that perfect tilt of the backrest," said Blå Station. Sting chairs are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor environments. A plastic connector at the bottom of the chair leg allows them to be joined together in rows or stacked to conserve space. Blå Station has kept the original graphic shape by Sting. The design may be customised with different seat pads or a writing table and is available with or without armrests....
Researchers from Sweden’s Digital Cellulose Center have come up with an enhanced version of their previously developed paper supercapacitor yielding 10F through a demonstration drive. In the former version, one would come across aluminium-coated plastic substrates, but in the latest one, they have incorporated an aluminium-coated paper variation, creating a sustainable paper supercapacitor. The current materials that comprise the capacitor are cellulose pulp derived from softwood and a water-based ink made from the conductive polymer PEDOT: PSS, along with some compatible substances like activated carbon. The Center had screen-printed this on an aluminium-coated plastic substrate just a while back. Still, in this upgraded version, the Researchers have swapped the plastic for paper,...
The High Profile lighting series, created by Dutch design firm MVRDV, uses scrap aluminium profiles collected from Delta Light's products. The architectural lighting company Delta Light often uses aluminium profiles for recessed lights in walls or ceilings. Each High Profile lamp is individually produced by fusing aluminium scraps to create a sculptural lampshade. They come in three styles: cube-shaped pendants, floor lights, and wall sconces. "The design looks critically at the manufacturing process, finding not only opportunity but also beauty in elements that are normally discarded as waste," said MVRDV. "The amazing details of these profiles are usually hidden inside the wall or ceiling – we wanted to make their beauty visible as the main feature of the new design. We were very...
On Thursday, November 3, Ball Corporation announced its third quarter and year-to-date results ended September 30. Ball Corporation is the world’s leading sustainable aluminium packaging provider for beverage, personal care and household products. In Q3, the company generated net earnings of $392 million attributable to the corporation or diluted earnings per share of $1.24, backed by $3.95 billion of sales, compared to $179 million net earnings on $3.55 billion of sales during the same period last year. As per the report, the company recorded this gain on the Russian business disposal during 3Q2022. In the nine-month period, Ball yielded net earnings of $664 million or $2.07 per diluted share in comparison with $581 million or $1.75 per diluted share last year. This year from January to...
Ducati has unleashed its latest Diavel V4 featuring a Bologna’s V4 Granturismo engine, along with an aluminium monocoque frame that has significantly reduced the motorcycle's weight. Ducati has redesigned the vehicle with substantial change in the styling and chassis design for 2023. Although there has been a transformation from two cylinders to four, surprisingly enough, the Diavel V4 has a 13 kg reduced weightage, solely due to the aluminium monocoque chassis that saves almost 8 kg. In place of the steel trellis in the prevailing Diavel model, Ducati has utilised the non-ferrous metal, aluminium, to create the skeleton of the motorcycle. The aluminium monocoque chassis comes seamlessly hooked with the cylinder heads. Although the hind subframe is a steel trellis unit, the swingarm is a...
All Matters Studio, a Stockholm-based design studio, utilised both aluminium and marble to create the Frame05 table, which as per the studio, is both robust and stylish simultaneously. The top of this table, designed by the studio, consists of different marble slabs. The sculpture, Frame05, is made of Swedish stone attached to a robust frame of standard aluminium profiles. Flexibility is another essential component of the design, and each of the aluminium profiles may be adjusted in length according to the required table size. Customers can select from various stones or anodised metal for a distinct look. "Marble tables are absolutely stunning. But mining big chunks of stones, just for a specific table, is unsustainable. And big stones can be difficult to handle when moving. FRAME05 is...
