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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The Rajshahi district in Bangladesh is facing a gas inflow interruption (a cheaper option than fuel oil) and resulting in a surge in oil prices which might lead to the shutdown of various aluminium utensils industries in Bogura’s Talora port region. The regional traders explained that the cost of furnace oil is so elevated that 10 out of 11 factories have been forced into an abrupt closure during the previous four years. Yet the very little amount of aluminium utensils are still being formed in Talora but with the unavailability of a proper gas connection, the only running unit might also be closed, according to the locals. Bogura town has a gas connection but it is 20km away from this port. Some of the units are manufacturing utensils with gas as an energy source which is cutting down...
Following the launch of its Topstone Carbon bike in April, Cannondale is ready to reveal its Topstone Alloy gravel bike. Cannondale claims that the Topstone Alloy “distils the spirit of the Topstone Carbon into a rugged, ever-ready aluminium frame.” The new aluminium model may carry all the shades of its carbon counterpart but is more affordable than its predecessor. Cannondale has run extensive tests on the Topstone Alloy range to achieve a well-attested geometry for the bike for more riding stability during adventurous sporting or bike-packing. Cannondale also stated that the bike is perfect for basic travelling purposes as well. There are endless similarities between the two Topstone models, the carbon and the aluminium frame bikes. Both the Cannondale bikes have a tyre clearance till...
The £110 million structure that Peel Media is proposing to construct is the first major project since Landsec paid £426 million last year to purchase a 75 per cent interest in the Salford Quays property. The 350,000 square foot office, designed by Sheppard Robson which will be constructed at the MediaCity, will feature aluminium panelling on the outside, green balconies and an outdoor patio on every other level of the façade. The main reason behind choosing aluminium was that it would consume less carbon throughout the design and building phases. Since it is lightweight and resistant to corrosion, aluminium is frequently utilised in construction. Aluminium is utilised in many different applications, including exterior facades, roofs and walls, windows and doors, stairways, railings, and...
Bell & Ross first introduced the BR 05 version of the company’s flagship BR 03 in the year 2019. Based on those designs, the new BR 05 Artline is a much more modern, elegant and refined take keeping the rounded corners intact to give the watch a vintage feel in an urban context. This latest design featuring a folding metal casing was shaped by taking ideas from the following: Primarily, the watch took inspiration from the aero patterns of the corrugated aluminium fuselage of the 1940s transport planes. Secondarily, the urban trend of applying aluminium in architecture has inspired the formation of the watch. As aluminium covers the facades of skyscrapers, the watch has the protection of an aluminium framework around its mechanical compartment. The use of aluminium in interior decoration...
Doncaster-based Senior Architectural Systems has finished the fourth construction for Manchester Life by providing a total aluminium fenestration deal for the contractor John Sisk & Son Ltd’s latest Lampwick Quay apartment complex. The estate consists of 213 apartments spread across three blocks of five, six and ten storeys, as well as retail units and communal facilities on the ground floor. A combination of Senior’s aluminium windows, commercial doors and curtain wall solutions have been utilised around the complex, mounted by Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium. Senior’s PURe aluminium casement windows are built mainly to lessen heat waves and energy costs with low U-value and Part L-compliance. Senior’s thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall systems allow a regulated harvest...
The Australian-headquartered AvA Yachts has finally floated its 35-metre Infinity Nine for the first time since the beginning of its erection in 2018. This yacht is the second hull in the AvA Kando110 series and has been constructed in a shipyard in Antalya, Turkey. The ship’s composition consists of a high-grade steel hull and an elaborated aluminium superstructure. Aluminium is one of the most lightweight, infinitely recyclable materials found on the planet earth and its utilisation in making naval vehicles is required mainly due to its minimum weight. Moreover, aluminium is corrosion resistant and can float above marine life without being exposed to oxidisation. The Infinity Nine yacht can be defined exclusively by custom-made interiors and other modern improvisations. The yacht was a...
The aluminium end-user segment remained quite insightful during the week. It can be seen that the use of aluminium is not just limited to the industrial sectors but is widespread. Indian Railways announced a tender of INR 26,000 crore for the production of 200 units of the Vande Bharat train with aluminium carriages. Apart from this, aluminium as a metal also finds its use in electronic devices like fitness wearables. Dhyana, an Indian fitness wearables start-up with endorsements from Abhinav Bindra, an Olympic gold medalist, and badminton icon Pullela Gopichand, made the second iteration of its ultra-light unibody aluminium ring, which serves as a health-tracker, publicly public. Aluminium as a metal is gradually outperforming other metals like glass or plastic. This can be seen with the...
Hafele, the top global producer and supplier of architectural hardware and furniture fittings, has introduced its latest state-of-the-art aluminium-based kitchen profiles. Technological advancements and new inventions constantly change and develop the world of design. With this in mind, Hafele has recently developed a complete collection of Profin and Prodoor aluminium profiles that work together to ensure a modern, fashionable, and practical aesthetic for any interior. The Profin Range of aluminium profiles from Hafele highlights some of the latest trends like handle-less doors, adaptable colour schemes, contemporary designs inspired by vintage styles, and simple door designs with no discernible hardware. Match Door, Plusch Door, Klar Door, and Wardrobe Rail are included in the range....
Lamborghini has launched the ultra-rare Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Coupé in India, which flaunts a blended carbon fiber and aluminium body. The Italian supercar maker will manufacture 350 units of the Ultimae Coupé and 250 models of the Roadster globally, out of which not one car is left seeking ownership. In addition to everything, Lamborghini has launched the Aventador Ultimae Roadster in India and also has handed out two models in good faith. The Aventador Ultimae’s body composition is a mixture of carbon fiber and aluminium, the monocoque is created with carbon fiber, while the front and rear frames are aluminium made. Aluminium is one of the most lightweight metals on the planet and its use here ensures no added weightage to the car’s volume. Considering the exterior, the Ultimae has...
The project, created by Archikubik, is an 11-story building located in the midst of the brand-new Port-Marianne neighbourhood, close to the city's historic area and university. The main attraction of this project is its façade, whose external skin consists of aluminium. The façade, which is made of a double-skinned envelope system that generates a translucent veil, commands attention by imitating subtle light changes. The primary source of inspiration for the aluminium-based external skin is sea anemones, which form symbiotic relationships with other organisms with which they live nearby and mutually beneficial relationships. The aluminium-based external skin comes in brilliant silver, satin silver, pearl gentian, and pearl purple. Previously, the only possibilities were bulky and...
Organic Oral Care (ORL) is taking a step closer to a sustainable and eco-friendly environment with the introduction of its new recyclable aluminium bottles for its expanding line of mouthwashes. These new eco-friendly bottles are lighter, environmentally responsible, and shatterproof than their original glass counterparts. Compared to plastic, aluminium has been hailed as a more environmentally friendly alternative since recycling plastic is difficult, causes deterioration, and has a lower percentage of reuse. “Our customers have been great partners with their feedback! Our new aluminum bottles are even more eco-friendly and sustainable by being lighter, more recyclable, and a smaller carbon footprint than our previous bottle. Our products are also made in the USA” said Howard Kaufman,...
Chinese PV mounting system developer Enerack has unveiled a solar carport solution made of aluminium alloy of the type AL6005-T5, specially designed for shopping centres, gas solutions, public parking lots and private homes. The primary market of Enerack’s solar carport solution is Europe. Earlier, the company sold its PV mounting system in the Middle East, South Africa, Panama, Guatemala and Chile, said designer and business developer Ivan Yordanov. The new carport is capable to host all types and sizes of solar panels with dimensions of up to 2,280 mm x 1,133 mm x 35mm. It has a longitudinal sink rail that can catch water from the horizontal gap between the solar module. Solar panels are installed at a distance of 1 mm so to keep the water of the sink as much as possible, said Yordanov....
The Chairman of KEI Industries, Anil Gupta stated that the company has already implemented some price cuts in Q1FY23, and with copper and aluminium prices down 20%-30% Q-o-Q, it may further cut prices in the near future. KEI Industries, the market leader in the manufacturing of wires and cables in India with a vision to become the world largest is one of the preferred suppliers for private and public sector clients globally. Cables and wires prices are updated every 15 days in the B2C segment. It has been reported that cable and wire companies have cut prices by 8-9 per cent in the past few weeks. Inventory destocking usually occurs more quickly when prices fall. In Q1FY23, the KEI management stated that there was significant interest from both the B2B and institutional segments. However,...
On July 1, the Chief Executive Officers of prominent breweries in America wrote a letter to US President Joe Biden, pleading to halt tariffs imposed on aluminium. Since the imposition of tariffs in 2018, it has cost the industry more than $1.4 billion. As per the letter, the beer sector consumes more than 41 billion aluminium cans yearly. “These tariffs reverberate throughout the supply chain, raising production costs for aluminum end-users and ultimately impacting consumer prices” according to the letter signed by the CEOs of Anheuser-Busch, Molson Coors, Constellation Brands Inc.’s beer division, and Heineken USA. The letter was sent to the president months after aluminium prices reached a multi-decade high and during the worst inflation in more than 40 years. Since then, the metal's...
Dhyana, an Indian fitness wearables start-up endorsed by badminton legend Pullela Gopichand and Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has officially publicised the second edition of its ultra-light unibody aluminium ring, which acts as a health-tracker. This feather-like unibody aluminium ring has to be on your fingers while performing vital bodily functions. The Dhyana ring is the only miniature continuous heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring device in the world and the first of its kind. Dhyana’s MD, Bhairav Shankar quoted: “The first version of Dhyana was focused on measuring mindfulness during meditation. Our new updated version is a complete game-changer; it’s designed to be worn the whole day, helping users track their inner balance continuously.” Along with monitoring heart...
Aluminium beverage cans are one of the most widely recycled beverage packagings globally. The main reasons that have contributed to the popularity are its easy recyclability over an unlimited number of times and the maximum amount of recycled content. Vancouver-based beverage company, Teaspoons & Co. has decided to shift towards a sustainable way by using aluminium cans for all of their drinks, except for slushes and hot beverage offerings. Throughout their lifespans, aluminium cans can be recycled indefinitely. A bamboo fibre straw that fits through the hole in the beverage cans is sturdy and big enough to slurp up both the toppings and the tea. The recycling rate of Used Beverage Cans (UBC) is over double the rate of that of any other beverage container. It's interesting to note that it...
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati said on Monday that researchers there have created a low-cost, effective "passive" radiative cooling system that runs without energy and can serve as a substitute for traditional air conditioners. This radiative cooler coating material may be placed on rooftops and works both during the day and at night, making it an electricity-free cooling device. For the cooler to operate during the daytime, researchers considered employing silicon dioxide and aluminium nitride thin films. The wavelength range of solar and atmospheric radiations is matched by the low optical density of these materials. "For a radiative cooler to work during daytime, the material should reflect the solar and atmospheric radiations falling on it. Since the materials used...
The recently unveiled Nokia G11 Plus is bringing some minor upgrades to it, such as a 50 MP rear camera and an aluminium framework, making it sturdy and impact resistant. The motherboard and a smaller board for charging and other circuitry are protected by plastic coverings that are located beneath the lid. Apart from the camera, another feature which makes the G11 Plus standout is its 6.517-inch HD+ screen with a 90 Hz refresh rate. The smartphone also houses a headphone port, 64GB of internal storage, and a huge 5000 mAh battery to provide it with at least two days of use. This is not the first time that Nokia has incorporated aluminium in its framework. Previously, the Nokia C100 smartphone also included aluminium in its frame, making it durable and strong. However, the incorporation...
