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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A marine exploration head, Arksen has announced specifications for its latest Arksen 65, which will be constructed with 40 per cent recycled aluminium. The new Arksen 65 will be self-dependant and suitable for cruising in the seldom most visited nooks of the planet. Designated for owners driving their yacht, the Arksen 65s will have in-built navigation systems preferable for off-grid adventurous sails. The use of aluminium is very clever as it is one of the most malleable and lightest metals found on this earth with an infinite recycling circle. The Arksen 65 will have a composition of 40 per cent recycled aluminium, and in case the yacht retires, the dismantling of the framework would be easy to forge some other end-user product. The exterior helm will be placed perfectly with a...
The end-user sector is one of the most important areas of the aluminium industry and it has witnessed a lot of happenings this week. The private railway board controlling the regional train services in Berlin and Brandenburg, Niederbarnimer Railway (NEB) ordered seven two-compartmental Mireo Plus H trains with an aluminium framework from German Siemens Mobility to run alongside the Heidekrautbahn network (RB27). While in North America, Rio Tinto in partnership with Corona Canada launches specially-marked low-carbon beverage cans utilizing ELYSIS technology. A private railway company operating regional train services in Berlin and Brandenburg, Niederbarnimer Railway (NEB) placed a requirement plea for seven two-car Mireo Plus H trains from German Siemens Mobility for the Heidekrautbahn...
Indian Railways has floated a tender worth INR 26,000 crore for manufacturing 200 units of Vande Bharat train with aluminium coaches, following the government’s commitment to launch new Vande Bharat trains during the budget announcements. The new Vande Bharat train in version 3 will have sleeper coaches, including AC-1, AC-2 and AC-3, to facilitate comfortable long distance overnight journeys, as well as AC chair car seating format. Until now, 102 Vande Bharat Express trains have been launched but they come with only seating arrangements. To build lightweight trains, specifications have been given for lightweight bogies, transformers and motors. Hence, the trains will be lighter, more energy-efficient, and have more modern conveniences and passenger facilities. The Railway Ministry wishes...
The global supplier of motorcycle accessories, German SW-Motech has designed an aluminium Toolbox to adorn the pannier rails of a bike. These Trax aluminium toolboxes provide riders with extreme security as they can store first aid kits, hi-viz vests, tools and other necessary items required during long rides. Aluminium is a lightweight, malleable and endlessly recyclable material making the product tougher and safer than a fabric tool roll. The use of aluminium makes the toolbox lighter than any other available option and emits a lesser carbon footprint when diminished. SW-Motech was established originally in 1999 by three enthusiastic motorcyclists but now houses more than 400 talented souls behind the red bull company logo. It is one of the leading suppliers of motorcycle accessories...
Swedish packaging company Emballator Tectubes has introduced its latest twist-off recap solution to the patent small-dose tube range. Other related products in the queue are Twist off Reseal, Twist off Reclose, Twist Off, Tear off reclose Aluminium and Capped aluminium. Emballator’s twist-off recap solutions are utilized usually by the pharmaceutical or the cosmetic industry for their sustainable approach and safe use of raw materials. These latest tubes are crowned with a tamper-proof, twist-off cap closure that decreases the tube’s material content by almost 10 per cent and reduces its carbon footprint with the help of an upgraded production methodology. They can be manufactured in both standard-grade and medical resin format along with the incorporation of aluminium, polyethylene and...
Quooker UK has collaborated with London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) to honour its current sustainability initiative and revealed a new electric vehicle fleet for its UK engineers. The VN5 electric vans feature fully recyclable monocoques comprised of recycled aluminium, with interiors and flooring made of recycled plastic. In a journey towards sustainability, the VN5 fleet exhibits 89 per cent assembled parts made by UK companies, cutting transport costs and carbon emissions. Moreover, the aluminium scrap produced while manufacturing will be sold in the market, with the extra earnings contributed to charity. Quooker has claimed this latest automobile update notifies that “each van will emit 36.6 tonnes less CO2 emissions than a diesel engine over five years, saving an equivalent of...
On 29 th June 2022, the world’s second-largest metal and mining corporation, Rio Tinto announced, that in partnership with Corona Canada, a pioneer in the beer industry has launched Canada’s first specially-marked, low carbon beverage aluminium can manufactured by Ball Corporation. The availability of the cans is now through a pilot in Ontario and was made using aluminium from Rio Tinto, leveraging the ELYSISTM technology. In addition to the limited release, 1.2 million cans were released with QR codes to encourage consumers for learning more about the cans' low carbon footprint. This pilot aims to put a fully traceable beverage can in consumers' hands. Rio Tinto will leverage insights from its START initiative in the future to enable consumers to use QR codes to see exactly how their...
For the first time in history, a company from the food industry has attained the Aluminium Stewarship Initiative’s dual certification – Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard. As per the report released by ASI on Tuesday, June 28, Groupe BEL, a multinational cheese marketer centred in France, has bagged the certifications for responsible sourcing and stewardship of aluminium used for its product packaging. ASI has clarified that dual certification is for the aluminium-related activities at the Sablé-sur-Sarthe plant and material stewardship related activities at Groupe BEL headquarters in France. ASI Performance Standard certification focuses on material stewardship issues such as product design, life cycle assessments, management of process scrap and collection and recycling...
The slim W1 wired backlit aluminium keyboard from Satechi features backlit keys with three levels of brightness, which can be easily adjusted with the function hotkeys along with volume, pause, play and other buttons. As per the latest information, customers can purchase the Satechi’s Slim W1 wired aluminium backlit keyboard at a good discount rate. The keyboard is designed to pair with Apple setups, with a backlit design that can be connected to Mac or iPad over USB-C. The sleek aluminium finish of the keyboard not just gives it a modern outlook but also makes it lightweight and easy to carry. Aluminium is one of the most widely used and versatile metals. The ability to work for hours and take the computer anyplace is likely the most significant benefit aluminium offers for keyboard...
Ball Corporation was founded in 1880 originally, by five brothers and now has grown to become the largest producer of aluminium beverage cans in the world. It has been reported that Ball Corporation has introduced a new aluminium aerosol can featuring almost half the carbon footprint compared to a regular standardised version. These latest introductions will be composed of 50 per cent recycled material, along with low carbon aluminium that has been produced in smelters using renewable-green energy resources like hydroelectric power. Moreover, the use of Ball’s ReAl alloy for impact-extruded cans substantially reduces the weight of a pack with the new can weighing 30 per cent lighter than standard aluminium cans. The Senior Director of Sustainability at Ball Aerosol Packaging, Jason Galley...
The Swiss manufacturer of modular furniture and storage units, USM is among the rarest brands that, by the nobility of its timeless designs hardly ever has caused to add to its product range. However, with a similar rationale, it is extraordinarily choosy when it comes to tying up with other brands. According to our special correspondence, the news has emerged that UMS has collaborated with leading aluminium luggage label Rimowa, which is quite impressive. ‘Concept USM by Rimowa’, as the result is tagged, is an exquisite union of distinctive elements from both renowned brands – the USM ‘Haller E2’ storage credenza reimagined in the grooved aluminium that is emblematic of Rimowa’s luggage. Unpredicted, but true to the standards of the two creators, this one-off conceptual piece illustrates...
A solid wheel and a two spoke version have been added to WDS Components LTD's three spoke aluminium handwheel lineup. The solid handwheels boost safety by eliminating the possibility of a finger trap, making them perfect for usage in more dangerous areas or when a higher rotational speed is necessary. The new two spoke option offers versatility in terms of price and appearance. The corrosion resistance and glossy finish of aluminium construction make it very long-lasting. Options that have been anodized additionally offer better durability and protection. The handwheel designs have handgrips that make it possible to exert more force, increasing their adaptability to use with different machines and shaft sizes and weights. Options for the grip material include aluminium, Bakelite, which is...
A private railway company operating regional train services in Berlin and Brandenburg, Niederbarnimer Railway (NEB) has placed a requirement plea for seven two-car Mireo Plus H trains from German Siemens Mobility for the Heidekrautbahn network (RB27). The trains will flaunt a lightweight aluminium body along with a fuel cell drive system and lithium-ion batteries that will reduce carbon emissions to a great extent. Siemens Mobility claims that the Mireo Plus H train has the tiniest lifecycle cost in the market with a welded, self-sufficient and fundamental lightweight aluminium framework. The train needs only fifteen minutes to be refilled with fuel since it is a second-generation vehicle powered by hydrogen with 1.7MW of traction power to reach an acceleration of 1.1m/s² and an ultimate...
The Magic Colour Machine, designed by Loop Loop, a Dutch design studio, is fully automated aluminium-anodizing equipment that can be used to customise various aluminium components, was unveiled at the Alcova show during Milan Design Week. The machine can inexpensively and on small scale paint colours and gradients on aluminium as well as remove colours. As a result, components may be endlessly coloured with various finishes, perhaps increasing their lifespan. Odin Visser and Charles Gateau, the founders of Loop Loop, who are located in Rotterdam, think the design can upend a sector heavily reliant on mass production. The two intend to launch a mass customization movement by adapting an industrial process into something that can be done on a smaller scale locally. "We think we've found a...
The aluminium end-user sector showed great progress this week. Ball Corporation announced the opening of a new plant in Peru, a South American nation, where consumption of canned drinks has been increasing considerably in the last few years and now with this investment, Ball will respond to the market more solidly and be closer to the customers in the country. While in Hong Kong, the production of the electric bus has been commissioned under a new purchase agreement between the Hong Kong Productivity Council and Ev Dynamics. This new bus will have a light aluminium alloy body frame with an immensely capable traction motor system. Colorado-based Ball Corporation is extending its activities in South America with a new production facility in Chilca, Peru. The beverage can manufacturer has...
Coffeeza, a premium Italian brand of coffee capsules and machines, has reportedly launched a new range of recyclable aluminium coffee capsules used to make espresso, cappuccino and latte. The brand has switched to aluminium for coffee capsules with the intention to retain the flavours of coffee for multiple uses. Aluminium is the only metal that acts as a barrier from oxidation, which otherwise often causes the loss of coffee flavours when kept for a period of time. Aluminium capsules ensure the coffee retains rich crema, invigorating aroma and indulgent taste. In addition, aluminium capsules are recyclable, making them a great choice for protecting the environment. Coffeeza is already known for its fantastic recycling programme, wherein it recycles more than it produces. Rahul Aggarwal,...
According to a recent report, the Research Designs & Standards Organisation under the Ministry of Railways of the government of India has shared design specifications with the railway board for 100 light aluminium coaches based on the Train-18 concept to enable comfortable travel in the shortest possible time between major cities of the country. Director-General of RDSO, Sanjiv Bhutani, said: “Based on the current train-18 concept which runs over a distributed traction power system (self-propelled — do not require an engine) RDSO has forwarded specifications to develop 100 trains which can operate at 200 kmph. Further, the organization is working to design push and pull trains which also can cruise at 200 kmph.” In addition, RDSO has unveiled the specification for the development of a...
Kawneer, an American manufacturer of architectural aluminium systems, provides aluminium façade solutions that are created to minimise environmental impact and aid in the certification of sustainable buildings. The business has drafted a plan for future-proofing its products in order to accomplish this. The usage of materials is a crucial component of Kawneer's sustainability approach. Aluminium is considered the most environmentally friendly building material because of its 100 per cent recyclable property. Aluminium made from recycling retains all of the physical properties of primary aluminium while using just 5 per cent of the energy required to make it. Additionally, the company has taken action to increase the transparency of its business practices. Kawneer can now track the carbon...
