
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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Specialty Enterprises, North America's leading maker of aluminium spray booms for agricultural purposes, has been bought by CNH Industrial. According to Specialty, aluminium spray booms may be up to 50 per cent lighter than steel versions, weighing between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds less. This leads to improved weight distribution, which means less compaction and rutting on the field. Specialty has been a supplier to Case IH since 2020 and has one production plant in Wautoma, Wisconsin. According to CNH Industrial, this purchase of spray boom manufacturing is part of Case IH's long-term plan for its sprayer product selection. “We are thrilled to be working so closely with Specialty, which has been a fantastic partner to Case IH over the last few years as we deliver more productive application...

The American automobile megacorporation, Ford Motor Company has joined hands with First Movers Coalition, a worldwide initiative to yield buyable power and create supply chains to initiate early markets for ingenious clean energy innovations, like green aluminium. The company is responsible for producing the maximum amount of vehicles in the US, and also it employs more hour-based workers in the country than any other vehicle maker. Throughout 2030, Ford has proposed to purchase at least 10% near-zero carbon steel and aluminium to achieve carbon-neutrality across all of its automation and supply chains by 2050. Meanwhile, the interim science-based targets are to be achieved by 2035. The Director of Supply Chain Sustainability, Ford, Sue Slaughter reminded us: “Reducing Emissions to carbon...

Traditionally, aluminium cans have been used for beverages, but cans are also popular for storing food, oils, chemicals, and other liquids. In addition to being more malleable and lighter than steel cans (aluminium is one-third as heavy as steel), aluminium cans don't rust or corrode. In Argentina, the major industries consist of food processing and beverage, automobile production, textile production, energy production, and mining. The growth in the Argentine beverage sector has also given the cans manufacturing segment a push, which has witnessed a rise in the export demand also. The eighth-largest country in the world, Argentina exported 4880 tonnes of aluminium cans in 2019-21, attracting a revenue inflow of around $32.76 million from the export. In 2019, Argentina recorded 1178 tonnes...

CRN, a renowned Italian superyacht builder, has revealed its 52 metres aluminium built yacht, Ciao, after its last week’s launch of a 62-metre superyacht, Rio. The unveiling has taken place at the Ancona Facility belonging to Ferretti Group, Italy’s multinational shipbuilding company. CRN described the yacht as a “tailor-made creation with a strong artisanal stamp” when its interior was divulged in February this year. The boat previously was called CRN 124, and the upgraded version exhibits a toned exterior by Omega Architects and a cosy interior, courtesy of Massari Design. The latter also created the yacht’s outdoor places for recreational purposes. The design ensemble appointed by CRN had plenty of room to develop the yacht’s outlook, now consisting of a 9-metre beam, a capacious...

Consumer Convenience Technologies (CCT) reported that the new aluminium lug jar lid of CCT’s EEASY Lid will be displayed to the European markets at the PLMA’s annual "World of Private Label" international trade show in Amsterdam on May 31-June 1. CCT’s unique EEASY Lid can be opened easily by pushing a button on the lid, which means that the torque needed to twist off a jar lid is decreased by more than 58 per cent for the classic lug lids and by 40 per cent for ordinary continuous thread (CT) lids. CCT announced that it will be making the world's first aluminium lig lid, which further will be available in both lug and CT variants, both of which will made using aluminium. “By raising awareness of the EEASY Lid at PLMA, we will have the opportunity to show that consumers are willing to...

British luxury car-maker Rolls-Royce (RR) has proudly showcased the second variant of its hand-built Boat Tail range during the Concorso d’Eleganza event in Italy. The signature Pantheon Grille adorning the front of the car is milled from a single, solid aluminium billet. The bonnet ornament called Spirit of Ecstasy has a rose gold tint. The car's exterior, modelled after the J-class racing yacht from the 1920s and the 30s is chic and elegant. The panels of the 2022 Boat Tail have been forged out of a single piece aluminium sheet to revive the racing yacht feeling. Mostly taking place in the second half of May since 2011, the Concorso d’Eleganza event has provided a platform for curated cars or vintage vehicles since its inception in Italy. The latest Boat Tail is shrouded with a rose...

Benelli Motorcycles unveiled its upgraded version of TRK 502X around the middle of May 2022 in China. The new Benelli TRK 502X has disposed of the heavy and clumsy steel swingarm, replacing it with aluminium alloy pivoted fork. This alteration has further decreased the average weight of the component by 3.6 kilograms which is equivalent to 8 pounds. The Chinese release undoubtedly has more choices to indulge in, which the European or US release lack. Benelli has carefully discarded the unwanted weight off its vehicle, giving it feather-like agility and swiftness. Moreover, the company claims that the modified buttons and features in the bike might appeal to a generation of technology buffs. The 2022 edition has already witnessed the inclusion of a tire pressure sensor and 'heated grips'...

Headquartered in Chennai, Wheels India, one of the largest steel wheel manufacturers in India, has planned to invest around INR 155 crore in the current fiscal year (2022-2023) to expand its aluminium wheels business and construction equipment. The company has also planned to invest an additional INR 25 crore in its new factory in Thervoy Kandigai, Tiruvallur district. This investment will be used for the machining of huge wind turbines, in addition to the INR 75 crores, which has been already invested. “Early this month, the company also inaugurated a new plant for machining of large wind turbine castings in Thervoy Kandigai,” said Srivats Ram, the managing director of Wheels India. The business claimed in a statement that it exceeded the INR 1,000 crore marks in exports for the fiscal...

Aluminium has been the primary material in spaceflight since the first satellite was launched in 1957. In order to explore potential collaboration and use of UAE-made aluminium in space, a delegation from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre led by Director General Salem Al Marri visited Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA). Salem Al Marri, Director-General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, was welcomed by EGA's Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser Bin Kalban and the company's top technicians at the company's Jebel Ali location in Dubai. The team inspected EGA's cutting-edge research and development facilities, casthouse, and labs during their visit. “We look forward to close cooperation with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre as the UAE’s aluminium industry contributes to our nation’s...

The American company headquartered in Colorado, Ball Corporation announced that it has inked a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) to procure 151 MW of wind energy from a new project in west Texas. The global leader in aluminium packaging Ball Corporation further added that upon purchase, NextEra Energy Resources LLC's subsidiary will own and operate the wind farm. This will enable Ball to meet the electricity needs of nearly half of its North American factories with its portion of the project. However, construction of the wind farm is in process, while the power supply is anticipated to commence in 2023. The global specialist in energy management and automation, Schneider Electric Energy advised Ball on the VPPA, whereas, Sustainability Services assisted the company in project...

CraftHaus, a small brewery in Nevada, United States, has piled up stocks of aluminium beverage cans on the line waiting to be packed, in addition to the can aluminium sheet problem. Wyndee Forrest, co-owner of CraftHaus Brewery, will not take a penny until the cans are completely filled with the beverage and sold to merchants. Forrest, on the other hand, emphasised that commerce was required to stack the cans. The firm used to keep only one months’ worth of cans in stock, but given the current state of the aluminium stock, she is concerned that suppliers will not be able to deliver on time. The cost of the containers has grown by 18 per cent, causing Forrest and her employee's problems due to rising shipping costs. "We are now sitting on a good three months of stock as an insurance...

Richardson Devine Marine Constructions (RDM) is one of Australia's most renowned aluminium shipbuilders, with a reputation for building a diverse range of craft. Commercial operators worldwide seek out its passenger ferries, luxurious overnight cruise vessels, and offshore workboats. Built to client specifications, they include the ever-popular MONA ferry, which is decked out as an "evil billionaire's lair" to transport visitors between Hobart and the Museum of Old and New Art. In 1989, Ron Devine and his business partner Toby Richardson initiated their business from a waterfront Hobart warehouse. They now work with a 55-strong team from a purpose-built shipyard within Tasmania's shipbuilding zone on the shores of Prince of Wales Bay. The 1500-square-metre construction facility lets RDM...

Speira, a leading aluminium rolling and recycling company with operating facilities in Germany and Norway has published a white paper on the joint concept study with the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components at RWTH Aachen University, an elite German public research university located in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The study eyes on the thermal management of cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells (LIB) in 4680 format, due to LIB developers and car manufacturers are aiming further to increase the energy and power density as well as the safety of LIBs, while at the same time shifting charging rates towards conventional refuelling times. Against this background, the study partners investigated whether the significantly better thermal conductivity of aluminium compared...

Founded in 2014, Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans Limited (PABC), the country’s first and only aluminium beverage can maker, desires to expand new customer bases in the south or central Asian states, Africa and the Middle East, to enhance export sales. In a corporate briefing session with investors, the PABC management explained that an $8 million investment was made for can making capacity expansion from 700 million to 950 million per year, to be activated by June 2022. The Pakistan market’s demand remains approximately 1 billion cans each year, as estimated by the management. The country demands the can size, 250ml or 300ml and the former used more widely, results in 91% of the regional sales. PABC enjoys local sales of 60% in total offtake and the residual 40% through export, out of...

Bulgari's Aluminium edition chronographs were innovative both in terms of material and design. The Italian watchmaker has collaborated with Ducati to develop the Bulgari Aluminium chronograph Ducati special edition watch, which is sure to pique the interest of many riders. This special edition aluminium series watch is subjectively lightweight and comfortable, which is likely what Bulgari will bring over to the limited-edition Ducati clocks. The Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph Ducati, as the name implies, is a limited-edition model with a production run of 1,000 pieces. This classic timepiece priced at US$5,000 not only houses a rubber and aluminium hybrid strap but also comes in different colours. The Ducati special edition watch is powered by a 42-hour power reserve, in-house BVL 130...

The universal technology giant Google is ultimately launching the latest version of Android 12, Pixel 6a to carry on the lineage of its luxury Pixel range with compactness. This latest inclusion to the Pixel family features their patent camera strip at the back and most importantly its frame is built with recycled aluminium. Google I/O 2022 mainly focuses on software and developer activities yet this time, the company couldn’t resist declaring the addition of some new hardware as well. It will come in similar variants of hue as it is with the Pixel phones; i.e. dual-tone black, white and green colour choices. The Google Pixel 6a will attract a large customer franchise with its superbly feasible price range since it will just cost US$449 in the US. Moreover, for this Pixel clan cell phone,...

Hardys, the no.1 Australian Wine brand in the United Kingdom, will reportedly introduce three new varieties of wine in aluminium cans next month to make a debut in the on-the-go market. The varieties, comprised of rosé, chardonnay, and shiraz, will appear on trade and festivals this summer. According to the brand manager Lindsay Holas, the launch of new varieties of wine in aluminium cans will appeal younger shoppers, letting them enjoy their drinks on-the-go format. Also, the use of aluminium will open up easy- to-recycle option. “Offering a convenient and easily recycled option, we’re expecting the cans to be a hit at festivals in the next few months, whilst also performing well in retail, with their compact size making them perfect for picnics and outdoor summer occasions,” said Holas....

In recent years, aluminium cans have gained in popularity both among consumers and companies. There are endless possibilities for aluminium cans, from craft beers and canned wine to energy drinks and sparkling water. In the 1950s, Coors Brewing Company mass-produced aluminium cans for improving beer taste and providing a more sustainable container than steel cans. It is therefore reassuring to know that the environmental goals of that revolutionary new product are still being addressed. Despite limited market reforms, Bosnia and Herzegovina's economy is in transition and upper-middle-income. On 10 th May 2022, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) stated that it anticipates Bosnia and Herzegovina's economy to inflate by 3% in 2022, revising upwards its existing...