Two recent Tesla stories sit at opposite ends of the range. Tesla Model 3 is set to benefit from cost-focused Cybercab inverter technology, announced on November 1 2026. The flying car, Tesla Roadster, uses aluminum in its battery cells and underbody protection, reinforcing power delivery, thermal management and lightweight construction. The two models reveal how aluminum can serve very different engineering priorities, from making electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable to helping them deliver extraordinary performance. Tesla Model 3: the everyday car gets Cybercab hardware Nick Verzini, Tesla’s Head of Drive Unit Engineering, mentioned on a Munro Live factory tour that a new printed circuit board assembly and power stage from the Cybercab’s inverter will enter Model 3 production in...
Aluminum foil is getting a seasonal makeover as Reynolds Wrap introduces its limited-edition Snowflakes Fun Foil, bringing decorative appeal to everyday kitchen tasks ahead of the holiday season. Featuring an embossed snowflake pattern, the product combines the familiar functionality of aluminum foil with a festive appearance suited to food wrapping, holiday entertaining and homemade gifts. The new design allows consumers to use Reynolds Wrap foil for more than routine food storage, adding a decorative touch to meal preparation and presentation. Its winter-inspired pattern makes it suitable for covering dishes, preserving leftovers, packaging baked treats and creating festive crafts. Despite its seasonal appearance, Snowflakes Fun Foil retains the practical functionality of conventional...
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The Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer, Hino, has expanded its 300 Series Built to Go (BTG) in Australia to provide light-duty truck operators with more options. Daniel Petrovski, Hino Australia, Product and Strategy Manager said: “The Hino BTG range provides high quality, durable and convenient drive-away solutions for car and truck-licenced buyers who require the reliability of a Hino truck with the quality and peace of mind that a Hino Genuine body offers.” In July, Hino launched its new 300 Series range. According to Petrovski, the expansion of the BTG range ensures Australian operators to choose from a broader range of heavy vehicles while avoiding delivery lead times that typically occur when specifying custom-built truck bodies. The 2020 BTG 300 Series range is reported to...
All those who love to drink beer will soon be able to enjoy their favourite brew out of cans that are not only supremely recyclable but made from responsibly produced, low-carbon aluminium. Rio Tinto and Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the world’s largest brewer, have formed a global partnership to deliver a new standard of sustainable aluminium cans. In a first for the canned beverage industry, the two companies have signed an MOU committing to work with supply chain partners to bring AB InBev products to market in cans made from low-carbon aluminium that meets industry-leading sustainability standards. In the first instance, the focus will be North America; the partnership will see AB InBev use Rio Tinto’s low-carbon aluminium made with renewable hydropower along with recycled content...
The International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBOL) has reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has not been much successful in affecting the global production of aerosol cans. The output declined only moderately in the first half of 2020, said the organisation. “The very moderate minus represents a rather good result in view of the highly insecure markets with extremely cautious customers and consumers,” commented Gregor Spengler, Secretary General of AEROBAL. Spengler said forthrightly that the consequences of corona-related lockdowns and restrictions were expected to have been worse for the aluminium aerosol containers market. But, instead, the value of a reliable and safe packaging material, such as the aluminium aerosol can, has been impressive enough...
Vetroplas, in partnership with Envases, has produced 500ml refillable aluminium spray bottles for Neat multi-surface cleaning products. The bottles are coloured with white basecoat with one colour offset printing and an over-varnish. The aluminium bottles, formed with a 28/410 screw thread, also feature an eco-friendly polyester lining. Designed in plain white, the bottles’ lines are simple, clean, and subtle. Also, they have a moulded silicone base, which according to Vetrolas sales director Simon Dix allows enhances durability and a soft-touch landing on surfaces. Simon Dix said, “We are delighted to be associated with Neat. It’s another showcase for our aluminium bottles and the brand shares many of our own ethics in terms of producing attractive, functional and sustainable products.”...
Hydro announced that it will supply the complete charging system housing to Vita superPower’s new dockside superchargers. “The world’s first network of dockside superchargers designed for high-performance electric boats is using Hydro CIRCAL aluminium,” Hydro said. The company will supply all the machining, accessories (gaskets, hinges, locking system) and the surface finishing, in addition to technical and design support. “We are proud to work with forward-leaning companies like Vita who are moving the market forward in the right direction using new design principles and high demands to the origin and environmental footprint of materials selected. Hydro CIRCAL is a perfect fit to the high standards Vita is setting,” said Luca Bertola, Hydro’s Managing Director Extruded Solution Italy....
Fitch Solutions predicts Ghana to emerge as an automotive production hub in West Africa in the years to come. The ratings agency report suggests that comprehensive policy by the Ghana Government could be a potential factor for the nation to dominate West African automobile space in the future. “We believe developments in Ghana’s metals sector (steel and aluminium in particular) raises the potential for the country’s nascent autos industry to move up the value chain,” said Fitch Solutions. In August 2020, President Akufo-Addo laid the foundation stone of aluminium casting factory and CNC machine tooling centre, a step towards creating opportunities for automotive component manufacturing in the country. Fitch Solutions added, “Aluminium products such as aluminium alloy wheels, transmission...
An engineering venture that is leading towards innovations in lightweight structures for electric vehicles has been supported by the UK Government. The LEVA project - Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture program is being led by sports car manufacturer Lotus and will use UK-based engineering and digital manufacturing to showcase pioneering electric vehicle chassis and powertrain concepts. The Norfolk-based firm is also working with supply chain partner Sarginsons Industries. It will seek to harness the ‘light-weighting’ potential of an aluminium alloy developed and patented at the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST) for use in future advanced automotive architecture. Professor Shouxun Ji of BCAST, said: “The alloy won a national innovation award in 2017...
Audi Hungaria uses around 38,000 tonnes of aluminium per year for automobile production. As aluminium production consumes a lot of energy, Audi Hungaria will be managing the material in a recycling loop. This will save valuable energy and resources. With the aluminium closed-loop, aluminium scrap from production will be returned to the supplier, who uses it to produce original quality aluminium coils and returns them to Audi. This closes the loop and ensures sustainable production. Sustainable production that conserves resources is very important to Audi Hungaria. The company is constantly working to decarbonize its site. Alfons Dintner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AUDI HUNGARIA Zrt, said: “We are not only reducing CO2 emissions from factories, but we are also implementing...
Vanderhall, the US-based motor works company will debut its three-wheeled all-electric roadster in Australia towards the latter half of 2021. The attention-getting, retro-styled Edison² is sitting somewhere between a trike and a small sportscar, whereas to drive the vehicle, one does not require a motorbike licence or for the driver to wear a helmet. Edison² will be priced above $60,000 depending on how the Australian dollar performs next year. The product is amazing. With more than 300km estimated driving range, the Edison² has a 28.8kWh battery and can be charged on AC points in around 6 hours. Built on an aluminium mono frame with an ABS composite body, it is fitted with two motors – both on the front axle – that each output 52kW power, and F1-inspired pushrod suspension to give the...
Kuwait is a country full of wealth created from the small petroleum-based economy as well as a leading position in the financial service for GCC countries. These industries combined have led Kuwait's dinar to be the highest valued currency in the world. FocusEconomics analysts forecast a contraction of 5.1% in 2020, which is unchanged from last month's forecast, and growth of 2.7% in 2021. The Western Asian country’s import of aluminium structures during 2018-19 was recorded at 3031 tonnes, which occurred with a relevant expenditure of $19.83 million. The estimated import for 2020 has been analysed with 3590 tonnes and expenditure to reach $21.37 million; however, when import volume and expenditure gets assorted with the previous two years it exhibits 6621 tonnes and $41.42 million...
The Shyft Group, Inc.,the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, has expanded its product portfolio with the acquisition of F3 MFG Inc., a leading, aluminium truck body and accessory manufacturer. F3 will join the Shyft Specialty Vehicles business unit. It will continue to go-to-market under the DuraMag® and Magnum® brands. F3 operations includes aluminium manufacturing, finishing, assembly, and installation of DuraMag contractor, service, and van bodies, as well as Magnum branded headache racks (also known as cab protection racks or rear racks). F3 sales grew at a compound annual growth rate of 74% from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, the company’s sales were approximately $25 million. "The...
Molson Coors Beverage Company has inked an exclusive agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to manufacture, market, and distribute a new beverage - Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in aluminium cans in the U.S. market. “Building on the incredibly successful launches of Vizzy and Coors Seltzer earlier this year, we are thrilled that Molson Coors will launch Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in 2021,” said Gavin Hattersley, CEO of Molson Coors. “This is another significant step in growing our above premium portfolio and becoming a major competitor in the rapidly-growing hard seltzer segment, both key components of our revitalization plan.” Molson Coors will launch new range in the first half of 2021. The production and packaging of the products will be initially handled by a third party. “The Coca-Cola Company...
Google’s consumer devices brand Pixel is coming up with its upcoming flagship mobile phone Pixel 5, to be made up of aluminium, as shown off in the official renders. The specs sheet and official renders, WinFuture’s Roland Quandt noted that the Pixel 5’s “housing” is made of 100% recycled aluminium. It has been also assumed that it was just about the frame of the phone, which would be similar to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4, and that there would be a glass rear. The Pixel 5 will set itself apart from the Pixel 4a 5G with its build. The rear cover of the Pixel 5 will be made from aluminium and will be covered with Gorilla Glass 6. It has also been reported that the greenish colour that Google will be releasing the Pixel 5 in will be called Sorta Sage. Note to readers: AlCircle brings two-day...
Kompania Piwowarska teamed up with CANPACK to launch the second edition of its campaign to protect endangered species. The company replaced the image of European Bison on its Żubr beer with the images of five other animals: bear, wolf, lynx, eagle and pygmy owl. CANPACK’s QUADROMIX technology enabled the company to produce five designs in one production series. “By replacing the design on its iconic Żubr beer, Kompania Piwowarska leveraged the power of its brand to raise awareness of endangered species,” said Stephen McAneny, CCO of CANPACK Group. “Kompania Piwowarska’s campaign not only demonstrated the company’s commitment to the environment, but also did so in an engaging and thought-provoking way. This campaign is another example of how CANPACK’s unrivaled technologies like QUADROMIX...
According to a recent report, State-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is planning to offer a more cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and stationary applications by launching the first-of-its-kind aluminium-air batteries. These batteries are likely to be manufactured in sites closer to demand centres such as Chennai or Pune. In February 2020, Indian Oil Corporation bought a minority stake in Israel-based startup Phinergy, specialised in aluminium-air and zin-air battery systems. According to IOC’s Research & Development Director SSV Ramakumar’s statement to Financial Express, the company has already initiated discussions with the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the Indian automotive sector. He said, “The aluminium-air batteries are expected...
Schneider Electric, the European multinational company providing energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability has recently launched the APC Easy Rack Power Distribution Units (PDU) range which features easy-to-install, easy-to-use and customisable PDUs for connected loads. Jean-Baptiste Plagne, Global VP of edge computing solutions at Schneider Electric, said: "Schneider Electric is extremely proud to announce our new APC Easy Rack PDU family.” The new APC Easy Rack PDU delivers power distribution that is both reliable and cost-effective. From network closets and edge computing environments to small and medium data centres, APC Easy Rack PDUs offers a resilient power continuity solution for end-users. Furthermore, it features a user-friendly LCD screen, a...
Global beverage manufacturer Coca-Cola is reportedly launching a new beverage - Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in sleek aluminium cans in Mexico and Brazil. The product will come in three gluten-free flavours, Tangy Lemon Lime, Strawberry Guava and Pineapple Twist. Coca-Cola will start distributing the new drink this month. The company’s strategic platforms executive vice-president Khalil Younes said: “This is a great opportunity to enter the fast-growing hard seltzer category with a strong brand that features natural, great-tasting flavours.” He also said, “We want to move with speed and flexibility to deliver what we believe is a solid consumer and customer proposition.” Topo Chico will be available in Mexico City, Puebla, Acapulco, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Rio De Janiero and São...
Dutch beverage company Fiorito B.V. has teamed up with Ardagh Group’s Graphics team for watermark design on ready to drink (RTD) cocktail. Limoncello Tonic is the latest addition to a range of drinks made from Fiorito’s limoncello. It comes in 250ml slim Ardagh can in iridescent golden yellow colour. “Fiorito’s distinctive vision for the packaging for its first canned drink was a bright and shining yellow aesthetic, suggesting a hot summer day, with a background of sophisticated geometric lines to enhance the feel of quality – like a watermark,”Ardagh said. Ardagh’s Graphics team decided to use the same yellow in two shades to achieve the watermark effect, using a plate with wide open lines to print a second layer and achieve a main can colour that is darker than its ‘background.’...
