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...
Grow with
AL Circle
Ball Corporation reported second quarter 2020 net earnings attributable to the corporation of $94 million on sales of $2.8 billion, compared to $197 million net earnings attributable to the corporation on sales of $3.0 billion in 2019. For the first six months of 2020, net earnings attributable to the corporation of $117 million on sales of $5.6 billion, compared to $314 million net earnings attributable to the corporation on sales of $5.8 billion for the first six months of 2019. Ball's second quarter and year-to-date 2020 comparable earnings per diluted share were 65 cents and $1.26, respectively, representing, year-over-year second quarter and year-to-date growth of 2 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Second quarter and year-to-date results reflect the 2019 sale of the company's...
The UK-based Precision Technologies Group (PTG) outstandingly developed Powerstir friction stir welding (FSW) machines that could soon reinvent how Europe’s leading manufacturers of railway rolling stock produce aluminium carriage bodies. The new machines possess a 30 by 4 m moving gantry. The manufacturers in Europe typically use a combination of TIG and MIG welding to create railway panel welds, but the friction stir technique is superior. One leading European train builder already counts on that using its newly purchased Powerstir FSW machine will drive to a reduction in the wall thickness of panels, with the potential for weight savings of as much as 30%. PTG is extensively considered to be a leader in the development of FSW technologies for transport applications. Since their launch,...
On the occasion of the 161st anniversary, the Thailand Marine Department will float the country’s first electric ferry, named the BanpuNext e-Ferry, which will be a part towards the effort to reduce pollution. It will soon start trial runs in Phuket and have a fleet of solar-powered boats running by 2021. Wittaya Yamuang, Director General, Thailand Marine Department, said: “By 2021, there should be up to 30 ferries providing service in the first phase before it expands to 200 ferries in three to four years.” "The e-ferry is cost-effective because it is made of aluminium and with lower fuel and maintenance cost; the fares will also be cheaper.” The Bangkok Marine Department worked with Kasetsart University to study and build the 100 seat passenger ferry with an electric powered engine to...
Kia Motors has confirmed that the new Sorento is on planning calendar to land in New Zealand during the last phase of 2020. The freshened mid-size SUV has been furnished with several changes, including a new platform, brand new look and more technical inputs. Primarily, the only engine option will be an improved version of Kia’s 2.2-litre common rail diesel engine, which gets a lighter aluminium block to shred 38.2kg off the old engine. It makes 150kW/440Nm and Kia has bolted it to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, apparently a first for the segment. When the new Sorento was rolled-out, Kia Motors said there would be a Hybrid version, combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 44.2kWh motor, fed by a 1.49kWh battery and a system output of 171kW/350Nm. The country...
Kaeser Compressors freshly adds to its 5m3 range of portable air compressors, the Mobile M59, offers a range of pressures from 6 an 14 bar. The unit’s range is enabled by its flexible pV control system, which allows it to operate a breaker at a maximum pressure of 7 bar or perform sandblasting work at 10 bar. The infinitely adjustable maximum pressure (p) directly influences the maximum flow rate (V). The pV control system also serves to counteract potential pressure losses when working with long hose lines. Kaeser said: “The unit’s Sigma Control Smart controller makes it easy to set the pressure. At its lowest pressure setting, the M59 can provide a flow rate of up to 5.5m³/min. The new model is powered by a Stage V compliant Hatz engine.” According to the company: “Since the engine...
CS Aluminium Corporation in Taiwan seeks the government to impose anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese made aluminium foil products. Taiwan Ministry of Finance, on 5 th August’20, revealed in a public notice on its website. As per sources from the ministry, it has been stated: “An investigation is underway, and a provisional tariff could be put in place as early as late November if the allegations are verified.” The petition of CS Aluminium says: “Artificially cheap Chinese-made aluminium foil products have been decimating local Taiwanese production, with prices as low as US$3,024 per tonne.” “This is markedly lower than the price of similar South Korean products shipped to the US for at least US$4,197 per tonne”, the petition says. “The dumping has caused almost all domestically produced...
Azizi Development based in UAE has announced its plans to infuse over AED 3.5 billion ($953 million) in the construction of 45 buildings covering Dubai over the next two to three years. The project incorporates developing 14 and 22 buildings in Riviera Phase 3 and 4 respectively, its three Avenue buildings in MBR City, two projects in Dubai Healthcare City, and four projects in Al Furjan. It comes after the developer unfolds sales of over 80% in its ongoing projects, despite the economic crisis caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The construction of the Al Furjan and Dubai Healthcare City projects, which will feature around 645 and 973 units respectively; Riviera’s Phase 3, comprising approximately 3,700 units; Phase 4, with around 5,400 units; and the 423 Avenue units, will commence...
Spanish wine producer and exporter Producto de Aldea has selected Ardagh’s Wine Can as it looks to extend its market reach. The company has picked the special 250ml Slim Wine Can as the perfect new packaging option for its premium wine drinks and wines previously only available in a classic glass bottle. Producto de Aldea has bought its own filling line, which can fill 1,600 cans per hour, reflects the company’s recognition that the Wine Can offers an exciting opportunity for business growth. After a short delay due to Covid-19 restrictions on technicians’ travel, the line began operating in mid-July. Dirk Schwung, Sales Director at Ardagh Group’s European Metal Beverage business unit, said: “The Wine Can is our response to the demand for convenient, lightweight and sustainable packaging...
Basildon-based crane rental company DSM Contract Lifting has reportedly received a new Böcker AK 46/6000 aluminium truck crane. This is the third Böcker crane DSM has bought. The crane company already has an older AK 44/4000 model, and before the end of the year, it is expecting to take delivery of a new four-axle AK 52 truck crane, with a maximum payload of 12 tonnes. The new aluminium truck crane has a 44-metre boom with and a two-metre hydraulic jib extension. It can lift lift 6 tonnes at a radius of eight metres, 1,000 kg at 26 metres or 250 kg at 39 metres. Böcker AK 46/6000 comes with a wireless remote control with automatic levelling and fully variable positioning of each individual trigger. DSM managing director Melvyn Rogers said: “The new AK 46/6000 went straight to work on a...
Andhra Pradesh is reportedly transforming itself into a major hub for automobile and component manufacturers, with some of the world-class brands, including Isuzu Motors India, Hero MotoCorp, Kia Motors India, Apollo Tyres and Bharat Forge, setting up manufacturing operations in the state. Now, in a bid to grow its status in the domestic automotive industry, the state is gearing up to take a lead in the world of electric mobility. Moreover, as the Central government has declared to lend his support to the e-automobile industry, the state of Andhra Pradesh has come up with its own EV policies to become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles and develop an e-mobility ecosystem like many other states such as Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. However, the electronic-vehicle industry is still to...
The dual enterprising New Zealanders have successfully launched a Kick-starter campaign to fund the widespread release of their functional, stylish, and precision-engineered pens. The campaign was floated on 22 nd July’20 and within the next 24 hours, they were fully funded. However, the campaign will run until 21 st August’20 and they are offering Kick-starter exclusive discounts on their pens. The Flagship Surrokko Aluminium Fountain and Rollerball Pen were created by Damon Kostidis and Paul Guinibert, who share a passion for design and wanted to improve upon the common office pen. The duo also wanted to diminish the use of cheap, disposable plastic pens that often end up in a landfill. Damon had learned about the importance of always having a pen from his days in the military, which...
Poralu Marine, the world’s leading aluminium port installer is opening a new sales office in Mexico and emphasizing the diversification of its activity. Born from a family entrepreneurial adventure, Poralu Marine grew up following in the footsteps of artisans, until it became an international industrial group. Retaining its pioneering DNA, it has gradually acquired cutting-edge skills. Developing unique solutions and equipment for the boating industry is the key business of Poralu Marine. The company has designed, built and installed equipment in more than 8,000 port facilities around the world - including the famous floating and opening gangways used at boat shows. The French-based company, which specializes in the design and construction of aluminium structures, is entering the Mexico...
Slovenian industrial conglomerate Hidria, a major car industry supplier, made public that it had signed a € 15 million deal with Germany's Audi and Porsche and Italy's Lamborghini under which it will develop and supply them with key aluminium engine parts. Hidria is one of the world-leading corporations in automotive and industrial technologies. The Idrija based company in the next five years will be delivering parts for high-performance diesel and petrol engines for premium and super-sport vehicles of the three marques. Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini will furnish in their vehicles aluminium parts developed in Hidria, which will make the vehicles lighter and more efficient, with better fuel economy, faster acceleration and lower emissions.
Honor, a company owned by Huawei Technologies has glared its entry into a new segment in India. The company has launched its first laptop — Honor MagicBook 15 in the country. The Honor MagicBook 15 comes with an aluminium chassis and a pop-up webcam which is hidden beneath the camera button placed on the keyboard. The MagicBook 15 users just have to tap on the camera button on the keyboard which will make the camera pop-up. The company professes that this hidden camera technique will safeguard the privacy of the user and will secure them against remote hijacking and peeping. The Laptop comes in Space Gray and Mystic Silver colour options and is priced at INR 42,990. The laptop will be available through online window starting 6 th August’20. As part of the launch offer, the company is...
CANPACK announced that it has started commercial production of aluminium beverage cans at its greenfield investment in Stribro. The company is manufacturing beverage cans for the Plzeňský Prazdroj, a prominent Czech brewery and a member of the Asahi Group. “This facility is a landmark in Canpack’s continued strategic partnership with Asahi and Plzeňský Prazdroj. Yet another step to becoming the global partner of choice for impactful, experience-enhancing and sustainable packaging solutions” said Stephen McAneny, Group Commercial Officer at CANPACK. The new facility with a total value of over 100 mln Euro is located in the town of Stříbro – in the region of Pilsen, western Czech Republic. The annual capacity of the plant will reach approximately 1 billion cans with a potential for further...
Showa Aluminum Can Corporation (SAC), a consolidated subsidiary of Showa Denko), headquartered in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, held a ceremony on 29 th July’20 to celebrate the completion of its third base in Vietnam to produce aluminium cans. This new production base is in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, located in the southern part of Vietnam. Ba Ria-Vung Tau Factory is the third production base of Hanacans Joint Stock Company (Hanacans), which is a consolidated Vietnamese subsidiary of SAC, and has production lines with a capacity to produce 1.3 billion can body per year. In addition to the construction of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Factory, Hanacans is now installing an additional line to produce can ends in its Bac Ninh Factory located in the suburb of Hanoi. SAC acquired shares in Hanacans in May 2014 and...
Nubia Watch has launched as the latest product offering from the company. With headquarters in China, Nubia now has operations around the world including North America, South America, Europe, Russia, Southeast Asia and India. Nubia is committed to providing unique and innovative technology, products and services to consumers who crave the joy of adventures and discoveries. The Nubia Watch is a new variant of the Nubia Alpha smartwatch launched last year. The wearable comes with a flexible AMOLED screen, eSIM support, and offers 36 hours of battery with regular use. There's also a bunch of other accessories that have been introduced in China, and this includes a Red Magic Type-C wired headset, a Red Magic Wi-Fi 6 gaming router, and GaN fast chargers. Starting with the Nubia Watch, the...
Ball Corporation announced the release of its seventh biennial sustainability report. It covers calendar years 2018 and 2019. The company outlines its role in driving the transition to a real circular economy and includes a framework for how the industry can achieve an ambitious circular model. This framework calls for 100% collection, extended producer responsibility and improved sorting infrastructure. "Ball's commitment to sustainability is driving transformational change throughout our company and industry," said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and CEO of Ball. "We are dedicated to ensuring that our business operations and products are sustainable for the long term, from an environmental, social and economic perspective. We are excited to report on our progress and share our...
