
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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Akasa made public three new fanless cases for the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B at the end of May’20, of which the Gem Pro was one. Now, the company has officially announced the pricing of said case. According to Akasa, the case has a "gem-like" top that improves cooling. The company includes thermal pads and aluminium blocks to maximise the case's cooling efficiency too. The Gem Pro is made from aluminium and finished in silver. According to Akasa, the case has been sandblasted and anodised. The Gem Pro measures 96 x 75.6 x 34.4 mm and provides access to the Model B's GPIO, microSD card reader and its full selection of ports and available for £24.75 or US$30.95.

Ninja Melk has enjoyed a successful European launch of an online shop that delivers its slimline cans direct to consumers. Ardagh has delivered its 250ml slim can to the company, Co-founded by YouTube star Ryan Higa – whose phenomenally popular comedy ‘ninja’ videos inspired the theme for the milk-based energy drink. Ninja Melk in March 2020 opened up to direct customer sales of 12-can cases for delivery across Europe. The 250ml slim Ardagh Group can reflects the drink’s sleek and dynamic flavour profile, and really speaks to trend-aware Millennials who love the sporty look and feel of a beverage can in the hand. The zippy design in black, silver and neon green features the cute-but-mighty Ninja Melk mascot, Ardagh. Company co-founder Kathleen Hahn said: “We wanted packaging that is...

Hitachi's first nine body aluminium shells that will transform to Avanti West coast new fleet have touched down in the United Kingdom. The shells are extra spacious, comfortable, and greener models made by Hitachi Rail are due to enter service on the West Coast Main Line in 2022. The Hitachi train will substitute the current diesel-powered Super Voyagers and serve the West Midlands, North Wales and Liverpool. The aluminium shells landed in the UK this week by the sea at Southampton docks from Hitachi Rail’s Kasado factory in Japan, ahead of the train building work that will start at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe plant in County Durham later this year. When completed, the fleet will comprise of 13 Class 805 Bi-Mode trains and 10 Class 807 Electric trains. Each Bi-Mode train comprises five...

Peter Fenkl, CEO, Ziehl-Abegg SE said: “The global markets will continue to need high-quality electric motors and fans in the future.” This is the major reason the German company based in Künzelsau is now investing $18 million in the expansion of its production buildings at the Kupferzell site. Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister for Economic Affairs, said: “The new construction project is a clear commitment to Baden-Württemberg as a location for manufacturing and innovation. Our state needs companies like Ziehl-Abegg SE that take on a leadership role in our economy, particularly during difficult times.” The Hohenlohe industrial company has also been affected worldwide by the corona crisis, as sales are close to the previous year. “However, a higher than average 8.6% increase in sales...

Leading Welsh aluminium fabricator, Dudley’s Aluminium, has received new contracts to transform two police headquarters in South Wales. The project worth £1.4 million includes a four-story police learning centre, a human resources building and a two-story gym. The aluminium fabricator will install a range of Kawneer products including capped curtain walling, windows and doors. Dudley’s will work with Willmott Dixon on the build which includes revolving doors as well as automatic swing and sliding doors. Dudley’s will use Kawneer products throughout its second build, the Gwent Police Headquarters in Cwmbran. The company will also install Kawneer’s innovative Louvreshield external shading and providing extra security to the build with enhanced blast resistant capped curtain walling. Colin...

Pro-Avia, a Russian start-up has selected Red Aircraft’s A03 500hp diesel engine to power its in-development multi-purpose piston-twin. Adenau, Germany-based Red Aviation explains its power-plant as an “all-aluminium, 12-cylinder, high-compression-ignition engine” that can run on Jet A or diesel fuel. Red Aviation’s head of business development Sebastian Gluck said: “The A03 is a game-changer in the market as there are currently no diesel engines in the 500hp range.” He added: “It was selected by Pro-Avia, as it can deliver lower emissions and excellent fuel efficiency compared with similar-sized engines running on leaded aviation fuel like the Lycoming IO-580, TIO-720 and Continental IO-550 pistons.” European and US certifications were awarded to A03 in December 2014 and January 2015,...

According to estimates released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on Thursday, July 2, Chinese new-vehicle sales continued to grow for the third consecutive month in June 2020, as the industry recovery from COVID-19 crisis gained speed in the past three months. Based on the data provided by key automakers, CAAM estimates that the industry-wide sales in June have escalated by 11 per cent to 2.28 million tonnes. With this, the total industry-wide sales are estimated to stand at 10.24 million in the first six months of 2020, marking a drop of 17 per cent from a year earlier, added the trade group. After a year-on-year shrink of 42 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, China’s new-vehicle market started rebounding in April with sales rising 4.4 per cent year over year. In...

The new BMW 4 Series Coupe is now in production at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany. This new model is being produced at the plant alongside the updated BMW 5 Series Sedans, like the M5 and 5 Series Touring. Collectively the Dingolfing plant is rolling out the production of five different models at the very same time. The most exciting is the new 4 Series Coupe that pulls on a whole new design. Sitting at the top of the range is the M440i xDrive Coupe, which is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine that delivers 374 horsepower. Stylish sports coupes are an indispensable part of BMW model history and traditional at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, beginning with the BMW 6 Series Coupé in 1976. The BMW 4 Series Coupe is now rolling off the production line in Lower Bavaria after 44...

Even amidst the lockdown and economic disruptions due to COVID-19, Garnalex has reportedly continued to invest in new innovative aluminium window and door systems. As per the report, Garnalex is on track to launch its revolutionary beadless aluminium window system Sheerline Classic in July, followed by Sheerline’s Prestige window and door system at the end of the summer. The latest investment in Sheerline includes an integrated 85,000 ft2 assembly line, warehouse, and control centre. Besides, the company has expanded its fleet of Combilift forklift trucks, which, together with GarnerSys software operational management system, will ensure higher efficiency in Garnalex’s factories, warehousing, and logistics. Garnalex has also appointed an industry veteran Tony Basile who will work...

Unilever has collaborated with Aerosol can manufacturer Tubex for its new Rexona Recycled Refreshed antiperspirant product. Tubex will manufacture aerosol can for Unilever’s new range. The aerosol can is made of a patented aluminium alloy and 25% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. Leo Werdich, managing director of Tubex, comments: “Alloy, use of PCR, partially internal lacquered, internal powder coating and 14% lighter than its predecessor – this can is sustainability at its best!” The aluminium alloys makes the products 14% lighter than its predecessor. Unilever, Tubex, and Neuman Aluminium have partnered to develop and manufacture the new products range. This aerosol can is only partially (50%) lacquered. This saves additional resources. Unilever selects to use an internal powder...

The specialist distributor and manufacturer of electronic components, Charcroft Electronics, are sampling the highest energy-density aluminium electrolytic capacitors from Exxelia for energy-storage applications. Designers of energy-storage applications in the defence, railway, industrial and power-supply sectors can request samples of the FELSIC HC screw-terminal capacitors and SNAPSIC HC snap-in capacitors. The high density achieved by the aluminium electrolytic capacitors enables a 30% reduction in function price and a reduction in board space, weight, and assembly time. Samples of the FELSIC HC capacitors are rated at 200V, 300V or 450V, and the SNAPSIC HC samples at 400V or 450V. Both series deliver low ESR and support an ultra-long lifetime of 8,000 hours at 85°C with operation over...

LB Plastics has secured a £1.1m loan from Lloyds Bank’s Clean Growth Finance Initiative (CGFI). The fund will help the company to invest in the manufacturing facility for new product lines. The company is owned by Garner Holdings. The company will deliver a new thermal break product, which will form part of a 100 per cent recyclable aluminium window system, to its associated company Garner Aluminium Extrusions. Emma Arrell, finance director at Garner Holdings, commented: "The Lloyds Bank team has always championed sustainability and offered us favourable rates as part of their Clean Growth Fund Initiative. "We’re grateful for the support with purchasing the new machinery, which will be beneficial for our productivity and for the planet. "Although current conditions have added pressure to...

AluK has collaborated with AIS Windows for the supply of AluK’s aluminium window and door systems. AIS Windows will manufacture and distribute these products in Indian market. Vikram Khanna, COO (consumer glass business), CMO, CIO, AIS, said, “AIS Windows has been delivering high quality window and door solutions to customers since 2011. The recent collaboration with AluK for aluminium window and door systems will enable us to enhance our aluminium product portfolio. It will further our solutions offering through optimal glass selection and configuration in combination with the aluminium window system.” Subhendu Ganguly, MD of AluK India, said: “AluK and AIS will have perfect synergy like aluminium and glass in any fenestration and façade systems. This collaboration will bring the highest...

Sino-China tension, in addition to the on-going economic disruption due to the COVID-19 crisis, may cause a further delay in Chinese automaker Haima Automobile’s entry in India. Earlier this year, Haima New Energy (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Haima Automobile Group) had entered into a technical collaboration with north India based Bird Group to launch an electric hatchback, likely to be named Bird Electric EV1, in the price range of INR 10 lakh upwards. The vehicle was initially scheduled to be unveiled in the first week of February 2020. But because of the coronavirus outbreak in China, senior contingent from Haima were unable to travel for the show, delaying the formalisation of the venture by a few weeks. This is the second attempt of Bird Group to set foot in the space of electric...

Ball Corporation, a supplier of innovative, sustainable aluminium packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and others, has teamed up with Blue Ocean Innovative Solutions, a leading omnichannel solutions provider, for retail launch of the Ball Aluminium Cup at Walmart and Sam's Club locations across the U.S. "We are thrilled about this new relationship with Blue Ocean Innovative Solutions," said Daniel W. Fisher, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Global Beverage Packaging. "Our research shows that consumers are hungry for a more sustainable cup solution and Blue Ocean's expertise in this industry will enable us to bring the Ball Aluminium Cup directly to them." Ball launched the U.S. pilot of its infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminium Cups™ in September 2019. The...

The first measure commercial vehicles certainly take into account is the operational costs. Selection of tires has become one of the routes to save expenses and the way to save the tires, is by using aluminium rims. Aluminium rims in Indonesia, especially for commercial vehicles, are not yet widely used. At present, there are only inter-city inter-provincial buses (AKAP) that replace their standard rims with aluminium ones. The appearance of the aluminium rim is also stylish than the standard rim made of steel. Aluminium rim has a sleek appearance, which ideally enhances the appearance of the vehicle. Vehicle Test Manager of PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk, Zulpata Zainal said: “Using aluminium rims on commercial vehicles has a positive effect on weight, heat, and comfort.” "Using aluminium rim is...

Austal, an international shipbuilder based at Perth, announced today, June 29, that it delivered its twelfth Independence class littoral combat ship (LCS) made of aluminium to the US Navy. Built at the Austal’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, the USS Oakland (LCS-24) is a 127-metre long aluminium trimaran multi-purpose warship. Five other warships under LCS are undergoing various stages of construction at the same shipyard. According to the report, Austal has orders for 14 expeditionary fast transport vessels (EPF) from the US Navy, of which 11 have already been delivered. Sharing the joy on completing the warship LCS-24, Austal chief executive David Singleton said there was a great sense of pride in completing the project amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “Austal USA has met the challenge to...

The economy of Morocco is considered a relatively liberal economy governed by the law of supply and demand. Morocco is ranked 7th among 14 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, and its overall score is slightly higher than the regional and world averages. In a nutshell, the main industries in Morocco are phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, selling of arts and crafts, construction, and tourism. The aluminium cans import of the North African country displays regular growth during 2017-19, as the total import volume recorded was 10,450 tonnes and the foreign revenue expended was $65.70 million. The estimated import volume for 2020 has been analysed at 5162 tonnes and the expenditure might remain at $30.11 million. When the analysed...