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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MG Motors India Pvt Ltd is reportedly eyeing the electric vehicles market in India. From 2022, the company plans to increase its investment in the EV space expecting the economy to return to normal in a couple of years and electric vehicles to be an attention puller in the domestic automobile market in the medium to long term, said a senior executive of MG Motors. According to the report, MG Motors will launch an affordable electric vehicle in the range of INR 12-15 lakh, which will qualify for the subsidy under the Indian government's FAME or Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles scheme. The company will also introduce the Indian automobile market to a new variant of ZS electric vehicles that will come with a 500-kilometre range. MG Motors, one of the new...
The COVID-19 pandemic has made science turn its eyes to locate that perhaps had been a little forgotten, such as hygiene and health in public spaces. Contamination must be avoided at all costs, and the mask is not enough because we are constantly touching things at work, the supermarket, public spaces Australian scientists have invented a treatment that converts aluminium into antiviral and antibacterial. Aluminium is one of the most used metals in hospitals, as it is also widely used to make keyboards, door and window knobs, and other objects that we touch constantly. The Queensland Institute of Technology in Australia has been testing with aluminium alloy 663 and after applying treatment with sodium hydroxide for three hours, very interesting changes in aluminium. Sodium hydroxide is...
Ball Corporation has reportedly announced that it has acknowledged its plant in Yangon with the 2019 R. David Hoover Sustainability Award for significant operation and social improvements. Ball claimed that its Yangon plant consistently improved its electricity efficiency by nearly 23 per cent and enhanced the overall safety culture by introducing better methods of reporting and focusing on more corrective actions. Besides, the plant successfully raised awareness of the sustainability of aluminum cans, according to Ball's statement. Some of the key considerable factors for the award were the achievement of zero accidents, minimise environmental impact, support local communities, and educate consumers about the importance of aluminium can recycling. Applauding the Yangon plant team, the...
St Andrews Beach Brewery is reportedly launching a new alcoholic seltzer range – Tidal Artesian Seltzer in aluminium cans with coastal-inspired design. According to the report, the brewery has teamed up with The Edison Agency for creating a brand story and packaging design to lend the Tidal range an independent identity in St Andrews Beach Brewery’s established beer portfolio. Orora Beverage has supplied recyclable aluminium cans, which feature a crisp white finish and an all-over matt varnish on pack. The Edison Agency design director Brian Rodrigo Llagas said the colour palette of the design for Andrews’ new cans represents the signature coastal narrative of the brand while creating a distinct identity. “Inspired by the beautiful coastal environment of St Andrews Beach and endless sunny...
Vetroplas, a provider of a full range of high quality packaging solutions designed for the UK cosmetics and personal care markets, announced the addition of aluminium bottles to its expanding range of packaging. The company specialises in premium glass, plastic and aluminium bottles, jars, airless containers and flexible tubes with a firm focus on quality and sustainability. These aluminium bottles are produced in Spain by Envases Group. Vetroplas has added more aluminium bottles due in rise in demand for aluminium in both personal care and household products. Aluminium has the added benefit of being recyclable and lightweight. The bottles with a taller, slim neck profile with either crown cork caps or pilfer-proof screw caps is offered through a wide variety of sizes (330ml, 375ml and...
South Africa has a mixed economy in which there is a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. South Africa is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The country’s GDP grew at an estimated 0.7% in 2019, down from 0.8% in 2018, and is projected to rise to 1.1% in 2020 and 1.8% in 2021 amid domestic and global downside risks. A contraction in agriculture and mining drove slow growth in 2019. Among the key sectors that keep South Africa's economic engine running are manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, financial services, transport, mining, agriculture and tourism. The aluminium foil export volume of South Africa has been dwindling as recorded during 2017-19, as the total export quantity stood at 12,387...
Luxembourg based aluminium frames and metal constructions company Aluzare S.A. has been announced as bankrupt. The aluminium frame company with its head office in Ehlerange, in the South-West of Luxembourg, has been in operations for more than 25 years in the field of aluminium joinery. The Christian trade union confederation said in a statement that: “The jobs of around 30 employees cannot be saved.” The trade union confederation added: “The employees will soon receive further details about potential compensation packages shortly. They will reportedly also receive assistance to find a new job.” Aluzare was mainly specialised in the production of metal doors and windows
Thwaites Aluminium Limited observes 30 years of operations after opening its doors in September 1989, and many of the staff had been working for more than 10 years. Managing director Alvin Thwaites said: “He had been lucky enough to pick up good staff.” The Invercargill businessman proudly stated that the secret to continued growth is treating the right staff well. Thwaites said: "I wouldn't be where I am today without them. It cost a lot to be training new staff all the time.” Tom Irvine joined Thwaites in that first month of business, and said he was proud to see that it grow during the decades.” He said the key had been good management, and staffs respect each other. “The manufacturing industry seemed strong at the moment, but time would tell how much of an impact the Covid-19 pandemic...
The economy of Greece is the 51st largest in the world with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of $218.032 billion per annum. In terms of purchasing power parity, Greece is the world's 55th largest economy, at $317.455 billion per annum. The canned food and beverages market of Greece has seen substantial growth, though the country has been going through a lot of rough patches in its economy. This growth has affected directly to the importation of aluminium cans to the nation. The aluminium cans importation of Greece during 2017-19 has been recorded with a total import volume of 10,678 tonnes and the expenditure stood at $51.25 million. The estimated import volume for 2020 has been analysed at 5390 tonnes and the expenditure might stretch to $23.44 million. However, when the analysed...
The UK’s English sparkling wine brand The Uncommon has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of bubbly wines and spritzers in aluminium can. The company has added these two new ranges to their line up - Alfie, an English White Wine Spritzer, and Peggy, an English Rosé Wine Spritzer. The sleek and single-serve aluminium cans are infinitely recyclable and lightweight. It delivers a carbon footprint that’s 80% lighter than glass. The Uncommon aims to be the most sustainable wine brand in the UK. Henry Connell, co-founder of The Uncommon said: “The UK wine industry is booming, with a record 13M bottles produced in 2019 and no sign of this trajectory slowing down. With people choosing to shop more locally and England now the most exciting region in the sparkling wine world, there’s...
Design studio Miniwiz, together with Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), and Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, has built a prototype modular ward for hospitals using recycled aluminium panels, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Named Modular Adaptable Convertible (MAC), the prototype has been built to adapt to the high market demand, which can quickly transform buildings or under-utilised space into various types of wards. The modular units can be assembled either inside existing buildings or on land adjacent to hospitals. They are designed to be an alternative temporary ward where COVID-19 patients can be treated. "As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads globally, the demand for medical and hospital wards have also skyrocketed," said Miniwiz....
Nampak announced interim financial results for the 6 months ended 31 march 2020. The group’s revenue dropped by 17% to R6.5 billion, primarily due to weaker economic conditions in South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe. Operating profit was R287 million, down 68%. Trading profit declined 39% to R633 million, as a result of a loss in Divfood, reduced demand in Angola and the overall beverage can market declining in South Africa. Erik Smuts, Nampak CEO, said, “Overall weaker economic demand in our key markets, continued pressure on consumers’ disposable income and net impairments of R3bn negatively impacted these results. Although the Nigerian outlook has since deteriorated, Bevcan Nigeria enjoyed volume growth, but Divfood, Bevcan Angola and Bevcan SA performed below expectations due to total...
UK beverage company The Naked Collective will launch a new range of premium health drinks in infinitely recyclable 33cl sleek aluminium cans from Ardagh Group. Ardagh’s tall, slender aluminium can was manufactured in the UK. The packaging was developed in partnership with Ardagh’s UK Graphics team. “The team at Ardagh have been outstanding,” said The Naked Collective Founder Niall Phelan. “The level of support, responsiveness and the general feeling that we are working with a true partner has made the entire process fun. So, as we extend our range and expand our market, we’re delighted Ardagh will be our partner on that journey.” Dirk Schwung, Sales Director at Ardagh Group’s European Metal Beverage Business Unit, said: “We’re proud to have helped The Naked Collective develop this...
The automobile market in China continued to inch up in May 2020, as found by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Sales rose 11.7 per cent year-on-year to come in at 2.14 million tonnes, according to the flash estimate by CAAM. Month-on-month, the sales in May recorded an increase of 3.2 per cent, as the total units sold in April were 2.07 million, registering a year-on-year increase of 4.4 per cent, the first rise in 22 months. Month-on-month, the growth in April was by 39.8 per cent. In March, automobiles sales in China recovered significantly from a month ago and stood at 1.43 million units, rising 361.1%. In the first five months of 2020, China’s car sales are estimated to reach 7.9 million units, down 23.1 per cent from the corresponding period last year. In the...
The Romanian beer brand Albacher is receiving benefit from Multi-Color’s aluminium foil can lid label. The design of the label secures that the beer is clean at the moment a buyer selects it from the shelf. The hygienic lid keeps the top of the can clean and protects from dust and germs. Consumers can be assured to relish their beer with maximum safety and hygiene. Mihaela Draghici, PR Director, Romaqua Group said: “Romaqua Group and Multi-Color Corporation have been business partners since 2008 when we launched Albacher beer, and we opened the beer plant in Lancrăm. The green-field project and the eagerness to produce a premium beer in one of the most modern breweries in the world, inevitably has led to our purpose to also have reliable and highly professional partners.” “Moreover,...
The World’s Greenest battery maker Northvolt and the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Norsk Hydro are joining hands to recycle batteries from Norway’s hundreds of thousands of electric cars as part of Europe’s effort to build a green battery industry to take on Tesla and Asian rivals. The Swedish battery maker in 2019 raised more than €1billion from the likes of Volkswagen, Goldman Sachs and Ikea. The Norwegian aluminium company will open an NKr100m ($10m) recycling hub in the south-eastern Norwegian town of Frederikstad by 2021. Arvid Moss, Head of Hydro’s energy business “We believe we can be a frontrunner.” Emma Nehrenheim, CFO, Northvolt said: “With electric car sales set for hockey-stick growth soon, there’s going to be a similar trend in the recycling market a few...
Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman has reportedly revealed a new lightweight aluminium 46-metre high-performance cruiser sloop – Nauta Reichel Pugh 151. As per the report, Nauta Design has produced the exterior and interior styling of the yacht, while Reichel/Plugh has designed the yacht’s naval architecture. Rondal did carbon Panamix rig, and Royal Huisman provided its most-qualified engineering and construction skills for the optimal result. Royal Huisman Project 405 is built of lightweight aluminium and carbon composite, and is believed to present formidable competition to existing carbon yachts. Royal Huisman promptly adopted intelligent lock-down measures implemented in the Netherlands since mid-March 2020. These measures allow the shipyard team to continue working in strict observance of...
Gianluca De Ficchy, Chairman, Nissan Europe said: “Nissan intends to close its Barcelona main plant and two nearby facilities starting in December’20, but it will keep open two facilities in northern Spain.” The Chairman also said: "There was no viable solution for the future of the Barcelona factory.” On 28 th May’20, hundreds of workers barricaded the plant followed by the Nissan’s announcement that it would close down the factory as part of a global restructuring plan to reduce costs. The decision came as a blow to Spain at a time when unemployment is spearing and a steep recession is emerging due to COVID-19 pandemic. As per the labour union, the plant and the nearby facilities employ 3,000 workers and the closures could indirectly affect up to 25,000 jobs. The car industry accounts...
