
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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Crown Holdings has recognized three of its beverage can facilities for outstanding sustainability achievements in fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The biennial Chairman's Sustainability Awards program seeks to highlight contributions made in its 241 facilities. Environmental Sustainability Award was presented to Crown's beverage can facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The award recognizes facilities that demonstrate excellence in environmental conservation, minimizing the impact of the company’s operations, reducing material consumption and improving recycling or reuse. Economic Sustainability Award was given to Crown’s beverage can plant in Izmit, Turkey. Economic Sustainability Award recognizes initiatives that display a significant, measurable reduction in the Company's use of...

To avoid future dependency on China for lithium batteries, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) will reportedly make an alumina-based battery, which will be used for running electric vehicles. The company executives said a foreign company had been working as a partner with IOCL for the development and research of this new technology, which would be introduced in the market once all the regulatory and other approvals are in place. Currently, the company is looking out for a space around the automotive hubs like Chennai or other similar places, said the executives further. In January 2018, commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland had signed a letter of intent with Phinery of Israel for the development of aluminium air batteries. According to industry experts, aluminium air batteries produce...

Nestlé has launched Starbucks by Nespresso, which unites Starbucks quality coffee with the Nespresso Original system, in the UK and Ireland. Starbucks by Nespresso will be available from Monday, 2nd September at all major retailers, making it the first time Nestlé has made available Nespresso’s unique aluminium capsule technology outside of its Nespresso business. Neil Stephens, who heads up Nestlé’s Beverages business in the UK and Ireland, said: “We are determined to bring high quality coffee options to millions more consumers. Our coffee portfolio now boasts three iconic brands: Nescafé, Nespresso and Starbucks and we are constantly exploring new ways to bring these much-loved brands to more people than ever before. Starbucks by Nespresso is a great example of our business focusing on...

On Friday, Trump announced his plans to increase tariffs on US$550 billion of imported Chinese goods over the next two months in retaliation for China’s announcement that it would impose $75 billion in tariffs on U.S. imported products beginning October 1. According to Trump’s proposal, the U.S. will increase tariffs from 10% to 15% on $300 billion Chinese imports from September 1. Tariffs will also be raised to 30% from the current 20% on US$250 billion worth of other Chinese goods beginning October 1. This again threatens to affect U.S. beer companies’ bottom lines. According to the Beer Institute, Trump’s tariffs on aluminium already amount to a US$347 million annual tax on the beer industry and the number will rise with the new tariffs. MillerCoors has reported an added cost of US$40...

Ball Corporation launched a pilot of infinitely recyclable aluminium cups in the U.S. to curb plastic waste. Ball developed the cup over the past several years for use at home and in other areas where plastic cups are common. John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer said: "As our customers and consumers increasingly seek sustainable beverage packaging options, the launch of the aluminium cup is a significant moment for our company. It is our responsibility as the leader in aluminium beverage packaging to continuously innovate and provide solutions for our customers. We're excited to bring the aluminium cup to market and expand the product line next year and beyond." In September 2019, Ball will roll out several pilots with major venues across the U.S. to replace...

China’s exports of aluminium wheel hubs dropped 0.5 per cent in July compared with the same period last year, after a drop of 13.3 per cent in June. Exports came in at 83,000 tonnes last month, customs data showed on Tuesday August 27. But exports of aluminium wheel hubs increased 15.9 per cent month-on-month in July, as reported by Shanghai Metals Market. In another update from SMM, sales of passenger vehicle in China are likely to drop to 2.2 per cent year-on-year in September, according to the projects jointly released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) and consulting firm WAYS last week. Wholesale of sedans, multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are likely to stand at 1.98 million units in September, up 29.8 per cent from sales in July, as...

President Donald Trump last Friday announced 30% tariffs will be levied on US$250 billion of Chinese imports from October 1, up from the current 25 per cent. New tariffs set for Sept. 1 would increase to 15 per cent from current 10 per cent. The announcement came after Beijing had declared that it would place added tariffs on U.S. goods, including light vehicles. China said that it would impose additional tariffs on a total of US$75 billion of U.S. goods in retaliation for Trump’s latest planned levies on Chinese imports, creating panic among automakers and raising fears of an extended trade war. Some of China's counter tariffs will take effect starting Sept. 1, while the rest will come into effect from Dec. 15, according to the announcement from the Ministry of Commerce. China announced...

AluK, a global leader in the design and engineering of aluminium window, door and curtain walling systems, announced that the company will showcase its products at the upcoming Windows, Doors and Facades Event. The event, the fourth edition of Middle East’s largest event dedicated to windows, doors and facades industry will take place from September 24 to 26 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Windows, Doors and Facades Event will showcase products and services from eight product sectors: aluminium composite panel, doors, hardware, machinery, raw materials, rollers and shutters, service providers and windows. AluK will display its ultra-thin sliding system Infinium, versatile and flexible BSF70 folding door system, curtain wall series, and many more. The company will showcase its products at...

In 2018, over 1 million tonnes of aluminium foil containers were sold globally; sales are likely to proliferate at a moderate y-o-y of over 4 per cent in 2019, as per FMI’s research. Shifting consumer patterns toward effective and sustainable formats has been identified as a key sales influencer of aluminium foil containers. According to FMI’s analysis, weight of aluminium is another key aspect enhancing the viability of aluminium foil containers across diverse end-use applications. Needless to say, many countries across the world are encashing on this growth in aluminium foil containers demand and increasing their supplies to other parts of the world. The Netherlands is also one of them, which increased its export volume in 2018. In 2019, however, the volume is expected to record a...

BYD Co. reported a 204 per cent rise in profit in H1 2019 driven by the surge in China's new energy vehicle market. The automaker funded by U.S. investor Warren Buffett produces battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and also conventional vehicles. The company posted net profit of RMB 1.45 billion (US$205.29 million), up from RMB 479.10 million from the same period of 2018. BYD sold 145,653 new energy vehicles from January to June, up 95 per cent from a year earlier. It also sold 82,419 gasoline models, down 45 per cent YoY. Revenue increased 14.8 per cent to RMB 62.18 billion from RMB 54.15 billion. BYD plans to shift its new-vehicle lineup to only electric-powered vehicles. The company also announced its decision to develop battery electric vehicles with Toyota Motor Corp last...

The UK’s systems supplier Epwin Window Systems has announced the joining of the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), the largest UK aluminium in building trade association. CAB’s mission is to promote the use of aluminium in building by being the recognised voice of the sector. CAB members include consultants, fabricators, installers, systems companies and many specialist product supply and manufacturing companies. Gerald Allen, Epwin Window Systems’ Marketing Manager, said: “We take our responsibilities towards the sectors we work in very seriously. With the launch of Stellar, our ground breaking new aluminium window and door system, it was important to us to join the biggest trade association for the material.” Epwin Window Systems recently launched Stellar at FIT Show, a full...

Despite the year-on-year growth in the United Kingdom’s total aluminium cans import in 2019, the country’s import from the Czech Republic is estimated to see a drop, found the global export-import data. From 10,690 tonnes in 2018, the UK’s aluminium cans import this year is likely to decline by 20 per cent to 8,546 tonnes. In 2017, the import amount was at 4,032 tonnes, which represents that the import volume in 2018 was higher by 100 per cent from the previous year. {newsStudioGallery} Nevertheless, although the import amount from the Czech Republic is likely to stay down this year, the country is still estimated to be the major supplier among the rest. From Germany, which is expected to be the second large supplier this year, the United Kingdom will likely import a higher amount of...

Crown Beverage Packaging North America, a business unit of Crown Holdings, has opened a new graphics studio in Ambler, PA, to help North American beverage brands maximize the impact of their packaging graphics and expedite product launches. The 14,000-sq.-ft. facility features cutting-edge technologies that shorten product development timelines. The company said that the plant enables customers to have hands-on involvement alongside on-site experts to produce finished packages that create brand differentiation on the shelf. Paul Fennessy, Director of Graphics at Crown, said: “Our new graphics studio represents the changing beverage landscape. Today, brands are recognizing that in many cases, the can serves as the customer’s first experience with a product. The size, look, feel—and of...

International packaging manufacturer Jamestrong Packaging has inaugurated a $15 million can facility in Auckland, NZ, following increased demand for New Zealand baby formula. The facility will manufacture 50 million cans per annum, and at the appropriate time a second line can be dropped into the state-of-the-art facility, effectively doubling that capacity. Jamestrong ANZ Managing Director Alex Commins said: “The fact that we have opened three production facilities in just over three years speaks volumes about the trajectory of New Zealand and Australia’s infant formula market and the demand coming from international markets, in particular China.” The company has high care infant formula can manufacturing plants in Hornby, Christchurch and Kyabram, Australia. “Jamestrong Packaging is...

In order to adhere to Beijing’s regulation to ramp up electrified vehicle and light-truck output, Hyundai Motor Co. plans to launch its second and third electric vehicles in China in fourth quarter 2019. According to a statement from Beijing-Hyundai, Hyundai’s JV with BAIC Motor Group, the battery version of the Encino crossover will be commercially available in October. It will be followed by the battery variant of the Lafesta sedan in December. The electric Encino and Lafesta EV will have a range of 500 km and 490 km, respectively. The electric Elantra sedan was the first full electric vehicle by Hyundai in China which went on sale in 2017. The electric versions of the Encino and Lafesta will be produced at Beijing-Hyundai. Hyundai also launched sales of a plug-in hybrid variant of the...

According to a recent report, the consortium of Titagarh Wagons and its subsidiary Titagarh Firema SpA has bid the lowest for manufacturing 102 metro coaches for the Pune Metro Rail project. The order is for manufacturing aluminium-bodied metro cars in India. Titagarh Wagon had acquired a 90 per cent stake in Italian rail equipment firm Firema Trasporti in 2015, which now operates as Titagarh Firema SPA. Upon receiving the order, the consortium will design, manufacture, supply, test, commission Passenger Rolling Stock (Electrical Multiple Units) and train the personnel who operate the Pune Metro Rail. The first 3 car Prototype Metro Trainset are scheduled to be supplied in 78 weeks and the remaining 33 trainsets in phases over a period of 160 weeks. The approximate value of the order in...

Coopers Brewery has released its Sparkling Ale, one of its foundation beers, in bold red 375 ml cans. Sparkling Ale will be available in mid-August to coincide with the release of Coopers XPA in cans. Sparkling Ale and XPA join Coopers Original Pale Ale, Session Ale and Mild Ale in cans. Coopers Marketing and Innovation Director, Cam Pearce, said that the can packaging for crafted beer is becoming increasingly popular. “Every year, the Great Australasian Beer Spectapular (GABS) event goes out to beer lovers with the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beer survey. The results from May this year, with a record 31,000 people casting votes, was that 77 of the Top 100 beers in the survey were available in cans, compared with only four in 2014,” he said. “Coopers Original Pale Ale, Session Ale and...

According to a report on Monday, August 12, Dutch shipyard Heesen has delivered its 50-metre superyacht YN 18650 Erica, earlier known as Project Boreas. The vessel was launch in July 2019 after rigorous sea trials in the North Sea. This full aluminium yacht features an efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) hull designed by Dutch hydrodynamicists Van Oossanen and engineered by Heesen’s in-house naval architects. Thanks to large rudders and a powerful bow thruster, Erica is very responsive when manoeuvring in close quarters, according to the yard. The exterior of the vessel is designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, with both hull and superstructure sporting a custom metallic Mountain Grey by Awlgrip that evokes a contemporary profile. Since this metallic paint application is...