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
Heesen Yachts’ eighth vessel in 5000 Aluminium Class Masa has been reportedly delivered, followed by two-days of sea trials in May. The yacht, which was previously known as Project Aster, had hit the water for the first time in April and was christened Masa , meaning “my diamond”. As Heesen revealed, the vessel exceeded the contractual top speed of 23 knots. The design courtesy of Masa’s exterior, which features key details including a "pelican beak bow" and "sporty mast", goes to Frank Laupman's Omega Architects. Her all-aluminium, semi displacement hull, meanwhile, has been designed and engineered by Heesen's in-house team, while the sub-500GT interior by Cristiano Gatto. The decor of the yacht takes inspiration from the interiors of other yachts in the 5000 Aluminium Class, with key...
The Center for Automotive Research’s (CAR) Coalition for Automotive Lightweighting Materials (CALM) announced a new study on Wednesday that tested mass reduction in a 2011 Honda Accord roof. The study showed OEMs could achieve 39% vehicle weight reduction, compared to steel and composite counterparts by converting to aluminium or carbon fiber. It showed OEMs would achieve 10 per cent overall mass savings by converting a steel roof to aluminium or carbon fiber. However, aluminium packed more favourable performance and stiffness in the vehicle overall. CALM is a collaboration of more than thirty industry leading organizations working to support weight reduction in vehicle with effective use of mixed materials in a cost-effective way. CAR research engineer and study co-author Shashank Modi...
Alan Brayley, Managing Director of AB Glass, a leading aluminium manufacturing and installation company, was honoured with the business leader of the year award at Welsh Veteran Awards. The awards ceremony took place at the Village Hotel and Leisure Club in Swansea. The awards recognised veterans in business, fitness, sport and the wider community in Wales. AB Glass offers bespoke aluminium windows, doors, curtain walling, facades and related products and services to the commercial and domestic markets. Alan Brayley, managing director of AB Glass, said: “I’m overwhelmed to have been named the business leader of the year at the Welsh Veteran Awards. This award just shows how successful you can be when you have had a background in the Forces. I truly believe that my time in the Army and the...
According to the global export-import data, Austria’s aluminium cans export is seeing a drop over the years after its last rise in 2017 from 15,264 tonnes in 2016 to 18,237 tonnes. In 2018, the country’s aluminium cans export volume had stood at 17,938 tonnes, down 1.63 per cent year on year. In 2019, the decline is likely to extend further to 16,118 tonnes, down 10 per cent from the previous year. However, despite the sluggish export amount of aluminium cans by Austria in 2018, the country’s export value in the said year had recorded a growth of 25.33 per cent from US$75 million in 2017 to US$94 million. On the other hand, in 2017 when the export volume had increased from the previous year, the value registered a drop from US$79 million in 2016, down 5.06 per cent. This year, in tandem...
As an initiative towards cutting down the use of plastic in its products, PepsiCo is planning to replace its Aquafina plastic water bottles with aluminium cans in the U.S. Consumer backlash against the use of plastic has been growing across the country because of its terrible impact on the ocean ecosystem. Pepsi’s canned water will now be available at food vendors who stock its products. The move could put tough competition to retail startups like Liquid Death, which is launching canned “tallboys” of water with message about recycling and environment conservation. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and has a better environmental footprint as a packaging choice. Pepsi is considering a transition to aluminium cans across its supply chain in near future and the shift will be starting from...
Chinese automaker Dongfeng Automobile Co. Ltd. (DFAC) is reportedly planning to set up an industrial fund, focusing on new energy vehicle supply chain, in association with Beijing Ruihe Xinye Investment Co., Ltd. (R&H) and the state-owned Hanjiang Investment Holding. The fund, referred to as Dongfeng Hanjiang Fund, will involve in a total investment of RMB 1.2 billion. Dongfeng Automobile while announcing its fund setting plan on June 22 clarified that the fund would principally support the automaker’s NEV operation programme in terms of the automobile marketing terminal. The automaker at present owns three new energy passenger vehicle models - the Junfeng E11K, the Junfeng ER30, and the Junfeng E17. In a bid to increase the NEV sales, the company has formed a subsidiary firm Dongfeng New...
Incat Crowther, a leading naval architect and engineering service specializing in catamaran and monohull designs, announced that it bagged a contract to design a 65-metre catamaran passenger ferry, tentatively named Dolphin 3. The ferry, to be built by Khan Co. Ltd. of Geoje-si with marine grade aluminium and operated by Dolphin Shipping Co. Ltd., will reportedly operate in Korea linking between Pohang and the island of Ulleung-do. It will be the first locally-built high-speed ferry on the route. Incat Crowther will work with Khan to develop the construction capability for aluminium high speed light vessels, in compliance with IMO HSC Code and local Korean Register of Shipping (KRS) regulations. The 211.8-metre long vessel will have an accommodation capacity of 710 passengers over two...
Funkin Cocktails has collaborated with Ardagh Group for the first-ever range of ready-to-drink canned cocktails in Nitro Can. The 200ml slim aluminium can features a fixed nitrogen-infused widget that mixes the cocktail instantly, producing an unrivalled multisensory experience for the consumer. The rang comes in four flavours – Espresso Martini, Passion fruit Martini, Amaretto Sour, and the on-trend Pink Gin Fizz. Funkin’s range contains real fruit and the can guarantees shelf stability both in refrigerated and ambient temperatures. The slim aluminium cans feature Funkin’s brand new livery, a silver theme with bold graphics depicting the flavour varietals. The four new flavours are now available in the UK market. Adriana Escobar, Product Manager at Ardagh Group’s European Metal Beverage...
Rockwell Automation, a leading solutions and services provider to the automotive industry, has opened a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Innovation Center within its Information Solutions development facility in San Jose, California. The center will provide live manufacturing demonstrations, hands-on trials using new technology and events showcasing collaboration with industry experts and Rockwell Automation partners. John Kacsur, vice president, Automotive and Tire Industries, Rockwell Automation said: “With growing global consumer demand, electric vehicle companies are challenged to meet aggressive production timelines. We established the Electric Vehicle Innovation Center to expand their possibilities and get their products to consumers quickly and at the lowest possible cost, while operating...
At the Shanghai auto show in April, most of the auto company executives had projected that China’s new-vehicle market would rebound in the second half of 2019. But their prediction seems to be not turning true with Beijing’s resolve to enforce stricter emissions rules and a reluctance to cut taxes on vehicle sales. The sales of new light-vehicles in May also stood low for the 11th straight month, falling 17 per cent to 1.56 million. The slowing Chinese economy, thanks to the US tariffs, is also one of the factors for which the new-vehicle market fails to resume growth. Another direct cause for the slump is the Increasing number of provinces set to adopt tougher vehicle emissions standards ahead of schedule. Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Tianjin, along with about two-thirds of the...
Svyatoy Istochnik, the leading brand in the Russian bottled water market, has launched new flavoured water in Ball Corporation aluminium cans on the Russian market. The water comes in a Sleek® 33-centiliter aluminium can and has sparkling tastes of raspberry and lemon with mint. Irina Dolyanovskaya, Business Development and Sales Manager Russia at Ball, said: “The fact that Svyatoy Istochnik has chosen the can for the water category is an important sign. We see great potential in this segment and are pleased to be working with such a pioneering brand. The can format is ideal for portion control, and because it is suited for all beverages, we are seeing more and more brands making this strategic packaging shift.” The carbonated drink is ideal for health-conscious consumers who care about...
Wine producer Vintage Wine Estates has unveiled an innovative new wine beverage at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, America’s premier wine and food event. Vintage Wine Estates' GAZE Wine Cocktails are packed in is a sleek, portable, recyclable aluminium bottle with twist-off closure. Terry Wheatley, President Vintage Wine Estates said: “We noticed many consumers who enjoy wine also practice a lifestyle that includes fitness, yoga, meditation, outdoor activities, self-care and other positive pursuits. We wanted to appeal to them by combining wine with some of their favourite ingredients in a modern, fun, easy-to-enjoy wine cocktail.” GAZE Wine Cocktails come in two new varieties like Coconut Water-Chardonnay-Moscato and Blueberry-Pomegranate Moscato. Vintage Wine Estates said blending...
A new 61.87 Sanlorenzo motor yacht has been reportedly sold to the buyer introduced by Camper & Nicholsons International. The yacht is currently under construction with aluminium and steel by Italian yard Sanlorenzo to a design by Officina Italiana Design and Lloyds classed and is scheduled for delivery in 2021. The yacht comes with three interior layout options and two top deck profiles. One of the deck profiles offers a fully enclosed top deck with wheelhouse, creating a private owner’s deck below, and the other profile offers a more conventional arrangement with an open sun deck and an enclosable veranda under the mast. Besides, the yacht boasts an array of desirable lifestyle features the include a Jacuzzi plunge pool on the sun deck, a swimming pool on the main deck, a full beach...
China’s largest real estate developer China Evergrande Group is planning to expand heavily into the electric vehicle market by constructing major EV plants in the northeast China city of Shenyang and the south China city of Guangzhou. The company has agreed to invest RMB 280 billion (US$40 billion) to build the two EV production centres after signing an agreement with the governments of the two cities. The company will invest RMB 120 billion in Shenyang and the fund will cover construction of an EV assembly plant, an EV battery factory and a separate plant that will produce electric motors and control systems. The group did not release further details on the EV production site in Shenyang. Evergrande will invest RMB 160 billion in Guangzhou for the construction of the Guangzhou production...
Colorado startup Dunraven seamlessly merges clean aluminium design and cozy living to camp in its new Trail Ridge caravan that offers enough room for the whole family. The 18-foot (5.5-m), lightweight all-aluminium box trailer is designed for families that want to fully experience the outdoors with all the facilities inside the trailer. It offers an outdoor kitchen, off-grid power system and standing-height interior that can accommodate five to six people with beds. After the US states like Arizona, California and Utah excelling in the small camper space in last few years, Colorado is recently making its presence felt in the segment. Boulder-based Dunraven joins other emerging Coloradan small camper companies like Colorado Backcountry, Contravans, Timberleaf Trailers and Oasis Campervans....
The development of new and diversified packaging styles and high potential in emerging economies are found to provide a significant lead to the aluminium foil packaging market. The demand for aluminium foil in the packaging industry is expected to exceed 4 per cent in the years ahead. The pharmaceutical and drug industry is primarily driving the growth of aluminium foil packaging market because of the increasing use of aluminium foil in packing medicines, followed by the food packaging industry. To cash on this increasing use and demand for aluminium foil in various industries, some countries, on the other hand, are increasing their exports and yielding higher profits. South Korea is one such country whose aluminium foils export is found growing with each passing year. According to the...
After growing exponentially for five years boosted by liberal government subsidies, China’s electrified vehicle market is on the verge of slowing down. Beijing started subsidy in the buying price of EVs and plug-in hybrids in order to control vehicle emissions and cut down on oil imports. In Q1 2019, aggregate sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids remained explosive, growing 110 per cent to nearly 300,000 units. However, in April, sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids rose about 18 per cent to about 97,000. By May, monthly demand for EVs edged up only 1.8 per cent YoY to around 104,000 units. With the subsidies, Beijing also wanted to have an edge over global carmakers in the field of EVs and plug-in hybrids. The sale skyrocketed more than 300 per cent in 2014 and 2015 and annual...
Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) appealed to the government to cut goods and services tax (GST) on aluminium utensils. Traders body CAIT submitted a white paper on GST to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They also demanded a GST rate cut on auto parts, hardware, mobile covers, ice cream, health drinks, paints, marble, used vehicles, two-wheelers, etc. They urged the Finance Minister to review items placed under different tax slabs under GST as many of the products are overlapping, PTI reported. CAIT said in a statement: "Various items like auto parts and aluminium utensils are not of luxurious nature should be taken out from 28 per cent tax slab and may be put under lower tax slab." "The minister assured the CAIT delegation that she will look into the issues," it said. CAIT...
