Ducati has unveiled the Desmo450 SM, a new production supermoto developed from its Desmo450 MX platform, featuring an aluminium twin-spar frame. This is designed to combine low weight, rigidity and strength. The motorcycle made its debut during World Ducati Week and is aimed at competition use. The Desmo450 SM uses the same aluminium frame architecture as the motocross model. Ducati says the frame has also been designed to allow a straighter intake route while maintaining the strength and rigidity needed for high-performance riding. The bike has a fuel capacity of 7.2 litres. The company has also focused on reducing weight in other areas. Its Bartubeless wheel system, for example, removes inner tubes and cuts rotating and unsprung mass by 1.2kg. The motorcycle also features a cast...
China’s aluminum door and window manufacturing sector includes a range of suppliers offering thermal-break systems, customized solutions, OEM/ODM production, and products for international building projects. A recent industry guide highlights Guangdong Dejiyoupin, Guangdong EEHE, Foshan CIVO, Sichuan Yazhixuan, and Sichuan Mingrenju, citing their production capabilities, product portfolios, project experience, customization services, and testing or certification coverage. The companies differ in their areas of focus. Dejiyoupin is highlighted for its production capacity and international certifications, while EEHE is noted for patents and a broad range of project solutions. CIVO focuses on factory-direct customization and climate-oriented systems, while Yazhixuan provides OEM/ODM...
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Key Land Capital’s investments division has acquired Fusion Windows and Doors, which operates from a 10,000ft2 manufacturing unit in Aston, for an undisclosed sum. Fusion Windows and Doors manufactures aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling. All products are produced using the latest CNC computer controlled machinery. Kevin Patrick Sharkey, director of Key Land Investments, said: “We have identified Fusion as offering a business which offers great opportunities to grow. It complements our own property development business, and we plan to use Fusion products on some of our projects.” “However, we also believe there is a strong demand for these products at commercial and residential developments right across the UK and it is this relatively untapped market that we intend to target.”...
Vestre, one of Scandinavia's leading manufacturers of sustainable furniture with Scandinavian design for urban and outdoor environments, will present a new series of outdoor furniture made of wood and aluminium at Stockholm Design Week 2019. Consisting of park benches in various designs, litter bins and cycle racks, the ‘Folk’ range is made of Hydro's aluminium profiles. “We are proud of partnering with Vestre, whose goal is no less than being the most sustainable outdoor furniture company in the world. Aluminium is a well-suited material for modern and sustainable design and is robust enough to stand all kinds of weather for decades to come,” said Egil Hogna, Head of Hydro’s business area Extruded Solutions, former Sapa. The new ‘Folk’ series is created by the Swedish studio Front and is...
Vishay Intertechnology, a manufacturer of discrete semiconductors (diodes, MOSFETs, and infrared optoelectronics) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors), has extended the maximum voltage rating of the Vishay BCcomponents 500 PGP-ST series of aluminium screw-terminal capacitors to 500 V. As polarized aluminium electrolytic capacitors with a non-solid electrolyte, 500 PGP-ST series devices are optimized for DC-Linking in power conversion electronics rated at 20 kW and above — including large motor drives, UPS systems, and solar inverters. The devices allow designers to re-use three-phase, 380 V designs in 480 V systems and upgrade solar inverter systems for 1000 V maximum input. The company the series is available in nine case sizes ranging from 50mm x 80mm...
At the 7 th International Conference on Aluminium and Exhibition (INCAL-2019), Hindalco demonstrated a dry bulk carrier made from indigenous aluminium and showed its enormous benefits. The bulker will be used for carrying cement, fly ash, food grains, PTA powder, and alumina. <iframe width="560" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UQrC2qtggTk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> The bulker not only depicts Hindalco’s unmatched capability in India but is also a live proof of demonstration of the benefits of aluminium over steel in such applications, especially to the former’s light weight, lower maintenance cost, and longer life. The size of the bulker is 30 cubic metres and is 2 tonnes...
i2r Packaging Solutions, a manufacturer of a comprehensive range of aluminium foil wrinklewall and smoothwall containers, has unveiled an innovative aluminium smoothwall product for the food packaging industry. The company will launch i2r Ultra™ at the forthcoming Packaging innovations show at the NEC, Birmingham on 27-28 February. The aluminium tray uses a new style of embossing to increase stress resistance thereby reducing the gauge, price point and environmental impact. i2r partnered with Wolverhampton University to progress the detailed and complex project, utilising finite element analysis prediction software. The specialist rib and base configuration provides an increase in structural strength and delivers a reduction in weight. It also features an Alu recyclable logo and a ‘rinse...
According to the latest research report by FMI, over 1 million tonnes of aluminium containers were sold globally in 2018. This sales volume is likely to escalate further by 4 per cent year-on-year in 2019, learned the report. Shifting consumer patterns towards effective and sustainable formats could be a factor that stimulated the sales of aluminium foil containers. Unwavering demand from multiple sectors, including foodservice, retail & supermarket, and others further triggered the demand for the containers, found the report. Aluminium foil containers continue to gain immense favour, owing to their superior barrier properties. According to FMI’s analysis, the weight of aluminium is another key aspect enhancing the viability of aluminium foil containers across diverse end-use...
Alspec, Australia’s leading designer of innovative aluminium systems, has collaborated with Dulux, the largest powder coating manufacturer in Australia and New Zealand. Alspec said the new partnership between Alspec AluSpace and Dulux Powder Coatings brings together the depth of experience and expertise of two highly regarded firms in a winning combination. Alspec’s AluSpace facility, located in in Surry Hills, Sydney, is the home for advanced designs in aluminium window and door systems with a focus on large sliding and folding doors designed for the specification industry. “This partnership will ensure clients get the very best they can, taking advantage of the latest trends in aluminium framing and powder coating”, said Jason Eyndhoven, Dulux’s NSW Commercial Business Development...
Aluminium-built 25-metre motor yacht Jangada, listed for sale by Oceandrive, is sold to the buyer introduced by Y.CO. Delivered in 2015 as a raised pilothouse model, the yacht was built by Netherlands-based superyacht builder Wim Van der Valk Continental Yachts to a design by Guido De Groot. Accommodation is for eight guests in four cabins comprising a master suite, VP suite, and double and twin, with all entertainment centres and en suite bathroom facilities. Guido De Groot has made a clever use of space by designing a few different areas of the yacht. It has included one main office and some spaces where the owner can work on board. It has designed the saloon on the small side, but by opening up the stairway it allows an uninterrupted view from stern all the way forward and gives a...
According to a recent report, beer industry advocate Jim McGreevy slammed the US tariffs on imported aluminium, accusing that the retaliatory measures hurt brewers and the industry as a whole. He said in an interview to Hill. TV’s Krystal Ball and Buck Sexton: “When you have 6,000 brewers and growing every year, to put those jobs and that industry at risk for the chance of bringing back some jobs, we just don’t see it as the right solution.” McGreevy, the president of The Beer Institute, estimates that Trump’s tariffs have put at least 20,000 industry-dependent jobs at risk. “Aluminium tariffs were meant to bring back jobs that had left the country over the last 50 years for lots of reasons other than what’s happening in other parts of the world,” he said. In March 2018, President Donald...
Ball Corporation reported 2018 net earnings attributable to the corporation of $454 million on sales of $11.6 billion, compared to $374 million net earnings attributable to the corporation on sales of $11.0 billion in 2017. Ball's full-year 2018 comparable net earnings were $775 million, from $728 million in 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2018, net earnings attributable to the corporation were $151 million on sales of $2.8 billion compared to $159 million on sales of $2.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017. John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer said: "Our improved 2018 results were driven by growing global demand for our metal packaging products and aerospace capabilities, as well as numerous initiatives to lower corporate costs, and in the second half, were...
Can Makers, the trade body representing drinks can manufacturers in the UK, has launched a brand new website to showcase the benefits of drinks cans, reflecting the UK's growing demand for the sustainable pack format. Marcel Arsand, Chairman at the Can Makers says: “The can has been an unsung hero for too long, despite being the world’s most recycled pack format. Its future success is built upon strong industry education to raise its profile. We’ve created the new site to serve as a foundation: an easy portal to find everything in one place, whether in-depth market reports or quick contacts to help start the canning journey.” Launched in association with Metal Packaging Europe, the site debuts animated infographics and educational videos about the infinitely recyclable can, handy...
According to the data by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), China’s total production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2018 came in at 1.22 million units, up 50.7 per cent from 2017. Of that, the production of passenger vehicles stood at 994,000 units, up 80.7 per cent year-on-year. In December, the production of NEVs was at 226,000 units, up 16 per cent year-on-year and 17.7 per cent month-on-month. Two months before in October, some 146,000 units of new energy vehicles were produced across China, up 58.1 per cent from a year earlier. This brought the total production during January-October at 879,000 units, 70 per cent higher from the same period last year. This surge in NEVs production and sales indicates the rising demand and use of aluminium alloys. Chris...
Global Aluminium Foil Roller Initiative (GLAFRI) has re-elected Göksal Güngör as President for a second term. Mr Güngor also serves as General Manager of Assan Alüminyum in Turkey and he had served as a Vice-President in GLAFRI before his election in 2018. The election and vote of confidence took place during 5th Global Aluminium Foil Roller Conference (GLAFCO) 23-25 January 2019 in Dubai, UAE. GLAFRI General Assembly also confirmed Olaf Müller of Hydro (Europe), Patrick Lawlor of Gränges (USA) and Simon Chan of Xiashun (China) in their positions as vice presidents and they will continue to serve on the GLAFRI Board. “I am delighted and honoured to be asked to continue to serve GLAFRI as its President and hope to continue with the many exciting projects we have initiated“, said Mr Güngör....
FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division has announced that it has received tariff exclusions on its aluminium offset printing plates. It is the only major printing plate manufacturer in the U.S. to be excluded from tariffs. Fujifilm has argued actively over the unfair inclusion of aluminium offset printing plates under import tariffs to convince the Federal Government that it is an unfair burden on the graphic arts industry. The company has received exclusions on the majority of the 147 Exclusion Requests it filed a few months ago. “Although the current Federal Government shutdown prevents Fujifilm from receiving further updates as to the status of our remaining Exclusion Requests and the process, timing and amount of refunds Fujifilm can expect on tariffs paid since...
European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom shared her belief yesterday, on January 24, that the United States would not impose import tariffs on European cars. She also said that even if the US did impose the tariffs, the European Union was ready with its response. The US President Donald Trump had threatened to impose tariffs on cars from around the world, as he did with aluminium and steel last March. In July, however, the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had negotiated a ‘ceasefire agreement’ with the US. Cecilia Malmstrom, while speaking at a panel event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, pointed out that the Trump-Juncker agreement tried to find common ground. The agreement delayed the tariffs while trade talks took place. "We're advancing, we have made some...
Bill Coors designed and launched the two-piece recyclable aluminium can sixty years ago in January 1959 with a 7-ounce Coors Banquet. The can was made after years of research and numerous trials and errors, which was presented as Coors' solution for doing away with throwaway steel cans and providing better-testing and better-chilled beer. This move actually revolutionized the beverage container industry. Although the two-piece aluminium can took five years and US$10 million to develop, Bill Coors encouraged other beverage makers to introduce and use the recyclable can in order to reduce waste and harm to the environment. Owing to the popularity of the aluminium can, Coors discontinued the use of steel cans on Nov. 12, 1971. Along with the launch of the can, Coors launched a recycling...
Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) and Facebook have announced the commercial launch of aluminium conductor cable for optical fiber submarine systems, after an extensive testing and qualification program to establish its suitability for ultra-long haul deep sea transmission systems. The cable was also validated during a sea trial. This new cable variant has already been selected for a major long-distance project and is part of the “SDM1 by ASN” solution, designed to optimise the cost per bit. Najam Ahmad, Vice President, Network Engineering at Facebook, said: “Our efforts are focused on expanding connectivity and increasing the adoption of innovative technologies, without compromising reliability. The use of aluminium cable in submarine systems represents an attractive evolution as...
Pump House Brewery has reportedly announced the launch of its new subsidiary company Candu Packaging to supply aluminium can shrink-sleeving and printing as well bulk blank can sales to breweries in Atlantic Canada. “Currently, when a microbrewery needs cans to put their beer in, their only option is to source them from Ontario or beyond,” said Shaun Fraser, co-owner of Pump House Brewery, in a statement. He further added, “By the time they get cans printed or sleeved, then delivered all the way to Atlantic Canada, the shipping costs add up. This can be tough on smaller breweries, where every penny counts.” Per the report, Candu Packaging sources its cans from a manufacturer in China that also owns a brewery. Candu has negotiated exclusive rights to distribute cans in Canada andMexico, as...
