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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Akshay Singhal, the 25-year-old co-founder and CEO of nanotechnology start-up Log 9 Materials is conducting trials on his electric car Mahindra e2o Plus to run on water and aluminium. This, according to him can be made possible by using an innovative metal-air battery, developed by Log 9 in the EV. Log 9 is an IIT Roorkee spin-off and the company is using the wonder material ‘graphene’ to make the metal-air batteries commercially viable and affordable for EVs and other stationary applications like power backup products. In an interview, Mr. Singhal said that the issue with traditional lithium-ion batteries is that they stored energy rather than generating it. For instance, an e-vehicle has a mileage range of 100 km to 150 km, after which it has to be charged, which will again take about...
Deco, the producer of decorative powder-coated aluminium finish DecoWood, has reportedly unveiled six woodgrain colours for its timber-finish colour range. This brings the DecoWood colour series to a total of 30 different woodgrains, replicating natural timber species from Australia and across the world. These woodgrains can be used across a variety of aluminium building products and profiles. Ranging from light to dark, the finishes of the newly-introduced woodgrain colours are developed in such a manner that they can cater the need of both the architects, specifiers, as well as design professionals, amidst an increasing inspiration and choice in the ever-changing design landscape. Two colours – Maple and African Blackwood have been added to the Exotic Timber Species collection. Maple,...
Rio Tinto has announced today it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nespresso’s capsule manufacturers towards a commitment to use 100% sustainable aluminium by 2020. Nespresso will become the first company to use Rio Tinto’s responsibly-sourced aluminium to produce its coffee capsules. Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios said “This as an important step towards the use of responsibly sourced aluminium across manufacturing industries, which Rio Tinto is the first to supply. We expect the demand from consumers for sustainable products to continue growing and Nespresso drinkers can have confidence the aluminium we supply for their capsules meets the highest international standards.” The use of Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Certified Aluminium is an important...
Researchers in Victoria University of Wellington under the guidance of Professor Thomas Nann created a new electrolyte for making safer and more environmentally friendly aluminium batteries. They created this the electrolyte as part of its work on aluminium batteries and researchers from Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand in France joined the team. The electrolyte is a battery part acting as a conductor for electricity. "This electrolyte will make aluminium batteries cheaper and easier to produce," says Professor Nann, from the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences and the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology at Victoria University of Wellington. "It is more affordable than the ionic liquids currently used in aluminium batteries, and it...
Leveraging on the potential growth of electric vehicles, Mahindra Electric, part of Mahindra & Mahindra group has announced an investment of INR 1000 crore for the development of new products, technology and capacity expansion, a senior company executive said while inaugurating its new technology and manufacturing hub in Bangalore. Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited, formerly known as the Reva Electric Car Company, is an automobile company based in Bangalore, involved in designing and manufacturing of compact electric vehicles. The new facility will manufacture battery systems, power train, control units and power electronics for electric vehicles. The company plans to expand its total production capacity to 70,000 units by 2020 from current 24,000 units. A senior company official said...
U.S. automakers and parts suppliers urged the Trump administration to end steel and aluminium tariffs on Mexico and Canada and warned against the potential U.S. national security tariffs on automotive imports on Thursday November 15. They said such tariffs would lead to widespread job losses. They expressed disappointment at not lifting the tariffs before the signing of new USMCA, which would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Speaking at a public comment hearing , Jennifer Thomas, vice president of federal government affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said that the success of both the new USMCA and US auto sector continue to be undermined by these tariffs. She highlighted the rising production cost for all U.S. automakers that is threatening the industry’s...
On Wednesday, November 14, the European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said that EU is ready with its list of potential retaliation targets in case the US President Donald Trump levies auto tariffs on the bloc’s member states. However, as per the report, Malmstrom did not specify the US products on which the EU would impose retaliatory tariffs but said the list could include “all kinds” of products. “It could be cars, it could be agriculture, it could be industrial products - it could be everything. And we will do that, but hope we don’t have to get to that situation,” she said. Malmstrom also said to reporters after attending a meeting with the US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer that the EU was willing to negotiate with a limited trade deal on industrial goods...
Italy’s aluminium structures imports increased 20% year-on-year to 38497 tonnes in 2017. The country has been following an upward pattern for aluminium structures import for the last three years. Aluminium structures export from Italy is slated to witness a significant increase in 2018, after a decline last year. Global export-import data shows, Italy imported an estimated 28740 tonnes of aluminium structures in 2016. The total cost of import was USD 124 million. The country imported an estimated 34425 tonnes of this product in 2017. The cost of import remained unchanged at USD124 million. The country’s import of aluminium structures is expected to increase 12% to 38497 tonnes by the end of this year. The value of import is estimated to stand at USD 120 million. Italy exported 65888...
Cumbernauld-based CMS Window Systems has more than doubled production capacity of aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling with an investment of £500,000 in machinery and personnel. The investment includes the commissioning of Scotland’s first Emmegi Quadra L2, a state-of-the-art 18-axis CNC machining centre for milling, drilling and cutting aluminium profiles. In addition to new machinery, the investment programme also funds an expansion to its on-site installation teams. The company said the investment allows for changes to the management and supervisory structure within the aluminium factory. David Ritchie, CEO of CMS Window Systems said: “Our latest investment in our aluminium division will help us strengthen our position at the forefront of the market, and provide solutions for a...
Ducab has signed three major contracts in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for the supply of over 5,000 km of cables and all aluminium alloy overhead conductors for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) projects, a company statement said. The company will supply extra-high-voltage (EHV), high-voltage (HV), medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) cables. The new contracts include the design, manufacturing, and supply of the above specification of cables. They would also supply a range of MV, LV power and control cable systems for the Clean Fuel and Waste-Heat Recovery project that is being delivered through Samsung-CBI. Ducab will also be supplying cables for the Bab Integrated Facility Project, as well as cables and aluminium overhead conductors for Adnoc’s onshore Qusahwira Field Development Phase II...
The UK-based packaging company Vetroplas has reportedly got into a partnership with Spanish aluminium bottle manufacturer Envases to extend its packaging options to the UK cosmetic and personal care market. Envases with over 60 years of experience produces highly decorative aluminium packs with both FEA 15 crimp necks and various screw necks, offering excellent barrier properties and protection from light and moisture. The packs they produce are fully recyclable and environmentally sustainable in line with current trends. This new partnership contract between Vetroplas and Envases will allow the aluminium bottles, manufactured by Envases to be paired with Vetroplas’ own closures including crimp-on pumps and screw neck caps. Those aluminium bottles are suitable for a variety of products...
Tetra Pak has become the third end user of aluminium to be certified against Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard. Tetra Pak’s ASI Certification covers the central functions at the head office (Lund, Sweden) and all Packaging Material and Additional Materials sites for Material Stewardship related activities, ASI said in its press release today. Julian Fox, Sourcing and MFG Director, Tetra Pak said “Receiving this certification, which covers all stages of the value chain for aluminium, further recognises Tetra Pak’s commitment to responsible sourcing, and a sustainable approach to business. “ “As a global company with many thousands of suppliers around the world, we have an opportunity to promote responsible sourcing practices. Which is why ASI membership and...
In the line with India government's plan to shift to electro-mobility, Japanese carmaker Honda Motor is planning to launch electric vehicle in the Indian market by 2023-2024, sources said. The project will be a part of the company's global electric rollout plan, to be kicked off in China in 2019. As told to ET Auto, the company is working on gathering the specific requirements of the proposed 'B' segment vehicle. “While the government is still to roll out its electric vehicle policy, unlike the past, Honda is not waiting for policy changes to define its electrified vehicles footprint,” one of persons cited earlier said. “While the hybrid solution on City sedan is defined, the EV solution for a B segment car or an SUV is part of the plan.” Honda Cars India does not want to lag behind in...
The data from China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) indicates that sales and production of automobiles in October have extended weak performances. In October, production of cars stood at 2.33 million units, 10.05 per cent lower from the same period last year and 0.92 per cent down from September. Sales also came down by 11.7 per cent year-on-year and 0.58 per cent month-on-month to 2.38 million units. This brought in the overall production and sales of domestic automobile during January-October to 22.83 million units and 22.87 million units, down 0.38 per cent and 0.06 per cent year-on-year, respectively. Separately, some 138,000 new-energy vehicles (NEVs) were sold across China in October, an increase of 51 per cent from October 2017, CAAM data showed. This grew overall...
Ardagh Group, a leading global supplier of value-added, infinitely-recyclable, metal and glass packaging solutions, has announced a partnership with Stabburet to manufacture lightweight and fully recyclable aluminium can for mackerel filet, a national dish in Norway. Patrick Savouré, Commercial Director Seafood at Ardagh Group’s metal division, said, “the lightweight aluminium can offers a perfect branding surface for this striking design and together with the excellent functionality, this is a winning combination.” Ardagh’s metal packaging plant in Cuxhaven in north Germany, which handled all aspects of the print and production of the cans, worked in close cooperation with Stabburet to ensure that all 60 designs were delivered as specified. Birte Hjorth, Product Group Manager at Orkla...
Indonesia’s import and export of aluminium cans reduced in 2017 when compared to 2016 data. The country’s aluminium can import and exports dropped around 81 per cent year-on-year in 2017. It is expected that Indonesia’s imports of aluminium cans will be more than exports in 2018. According to recent estimates, Indonesia imported an estimated 6306 tonnes of aluminium cans in 2016. The total cost of import was USD 29 million. In 2017, the country imported an estimated 1152 tonnes of aluminium cans and the cost of import was USD 63 million. Indonesia’s import of this product is expected to increase to 6987 tonnes by the end of this year. The cost of import is estimated to stand at USD 31 million. The major aluminium beverage can exporters to Indonesia are Singapore, India, Taiwan and...
The United Kingdom-based company AB Glass has reportedly completed a contract for the refurbishing work at Specsavers’ support office in Guernsey. Rihoy & Son, Guernsey’s longest established building contractors, had appointed the award-winning aluminium manufacturing and installation company AB Glass who could provide its services at the optical retailer’s support office in St. Andrew’s, Guernsey. Working alongside architect André Bisson of A7 Design, AB Glass designed, manufactured, and installed aluminium systems including Kawneer AA100 curtain walling and AA190 doors. The company had started working on this project in June 2018. Chris Haines, design director at AB Glass, said: “We are very proud to have been awarded this contract and offer our services to the world’s largest private...
Constellium, global aluminium rolled and extruded products manufacturer, announced on November 6 about its aluminium solution Aeral™ supply to Moravia Cans for the production of Unilever’s award-winning Dove antiperspirant aerosols. Constellium's Aeral™ is an innovative aluminium solution designed for the production of aerosol containers using Drawn and Wall Ironing (DWI) technology that is currently used to produce beverage cans. This technology allows up to 30 percent weight savings while maintaining the same level of performance in terms of resistance to pressure and great ductility. This unique solution teamed with Moravia Cans' packaging systems makes it possible for 20 percent more cans packed per pallet, thus, resulting in minimized truck and pallet movements while allowing...
