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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Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has published a corrigendum in its tender to procure vessels for its water metro project including aluminium as an option for the hull of 36 Water Metro ferries and extended its last date. The metro agency had earlier zeroed in on marine-grade steel for the hull and Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) for the deck of the ferries to be operated in Greater Kochi area. However, a large number among the naval architect community has opposed steel as the ‘ideal’ material to be used for the hull of Water Metro ferries. This led towards the modification in the tender proposal and the inclusion of aluminium hulled ferries. The published tender is related to the procurement of vessels that form part of a ₹747-crore project to revive water transport in the region....
Germany, the 3rd largest export economy in the world and the 3rd most complex economy, is the leading exporter of aluminium cans in the world. The country’s aluminium producers and processors produce about 560,000 tonnes of aluminium annually. Germany, the major aluminium market in Europe, exported about 86093 tonnes of aluminium cans globally in 2017 and total revenue from can export amounted to about US$ 373 million. The global aluminium cans production volume stood at around 293 billion in 2017.The beverage sector currently accounts for the majority of the global aluminium cans consumption. Aluminium cans use for beverage and aerosol packaging are the most recycled packaging units globally. In this article, we have listed down the top aluminium can importers from Germany and their...
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared yesterday, July 5, that she would back cutting the European Union tariffs on cars imported from the United States. This she announced in response to the US offer to abandon threatened duties on the EU-assembled imported cars in return for concessions. According to a report, the US ambassador to Germany told German car bosses at a meeting on Wednesday, July 4, that Trump would abandon the threatened 20 per cent tariff on EU car exports provided the US gets similar concession in return. Merkel said, "When we want to negotiate tariffs, on cars for example, we need a common European position and we are still working on it." She also said any move to reduce tariffs on US vehicles would require reductions on those imported from other countries to conform...
Ball Corporation, a leading beverage can maker with production facilities around the globe, announced that they will cease production at its beverage packaging plant in Cuiabá, Brazil. The company will supply its products to its customer through other facilities in the country. Carlos Pires, President, Ball Beverage Packaging South America, said: "Absorbing this one line can plant into Ball's remaining network of 13 plants in South America allows us to reduce our cost structure while continuing to effectively and efficiently supply our customers with the most sustainable package in the beverage supply chain." The Cuiabá beverage packaging plant opened in 1998 and employs about 70 people, some of whom will transfer to other Ball locations. Last August, Ball Corporation announced it would...
The United States President Donald Trump would suspend threats to impose tariffs on imported cars from the European Union provided the bloc removes duties on US cars. The US ambassador to Germany conveyed the message to German car bosses, according to a report by a leading German-language newspaper Handelsblatt on Wednesday, July 4. Handelsblatt reported US ambassador Richard Grenell told executives from Daimler, Volkswagen, and BMW during a meeting that in exchange Trump wanted the European Union to withdraw duties on imported cars from the US. The meeting had taken place at the US embassy in Berlin on Wednesday. In June, Donald Trump had threatened to impose a 20-per cent import tariff on all EU-assembled vehicles, which could disturb the industry’s current business model for selling...
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, lightweight OEM parts supplier Nemak and Tennessee's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have collaborated to develop a new aluminium alloy for use in turbocharged engines, which is expected to offer better fuel economy. The aluminium-copper-manganese-zirconium alloy (ACMZ) was developed in just under four years by the laboratory. ACMZ is affordable, lightweight and capable of withstanding temperatures 100 degrees Celsius higher (300 degrees Celsius or 572 F) than commercially available automotive cast alloys. The alloy is highly suitable for the next generation of more fuel-efficient internal combustion engines. Many aluminium heads today are made from 319 or 356 Aluminium, which cannot withstand temperature above 200 degrees Celsius (392 F). The new alloy that FCA...
Bilgin shipyard announced two sister yachts from Bilgin 263 series are under construction at the Istanbul shipyard. Turkey’s largest yachts Bilgin 263-I is expected to launch in the latter half of 2019 and Bilgin 263-II is likely to make a debut in 2020. Bilgin 263-I has achieved 75 per cent of hull number one’s steel hull construction, while Bilgin 263-II has achieved 50 per cent of construction. Aluminium superstructure of hull one has also begun. These 80-metre superyachts are utilising a super eco-friendly approach in compliance with IMO Tier III certification that aims to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions (NOx) by about 70 per cent compared to the current Tier II standards. Both the yachts feature fascinating interiors including bright living areas, extensive saloon and private...
A Cardiff-based aluminium fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium announced it has invested £200,000 for the expansion of its facilities. The company has invested in a new storage and offtake facility and a second Combilift multidirectional forklift, according to news published by Insider Media. The investment in a new facility will make the company’s operations more efficient. Colin Shorney, Managing Director of Dudley's said: "We are pleased to have made this significant investment in a new facility to help make our operations more efficient. The last 12-months has seen a strong period for Dudley’s Aluminium in terms of contract wins and with the new facility we can ensure the smooth flow of materials on a project-to-project basis." Assistant Production Manager, Geraint Bowden, said: "With the...
Denmark has delivered about 17998 tonnes of aluminium tubes and pipes to the global market in 2017. The country’s aluminium tubes and pipes exports rose 7 per cent year-on-year. Czech Republic was the top importer of this particular product from the country last year. According to recent estimates, in 2017, the top aluminium tubes and pipes importing countries from Denmark were Czech Republic (3229 tonnes), Germany (2906 tonnes), France (2648 tonnes) and Poland (2647 tonnes). As shown by the data, Denmark exported about 16763 tonnes of aluminium tubes and pipes in 2016. The export volume increased to 17998 tonnes in 2017. The country is estimated to export less aluminium tubes and pipes in 2018. Total export is expected to stand at 17195 tonnes. The value of aluminium tubes and pipes...
Car companies and parts suppliers are constantly urging the United States not to impose additional tariffs of up to 25 per cent on imported vehicles, saying that this could result in job cuts, loss of investments, and even higher prices. According to the reports by The Guardian, Bloomberg, CNBC, Reuters and Fortune, General Motors warned the US that its higher tariffs on imported cars and other aluminium and steel products could make it isolated from the global economy. Besides imposing additional 25 per cent tariff on imported steel and 10 per cent on imported aluminium on the European Union, Mexico, and Canada last month, United States threatened to increase tariffs on imported vehicles, noting that there had been an imbalance in international import duty fees. The car companies fear...
According to an update from The Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG), the 2018 Lincoln Navigator and 2018 Ford Expedition won safety awards from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. The body awarded the redesigned aluminium bodied Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator perfect five-star overall crash ratings. Ford and Lincoln each said that the vehicles’ aluminium bodies have contributed significantly towards those perfect safety ratings. The 2018 Ford Expedition has received a five-star rating, the highest score, in the crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That makes the Expedition one of the only full-size SUVs to have hit NHTSA's highest safety mark. The Expedition scored perfect five-star scores in front- and side-impact...
In a summit meeting on Thursday night, June 28, 2018, the European Union leaders slapped the United States with a warning of retaliation should the Donald Trump escalate a trade war with 20 per cent higher tariffs on imported cars from the EU. The EU leaders strictly criticised US’ decisions to impose tariffs on imported aluminium and steel products and repeatedly expressed support for the bloc’s retaliatory action over those levies, which Trump justified on national security grounds. "In reaction to the United States' decision to impose tariffs on the EU for steel and aluminium products, which cannot be justified on the grounds of national security, the European Council fully supports the rebalancing measures, potential safeguard measures to protect our own markets, and the legal...
The Alufoil Trophy, organised annually by the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), provides practitioners from across the European foil and closure sectors with the most prestigious and widely recognised stage to showcase their products and concepts, rewarding both excellence and innovation. The call for entries for the 2019 competition is now open until 23rd November 2018. Each year these groundbreaking developments are scrutinised by a leading panel of experts before the award of Alufoil Trophies across five categories. Winning entries are recognised as major advances in the ’state-of-the-art’ for aluminium foil and closures and offer insights into the latest trends and new market opportunities. The competition is open to packaging designers, brand owners, foil rollers, foil...
When owners and operators from the shipping industry are largely looking for effective measures to reduce the increasing cost pressure, DNV GL has developed the first type approval scheme for the use of ship aluminium cables and connectors. The use of aluminium cables were under evaluation for the past three years in a multi-purpose offshore support vessel. Recently, DNV GL experts, together with representatives from the cable manufacturer Amo Specialkabel AB, checked those cables with a thermographic camera for more than 11,000 operating hours and then granted the approval. Traditionally, copper used to be the key metal for power cables for marine use. But of late, aluminium is replacing the use of copper, owing to its ability to reduce one-third of electricity consumption. Moreover, the...
Coca-Cola Turkey has reportedly obtained thermochromic ink technology from one of the renowned packaging product suppliers called Crown for designing its new aluminium beverage can. For the first time, the company is using thermochromic ink technology as a decorative tool, which is otherwise known for using one or two thermochromic inks to communicate its temperature changes. Using four different thermochromic inks, Coca-Cola Turkey is creating bright designs for its new cans. The designs although colourless at ambient temperature display colourful patterns when the cans are chilled or drinks are ready for consumption. The designs for Coke Red and Coke Zero beverage cans feature summer themes ranging from ice cubes and palm trees to sandals and sailing boats. These new aluminium-made...
An automotive trade group believes that US’ tariff of up to 25 per cent on imported passenger vehicles if imposed, will likely cost domestic consumers US$45 billion annually or US$5800 per vehicle. Gloria Bergquist, the national spokesperson for auto industry on environmental and safety matters, said, “Nationwide, this tariff would hit American consumers with a tax of nearly $45 billion, based on 2017 auto sales. This would largely cancel out the benefits of the tax cuts.” On Tuesday, June 26, the automotive trade group reported that it would warn the Trump administration about the passenger vehicles price hike on the imposition of imported vehicle tariff. “The alliance of automobile manufacturers, a group representing General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen AG and other major...
A Luxembourg-based producer of glass and metal products Ardagh Group has produced a taller sleek shaped aluminium aerosol can for Nivea, one of the world’s most popular deodorants. Image Source:Ardagh Group Bernhard Meier, Commercial Director at Ardagh’s metal division said: “With our long-standing customer, Beiersdorf, we investigated various technologies at the cutting edge of aerosol can production. As a result, we believe we have set new standards for high quality metal packaging for today’s consumer.” Beiersdorf has designed aluminium aerosol can for Nivea’s female range. The sleek shaped can was developed to meet advanced technical requirements and customer specifications. The aerosol aluminium can is 9mm taller than its predecessor, and is produced at Ardagh’s specialist aerosol...
The U.S. beer industry has been hit hard by more expensive aluminium after President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported aluminium and steel came into effect. Experts predict that import tariffs could even lead to job losses across the beer industry. Image Source: The Beer Institute John Decker, Briggs Distributing Company in Billings, MT said that new 10 per cent tariff on aluminium will impact the prices of its products. “Aluminium is a huge portion of what we sell. Sixty percent of our business is aluminium can and about nine percent of it is keg business which is steel. So, they both have an impact on how much our product will cost eventually and cost the consumer,” he said. “Well, not only does it impact us, but it impacts the farmers that grow Coors barley and other barley here in...
