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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Tradelink Window Solutions has doubled its aluminium manufacturing capacity with the inauguration of new dedicated facility. The company said that the aluminium facility will deliver aluminium glazing products to local installers even faster. The new plant means that Tradelink can offer aluminium bi-folds in four colour-ways. Image Source: tradelinkdirect.com Jim Moody, Managing Director at Tradelink explains: “We have expanded our facility in March and taken on another unit next-door to create the new dedicated aluminium site which now covers 18,000 sq. ft. We knew that we needed to invest in more space to make sure that we could maintain our fast and efficient service to installers.” This facility uses lean manufacturing processes and a thorough checking process to ensure that all...
Imports of aluminium household articles by Italy have been increasing in the last three years. China and Romania are the key countries from where Italy sourced maximum volume of aluminium household articles. According to recent statistics, in 2017, China and Romania exported about 16376 tonnes and 1670 tonnes of aluminium household articles respectively. Italy imports good amount of aluminium household articles every year. the country imported about 22124 tonnes of aluminium household articles in 2017, up from 21325 tonnes a year ago. The total import of aluminium household articles by Italy is estimated to shrink to around 17740 tonnes by the end of this year. Italy's total import of aluminium household articles was valued at US$131 million in 2016. In 2017, the country imported...
Britain’s poultry production increased 1.4 per cent in 2017, which is increasing the food wastage issue often associated with higher production. Global aluminium packaging supplier Advanta, has successfully done a pilot run of a unique skin pack aluminium poultry tray and film combination. A first on the foil packaging market, the product combines the convenience of a chicken-shaped aluminium foil tray, and shelf-life extension to cut down food wastage. In this packaging process poultry is vacuum packed in the foil tray to increase shelf-life of refrigerated poultry by up to 300 per cent and reduce supply chain waste. Other than the increase in shelf-life, Advanta's new poultry package also offers convenience in cooking and serving. "Both consumer demand for convenience and retailers'...
The U.S. threatened to impose sanctions against the European Union after the World Trade Organization ruled that Airbus SE received illegal government funding to develop jetliners, costing Boeing Co. sales. The final decision affirmed a 2016 finding that the EU had failed to eliminate unfair subsidies for two Airbus twin-aisle models, ending a long-running trade case. The international court is expected to rule later this year on a separate case in which the EU challenged billions of dollars in U.S. tax incentives to Boeing. The litigation adds to the tension between the U.S. and Europe, two once-cooperative trade partners that are already sparring over U.S. President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs and his decision to back out of a nuclear treaty with Iran, jeopardizing $40...
Just a few days after missing out on a role in the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) project, Austal Limited took a great pleasure to announce the details of its capacity expansion plans at Henderson, Western Australia, and the Philippines on Monday, May 14, 2018. Started off in 2017, this expansion plan includes five large vessels over 80 metres in length that are collectively worth more than US$400 million. Stating that the investment was primarily focused on the large ferry market, Austal chief executive David Singleton said, “The capital investment in the commercial operation will increase Austal’s ability to secure and deliver large, high-speed aluminium vessel contracts in highly cost effective shipyards.” He also said, “The demand outlook in the market for large, high-speed aluminium...
Aluminium is again taking the better of glass when UK-based Skinny Brands has decided to replace its current glass bottles with aluminium bottles at festivals and events throughout the year with The company has launched its 4% ABV Skinny Lager in aluminium bottles in response to a consumer backlash against plastic cups, which are often used to serve drinks at festivals. It is to be noted that more than 60 independent festivals in the UK has committed to ban plastic straws immediately and all single-use plastics by 2021. The announcement of aluminium bottles followed the decision by the event organizers. Commenting on the decision, Skinny Brands marketing director Allan Moffat said: “Typically, lager is served in plastic cups at festivals and outdoor events. Our customers tell us they...
According to the report released by China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), the total vehicle outputs and sales in China reached 2.3974 million units and 2.3186 million units, reflecting a year on year growth by 12.27 per cent and 11.47 per cent respectively, while on the other hand, dropped 8.79 per cent and 12.71 per cent against the performances in March. As far as the passenger vehicles (PVs) are concerned in China, the total production in April reached 1.9998 million units, growing 12.17 per cent year on year but falling 9.06 per cent month on month. The total delivery of passenger vehicles to China, however, increased 11.16 per cent from a year ago, accounting for 1.9144 million units. The top 10 Chinese automakers by April sales were SAIC Motor, Dongfeng Motor...
Bahrain has been following an upward pattern for the export of aluminium stranded wire. The products are used in overhead power transmission and distribution applications in modern residential and industrial constructions. The country’s exports of aluminium stranded wire increased significantly in 2017. Bahrain exported about 67711 tonnes of this product last year, an increase of 43.4 per cent YoY. The trend of high export volumes are expected to continue in 2018. The largest part of aluminium stranded wire is exported to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia imported about 42201 tonnes of aluminium stranded wire last year. Other top importers who have been buying aluminium stranded wire from Bahrain include Norway, Unite Arab of Emirates, the USA, Oman and Australia (2017 data). According to recent...
Two sustainable packaging innovations from Amcor that boost efficiency and improve consumer convenience have won 2018 Alufoil Trophies at the European Aluminium Foil Association awards. The company’s PolyInert laminates, which enable sensitive pharmaceuticals to be packaged in stick-pack form, won the Resource Efficiency category, and AluFix Retort Xtra, the newest addition to the successful AluFix range, won the Technical Innovation award. PolyInert Laminates This material helps keep pharmaceutical patients safe because its stable and inert high barrier doesn’t interact with or absorb active pharmaceutical ingredients and keeps medication effective longer. The panel also praised the sustainability of the PolyInert stick-pack format, noting that “it delivers a huge saving in material use...
Japan’s LIXIL Group is worried about the current developments that are taking place in the global aluminium market causing volatility in aluminium prices. The inflated prices driven by the U.S. trade actions and sanctions on United Company Rusal are creating tension in the company. The company, according to the CEO is however not concerned about procuring the metal. Aluminium prices had a sharp rise since the United States imposed sanctions on Rusal, one of the world’s biggest aluminium producers and suppliers. LIXIL makes aluminium sash windows and buys about 160,000 tonnes of aluminium a year. The company expects aluminium prices to hover around 250,000 yen (US$2,289) per tonne in FY 2019 in comparison to 234,000 yen (US$2,128) a year earlier. “We don’t expect aluminium prices to fall...
The 49.8 metre Aluminium Classsuperyacht White has been delivered to her owner following the successful completion of her sea trials, Heesen Yachts has revealed. Originally built on speculation as part of the yard's 500 Aluminium class, this sleek motor yacht was sold in October 2017. Her interior, which comes in just below the 500GT mark, was designed by Cristiano Gatto, while the fast and comfortable hull was created by the yard’s in-house naval architects. Exterior styling comes courtesy of regular Heesen Yachts collaborator Frank Laupman and his Omega Architects studio, and the yard describes the look as “an emblem of sporty elegance”. Abberley Luxury Yachts, which represented the owner’s commercial interests during the construction phase, added, “This is the moment we have been...
The global aluminium foil market is poised to show strong growth for the next five years. Technavio's analysts forecast the global aluminium foil packaging market in food and beverages industry to grow at a CAGR of 5.58% during the period 2018-2022. South Korea’s exports of aluminium foils are expected to increase in 2018.China imports substantial amount of aluminium foil from the country. According to the recent statistics, China imported an estimated 16457 tonnes of aluminium foil in last year. As shown by our data, South Korea exported 73454 tonnes of aluminium foils in 2016, which decreased to total at 72312 tonnes in 2017. For the full year of 2018, the volume of foil export is forecasted to increase to total at 76694 tonnes. The total value of export stood at USD 612 million and USD...
Ball Corporation reported net earnings of $125 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to $68 million in last year’s first quarter. Excluding items, the company posted adjusted earnings of $180 million compared to $136 million last year. "Ball Corporation started the year strong, posting improved performance across each of our product lines, with comparable operating earnings up 13 percent in our global beverage operations, 19 percent in our aerospace business and 10 percent in our food and aerosol business and with lower overall corporate costs year-over-year.” “In our global beverage can business, overall volumes were up low single-digits in the quarter, driven largely by continued strong performance in South America and Europe. Global consumers continue to support the beverage...
Norsk Hydro has acquired Eugen Notter GmbH, a German aluminium window hardware manufacturer, to strengthen its offering for the building and construction industry. Hydro Building Systems manufactures miscellaneous structural metal work products, such as aluminium profile systems. The company sells facades, windows, doors, folding and sliding systems, fire protection, sun protection, and smoke control products to the building and construction industry. Eugen Notter GmbH, with a global customer base in Europe, North America and Asia, has been a supplier of Hydro Building Systems, offering hardware for aluminium windows. "This acquisition will support Hydro’s strategy to offer innovative solutions for windows and doors to serve an increasingly sophisticated market. We are very pleased to...
President Trump is continuing to keep several countries on toes, especially China, with imported aluminium and steel tariffs and at the same time, keeping workers like Charles Cesmat, a parts manager at a Boeing plant in Renton, Washington in dismay. Boeing is perhaps one of those American companies that ride on a super healthy relationship with China. It ships one of every four planes that it assembles to China. So, every time Mr. President slaps Beijing with a new set of tariffs, Mr. Cesmat winces. “I’m concerned a potential trade war could affect work for our members and work for me,” Mr. Cesmat said. “Thousands of people’s jobs rely on a working relationship with China.” According to a Seattle consulting firm, Boeing’s trade with China supports 40 per cent of all jobs in Washington...
Jost Gaertner, Manging partner and editor for AluMag Automotive said that battery electric vehicles will bring new possibilities for the aluminium foundries, but there could be an overcapacity situation in the sector. According to him, improving battery technology and forthcoming regulation / ban of ICE vehicles are boosting the outlook for EVs. Components for EV (HEV, PHEV and BEV) offer new opportunities for the aluminium foundries that cast automotive parts. The switch of the automotive industry towards complete electric cars like this Tesla will have a major impact on aluminium foundries as suppliers. However, if the BEV share rise considerably faster than that of the PHEV and Full HEV combined, an overcapacity could hit the aluminium foundries by the end of the next decade. EV...
Ball Corporation aims to help its customers boost branding on the top aluminium cans with new colourful lids. The company said its proprietary Cameo End Printing will add appeal for consumers looking for their favourite beverages. Jay Billings, Ball Corporation North and Central America vice president of commercial, said: “Ball’s Cameo End Printing delivers both branding advantages for our customers, and functional benefits for consumers. “For our customers, Cameo extends the can’s 360-degree billboard to the top of the package, further increasing brand visibility and offering exciting new possibilities for contests, special promotions and limited release packaging. “For consumers, Cameo makes searching for your favourite brand easier in coolers and convenience stores, where the top of...
Aluminium batteries enhanced with cheap and abundant materials could provide the perfect low-cost storage for renewable energy, researchers have claimed. While lightweight lithium-ion batteries are ideal for electric cars, they are also quite expensive – and therefore unsuitable for large-scale, stationary power storage, claimed scientists from ETH Zurich and Empa in Switzerland. Instead, the team identified two new materials that could improve cheap aluminium batteries. The first was titanium nitride, a corrosion-resistant ceramic material. The electrolyte fluid in aluminium batteries is extremely aggressive and corrosive, even damaging gold and platinum, so the team searched for a hardy replacement. Lead researcher Maksym Kovalenko and colleagues said they found what they were looking...
