China’s exports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar container products (HS 7612) increased in the first half of 2026, with shipments rising in both quarters. Among the destinations listed, import trends varied, with some markets recording strong growth while others saw declines. Exports at a glance China exported 49,000 tonnes of aluminium products (HS 7612) in the first half of 2026, up 36.1 per cent from 36,000 tonnes in H1 2025 and 63.3 per cent from 30,000 tonnes in H1 2024. Exports increased in both quarters, with shipments reaching 27,000 tonnes in Q2, compared with 22,000 tonnes in Q1, a quarter-on-quarter rise of 22.7 per cent. China’s quarterly exports rise The country’s exports rose by 29.4 per cent year-on-year, from 17,000 tonnes in Q1 2025 to 22,000 tonnes in...
For decades, aluminium windows and doors were largely viewed as functional elements of construction. Today, advances in extrusion technology, precision engineering and architectural design have transformed their possibilities. What once required bulky frames and conventional openings can now be achieved through remarkably slender profiles, expansive glass surfaces and sophisticated systems that bring together structural strength, durability and understated luxury. As Indian architecture becomes increasingly ambitious, aluminium is no longer simply framing spaces; it is helping redefine how they are designed, experienced and connected. Market data According to ALUMEX India 2025: Extruding the Future, India is the world’s second-largest primary aluminium producer and third-largest consumer,...
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Alstom, a French company operating worldwide in rail transport markets, has revealed the first series of aluminium bodied production train units for Riyadh Metro. Alstom metro train are 100 per cent motorised that allows them to run on track with slope gradients. The project worth $6.4bn is awarded to Fast consortium and its construction package covers 64.5km of track and 29 stations. Alstom’s share of contract represents more than $1.3bn. Alstom has presented metro trainsets to Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) when the representatives made a visit to see the second completed train off the production line in Poland. On January 2017, first train unit was shipped to Saudi Arabia via the port. Alstom is providing 69 Metropolis automated aluminium two-car trainsets, each 36 metre-long....
Researchers at the Technical University of Freiberg in Germany are endeavouring to develop aluminium ion batteries replacing lithium ion technology. German researchers have also been trying to develop a cathode that will work with the aluminium ion battery. The R2RBattery project at the Technical University of Freiberg has studied that aluminium meets the criteria for use in batteries. Ample amount of aluminium is available and it has been found to be of high energy density. Tilmann Leisegang, project manager professor, said, “It is the most frequent metal in the earth crust, it is easy to be produced and to recycle. In contrast to lithium it does not catch fire in contact with the air which translates into much higher safety. In addition, it is easier to process.” He further stated that...
AlCircle brings the top news from the End User vertical of aluminium covering transport, construction, electricals, and others that you may have missed by in the last week. Here is the quick round-up of the prominent news that you may be of interest to you. 1. NY City to experience first Citywide Ferry service, thanks to aluminium’s enduring role This year, the Citywide Ferry will provide 19 new aluminium vessels to travel between waterfront communities throughout New York City. A total of six routes and 21 landings designed will connect New Yorkers and visitors to the City’s waterfront communities. 2. Rolls-Royce unveils its last production Phantom VII using aluminium space frame The British luxury car maker Rolls-Royce unveiled the last production of its Phantom VII with the extensive...
British luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin is mulling over bringing back its 1959-launched DB4 GT models in a brand new avatar. To be re-introduced in elaborate yet suave aluminium bodywork and chassis containing aluminium, 1959GT Aston Martin is going to be the second "bring back the future" car model after Jaguar's 'new old' versions of the E-Type and XKSS . While the 2017 sports cars will be designed to match the elegance of the original, they will also represent the perfect blend of "old world craftsmanship and modern techniques" with improved engine performance, handling, braking and safety. The use of aluminium is expected to reduce the weight of the vehicles to a significant extent, Aston Martin says. The continuation cars with aluminium bodywork and chassis (parts) will...
Taiwan-based smartphone maker HTC has launched HTC 10 Evo crafted from aluminium in the Indian market. HTC claims the handset is the company’s first metal body smartphone with IP57 certification, meaning dust proof features. One of the main highlights of the HTC 10 evo is it packs USB Type C-enabled 'dual adaptive' headphones that tailor their output to the user's ear structure and hearing. The smartphone is equipped with BoomSound Adaptive Audio. The HTC 10 Evo sports a 5.5-inch QHD display wit Gorilla Glass protection and sports a water-resistant aluminium build. The handset has fingerprint scanner that can unlock the device in just 0.2 seconds. The device comes with 16-megapixel rear camera and powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset. It runs on Android 7.0 Nougat...
The British luxury car maker Rolls-Royce unveiled the last production of its Phantom VII with the extensive use of aluminium as the company rolls out a new production line after 13 years. The Phantom VII marks the launch of the marque’s bespoke programme whereby Phantom serves as a blank canvas enabling buyers to make their personalised additions. The company uses a new aluminium space frame that is designed and engineered for providing high-strength and making it lightweight. The model comes with a 6.75-litre V12 Rolls-Royce engine developed in-house which provides 454 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. With the end of this production, the company is set to introduce a new Phantom VIII, underpinned by all-new aluminium architecture of luxury. Phantom’s off-the-shelf price has been...
Audipack that creates standardized products as well as custom-built products and solutions is set to introduce new products featuring aluminium profiles. A new and updated package of stands comes for all types and sizes of flat screens. The company said that on meeting market requirement, its R&D department has manufactured a wide variety of new products such as free-standing and hanging video wall solutions for configurations from 2×2 screens up to 6×3. These products come with new aluminium profiles; a ‘revolutionary’ push/pull unit that can adjust on six axes; aluminium profiles with integrated ducts; and a ‘quick release’ solution. Audipack will also launch Silent cabin that the company claims to be the first interpretation booth in the world according to the new ISO 4043 -2016 norm....
Ford premieres the bigger, lighter and more loaded 2018 Ford Expedition at a private event in Dallas on February 7 Tuesday. The SUV will have a public unveiling during the Chicago Auto Show later this week. The all-new 2018 Ford Expedition is characterized by its high-strength aluminium-alloy body and redesigned steel frame that shave up to 300 pounds of weight from the full-size SUV’s weight. Though the weight reduction is conditioned by the trim level, Ford says it maintains its off-road capability. With the aluminium-body SUV that is to be commercially available from fall this year, Ford has successfully implemented aluminium construction for the second time after the 2015 F-150. The Expedition is based on the same F-Series platform that turned out to be a rugged best seller despite...
Texas based AGENCY Architecture has created an aluminium Selfie Wall on the border between Mexico and the United States. AGENCY has been in the practice of engaging contemporary culture through architecture, urbanism, and advocacy since its inception. Aluminium Selfie Wall is installed in a public park where visitors are invited to capture image and post their selfies to the social media and help in the research of how much information is being shared. This experiment is a part of creating awareness about data and privacy and providing solutions that help people to protect them. The AGENCY team said, "Thanks to metadata, a picture may really be worth a thousand words.” Agency team built the Selfie Wall from 162 custom-fabricated units, CNC-milled from composite aluminium panel, and folded...
The noted Taiwanese mobile phone manufacturer Asus has launched Zenfone 3s Max (ZC521TL) featuring a suave aluminium metal body in India today. The smartphone which was unveiled earlier in India at an exclusive event with a real-time tear down demo sports bumped up specs from the Zenfone 3 Max. The new Asus Zenfone 3s Max with an aluminium metal body packs in a lot of style in addition to a number of upgraded technical features. Available in two colour variants – black and gold, Zenfone 3s Max comes with a 5000 mAh battery delivering up to 30 hours of standby. The company claims the battery also doubles up as power bank to charge other devices over OTG cable. What else the new kid on the block with an aluminium body has in store for smartphone users in India? - It has a 5.2 inch HD IPS...
In June 2017, New York City is going to witness the most anticipated ferry service the city has ever seen in a century and the credit goes to aluminium. Manhattan is an island and the New York City’s five boroughs all sit on rivers- ferries have always been important in transportation for the people residing at island region. This year, the Citywide Ferry will provide 19 new aluminium vessels to travel between waterfront communities throughout New York City. A total of six routes and 21 landings designed will connect New Yorkers and visitors to the City’s waterfront communities. The ferries are built in collaboration with the Hornblower and Metal Shark companies in Louisiana. The Citywide Ferry Service is a proposed network of ferry routes in New York City operated by Hornblower Cruises....
A lustrous, dynamic anodized aluminium and LED light installation titled Solaris adorns the gateway to luxury-fashion purveyor Moncler’s flagship store at Madison Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Designed by Paris-based Bardula Studio and the French interior design firm Gilles & Boissier, this installation draws passer-by with its lustrous golden lights reflected on gold anodized aluminium. Bardula, a Belgian artist with gold- and silversmith training, creates dynamic artworks made from mostly metal, mirrors, and LEDs in collaboration with her architect husband. Earlier, Gilles had worked with the studio in 2015 to create a series of light-infused volumetric sculptures for New York’s Baccarat Hotel. The couple team used a spherical form as a starting point for the project. “We...
Strategic Marine, a leading specialist shipbuilding, fabrication and engineering companies, and Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (ADSB), a renowned provider of construction, repair and refit services for naval, military and commercial vessels, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the Middle East’s growing market of aluminium vessels. ADSB's corporate commercial director Mr. Mohamed S. Al Ghas noted: "We know Strategic's solid reputation for the manufacturing of high-performance ships will help to deliver top-of-the-line aluminium vessels to an already demanding market in our region." The MoU for creating tenders for a range of aluminium vessels aimed at attracting regional buyers. The aluminium vessels will be built at ADSB ship yard in Abu Dhabi. Strategic Marine’s executive...
Range Rover is set to launch a coupe SUV called Velar and the car is designed to slot between the company’s Evoque and Range Rover Sport models. The Range Rover Velar is expected to be launch at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017. Image Courtesy Autocar The Velar model is likely to sit on Land Rover’s aluminium-intensive architecture. The new model is a rival to the BMW X6 and Porsche Macan. JLR is likely to use new Plug-in hybrid version in the Velar. The five-seat Velar is based on JLR’S aluminium-intensive IQ platform. The Velar is powered by JLR’S Ingenium four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines. The velar comes with 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine. The new SUV-coupe will be built alongside the Range Rover Sport and Jaguar F-Pace in the ultra-modern aluminium body and...
Aluminium beverage cans are the most sustainable package because of the higher recycling rate and more recycled content than competing package types. Beverage can market has been growing at a fast pace due to its easy portability and recyclability and more and more beverage makers are packaging their products in slim aluminium cans that can easily be carried and cooled faster. DRY Soda Co., that produces lightly sweet, culinary-inspired sodas, has just unveiled its bold and spicy Ginger DRY Sparkling flavour in convenient 12 oz. aluminium cans at the 2017 Winter Fancy Food Show from January 22-24. Sharelle Klaus, CEO and founder of DRY Soda Co. said, “We are proud to offer refreshing Ginger DRY Sparkling in this new convenient format. We saw such success with our 750 mL holiday bottles of...
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has begun fixing anew designed signage at its stations for the suitability of its travellers. As a pilot project, the Barakhamba and Pragati Maidan metro stations have already been provided with new signage. The new signage is made of aluminium extrusion with vinyl. The signage is tough and fit to withstand rough handling. The aluminium extrusion signage will have LED backlight to lighten up symbols and words. The panels are designed for assisting commuters to station platforms and towards entry and exit will have a deep blue background with white lettering, instead of deep blue lettering on a white background. A metro official said, “These are better equipped to handle issues such as vandalism, tearing, writing on the body of the signage etc as...
A Court of International Trade judge on Tuesday, January 31 declared that Swedish home furnishings retailer Ikea Supply AG cannot be exempted from paying tariffs for its imported aluminium towel racks and cabinet handles. In the month of July 2016, a Court of International Trade gave a verdict that Ikea couldn’t escape tariffs on the above mentioned products from China. The retailer filed a motion requesting a reconsideration of a July decision. However, the Court of International Trade Senior Judge Richard W. Goldberg denied Ikea's motion because they were lawfully deemed to fall within the scope of duty orders on aluminium extrusions imported from China. The court added that “Ikea provides no adequate basis for reconsideration”. In December, 2016, Ikea announced 20% rise in fiscal 2016...
GALM - The largest automotive lightweighting conference series in the world is returning to Europe - bringing brand new insights into the latest breakthroughs in lightweight materials for conventional and electric vehicle ranges The 6th Global Automotive Lightweight Materials Europe Summit (April 25th-27th, 2017, UK) will focus specifically on the latest advancements in materials, including metals, composites and thermoplastics, reliable joining methods & new solutions for lightweighting of structural parts and components, as well as lightweighting that is specific to conventional and electric vehicle ranges. The programme line-up for this year’s GALM edition will focus on improving material selection strategies, optimising multi material architectures and introducing new design solutions...
