
Spanish racing driverFernando Alonso has added a one-off Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse to his growing collection of rare cars. Known as chassis 8.100, the car is distinguished by bespoke aluminium bodywork that required more than 20 tonnes of aluminium to produce, along with dedicated CAD programmes developed by Bugatti. Its history is equally distinctive, being produced after an original customer pushed Bugatti to create something it had initially considered too expensive. For Alonso, the automobile fits closely with an approach to luxury he outlined in 2024 about choosing manufacturers that treat individual customers differently rather than simply producing cars in larger numbers. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report "Global...
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...
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<p>Nasa’s spacecraft Juno has glided through the clouds of Jupiter in a record-breaking close approach to the giant planet so far.<br /><br />According to a tweet by the agency Juno successfully completed it’s closest ever fly-by to the planet. This is the first of 36 such moves, which are scheduled to end in February 2018. Juno is the first spacecraft that has orbited so close to Jupiter. Although two others were sent, they were destroyed while plunging to its atmosphere.<br /><br />Juno is a part of Nasa’s New Frontiers programme of robotic space missions. They were able to get the close-up views of dwarf planet Pluto last year.</p> <p><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"...

<p>For adventure sports lovers the more lightweight their vessels or vehicles are the better- rather, speedier! Hence, the racing enthusiasts, surfers, or even bass anglers find materials such as aluminium or fibreglass of more value as they enhance the performance of their props and vehicles by reducing their weights while making them more durable and high on aesthetics.</p> <p>Aluminium bass boats are one such category of sports vessel that has caught the fancy of bass anglers in Alabama in recent times. With an exceptionally shallow draft, these light and durable boats have been found to be even speedier and far affordable than their fibreglass counterparts.</p> <p>According to the amateur as well as professional anglers of this part of the world, the bass boats made of new generation...

<p>The famous "Wave House" of Venice is a striking piece of architecture that continues turning heads on the street. Other than the unique shape with rounded edges and rippling design of the roof, the house is particularly eye-catching because it is clad aesthetically in white aluminium and cedar blocks. Designer Mario Romano who is the architect behind this great piece of art explains in his website how giant pieces of aluminium were spread out to create the unique shell of the house.<br /><br />According to his website, like the way a tailor designs a suit of clothing by collating the pieces together, the aluminium skin was digitally rolled and unrolled, then cut by a CNC machine to suit the roofing structure. Then those aluminium pieces are attached to a complex metal...

<p>Baltic Workboats AS, an Estonian shipbuilding company with a shipyard in Nasva, announced completion of its first 22-metre wave-piercing aluminium patrol boat Patrol 2200 WP for the Belgium Customs. The aluminium boat, named Zeeleeuw (Sea lion), will serve as a multi-function patrol vessel for the Belgium state fleet DAB VLOOT. <br /><br />Baltic Workboats Ltd. Director of Sales Jüri Taal said, "Building Zeeleeuw was extremely important step for us as she’s the first patrol craft in our series of wave-piercing vessels and will add another product line to complement our high-speed wave-piercing range of extremely seaworthy boats. We hope she’s the first of many to follow.”<br /><br />Aluminium-made Patrol 2200 WP’s has a total length of 21,97m with maximum...

<p>According to a new study conducted for the Aluminum Association by ICF International, the combined greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the transportation and refrigeration of beverages in aluminium cans are lower than those associated with that of beverages in glass or plastic bottles under the same conditions.<br /><br />Overall, the study finds that on a per-litre beverage basis, emissions associated with transporting and cooling aluminium cans are 7 per cent to 21 per cent lower than plastic bottles and 35 per cent to 49 per cent lower than glass bottles, depending on the size of the comparative bottles as well as the types of refrigerators in which beverage is cooled prior to consumption.<br /><br />On a per-container basis, the associated emissions of a beverage...

<p>On August 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized new emissions and fuel economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. They have listed benchmarks for cutting emissions from heavy duty trucks and increasing efficiency. While doing so, they have cited use of aluminium components like wheels, extrusions and sheet to achieve light-weighting in such heavy duty applications. <br /><br />According to the Phase 2 rule of the agency, trucking efficiencies need to improve up to 25 per cent by 2027 in order to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the freight transportation activities in the U.S.<br /><br />Commenting on this context, Curt Wells, director of...

<p>The UK based leading distributor of commercial vehicle wheels- Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) is planning to establish a new company in Germany early next year to expand its aftermarket distribution network in Europe and then use it to establish strategic partnerships with truck trailer OEMs in the region, reported sources aware of the developments in the tyres and accessories sector. MSWD presently distributes Speedline's Xlite and Xbrite+ range of aluminium wheels, and aims at reaching out to the aluminium forged wheel markets in continental Europe. <br /><br />Motor Wheel Service has been active in the wheel industry for more than eight decades, and for the past 35 years has concentrated on the distribution of commercial vehicle wheels. Whilst the initial focus was on steel...

<p>Larson Electronics, a leader in the industrial and commercial lighting industry, has announced the release of an explosion proof LED aluminium string light set equipped with ten 15 watt LED lamps.<br /><br />The EPL-SL-10-FL1524-LED-C1D1-TXF explosion proof LED string light set from Larson Electronics is U.L. Class 1 Division 1 & 2 approved. The two foot, 15 watt LED tube lamps on this string light set produces higher quality light than incandescent lamps and provide more light output than previous fluorescent lamp models. This 10 lamp string light set comes complete with a 90 foot 12/3 SOOW backbone for long range and convenient operation. Each lamp on this hazardous location area stringer features a rugged, non-sparking aluminium casting and a unique rod cage. The lamps produce a...

<p>The 'Make in India' drive has put India's slow-growing infrastructural development onto a fast-track. China’s largest high speed train maker recently announced that its first USD 63.4 million joint venture plant in India to repair and manufacture railway locomotive engines has started operations in Haryana. The JV named CRRC Pioneer (India) Electric Co. Ltd. is expected to encourage the growth of a large number of ancillary industries including aluminium locomotive parts manufacturing in the state.<br /><br />The state-run China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) is the first foreign company to set up assembly line of rail transportation equipment in India. The plant was set up with a total investment of $63.4 million and the Chinese side holds 51 per cent of the share,...

<p>Each year the Alufoil Trophy competition offers the opportunity for companies to showcase the very best and latest aluminium foil and closure applications and ideas. EAFA, the European Aluminium Foil Association has announced that entries for the 2017 competition are now open and will be accepted until 18 November 2016. A particular benefit for 2017 winners is that their products will be presented on the Association’s stand at interpack, the world’s largest packaging exhibition, in Düsseldorf, Germany next May.<br /> <br />The Alufoil Trophy is widely regarded as the most prestigious award in the sector and offers packaging designers, brand owners, foil rollers, foil converters, foil container manufacturers, closure manufacturers, household foil manufacturers,...

<p>The UAE based Danube Group, manufacturer of the aluminium cladding range Alucopanel, has won the coveted deal of constructing the region's first A2-standard fire-resistant panel manufacturing factory beating another Indian company Mulk Holdings headquartered in the Middle East.<br /><br />Mulk Holdings claimed in a release that they have also gained certification for their new A2 panels. But Danube Group, which produces the Alucopanel aluminium cladding range under licence in the Middle East from its factory in Dubai Technopark, said they will be the first to begin commercial production, scheduled for an early start this month.<br /><br />Aluminium A2 Standard panels are being made compulsory under the UAE’s Fire & Life Safety Code following a series of fire hazards...

<p>Buyers of Jaguar products are going to get special offers from Coscharis Motors of Lagos for the launch of the Jaguar’s first Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) – the F-PACE.<br /><br />The announcement was made by President, Dr Cosmas Maduka during the unveiling of– at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. The firm is offering special prices, free insurance and a two-year service plan for Jaguar products for one month.</p> <p>The F-PACE is a performance SUV that represents the agility, responsiveness and refinement that Jaguar cars are known for, coupled with superb dynamics and versatility. It is developed using Jaguar’s Lightweight aluminium architecture for lightweighting and speed/fuel performance. The SUV combines purity of line, surface and...

<p>Leeds-based HWLWindows group company Nordic Aluminium has announced the addition of Synseal’s innovative WarmCore aluminium folding sliding door system to its prolific product portfolio. With this expansion of product basket, the leading manufacturer of bespoke aluminium windows and doors has inched closer to its target consumers across the U.S. market. <br /><br />WarmCore being built from aluminium showcases enhanced durability and desirability and is designed to provide unmatched insulation. Each part of the bi-fold doors has an orange thermal core that ensures 25 per cent more insulation than the traditional aluminium windows and doors systems available in the market. It comes with built-in security, reinforced by the ERA Five Star security guarantee, plus a product guarantee...

<p>The iPhone users and a large number of Android users around the world face durability issues with their charger. Recently launched Mfi Charger which is designed with innovation promises to do away with durability issues.<br /><br />The Smart Mfi charge cable is designed with a technology that maximizes power consumption and reduces EMI interference. The charger can be used to charge and sync multiple devices. The advanced technology used in the making of the charger allows it to offer optimal charging efficiency for the iOS devices. <br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.alcircle.com/uploads/images/noveli%20charger.png" alt="News" width="600" height="338" /><br /><br />Smart Mfi charger can also facilitate...

<p>A prominent corporate honcho and MD of Kian Joo Can Factory Bhd and Box-Pax (M) Bhd Yeoh Jin Hoe has initiated the takeover of Aluminum Company of Malaysia Bhd (Alcom) after buying a 59.16% stake of the aluminium rolled products manufacturer. This is an attempt to expand his business interests in the aluminium packaging industry.<br /><br />The share sale and purchase agreement was executed between Yeoh’s investment vehicle Towerpack Sdn Bhd and Novelis Inc. which is the controlling shareholder in Alcom. <br /><br />Alcom said after the completion of the proposed acquisition, Towerpack's holdings of the voting shares of Alcom will increase from nil to 59.16%. Alcom disclosed that, Yeoh had also proposed to buy 79.23 million Alcom shares for RM47.72mil or 61 sen a share in an...

<p>New regulations that will boost the fuel economy of the nation's medium and heavy-duty truck vehicle fleet recognize the importance of mass reduction technologies such as aluminum to help reach these goals. On August 16, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly finalized a new rule requiring that trucking efficiencies improve up to 25 percent by 2027 in an effort to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the nation's freight transportation activities.<br /><br />Across the spectrum of the new rule - from combination tractors and the trailers they pull to vocational vehicles such as delivery trucks and school buses to heavy duty pickups and vans – aluminum componentry including wheels, extrusions, and...

<p>Manchester based renowned architecture practice SimpsonHaugh and Partners has been reported to be gaining in momentum with its Leeds regeneration, after having won the approval for a hotel in in Bridge Street, London. The practice has unveiled plans for the second phase of development as well. <br /><br />SimpsonHaugh and Partners, according to the local media reports, will be giving a 12-storey 1960's office building a makeover in the first phase, and has received planning for the same. The building will be converted into a 182-bed hotel, which will feature among other things terracotta and aluminium cladding. The practice will also be refurbishing a podium on the site, which is presently clad in salt-glazed terracotta brushed with aluminium. Construction at the site will begin in...

<p>Owensboro Convention Center, at Kentucky received the 2016 Metal Architecture Design Award in the Smooth Metal Wall Panels category for its outstanding, smooth aesthetics. Lorin Industries Inc. supplied the BlackMatt LL Brushed and ClearMatt LL Brushed anodized aluminium that clads the beautiful building.<br /><br />Brad McWhirter, AIA, design director at New Orleans-based Trahan Architects, says his firm drew inspiration for the design from tobacco barns, a common building type that represents the vernacular architecture of the area. McWhirter says that the vertical brushed finishes on the anodized aluminium panels on the exterior of the building refer to wood grain on the tobacco barns.<br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right:...