
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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Coca-Cola Malaysia refuted allegations that its imported Coca-Cola UEFA Euro 2016 limited edition aluminium bottles sold in selected outlets in the country contain alcohol. It said although the limited edition aluminium bottles were not produced in Malaysia but imported from Europe, “the ingredients and manufacturing process used in the production of Coca-Cola beverage are rigorously regulated by the government and health authorities in more than 200 countries which have consistently recognised the drink as a non-alcoholic product”. “These include countries where Islam is the major religion,” it said in a statement, here, today. “The company understands the local market and recognises and respects the importance of reassuring the Muslim consumers that its products meet the strict halal...

Ford Motor Co. narrowly beat General Motors Co. in sales of full-size pickup trucks during the half of this year. Ford’ F-Series pickup sales rose 10.7 percent to 395,244 through the end of June, according to industry data issued Friday. GM, by comparison, sold a combined 382,134 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups – just a 0.9 percent gain – during the same period. Silverado sales have fallen slightly this year, despite aggressive marketing that included a commercial showing a dropped tool chest punching a hole in the bed of the rival F-150 pickup. The spot was a knock on the aluminum architecture of the Ford’s body and bed. “With Chevrolet sales flat, one wonders if the splashy incentive program that kicked off June and the provocative Silverado steel bed versus Ford’s F-150...

The former Mardyke Estate in Rainham, east London, has undergone a substantial transformation to make way for a new residential development, Orchard Village. Circle Housing has invested £80million to redevelop the old housing estate, creating 555 new homes to meet local affordable housing needs. Designed by PRP Architects and developed in its entirety by Willmott Dixon, the project specified AluK aluminium curtain walling, window and door systems throughout all four phases, three of which have been completed. To meet security requirements, all windows and doors complied to the Secured By Design (SBD) initiative, with the GT55 TB commercial door systems integrating electric strike access with key fob entry. The AluK GT55 TB is believed to be the first aluminium commercial door system to be...

A new portable 3D printer that is capable of being folded up or down to help with transportation, has been launched this week via the Kickstarter crowdfunding website by 3DSTUFFSNL, a development company based in the Netherlands. The TOPEEDOBOT wireless connectable, portable 3D printer has been constructed using a strong yet lightweight aluminium framework and is capable of near silent print operation, as well as being able to print in multiple colours, says its creators. The frame of the printer is designed and made of extruded aluminium profile, giving the TOPEEDOBOT a rigid solid structural frame. Assembled with custom, aluminium parts designed by Emmanuel A. TOPEEDOBOT is designed and developed for professionals, hobbyists, students, makers and thinkers. Thanks to feedback, comments...

Statnett, Norway’s state owned power system operator, has energised 68 km of Nexans’ green coloured aluminium conductors on its new overhead transmission line connecting central Norway to western Norway. The line will secure the supply of power in the region. Nexans’ coloured conductors have been used on 8.5 km of the line that run through a protected nature reserve, allowing the cables to blend in with the environment. Nexans has used a unique surface treatment to manufacture the green coloured aluminium wires. This helped the conductors blend in with the environment, making it more acceptable to local residents. The patented treatment process is able to produce different types of conductors in almost all colours, and in contrast to traditional coatings methods it has no adverse effect...

Ball Corp. on Thursday finalized its $6.1 billion acquisition of British competitor Rexam, making the Broomfield-based company the largest (aluminium and tinplate) beverage can maker in the world. Ball also assumed $2.4 billion of debt in the deal. The combined company accounts for 60 percent of beverage can supply in North America, 69 percent in Europe and 74 percent in Brazil, with 75 manufacturing facilities across five continents, 18,700 workers and an estimated $11 billion in net sales for 2015. “We’re delighted to move forward together as a leader in the packaging industry, supplying approximately 100 billion innovative, high-quality metal (tinplate and aluminium) beverage containers from the world’s most efficient manufacturing footprint,” John A. Hayes, chairman, president and CEO...

Lightweight metals leader Alcoa announced yesterday a long-term contract with Embraer – the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 130 seats – valued at approximately $470 million. Under the multiyear agreement, Alcoa will supply aluminium sheet and plate for Embraer’s new E2s, the second generation of its E-Jets family of commercial aircraft, a narrow-body medium-range jet airliner. The Embraer E-Jets E2 were launched at the Paris Airshow in 2013 and are scheduled to enter into service in 2018. “Our partnership with Embraer is rooted in constant innovation and this contract is further proof of that strength,” said Mark Vrablec, President of Alcoa’s Aerospace & Automotive Products business. “Our patented alloys enable us to support our customer’s game-changing E2 program, and we’re...

Wintec Aluminium Windows and Doors Australia has developed a wide range of functional and stylish WERS rated windows designed to meet the high demands for energy efficiency and weather performance. Utilising modern design, quality seals and hardware componentry, Wintec aluminium framed window and door products meet the high demands for energy efficiency and weather performance in today’s market. Window performance has become one of the most hotly discussed topics in virtually every residential and commercial project across Australia. The specification of energy-efficient windows has become a key element of sustainable design, with Tony Isaacs, the Principal Project Leader for Sustainable Energy Authority Australia singling out windows as “the make-or-break issue in achieving a good...

Glass and metal packaging company Ardagh Group has developed the new Elnett Crème de Mousse aluminium aerosol can for global beauty brand L’Oréal Paris. The 200ml can, in its familiar 'gold' coating, was produced by Ardagh at its specialist plant in Beaurepaire, France. Ardagh has produced Elnett brand products since 1960, and first launched the gold packaging in 1963. Marc Bettinger, sales director for aluminium packaging from Ardagh, explains, “We have been proud and privileged to produce the iconic Elnett aerosol since its launch over 55 years ago. "We are very pleased that the beauty of the distinctive gold metal gloss with the associated graphics is being continued on this important new range.” The female face and recognisable typography first appeared on the cans in 1964 under its...

In a grand event, HP announced the ultra-slim Spectre 13 in India, and at just 10.4mm, it is the slimmest laptop in the world. It is made using carbon fibre and Aluminium with prices starting at INR 1.2 lakhs. The Spectre 13 hosts a series of unique technology features which essentially make it a one-off luxury buy. However, technicality aside, HP has made sure that the Spectre stands out with its design. The matte black carbon fibre and Aluminium body flaunts a bronze finish at the back, giving it a very jewellery like look. The use of carbon fibre and aluminium has also helped the gadget maker keep the weight of laptop significantly light- HP Spectre 13 weighs only 1.1 kgs. The HP Spectre definitely appeals to the masses with its wonderful design and an ultra slim profile, but its high...

Hyperloop One, a startup founded by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, is currently working on Hyperloop system- a concept that says trains can be equipped to travel at supersonic speeds up to 800mph (1,300km/h) using reduced pressure tubes. Pressurised capsule pods (the train carriages) ride on an air cushion in steel tubes driven by linear induction motors and air compressors, which allows them to go faster than current trains. Hyperloop One is pushing ahead with tests on its design, and in May was able to demonstrate that a lightweight aluminium sled could travel 100mph in just 2 seconds on a 1.9-mile-long test track in the Nevada Desert during its first public high speed propulsion test. "The DNA of my time at SpaceX has got its fingerprints all over Hyperloop. There's nothing new that has...

Ball Corporation has agreed to sell to Ardagh Group S.A. eight U.S. aluminium can plants and associated assets in order to settle FTC charges that its proposed acquisition of Rexam PLC – worth $8.4 billion when proposed in February 2015 – is likely anticompetitive. According to the complaint, the acquisition would eliminate direct competition in the United States between Colorado-based Ball, and United Kingdom-based Rexam, which are the first and second largest manufacturers of aluminium beverage cans in both the United States and the world. The complaint alleges without a divestiture, it is likely that the proposed merger would substantially lessen competition for standard 12-ounce aluminium cans in three regional U.S. markets – the South and Southeast, the Midwest, and the West. The...

HP’s laptop dock for the HP Elite X3 stands out as a well-designed electronic device accessory. It is made with aluminium and solid polycarbonate with a great keyboard and massive battery that offers a laptop-like experience via Continuum for Phones for their upcoming flagship handset. The HP Lap Dock sports a 12.5? diagonal, 1080p (‘Full HD’) screen (possible TFT), stereo B&O speakers, a full 6-row laptop keyboard, offers connections over both Miracast and USB-C, 3 USB-C ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, micro-HDMI out, has a massive 48 WH battery which should offer 12 hours of wireless use, with a hinge that elevates the keyboard when the screen is opened. The speculations that these accessories are cross compatible opens up the market for these devices and the amount of support that...

All passenger coaches for the Bangladesh railway under the Indian line of credit will arrive in Dhaka by December, the Indian High Commission has said. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina on Saturday launched a new train—‘Sonar Bangla Express’—between Dhaka and Chittagong. She also re-launched the Silk City express between Dhaka and Rajshahi with newly built Indian coaches. Bangladesh and India signed the first-ever line of credit pegged at $1 billion in 2010, but India later converted $200 million of the loan money into grants. It was the largest ever one-time assistance offered by India to any country. The Indian High Commission says the Silk City express will have 12 coaches consisting of two AC chair cars (78 seats each), two first AC coaches (24 berths each), six non-AC...

POWER Engineers Inc. has helped American Electric Power successfully complete the longest replacement of energized conductor (with aluminium composite core) in the United States and bring more reliable power to the residents of South Texas. Now that landmark project has earned AEP the electric power industry’s most prestigious honor, the Edison Award. As the engineer of record, POWER worked closely with AEP’s contractor to design a temporary single-phase line that allowed the entire 240 circuit-miles to be replaced with aluminium conductor composite core while energized. It involved installing more than 1,440 miles of advanced conductor on the 240 circuit-miles. The Edison Electric Institute award recognizes AEP’s leadership and innovation in replacing conductor on two 345 kV transmission...

Celebrated architect, designer, sculptor and Royal Academician Ron Arad has been commissioned by the public art scheme- Terrace Wires organizers to create a monumental aluminium structure for installation at St Pancras station, London. The art piece will be unveiled on 7 July, organizing committee spokesperson said to the media. There has been a public art scheme in place called Terrace Wires - operated by HS1, the owner of St Pancras station in London. Every year it invites a committee comprised of broadcaster Evan Davis; Nigel Carrington, rector at the University of the Arts London; artist and curator Chris Wainwright; Royal Academy artistic director Tim Marlow; Nicola Shaw, chief executive of HS1; and Wallpaper editorial director Richard Cook, to commission a work to hang above the...

Products manufactured by Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”) – one of the world’s five largest producers of primary aluminium – have been declared suitable for sustainable building practices, as per the criteria defined by the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) rating system and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (“DGNB”, the German Sustainable Building Council). The LEED and DGNB declarations, which follow a rigorous assessment process by an independent agency, attest to EGA’s on-going quest to produce ‘green metal’ and underscore the company’s corporate commitment to sustainability, specifically the global agenda to protect the environment. “This is a key accreditation, as more than 40 per cent of our annual production...

Tata Motors has made its new direction clear with cars like the Tiago, the Kite 5 and the Nexon. There are at least six new cars that the carmaker is actively working on (apart from everything it’s shown so far at the Auto Expo), involving its multiple design studios, engineering arms and its blue-eyed boys — Jaguar and Land Rover. Arguably the more important of these is a car code-named the X451, a premium hatchback that will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20. Unlike the Bolt, which was a rehashed Vista, the X451 is a ground-up design. The upcoming hatchback will be based on Tata’s new Advanced Modular Platform (AMP), and powertrain options will be new 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. There is concrete information about the engine line-up yet,...