France-headquartered Drone Volt has unveiled its Hercules 100 heavy-lift cargo drone, combining an aluminium-and-carbon chassis with a payload capacity of up to 100 kilogrammes (kg). Introduced in flight at the UAV Show in Bordeaux on October 9, 2026, the foldable octocopter is designed for industrial logistics, civil protection, firefighting and defence. Designed and assembled in France, the aircraft marks the company’s move from the 25 kilogrammes class to a 100 kilogrammes payload platform. Aluminium and carbon highlight the design The Hercules 100 has a maximum take-off weight of 197 kg. It weighs 52 kg without batteries and 97 kg with its battery pack, leaving capacity for a full 100 kg payload. Its chassis combines aluminium and carbon fibre, with a wheelbase of 3,300 mm. When...
Bering Yachts has presented the first hull of its BC60 aluminium explorer catamaran, marking the shipyard’s move to a twin-hull platform while retaining the long-range capability and structural robustness associated with its established explorer vessels. The 18.9-metre vessel has already been delivered and is afloat, with founder and CEO Alexei Mikhailov providing a detailed walkthrough of its design and onboard systems. Measuring 18.9 metres (60 feet) in length overall, with an 8.6-metre beam, the BC60 is designed as a displacement explorer rather than a high-speed production catamaran. Its all-aluminium construction, shallow draft and substantial fuel capacity are intended to support extended passages and greater autonomy at sea. The vessel has a draft of 1.58 metres and carries more...
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America is Toyota’s largest market for its Lexus brand, but this hasn’t stopped the company from deciding to close one of its two US production plants, according to Nikkei, the world’s largest financial newspaper. Currently, Lexus produces the ES mid-size sedan in Kentucky and the TX SUV in Indiana, but the company plans to consolidate production at a single location. Image Source: Joseph Rey Au According to Nikkei, though Lexus and Toyota have yet to officially confirm the move, the report suggests Toyota's decision is a response to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on US imports. The new strategy will see Lexus focus on producing its high-selling hybrid vehicles at its remaining American plant in Indiana, while shifting other luxury models to Japan. This change is not...
Did you know that from 2007 till now (September 2025), a total of 47 total iPhone models have been launched? And the OG of all touchscreen models is back with another bang this year. The tech-giant has finally pulled the curtain on its stunning and much-awaited iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max – the two powerhouses that don’t just raise the bar, but shatter it. Image Source: iPhone website True to its speculation, both iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max comes wrapped in a laser-welded, aluminium unibody , replacing titanium . The pre-order for both the models will be starting from Friday, September 12 (5.30PM IST) and available from Friday, September 19. And till July 2025, Apple, the American multinational company sold over 3 billion iPhones worldwide, further cementing its position...
After becoming India's ACP company to be on BSE and NSE, Euro Panel, the manufacturer and supplier of aluminium composite panel (ACP) in India and abroad, have secured the NABL accreditation to conduct in-house lab testing with reference to ISO/IEC 17025. With this achievement, the company can upgrade and ensure a global standard quality for all the ACP products manufactured. The NABL accreditation will enable the firm to conduct in-house colour testing and measure its performance under the standards mentioned in ISO/IEC 17025. In order to provide the certification, the company's state-of-the-art laboratory had to undergo multiple assessments by the NABL parameter, which is deemed to be 16 in total, to test the performance of the colour coil. NABL accreditation The process of...
Vedanta Limited will invest over INR 12,500 crore to scale up its metal manufacturing business, with a clear focus on the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The investment covers new production facilities, technology upgrades, and downstream processing units to boost supplies of aluminium, copper, and lithium used in EV batteries and components. The company said the move should cut India’s dependence on imports and strengthen supply chains, while also supporting the government’s Make in India programme. Push on sustainability Alongside higher output, Vedanta wants to bring in greener practices. It plans to use more renewable power and energy-efficient processes across operations. A company spokesperson said, “With India’s electric mobility sector poised for exponential growth, our investment...
Goods and Services Tax, rather commonly known as GST, was first introduced in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on July 1, 2017. It was said to have replaced a complex web of central and state taxes such as excise duty, service tax, VAT, octroi, and entry tax, unifying them under a single Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. 8 years later, present Finance Minister of India has introduced ‘GST 2.0’ slashing previous five slab structure into a more concise 4 slab distribution. Image source: https://www.iasexpress.net/ Also read: Electricity behind aluminium’s price tag? Then, why does Europe’s “green” metal costs so much? When it rolled out in July 2017, the tax system was dressed in five different slabs of 0 per cent, 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per...
Analyst raises earnings forecast for Ball Corporation Equities research analysts at Zacks Research have raised their Q4 2026 earnings per share (EPS) as a research note issued to its investors on September 3. Zacks Research analyst Team now expect the company to earn USD 1.03 per share for the quarter, up from the previous estimate of USD 0.99. The estimated earnings for Ball for this current year are USD 3.48 per share. Zacks Research analyst Team have also issued estimated earnings of USD 4.43 EPS for the company in FY2027. On August 5, Ball released its earnings results, where the company reported USD 0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Whereas the estimation of the topping analysts' consensus remains at USD 0.87 by USD 0.03. The company has earned a total revenue of USD...
Campbell Soup Co . said Wednesday that new tariffs will weigh heavily on its results for fiscal 2026, with profits expected to fall short of Wall Street forecasts. Image for representational purpose The New Jersey-based company estimates tariffs will add about 4 per cent to its cost of goods sold next year. Executives said they expect to offset roughly 60 per cent of that hit through price hikes and internal savings, but the remainder will squeeze margins. The added strain comes at a time when packaged food makers are already grappling with slowing demand, as consumers pull back on discretionary spending. Chief Executive Mick Beekhuizen noted that shoppers are becoming more selective and are opting for more at-home meals, adding pressure to the company’s profitability. Also read:...
The Italian cycling brand, Miche has unveiled its new X2 RD chainrings, built on a simple idea: don’t waste a single watt of rider effort. The chainrings combine CNC-machined AL 7075-T6 aluminium with a 3K carbon structural layer, a mix that delivers a rare balance of lightness, stiffness, and responsiveness. Image for respresentational purpose This fusion creates a chainring that is exceptionally rigid yet lightweight and highly responsive, enabling every pedal stroke to be transformed directly into speed. The design also guarantees full compatibility with cranksets both with and without power meters, ensuring that cyclists can achieve peak performance in any setup. Two versions of the system Compatibility was a key part of the design. The X2 RD works seamlessly with cranksets with or...
Imagine a world where scrap cars no longer pile up in landfills, but instead help build the electric vehicles of tomorrow. That is what a team of researchers in Europe are busy with. Stefan Pogatscher and his team have pioneered an exciting new process to recycle scrap metals from cars (amounting to 7 to 9 million tonnes in Europe annually) into a high-grade aluminium alloy perfect for building a variety of components for new electric vehicles. Get industry specific insights from - ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics How will this new innovation be carried out? The secret to this innovative solution is preserving a diverse mix of alloys found in scrap cars to create a superior product. Typically, when cars are dismantled, materials like aluminium, plastics, fabrics...
Smart packaging is quickly emerging as a growth driver for aluminium, merging sustainability and storytelling. Connected packaging, thanks to QR codes, AR, and AI-powered personalisation, has emerged as a high-impact tool in the food and beverage industries. It is delivering high 14 per cent scan rates, three-minute average time spent, and a 30 per cent sales boost with almost no extra media investment. A new frontier for the industry Aluminium packaging is perfectly positioned to reap the benefits of this new frontier as companies embrace it. Not only is aluminium premium in appearance, recyclable, and resilient, but it is also the perfect material on which to embed interactive technology. It has the potential to improve consumer experience while driving up sustainability. Also read:...
Altech Batteries (ATC) has taken a giant leap forward in its clean energy journey, securing preliminary approval for a €46.7 million (USD 54.4 million) grant to power its groundbreaking CERENERGY® sodium-chloride solid-state battery project in Saxony, Germany. The green light comes from Germany’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy under the STARK program a national initiative designed to reinvent coal-dependent regions as hubs of renewable energy innovation. Stay updated with industry insights - Aluminium Foil and its End Uses Current Trends and Forecast till 2030 A game-changing moment for Altech The €46.7 million grant, covering 30 per cent of the project’s capital expenditure (excluding financing and working capital), will help fast-track the development of next-generation battery...
As the years are passing, ALuminium is not only evolving as a metal but also becoming a hero that is making a comeback with a bang. From the surface of the moon to the inside of a smartphone, the metal with the atomic number 13 is redefining strength, sustainability and innovation in our world. Talking about comeback, one such example is the iPhone, about which we will discuss in detail a little later in the article. Now comes the question – WHY ALuminium and not any other metal? In today’s digital world, a smartphone is so much more than just a gadget; it’s an extension of our lives. The right phone isn’t just about flashy looks or clever folding tricks; it’s about finding that sweet spot where power, design, and comfort all come together. It should dazzle when you want it to, perform...
Pop the cork on a new kind of sparkle. Brown Brothers, Australia’s biggest name in Prosecco ( a sparkling white wine from the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy ), is raising a new kind of toast -this time not in a glass, but in a sleek and trendy aluminium bottle. Their new limited-edition aluminium bottle keeps Prosecco crisp and fresh, chills in no time, and is light enough to take from backyard barbecues to beachside picnics. Sleek, resealable, and planet-friendly, it’s proof that good taste and good choices can come beautifully bottled together. The resealable bottles are 40 per cent lighter than glass, helping to cut transport costs and lower environmental impact. Each 750ml bottle also supports eight-colour print technology, ensuring strong shelf appeal during peak sales periods...
Safety on Nigeria’s waterways has once again come under sharp focus, with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, stressing the urgent need to replace unsafe wooden boats with sturdier fibre and aluminium alternatives. Following the heartbreaking Shagari boat tragedy in Sokoto State that claimed the lives of 29 teenagers, the ministry called it a painful reminder of the risks the people face when relying on unsafe wooden boats. He cautioned that sticking to outdated wooden boats continues to put lives in danger. Modern aluminium boats, on the other hand, are not only stronger and longer-lasting but also built to global safety standards, standards meant to protect passengers and prevent such needless loss of young lives. He made this appeal in a statement...
Global market leader in packaging, Crown Holdings, has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, "Built to Last", doubling down on the company's commitment to the aluminium beverage can as a pillar of the circular economy. The report details significant advancement on its ambitious Twentyby30 targets, with special emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting higher recycling rates for aluminium packaging. "Worldwide, our team's unwavering pledge to create a more sustainable future allows us to continue making significant strides in our initiatives focusing on innovation, responsibility, and community engagement," said Timothy Donahue, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Holdings. "Sustainability is about creating a resilient organization and environment...
Canpack Group, a global producer of aluminium beverage cans and packaging solutions, released its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2025, ended June 30, along with a trading update. For the three months ended June 30, 2025, beverage can body volumes remained flat compared with the same period in 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, volumes increased by 1 per cent year-on-year. The growth was mainly driven by higher can body volumes in the US and India, partly offset by lower volumes in Europe and Brazil. For more information on aluminium packaging read: ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics Financial results Net Sales rose by 10 per cent in Q2 2025 versus the same quarter in 2024, and by 9 per cent for the first half of 2025 compared...
Apple, an American multinational corporation and technology company, faces a clash with the German court verdict, opposing the brand from advertising its Watch as a "CO2-neutral product" in Germany on Tuesday. This verdict was upheld after a series of complaints from various environmentalists, in the name of providing misleading information to consumers. Recently, as attributed in a statement from the regional court in Frankfurt, the American tech company promoted its latest Apple Watch online as "our first CO2-neutral product", claimed by an unfounded panel of judges, which further violates the German competition law. By referring to the court's ruling, a spokesperson from Apple commented, "broadly upheld our rigorous approach to carbon neutrality" and further declined to give any...
The US heavy-duty truck industry, which is worth around USD 50 billion, is facing a combination of tariffs that give an advantage to cross-border competitors. The Trump administration’s Section 232 tariffs add a 50 per cent hefty duty on imported metals, including steel, aluminium and copper derivatives, and extra charges on non-USMCA components, driving up costs for US truckmakers like Paccar, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Image for referential purposes only Paccar estimated that tariff-related charges are going to be USD 75 million in Q3 2025. Mexico gains tariff advantage Rival companies like Daimler Truck and Traton sidestep much of this pain by producing in Mexico, where compliance with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) provides duty-free movement. As Volvo’s North...
