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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When the sustainability of a company matches its innovation, it makes the aluminium packaging lead the way. Vinca, the award-winning 100 per cent Italian canned wines, have debuted its Province-style pale rosé in an aluminium bottle, which is available across the north of England across multiple supermarkets for the end users. This debut of this elegant rosé aligns with the firm's active red and white wines in 750ml aluminium bottles. The niche to incorporate the Italian canned wines in aluminium is simple: to gain a low-carbon alternative, removing the use of traditional glass. The firm's use of 100 per cent post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminium bottles indicates sustainability and lightweight, whereas the traditional glass offered only 60 per cent. Moreover, with the aluminium bottles...
A recent market analysis indicates that the global food tins and drink cans market including aluminium is poised for steady growth, with its value expected to rise from an estimated USD 2.6 billion in 2025 to a solid USD 4.0 billion by 2035. This expansion, fuelled by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5 per cent, reflects the increasing consumer demand for convenient, durable, and eco-friendly packaging solutions. The report underscores how the market is evolving in response to the global push for sustainability and the growing popularity of ready-to-eat meals and beverages. A major driver is the growing demand for extended shelf life and efficient storage solutions. Metal packaging, especially aluminium and steel , plays a vital role in preserving product quality by safeguarding...
PPG Industries, an American paint and coatings company, announced that it has appointed Meghan Barrera as global strategic marketing director for the Packaging Coatings division in an effort to reinforce the company’s leadership in sustainable and innovative coatings for the packaging industry. Image for referential purposes only (Source: https://www.packagingstrategies.com/ In her new position, Barrera will lead the global marketing plan with an emphasis on developing segment growth, defining competitive positioning and increasing customer engagement. To accomplish this, she will manage analysis of market trends, facilitate product innovation and promote packaging advancements, an essential portfolio as food and beverage brands are confronted with increasing desire for safer, recyclable...
The European Union (EU) is committed to securing retroactive application of lower US tariffs on its car exports, effective from August 1. This follows the announcement of the details of a framework trade agreement reached in July. In a joint statement, the two parties outlined that 15 per cent US tariffs will apply to most EU imports, highlighting key commitments, including the EU's pledge to remove tariffs on US industrial goods and provide preferential market access for various US seafood and agricultural products. Washington to reduce tariffs Washington is set to reduce the current 27.5 per cent US tariffs on cars and auto parts, which have long been a heavy burden for European carmakers. However, this reduction will only take effect once Brussels introduces the necessary legislation...
Tesla’s vision for an autonomous, robotaxi-powered future is as controversial as it is ambitious. For some, it signals the next big leap in mobility; for others, it’s a risky bet dragging down Tesla’s numbers and its stock. The ripple effect even touches suppliers like aluminium manufacturers. The robotaxi idea isn’t new. It first appeared in Tesla’s “Master Plan Part Deux” back in 2016. By 2019, Elon Musk was boldly predicting a million robotaxis on the road by 2020, but that target went unmet Between 2020 and 2024, Tesla rolled out its Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta. It got attention, but true autonomy remained elusive. Then came a big splash in October 2024: the Cybercab, a vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, pitched as Tesla’s purpose-built robotaxi. The production is expected...
Starting this August, Habitat for Humanity, a global non-profit organisation that partners with people to build affordable housing, sanitation facilities and more, have announced their acceptance of aluminium can donations via ReStore, a retail division of Habitat for Humanity in Chico, supporting sustainability initiatives and community development efforts. Habitat for Humanity's Butte County branch is leveraging the grant support attained from Novelis and Habitat International, aiding in launching an aluminium can collection initiative to advance recycling and repurposing efforts. A similar initiative has been previously taken by the non-profit organisation for its local branch in 2023, The Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity (Gihabitat), which has won its second "Novelis Can Grant"...
Apple is trading glass glamour for aluminium muscle in the iPhone 17 Pro and the industry is watching closely. A recent leak has provided a first look at the iPhone 17 Pro's production chassis, showcasing a significant design shift from previous models. Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro's glass-and-titanium build, the new chassis appears to be a milled all-aluminium frame with an integrated camera bump. The leaked image, shared by leaker Majin Bu, shows a chassis with a rear cutout designed to house a glass section around the Apple logo. This glass area would facilitate wireless charging, while the surrounding aluminium body offers improved durability. The integrated camera bump is notably larger and spans the width of the device, differing from the previous year's glass camera module attached to...
According to Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan, Armenian exports to the EU posted robust year-on-year growth in July, driven by three key sectors in the first seven months of 2025 versus the same period last year. Based on the report put forward by Papoyan, the July 2025 data versus July 2024 reveals exports of finished food products rose 56 per cent, alcoholic beverages increased 20 per cent and aluminium products grew 35 per cent. As per the Minister of Economy, the projected growth was supported by government programs, which compensate EU customs duties on finished goods. The latest Armstat data shows Armenia’s trade turnover with EU countries reached USD 1.2 billion in H1 2025, marking a 9.5 per cent increase year-on-year. Exports rose 1.8 per cent to USD 286.8 million, with the...
A recent US ruling extending steep tariffs to include steel and aluminium-containing products is poised to drive up costs for both electric-vehicle components and aftermarket exhaust systems. This move is expected to significantly impact the cost structures of electric-vehicle components and aftermarket exhaust systems. Under the new rule implemented on August 19, 2025, the US Department of Commerce expanded its steel and aluminium tariffs, adding 407 product categories to the existing "derivative" list. These newly imposed tariffs on imports will face a 50 per cent duty on any steel and aluminium content, in addition to standard country-specific tariffs on non-metal components. Affected categories include appliances (such as refrigerators, freezers, dryers and air conditioners),...
Viggo Boats, a boat-building firm, has expanded its global reach through Vortec Marine as the exclusive dealer for the UK and Ireland. Their collaboration represents a growing demand for sustainable marine solutions, and Viggo's hybrid aluminium vessels will fit Vortec's solid position in the region. Vortec, headquartered in Swanwick and Gosport, will provide test drives, technical demonstrations, and full aftersales support, making it the single point of contact for both private owners and commercial operators interested in Viggo’s range. “Vortec Marine’s technical expertise, established reputation, and deep understanding of the UK marine market make them the ideal partner for Viggo Boats,” said Erik Wickgren, CEO of Öregrund Marine Service AB, manufacturer of Viggo Boats. “As interest...
Lotte Corporation, the South Korean conglomerate, announced on August 18, 2025, the launch of its limited-edition aluminium cups in collaboration with Powerful Pro Baseball and The Marines, available only for 6 days. The cups will be available during the Seibu games from August 22 to 24, 2025, and the Softbank games from August 29 to 31, 2025. The limited-edition aluminium cups , which are a part of the Power Pro Baseball and The Marines collaboration, are designed to Power Pro specifications for five players. These players include Kyota Fujiwara (outfielder), Misho Nishikawa (outfielder), Kazuya Ojima (pitcher), Daito Yamamoto (outfielder) and Ryusei Terachi (catcher). The limited-edition aluminium cups will be available for purchase with the PLAYERS COLLAB MENU 2025 at an additional USD...
Market activity surrounding Ball Corporation reflects broader trends in investor sentiment towards industrial and packaging equities. Kimelman & Baird LLC, a registered investment advisor and broker, has pared back its stake in Ball Corporation, a manufacturer and seller of aluminium cans and has offloaded 4,800 shares, equating to a nearly 47.7 per cent reduction, marking a notable repositioning among institutional investors. Following the sale of 4,800 shares during the quarter, Kimelman & Baird LLC reported holding 5,265 shares of the aluminium can manufacturer , valued at approximately USD 274,000, according to its latest Form 13F Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing. Several institutional investors have recently adjusted their stakes in Ball Corporation. This includes...
Aluminium wire rod has emerged as a critical material in today's fast-evolving energy and industrial landscape. Known for its superior conductivity-to-weight ratio compared to copper, aluminium wire rod is widely used in power grids, including overhead transmission lines, distribution networks, and even in highly specialised fields such as aircraft wiring. Its light weight, durability, and excellent corrosion resistance make it equally suitable for marine and shipbuilding applications, where exposure to saltwater demands materials that can withstand long-term environmental challenges. Source: ALuminium Wires & Cables Insights & Forecast to 2030 Market growth and usage trends The global usage of aluminium wire rod has steadily increased, rising from 7.6 million tonnes in 2020 to 8 million...
Rolls-Royce makes extensive use of aluminium in its vehicle architecture, taking advantage of its lightweight nature and exceptional acoustic properties. Image Source: Rolls-Royce The aluminium structure reduces the car’s overall weight, enhancing handling, fuel efficiency, and performance, while its higher acoustic impedance compared to steel helps minimize external noise, preserving the serene, quiet ride that defines the brand. The aluminium space-frame architecture, known as the "Architecture of Luxury," is highly flexible and scalable, accommodating different models from the Phantom to the Cullinan SUV. Engineers optimise the material’s acoustic and structural properties using extrusions and complex internal designs, avoiding flat surfaces that can create resonances. Also read: World...
If you're eyeing your next smartphone upgrade, the iPhone 17 Pro might surprise you. A recent leak provided an early glimpse of Apple's forthcoming iPhone 17 Pro, indicating a significant shift in design and materials. While it remains unconfirmed whether the component shown is an actual frame or a prototype mould, the design aligns with prior industry reports suggesting Apple's transition to an all-aluminium body for its Pro series. In July 2025, Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models were set to return to an aluminium chassis , moving away from the titanium frames of the iPhone 16 Pro series. This strategic shift was grounded in sustainability, with aluminium production generating roughly 67 per cent less carbon emissions than titanium, as highlighted by GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu,...
Innovus Engineering is shaking up the beverage packaging sector with the introduction of two new high-speed models, the CF35 and CF70, at the top end of its automatic canning machine range. These machines are designed to meet the growing demands for cans made with speed and precision in the craft beverage industry. Speed with precision control The new machines procured by Innovus are built for performance. The CF35 can process 2,000 cans per hour, while the CF70 doubles that to a remarkable 4,000 cans per hour. The secret behind this performance is the company's new servo seaming technology. This innovation not only boosts the machines' speed but also hands complete control over to the operator. All seam settings can be fine-tuned via a user-friendly Siemens touchscreen HMI, allowing for...
Driven by robust aluminium demand across diverse global packaging industries , Novelis, a global leader in aluminium rolling, recycling and sustainable solutions, has reported strong momentum in the aluminium beverage packaging segment. To address this growth trajectory, the company is progressing with capacity expansion at its new Alabama facility, targeting sustainability-led demand in the sector. For the quarter ended June 30, the company reported beverage packaging sales of nearly USD 2.5 billion, marking a year-on-year growth of over 22 per cent. Increased beverage packaging shipments across regions offset declines in automotive and speciality segments, resulting in a total rolled product shipment increase of just over 1 per cent year-on-year. The performance, however, faced pressure...
Phinergy, a power generation innovator, has teamed up with US-based electrical contracting firm Rosendin to introduce aluminium-air backup power systems to the American data centre market. The collaboration aims to replace diesel generators with a cleaner, low-carbon alternative for mission-critical facilities and microgrids. Importance of power backup systems Power backup systems are vital for modern data centres , maintaining operations during outages or grid issues. Traditional setups pair UPS batteries for instant response with diesel or gas generators for sustained power. Increasingly, operators are adopting advanced options like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), fuel cells, and renewable integration for greater efficiency and sustainability. With the backup power market valued...
