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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Tesla’s profit engine sputtered once more in the second quarter of 2025 (Q2 2025), marking its third straight quarterly decline and raising fresh concerns among investors. The EV giant reported $1.2 billion in earnings from April to June, down from $1.4 billion a year earlier. Revenue also slipped to $22.5 billion from $25.5 billion. The last time Tesla recorded a quarterly profit increase was in Q3 2024. Automotive revenue which is Tesla’s bread and butter plunged 16 per cent to $16.7 billion. Adjusted net income dropped 23 per cent to $1.4 billion, or 40 cents per share, falling short of Wall Street’s expectations. The company’s regulatory credit revenue, a long-time profit cushion, also took a hit, tumbling 51 per cent to $439 million. Despite launching an updated Model Y in June,...
The American dream of owning a white-picket-fenced home is quietly being priced out - brick by brick, beam by beam. And no, this time it’s not inflation or rising mortgage rates to blame but tariffs it is, with a maple twist. According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, tariffs imposed on Canadian construction materials can potentially incur an additional cost of USD 10,000 to building a home in the United States by 2027, given some of the key construction materials used in building a house come from Canada. Such as 70 per cent of the lumber used in the US residential buildings, 25 per cent of iron and steel, and 18 per cent of copper. What more? Aluminium, which is widely used in the residential construction sector in US, comes from Canada, is tariff-stricken too. In 2024, the United...
PackEx USA, an all-aluminium packaging and bottling company, is set to make waves in the beverage industry with its upcoming facility in Marianna, a city located in Jackson County (USA). With a strong commitment to sustainability and community pride, the company aims to reshape industry standards. Notably, the East Coast has seen a lack of aluminium bottle and can filling operations, something local officials believe Jackson County is perfectly positioned to change. PackEx is relocating to a facility within Marianna’s industrial park, previously occupied by another bottling company. Following extensive renovations, the site will span 400,000 square feet. “I’m from here and one of the pain points being from here is you do not have an amount of middle-class, decent-paying jobs that offer...
European air travel, particularly short-haul flights, is facing mounting challenges due to persistent aircraft delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus. These bottlenecks are threatening to limit traffic growth, raise operating costs, and undermine environmental targets for the rest of the decade. Image for representational purpose In its Q1 FY2026 update, Ryanair reported a 4 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger volumes and a consistent load factor of 94 per cent, yet it projected only a 3 per cent growth in full-year traffic to 206 million passengers, citing heavily delayed Boeing deliveries. Ryanair stated, "We believe European short-haul capacity will remain constrained for the next five years to 2030 as the big two OEMs remain well behind on aircraft deliveries." In the first half...
General Motors is facing one of its toughest quarters in recent times, as trade tensions take a direct toll on its global operations. The company reported a 35.4 per cent drop in second-quarter profit, with a USD 1.1 billion dent attributed to new US tariffs on imported vehicles and raw materials. The automaker earned USD 1.9 billion in Q2, down from the previous year, while revenue slipped to USD 47.1 billion. And while the results edged past analyst expectations, GM issued a clear warning that the second half of 2025 won’t be easy. Two full quarters of tariff pressure, higher costs for vehicle launches, and slower seasonal demand are expected to weigh heavily on performance. The pressure on GM is most evident in its aluminium-intensive supply chain. Aluminium is a critical material in...
Arsenal fans get ready to toast a new chapter, minus the alcohol, but full of flavour. Athletic Brewing Company, America’s leading non-alcoholic beer maker, is extending its winning partnership with Arsenal Football Club in a bold, multi-year deal that continues to blend sport, community, and refreshing innovation. Following a stellar debut season where sales of non-alcoholic beer in aluminium cans at Emirates Stadium more than doubled, Athletic Brewing is staying on as the club’s Official Non-Alcoholic Beer Partner. What started as a fan-driven discovery in local pubs and supermarkets has grown into a full-blown movement one pint (or aluminium can) at a time. 2025 will introduce the crisp and crushable Athletic Lite, a low-calorie, easy-drinking option clocking in at less than 0.5 per...
Aluminium beverage cans continue to lead in innovation, with a significant industry update from PPG Industries, Inc., a Fortune 500 American supplier of paints, coatings and speciality materials. The company has expanded its range of BPA-and PFAS-free coatings for aluminium can ends, representing a key advancement for can manufacturers and beverage brands focused on enhancing product sustainability and maintaining quality assurance. Image source: IndiaMART The expanded portfolio features three core coatings engineered explicitly for both internal and external applications on aluminium can ends, commonly known as "easy-open ends." Each coating solution is tailored to address distinct manufacturing or end-product challenges, ranging from flavour preservation to optimising production...
As India’s beverage and lifestyle sectors continue to shift toward premium packaging, AGI Greenpac is making a bold play to tap into this rising demand not just with glass, but now with aluminium too. Image for representational purpose The company on Tuesday unveiled plans to invest INR 1,000 crore as it ventures into aluminium can manufacturing. The news, coupled with a strong quarterly earnings report, sent AGI Greenpac shares soaring nearly 15 per cent, closing at INR 972.85 on the BSE. The company will set up the new manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh with plans to produce 1.6 billion aluminium beverage cans annually. The rollout will happen in two phases: the first stage, adding 950 million cans per year, is expected to be operational by the third quarter of FY 2027-28. The full...
Crown Holdings, Inc., a leading aluminium beverage can manufacturer, has been recognised by Forbes as the top packaging company on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. The recognition comes as part of Forbes’ third annual list of Net Zero Leaders, which evaluated 200 companies across various industries for emissions projections, risk management, financial strength, governance and organisational preparedness. Crown secured the 22nd spot overall, cementing its position as one of the top performers. Image credit: crowncork.com “Crown’s recognition as one of Forbes’ Net Zero Leaders for 2025 is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of our global team members who are driving consistent, notable progress toward our sustainability goals,” said Timothy Donahue, Chairman,...
The US Department of Commerce signed a landmark commercial agreement between Boeing and Bahrain’s Gulf Air for the purchase of up to eighteen 787 Dreamliner aircraft, valued at USD 7 billion. The deal is expected to support more than 400,000 US jobs during production and delivery, reinforcing Gulf Air’s commitment to operating an all-Boeing widebody fleet. Image Source: International Trade Administration Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said, “Today’s deal between Boeing and Gulf Air is yet another example of how companies are working with this administration to invest in America at historic levels. American workers, industry, and technology are the best in the world, and this deal demonstrates that.” The agreement adds to a record-breaking year for US commercial deals, with 87...
Auto components major Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has signed a binding term sheet with China’s Jinnaite Machinery Co. (JNT) to establish a joint venture (JV) for manufacturing and supplying driveline systems and components to automotive manufacturers in China and globally. Image Credit: Sona Comstar As per the stock exchange filing on Sunday, Sona Comstar will invest USD 12 million, while JNT will contribute USD 8 million in assets and business during the first phase. The JV is slated to begin operations in the second half of the current financial year, marking a key milestone in Sona Comstar’s expansion into the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market. “Sona Comstar, a leading global supplier of driveline solutions for various automotive segments, is strategically expanding...
To commemorate Okocim Brewery’s 180th anniversary, CANPACK has partnered with the iconic brand to create a special limited-edition can collection. Featuring refreshed designs for flavoured non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beer lines, the cans proudly display the anniversary logo and are now part of the brewery’s portfolio. Image credit: www.canpack.com Okocim, deeply rooted in Brzesko’s culture and history for nearly two centuries, continues to embody tradition through brewing techniques passed down through generations and flavours crafted with care. Since its founding in 1845 by Jan Goetz, Okocim has remained committed to using the finest barley malt, hops, yeast and water. Acquired by Carlsberg Group in 1996 and becoming part of Carlsberg Polska in 2001, the brewery has also pioneered...
The US-EU tariffs on each other’s automotive industry have already created a ruckus among the manufacturers, importers, and exporters of the same. A Swedish multinational automotive company like Volvo also could not escape the chaos and thus, appealed to the EU government to cut the tariff on US car imports after facing a loss of nearly USD 1 billion. Volvo cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson said the European Union should reduce duties on US car imports to get the same treatment from the US, especially when Brussels is working towards a trade agreement with Washington. He made a statement stating, "I think it's unnecessary, the European car industry does not need to have any protection from American auto builders" Backed by China's Geely, Volvo stands among the most impacted European automakers by...
Melbourne-based packaging company Onpack has partnered with emerging hydration brand Rippl to deliver a next-gen packaging solution that blends high-speed digital printing with fully recyclable aluminium cans, bringing sustainability and style together at scale. Using advanced direct-to-can digital printing, Onpack empowers Rippl with flexible, eye-catching packaging that supports high-mix, short-run production without compromising on quality or turnaround time. Founded in 2023, Rippl offers high-alkaline, mineral-rich still and sparkling water in sleek, slimline cans tailored for full custom branding. Targeting events, corporate settings, and retail activations, Rippl is redefining hydration where every can serves not just as a product, but as a powerful marketing canvas. “From day one,...
On July 11, 2025, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) launched anti-circumvention investigations into disposable aluminium containers, pans, trays, and lids imported from Vietnam and Thailand. The petition was filed by the Aluminum Foil Container Manufacturers Association. But in general, US also imported significant amount of aluminium foil from other Asian nations like Japan and South Korea. In 2024, as per OEC data, US imported around USD 14 million aluminium foils from South Korea and USD 78.8 million from Japan. So, why the probe was launched only upon Vietnam and Thailand? According to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam, the probe is based on suspicions that aluminium foil produced in China is being shipped to countries, processed into finished products, and then exported to...
As global trade conflicts grow and political alliances change, American companies in many industries are struggling with rising tariffs on imported aluminium. Image for representational purpose Introduced on June 4, 2025, the 50 per cent aluminium tariff was meant to support US producers as economic tensions grew between Western countries and the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) but it has triggered widespread disruptions in supply chains, driving up costs and compelling companies from automakers to beverage manufacturers and luxury brands to swiftly adjust their strategies. Aluminium plays a crucial role in many products, valued for its lightweight, strength, and flexibility, especially in cars, packaging, construction, and luxury goods. The tariff effectively...
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes to aluminium in vaccines, the numbers tell a much stronger story. A massive 24-year study from Denmark, tracking more than 1.2 million children, has just delivered powerful reassurance by debunking the danger of aluminium in vaccines . The use of aluminium salts in vaccines has long been a topic of debate. However, a nationwide cohort study conducted in Denmark, which investigated the potential link between cumulative aluminium exposure from early childhood vaccinations and the development of autoimmune, atopic or allergic, and neurodevelopmental disorders, revealed striking results. The research found no evidence that aluminium in vaccines increases the risk of developing childhood conditions such as asthma, autism, or a...
Graphene Manufacturing Group Limited (GMG) has announced that the patent for its innovative Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery has been officially granted in Australia. The patent is held by The University of Queensland (UQ), and GMG holds a worldwide exclusive commercialisation license. GMG is also progressing the patenting process in various other countries to protect and expand the global reach of this next-generation battery technology. The Graphene Aluminium Ion battery’s pouch cell prototype, currently being co-developed with UQ and Rio Tinto, represents a key step toward commercial readiness. To continue and deepen the joint research efforts, GMG has signed a new collaborative research agreement with UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN). This builds on...
