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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Italian boatbuilder Stem Marine, long respected for their robust SAR (search and rescue) and firefighting vessels, is turning the tide with their first-ever sailing yacht, the Stem 50. Measuring an impressive 52 feet (around 16 meters), this aluminium cruiser will make its world premiere at the 2025 Genoa International Boat Show from September 18 to 23, 2025. This marks a bold step into the leisure sailing market, but with a safety-first DNA deeply rooted in Stem Marine’s professional maritime background. Image source: Cruising World Safety meets style Aluminium is not merely a trendy option here, it is a serious one. Because of its longevity and corrosion resistance , aluminium is increasingly a material of choice for serious bluewater cruising yachts. The hull and deck of the Stem 50...
As the monsoon sweeps across India, Schon Doorways, a premium provider of door and window solutions has launched its new range of aluminium casement and sliding windows, specifically engineered for extreme weather. Image source: Schon Doorways Merging sleek design with robust engineering, the collection delivers both elegance and performance under challenging conditions. Crafted with ultra-slim aluminium profiles and high-performance tempered glass, the windows are built to withstand heavy rainfall, strong winds, and persistent humidity. Available in single and double-track options, wall thickness ranges from 1.6 mm to 5 mm, offering a blend of strength and aesthetic flexibility. Practical enhancements like anti-collision strips, flyscreens, and high load-bearing capacity help keep out...
Volgren, Australia’s largest bus body manufacturer, is strengthening its commitment to innovation and sustainability through a long-standing partnership with Capral Aluminium. The collaboration ensures a reliable supply of high-quality, locally sourced aluminium that forms the backbone of Volgren’s bus body structures. Image credit: www.capral.com “There’s been a misunderstanding in some parts of the industry that, because we use the Co-Bolt gussets from Hess, all aluminium used in our buses comes from Switzerland, but our aluminium is all locally sourced from Capral,” said Yuri Tessari, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Strategy at Volgren. “We only use HESS’ Co-Bolt technology that helps us to bolt and screw our structure together without the need to weld.” Since its founding in the...
The European Union’s move to eliminate carbon-emitting vehicles by 2035 is vital not just for climate goals, but also for the economic future of Europe. Image for representational purpose According to a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E), maintaining the 2035 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate alongside robust industrial policies could boost annual car production to 16.8 million units, matching the pre-2008 level. However, the report warns, scrapping or weakening the regulation could result in the loss of up to 1 million automotive jobs across the EU and the collapse of two-thirds of planned battery investments. European automakers are already under pressure from rising costs, strong competition from China and US, and a new 25 percent US tariff on car imports. In May, the...
North Coast Brewing Company has officially joined the can revolution! For the first time, two of its iconic brews, Red Seal Ale and PranQster Belgian Style Golden Ale, are now available in sleek 12 oz aluminium cans. Image credit: linkedin.com This milestone marks the launch of the brewery’s brand-new in-house canning line, offering improved packaging flexibility and consistency. But it’s more than just a shiny update. With aluminium tariffs threatening to drive up costs globally, North Coast is doubling down on the metal for one big reason, i.e. sustainability. Aluminium cans aren’t just trendy, they’re eco-powerhouses. They’re infinitely recyclable, meaning every empty can has the potential to become another without ever losing quality. Their lightweight design reduces transport...
Heritage canned‑food maker Del Monte Foods has filed for Chapter 11 protection, citing credit pressures and “stunning increases” in packaging costs, driven in large part by President Donald Trump’s decision in early June to double U.S. tariffs on imported steel and aluminium to a whopping 50 per cent. According to court filings, Del Monte is saddled with USD 1.2 billion in secured debt and tapped nearly USD 912.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing to maintain operations mid-restructuring. The company emphasises that its “pack season” will continue uninterrupted but warns sharply increased tin‑plate and aluminium costs have slashed margins. Industry sources highlight that aluminium foil and can suppliers already faced a roughly 6% jump in material costs following the tariff...
All welders, pay attention here because new consumables will make your work easier and faster. Keeping in mind the heightened productivity in the high-volume Metal Inert Gas (MIG) aluminium welding application, AlcoTec, a leader in the manufacturing and supporting of aluminium welding consumables, has pioneered 32-lb spool sizes for the 4043 and 5356 wires in dimeters of 0.047 (6/64th or 1.2 mm) and 0.062 (1/16th or 1.6 mm). Image source: esab.com The 14-inch diameter spool provides 60 per cent enhanced capacity, helping to reinforce the brand's standard 20-lb spools, abetting an extensive welding period before the need for spool changes whilst using the sledge-style feeders. With the promptness of the grooved spool hub, this spool supports conducting tangle-free feeding. The company's...
Iconic California-based tech-giant Apple is likely making a comeback to aluminium for its upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, marking a significant departure from the titanium frames used in recent flagship models. Recent leaks reveal Apple's return to aluminium components for its chassis, as opposed to the iPhone 16 Pro series' titanium body, expected to launch in late 2025. This strategic materials shift represents more than a design choice. It signals a potential industry-wide transformation that could reshape global mobile supply chains, affecting manufacturers, suppliers and production costs worldwide. Beyond titanium: why aluminium wins The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to replace the titanium frames of prior versions with aluminium, based not only on engineering considerations, but...
LG Electronics reported a sharp decline in performance for the second quarter of this year (Q2 2025), impacted by weakening global demand amid an economic slowdown and lingering effects of Trump's aluminium and steel tariffs. On July 7, LG Electronics announced that its consolidated operating profit for the second quarter stood at 639.1 billion won (USD $471 million), marking a 46.6 per cent drop compared to the same period last year. Operating profit plunged 49.2 per cent from the previous quarter, effectively halving. Sales declined 4.4 per cent year-on-year to 20.74 trillion won ($15.29 billion) and dropped 8.8 per cent compared with last quarter. How tariffs affected their overall performance LG is known to incorporate aluminium across a range of its products, mainly for its excellent...
Canpack has officially commenced the expansion of its aluminium cans production facility in Bydgoszcz, Poland, marking the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Canpackleadership, local government representatives, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the US Embassy in Poland, along with business and institutional partners. Supported by the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone, with ALSTAL Grupa Budowlana appointed as the general contractor responsible for the construction phase, the facility will generate over 100 new job opportunities in the region. Currently, Canpack’s Bydgoszcz plant employs more than 470 people. “CANPACK’s latest investment project, valued at approximately PLN 440 million, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the development of Poland’s packaging sector and...
Gujarat-based H&H Aluminium Pvt Ltd has established India’s largest aluminium solar frame manufacturing facility in Rajkot with an investment of INR 150 million (USD 1.8 million. Located in Chibhda village and spread across 28,000 square meters, the facility has an annual production capacity of 24,000 tonnes. Image for referential purposes only The plant was inaugurated by Union Minister C.R. Patil (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation) at an event in Ahmedabad. Trial production began in June 2025, and the company expects to begin full commercial operations within the next month. Once fully operational, the facility is projected to generate annual revenues of INR 700–750 crore and provide direct employment to 300 people. To meet global quality...
US automakers Ford and General Motors reported a sharp rise in second-quarter vehicle sales, driven by a consumer rush to buy cars ahead of newly imposed tariffs on imported vehicles and parts. Image for representational purposes General Motors reported a 7.3 per cent rise in vehicle deliveries, reaching 746,588 units, driven by solid demand for pickup trucks, SUVs, and budget-friendly models. Ford outpaced GM with a 14.2 per cent sales increase, totalling 612,095 units, boosted by a widely popular employee pricing offer. The sales bump coincided with growing consumer concerns over price hikes due to the US government's 25 per cent tariffs on imported finished vehicles (effective April) and auto parts (effective May). However, White House officials introduced a two-year grace period and...
Constellation Brands, the beverage behemoth behind Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico, has publicly held Donald Trump’s reinstated aluminium tariffs responsible for its underwhelming Q1 2025 financial performance. And in doing so, it has flung a spotlight on a long-simmering trade policy issue with serious implications for the global aluminium packaging industry. For the first time in years, aluminium has moved from the quiet corners of the commodities trade into the earnings calls of Fortune 500 giants. Image for representational purposes only The company’s executive team revealed that aluminium tariffs will cost them an estimated USD 20 million in earnings this fiscal year alone, shaving 20 basis points off profit margins. The USD 20 million aluminium shock Constellation’s Q1 earnings missed...
The Maharashtra government has unveiled an ambitious plan to make electric vehicles (EVs) account for 30 per cent of all vehicle registrations in the state by 2030. The announcement was made by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who emphasised the need for sustainable mobility solutions amid growing urban congestion and rising fuel costs. The state’s vision has been formalised in the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, which introduces a series of financial and structural incentives to accelerate EV adoption across sectors. Image for referential purposes only To encourage early adoption, the policy offers a range of benefits, including road tax and registration fee exemptions, interest-free loans, and direct purchase subsidies. In fact, the country’s first 45-horsepower...
A seminar, jointly organised by BetterCans, LLC and Ohio State University, is gaining attention in the metal packaging space. Designed for canmakers, non-canmakers, and brand owners, the event will feature key voices from the canmaking and beverage industries. With the theme " A Young Packaging for Future Generations, " the focus will be on two-piece aluminium cans for beverages. This two-day seminar provides a comprehensive overview of the key processes and materials used in aluminium canmaking and beverage packaging. Participants will learn how two-piece aluminium cans are manufactured and explore the regulations governing materials that come into contact with ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The seminar will follow the full lifecycle of a beverage can, from aluminium coil to the...
Constellation Brands, owner of successful beer brands Corona and Modelo, has cited the heavy financial burden of aluminium tariffs as one of the reasons behind its disappointing first-quarter performance. The drinks giant fell short of Wall Street expectations both in terms of sales and profit, emphasising the rising cost pressures facing its flagship beer business, which heavily depends on imported Mexican aluminium cans. For the period ending May 31, 2025, Constellation had net sales of USD 2.52 billion, which was lower than expected at USD 2.55 billion. The company reported a comparable profit of USD 3.22 per share, which was less than expected at USD 3.31. Trump tariffs causing real damage Executives at the company were upfront in blaming the soft performance on trade policy. The...
Harnessing a bold fusion of innovation, design, and stewardship, Lenovo is charting a transformative path in circular tech. Gone are the days when green credentials were mere afterthoughts, today, almost every Lenovo products and accessories is being reimagined through a circular lens. With the ambitious target of embedding closed‑loop recycled materials like aluminium, copper, etc., into 100 per cent of its PC lines by FY2026, the company is weaving sustainability directly into the DNA of its products. And this is what Lenovo’s FY2025 ESG Report highlights, pointing out an in-depth look at the company’s continued integration of environmental and social priorities throughout its global operations. It highlights initiatives in sustainable product design, circular economy practices,...
No matter what age we purchase a car, everyone waits for the delivery to be completed and can go for the first drive. But what happens when this gets delayed beyond expectation? A similar backlash is faced by Xiaomi, a Chinese-based multinational corporation, for the delayed delivery of its YU7 electric SUV, which is reportedly over a year behind schedule. Is the company failing to meet the customer satisfaction level of other EV brands? Image source: mi.com The majority of Xiaomi's consumer base has reported delayed delivery of their YU7 electric SUV for an extended period of one year, without prior notification of the delivery issue. As of now, the consumer complaint count has exceeded 400, which the firm plans to address by a livestream after ramping up its production scale. The...
