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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Norwegian industrial leader Hydro and shipping company Wilson ASA are setting a new standard in energy-efficient logistics with the launch of the "Wilson Eyde." Named in honour of Sam Eyde, the pioneering industrialist who founded Hydro and was instrumental in launching Norway's hydropower-based industry in the early 20th century, the new vessel includes some exciting features. This newly refitted vessel will harness wind-assisted propulsion to transport pitch—a crucial raw material used by Hydro in the production of primary aluminium. Pitch, derived from the distillation of coal tar, acts as a binder in the carbon anodes essential for aluminium smelting. Since the 1980s, vessels "Leiro" and "Lindo" have reliably delivered this vital material to Hydro's anode production sites in Norway....
Aluminium—sleek, strong, and stunningly versatile—has long been the silent hero of modern outdoor living. It resists rust, shrugs off storms, and stands firm through sun-drenched summers, making it the perfect backbone for structures that live under open skies. Guess what and how this green metal has been used this time – in a stunning and classy pergola. Image Source: Walmart Between unpredictable spring storms and the blazing summer sun, enjoying your backyard can be a challenge. That’s where a pergola comes in handy—offering protection from rain and a shady retreat from the heat. Right now, Walmart is offering a major deal on one of its top-rated options: the Aecojoy 10 x 14 hardtop aluminium pergola is on sale for just $480—a whopping 77 per cent off the regular price. This aluminium-...
Clean Cult, a US-based sustainable cleaning brand, launched its aluminium-packaged products at over 300 Costco locations nationwide in April 2025. This move aims to eliminate plastic waste from home cleaning by offering refillable aluminium bottles and paper-based carton refills. The initiative aligns with Clean Cult's mission to provide effective, affordable and sustainable cleaning solutions. Image source: Clean cult The use of aluminium in Clean Cult's packaging ensures durability and reusability, reducing reliance on single-use plastics. This innovation marks the introduction of aluminium for the first time in the home cleaning category within a club store environment. Clean Cult has eliminated plastic packaging by offering filled and refillable 20 fl oz aluminium bottles in scents...
On Monday, the organisers of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games revealed the official torches that will carry the flame of the Games. Crafted from recycled alloys of aluminium and brass, the torch named Essential weighs over one kilogram. Proudly manufactured in Italy, each torch embodies the spirit of Italian design, cutting-edge technology, and environmental sustainability. Designed with sustainability and reusability at its core, the torches can be refilled and reused up to ten times—markedly cutting down the number needed for the relay. The torches were unveiled in a joint ceremony held at the Triennale di Milano in Italy and Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan—symbolising the global unity of the Olympic Movement and the rich cultural heritage of the host nation. The...
Nagpur just witnessed a tragedy that reads like a thriller gone wrong — except this was real, bloody, and brutally preventable. Five workers lost their lives in an explosion that ripped through an aluminium foil and powder manufacturing unit in the Umrer MIDC area (Nagpur, Maharashtra) on Friday afternoon. Image for representational purposes only and does not depict original incident Eyewitnesses say the ground literally shook. Windows shattered in nearby homes. Thick black smoke curled into the sky as if announcing the doom — and inside, chaos unfolded. The factory, which primarily churned out aluminium foil rolls for packaging industries, turned into a furnace within seconds. What should’ve been a regular workday ended with ambulances, sirens, and heartbroken families begging for...
In a bold leap toward the future of sustainable mobility and energy storage, Toshiba Corporation has introduced its latest advancement in lithium-ion battery technology—a new SCiB module specifically designed for use in electric buses, electric ships, and stationary energy systems. Engineered to meet the growing demand for high-power, rapid-charging applications, the new lithium-ion module features an innovative aluminium baseplate that delivers twice the heat dissipation of existing models. Scheduled for commercial release in mid-April 2025 across both Japanese and international markets, this next-generation battery module delivers approximately twice the heat dissipation performance of Toshiba’s existing modules. The new SCiB module represents a major leap forward in battery innovation...
Aldi is shaking things up in the wine aisle with the launch of its very first own-label aluminium wine bottle in the UK, making a bold move away from traditional glass. The new packaging will hit shelves on April 14, 2025, marking a big step forward in the supermarket’s sustainability journey. Image source: Aldi The aluminium metal is lightweight, fully recyclable and more durable than glass, not to mention it chills quicker, making it both eco-friendly and convenient. Aldi’s debut wine in this format is the Costellore Pinot Grigio, a light and refreshing Italian white, bottled in the UK in partnership with Broadland Drinks. The 75cl aluminium bottle weighs nearly 75% less than a glass bottle and comes in at an affordable £5.99. According to Aldi, this new format supports their wider...
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has strongly criticised the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over the disappearance of more than 1,000 containers of imported electrical cables. AGI described the situation as “most unfortunate” and possibly violating Ghana’s local content laws. In a strongly worded statement signed by AGI CEO Seth Twum-Akwaboah and released on April 5, 2025 AGI expressed deep frustration over ECG’s actions, particularly the import of aluminium conductors that Ghana is fully capable of producing domestically. The Association condemned the move as not only unnecessary but also damaging to the growth and sustainability of local industry. Even more alarming, according to AGI, are widespread rumours that a significant number of these imported containers have...
The US produces a large quantity of beverage cans domestically. But, it isn't enough to cater to the country's need. Import takes up a large portion of the aluminium trade in the stance of the United States. And among these inbound trade comes the aluminium can which is an intergral part of America's gastronomy as well as beverage industry. As the new tariffs are part of an aggressive tariff policy by US President Donald Trump that has impacted the global system of international trade, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced the inclusion of two products to the additional 25 per cent Section 232 tariffs on aluminium-derived products. These products are classified as follows: HTSUS 7612.90.10 (empty aluminium cans) and HTSUS 2203.00.00 (beer). The newly added item in the list,...
Milan Design Week is back with a bang and lots more exciting innovations to showcase in 2025. The renowned exhibition not only flaunts the latest trends from in and around the world but also serves as a premier platform for designers to showcase their unique ideas and innovations. "Design You Can Feel" exhibition With a similar motto, ASUS, a global technology leader, has come up with some exciting innovations showcasing its design philosophy. The Taiwanese multinational company has unveiled its all-new "Design You Can Feel" exhibition at Milan Design Week, offering a deep dive into materiality, craftsmanship, and artificial intelligence (AI) themes. Each April, Milan becomes a global stage for creativity, drawing in designers, luxury brands, and tech innovators alike. Now in its 63rd...
Maxwell Hazan, a renowned custom motorcycle designer, has unveiled the Ferrari HF355 motorcycle. This unique creation integrates a 3.5-litre Ferrari V8 engine into a bespoke aluminium frame. Crafted in Hazan's Los Angeles workshop, the project aims to blend Ferrari's automotive excellence with motorcycle engineering. Image source: rocketgaragemagazine Aluminium plays a pivotal role in the HF355's design. The custom-built frame leverages aluminium's lightweight and durable properties, ensuring structural integrity while accommodating the substantial Ferrari engine. This choice enhances performance without compromising safety. Maxwell Hazan's expertise is evident in the HF355's meticulous construction. His dedication to quality and innovation has garnered attention from enthusiasts and...
Apple orchestrated an airlift of five planeloads of iPhones and other products from its manufacturing hubs in India and China to the United States over a span of just three days in late March. The reason behind the move? A swift manoeuvre to sidestep impending US tariffs. This fast-paced, decisive operation aimed to bypass the probable imposition of the 10 per cent reciprocal tariff to be imposed by the Trump administration, which was to take effect on April 5, in addition to the existing 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium. As the brand had no intention of a price hike, by accelerating shipments, Apple sought to maintain its retail prices globally without passing on the tariff-induced costs to consumers. Image for referential purposes only To establish short-term stability amidst...
Constellium has announced the successful completion of the ISA3 Research and Development (R&D) project. Launched in 2021, the initiative focused on advancing lightweight automotive design by developing next-generation aluminium components that are lighter, more cost-effective, and highly recyclable. Carried out in collaboration with Renault Group, the ESI Group, the Institut de Soudure (Welding Institute), and the University of Lorraine, the project received financial backing from the France Relance program. “The innovations achieved through this collaboration demonstrate the transformative potential of aluminium to support the decarbonization of the automotive industry while delivering cost benefits,” said Ludovic Piquier, senior vice president of Manufacturing Excellence and chief...
Rimowa has partnered with Berlin-based eyewear specialist Mykita to create co-branded sunglasses, with the first styles launching on April 10. Anodised aluminium—Rimowa's signature material will be utilised in the Heritage series of co-branded sunglasses, which are available in square, aviator, and panto styles. Image Source: Rimowa This marks Mykita's first foray into working with aluminium, diverging from its usual materials of stainless steel, acetate, and Mylon. The rigid metal brings added structural stability to the frames, while the silver and black aluminium rings introduce a bold and distinctive design detail. Cologne-based Rimowa stands out in the luggage industry as one of the few brands that manufactures 100 per cent of its cases at its own facilities in Germany, the Czech...
Among end-user products made of aluminium, cans and bottles are one category affected by the US tariffs; PC cases and graphic cards are another facing challenges due to tariff implementation on Chinese aluminium imports from March 12, 2025. Image source: Medical Buyer PC makers were already affected by the initial 20 per cent tariff on Chinese aluminium imports. It was a surprise when they learnt about Trump’s additional 25 per cent tariff, making them pay more on a shipment of PC cases made of aluminium. In the process of PC construction, aluminium is deemed to be a fundamental material for casing as well as in manufacturing different components of GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). With these newly imposed tariffs, the overall production costs using these materials shall rise, resulting in...
Designers Sabine Marcelis and Daniel Rybakken are among the talents showcasing aluminium-based furniture and home decor at Hydro's R100 exhibition during Milan Design Week 2025. Organised by the aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro, the exhibition was built entirely from 100 per cent post-consumer aluminium—including all objects, podiums, and display structures. The exhibition featured five design pieces, all developed under a self-imposed constraint: everything, from sourcing the aluminium scrap to producing the finished designs, had to occur within a 100-kilometre radius. This local-first approach underscored the feasibility and beauty of sustainable design at scale. Hosted at Capsule Plaza – Spazio Maiocchi in Milan ( from April 7 to April 13), R100 built upon the momentum of...
In an interview with AL Circle, Mr Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas), highlighted that Brazil's robust and dynamic economy—particularly the rising purchasing power of its population—drives the demand for soft drinks and, consequently, aluminium cans. With a GDP of USD 2.17 trillion and a per capita consumption of 165 12-can packs annually, Brazil is home to the world's fastest-growing aluminium can market. In 2024, Brazil reached a historic milestone, with aluminium can sales in the beverage sector totalling 34.8 billion units. This achievement positioned the country as the third-largest aluminium can market globally, according to Abralatas. The growth rate averaged 7.6 per cent year-on-year, surpassing the 5 per...
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has introduced Absolut Vodka & Sprite Watermelon, marking the brands first-ever flavour innovation. The two new flavours will be available in sleek 250ml aluminium cans and will be available nationwide. The new blend combines Sprite’s signature crispness with the smoothness of Absolut Vodka, enhanced by a burst of refreshing watermelon—hailed as the ultimate summer flavour. Watermelon was selected for its vibrant, juicy profile, offering a fresh and exciting twist that perfectly complements the existing range. Consumer testing showed strong enthusiasm for the new Absolut Vodka & SPRITE Watermelon, with an impressive 84 per cent purchase intent. Most consumers also indicated they could enjoy more than two drinks in a single session. Blending the crisp,...
