Mexico’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) market is creating new opportunities across battery production, materials, charging infrastructure and electronics, as Chinese companies look to move beyond vehicle exports towards broader overseas supply-chain partnerships. Hong Kong could play a strategic role in connecting Mexican businesses with mainland China’s manufacturing capabilities, investment and research resources. According to the source commentary, Mexico’s EV market has evolved considerably over the past 16 years, with more brands offering vehicles across different price ranges and driving ranges, alongside the expansion of residential, corporate and industrial charging infrastructure. However, demand for EV purchases is growing faster than the capacity to maintain them,...
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...
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In the era of rapidly rising global warming, air conditioners have become a common household item for people from most financial backgrounds. However, a handful understand how these electronic devices do more harm to us than good in the long run. Thus, researchers are dedicated to bringing forth newer, more environmentally friendly cooling technologies into the market. And finally, a team from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has succeeded in their effort, offering a ray of hope to combat global warming. They have created a cooling device based on the commercial thermoelectric heat pump, mainly used in mattress pads and high-end portable coolers. The major difference between the new device and the traditional cooling ones is that the new device does not blow cool air into...
Contradictory to the usual chassis design of motorhomes, there are aluminium-chassised king-size vintage motorhomes sold in the marketplace, competing with the newer models. Where? On the Airstream Marketplace platform, of course. Airstream, for over three decades now, has been a known name in the recreational vehicle and motorhome segment. The vehicles are known for their basically bulletproof drivetrains or rather 'silver bullet' travel trailers with riveted aluminium bodies. Let's delve into some individual models to understand the 'why' of the demand for vintage vehicles. Image Source: Pinterest Airstream 360 In 1993, Airstream presented a humungous bumper-to-bumper slightly smaller than a 36-foot vehicle with aerodynamic aluminium bodies. The standard 360 model was mounted on a...
As consumer preferences shift towards sustainability, transparency, and efficiency, aluminium is emerging as a material of choice for its recyclability, lightweight properties, and ability to preserve product quality. The aluminium packaging industry experienced steady growth in 2023, driven by an increasing demand for beverage cans and packaging foils. With over 11.5 million tonnes of aluminium flat-rolled products used in the overall packaging sector throughout the year, the industry’s expansion has been fuelled by a shift away from traditional materials like plastic and glass. A growing preference for sustainable packaging solutions , rising disposable incomes, and increased urbanisation are significant drivers of this growth. Additionally, advancements in technology are playing a...
Pharmacy retailer Chemist Warehouse and Pharmacycle, in partnership with Kenvue, the maker of CODRAL, have launched Australia’s largest nationwide blister pack recycling program. Following a successful trial in late 2023 at 100 Chemist Warehouse locations across Victoria, the initiative has now expanded to all Chemist Warehouse and My Chemist pharmacies nationwide. Image Source: Pharmacycle The pharmaceutical sector is experiencing growing demand for aluminium-based packaging, especially blister packs and Alu-Alu, driven by increasing healthcare needs, ageing populations, and a rise in chronic diseases. As a result, the global pharmaceutical packaging market is expected to see substantial growth, with aluminium packaging—particularly blister and Alu-Alu—becoming a vital segment of this...
An aluminium art piece by automotive artist Richard Neergaard has been installed permanently at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, UK. The artwork represents the Sunbeam 1000hp Land Speed Record vehicle, which is donated to encourage the restoration of the popular car. Image Source: www.nationalmotormusum.org.uk The art piece is structured from aluminium panels, is laser-cut, anodised, mounted on a high gloss black acrylic panel and is bent at 30 degrees. Andrea Bishop, director of collections and engagement at the National Motor Museum, has expressed her gratitude with the following words, "We are particularly pleased to have had this donation of stunning artwork from Richard Neergaard. We are currently raising awareness, funds, and support for the restoration of the Sunbeam 1000hp,...
Tyre jacks and floor jacks are leverage tools that can ease our vehicle maintenance process and save us from dire scenarios while on the road. And recently, a couple of launches in this segment have caught the eyes of four-wheeler and heavy vehicle enthusiasts alike. Image Source: https://www.alibaba.com/ Trac INC. has brought forth a lighter, trendier and capable tyre lifting tool with its aluminium 'TRAC TireJack' after its original much popular tyre lifting tool. The new tool, expected to launch in January 2025, is a lightweight version of TRAC's original TireJack. The original tool is a designed product that magnanimously helps technicians when mounting and demounting heavy wheel automobiles to and from any hub. The tyre jack slides under the tyre and wheel, enabling the technician to...
Regarded as one of the world’s top oil producers, Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million, has struggled with significant challenges, including inadequate job creation, limited opportunities, mismanagement, etc. Out of these, electricity is one of the major issues of concern. Image Source - IndiaMART As per the latest reports, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has stated a new incident involving vandals targeting its 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line. As Nigerians are already under havoc impacted by the recent vandalism of the 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, this news comes as another blow to the region. Grid failures are frequent in Nigeria, where the power sector struggles due to insufficient investment. This year, the national grid has collapsed 10...
The Odisha government approved 15 new industrial projects on Friday, amounting to a total investment of INR 3,353 crore and expected to create 4,637 jobs. The decision was made during a State-Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. Aluminium sector projects These projects span various sectors, including aluminium, chemicals or renewable energy, steel, manufacturing, textiles & apparel, tourism, pharmaceuticals and cement. The projects will be carried out in districts such as Koraput, Khurda, Baragarh, Puri, Cuttack, and Jharsuguda. The downstream aluminium sector will also see significant development as HM Power and Cables Pvt. Ltd. will set up a manufacturing plant for aluminium conductors, power cables, and wires in Jharsuguda....
As a result of an aluminium shortage, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) recently reported a significant decline in profits. The luxury carmaker attributed the fall in deliveries to a flooding incident at one of its key aluminium suppliers in Switzerland, severely impacting the production of its high-end SUVs. The aluminium supply constraints have compounded the challenges faced by European automakers, who are already grappling with a slowdown in demand. JLR's rivals, including Porsche AG and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, have also been affected by the same supplier issues, further straining production lines across the industry. The British automaker behind Range Rover and Land Rover vehicles announced on November 8, 2024, that its pretax profit for the three months ending in September decreased by 10 per...
The Tower of London tourism cruising is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability. The first-ever electric tourism boat, currently under construction at the Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall, England, is a testament to this. This vessel, designed for the Tower of London River Tour, will brought to operation by Woods’ Silver Fleet and is anticipated to be a beacon of sustainable tourism in the UK. The pristine vessel is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, and it is built with lightweight aluminium design-based construction technology. A creative industry-first all-battery drive train incorporated extensive design and power profiling by Vulkan Marine. The team has agreed upon an EST Floattech Octopus Series battery bank, which will be rapidly charged between each tour from...
Holland America Line has launched a pilot project aimed at reprocessing aluminium cruise ship furniture, focusing on overcoming the challenges of disassembly as part of its broader commitment to promoting circularity in marine design. The initiative seeks to identify smelters specialising in melting down and repurposing this waste metal, which is classified as a critical raw material. Given its high economic value and potential supply risks in regions such as the US and Europe, the project underscores the importance of securing sustainable aluminium sources. Image Source: Holland America Line “We are heavily focused on what we do with our outdoor aluminium furniture. Cruise ships have tonnes of aluminium because it is one of the most durable products you can have when it is exposed to...
Suzuki is all set to hit the market with its newest addition to the series DR-Z4S dual-purpose model and DR-Z4SM supermoto model. The brand gave a sneak peek at the new two-wheelers model at the EICMA, better known as Milan Motorcycle Shows (the trade show is being held from November 7 to November 10, 2024). Suzuki has stood as the immaculate blend of versatility, performance, and modern technology with its DR-Z legacy for over two decades. The DR-Z used for the Australian Army is slightly revised for the Army role. Image Source: www.bikeexif.com The Suzuki DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM feature an avant aluminium subframe incorporated in the all-new steel twin-spar framing and a lightweight aluminium swingarm for improved handling arrangement. The new twin-spar steel frame, which includes a...
AkzoNobel, a Dutch multinational company has installed its largest solar energy plant in Europe at its Pilawa site, marking significant step in the company's shift to renewable electricity across all production locations. This new installation is part of a series of major recent investments at the Pilawa site, which also include the automation of the solvent paint filling process and the raw material dosing system. Image Source: AkzoNobel Spanning nearly three hectares—equivalent to about four football fields—the plant features 3,551 solar panels with a total capacity of 1.9 MWp. These panels will supply nearly 25 per cent of the electricity required by the decorative paints facility. A recent solar project was also completed in the Czech Republic, where 1,300 panels were installed at...
Samsung's select models, W25 and W25 Flip, have been launched exclusively in China. Built with a classy aluminium chassis, the models resemble the popular Samsung flip phone model Z Flip. The redesigned W25 and W25 Flip look way more sparkly than the Z Flip, with gold borders at different angles. Image Source: 91 mobiles Technical Specifications: The devices will be available to purchase in China from November 15, 2024. Both mobiles will be designed in a black-gold premium gift box with a faux leather case. The Samsung W25 has a main 8-inch 2x AMOLED QXGA+ display with 2184 X 1968 pixels resolution, 1-120Hz refresh rate, 2600nits brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. An additional 6.5-inch cover display with 2520 X 1080 pixels resolution and a 1-120Hz refresh rate is there on...
The world of aluminium has always left me astonished. Every day, this "green metal" pushes the boundaries of possibility, silently weaving its way into every aspect of our lives. Like a quiet alchemist, aluminium strengthens and supports the modern world, blending into the fabric of our daily routines yet playing an indispensable role. It holds up our bridges and buildings, transforming the visions of architects and engineers into durable, sustainable realities. On the roads, aluminium lightens vehicles, boosting fuel efficiency, and in the skies, it shapes the wings of aircraft, making travel faster and greener. Our electronics also rely on it—aluminium is the "invisible guardian" within our phones and laptops, cooling and protecting them. Even in our homes, it wraps leftovers and frames...
The United States Department of Commerce has reportedly found that government subsidies are giving a lot of undue benefits to domestic companies importing disposable aluminium containers, pans, trays, and lids from China. This, in turn, is causing an unfair trading environment for indigenous producers, requiring them to compete with artificially low prices in the market. So, the Commerce Department has decided to instruct US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to impose countervailing duties on the products at the time of importation. The Commerce Department has also proposed this duty be implemented retroactively, meaning importers who procured disposable aluminium containers from China 90 days before the publication of the department’s preliminary determination notice in the Federal...
BYU has collaborated with Toyota to develop a more efficient welding technique for the sliding doors of the Toyota Sienna. Traditionally, resistance spot welding has been used, a method suited to steel. However, the new process, called refill friction stir spot welding, adapts this principle specifically for aluminium's unique chemical properties. Image Souce: Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo This innovation is especially timely as car manufacturer’s shift towards lighter aluminium components instead of steel. According to a release from BYU, the new technique consumes 40 times less energy, emits fewer emissions, and results in welds that are 10 times stronger. “Toyota has been using the cleanest technologies they have available to them, but what BYU research is bringing to them is a technology...
At FACHPACK 2024, Constantia Flexibles introduced a groundbreaking digital print technology tailored for die-cut aluminium dairy lids. This innovation, described as an "industry-first," was discussed by Michael Harder, Senior Vice President Dairy, and Thomas Schulz, Vice President Group Marketing Communication. The new solution promises significant benefits for the dairy sector and sets new standards in sustainability, efficiency, and flexibility. Constantia Flexibles' latest offering addresses key industry demands, including food safety, ease of use, and sustainability, all while adhering to rigorous regulatory standards like the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP) and Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). These regulations highlight the challenges and importance of developing...
