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...
Grow with
AL Circle
Ball Corporation, a global leader in sustainable aluminium packaging for beverages, personal care, and home products, is strengthening its portfolio in extruded aluminium packaging by acquiring Alucan, a prominent European producer of extruded aluminium aerosol and bottle technology, on October 31st. The acquisition will include adding new manufacturing facilities in Llinars del Vallés (Barcelona), Spain, and Lummen, Belgium. Image Source: Ball Corporation The acquisition supports Ball’s strategic commitment to making sustainability more accessible for its customers through scalable aluminium packaging solutions. The addition of these new plants will allow Ball to meet the increasing demand for sustainable packaging across Europe. Equipped with advanced technology, both facilities are...
Triumph Speed 400 MY25 makers have decided to relaunch in India, bringing back the initial metal finish brushed aluminium exhaust in place of the previous black finish ones from T4 after robust customer feedback. Image Source: Triumph Official Website Along with restoring the aluminium exhaust, the two-wheeler model has received four newer colour options namely pearl metallic white, racing yellow, racing red, and phantom black. The motorcycle gets adjustable clutch, brake levers, and a better-cushioned seat for more comfort. The MY25 Speed 400 is shod with Vredestein Centauro radial tyres, a 110/80-17 front tyre and a 150/70-17 rear tyre. Due to the high-end tyres, the front and rear suspension travel has decreased by 10 mm each. The rake has also been altered to a 25.1-degree rake on the...
Italy has been stunning the world with its artistic creation for centuries. What made Italy even more noticeable in the 1950s were the Italian sports cars, which were considered 'moving art' at the time. Paying tribute to those beauties, The Amalgam Collection's aluminium carrosseries hasve recently made some buzz and, all for the right reasons. Image Source: The Amalgam Collection Curving metals into artistic car bodies is a meticulous task indeed, especially when trying to capture the original essence in a quarter of the size. Each piece has been handcrafted with utmost details and traditional techniques from aluminium sheets by proficient artisans. To create the panels using the 'English Wheel' and hammering the metal over a buck, the work done by legendary coachbuilders such as...
In late October, before declaring third-quarter financial results, Ball Corporation completed the acquisition of a European aluminium packaging firm, Alucan Entec SA, which is believed to have boosted earnings per share on a year-on-year basis. Image Source: Ball Corporation The acquisition, worth $8 million, complements the company’s existing global extruded aluminium aerosol and bottle business with the addition of two manufacturing facilities near Lummen, Belgium, and Llinars del Vallés, Spain. Ball Corporation, in its third-quarter results, reported that its third-quarter 2024 net earnings attributable to the corporation were $197 million against $3.08 billion in sales, compared to #203 million net earnings on sales of $3.11 billion a year ago. Earnings per diluted share were 91 cents...
With the growing demand for packaging with reduced plastic content and more eco-friendly materials, many organisations are developing sustainable solutions featuring aluminium as one of the key ingredients. In response to this demand, Hamed Zarei and his team designed and evaluated various paper-aluminium laminates, testing their strength and durability against traditional polyethylene-aluminium packaging. Image source: Hamed Zarei As per the research published in ACS Omega, substituting plastic layers in takeout containers with paper could improve sustainability. Through mechanical testing and computer simulations, researchers explored paper-aluminium laminate designs that maintain durability and functionality. Zarei's team initially created two types of paper-aluminium laminates – A...
Pro-Ject Audio Systems has unveiled The Classic Reference turntable, touted as an extensively enhanced version of its Classic EVO or a refined successor to the VPO 175 limited edition. This model features the EVO 9 AS HG tonearm, equipped with high-precision ABEC 7 bearings encased in a substantial aluminium gimbal, ensuring smooth, resonance-free performance. Source: EssentialInstall The turntable also incorporates an internally-damped, S-shaped aluminium armtube with a removable headshell, allowing users to easily swap cartridges as desired. The high-mass aluminium alloy platter, damped with a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), effectively reduces unwanted resonance. The turntable comes with a clamp and leather record mat for additional stability, enhancing resonance control and providing...
Sun Chemical, X-Rite Incorporated, and Pantone LLC have jointly introduced new Monobloc colour libraries within the PantoneLIVE™ digital colour ecosystem, enhancing the precision of Pantone standards communication across monobloc can production. These innovative libraries support brands and metal packaging manufacturers by setting realistic expectations for design, proofing, and printing. They cover both gloss and matte finishes on products like monobloc aerosols, aluminium collapsible tubes, cartridges, and felt pen cases. According to a statement from the companies, these Monobloc colour libraries are integrated within the 'PantoneLIVE Production—Print and Packaging' subscription and aim to provide the most accurate representation of Pantone colours for extruded aluminium aerosol cans....
On October 28, Nampak Limited, Africa’s leading packaging company, announced its selling plan of a 51.43 per cent stake in Nampak Zimbabwe to TSL Limited for $25 million. This move aligns with Nampak’s strategy to divest certain assets to reduce debt and mitigate economic challenges. Image Source: Nampak Nampak informs that the money generated from this sale will be utilised for debt repayment. However, transaction closing is subject to specific conditions, including shareholder approval from TSL and some obligatory official clearances. According to the Companies and Other Business Entities Act and the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange rules, TSL must extend a mandatory offer to acquire the remaining shares in Nampak Zimbabwe after the completion of the sale transaction. TSL stated that it can meet...
In a recent survey, Zhejiang Jinfei Kaida Wheel Co., Ltd stated that local market demand has increased with major Chinese automotive brands like Chang'an, Great Wall, and BYD establishing production bases in Thailand. As a result, the China-based manufacturer and distributor of automotive components specialising in aluminium alloy wheels for cars, motorcycles, and electric vehicles announced the plans to ramp up investment in its Thai facility and enhance the factory's delivery capabilities. The project, with a total investment of RMB 557.18 million, is progressing smoothly and is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2025. The production target of 2 million new energy vehicle wheels per year is advancing steadily and on track. Utilising an advanced "future factory" model, it...
Oman Cables Industry SAOG, a premier cable manufacturing company based in Al Rusayl Industrial City, has committed an investment of RO 1.9 million (USD$4.94 million) into its subsidiary, Oman Aluminium Processing Industries SPC (OAPIL). This strategic initiative, approved by the Board of Directors, is expected to yield a 75 per cent internal rate of return (IRR) over three years, according to a recent filing with the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX). The substantial investment will facilitate the establishment of a cutting-edge production facility in Sohar to manufacture advanced composite core conductors. These innovative conductors are designed to enhance energy grids' capacity, reliability, and resilience, supporting the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions. Cinzia Farisè,...
Mohammed AlMutawa, CEO of Ducab Group, one of the UAE’s largest manufacturing businesses and a global leader in the development, design, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of aluminium and copper wire and cable products, has reportedly indicated electric vehicles to drive aluminium demand to a ten-fold growth since 2017 to near 10 million tonnes by 2030. The anticipated growing usage of aluminium in electric cars is aligned with the government’s policies for reducing carbon emissions. Image Source: Ducab AlMutawa has further highlighted that the usage of primary extruded and rolled aluminium products in electric vehicles will be much higher than what we currently see in Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. That said, plug-in hybrid and full-battery electric vehicles use 25...
Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans Limited (PABC), the first can manufacturing plant in Pakistan with a 1.2 billion cans production capacity in a year, has reported its financial result for the September quarter of 2024, revealing a net profit of PKR 1.71 billion (US$6.15 million), up 15.1 per cent Y-o-Y from PKR 1.48 billion (US$5.3 million). Image Credit Source: Facebook/www.facebook.com/Pabcl.official The company’s revenue also rose 6.5 per cent Y-o-Y to PKR 5.77 billion (US$20.7 million), as compared to PKR 5.42 billion (US$19.48 million), and gross profit jumped by 8.2 per cent to PKR 2.24 billion (US$8 million). The gross profit margin also increased Y-o-Y from 38.2 per cent to 38.2 per cent. The September quarter proved to be a season of robust financial gains for the company with...
China has issued a renewed warning to the European Union (EU), cautioning that any separate discussions with individual electric vehicle (EV) companies outside ongoing bilateral negotiations could harm the trust underpinning broader trade relations. The statement from China's Ministry of Commerce, released on October 28, 2024, follows similar remarks made earlier this month, emphasising that such unilateral moves by the EU could disrupt the ongoing dialogue and mutual understanding essential to trade negotiations, as reported by Reuters. This latest caution from Beijing comes just days after both parties agreed to continue technical discussions to find alternatives to potential tariffs on Chinese EV imports. While both sides have publicly confirmed that price commitments remain the...
Nokia, the Finnish multinational corporation, is reportedly launching its latest 5G-enabled smartphone, the Nokia X60 Pro. The X60 Pro showcases a sleek, modern design combining aesthetics and practicality. Crafted from aerospace-grade aluminium and a unique blend of recycled materials, it reflects Nokia’s commitment to sustainability without sacrificing a premium feel. Image Source : New Tech 6.7-inch AMOLED display Featuring a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, it offers ample screen space without feeling cumbersome, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for added durability against everyday wear. Aerospace-grade aluminium encompasses a range of specialized aluminium alloys engineered to meet the rigorous demands of the aerospace industry. These include alloy grades like 2024, 6061, 7050, and...
Mobio Arquitetura, Brazilian architecture firms BIRI and Estúdio Pedro Haruf, come together to construct a two-skinned campus of Alumnus School in Brazil's Belo Horizonte. Balanced on pilotis (the architectural structure that elevates a building above the ground and/or water and can be in columns, pillars, or stilts), it is a covered yet airy space on the ground floor with enhanced ventilation. This area serves as a reception for the school community, with dedicated spaces for an administrative section, a cafeteria, and flexible event arenas. Various-sized windows are accommodated into the frontside design of the building, allowing onlookers sights of the neighbourhood. Another skin of an exposed aluminium sheet keeps out direct sunlight and regulates heat. The architects have used raw...
Lamborghini has garnered technical attributes for their new Temerario, the company's primitive model that replaces the Huracan. On the one hand, the Huracan was a 631-horsepower 5.2-litre naturally aspired V10 engine. The Temerario will encompass a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 and a trio of axial-flow electric motors to deliver a total system power of 907 horsepower. Lamborghini proudly puffs that this new V8 engine spins to 10,000 rpm, which the enterprise states is the first and only super sports automobile engine to do so. Such a proliferation in power mandates a corresponding boost in chassis strength to withstand it, and so the company disclosed that the Lamborghini Temerario's aluminium chassis is ideal. It is lighter and stiffer than the earlier Huracan model. "The Temerario is...
For the nook and crannies of the kitchen where cleaning seems to be a mere myth, aluminium foil has proved to save the day. While chopping, cooking, or even cleaning - veggie debris, oil, and pieces of cloth find themselves nice and cosy dark spots in our kitchens, never to be seen again. But Alicia Sokolowski, a cleaning expert with 20 years of experience and the founder and co-CEO of AspenClean home cleaning services and natural cleaning products, has a valid answer to the question - why do we even have that spot, anyway? She says, "The answer is quite simple. It's not because of the uneven walls or floors. It is a slight gap between the stove and kitchen cabinets and has nothing to do with installation standards or adjustments made to fit appliances." Older homes tend to have more...
German architecture firm Allmannwappner has completed a 21-storey tower in Berlin's new Europacity district near the central train station, fully leased to KPMG, the global accounting firm. The tower boasts a unique double-skin facade featuring an outer layer of folding aluminium rods that vary in depth across its surface. Situated on Europaplatz Square, the building complements its neighbouring towers—Tour Total and 50 Hertz—designed by Barkow Leibinger and LOVE Architecture + Urbanism, respectively, both of which showcase concrete-clad exteriors. Allmannwappner incorporated a double-skin facade into the building's design to enhance thermal performance and noise insulation. The prefabricated modules, constructed off-site, include an outer layer of aluminium condensing rods and two...
