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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Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has expanded its 299 PHL-4TSI series of snap-in, four-terminal aluminium electrolytic capacitors, now offering voltage ratings of 350 V, 500 V, 550 V, and 600 V. This expansion provides designers across various industries with more versatile options. About the capacitors These capacitors are ideal for use in power supplies and inverters in both industrial and home appliance applications. By introducing these higher voltage ratings, Vishay aims to help designers minimise component count, reduce costs, and improve end product mechanical stability and longevity. The 299 PHL-4TSI series capacitors are encased in cylindrical aluminium with pressure relief and are insulated by a blue sleeve. They offer high ripple current ratings ranging from 1.9 A to 7.6 A,...
The Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan has signed an investment agreement with Ernest Packaging Solutions to build a cutting-edge aluminium beverage can production facility at the Navoi Industrial Development Complex. With an investment of around $100 million, the plant will be able to produce over 1.5 billion aluminium cans annually. About the project The project is set to generate more than 200 skilled jobs, bolstering the local economy. The facility is expected to be operational by fall 2025. Khurram Teshabaev, Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, emphasised the importance of the project, stating that aluminium beverage packaging production marks a significant technological advancement for Uzbekistan. "It is planned to export more than 30 per cent...
In a pivotal time of green transition, a homegrown brand from UAE, SunKiss, has announced the introduction of aluminium refill bottles for its products to reduce single-use plastic wastage. The 'forever' aluminium bottles are designed for indefinite usage, providing customers with eco-friendly products for their suncare regime. As a part of a larger sustainability initiative, the usage of reef-safe ingredients and the exclusion of harmful chemicals, SunKiss' recent initiatives beam with the tagline 'reuse, refill, relove’. Founder Joanna Barclay believes maintaining qualitative products in an eco-friendly initiative brings the brand closer to its goal of sustainable skincare that is accessible to all. SunKiss is a collection of clean, conscious, premium sun care and lifestyle products...
Eco-functional drinks brand Water Almighty has introduced two new aluminium-bottled waters – Mighty Pure and Mighty Minerals – which will be available starting this month. These products are at the forefront of the brand's mission to "transform the bottled water industry with sustainable, functional hydration solutions." Packaged in 500ml aluminium bottles that are infinitely recyclable and resealable, the drinks are designed for reuse, supporting a shift towards more sustainable water consumption. Priced at £2 per 500ml bottle, both options provide consumers with an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bottles. Melvin Jay, founder of Water Almighty, said, "Water Almighty is not just about providing great-tasting, functional water. We're on a mission to make sustainable drinks the norm by...
On October 14, 2024, Stellantis CEO Tavares stated that the European Union's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to accelerate plant closures across Europe. He warned that these duties would likely drive Chinese automakers to establish manufacturing facilities within Europe, compounding the overcapacity issue for local carmakers. As tariffs take effect, European governments—including Italy—are actively seeking to attract Asian automakers, a move that could potentially strengthen their foothold in the region and foster growth in the European automotive sector. Establishing production plants in Europe would enable these companies to bypass the EU's tariffs on imported EVs, provided certain conditions are met. This shift, however, poses a new...
Trivium Packaging, the $3.1 billion global supplier of metal packaging, has been honoured by the International Metal Decorating & Packaging Association (IMDPA) for its ongoing innovation in metal packaging design. At this year's Annual Conference, the company received an Award of Excellence for its Conejo Verde aluminium wine bottles, produced by Trivium Argentina. These bottles feature a 59×225 ROPP 38 Pacific Round aluminium design, containing 8-10 per cent recycled content. Manufactured in a facility certified with ISO 50001 for energy efficiency and ISO 14001 for environmental management, the production also utilises approximately 80 per cent of green energy. The can's graphics proudly display a green rabbit dressed in formal attire, with the design printed directly onto the metal...
Insolation Energy (INA Solar), an Indian solar energy provider and manufacturer, announced the establishment of a 3 GW photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing facility in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan. The company specialises in developing, engineering, and deploying solar PV modules and aims to install a 12,000 metric tonne per annum (mtpa) aluminium frame plant in the region. With an investment of INR 400 crore, the groundbreaking ceremony for this state-of-the-art facility was recently held. INA Solar currently has a PV module manufacturing capacity of 1 GW. With the addition of the new facility, its total capacity will rise to 4 GW annually. “A tech tie-up is already been in place with a vendor for 1.4 GW of cell manufacturing capacity to be commissioned in 2025-26 and this will...
South Korea based POSCO Future M Co. has announced the production of nickel, cobalt, and aluminium (NCA) cathode materials at its Pohang factory, which is three months ahead of schedule. On October 12, the company successfully manufactured high-nickel materials with a nickel content of 88 per cent, which enhances energy density and output, making them well-suited for high-performance electric vehicle batteries. POSCO Future M is expanding its product portfolio by introducing NCA materials in addition to its existing lines of nickel, cobalt, manganese (NCM), and nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminium (NCMA) materials. This diversification is aimed at meeting the growing demands of its customers. Single-crystal cathodes enhance battery stability and lifespan by integrating raw materials into...
In August, an impressive 18-foot aluminium sculpture was unveiled in Muscle Shoals, AL, honouring the region's rich musical legacy. The aluminium used for the artwork was supplied by Constellium's plant in Muscle Shoals, highlighting the connection between the local industry and the cultural tribute. The sculpture not only honours the region's rich musical heritage but also serves as a testament to the significant role of the aluminium industry in the area. The statue is a striking depiction of a trumpet player resembling William Christopher (W.C.) Handy—born in nearby Florence, AL—pays tribute to his lasting contributions to the music world. Standing tall, the sculpture celebrates the legendary Father of the Blues, whose life and influence are commemorated each year through the W.C....
Norsk Hydro, the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, has signed a letter of intent with Dutch yacht builder Vaan Yachts BV to advance circularity in the yachting industry. Building on five years of collaboration, the two companies aim to develop aluminium sheet material for Vaan's premium catamarans with the highest possible share of recycled post-consumer scrap. Aims to reduce carbon footprint The goal is to achieve a carbon footprint of no more than 2 kg CO2e per kg of aluminium by 2025, which is half the footprint of Vaan's current hull plates and approximately 7.5 times lower than the global average for primary aluminium production. "At Vaan, we use aluminium for our catamarans not just for its strength and low maintenance but because it's fully recyclable. Our yachts...
Frizzy hair is an instant eyebrow-raiser, be it at a party, meeting, festivities or interview. If you face this and need an instant solution, it is not essential for you to carry hair treatment products only if you have a piece of aluminium foil on you. Recently, a wave of TikTok videos went viral where people rubbed aluminium foil on their hair, and voila, the frizz was gone. People hailed aluminium foil, a common food packing item found almost in every household, for saving them from awkward encounters and social embarrassments. To add viability to the hack, renowned beauty expert Jessica Harrington tried and confirmed the result. She said, "To test it out myself, I grabbed a piece of aluminium cooking foil about one foot by half a foot wide. I was working with day four hair, which...
Merrychef has unveiled a range of new accessories for its conneX 16 highspeed oven, designed to enhance the cooking experience. These include a hardened anodised aluminium griddled cook plate, deep cooking trays, 9 x square mould, and linear, all of which offer unique benefits to chefs, operators and kitchen equipment buyers. Colin Lacey, VP and managing director of Merrychef, happily commented, "The range of accessories available with all of our high-speed ovens are a secret weapon for operators. Not only do they help to keep the oven clean and prolong the life of the equipment, but they allow chefs to create even more dishes than they ever thought possible, positioning the conneX 16 to do so much more than just deliver perfect toasted sandwiches and pizza. The trays allow for items such...
United Airlines has made a major transition from plastic wine bottles to aluminium cans, igniting a sustainable shift in response to the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging. United has also introduced an updated wine list for its domestic economy cabin, offering passengers more options, including a new rosé and a brut bubbles wine exclusively available on United flights. Starting in October, travellers will also enjoy high-quality aluminium canned wines from women-owned brands Just Enough Wines and Maker Wine. This switch to aluminium canned wine is expected to reduce single-use plastic bottles by approximately 4.7 million each year. "Our new economy wine list is giving travellers more variety and better quality. After the overwhelmingly positive response to the addition of rosé in...
i2r, a leading aluminium foil tray manufacturer, is soon set to introduce a new range of premium aluminium trays targeted at the food service industry. Featuring sleek silver and gold-black polish designs and available in five variants, the new premium aluminium trays from i2r boast a range of unique features. These include durable clip-on polypropylene lids, industry-standard sizing, and 100 per cent recycled material fabrication. This unique combination of aesthetics and practicality makes the new launch an ideal and sustainable choice for Quick Service Restaurants(QSR) and food delivery joints. Michael Goor, i2r's head of new channel sales UK, said, "This combination of aesthetics and practicality of the new premium trays provide an ideal solution for food service businesses looking to...
An art exhibit crafted from aluminium to resemble two used beer cans, a unique and thought-provoking creation, suffered an unfortunate fate at the LAM museum in Lisse, Netherlands. A misunderstanding by a mechanic led to the exhibit being discarded as trash. The exhibit titled 'All The Good Times We Spent Together' by French artist Alexandre Lavet is a testament to the dedication, a conglomeration of hand-painted aluminium pieces made over a surprising amount of time, consuming immense energy and detail to create. Lavet's cans have been displayed in museums across the Netherlands and Berlin. However, when the mechanic from this museum saw it on the elevator floor, it seemed beyond conception of what a blunder he was about to make. He picked it up and tossed it over to the garbage, only to...
Tata's Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) production has reduced by 7% due to the supply shortage of premium aluminium. Compared with last FY, Tata Motor's subsidiary JLR production is down from approx. 93,000 to close to 86,000. Subsequently, Tata Motor's share price dropped by 3 per cent on Tuesday morning, consequent to its sales decline of JLR by a similar percentage. The share price opened at ₹918.10 on the BSE today, 1 per cent lower than its Monday closing of ₹928.10. Tata Motors' share price thereafter declined to ₹893.90, with retribution of over 3 per cent. Jaguar Land Rover's sales apart from production, including the joint venture Chery Jaguar Land Rover in China, has also decreased by 3 per cent, summing up to 103,108 units in Q2 FY25 compared to the same period last year, Q2 FY24....
On September 10, Liu Jicheng, Deputy General Manager of Guiyang Institute, participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Guangxi Huasheng New Material Co., Ltd.'s distributed photovoltaic power generation project. The successful launch of this project marks a significant milestone in optimising energy structures and advancing the company's green, low-carbon development, earning high praise from the client. The Guiyang Institute's technical team, driven by innovation, sustainability, and efficiency, played a key role in the project design, providing enterprises with more cost-effective and eco-friendly energy solutions. Through continuous exploration, they achieved breakthroughs in photovoltaic technology development on red mud stockpiles. The Institute's distributed photovoltaic design...
As a part of an ongoing initiative #CraftedWithCapral led by Capral Aluminium, Central Screens and Locks' business story is unveiled. Starting in 1993 with two employees in an 80-square-meter factory, the 30-year-old brand has grown to employ 29 employees in a 1200-square-meter production facility. Central Screens and Locks, owned by husband-wife duo Nigel Waine and Christine, is Australia's household name and is known for its complete security solutions, including domestic security screens and commercial cyclonic screens. Additionally, Central Screens' locksmith division names it a one-stop-hub with services including but not limited to lock replacement, keying solutions and security keypads. Reminiscing on the early days of the company, Nigel recalls, "Our journey started from the...
