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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A group of students from the Civil Engineering and Architecture departments of the University of Bahrain, with a keen interest in aluminium building solutions, recently paid a visit to Reynaers Middle East (RME) to learn about the advancements in this field, focusing on international aluminium systems. Reynaers Aluminium, a leading specialist in the development and marketing of innovative, sustainable aluminium solutions for windows, doors and facades, presented the company's background and business operations, along with some essential tips for those starting a career in the aluminium building solutions sector. Mr Isa Al Wadi, Area Manager—QBK at Reynaers Middle East, led the presentation and then took the students on a tour of Reynaers' showroom, which showcases some of the most...
Aluminium's versatility and protective characteristics have cemented its status as a top choice for packaging. Its role in the push toward sustainability, supported by its infinite recyclability without losing quality, makes aluminium an essential alternative. Hyke has recently enhanced its packaging by introducing a new aluminium bottle for its gin. This innovation is collaboration with Vetroplas Packaging and Neville & More, utilising Envases products distributed in the UK by Vetroplas. The 70cl aluminium bottles are crafted entirely from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminium, a choice that conserves natural resources and reduces the carbon emissions typically associated with the production of new aluminium. By using recycled aluminium, Hyke achieves a significant 40 per...
Ciltech, a West Australian jetty and pontoon manufacturing specialist is committed to making all of its jetty systems fully recyclable. For this, the company has partnered with Capral, known for its sustainable production practices. Ciltech excels in providing products and services to the marine, mining, and construction sectors. "One of the two biggest developments is probably putting more emphasis on sustainability and reducing carbon on the aluminium aspect and the HTPE side. Just using something like Carpal's Lower-Carbon Aluminium (LocAl), we can reduce carbon emissions up to 76 per cent in our framework, that's a lot of reduction of CO2. We're also exploring the use of more environmentally friendly materials to replace polystyrene and foams, prompted by events like the Queensland...
CRRC Corporation Ltd. has introduced a state-of-the-art crewless metro train to revolutionise urban transit on Xiamen's Line 6. The innovative train, constructed with an aluminium car body and featuring a carbon fibre driver's desk, has been developing for two years. CRRC Corporation Limited is a Chinese state-owned and publicly traded rolling stock manufacturer. In terms of revenue, it is the world's largest rolling stock manufacturer, eclipsing its major competitors, Alstom and Siemens. The four-car train, which spans 9.8 km and serves seven stations, is a marvel of efficiency. With a maximum speed of 80 km/h and the ability to accommodate up to 826 passengers, it is designed to meet the demands of urban transit. The train is equipped with GoA4 automation, encompassing 50 automated...
Chicago-based startup Diamond Brew has made its debut in the US as the nation's first brewless coffee, revolutionising the instant coffee market. This innovative product comes in a unique hexagon-shaped aluminium pod and offers a premium barista experience. Douglas Yu, the visionary founder of Diamond Brew, said, "Brewless coffee is truly a modern evolution of instant coffee that meets the increasing demand for hassle-free, high-quality caffeine and resonates with contemporary consumer lifestyles. I'm excited to introduce Diamond Brew to the US market. With Diamond Brew, coffee lovers can finally enjoy the taste of freshly brewed coffee without the need for brewing equipment or lengthy preparation times." About Diamond Brew Known to fully dissolve in both hot and cold water while offering...
LS Cable & Systems, a South Korea-based industrial corporation with global operations and one of the biggest cable manufacturers worldwide, has announced the commencement of construction on two new factories in Querétaro, Mexico. These facilities will focus on producing bus ducts—a modern electrical distribution system—and electric vehicle (EV) battery components. When they begin mass production in 2025, the facilities will cover 126,000 square metres. The new facilities are part of LS Cable's strategic plan to establish a significant export base for the North American market. This initiative will enhance the company's production capabilities and market reach. Bus ducts, a superior alternative to traditional cables, offer many benefits that make them especially beneficial for high-rise...
The recent flooding in Switzerland has sent shockwaves across the global automotive industry, with Jaguar Land Rover at the epicentre of the disruptions. The devastation at a crucial aluminium supplier's factory has led to a scarcity of aluminium alloys, impacting the production lines of several high-end automotive brands. Porsche and BMW are the other major car manufacturers affected by this supply chain interruption. However, Mercedes-Benz has reported that the aluminium shortage resulting from the floods will not affect its production. The company credits its diversified supplier base for this resilience. Novelis is the supplier at the heart of this disruption. Novelis is the leading producer of flat-rolled aluminium products and the world's largest recycler of aluminium. In late June,...
The mineral water market is experiencing a significant transformation as aluminium cans, once in a supporting role, are now challenging the dominance of traditional plastic bottles. Recognising this shift, the startup Dane-se has capitalised on the rising popularity of aluminium cans to capture consumer interest. Founded in 2023 by CEO Gregório Machado, Dane-se identified an opportunity to innovate within the mineral water industry by creating a fun and engaging brand. The startup's mission is to change the habit of consuming water from plastic bottles by offering a 100 per cent recyclable alternative, thereby reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste on the planet. "Aluminum cans are already the biggest differentiator in the mineral water market, where plastic bottles still...
Analogue Pocket is a sleek, modern, portable gaming console designed to celebrate and explore the history of playing games. It is releasing a new iteration this month, featuring a body made of CNC-machined aluminium. The premium-aluminium edition handheld gaming console will be offered in four colours: natural, noir, black, and indigo. This premium edition costs $499, a significant increase from the standard version’s $219. Analogue emphasizes that this aluminium Pocket will be produced in highly limited quantities and will not be sold again. Since its debut in 2021, Analogue has introduced several special editions of the Analogue Pocket, including vibrant colours, a glow-in-the-dark version, and a popular transparent shell. This device lets gamers play old Game Boy cartridges and, with...
Ball Corporation, the world's leading producer of sustainable aluminium packaging, announced its second quarter results of 2024, whereby its net earnings attributable to the corporation were $158 million or total diluted earnings per share were 51 cents, down by 8.67 per cent from net earnings of $173 million during the corresponding period of the previous year. The company's earnings decreased in line with declining sales during the same period. According to Ball's report, sales dropped by 3.58 per cent Y-o-Y from $3.07 billion to $2.96 billion. The company's total earnings in the first six months of 2024 were $3.84 billion against sales of $5.83 billion, compared to $350 million of net earnings last year on sales of $6.05 billion. Second quarter and year-to-date 2024 comparable earnings...
Isra Vision has upgraded its reliable DecoSTAR solution for inline inspection of decorated metal sheets with the new DecoSTAR EVO. This latest version offers improved inspection capabilities for offset printing. It now supports the inspection of digitally decorated tin and aluminium sheets used in packaging applications, including food cans, decorative boxes, and oil cans. About DecoSTAR EVO DecoSTAR EVO boasts an advanced defect classifier for streamlined system setup and operation, complemented by a modern, intuitive graphical user interface. It incorporates Isra Vision's latest high-performance lighting and camera technology. Additionally, it features an integrated interface with the optional EPROMI production management intelligence tool. The DecoSTAR inline inspection system from...
KEMET's aluminium polymer rectangular capacitors, part of the APL90 series, have now been added to the Rutronik portfolio. These uniquely AEC-Q200-qualified capacitors are designed to meet the stringent demands of 48V vehicle applications and platforms requiring compact designs. The Florida, United States-based KEMET Corporation, a subsidiary of Yageo Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of a broad selection of capacitor technologies. These include tantalum, aluminium, multilayer ceramic, film, paper, polymer electrolytic, and supercapacitors. KEMET's diverse range of products helps its customers build a better tomorrow. The series currently offers a high capacitance of 1,100µF and a rated voltage of 63VDC, coupled with good vibration resistance and high ripple current capability....
Ball Corporation and Minalba Brasil have won Fast Company's 2024 Innovation by Design Award in the Latin America category for their braille-embossed aluminium can lid. This innovative lid, the first of its kind in the Brazilian market, features braille options for both water ("agua") and sparkling water ("agua gas"). "We teamed up with Minalba Brasil to help remedy a prevalent yet complex issue in the visually impaired community: reading can labels. Together, we created an aluminium can with a braille-embossed lid that helps individuals with visual impairments know what they're grabbing from the cooler," said Ball Corporation. About the significant breakthrough Hugo Magalhães, Ball's Global Director of Marketing, explained that this breakthrough is significant because braille is...
In an era where connectivity and technology are driving innovation at breakneck speeds and modern societies utilise electricity in nearly all facets of life, transportation is powered by it, production relies heavily upon its use, and heating systems function owing to it, AL Circle has just released a pivotal report that promises to illuminate the path forward for aluminium wires and cables. Titled “ Aluminium Wires & Cables: Insights & Forecast to 2030 ,” this comprehensive analysis, directly relevant to the current industry landscape, provides an in-depth look at the industry's trajectory over the next few years. The report delves into applications, key trends, usage, emerging technologies, and market dynamics that are set to redefine the landscape of aluminium wires and cables. With...
German yacht design and engineering studio iYacht has unveiled the Hu'chu 55, a substantial 55-foot solar-electric sailing catamaran made of 90 per cent recycled scrap aluminium. The yacht belongs to renowned actor, film producer, and environmental entrepreneur Daniel Roesner. Designed in collaboration with Speira Designed by iYacht, the eco-friendly vessel is the outcome of collaboration between Hu’chu GmbH and Speira. The yacht features recyclable and recycled materials like aluminium specially designed for the yacht. This substantial use of aluminium scrap reduces the material's CO 2 footprint to less than 2 kg CO 2 /kg of aluminium sheet, just one-eighth of the market average. Speira has developed a 5083 aluminium alloy for the catamaran that boasts an unprecedented level of recycled...
Ardagh Group, a global supplier of infinitely recyclable metal and glass packaging for the world’s leading brands, announced its results for the second quarter (Q2) ended June 30, 2024. Revenue for the three months ending June 30, 2024, rose by $4 million to $1,259 million, up from $1,255 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA also saw an increase, rising by $27 million to $178 million for the same period, up from $151 million the previous year. On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA grew by 18 per cent, driven by higher recovery of input costs and favourable volume/mix effects. This increase was somewhat offset by higher operating costs. When adjusted for constant currency, revenue remained steady compared to the prior year. This stability is mainly...
Nivea, the brand synonymous with the colour blue, is internally transforming itself into a green company by increasing the use of recyclable aluminium as a raw material for its packaging solutions. According to the latest reports, Beiersdorf, a German multinational company, has committed to making its global skincare products more sustainable. With this, Beiersdorf, in collaboration with Novelis, has now incorporated at least 80 percent recycled aluminium into its Nivea Creme tin, a change anticipated to reduce the company's carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by approximately 8,000 tonnes between now and 2025. In 2022, the beloved Nivea Soft was reformulated to be vegan, resulting in a notable reduction of around 40 percent in CO2e emissions from the formula. As per AL Circle’s...
Quantum Fishing has introduced its new line of budget-friendly saltwater fishing reels, the Strive Spinning Reels, at ICAST 2024. The Strive series will be available in six sizes (2500 to 8000), each featuring high-strength aluminium frames. These durable aluminium frames ensure the internal gearing remains perfectly aligned throughout the reel's lifespan. Additionally, the Strive reels incorporate Quantum's SEALOQ technology, with both the body and spool fully sealed to IPX6 standards, preventing water, salt, and grit intrusion. The reel handle is equipped with an oversized power knob, enhanced with rubber over-moulding for a secure grip even when wet. Features of the aluminium-framed fishing reels SEALOQ™ 6 Protection: Fully seals the body and spool (rated to IPX6), actively shielding...
