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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Co-op has initiated a 94-store trial featuring new BWS chillers for single-serve cans. The entire range, available in single-serve recyclable aluminium cans and displayed in new BWS chiller sections, includes pre-mixed cocktails, craft beers, ciders, wines, and ready-to-drink spirit mixers, providing Co-op members and customers with a wide variety of choices. As per AL Circle's "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024" report, the demand for recycled aluminium has grown steadily during the last decade. While the overall production for aluminium is likely to improve by about 2.3% in 2024, the demand for recycled aluminium is forecasted to grow at about 4.2 per cent. About the trial This trial includes ready-to-drink beverages, craft beers, ciders, wine, and cocktails, catering to the...
Amid an unprecedented supply shortage of aluminium alloy, Porsche AG has reduced its sales and profit outlook, which has led to the German company’s shares falling 4 per cent to the bottom of Frankfurt’s blue-chip index. The news came after the luxury sports car maker said that a shortage of aluminium alloy supply in the market due to floods at Novelis’ Swiss site affected the production of all its models, possibly resulting in a suspension of manufacturing one or more vehicle series. According to the report, US-based Novelis had to shut down a Swiss site due to floods in the canton of Valais, at the end of June. Since then, the aluminium producer is working with its customers to minimise the impact of this natural catastrophe. However, the shutdown of the plant has affected its...
Consumer Convenience Technologies (CCT), the company behind the aluminium EEASY Lid, the first major innovation in jar lids in nearly 80 years, has announced a new peer-reviewed white paper. This paper examines the removal torque and hermetic seal performance of the EEASY Lid compared to traditional jar lids. The White Paper The white paper, "New Aluminum Lug Closure Reduces Removal Torque while Ensuring Hermetic Seals in Glass Jars," highlights CCT’s EEASY Lid as a significant innovation for the food packaging industry. The study compared the EEASY Lid with traditional steel lug jar lids, the industry standard, assessing both sealing performance and the torque required to remove the lids. Jars filled with tomato sauce and sealed with both types of lids were evaluated. The Cornell...
The inaugural Sustainability in Packaging MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) summit, gathering packaging industry leaders from across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region in Dubai, was held in late May. Crown Holdings, whose Sandrine Duquerroy-Delesalle, director of sustainability & external affairs at Crown Bevcan EMEA, took part in one of the panels, provides an overview of sustainable packaging in MENA, with key takeaways from the event. Discussions centred on advancements in the region and the importance of aligning sustainability goals with growth opportunities. Duquerroy-Delesalle participated in a panel titled “Circular Economy – Global Players’ View of Consumer Shifts Towards Sustainable Consumption”. This panel focused on the circular economy, igniting...
Apple is a brand that resonates with innovation, sustainability, loyalty and creativity, so it is no wonder customers relate to it intimately. A recent leak has unveiled detailed configurations for Apple's upcoming 2025 iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 17 series and the iPhone SE 4. Constructed with an aluminium alloy frame, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to be priced between $499 (approximately RM2337) and $549 (about RM2572). Reports suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will be released between March and May 2025. It will feature a 6.06-inch LTPS screen with a 60Hz refresh rate and will be powered by Apple's latest A18 processor. The iPhone 17 series has seen significant upgrades. The iPhone 17 will feature a 6.27-inch screen with LTPO technology, an A19 processor, a dual rear camera, and an...
Coca-Cola's new campaign, launched in July, captures the essence of unity and celebration at the Olympic and Paralympic Games with the theme "It's magic when the world comes together." As the world prepares for Paris 2024, the campaign highlights the unifying power of sport to bridge differences and promote cross-cultural connections. Themed aluminium cans Launched shortly after Coca-Cola was honoured as Creative Brand of the Year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the campaign features a unique design on aluminium cans. These cans showcase half of a hug, and when two cans are placed side by side, they complete the embrace, a design that truly stands out. "Our differences are what make us unique, but when we come together, that's when the 'Real Magic' happens....
On Sunday, IT & Industries and Commerce Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu announced that the USA-based global leader in aluminium packaging has expressed interest in setting up an INR 700 crore production unit in Telangana. Telangana is a state in India situated in the southern-central part of the Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. Ball Beverage Packaging, the USA-based global leader in aluminium packaging, has expressed interest in setting up a production unit in Telangana, which could create 500 jobs. Representatives from the company, which supplies aluminium cans to the beer, soft drinks, and perfume industries, met with the minister to discuss their expansion plans. Sridhar Babu stated that he would discuss the matter with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Excise Minister...
OnePlus has grabbed the attention of fitness enthusiasts with its latest smartwatch, the “OnePlus Watch 2R”, featuring an aluminium body. Lightweight for its aluminium body, the watch incorporates advanced fitness monitoring technology, empowering users to track their health routine and stay fit and light. The brand-new OnePlus smartwatch weighs only 59g, compared to 80g in the previous edition. The device comes with the Wear OS operating system supported by the Snapdragon W5 processor and an optional RTOS operating system. Its 1.43-inch AMOLED screen offers excellent visibility with a peak brightness of 1000 units. Targeting fitness lovers, this smartwatch boasts Health Connect powered by Android, offering centralised data management. In addition, Google Health Connect and Strava sync...
Chilika Lagoon, Asia’s largest brackish water lake, is set to introduce emission-free solar and electric-powered boats, replacing traditional diesel-powered vessels. The implementation of solar and electric-powered boats with aluminium as one of the core components highlights the importance of a green and emission-free environment. Chilika Lagoon is home to a diverse range of aquatic and wetland species, including the rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphin and fishing cat. The introduction of solar and electric-powered boats featuring aluminium and other metals aims to address the growing concerns about emission reduction and the environmental impact of diesel boats, which contribute to air, water, and noise pollution, harming the delicate wetland ecosystem. As per the reports, on average,...
Reynaers Aluminium has launched its new DigiTrace digital product passports, integrating them across all its systems. This innovation provides instant access to comprehensive details about performance, materials, and sustainability. By catering to the growing need for straightforward sustainability data and transparent product information, DigiTrace supports the golden thread concept. Each product element features a QR code for easy, immediate access to these critical insights. Martin Boland, Technical Support Manager at Reynaers Aluminium UK, said, “With the introduction of the golden thread and an increasing commitment to sustainable building design, the need for precise and up-to-date information is growing. DigiTrace is an end-to-end product passport system that enables complete...
According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) production surged by 31.9 per cent year-on-year in May. The number of units manufactured climbed from 712,660 units in May 2023 to an impressive 940,000 units for the same month this year. The NEV category encompasses vehicles fully or predominantly powered by electric energy, including plug-in hybrids, fuel cell vehicles, and conventional battery-powered cars. This data was highlighted by Shen Dong of OmniSource in the United States and featured in the latest edition of the Bureau of International Recycling's non-ferrous 'World Mirror'. Shen Dong, a member of the BIR non-ferrous board, predicts a significant increase in aluminium consumption by the automotive sector, primarily...
Los Angeles-based Pure Cycles has recently introduced its much-awaited aluminium gravel bike, the Adventure AL. This new bike has a frame constructed from custom-butted Super Light X6 alloy tubes and boasts progressive, adventure-ready geometry designed to enhance your riding experience. The alloy frame is paired with a one-piece carbon monocoque fork featuring a tapered carbon steerer. The fork includes internal routing for brake and dynamo hub power cables, various accessory mounts, removable fender mounts, and a 12 x 100 mm thru-axle. The 48/52 mm adjustable offset Flip-Chip on the fork allows riders to customize their handling. Additionally, the bike is equipped with a 180 mm front brake rotor. The Adventure AL is outfitted with a SRAM Apex 1 1x11 drivetrain, a tubeless-compatible...
Shanghai Baosteel Packaging has unveiled plans to establish a state-of-the-art aluminium two-piece can production facility in Vietnam's Long An province. Long An is a province in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. With an investment totalling around 525 million yuan, the facility is slated to achieve an annual production capacity of 800 million cans. This initiative is geared towards advancing their "internal and external linkage" strategy, optimising production layouts, bolstering customer support, and expanding service capabilities to penetrate the Southeast Asian market better. To facilitate this initiative, Baosteel Packaging intends to establish a new entity named Vietnam Hue Baosteel Can Longan Branch, operating under its wholly-owned subsidiary Vietnam Baosteel (Hue). The...
Reynaers Middle East (RME) is enhancing customer intimacy in more ways than one! In their latest campaign to strengthen relationships, Reynaers staff recently visited the Atlas Aluminium headquarters, bringing a delightful surprise. "We wanted to show Atlas Aluminium that we value them as more than just a client. By visiting their headquarters and engaging in conversation, we hoped to build a stronger foundation for our future partnership," said Isa Al Wadi, Area Manager (QBK-SE) at Reynaers Middle East. Starting with the presentation of Reynaers-branded chocolates, the team then engaged in friendly conversations with Atlas Aluminium employees. This personal interaction provided a unique opportunity to connect on a deeper, more human level, fostering camaraderie and collaboration. The...
The usage of aluminium foil has evolved significantly with time, transitioning from a simple household product wrapper to a vital material in the packaging industry. Among the materials available, 8011 aluminium foil emerges as a standout option. Known for its exceptional properties, 8011 aluminium foil provides numerous advantages that render it highly favoured for sustainable packaging applications. According to AL Circle’s published report , global aluminium foil usage increased from 5.3 million tonnes in 2018 to an estimated 6.1 million tonnes in 2023. The usage is further forecast to reach 7.2 million tonnes by 2028. Its versatile properties—including recyclability, flexibility, resistance to temperature and bacteria, and effective barriers against oxygen, light, and odours—have...
The U.S. Department of Energy's Ames National Laboratory, a leading institution in material science, is now in the field-testing phase of a pioneering high-voltage overhead power conductor. This new conductor, an aluminium-calcium composite, represents a significant leap forward in long-distance power transmission. Developed and patented by the esteemed scientists at Ames Lab, the aluminium-calcium conductor is lighter and stronger and boasts at least 10 per cent lower line losses compared to existing materials, potentially enhancing the reliability and performance of the nation's electrical grid. In physics and electrical engineering, a conductor is an object or type of material that allows the flow of charge (electric current) in one or more directions. Ames National Laboratory is a...
In a recent move, Cajuina São Geraldo, a beverage company from Ceará in northeastern Brazil, collaborated with CANPACK to launch its flagship cashew soda, São Geraldo, in 350ml infinitely recyclable aluminium cans for the first time. Previously, the drink was only available in glass or PET bottles; this limited edition series of nine São Geraldo cans is in celebration of this year's June Festivals and the vibrant night of São João. Cajuína São Geraldo, a soda made with 5 per cent juice from native cashew fruits, is very popular in Brazil's northeastern states. Unlike the familiar cashew 'nuts', the unique flavour comes from the cashew fruit itself. São Geraldo, based in Ceará, highlights the drink's local character. Tiago Caldas Dias, Marketing Manager at São Geraldo: "The drink is deeply...
Turkey has reportedly signed an electric vehicle manufacturing contract with Chinese electric car maker BYD. According to Turkish officials, the $1 billion plant will be located in the west of the country. The new plant coming up in Turkey will give the Chinese car manufacturer easier access to the European Union, as a small part of Turkey called East Thrace is in Southeast Europe. With the new plant, BYD will serve the Turkish domestic market with EVs, which accounted for 7.5 percent of car sales last year in Turkey. On July 5, Turkey said that this deal resulted from a month-old decision to withdraw the plan to impose an additional 40 per cent tariff on electric vehicle imports originating from China. The decision was consciously made to improve investments in the country. BYD, which...
