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
Ian Sandmæl, co-founder and product designer at Oyster Performance Cooler, aimed to create a modern cool box using sustainable and recyclable materials like aluminium. He prioritised ensuring the box was lightweight and provided significantly better insulation, which is when the Oyster Tempo Cooler was developed featuring Speira’s VERSA 8006 aluminium solution. Touted as the world's first performance cooler, the VERSA 8006 aluminium solution played a decisive factor in its production. He identified vacuum insulation technology as the key to achieving superior cooling performance. However, developing and producing a vacuum-insulated cool box for food and drinks presented several practical challenges.Only aluminium possessed the necessary properties to meet these demands. After six years of...
Alia Yachts, situated in Antalya, Turkey, proudly announces the completion of its latest masterpiece: SAN, a bespoke, all-aluminium, 45-meter motor yacht. Following a series of successful sea trials, the vessel is slated for delivery to her eager owners this June. Anticipation is high as SAN prepares to make her global debut at the prestigious 2024 Monaco Yacht Show. "SAN is a striking and innovative boat that highlights our strengths as a truly custom builder. It's projects like this that attract the best clients from all over the world," stated Alia President Gökhan Çelik. With collaborative expertise from Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design for exterior and interior styling, coupled with the naval architecture finesse of Lateral Naval Architects, SAN prioritizes outdoor socialization...
According to Technavio, the global beverage can market is projected to grow by $5.24 billion from 2024 to 2028, with an estimated CAGR of over 2.79 per cent during this period. The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea market has seen substantial growth, driven by increasing health consciousness and rising disposable incomes. Fuelling demand for the beverage cans market Millennials, in particular, are fuelling demand for these instant energy drinks. Metal cans like aluminium, steel, have become a favoured packaging option for RTD coffee and tea brands such as Starbucks and Stumptown Coffee Roasters. This trend is expected to significantly boost the global beverage can market during the forecast period. The beverage can market is witnessing significant growth, propelled by the rising...
A partnership that began in 2023 has finally yielded results this year. Hydro, the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, joined forces with London-based bicycle manufacturer Brompton to incorporate Hydro's low-carbon aluminium into Brompton's bicycle lineup. Finally, in 2024, Brompton utilised Hydro's CIRCAL 100R in its bicycle rims. This innovative move brought bicycle wheel rims crafted entirely from 100 per cent post-consumer aluminium scrap to the market. The CIRCAL 100R is a product renowned for its weight reduction benefits, batch-by-batch transparency, and nearly zero CO2 footprints. "We are excited to collaborate with innovative sustainability leaders such as Brompton to develop new low-carbon products that meet consumer expectations. By providing full transparency of...
EEASY Lid, the world's first aluminium lug jar lid developed by Consumer Convenience Technologies (CCT), will be displayed at the KeHE Holiday Show on June 12-13 in Chicago by Chilau Foods. Through a simple button press on the lid, users can effortlessly open vacuum-sealed jars, reducing the required twisting force by up to 50 per cent. This material choice not only enhances sustainability over traditional steel lids but also upholds equal levels of durability. About Chilau Foods At the upcoming KeHE Holiday Show, Chilau Foods, a flourishing brand recognised for its Southern-inspired stew and boil bases, will feature the EEASY Lid. Last year, Chilau Foods collaborated with CCT to incorporate the EEASY Lid into its product line, elevating customer accessibility. "Accessibility should not...
Realme has entered the Indian budget smartphone market with its latest offering, the Realme NARZO N63, featuring a premium vegan leather design and leading-edge specifications. Available in three variants—premium vegan leather, sparkle design, and aluminium camera deco—the device offers a sleek 7.74mm ultra-thin design in two colour options: Leather Blue and Twilight Purple. This new device boasts a 90Hz display and supports up to 45W fast charging, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience. Additionally, Realme has officially announced the launch date for its upcoming Realme GT 6 in India, set for June 20, 2024, further solidifying its presence in the smartphone arena. The global smartphone user base has been on a steady rise, increasing from 3.73 billion in 2020 to 4.74 billion in...
An innovative project near Nubbin Slough, spearheaded by Curt Cramer of NuQuatic Advanced Water Technologies, is utilising aluminium and copper to extract phosphorus from the water. About the process This process employs a galvanic reaction initiated by the electrical connection of aluminium and copper in water. This reaction releases a small amount of aluminium, which then reacts with the phosphorus, forming aluminium phosphate that precipitates out of the water. The resulting solids are subsequently removed and disposed of in a landfill. The NuQuatic process is covered by 59 U.S. and foreign patents and applications. The project at Nubbin Slough is the world's first and only full-scale galvanic phosphorus removal initiative. Galvanic cells, which operate without an external power...
UAE-based Sobha Modular Industries, known for producing aluminium facades and bathroom pods, has recently opened a new manufacturing facility in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) inaugurated the new facility. Under the umbrella of the Sobha Group, Sobha Modular Industries implements cutting-edge AI-driven CNC machines and robotics across its vast 250,000-square-meter facility. The plant boasts a production capacity of 50 pods per day, with ambitious plans to double this output to 100 by year's end. Moreover, it churns out 1,800 square meters of aluminium products daily, with substantial enhancements slated for the foreseeable future. The facility is poised to be a significant...
On May 16, 2024, the Aluminum Container Manufacturers Association, an American applicant, applied with the US Department of Commerce and the US International Trade Commission. The application was filed to initiate an anti-dumping and countervailing investigation into disposable aluminium tableware imported from China. The Aluminum Container Manufacturers Association, a collective of several US manufacturers, including Durable Packaging International, D&W Fine Pack, LLC, Handi-foil Corp., Penny Plate, LLC, Reynolds Consumer Products, LLC, Shah Foil Products, Inc., Smart USA, Inc., and Trinidad/Benham Corp., is the driving force behind this investigation, advocating for fair trade practices in the industry. The products under investigation The products under investigation in this case are a...
Zoran Joksic, Sales Director of Albéa, a responsible packaging company, was elected as the new European Tube Manufacturers Association (etma) President at the organisation's General Assembly meeting in Warsaw on May 24, 2024. In his inaugural speech, Joksic underlined the success of flexible tubes as a resilient, innovative, and sustainable packaging solution. He stated, "Over the last few years, the flexible tubes industry has proven to anchor stability in a very challenging economic and political environment. Etma members' clear focus on consumer-oriented and environmentally friendly packaging solutions has paid off." "Thanks to the development of new materials and features, the minimisation of material input and the increasing use of recycled materials, flexible tubes have become...
ASUS, the Taiwanese multinational computer company, has recently unveiled its flagship new material, Ceraluminum. This innovative substance, launched at the Computex conference in Taiwan, was the result of four years of development, which transformed aluminium into a high-tech ceramic. Ceraluminum: How it's made As per The Register, the synthesis of Ceraluminum involves submerging an aluminium sheet in hot water, followed by introducing a specialised ceramic element. This intricate method yields a textured appearance akin to pottery. When an ASUS representative was asked if the process was similar to anodising, which bonds the material to metal surfaces, they acknowledged the similarity but noted that the Ceraluminumization process is a feat of intricate engineering. Currently,...
Nespresso Brasil has partnered with WTNB, the innovative brand led by Japanese-Brazilian designer Ana Clara Watanabe, to create eco-conscious art inspired by Tarsila do Amaral, using recycled coffee waste. This collaboration focuses on repurposing coffee waste to produce buttons for the designer's latest collection. The collection, aptly named "Tarsila do Amaral," is a tribute to the iconic works of celebrated artists such as EFCB (Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil), São Paulo, and São Paulo Gazo. These works will commemorate their centennial in 2024, adding a layer of historical significance to the collection. Crafted from recycled materials, the new pieces embody the concept of fashion as art, reflecting Ana Clara Watanabe's life philosophy and her commitment to sustainability. "As...
Haro is making a comeback in the mountain bike world yet again, with the introduction of two new aluminium full-suspension models to complement their successful Saguaro hardtail. These new bikes feature a simple yet highly effective Horst link suspension layout, designed to deliver uncompromising performance without the need for overly complex linkages or idler pulleys. Anticipated to hit the market later this summer, these models will broaden Haro's offerings, catering to riders seeking capable full-suspension options. What's more, Haro is also teasing the development of carbon versions that are slated for future release. Adding to the excitement, Haro has recently enlisted the exceptional talents of Evan Wall, a standout from Pinkbike Academy, who will be demonstrating the exceptional...
Ball Corporation, the world’s leading provider of sustainable aluminium packaging for beverage, personal care, and household products, has reportedly declared the appointment of Aaron Erter, CEO of James Hardie Industries plc, as a director of the corporation. Erter will join Ball Corporation with his wealth of experience and knowledge. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in business administration from the University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business. Erter joined James Hardie, the world’s leading producer and marketer of high-performance fibre cement siding and fibre gypsum building solutions, as CEO in 2022. Prior to that, he served PLZ Corp, a leader of specialty liquid and aerosol manufacturing,...
Amcor Capsules, the leader in designing and manufacturing eco-friendly capsules and closures for wines and spirits, is set to launch ESSENTIELLE in October 2024. This innovative, plastic-free foil, made of aluminium and paper, is part of a collaboration with the prestigious Moët & Chandon, owned by LVMH. As Moët & Chandon pursues sustainable packaging, the ESSENTIELLE foil promises to completely change the industry with its lower carbon footprint and high recyclability. Amcor Capsules' ESSENTIELLE foil represents a groundbreaking shift in the packaging industry. Crafted from paper sourced in Europe and approximately 60% aluminium, this foil significantly reduces its environmental impact. Compared to conventional plastic-based foils, ESSENTIELLE boasts a 31% lower carbon footprint....
Aluminium, with its unique and fascinating properties, is making its mark in unexpected places. This time, it supposedly made a splash at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, adding a captivating touch to the space-themed event. Reports suggested that Grace Ling Couture, a trailblazer in sustainable fashion, designed the dress for the event. This custom-made piece, inspired by the concept of a Galactic Princess, will feature 3D-carved designs crafted from aerospace aluminium technology, pushing the boundaries of sustainable fashion. Their creations seamlessly merge meticulous craftsmanship, intricate detailing, and cutting-edge technology, rendering them a darling among celebrities. Countless luminaries, including Katy Perry on American Idol and Jennifer...
Jackie O's Brewery's design for Mystic Mama West Coast Style IPA in aluminium cans has won the fifth annual Colored by INX Can Design Contest. The winner was chosen through a voting process involving five independent judges and the public via INX International's Facebook and LinkedIn pages. The other four design finalists were: Ardagh Group's Zombie Ice Undead Double Pale Ale Ball Corporation's Elysian Brewing Dragonstooth Stout Ball Corporation's Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force IPA Olberding Brand Family's Lost Coast Brewery Stargaze Wit The Ohio-based brewery has been at the forefront of supporting and promoting sustainability for a considerable time. Inspired by the extensive alumni community throughout Ohio, Jackie O's Brewery made the bold decision to shift towards aluminium in 2013....
India-based CavinKare has upgraded its Cavin's Milkshakes packaging by partnering with the USA's Ball Corporation, renowned for its sustainable aluminium cans. This strategic move aims to transform the dairy industry, offering consumers an eco-friendly, convenient, and nutritious beverage option. The collaboration with Ball Corporation defines CavinKare's dedication to environmental sustainability. The aluminium cans used for Cavin's Milkshakes are designed to be highly recyclable, promoting a circular economy by encouraging consumers to recycle after use. Ball Corporation's aluminium cans withstand the retort process, ensuring that Cavin's Milkshakes retain their nutrients, flavour, and freshness. This advanced packaging technology guarantees that consumers will enjoy a high-quality...
