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CNPC Powder and BLT partner to scale up production and international sales of BLT-AlAM400 aluminium alloy powder
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CNPC Powder and BLT partner to scale up production and international sales of BLT-AlAM400 aluminium alloy powder

Aluminium alloy powder production for additive manufacturing is set to expand through a new technical cooperation agreement between CNPC Powder China Ltd and Xi’an Bright Laser Technologies Co Ltd (BLT). The agreement covers the production and international distribution of BLT-AlAM400, an aluminium alloy powder developed for applications in humanoid robotics, new energy vehicles (NEVs), aerospace and other industrial sectors. Under the agreement, BLT has authorised Shanghai-based CNPC Powder to manufacture BLT-AlAM400 on a contract basis in China and sell the powder internationally. CNPC Powder has also secured exclusive overseas agency rights, excluding BLT’s direct sales network and existing regional agents. With an annual powder production capacity of almost 10,000 tonnes, CNPC Powder...

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BorgWarner secures first order for aluminium-wire electric motor technology

BorgWarner has won its first commercial order for an electric motor developed with aluminium-wire hairpin winding technology. The US automotive supplier will provide the new eMotor to a major Chinese automaker for use in hybrid vehicles, bringing the technology into its first production application. The motor uses aluminium-wire hairpin winding technology and is designed for hybrid vehicles. Its applications include generator motors and traction motors for auxiliary drive systems, with production scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Explore AL Circle’s report ALuminium Wires & Cables - Insights & Forecast to 2030 for insights into aluminium applications, industry developments and opportunities across the electrical sector . Compared with conventional copper-wire motors with...


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The science behind a better drill: Researchers optimise AA7075-T6 machining
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The science behind a better drill: Researchers optimise AA7075-T6 machining

Getting a clean, smooth finish while removing material quickly is not always easy when machining high-strength aluminium alloys. A new study on AA7075-T6 aluminium alloy has explored this challenge, identifying two different sets of drilling conditions to improve surface quality and maximise machining productivity. The research examined how cutting speed, feed rate and drill depth influence conventional drilling performance. Using response surface methodology and a central composite design, the researchers developed predictive models to determine how changes in these parameters affect the machining process. The models showed a strong level of accuracy, with coefficients of determination (R²) reaching 0.9731 for surface roughness and 0.9359 for material removal rate. Further confirmation...

ASSA ABLOY opens a new door in Brazil with Rometal acquisition
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ASSA ABLOY opens a new door in Brazil with Rometal acquisition

ASSA ABLOY has agreed to acquire Brazilian aluminium solutions manufacturer Rometal, strengthening its manufacturing presence in Latin America while expanding its portfolio of door systems, furniture fittings and aluminium products. Announced on November 12, 2026, the proposed acquisition would bring an established Brazilian business with approximately 500 employees into the Swedish group's Americas Division. Rometal recorded sales of approximately BRL 332 million (USD 59 million) in 2025, equivalent to approximately SEK 580 million (USD 57.57 million) in ASSA ABLOY's announcement. The purchase price has not been disclosed. ASSA ABLOY described the company's EBIT margin in 2025 as strong and expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings per share from the start. Rometal acquisition...

Coolbrook brings 1,700°C electric heating tech in Australia’s alumina decarbonising drive
Sustainability

Coolbrook brings 1,700°C electric heating tech in Australia’s alumina decarbonising drive

Finland-based renewable heat technology developer Coolbrook has joined Australia’s Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC) as an affiliate partner, bringing its electrified heating technology into research aimed at decarbonising alumina refining and the wider aluminium industry. The collaboration would explore how high-temperature electric heating can support next-generation alumina refineries, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Coolbrook would work alongside major alumina and aluminium producers, including Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Alcoa, Rio Tinto, South32 and Hydro, as well as research organisations of CSIRO and Adelaide University. Initially, it would focus on HILT CRC’s Alumina Refineries’ Next-Generation Transition (AlumiNEXT) project,...

Qingdao Allheart Marine Co., Ltd. expands global reach as a premier aluminium boat manufacturer offering professional OEM and ODM solutions for commercial watercraft and offshore vessels
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Qingdao Allheart Marine Co., Ltd. expands global reach as a premier aluminium boat manufacturer offering professional OEM and ODM solutions for commercial watercraft and offshore vessels

Qingdao Allheart Marine, established in 2012, is a high-tech aluminium boat manufacturer in Qingdao, China. Spanning 42,000 m, the facility produces over 60 vessel models from 4 to 30 meters, including fishing, work, patrol, pilot boats, tugs, water taxis, catamaran ferries, and landing crafts. Certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and CE, Allheart offers professional OEMper ODM solutions, exporting 50 per cent of its production to over 30 countries across Oceania, Europe, and the Americas. Qingdao, Shandongper China - November 11, 2026 Qingdao Allheart Marine Co., Ltd, a recognised leader in the maritime manufacturing sector, is reinforcing its commitment to international buyers seeking robust commercial watercraft and specialised marine solutions. Operating from an advanced...

Aluminium over innovation? The manufacturing logic behind Boeing's 747-8
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Aluminium over innovation? The manufacturing logic behind Boeing's 747-8

When Airbus introduced the A380 and Boeing developed the 747-8, the two aerospace manufacturers took different approaches to aircraft materials. Airbus incorporated an advanced hybrid material known as Glass Laminate Reinforced Aluminium (GLARE) into selected sections of the A380's fuselage, while Boeing retained conventional aluminium for the main fuselage structure of the 747-8. The difference reflected not only their engineering priorities but also the manufacturing costs and production strategies behind the two aircraft programmes. GLARE combines thin sheets of aluminium with layers of glass-fibre-reinforced epoxy, creating a material designed to offer improved fatigue resistance while reducing structural weight. Its development represented an important step in aerospace materials...

75% less calcium leaching: Aluminium strengthens cement against sulphate attack
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75% less calcium leaching: Aluminium strengthens cement against sulphate attack

Aluminium could help make cement-based materials more resistant to chemical deterioration, according to a new molecular dynamics study that found a significant reduction in calcium leaching when aluminium was incorporated into cement hydrates. Increasing the aluminium-to-silicon ratio to 0.2 reduced calcium loss by approximately 75 per cent under simulated sodium sulphate exposure, highlighting a potential approach to improving the durability of concrete used in aggressive environments. The research examined calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C-A-S-H), a key binding phase in cementitious materials, to understand how changes in its chemical composition influence resistance to sulphate attack. Sulphate ions found in seawater and groundwater can penetrate cement structures and disrupt the...

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The US-Canada aluminum deal could put European buyers under pressure as imports shift
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The US-Canada aluminum deal could put European buyers under pressure as imports shift

A potential easing of trade tensions between the United States and Canada could reshape the North American aluminum market, with European buyers facing the risk of stronger competition for Canadian metal. Import data from ITC Trade Map shows that US purchases of Canadian unwrought aluminum fell sharply in 2025, while imports from Canada increased across six European markets, highlighting how trade flows have evolved amid tariff uncertainty. The United States imported approximately 2.03 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum from Canada in 2025, down 25.9% from 2.74 million metric tons in 2024. The decline amounted to around 711,494 metric tons over the year. Import value also decreased, falling 22.2% from $7.82 billion to $6.09 billion. The figures come as the possibility of a...

Amazon Kindle made of aluminium features recycled metal, premium design and replaceable battery
End User

Amazon Kindle made of aluminium features recycled metal, premium design and replaceable battery

Amazon's Kindle made of aluminium introduces recycled aluminium into its entry-level e-reader range, highlighting the metal's growing application in consumer electronics. The aluminium-backed model combines a rigid metallic construction with a matte finish, built-in magnets for folio covers and a design that allows users to replace the battery. Compared with the standard plastic Kindle (2026), the aluminium version also offers additional storage and an ad-free lock screen. The Kindle made of aluminium features a rigid, matte-finished metal chassis that provides a premium appearance while eliminating body flex and naturally resisting oily fingerprint marks. Its construction incorporates built-in magnets on the back for attaching snap-on folio covers, while accessible external Torx screws...

Century Aluminum prepares for next phase of $4B Oklahoma smelter, targets 2030 production
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Century Aluminum prepares for next phase of $4B Oklahoma smelter, targets 2030 production

Century Aluminum’s proposed USD 4 billion primary aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, is “moving forward on all fronts” as the company prepares for construction, despite local opposition and legal challenges, CEO Jesse Gary said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call. Developed jointly by Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the project is designed to produce 750,000 tonnes of primary aluminum annually, potentially doubling U.S. primary aluminum production. The facility is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and add USD 1.5 billion to Oklahoma’s gross domestic product, according to company estimates. The partners had targeted construction to begin by the end of 2026. However, local restrictions and permitting challenges have affected the...

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