End user weekly recap: Riding towards sustainability with the world’s first bicycle rim featuring Hydro CIRCAL 100R

Aluminium has increasingly become pivotal across diverse industries due to its versatility, lightweight properties, and sustainability. From cans to bicycle frames, aluminium's adaptability and capacity to enhance product performance underscore its critical role across various end-use sectors. Other key attributes like corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and recyclability make it indispensable in modern manufacturing, promoting energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. This week, the end-user sector of the aluminium industry has witnessed a lot of significant events –

Pedalling towards net zero with world’s first bicycle rim featuring Hydro CIRCAL 100R

In 2023, a collaboration between Hydro, the Norwegian company specializing in aluminium and renewable energy, and London-based bicycle manufacturer Brompton bore fruit this year. Brompton integrated Hydro's low-carbon aluminium into their bicycle range, marking a significant milestone in 2024 with the introduction of Hydro's CIRCAL 100R in their bicycle rims. This advancement introduced bicycle wheel rims from 100 per cent post-consumer aluminium scrap. The CIRCAL 100R is celebrated for its weight reduction advantages, transparency in batch production, and nearly negligible CO2 footprint.

Alia Yachts launches its masterpiece, the all-aluminium 45m mototryacht

Alia Yachts, located in Antalya, Turkey, proudly announces the completion of its latest masterpiece: SAN, a custom-built 45-meter motor yacht crafted entirely from aluminium. Following a series of successful sea trials, the vessel is set to be delivered to its eagerly awaiting owners this June. Anticipation is mounting as SAN prepares to debut globally at the esteemed 2024 Monaco Yacht Show. Collaborating with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design for both exterior and interior styling and with the expert naval architecture of Lateral Naval Architects, SAN is designed to prioritize outdoor socializing.

Leading aluminium shipbuilder to deliver four 27m Z-Bow CTVs to Europe & Asia

Strategic Marine, a prominent aluminium shipbuilder, has unveiled a significant breakthrough in the maritime sector. Teaming up with the esteemed design firm BMT Limited, Strategic Marine is poised to build four cutting-edge 27m Z-Bow Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) for Ventus Marine, catering to markets in Europe and Taiwan. This landmark initiative highlights Strategic Marine's dedication to superior craftsmanship and represents a substantial advancement in the offshore wind support vessel industry.

Realme NARZO N63: Budget smartphone featuring aluminium camera deco & vegan leather design

Realme has debuted in the Indian budget smartphone market with its latest model, the Realme NARZO N63. This device showcases a premium vegan leather design alongside cutting-edge specifications. It has three variants: premium vegan leather, sparkle design, and aluminium camera deco. The phone features a sleek 7.74mm ultra-thin profile and comes in Leather Blue and Twilight Purple colour options. Boasting a 90Hz display and supporting up to 45W fast charging, the Realme NARZO N63 ensures a smooth and efficient user experience. Additionally, Realme has confirmed the launch date of its upcoming Realme GT 6 in India, scheduled for June 20, 2024, further cementing its position in the competitive smartphone market.

Ruler of RAK inaugurates Sobha Modular’s new aluminium facades manufacturing facility

Sobha Modular Industries, based in the UAE and renowned for producing aluminium facades and bathroom pods, has recently launched a new manufacturing facility in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. The inauguration of this state-of-the-art facility was officiated by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, a Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). Operating under the Sobha Group, Sobha Modular Industries employs advanced AI-driven CNC machines and robotics across its expansive 250,000-square-meter plant. The facility has a production capacity of 50 pods per day, with ambitious plans to double this to 100 pods daily by the end of the year.

New technology uses aluminium & copper to extract phosphorus from water

Curt Cramer from NuQuatic Advanced Water Technologies is leading an innovative project near Nubbin Slough. The project focuses on extracting phosphorus from water using aluminium and copper. This method involves initiating a galvanic reaction by immersing aluminium and copper in water and connecting them electrically. During this process, a small amount of aluminium is released, which reacts with phosphorus in the water to form aluminium phosphate. This compound precipitates out of the water, and the resulting solids are then removed and disposed of in a landfill.

Future-proof your data centre with ventilated aluminium wall cladding

Amid the digital transformation era, businesses are increasingly opting to outsource their computing needs to external data centres instead of managing in-house servers. These facilities, equipped with robust servers, provide a more efficient and secure solution for processing and storing data. A significant challenge these data centres face involves managing server heat while preserving the architectural integrity of their buildings. Many centres are adopting ventilated aluminium wall cladding as an innovative solution to address these issues. This advanced cladding helps regulate temperature to prevent server overheating and enhances the aesthetic and structural integrity of these large-scale buildings, generating curiosity and interest in their design.

Oyster Cooler unlocks a breakthrough with Speira’s VERSA 8006 aluminium solution

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 was decisive 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.

Aluminium jar lid innovation at KeHE Holiday Show in Chicago

Chilau Foods will showcase the EEASY Lid, the world's pioneering aluminium lug jar lid created by Consumer Convenience Technologies (CCT), at the KeHE Holiday Show on June 12-13 in Chicago. This innovative lid allows users to effortlessly open vacuum-sealed jars with a simple button press, reducing the required twisting force by up to 50%. The choice of aluminium for this lid not only improves sustainability compared to traditional steel lids but also maintains exceptional durability.

Global beverage cans market to surge by US$5.24 billion, driven by millennials’ love for RTDs

According to Technavio, the global beverage can market is forecasted to expand by $5.24 billion from 2024 to 2028, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 2.79% during this period. The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea sector has experienced significant growth, driven by increasing health awareness and rising disposable incomes. Millennials, in particular, are driving demand for these quick energy beverages. Aluminium and steel cans have emerged as preferred packaging choices for RTD coffee and tea brands like Starbucks and Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

Estathé and Crown rolls out new refreshing summer drink in 330ml aluminium cans

Estathé, the renowned Italian tea beverage brand under the Ferrero Group, has partnered with Crown to launch an enticing summer promotion featuring infinitely recyclable aluminium cans. The campaign highlights a sleek 330ml aluminium can, Crown's lightest offering with optimized weight. Capturing the essence of summer fun, the promotion features a range of humorous and relatable beach personas, prompting consumers with the question: "Which beach type are you?" Estathé collaborated closely with Crown's beverage team in EMEA to locally produce these cans in Parma, Italy. The vibrant and imaginative designs are a testament to advanced manufacturing techniques and impeccable printing, showcasing the expertise of Crown's dedicated teams.