2011
23.12.11 The alu-info.de team is taking a break for the Christmas holidays. The next current news from the aluminium industry will appear on 2 January 2012. We wish you a peaceful Christmas and a healthy and successful New Year 2012!
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23.12.11 The glowing lights of a very special Advent wreath are cheering the people of Lüneburg, Germany this Advent. Visible from afar it shines at a height of almost 60 metres, perched on the historical water tower of the city. Europe’s biggest Advent wreath is made of an aluminium ring, with a diameter of 13 metres.
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19.12.11 Industrial connectors are essential components in numerous industrial applications. The most common housings of industrial connectors are manufactured using a die casting process with an aluminium alloy.
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19.12.11 Roberta Niboli, CEO of Raffmetal S.p.A., Italy’s largest aluminium smelting works, has been unanimously re-elected by the OEA executive board as President of the Organisation of the European Aluminium Recycling Industry (OEA). Her deputy for the new term is Roland Scharf-Bergmann.
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12.12.11 The new “PurEfficiency” series of aluminium melting furnaces of the Striko Westofen Group now consumes only 525 kWh of energy to melt and keep hot a tonne of aluminium, achieving a previously unattained energy class. Such levels of efficiency have otherwise only been achievable using involved regenerative burner systems.
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12.12.11 In the framework of an ongoing improvement process employees at Trimet Aluminium AG at sites in Essen and Hamburg have further optimized the company’s own energy management system, with the aim of making energy consumption even more sustainable and efficient.
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05.12.11 In November Novelis put into operation a new recycling centre at Aluminium Norf in Neuss. The amount invested here was 14 million euros. The State Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hannelore Kraft, inaugurated the recycling centre during a celebration in which high ranking representatives of Novelis and its customers.
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05.12.11 Before the end of this year Mercedes-Benz is presenting a completely newly developed SL Roadster which, for the first time, will be made almost entirely of aluminium. The full aluminium body shell of the new development weighs around 110 kilograms less than a comparable body shell...
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28.11.11 The European Aluminium Congress on the subject “Technologies for the Aluminium Industry” organized by the GDA and held on 22 and 23 November 2011 in the Düsseldorf Maritim Hotel was a resounding success. With a total of around 150 participants, the congress was well attended.
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28.11.11 The European beverage can industry wants to considerably raise recycling quotas. 75 per cent of all beverage cans in Europe are to be recycled by 2015. This was reported by Gerrit Heske, Chairman of the branch association BCME.
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21.11.11 Innovative printing and embossing technologies which turn the packed product into an eyecatcher on the shelves were the hallmark of this year’s “World Aluminum Aerosol Can Award” competition organised by the International Organisation of Aluminum Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL).
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21.11.11 The sea has always held a certain fascination for mankind, despite the many dangers it holds in store. All the more reason why it is important that the materials used on sailboats, yachts, ferries and luxury liners meet the demands made on them by water, wind and weather. As lightweight and corrosion resistant material, aluminium is unmatched in satisfying these demands.
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16.11.11 Following the encouraging 1st half-year of 2011, growth momentum in the German aluminium industry in the 3rd quarter has seen a slowdown. Nevertheless, compared to the previous year, it was still possible to expand production in all areas. “For 2011 as a whole we are confident that it will be possible to maintain the levels of the previous year..."
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14.11.11 Effective 1 November 2011, Luigi Mattina (44), has taken a position on the executive board of Trimet Aluminium AG, Essen. The graduate engineer (Diplom-Ingenieur) with specialization in mechanical engineering, and trained machine fitter, comes from Honsel AG, Meschede.
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14.11.11 Demands on reliability and process stability in production equipment and on the optimization of production procedures are constantly increasing. When working under tough production conditions the most important criteria are the highest availability, reliability and disruption stability when aiming to achieve efficient assembly production.
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07.11.11 At IAA the international automotive supplier Delphi presented wiring made of aluminium, which performs similar to conventional copper wire, but also offers clear advantages in terms of weight and cost. The first cars with the innovative aluminium wiring will go into production already in 2012.
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07.11.11 Oliver Bell (52) has been chosen as president of Eurometaux, the European umbrella association for the non-ferrous metal industry. In Brussels Eurometaux represents major European and global metal producers and raw materials companies, as well as national associations.
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02.11.11 The countdown has started. There are only around three weeks left until the beginning of the European Aluminium Congress, organized by GDA. Over 150 specialists from the global aluminium industry will meet from 22 to 23 November 2011 in Düsseldorf.
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02.11.11 The overall roughly 235 German die-casting foundries, with around 23,000 employees, have considerably increased their production in the 1st half-year of 2011. Of the total die-casting production in the 1st half-year of 2011, at 232,020 tonnes, which is over 89%, aluminium had the largest share.
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24.10.11 KS Kolbenschmidt GmbH has further developed the LITEKS lightweight piston concept in connection with the new high performance piston alloy KS 309 for petrol engine pistons. Since its introduction the aluminium alloy has been steadily improved, and in its current form it not only improves material strength...
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24.10.11 Novelis is the sole supplier of aluminium sheet for the new Range Rover Evoque, the lightest and most economical Range Rover model ever. The first Evoque rolled off the production line in Liverpool on July 2011. The Evoque has an aluminium hood, roof and other parts made of Novelis automotive sheet.
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19.10.11 After its successful first half-year in 2011, again at the beginning of the second half-year the German aluminium industry continues the positive trend. Even though the dynamic growth has weakened noticeably, from January to August production has risen on all levels.
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17.10.11 At the beginning of October Minister Norbert Röttgen inaugurated five new annealing furnaces at the aluminium rolling mill of Aluminium Norf GmbH, whose innovative plant engineering and online process control system provides optimal energy efficiency. That is why the project is receiving 1.5 million euros in assistance from the Federal Ministry for the Environment.
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17.10.11 Erbslöh Aluminium GmbH in Velbert, Germany, is expanding the high purity alloy melting plant which was built in 2003. A new works hall and foundry will be built for 15 million euros. The former smelting plant with an annual capacity of 16,000 tonnes cannot cover the increased demand anymore, so an expansion of capacity is unavoidable.
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10.10.11 After a record world production of aluminium aerosol cans of about 6 billion units in 2010 the industry is expecting to break this record in 2011. According to AEROBAL, the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers, production grew by 8 per cent in the first half year of 2011 to a level of 3.3 bn cans worldwide.
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10.10.11 3A Composites GmbH opened its new development centre in Singen at the end of August. After one and a half years’ construction the former office and social building has been turned into attractive new office space. The cladding of the new office building was done fittingly with the company’s own Alucobond aluminium composite panels.
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04.10.11 Leoni AG, Nuremberg, a global supplier of cables and cable systems for the automotive industry and other industries, has introduced at the IAA 2011 a solid aluminium conductor to wire the car battery. It can be shaped in three dimensions and weighs only about half as much as the conventional component made of copper.
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04.10.11 TÜV Nord has been recognized by the Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (German Institute for Structural Engineering) as supervisory and certification authority for construction products according to EN 1090-1. This European standard specifies that all manufacturers of steel and aluminium construction components in the European market be certified.
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26.09.11 Germany’s largest aluminium company, TRIMET ALUMINIUM AG in Essen, is confident about the future. We are now in “the age of aluminium”, asserted the members of TRIMET’s managing board, at the financial statement press conference in mid-September in Essen. Turnover at TRIMET rose in the fiscal year 2010/11 to 1401 million euros.
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19.09.11 The “Tube of the Year 2011” competition run by etma, the european tube manufacturers association, in Düsseldorf, Germany, boasted an impressive abundance of technical developments and interesting new applications. A renowned jury comprised of members of the association selected the best tubes in various categories.
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19.09.11 One of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies has now developed a new and easy-to-use insulin pen based on patient demands and evaluations by health experts. The injection buttons are made of a high-strength aluminium alloy with a Technisch Eloxal coating that acts as protection against tarnishing and perspiration.
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12.09.11 In 2012, the German Association of the Aluminium Recycling Industry (VAR) and the Organisation of the European Aluminium Recycling Industry (OEA) will again be holding the International Aluminium Pressure Die Casting Competition in partnership with the Federation of the German Foundry Industry (BDG).
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12.09.11 The “Online Fin Tube” (OLF) produced by the company ‘ARUP Alu-Rohr und Profil GmbH’ will be launched on 1st October 2011. This new heat exchanger tube for the automotive industry combines a high degree of prefabrication with excellent heat transfer properties and thus enables new cooler designs and production processes.
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05.09.11 A new aluminium part manufactured by the company TITAL from Bestwig, Germany, has now been qualified for use in the weight optimisation of the Airbus A400M military transporter. The so-called channel fitting is located in the wheel well and is connected to the actuator that opens and closes the wheel door for take-off and landing.
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05.09.11 The company Otto Fuchs in Meinerzhagen, Germany has recently commissioned two new double-chamber melting furnaces with an annual output of 50,000 tons. The furnaces are equipped with regenerative heating systems that reduce their energy consumption and emissions.
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29.08.11 A new aluminium heat shield material for engine compartments saves a significant amount of weight, provides a high level of thermal efficiency and can also be installed in combination with complex components thanks to its excellent formability.
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29.08.11 Clean and safe are the two main product properties of the aluminium pallets, boxes and containers manufactured by the company Hurtz from Nettetal, Germany. These products are the prime choice when it comes to arranging the packaging, transportation or storage of hygienically sensitive products.
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22.08.11 With effect from 1 July 2011 Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Kastner has been appointed as member of the board of management of the apt Hiller Group, Monheim. Stephan Kastner is responsible at apt for the further development of the Group by expanding existing business areas and opening up new ones.
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22.08.11 Amcor Flexibles Europe & Americas is investing EUR 6.7 million in the finishing plant in Singen, Germany. This will expand production capacity for pharmaceutical packages, and modernize classic finishing in a way appropriate for the pharmaceutical industry.
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15.08.11 The German semi-finished aluminium products industry registered a successful first half year of 2011. The 34 German producers of semi-finished aluminium products were able to maintain the good results of 2010 in terms of deliveries and orders received.
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15.08.11 From Düsseldorf to Shanghai and from Mumbai to Dubai, and then on to Sao Paulo in 2012: ALUMINIUM, the worldwide leading exhibition partner of the aluminium industry, is again expanding its global activities, and will be present next year at an event in Brazil.
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08.08.11 A new technology for recycling aluminium chips has been awarded the Environment Technology Prize of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the category of material efficiency, ARP GmbH & Co. KG in Alpirsbach was distinguished for its ARP cyclone technology for efficient recycling of aluminium chips.
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08.08.11 Alcoa Architectural Products is introducing to the market an aluminium facade that helps clean itself and the surrounding air. With the help of sunlight and moisture it renders dirt and smog particles harmless, and this way helps the facade to clean itself and to clean the surrounding air.
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01.08.11 Metal objects play an important role in high tech design. The Swedish furniture maker IKEA has often used the light material aluminium for design-oriented furniture. Now they have “Reidar”. Reidar is a chair for outdoor use made entirely of aluminium, but it is also quite suitable for indoor use.
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01.08.11 Unwieldiness is a thing of the past. The company Cullmann now presents its new series of tripods for hobby and professional photographers. It offers a high degree of flexibility combined with a small packed dimension of only 45 cm. The tripods are light for use and transport because they are made in an aluminium die-cut process.
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25.07.11 Following the successful start to 2011 the German aluminium industry continues on its path of growth, also in the second quarter. From January to May 2011 production increased in all stages of production. With that the German aluminium industry has almost completely made up for quantitative losses arising from the financial and economic crisis.
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18.07.11 ZF Friedrichshafen AG has bought the Nuremberg plant of the automotive supplier Honsel. The tender consortium Martinrea/Anchorage recently took over the entire company in the context of insolvency proceedings. Subject to approval by cartel authorities, ZF will now acquire from the two tenderers the Nuremberg plant.
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18.07.11 One year before the start of the Olympic Summer Games in London, the official Olympic torch has now been revealed. The gold-coloured aluminium work of art has 8000 holes and was designed by a London design agency. Its triangular form will symbolize the third Olympic Games in the British capital after 1908 and 1948.
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11.07.11 Reducing weight in motor cars remains one of the most important tasks for the future. Lightweight design contributes not only to reducing fuel consumption, and thus leads to lower emissions of pollutant gases by conventional internal combustion engines, it is also of decisive importance when it comes to the electrical and hybrid vehicles of the future.
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11.07.11 The new military history museum in Dresden of the German Armed Forces is hazarding a new design for its facade. The American star architect Daniel Libeskind, known for his design of the new Ground Zero construction in New York, chose a profiled framework made of anodised aluminium for the avant-garde facade.
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11.07.11 Takaaki Takeuchi, Managing Director of Alucon Public Co. Ltd., Thailand, has been elected the new President of the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL). The association represents roughly 75 per cent of global aluminium aerosol can production.
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04.07.11 During a visit to the aluminium site of Hydro in Grevenbroich at the beginning of June Johannes Remmel (Green Party), Minister of the Environment of North Rhine-Westphalia, spoke of his special interest in aluminium. “During my one-year term in office, my view of the aluminium industry changed drastically,” said Johannes Remmel. In fact he “almost joined the fan club”.
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04.07.11 As of 1 August 2011 Dr. Carsten Rink (45) will take up the position as spokesman for the board of management of Alcan Singen GmbH / Constellium, and beginning 1 October, spokesman for the board of management of Alcan Holdings Germany GmbH. The management change is part of the reorganization of the site in the structure of the new Constellium group of companies.
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27.06.11 The French utility vehicle manufacturer, Benalu, intends to capture the steel vehicle dominated market with a new generation of agricultural trailers made completely of aluminium. Compared to a similar steel construction of up to four tonnes, the innovative trailers offer a high degree of inherent stability.
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27.06.11 “The Bright World of Metals” is this year’s slogan of the four technology trade fairs, GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST. The four exhibitions take place from 28 June to 2 July 2011 in the Düsseldorf exhibition halls, and show the complete added value chain of metal manufacturing and finishing.
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20.06.11 In 2010, the Swiss aluminium industry managed to come out of the low set off by the financial and economic crisis. However, in international competition the strong franc increasingly weakened the Swiss industry, 80 per cent of whose exports go to EU countries.
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20.06.11 The lightweight construction specialist LEIBER Group GmbH & Co. KG in Emmingen, Germany has developed a new hybrid forging system with which different materials can be joined in hybrid components. With this system it is possible to achieve an optimum in material properties.
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14.06.11 The German aluminium industry has made a good start in 2011. Production quantities have met or even exceeded market expectations, despite growth rates already having been extremely high the previous year. In its latest overview covering the Q1/2011 ,GDA reports that overall the aluminium industry in Germany is operating close to its long-term growth path.
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14.06.11 Among designers, aluminium has been the trendy material to work with for some time. There seems to be no end to the useful objects the material inspires them to create. The most recent example is a side table made of nothing else than a bent sheet of corrugated aluminium.
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06.06.11 German non-ferrous metal foundries recorded dynamic growth last year. After the drastic collapse in the financial and economic crisis year of 2009, non-ferrous foundries reported a plus in production of 41 per cent. The positive economic activity was driven particularly by the strong demand in the area of road vehicle manufacture.
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06.06.11 With the theme of “1911–2011: Extrusion by Erbslöh”, Erbslöh Aluminium GmbH celebrated in Velbert its 100th anniversary. Exactly 100 years ago a technology that pointed the way to the future for the entire aluminium industry had its beginnings at Erbslöh. Through to today, extrusion pressing of semi-finished aluminium products has remained the core technology of Erbslöh Aluminium.
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31.05.11 What innovative technologies do the aluminium industry’s equipment partners have to offer? What trends are emerging? Experts from the aluminium industry will be discussing these and other questions with their equipment partners at the Technologies for the Aluminium Industry congress on 22-23 November 2011 in Düsseldorf.
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30.05.11 The European producers of aluminium tubes presented a creative animated film to show off the unique selling propositions of a premium packaging material – the aluminium tube – at the trade fair “interpack 2011”. “AluTubes got Talent” – this is the title of the five-minute trailer in which animated aluminium tubes appear as contestants at a casting show.
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23.05.11 Constellium is now the new name of the former enterprise, Alcan Engineered Products, of which Alcan Singen GmbH is a subsidiary, among others. Beside the new name, the enterprise also received a new logo, this being a significant step toward the creation of a new corporate identity.
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16.05.11 The economic development of the German aluminium recycling industry was better last year than anticipated. The production of recycled aluminum, used for casting alloys and as deoxidation aluminum, rose to a total of 611,139 metric tons in 2010. This is an increase of 8.8 percent, compared to 2009.
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12.05.11 The quality association GSB International based in Schwäbisch Gmünd and Düsseldorf-based GDA Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V. have formally sealed their close co-operation that began at the beginning of the year.At the annual general meeting of GSB International held in Düsseldorf, the co-operation agreement between the two associations was signed.
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12.05.11 GDA will have a stand (Hall 11, Stand A 37) at the leading international trade fair for the packaging sector, interpack 2011, which takes place from 12-18 May 2011 in Düsseldorf. Many companies from the packaging industry will present their innovations there.
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10.05.11 Werner Mader has been appointed managing director of GSB International, Schwäbisch Gmünd. He will carry out his management responsibilities at GSB in addition to his work for GDA Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V. in Düsseldorf, where he is responsible for activities in the fields of corrosion, building and construction, and surface technology.
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02.05.11 This May is going to be both hot and dedicated to barbecue. The European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) presents the different areas of application of aluminium foil for barbecue to the public on two large international events that could hardly be more different.
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02.05.11 Sheet metal processing plant and manufacturer of perforated plates, Ernst Meck from Nuernberg, developed a cable duct made of aluminium. The product is particularly suitable for flat roofs and free areas. It is easy to install, corrosion-resistant and durable.
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26.04.11 Aluminium as a material is an essential component for the still-unrelenting boom on the solar market, e.g. as subconstruction for solar module attachment. However, the light-weight material also has some more delicate applications in photovoltaics. The latest example is an innovative FPEAL005 connection socket with an aluminium housing.
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26.04.11 Telescopic planks are one of the most important aids for all large-scale paint and interior fitting jobs that require work at a height of up to approx. three metres. The first telescopic aluminium scaffolding plank can be complemented by accessories to form a height-variable working platform system.
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18.04.11 The manufacturers of aluminium packaging enjoyed an increase in sales in 2010 and showed that they had already recovered well from the economic crisis. With 405,100 tonnes (t) of foil, tubes, flexible packaging and aluminium aerosol and beverage cans, they produced 13.6 per cent more in 2010 than the previous year (2009: 356,600 t).
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18.04.11 The new "Fusion" bottle of cocktail classic Bellini di Canella was awarded the prize in the "Best Packaging" category at this year's Beverage Innovations Awards in Washington. The innovative light aluminium bottle is a true highlight this summer - a hot package for the cool Venetian cocktail made of Prosecco and white peach.
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11.04.11 Automotive supplier Johnson Controls (Burscheid, Germany) developed a new process to enable production of particularly light-weight backseats. The aluminium backseat frame and its rear panel made of thinner steel sheet are joined with a sophisticated bonding technique.
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11.04.11 They were supposed to be rolling ingots for the production of new foil for yoghurt lids, tray blisters or chocolate wraps by now. Instead, several tons of aluminium process scrap from the Grevenbroich based Hydro mill have now become art on time. Several tons of aluminium were taken to the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn for an installation by Heinz Mack.
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04.04.11 The German Federal Ministry for the Environment is making 1,500,000 euros available from its Environmental Innovation Programme for a pilot project of Aluminium Norf GmbH in Neuss (North Rhine-Westphalia). Aluminium Norf wants to install innovative, energy-efficient annealing furnaces equipped with the latest plant engineering in its cold-rolling mill.
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04.04.11 Shopping trolleys are indispensable because they allow customers to transport food, drink and other items safely and comfortably around the supermarket and then out to their cars. Besides safety and quality aspects and functionality, an attractive, noble design is also important.
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28.03.11 The booming demand for aluminium aerosol cans worldwide continued in 2010. Production rose almost 11 per cent and broke through the 6-billion-can barrier. After taking a short breather in 2009, development in demand last year was very favourable, particularly in Europe where there was a rise of 13 per cent.
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28.03.11 The front and rear ends of the new Bentley Continental GT contain two important safety components made of aluminium that come from Austria: crash management systems developed and produced by Alutech GmbH’s Business Unit Euromotive for the brand new British luxury coupé.
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23.03.11 The German aluminium semis industry has made a dynamic start to 2011. The 34 German aluminium semis producers increased production significantly at the beginning of the year. Friedrich Brökelmann, chairman of the Aluminium Semis division of GDA is expecting stable development in all market sectors in the coming months.
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22.03.11 The SuperLIGHT-CAR Project has been presented with the InnoMateria Award for its groundbreaking approach to lightweight construction in carmaking. Prof Jürgen Hirsch of the aluminium company Hydro received the award on behalf of the 37 project partners at the InnoMateria conference and exhibition in Cologne, Germany, which took place on 15-16 March 2011.
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14.03.11 Bielefeld based Schüco has become the world’s first supplier to be awarded the PassivHaus certificate for an aluminium window. The AWS 112.IC study exhibited at the BAU trade fair offers a forward-looking thermal insulation concept and achieves a UW value of 0.79 W/m²K with narrow visible widths of the profiles.
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14.03.11 There is no venue in the world that is as famous for holding the Nordic Skiing World Championships as the imposing Holmenkollen in Oslo. Wicona based in Ulm, Germany, supplied the façades and window constructions for the new arena pavilion with the Royal Box for the Norwegian Royal Family.
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07.03.11 GDA Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V., Düsseldorf, Germany, has extended the deadline of the Call for Papers for the EAC - European Aluminium Congress 2011with its motto 'Technologies for the Aluminium Industry’. GDA is now inviting suggestions for topics to be covered and presentations. The deadline for submission is 18 March 2011.
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07.03.11 Flat-plate collectors are mainly used in thermal solar plants in Europe. While aluminium has already replaced copper as the preferred material for absorber sheet, the first absorbers made with aluminium tubes are now entering the market. Hydro Aluminium has won its first supply contracts for the delivery of tubes for solar plants.
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28.02.11 Leading experts from the metals industry agree that the physical demand for aluminium should continue to grow this year, by about ten per cent. According to an estimate made by the experts, the three-month average price will rise as the undersupply of the market grows.
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28.02.11 Neuss-based Aluminium Norf GmbH, the world’s largest aluminium rolling mill, is investing further in state-of-the-art plant for aluminium recycling. A new TCF twin-chamber melting furnace being supplied by Essen-based LOI Thermprocess is due to go into operation at the end of 2011.
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23.02.11 The manufacturers of aluminium packaging recovered from the economic crisis more quickly and better than expected in 2010. Strong demand came from the most important markets for aluminium packaging, namely the cosmetics, pharma and food industries. The good situation is being clouded, however, by rising prices for raw materials and higher operating costs, which are squeezing margins.
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21.02.11 Together with BMW, researchers at the technical university in Munich (Technische Universität München, TUM) have developed a system that allows copper to be replaced by aluminium in high-voltage on-board systems and thus makes it possible to reduce the material costs and weight of on-board systems.
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21.02.11 The internationally renowned and copyrighted aluminium logo is now being used on packaging in North America, too. It can now be seen on tinned fish supplied by the Danish-owned company Larsen Danish Seafood GmbH and sold by Aldi USA. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for consumers so Larsen is also placing great value on this aspect of its packaging.
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14.02.11 Ensuring an adequate, long-term and secure supply of raw materials in Europe has become the subject of intensive discussion. This will also take centre stage at the 11th International Aluminium Recycling Congresses which takes place on 21-22 February 2011 at the Hilton Vienna Hotel in Vienna and is being organised by the Düsseldorf-based OEA.
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14.02.11 Together with the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), the Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V. (GDA) has published a brochure on aluminium recycling. It provides information on the aim of jointly promoting sustainable building and presents the aluminium industry as a strong partner of the building industry.
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11.02.11 The latest trend in furniture design is aluminium furniture panels, either colour-lacquered or – something new – veneered with stone or wood. The new furniture panels offer interesting effects for use in furniture design. The material’s stability and lightness combined with novel surface finishes enable manufacturers to develop elegant solutions.
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07.02.11 In the middle of January, Honsel shipped its 50 millionth control component for use in automatic transmissions. In 2010 alone, the automotive component supplier produced four million of these die-cast aluminium high-precision parts, which control gear changing in automatic transmissions.
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03.02.11 Aluminium Flat Rolled Products will play a vital role in renewable energy solutions and consumer electronics – as well as packaging, transportation and building and construction – and are well positioned for material replacement opportunities as the costs of items such as copper lead manufacturers to seek the benefits of aluminum.
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31.01.11 Of the some 125 million window units that were installed in Europe in 2010, aluminium maintained its position as a frame material with a 22 per cent market share, the same as in the previous year. Aluminium thus defended its position. These are the results of a study carried out by the Fenster + Fassade trade association (VFF) which was presented at BAU 2011 in Munich.
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31.01.11 A new printing and marking process called Alugraphics introduces colour under the anodised layer of a pretreated aluminium sheet. The new process is similar to tattooing of the human skin. Use of specially developed pigments and the special technology results in numerous possible ways of marking name plates, front covers, covers for equipment and machinery.
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24.01.11 he Audi A8 has won the Euro Car Body Award, the world’s highest accolade for innovative body manufacturing, which was presented during the 12th International Car-Body Benchmarking Conference. Over 500 experts and a jury of specialists gave top marks to Audi’s top-of-the-range model.
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24.01.11 A well-known developer of products for use in prevention and rehabilitation in physiotherapy, sports medicine and fitness training has launched an aluminium vibration dumbbell. The first weights were made from stainless steel but aluminium alloys are now used. This reduces the manufacturing effort considerably.
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17.01.11 GDA Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V. is organising a seminar on joining to be held on 1-2 February 2011 in Duisburg. The seminar is aimed primarily at users from the automotive, building and construction, and mechanical engineering industries. The seminar language will be German.
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17.01.11 Following the ALUMINIUM trade fair in 2010, aluminium fabricators are now turning their attention to their next important fair: some 100 aluminium companies and aluminium fabricators will be exhibiting at BAU 2011, which will be held from 17-22 January 2011 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.
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10.01.11 A highly reflective mirror foil developed by technology company 3M for use in parabolic-trough solar power plants could allow large-surface concentrated solar power plants to be built far more economically and efficiently and be almost completely recyclable. Hydro Aluminium has developed a special aluminium strip, HyBridAl, as a lightweight and robust carrier.
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10.01.11 Mercedes Benz was one of the first carmakers to use aluminium in series production as long ago as the 1970s, in its SL range. The company is one of the largest users of aluminium in cars today although the company has consciously not concentrated on a specific material, instead relying on a mixture of high-strength steels, light metals and plastics.
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03.01.11 Hydro Aluminium Deutschland GmbH’s supervisory board has elected Oliver Bell (52) as its new chairman. He succeeds Dr Dieter Braun, who remains a member of the supervisory board. Mr Bell is a member of the board of the Oslo-based parent company, Hydro, with responsibility for the company’s rolled products business globally.
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03.01.11 A new surface treatment for aluminium and metal façades simplifies the removal of graffiti. Novelis, Europe’s leading supplier of coil-coated aluminium sheet and coil, has developed a new product, Clearky 105; which it will be presenting at the BAU trade fair in Munich in January 2011.
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