SUCCESS STORIES OF GLOBAL BRANDS USING ALUMINIUM

Aluminium – the material of the 21st century

For decades, steel was the backbone of heavy industry. But as the world entered an era of technology, renewable energy, and sustainability, aluminium emerged as a strategic choice for leading corporations. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, durable, and infinitely recyclable, aluminium not only improves product design but also drives the shift toward greener growth.

Three global brands – Tesla, IKEA, and Apple – have shown how aluminium can become a cornerstone of innovation and business success.

Tesla: Redefining the auto industry with aluminium

Tesla’s mission was never just to build electric cars – it was to reinvent the entire automotive industry. Aluminium was the “secret ingredient” that made this vision possible.

• Weight reduction: Tesla’s Model S and Model X use aluminium-intensive body structures, cutting hundreds of kilograms compared to steel-based vehicles, enabling longer driving ranges.

• Superior safety: Despite being lighter, aluminium absorbs crash energy effectively, helping Tesla achieve top safety ratings worldwide.

• Advanced manufacturing: With its Giga Press technology, Tesla casts huge single aluminium components, streamlining production and reducing costs.

The result: Tesla proved that electric cars can be efficient, luxurious, and safe – with aluminium at the heart of this achievement.

IKEA: Sustainability built into everyday furniture

Swedish furniture giant IKEA is known for its philosophy of democratic design – products must be beautiful, functional, affordable, durable, and sustainable. Aluminium fits perfectly into this vision.

• Applications in furniture: aluminium profiles are used in frames, rails, handles, and decorative trims, making products lightweight, easy to assemble, and long-lasting.

• Aesthetic value: anodized aluminium offers a modern, minimalistic look that aligns with IKEA’s brand identity.

• Green commitment: IKEA is working toward using 100% recycled aluminium in many of its products, significantly cutting CO₂ emissions and advancing the circular economy.

This way, IKEA delivers more than furniture – it delivers a message: sustainability begins with the smallest details.

Apple: Aluminium as a design icon

In the tech world, Apple has turned aluminium into a global symbol of elegance and simplicity.

• Unibody aluminium design: Introduced with the MacBook, Apple machines its products from a single block of aluminium, creating thinner, sturdier, and more precise devices.

• Unique aesthetics: anodizing enables Apple to produce refined finishes in colors like silver, space gray, and rose gold, all with scratch resistance and premium feel.

• Environmental pledge: Apple has pioneered high-purity recycled aluminium for its MacBook Air and Mac mini, drastically lowering carbon emissions.

Through this, Apple has set a new global standard for industrial design excellence.

The common thread: Aluminium as a competitive edge

Despite operating in vastly different industries – automotive, furniture, and technology – Tesla, IKEA, and Apple share one principle:

• Aluminium is not just a material – it is a driver of innovation.

• It enables the balance of performance, aesthetics, and sustainability.

• It provides a long-term competitive edge, helping these brands win over global consumers.

Lessons for Vietnamese businesses

The stories of Tesla, IKEA, and Apple deliver a clear lesson:

Companies that leverage aluminium smartly, with advanced technology and sustainable practices, can integrate into global value chains.

With over 20 years of experience in aluminium extrusion, Vietnamese companies like Dong Anh Aluminium (CKDA) are well-positioned to become trusted partners in international supply chains – from construction and interiors to high-tech industries.