Alumex PLC powers innovation as official material sponsor of Unleashed 2026, supporting the unveiling of the FALCON E1 electric race car developed by engineering students at the University of Moratuwa.
Alumex PLC powers innovation as official material sponsor of Unleashed 2026 electric racing launch
The event marked a milestone in Sri Lanka’s engineering innovation landscape as the next-generation electric racing car was officially launched at the university, highlighting the growing collaboration between academia and industry in advancing sustainable mobility and cutting-edge automotive technology.
Organised by the university’s Falcon Racing team, the event showcased the FALCON E1, a fully electric race car designed and engineered entirely by students using advanced design methodologies, precision manufacturing techniques, and modern electric vehicle technologies.
The initiative where Alumex PLC powers innovation as official material sponsor of Unleashed 2026 underscores the role of industry partnerships in supporting student-led engineering projects and nurturing Sri Lanka’s emerging generation of innovators.
As the official material sponsor, Alumex PLC provided critical aluminium inputs used in the construction of the race car. Approximately 650 kilograms of aluminium components were supplied for the project, contributing to the vehicle’s structural framework and key performance elements.
The company also delivered specialised anodising services for several machined components, helping improve the vehicle’s power-to-weight ratio while maintaining the durability and structural integrity required for competitive racing environments.
Lightweight materials such as aluminium are particularly important in high-performance electric racing applications, where engineers must balance structural strength, efficiency, and aerodynamics. By integrating high-quality aluminium components, the Falcon Racing team was able to optimise vehicle performance while ensuring reliability under demanding race conditions.
The collaboration where Alumex PLC powers innovation as official material sponsor of Unleashed 2026 reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s student engineering innovation ecosystem.
In fact, this marks the third consecutive occasion on which Alumex has partnered with the Falcon Racing team in developing electric racing vehicles, demonstrating a sustained effort to encourage young engineers and promote research and development in sustainable mobility technologies.
Commenting on the partnership, Pramuk Dediwela, Managing Director of Alumex PLC, said the company views such collaborations as an investment in the future of Sri Lanka’s engineering talent.
He noted that empowering young innovators is critical for driving technological progress, particularly in fields such as electric mobility and advanced manufacturing where creativity, experimentation, and engineering excellence play a vital role.
According to Dediwela, the Falcon Racing team’s work demonstrates that Sri Lankan students possess the capability to compete on global engineering platforms, and partnerships with industry can help translate these ideas into real-world technological solutions.
The FALCON E1 electric race car represents the culmination of months of intensive research, design, and engineering work carried out by the student team. Built entirely from the ground up, the vehicle integrates several advanced performance features tailored for competitive electric racing.
Among its specifications, the car weighs approximately 245 kilograms and is powered by a single chassis-mounted electric motor capable of producing up to 72 kilowatts of power. The vehicle operates at a maximum system voltage of 300 volts DC and is equipped with a 7.99 kilowatt-hour accumulator battery pack.
The engineering design also incorporates a transmission ratio of 2.8 and a sophisticated suspension system featuring double unequal A-arms with a push-rod configuration. This design improves handling, stability, and performance during high-speed racing conditions.
These specifications reflect the growing technical expertise of Sri Lanka’s engineering students, who are increasingly engaging in complex automotive and electric mobility projects.
The programme where Alumex PLC powers innovation as official material sponsor of Unleashed 2026 also highlights the importance of providing students with access to high-quality materials and technical expertise from industry partners.
Such collaborations enable student teams to build sophisticated prototypes and gain practical experience in manufacturing, design optimisation, and systems integration—skills that are essential for careers in engineering and technology sectors.
The Falcon Racing team is preparing to take the FALCON E1 onto the global stage later this year by participating in the prestigious Formula Student Spain competition.
The event will be held at the renowned Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Formula 1 racing track in Spain and is expected to attract university engineering teams from around the world.
Formula Student competitions provide a global platform for students to design, build, and race high-performance vehicles while demonstrating their technical capabilities across multiple disciplines including design engineering, cost management, and dynamic performance.
For Sri Lanka, participation in such international competitions represents an important opportunity to showcase the country’s emerging engineering talent and technological capabilities.
The partnership where Alumex PLC powers innovation as official material sponsor of Unleashed 2026 therefore highlights a broader narrative about how industry collaboration can strengthen Sri Lanka’s engineering ecosystem.
By supporting initiatives that encourage experimentation, innovation, and applied research, companies like Alumex play an important role in helping students transform theoretical knowledge into practical engineering achievements.
Over the years, Alumex PLC has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s leading aluminium extrusion manufacturers, supplying materials used across sectors such as construction, manufacturing, transport, and industrial engineering.
Through its support for projects like the Falcon Racing programme, the company continues to demonstrate how local industries can contribute to developing the next generation of engineers while promoting innovation in emerging technologies such as electric mobility.
As Sri Lanka seeks to expand its capabilities in advanced manufacturing and sustainable transportation, partnerships between universities and industry are expected to play an increasingly important role in driving technological progress and global competitiveness.