KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Global chemical company, LyondellBasell (LYB) has introduced an innovative flexible packaging solution for Marabou chocolate bars, developed in collaboration with Mondelez International, Amcor, Taghleef Industries and other industry players.
Using LYB CirculenRevive polymers with 100 per cent attributed recycled content through an ISCC PLUS-certified mass balance approach, Mondelez is now able to offer packaging made from 75 per cent recycled content.
According to LYB in a statement, the solution helps transform hard-to-recycle post-consumer mixed plastic waste into high-quality materials suitable for food packaging.
“Our collaboration with Mondelez illustrates our shared vision for the future and highlights our ability to provide innovative, high-quality circular solutions tailored to demanding specifications.
“We are committed to making circular and low-carbon solutions work for businesses while creating solutions for everyday sustainable living,” said LYB executive vice president, Sustainable Solutions and Technology Business, Yvonne van der Laan.
As part of its circular solutions strategy, LYB plans to supply future polymers for Marabou packaging through MoReTec-1, its first commercial-scale catalytic chemical recycling plant under construction in Wesseling, Germany.
Once operational, the facility will strengthen access to circular feedstock within LYB's integrated ecosystem, connecting advanced sorting and recycling infrastructure with the company's existing crackers and polymerisation assets.
MoReTec-1 is designed to produce 50,000 metric tonnes of feedstock annually for use in LYB's existing production units, enabling the manufacture of recycled polymers.
The collaboration brings together companies across the packaging value chain, with LYB supplying the circular polymers, Taghleef Industries producing the base film, and Amcor converting the material into the final flexible packaging solution for Mondelez.
LYB said the initiative reflects growing demand from brand owners for high-performance circular polymers that support recycled-content targets while meeting the quality requirements for flexible food packaging.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Friday, 3 July 2026
8X8 BAGS 2026 METRISTAR TOP PROVIDER FOR CPAAS BY METRIGY
KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- Global business communications platform provider, 8x8 Inc has been named a 2026 MetriStar Top Provider for Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) by Metrigy, an independent research and advisory firm.
The CPaaS recognition is part of a broader result in Metrigy’s 2026 MetriStar Award programme, with 8x8 also receiving the MetriStar Top Provider recognition for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS).
“Most of the companies we work with are not just looking for a messaging API; they need the whole chain: campaign management, AI, analytics, and a contact centre that talks to all of it.
“This recognition from Metrigy validates our approach helping organisations improve customer satisfaction, drive growth, and simplify operations at scale,” said 8x8 General Manager, CPaaS, Sylvain Chaperon in a statement.
The awards are based on Metrigy’s Customer Experience MetriCast 2026 study, which surveyed 1,437 customer experience (CX) leaders across 10 countries in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
8x8 achieved above-average scores on both business success and customer sentiment, with particular strength in CSAT improvement, revenue growth, platform reliability, and no-code/low-code application quality.
Metrigy highlighted 8x8's integrated communications portfolio as a key differentiator, noting that the company is among a small number of vendors offering CPaaS, CCaaS, and Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) within a single platform.
The research also highlighted 8x8's approach to treating CPaaS not as a standalone developer toolkit but as a programmable layer across the CX stack, expanding customer engagement capabilities beyond the contact centre to sales, field service, and frontline teams.
-- BERNAMA
The CPaaS recognition is part of a broader result in Metrigy’s 2026 MetriStar Award programme, with 8x8 also receiving the MetriStar Top Provider recognition for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS).
“Most of the companies we work with are not just looking for a messaging API; they need the whole chain: campaign management, AI, analytics, and a contact centre that talks to all of it.
“This recognition from Metrigy validates our approach helping organisations improve customer satisfaction, drive growth, and simplify operations at scale,” said 8x8 General Manager, CPaaS, Sylvain Chaperon in a statement.
The awards are based on Metrigy’s Customer Experience MetriCast 2026 study, which surveyed 1,437 customer experience (CX) leaders across 10 countries in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
8x8 achieved above-average scores on both business success and customer sentiment, with particular strength in CSAT improvement, revenue growth, platform reliability, and no-code/low-code application quality.
Metrigy highlighted 8x8's integrated communications portfolio as a key differentiator, noting that the company is among a small number of vendors offering CPaaS, CCaaS, and Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) within a single platform.
The research also highlighted 8x8's approach to treating CPaaS not as a standalone developer toolkit but as a programmable layer across the CX stack, expanding customer engagement capabilities beyond the contact centre to sales, field service, and frontline teams.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday, 2 July 2026
EMGA Closes US$15 Mln Senior Debt Facility For CDB In Sri Lanka
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) has closed a US$15 million senior debt facility for Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB), marking a milestone in strengthening Sri Lanka’s financial sector and supporting sustainable growth. (US$1=RM4.06)
The transaction underscores EMGA’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka, while supporting CDB’s efforts to expand access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and advance its green portfolio.
The facility was arranged in collaboration with Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution, which plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable economic development across emerging markets, according to EMGA in a statement.
EMGA Head of Investment Banking and Managing Director (MD), Sajeev Chakkalakal said the transaction supports CDB’s growth strategy while expanding Swedfund’s presence in the region.
Meanwhile, CDB MD/Chief Executive Officer, Mahesh Nanayakkara said the financing strengthens the company’s ability to empower SMEs and accelerate green initiatives, ensuring it continues to play a leading role in Sri Lanka’s sustainable financial development.
CDB is a non-bank financial institution listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, focused on SME financing and sustainable finance initiatives.
EMGA, with offices in London and New York, advises financial institutions and corporates on debt and equity capital raising across emerging markets.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, 1 July 2026
2026 "Encounter Qi, Dreamy Zhaoge" Spring Festival Fair Kicks Off
HEBI, China, June 29 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The millennia-old city of Zhaoge welcomed the Spring Festival with grandeur. Zhaoge Old Street in Qi County, Central China’s Henan Province, blazed with lights and teemed with visitors. Amid thundering drums and leaping lion dances, Qi County announced the official opening of the nearly month-long “Encounter Qi, Dreamy Zhaoge” Spring Festival Fair, inviting residents and tourists alike to embark on a 3,000-year cultural journey.
Zhaoge, located in present-day Qi County, served as the capital for the last four kings of the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) and later as the capital of the Wei State during the Western Zhou period. Today, it stands among Henan Province's first designated historical and cultural cities and is revered as the cradle of Chinese surname culture.
The highlight came with "Zhaoge: The Enchanted Dance of the Fengshen", a processional immersive performance staged against the backdrop of Zhaoge's storied past. The production recreates the historical moment 3,000 years ago when King Zhou of Shang pacified the Dongyi tribes and unified the Central Plains.
Scattered throughout the street, pop-up performances and NPC character parades animate the ancient thoroughfare, while specialty markets and local delicacies tempt the senses. Visitors can admire murals depicting characters from Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi), decode decorative lanterns featuring Shang Dynasty idioms, and purchase Fengshen-themed cultural creative products — all offering a tangible connection to this legendary heritage.
Zhaoge Old Street ranks among Henan's first designated historical and cultural blocks. It is also recognized as a leisure tourism district and a nighttime cultural tourism consumption cluster. Situated at the heart of the ancient city, the street emphasizes historical and cultural industries, integrating traditional heritage into modern tourism scenes. Today, it has become a premier nighttime destination for both locals and visitors.
Company: Qi County
Contact Person: Li Mingkun
Email: wuyuekp@163.com
Website: https://www.qxzf.gov.cn/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/jgjj/gzbm/art/2022/art_7e82d4d0c72e413cb83da10a7830d4b5.html
City: Hebi
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69fb38b9-248c-4860-af18-a1d8321de22c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4db0e830-6a5a-4bf5-bfa9-a07f6e785d23
SOURCE: Qi County
--BERNAMA
The highlight came with "Zhaoge: The Enchanted Dance of the Fengshen", a processional immersive performance staged against the backdrop of Zhaoge's storied past. The production recreates the historical moment 3,000 years ago when King Zhou of Shang pacified the Dongyi tribes and unified the Central Plains.
Scattered throughout the street, pop-up performances and NPC character parades animate the ancient thoroughfare, while specialty markets and local delicacies tempt the senses. Visitors can admire murals depicting characters from Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi), decode decorative lanterns featuring Shang Dynasty idioms, and purchase Fengshen-themed cultural creative products — all offering a tangible connection to this legendary heritage.
Zhaoge Old Street ranks among Henan's first designated historical and cultural blocks. It is also recognized as a leisure tourism district and a nighttime cultural tourism consumption cluster. Situated at the heart of the ancient city, the street emphasizes historical and cultural industries, integrating traditional heritage into modern tourism scenes. Today, it has become a premier nighttime destination for both locals and visitors.
Company: Qi County
Contact Person: Li Mingkun
Email: wuyuekp@163.com
Website: https://www.qxzf.gov.cn/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/jgjj/gzbm/art/2022/art_7e82d4d0c72e413cb83da10a7830d4b5.html
City: Hebi
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69fb38b9-248c-4860-af18-a1d8321de22c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4db0e830-6a5a-4bf5-bfa9-a07f6e785d23
SOURCE: Qi County
--BERNAMA
PJL Sells First Team In US$50 Mln Deal To McCarthy Jumping Team
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Premier Jumping League (PJL) announced that seasoned trader, investor, and competitive race car driver Jason McCarthy and McCarthy Jumping League LLC acquired the league’s first team in a landmark US$50 million transaction. (US$1=RM4.06)
The acquisition reflects strong investor confidence in the future of professional showjumping, as the inaugural 2027 PJL season will feature 16 teams competing across 14 international events, according to a statement.
The milestone investment represents a record valuation for a team in a newly established sports competition, underscoring growing investor interest in the league ahead of its April 2027 launch.
McCourt Global Executive Chairman, Frank McCourt said the investment endorses the PJL’s vision and long-term growth potential.
“From the outset, our ambition has been to attract new capital and growth opportunities to the sport. Jason and his family embody the values and ethos we aim to uphold within the League,” he said.
Meanwhile, McCarthy said the PJL has strong potential to expand global interest in showjumping while preserving the sport’s core values.
The acquisition also reflects confidence in McCourt Global’s US$300 million prize money commitment and the league’s long-term business model and financial viability.
-- BERNAMA
ATON LAUNCHES AI-POWERED FAMILY SAFETY PLATFORM AMID BULLYING CONCERNS
KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- ATON Inc has launched FamGuard, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered family safety platform designed to help parents monitor children's digital activities and identify potential signs of online risks, as concerns over school bullying and cyberbullying continue to grow in Singapore.
The launch comes amid heightened public attention to child safety following the widely reported Sengkang Green Primary School bullying case, which sparked broader discussions on student protection and the early identification of behavioural warning signs.
ATON said FamGuard combines real-time location tracking with AI-powered Conversation Insights and Friend Scoring to help parents better understand changes in their children's communication patterns and social interactions, enabling earlier conversations when unusual behaviour is detected.
“Technology cannot replace parents, but it can help families stay connected earlier and start conversations sooner,” an ATON representative said in a statement.
The platform also offers parental control features, including Screen Time Management, App Usage Monitoring and App Controls, to help families encourage healthier digital habits and oversee smartphone usage.
The company said growing use of messaging applications, social media and online group interactions has broadened expectations for family safety services beyond location tracking to include greater visibility into children's digital environments and behavioural patterns.
The launch follows research indicating that one in four upper primary school students in Singapore has experienced bullying, while many parents remain concerned about children's exposure to cyberbullying and other online risks.
ATON said FamGuard was developed to support families seeking additional tools to strengthen digital safety while complementing parental engagement and communication.
-- BERNAMA
The launch comes amid heightened public attention to child safety following the widely reported Sengkang Green Primary School bullying case, which sparked broader discussions on student protection and the early identification of behavioural warning signs.
ATON said FamGuard combines real-time location tracking with AI-powered Conversation Insights and Friend Scoring to help parents better understand changes in their children's communication patterns and social interactions, enabling earlier conversations when unusual behaviour is detected.
“Technology cannot replace parents, but it can help families stay connected earlier and start conversations sooner,” an ATON representative said in a statement.
The platform also offers parental control features, including Screen Time Management, App Usage Monitoring and App Controls, to help families encourage healthier digital habits and oversee smartphone usage.
The company said growing use of messaging applications, social media and online group interactions has broadened expectations for family safety services beyond location tracking to include greater visibility into children's digital environments and behavioural patterns.
The launch follows research indicating that one in four upper primary school students in Singapore has experienced bullying, while many parents remain concerned about children's exposure to cyberbullying and other online risks.
ATON said FamGuard was developed to support families seeking additional tools to strengthen digital safety while complementing parental engagement and communication.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
CIRCEUS LAUNCHES WITH EBRD EQUITY INVESTMENT
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Circeus, an artificial intelligence (AI)-native holding company, has launched with an equity investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), alongside participation from other investors.
According to a statement, the launch introduces Circeus as the group's holding company brand, reflecting the broader business-to-business (B2B) software portfolio with AI embedded across its operations.
The investment will help expand its central AI engineering capability and support future acquisitions. The group has completed 18 acquisitions over the past four years and serves more than 200,000 businesses worldwide.
“As AI evolves software from passive tools into systems that act and execute, the addressable market for technology is expanding several-fold. We are building the platform to capture this shift.
“We were not running a fundraising process, as we are profitable and well capitalised, but we chose to make space for EBRD given their institutional standing and to lean further into a market that presents several attractive opportunities,” said Circeus Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Luca Cartechini.
Meanwhile, EBRD investor Bruno Lusic said the bank is backing Circeus as it brings AI to mission-critical software, adding that the company's long-term growth model aligns with the EBRD's investment mandate.
Circeus grows through a repeatable acquisition model, acquiring software businesses and integrating them into a central AI capability that embeds AI into products, automates operations, and reuses infrastructure, data, and insights across its portfolio.
The company said founders who sell their businesses to Circeus retain their brands, teams, and customer relationships while gaining access to the group's AI engineering, growth expertise, and centralised back-office support.
Looking ahead, Circeus aims to accelerate AI adoption by embedding advanced AI capabilities into the mission-critical software used by businesses across multiple industries.
-- BERNAMA
According to a statement, the launch introduces Circeus as the group's holding company brand, reflecting the broader business-to-business (B2B) software portfolio with AI embedded across its operations.
The investment will help expand its central AI engineering capability and support future acquisitions. The group has completed 18 acquisitions over the past four years and serves more than 200,000 businesses worldwide.
“As AI evolves software from passive tools into systems that act and execute, the addressable market for technology is expanding several-fold. We are building the platform to capture this shift.
“We were not running a fundraising process, as we are profitable and well capitalised, but we chose to make space for EBRD given their institutional standing and to lean further into a market that presents several attractive opportunities,” said Circeus Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Luca Cartechini.
Meanwhile, EBRD investor Bruno Lusic said the bank is backing Circeus as it brings AI to mission-critical software, adding that the company's long-term growth model aligns with the EBRD's investment mandate.
Circeus grows through a repeatable acquisition model, acquiring software businesses and integrating them into a central AI capability that embeds AI into products, automates operations, and reuses infrastructure, data, and insights across its portfolio.
The company said founders who sell their businesses to Circeus retain their brands, teams, and customer relationships while gaining access to the group's AI engineering, growth expertise, and centralised back-office support.
Looking ahead, Circeus aims to accelerate AI adoption by embedding advanced AI capabilities into the mission-critical software used by businesses across multiple industries.
-- BERNAMA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)