NIPPON KINZOKU'S STAINLESS STEEL WIDE WIDTH FOIL AVAILABLE IN TWO SURFACES

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Tokyo-based Nippon Kinzoku Co Ltd, a stainless steel rolling and processing provider for the automotive, battery, semiconductor and other markets, announced its stainless steel wide width foil’s surface is available in two types of finishes.

In a statement, Nippon Kinzoku said it offered two types of finishes of its stainless steel foil, namely "BS: Bright Surface" and "WS: White Surface", to meet the needs for surface design and functionality.

Additionally, its stainless steel foil features high precision, wide width and large unit weight, contributing to customers' productivity improvement, yield improvement and process reduction.

Nippon Kinzoku’s stainless steel wide width foil features applications that include surface heating elements used in automobiles, flexible printed circuit (FPC) reinforcement plates, and metal masks used in electronic devices, and is used as composite materials with films, among others attached. 

In particular, there are few material manufacturers that produce materials with a thickness of less than 30 micrometres and a width of nearly 600 millimetres, contributing to improved processing yields and productivity.

Furthermore, the company met various requirements for surface texture depending on the application. For instance, in tact switch applications, there is concern about cracking due to minute surface irregularities during repeated use.

In such cases, Nippon Kinzoku recommends a Bright surface with a smooth surface, which contributes to improved durability, while for the exterior of rechargeable batteries and connectors, on the contrary, it recommends a rougher White surface, which contributes to improved adhesion with adhesives (exterior of rechargeable batteries) and visibility of laser engraving on the product surface (connectors).

-- BERNAMA

SHIZUOKA CITY AND A HOLDINGS HAVE SIGNED A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT TO SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS USING A SUBCRITICAL WATER INTEGRATED SYSTEM

^{Partnership for Solving PFAS Contamination Problems Domestically and Internationally (Photo: Business Wire)}


Solving PFAS contamination problems domestically and internationally, communicating from Shizuoka City to the world


SHIZUOKA, Japan, Aug 29 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, President and CEO: Hideaki Awai, hereinafter referred to as "the Company"), which aims for a zero environmental pollution society through next-generation water technology using subcritical water integrated system patent technology, has been working on a PFAS contamination removal demonstration experiment at Shizuoka City's "Miho Rainwater Pump Station" where high concentrations of PFAS were detected, together with Shizuoka City (Mayor: Takashi Namba). Based on the experimental results showing successful contamination removal of up to 88.7%, we are pleased to announce that the Company and Shizuoka City have signed a "Partnership Agreement for Promoting Efforts to Remove and Detoxify PFAS in the Environment and Implement the Subcritical Water Integrated System to Realize an Environmentally Advanced SDGs City" on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240826057237/en/

 

Background of the agreement

• In Shizuoka City, high concentrations of PFAS exceeding the national provisional guideline values have continued to be detected in waterways and well water around the factories that are the cause in Shimizu Ward. PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," had penetrated underground and flowed into the Miho Rainwater Pump Station as rainwater, generating high-concentration water exceeding 10,000 tons per day during rainfall.
• Upon hearing that Shizuoka City had set up a countermeasure team within the city hall and was exploring ways to deal with this problem, the Company proposed a demonstration experiment for PFAS contamination removal using its subcritical water integrated system.
• After laboratory verification, we installed a pressurised floating separation device using our special technology at the Miho Rainwater Pump Station in July this year and began a demonstration experiment for PFAS contamination removal. As a result of about a month of demonstration experiments, we were able to successfully remove up to 88.7% of PFAS contamination (*as of August 6, 2024).
• Based on these results, Shizuoka City and the Company will continue the demonstration experiments aimed at reducing contamination below the national provisional guideline values. And we have reached the agreement with the aims of promoting research and social implementation of PFAS contamination removal technology using subcritical water integrated system, realizing Shizuoka City as an environmentally advanced SDGs city through business development based in Shizuoka City, and solving environmental problems worldwide using the subcritical water integrated system.

Future prospects

• The subcritical water integrated system is capable of not only separating and removing PFAS from contaminated water but also decomposing PFAS to harmless molecular levels. It can also be applied to the removal of radioactive substances such as tritium and the reduction of CO2 and dioxin emissions in industrial waste treatment.
• Our company will establish a new corporation, with Shizuoka City participating in it, to promote research and development for utilizing the functions of this subcritical water integrated system in multiple ways. The new corporation will contribute to creating a wide-area SDGs model city, starting with the realization of Shizuoka City as an SDGs advanced city, in collaboration with Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture.

Outline of Comprehensive Partnership Agreement

1: Technology research and social implementation of the subcritical water integrated system

• Continued demonstration experiments at Miho Rainwater Pump Station to remove contamination below national provisional guideline values
• Promotion of PFAS removal and detoxification in the environment through social implementation of the subcritical water integrated system

2: Realization of an environmentally advanced SDGs city through business development based in Shizuoka City

• Resource conversion of waste (compost, hydrogen, etc.) through application of subcritical water integrated system technology
• Dissemination of solutions to all environmental problems from Shizuoka City through business development

3: Establish a new corporation to contribute to solving environmental problems worldwide

• Removal of radioactive substances
• Reduction of CO2 and dioxin in industrial waste treatment
• Decomposition of removed PFAS to molecular level

About the subcritical water integrated system

The subcritical water integrated system is the Company's proprietary next-generation device that applies the existing subcritical water treatment technology developed and researched by Water ARIN Tech Inc. in our group. This system consists of three devices: the "Subcritical Water Treatment Device," the "Pressurised Floating Separation Device" that achieves PFAS removal, and various "Fermentation Devices." We are advancing research towards social implementation for removing PFAS and radioactive substances such as tritium from contaminated water and soil, as well as CO2 and dioxin-free industrial waste treatment.

Mechanism of PFAS removal by pressurised floating separation device

Explanatory video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PfLFVQJH0I

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240826057237/en/

Contact

Customer Contact
Water ARIN Tech Inc.
E-Mail: info@arin-tech.co.jp
Press Contact
A Holdings Public Relations Office
TEL: +81-3-6261-7413 E-Mail: info@kmcpr.co.jp
Visual Kit DL URL: https://bit.ly/3X9pZc1

Source : A Holdings Co., Ltd.

ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD SHAKES UP TOP REINSURERS RANKING - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency AM Best revealed that the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 17 in the insurance industry has forced a modification to its annual ranking of top reinsurance groups for 2023.

The re-engineering of this highly watched industry ranking has been necessitated by the lack of comparability created through the adoption of IFRS 17, which shifts the traditional focus from premiums written and earned to one based on insurance revenue that gauges the amount an insurer has earned for service rendered.

In a statement, AM Best said companies that report under IFRS 17 are ranked one to 15 based on gross reinsurance revenue; while companies that report under non-IFRS 17 are rated one to 35 based on the more-traditional gross written reinsurance premium, in this year’s ranking.

Under this approach, Munich Reinsurance Co is the largest IFRS 17 reporting reinsurer based on nearly US$32.9 billion in 2023 reinsurance revenue, followed by Hannover Rück SE (US$27.0 billion) and SCOR SE (US$17.6 billion). (US$1=RM4.33)

Meanwhile, Swiss Re Ltd is the largest non-IFRS 17 reporting reinsurer with US$40.5 billion in 2023 gross premium written, followed by Berkshire Hathaway Inc (US$27.5 billion) and Lloyd’s (US$22.1 billion).

The Best’s Market Segment Report, “World’s 50 Largest Reinsurers”, is a highly recognised part of AM Best’s overall look at the global reinsurance industry ahead of the Rendez-Vous de Septembre in Monte Carlo.

Other reports, including the credit rating agency’s in-depth looks at the insurance-linked securities, Lloyd’s, health and regional reinsurance markets, will be available during August and September.

This report notes that over the past two decades, AM Best’s annual global reinsurance report has outlined major developments in the segment, as well as ranking the players in the market, with most years, changes in the ranking have been modest.

-- BERNAMA

Notified, TIRI Team Up To Assist Taiwanese Companies Expand Global Presence

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Notified and the Taiwan Investor Relations Institute (TIRI) have joined forces to provide Taiwanese companies with Notified's suite of advanced investor relations (IR) communications solutions, global market access and enhanced insights.

In addition, the collaboration will open new opportunities for Taiwanese companies to expand their international presence by leveraging Notified’s extensive connections in the United States, the world’s largest capital market.

Notified President, Nimesh Davé in a statement said its partnership with TIRI represented a significant step forward in its mission to support corporate storytellers in Taiwan.

“By elevating the investor relations profession through access to the latest technology and best-in-class tools, and by creating pathways to Taiwan’s vibrant business community, we will empower IR professionals to strengthen stakeholder connections and confidently navigate international markets," he said.

Meanwhile, TIRI Chairman Jonny Kuo said: “Through our cooperation with Notified, the improvement of Taiwan's IR professionals will be seen by the world, and through exchanges with global markets more foreign capital will be able to invest in Taiwan.”

Through the alliance, Notified will also be engaging with TIRI’s members and providing educational resources, from industry white papers to webinars.

Notified’s IR Platform allows today’s IR pros to efficiently manage mission-critical communications and complex regulatory requirements, providing the comprehensive tools needed to deepen engagement and foster trust among key stakeholders.

A globally trusted technology partner for IR and public relations professionals, Notified is a part of West Technology Group LLC controlled by affiliates of certain funds managed by Apollo Global Management Inc.

-- BERNAMA

KEENON ROBOTICS SHOWCASES INNOVATIVE SMART SERVICE SOLUTIONS WITH EMBODIED INTELLIGENCE AT 2024 WORLD ROBOT CONFERENCE

BEIJING, Aug 26 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KEENON Robotics presented its latest smart service solutions with embodied intelligence at the 2024 World Robot Conference, held at the Beijing Etrong International Exhibition and Convention Center, from 21-25 August 2024. This year's conference, themed "Foster New Quality Productive Forces, Innovations for an Intelligent Future," brought together leading experts, industry pioneers, and innovators to explore the latest advancements in robotics technology.   At the event, KEENON Robotics introduced its cutting-edge "Smart Hub" experience, providing an immersive showcase of the transformative potential of robotics across various industries, including hospitality, restaurant services, and healthcare. The exhibit featured an impressive lineup of service robots, including the DINERBOT T10, T9, T8, BUTLERBOT W3, KLEENBOT C30, KEENON S100, Disinfection Robot M2, KEENON Healthcare X101 medical delivery robot, and more. This highlighted KEENON’s commitment to translating advanced robotics into practical applications that enhance operational efficiency and elevate customer experiences. As KEENON’s Founder & CEO Tony Li remarked, "Robots open the door for AI to enter the physical world." This vision came to life at the booth, where service robots were seamlessly integrated into meticulously crafted scenarios. Visitors experienced a glimpse into a world where, after entering the gateway tunnel, intelligence is seamlessly woven into everyday life. In addition to showcasing the innovative robot solutions, KEENON Robotics was honored with the "Top 20 Most Investable Robotics Companies in China" award at the Inaugural China Robotics Venture Capital Summit Forum during the same period. This recognition underscores the company’s role in driving technological innovation and highlights its promising market potential. KEENON Robotics is at the forefront of integrating advanced AI models into service scenarios. The company’s general-purpose robots have seen significant improvements in environmental sensing, decision-making, and execution through multi-modal AI. By leveraging deep expertise in service environments, these robots are enhanced for greater intelligence and adaptability, enabling effective service across diverse sectors. This showcases the broad applicability and dedication to addressing a wide range of real-world needs. At the conference, KEENON Robotics demonstrated its pivotal role in advancing the service robotics sector. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, KEENON is crafting intelligent solutions that enhance efficiency, convenience, and human-centered design. These innovations are set to transform commercial environments, deliver significant value to global clients, and introduce unparalleled convenience to everyday life, ensuring the widespread benefits of technology. About KEENON Robotics A global leader in commercial service robots and solutions, KEENON Robotics has been at the forefront of the advanced service robot market since 2010. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies in robotics and cloud computing, the company is trusted by businesses worldwide. KEENON Robotics is dedicated to creating value, fostering innovation, and contributing to industry growth across various sectors. For more information, please contact global@keenon.com or visit http://www.keenon.com/en/. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/090e8e6a-0583-4e08-b359-57d6c01fb166  SOURCE : KEENON Robotics

VALUING LOCALIZATION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, DONGFENG MOTOR ACTIVELY PROMOTES ASEAN MARKETING STRATEGY

 

_{Dongfeng Conducted Pre-sales Training and Customer Delivery Ceremony in ASEAN Market (Photo: Business Wire)} 

WUHAN, China, Aug 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The ASEAN market is a key market area for Dongfeng Motor's overseas business. Dongfeng has increased the launch of new products in Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, strengthened customer service, actively promoted localized marketing, firmly implemented the international development strategy with its strong automobile manufacturing strength and long-standing industry experience, and is committed to jointly developing a mutually beneficial and win-win future with its partners.
 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240821785276/en/

In the Vietnamese market, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles and its partners build a full value chain cooperation system, including product research and development, sales training, marketing and after-sales service. By organizing a series of theme activities of service marketing innovation, it enhances the professional ability of service technicians, and strengthens product adaptability and service response speed.

In May, Dongfeng successfully held the launch conference of the DONGFENG GX tractor in Vietnam, and participated in the whole process of pre-sales and after-sales of the product, which promoted the growth of brand volume. Also, Dongfeng Motor pays attention to service quality, systematically conducts new product listing and maintenance training, ensures that consumers get timely and efficient service support, and significantly improves customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

In Myanmar market, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles have increased customer loyalty through free maintenance activities. In the Indonesian market, Dongfeng Motor places great emphasis on local characteristics, offering customers a high-quality experience through professional exhibitions and test drives. In Cambodia, it strengthens the user experience and product reputation through the launch events of new cars.

At the upcoming 21st China-ASEAN Expo, Dongfeng Motor will showcase 10 representative models and nearly 100 products across four categories, including agricultural machinery and spare parts, present a unified group image, strengthen cooperation and exchanges with potential partners of ASEAN countries, and promote international development. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49188

AM Best Gears Up To Celebrate APAC Operations' 25 Years With Hong Kong Reception

 KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- AM Best will host a reception to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the launch of its Asia Pacific (APAC) operations on Sept 25 at the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbor View Hotel.

In a statement, the credit rating agency said the event will be held in the Oasis Room at the hotel during the East Asia Insurance Congress (EAIC) and coincides with AM Best’s 125th anniversary.

AM Best Asia Pacific (Singapore) Pte Ltd chief executive officer, and managing director of market development, Rob Curtis said the credit rating agency looks forward to the next 25 years as it celebrates its remarkable milestone.

AM Best’s connection to the APAC region’s insurance markets dates to 1991, when officials from the People’s Republic of China were invited to visit the company’s United States headquarters in Oldwick, New Jersey.

This was followed by a visit from Japan’s largest brokerage firm, which involved discussion of AM Best’s rating system and Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio model.

Shortly after, AM Best began issuing credit ratings for insurers in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Korea from its office in Hong Kong to become the largest credit rating agency specialising in insurance across the region.

To continue serving a growing client base in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the credit rating agency established its Singapore office in 2015 in the heart of the city’s financial district.

-- BERNAMA

SPACE INTELLIGENCE SECURES FUNDING FROM AZURX SPACE VENTURES, INTERCONTINENTAL EXCHANGE

 

Dr. Murray Collins, Space Intelligence Co-Founder & CEO (Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Space Intelligence, a provider of high-accuracy nature mapping derived from satellite data, has raised Series A funding round, led by new investor AzurX Space Ventures (ASV) with participation from Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

The funding will be used to expand Space Intelligence’s catalogue of mapping data across the world’s forests to support the development and financing of forest carbon projects, as well as nature impact monitoring across corporate supply chains.

“To address the dual climate and biodiversity crises, it is critical that investment in forest conservation and restoration scales through mechanisms such as the carbon markets and that compliance with legislation like the EU Deforestation Regulation is ensured.

“We have built an audit-grade dataset by taking a science-led approach to mapping the world’s forests, and this funding will help us accelerate the production of datasets across more regions and time periods,” said Space Intelligence co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Dr Murray Collins in a statement.

Meanwhile, ASV co-founder and CEO, Anna Hazlett said: “Investing in space-based technologies, particularly through innovative companies like Space Intelligence, is essential for harnessing the full potential of satellite data in addressing global environmental challenges.”

Space Intelligence’s nature data catalogue currently spans 640 million hectares across seven countries, providing information on land cover, deforestation, and regrowth.

By the end of 2025’s second quarter, the company’s dataset will expand to cover more than 35 additional countries, becoming the largest audit-grade nature mapping dataset available. This expansion is driven by the company’s integrated process of geospatial analysis and ecological expertise, leveraging artificial intelligence.

The company is also set to release new data products in the fourth quarter of this year for near real-time monitoring of deforestation and degradation, enhancing risk management and monitoring.

Space Intelligence co-founders Dr Collins and Professor Ed Mitchard have nearly 40 combined years of academic and on-the-ground research in remote sensing using satellite data, employing more than 50 staff members, including 20 mapping scientists and ecologists.

-- BERNAMA

HERE Technologies To Enhance Safety Features In Mibro Kids Watch Phones

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- HERE Technologies, a location data and technology platform, has been chosen by Mibro, an international smartwatch brand of ZhenShi Information Technology (Shenzhen) Co Ltd to enhance tracking and safety features in smartwatches for kids.

The new upcoming Mibro kids watch phones available in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Southeast Asia are designed with a seven-system positioning feature that offers exceptional accuracy in tracking the location of children, including real-time view of a child's location and journey.

“Ensuring the safety of children is paramount in today's interconnected age. We are excited to partner with Mibro to enhance the safety and user experience of their kids watch phones.

“We are dedicated to supporting Mibro with location intelligence as they introduce newer smartwatch models for the international audience,” said HERE Technologies Director and Head of Business for Greater China, Sammie Xi in a statement.

Meanwhile, Zhenshi Information Technology Company Vice President, Ian Ying said: “By integrating HERE  location services into our kids watch phones, we offer parents peace of mind knowing they can accurately track and communicate with their children.”

The positioning feature is powered by HERE Location Services, where Mibro utilises the HERE Network Positioning application programming interface (API) to retrieve the geo-location of the watch phone.

The HERE Reverse Geocoder API then translates these locations into precise addresses, which are then sent to parents via the Mibro Kids mobile app.

Through the app, parents are not only able to access the location of their children in real-time, they can also obtain historical location data of up to 90 days, even in challenging environments where traditional GPS signals may be limited.

To prioritise safety and privacy, HERE Technologies does not collect or sell any personal information related to children in which parents can choose to share data with the company, but all child-related data remains anonymous and is solely utilised to enhance location tracking services.

-- BERNAMA

UPCOMING ICEF2024 TO PROMOTE INNOVATION, KEY TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The 11th Annual Meeting of the Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF) is set to take place on Oct 9 to 10 with three segments, namely Plenary Sessions, Technology Sessions, and Special Sessions.

According to a statement, the three segments will be held under the main theme of "How to Live within the Planetary Boundaries through Green Innovation”.

At this year’s ICEF conference, participants will discuss a wide range of challenges, including Planetary Boundaries, Food and Agriculture, Hydrogen Readiness, and Sustainable Marine Transport, based on a shared recognition that "Diversity is the origin of innovation".

It will focus on the innovations necessary to move ahead toward the achievement of carbon neutrality, even as the world continues to confront a variety of other difficulties.

Keynote sessions will feature Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Director, Johan Fredrik Rockstrom; Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah; and TotalEnergies President of Asia and member of the Executive Committee, Helle Kristoffersen, among others.

Under Plenary Session, the "Planetary Boundaries and the Energy Transition" session aims to evaluate the current condition of the planet, identify existing challenges, and deliberate on the requisite policies and innovations to construct a sustainable future, while the "Innovative Finance" session will explore innovative financing methods for emerging markets, green innovation, and decarbonisation.

Meanwhile, there will be five sessions on "Climate Stabilization Technologies", "Hydrogen Readiness", "Food and Agriculture", "Future of Nuclear Energy", and "Sustainable Marine Transport" under Technology Session.

Special Session will feature discussions on "ICEF Roadmap Project: Artificial Intelligence for Climate Change Mitigation 2.0", "Special Dialogue on Net-Zero", and “Young Innovators”.

Sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, the event has been held every year since 2014 as an international conference where the world’s leaders in industry, academia and government come together under one roof to promote "innovation", the key to solving global warming.

-- BERNAMA

MATMERIZE, INC., INTRODUCES "ASKPOLY" - A LANGUAGE MODEL BASED POLYMER EXPERT

ATLANTA, Aug 16 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matmerize, Inc., a leader in AI-driven polymer design, is excited to announce the upcoming integration of an advanced language model capability, ASKPOLY, into its flagship polymer property prediction and generative design software, PolymRize™.

Revolutionizing Polymer Science with Advanced Language Models

ASKPOLY leverages the latest advancements in large language models (LLMs), pre-training, fine-tuning and the vast body of knowledge embedded in polymer corpora. ASKPOLY can be queried using natural language to predict properties, generate new polymer chemistries, and optimize composite or formulation compositions. It is designed to complement and enhance the predictive capabilities of PolymRize™.

Pre-trained on Matmerize knowledgebase and an extensive polymer corpus, ASKPOLY makes accurate property predictions for neat polymers and composites. Users can fine-tune ASKPOLY with proprietary data and text to achieve highly accurate, customized predictions and designs. All user data is kept confidential, secure, and never shared.

Enhancing User Experience and Predictive Accuracy

The introduction of ASKPOLY into PolymRize™ offers an intuitive user experience while significantly boosting the platform's predictive accuracy, flexibility and generalizability, progressively and continuously. ASKPOLY enables users to interact with the system using natural language queries, making it easier to use past knowledge without loss.

The integration of ASKPOLY into PolymRize™ provides R&D chemists and scientists with advanced AI tools through an intuitive interface, streamlining the polymer design and development process for a range of industrial applications.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

A Commitment to Innovation

"Matmerize is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of polymer design by pioneering and advancing AI for materials," said Rampi Ramprasad, CEO of Matmerize, Inc. "The integration of ASKPOLY into PolymRize™ not only enhances the platform's capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to providing clients with the latest tools to transform polymer research and development." 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49148

GRADIANT ANNOUNCES RAPID SALES GROWTH WITH OVER $500 MILLION IN NEW ORDERS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2024

Growth was driven by geographic expansion and strategic advancements in semiconductors and microelectronics, and an expanded range of offerings across other industrial markets

BOSTON, Aug 7 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Gradiant, a global solutions provider for advanced water and wastewater treatment, today announced it closed the first half of 2024 with over $500 million in new orders, continuing the momentum from a record first quarter order book of $337 million. This performance marks the fifth year of doubling annual sales and the impact of the company's strategic expansion into the United States and critical high-tech manufacturing sectors worldwide.

Gradiant continued to deliver for blue-chip leaders in the world’s essential industries for whom they have become the go-to water solutions partner, signing new agreements to design, build and operate flagship water treatment and wastewater recycling plants in the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia regions. A significant portion of the new orders are for high profile projects in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry in the United States and Asia, and for returning customers who are increasingly adopting more of Gradiant’s solutions based on positive experiences with the technologies and team. New orders in the first half of 2024 are with clients including Micron, STMicroelectronics, AB InBev, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Rio Tinto, Petronas, ADNOC, and Nama Water.

These agreements highlight the increasing demand from critical high-tech manufacturing, food and beverage, and heavy industrial sectors for solutions that reduce water consumption, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater for return to nature. These deals showcase Gradiant's capability to support sustainable global development across various environmental, economic, and regulatory landscapes. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49120

Udemy, Republic Polytechnic Partner To Offer Singaporeans Lifelong Learning, Skills Mastery

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Udemy, an online skills marketplace and learning platform, announced a collaboration with Republic Polytechnic to provide millions of Singaporeans with flexible and continuous skills development, and validation opportunities to optimise their career journeys in addition to helping future-proof the nation’s workforce.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Republic Polytechnic to bring accessible, high-quality upskilling opportunities to Singaporeans, making our courses eligible for SkillsFuture Credit.

“This collaboration aligns with our mission to transform lives through learning and provide an environment where everyone, everywhere has access to the skills they need to unlock their potential and create opportunities for themselves and others,” said Udemy President and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Brown.

Currently, Singaporeans will be able to use their SkillsFuture Credit for a 12-month subscription plan for Udemy Business via the MySkillsFuture portal, which offers individuals access to 27,000 online courses in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, language learning, and marketing.

In addition, Singaporeans will be able to access bite-sized courses on critical skills and acquire knowledge at their own convenience, according to a statement.

To access Udemy Business, Singaporeans will subscribe to “Udemy Business – RepublicPolytechnic” to explore the complete catalogue of curated learning paths and high-demand courses across critical business, technical, and professional skills.

Learners will also have the opportunity to leverage Udemy’s Intelligent Skills Platform, gaining access to a diverse range of upskilling opportunities.

This is Udemy’s first collaboration with a local polytechnic in Singapore to offer subscriptions, and the company plans to expand its offerings in the region over time.

-- BERNAMA

OVER ONE THIRD ENTERPRISES STRUGGLE TO RETAIN CRUCIAL AI EXPERTISE - SURVEY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Expereo in its latest survey revealed that over one third (35 per cent) of global enterprises are struggling to retain or attract crucial skills in artificial intelligence (AI), data and automation, which is threatening their optimistic AI ambitions.

This is according to Technology Leaders Survey which highlights a critically low supply of AI expertise, despite AI now being considered as the biggest priority for Chief Information Officers (CIOs) across the world, according to a statement.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Ben Elms said: “CIOs need to keep pace with market innovations, customer expectations and fierce competition when it comes to AI, while ensuring they are adopting the technology responsibly and effectively, without cutting corners.

“Networking technology, data strategies and wider tech infrastructure are all key areas which run adjacent to AI initiatives, which must also not be ignored”.

The research of 650 technology leaders in global enterprises across Europe, United States and Asia Pacific showed that not only are enterprises struggling to attract or retain crucial talent, but their current external technology partners are not aligned to their AI ambitions either.

In addition, 29 per cent of global CIOs said their current external technology partners do not have the right capabilities in place to support AI initiatives, and 28 per cent of global respondents feel regional variations in ability to implement AI initiatives is a key challenge.

The other leading obstacle to fulfilling AI ambitions include navigating AI governance and ethics (36 per cent), referring to ongoing challenges such as regulation, trust and data protection when it comes to using AI tools in a business setting.

The survey also found that 42 per cent of CIOs also believe that training for new ways of working, a result of AI, is one of the biggest information technology challenges in supporting remote and hybrid workers, and 39 per cent said that understanding how employees use AI is now a concern.

In spite of these challenges, 32 per cent of CIOs are moving forward with caution with AI implementation, and 44 per cent are excited and ready to take on AI initiatives.

-- BERNAMA