Month: January 2026

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sales Xceleration®, the leading provider of Fractional Sales Leadership, announces an expansion to its team of Outsourced VPs of Sales. Sales Xceleration® continues to expand its roster of Fractional VPs of Sales, adding seasoned leaders who deliver more than experience alone. Leveraging our Certified Sales Operating Management System™, these Advisors apply a consistent, data–driven approach to transforming sales organizations—bringing SMBs the structure, strategy, and accountability required to achieve measurable revenue growth.

“It’s a thrill to welcome another new cohort of Advisors to our organization,” says Lee Brumbaugh, Sales Xceleration’s CEO and Visionary. “As we turn the page on 2025 and look forward to what’s to come, we feel more capable than ever to continue providing SMBs with the tools for sustainable success that they might not otherwise have access to.”

John Buckner, 25+ years | Greater Charlotte, NC

John has a diverse sales background ranging from some of the country’s most recognizable Fortune-500 companies to regional SMBs. No matter where he’s gone, his results as a sales leader have been the same: creating paths to profitable growth and winning by developing people.

John Rooney, 30+ years | Greater Philadelphia, PA

John specializes in transforming go-to-market execution across commercial B2B sectors. Trusted by CEOs and small business owners to unlock new revenue pathways, he helps clients future-proof their sales infrastructure by developing high-performing teams, streamlining sales processes, and embedding operational clarity across the organization.

Tim Winings, 25+ years | Greater Cleveland, OH

Tim is a results-driven executive who builds modern, accountable, and high-performing sales teams and processes for small and mid-sized businesses. As a former business owner and long-time sales leader, he excels at diagnosing sales gaps, clarifying infrastructure, and elevating team performances.

About Sales Xceleration®

At Sales Xceleration, our mission is clear: to build a path to more sales for our clients through our Certified Sales Operating Management System™ and the guidance of our Fractional VPs of Sales.

Our proven system is built from time-tested tools and resources, designed to elevate sales performance through the core elements of Strategy, Process, and Execution. To learn more about Sales Xceleration® and the services offered, visit our website.

PR Inquiries: Brandi Johnson, 844–874–7253, ext. 704, 406984@email4pr.com

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SOURCE Sales Xceleration

• Project will deliver 4.74 MW of daily contract capacity for 251 business days annually, once it has reached Commercial Operation
• Combined BESS and Solar projects are powering Ontario’s grid with reliable, clean energy

TORONTO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – PowerBank Corporation (NASDAQ: SUUN) (Cboe CA: SUNN) (FSE: 103) (“PowerBank” or the “Company”), a leader in North American energy infrastructure development and asset ownership, is proud to share an update on the final commissioning of the cutting-edge SFF-06 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (the “Project”) in Ontario, Canada. The project was previously announced here and will include 4.99 MW of energy storage.

The SFF-06 Project is in the final stages of “hot” commissioning with EVLO. The commissioning of the SFF-06 Project includes several milestones with technical partners to ensure safe installation, interconnection, and commissioning with the Hydro grid for the nine EVLO Battery Containers. PowerBank is anticipating the Commercial Operation date for the SFF-06 Project to occur during January 2026, subject to the receipt of all necessary commissioning approvals. This project will be PowerBank’s first operational battery energy storage project.

SFF-06 is owned by 1000234763 Ontario Inc. (ProjectCo), in which PowerBank holds a 50% stake, with the remaining 50% owned by a partnership of First Nations communities in Ontario.

Acquired through PowerBank’s $45 million valued acquisition of Solar Flow-Through Funds Ltd. in July 2024, this project positions the company in a battery storage market projected to increase to $31.2 billion by 2029, growing at a 16.3% CAGR, according to Fortune Business Insights.

The project qualifies for the 2024 Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit, offering up to 30% reimbursement of eligible capital costs. This refundable credit enhances SFF-06’s financial performance while aligning with PowerBank’s mission to accelerate renewable energy adoption through strategic government incentives.

In July 2023, SFF-06 secured a 22-year contract through the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Expedited Long-Term RFP (E-LT1 RFP). With a fixed capacity payment of $1,221/MW per business day—well above the $876/MW average for storage projects—this contract ensures strong financial returns.

PowerBank’s proven expertise, with over 100 MW of completed projects and a development pipeline exceeding 1 GW, underpins the project’s execution. Strategic partnerships and institutional-grade development capabilities position PowerBank to deliver reliable, high-impact renewable energy solutions.

Project Risks. There are several risks associated with the development of the Project. The commercial operation of the Project is subject to receipt of final technical and regulator approvals, and the degradation of battery storage capacity can occur over time based on the number of discharge cycles. In addition, governments may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for battery energy storage, which could result in future projects no longer being economic. Please refer to “Forward-Looking Statements” for additional discussion of the assumptions and risk factors associated with the projects and statements made in this press release.

Other BESS Project Update. As previously disclosed, the Company is also developing two other battery energy storage projects in Ontario known as 903 project and OZ-1 project. As a result of permitting delays, the Company and its battery storage systems supplier (the “Supplier”) were in discussions to terminate the contracts for OZ-1 on mutually agreeable terms. Once permitting certainty is achieved for OZ-1, the Company will either re-enter into agreements with the Supplier or pursue an alternative supplier. A termination arrangement has now been concluded pursuant to which the parties agreed to terminate the OZ-1 equipment supply and long-term service agreements, with PowerBank relinquishing all rights and obligations. The Supplier will retain possession and property of the systems originally allocated to OZ-1, and PowerBank will pay the Supplier a termination fee of $475,000 along with a reimbursement of certain retrofit costs in the amount of $100,000, in addition to any amounts due for services performed to date. Final completion deadlines for the remaining projects are also being adjusted. Finally, PowerBank will pay $512,000 for an extended warranty for the SFF-06 and 903 projects.

About PowerBank Corporation

PowerBank Corporation is an independent renewable and clean energy project developer and owner focusing on distributed and community solar projects in Canada and the USA. The Company develops solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects that sell electricity to utilities, commercial, industrial, municipal and residential off-takers. The Company maximizes returns via a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple leading North America markets including projects with utilities, host off-takers, community solar, and virtual net metering projects. The Company has a potential development pipeline of over one gigawatt and has developed renewable and clean energy projects with a combined capacity of over 100 megawatts built. To learn more about PowerBank, please visit www.powerbankcorp.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information ‎within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking ‎statements”) that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future events. ‎Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, ‎objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the ‎use of words or phrases such as “will likely result”, “are expected to”, “expects”, “will ‎continue”, “is anticipated”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimated”, “intends”, “plans”, “forecast”, ‎‎”projection”, “strategy”, “objective” and “outlook”) are not historical facts and may be ‎forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties ‎which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in ‎such forward-looking statements. In particular and without limitation, this news release ‎contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the Company’s expectations regarding its industry trends and overall market growth; the Company’s growth strategies;the expected energy production from the Project mentioned in this press release; the timeline for construction of the Project; the receipt of permits and financing to be able to construct the Projects; the receipt of incentives for the Project; and the size of the Company’s development pipeline.  No assurance ‎can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking ‎statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These ‎statements speak only as of the date of this news release.‎

Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. In making the forward looking statements included in this news release, the Company has made various material assumptions, including but not limited to: obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals; that regulatory requirements will be maintained; general business and economic conditions; the Company’s ability to successfully execute its plans and intentions; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and services offered by the Company’s competitors; that the Company’s current good relationships with its service providers and other third parties will be maintained; and government subsidies and funding for renewable energy will continue as currently contemplated. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to the Company’s expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including those listed under “Forward-‎Looking Statements” and “Risk ‎Factors” in the Company’s most recently completed Annual Information Form, and other public filings of the Company, which include: the Company may be adversely affected by volatile solar power market and industry conditions; the execution of the Company’s growth strategy depends upon the continued availability of third-party financing arrangements; the Company’s future success depends partly on its ability to expand the pipeline of its energy business in several key markets; governments may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for solar and battery storage power; general global economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations; the Company’s project development and construction activities may not be successful; developing and operating solar projects exposes the Company to various risks; the Company faces a number of risks involving Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”) and project-level financing arrangements; any changes to the laws, regulations and policies that the Company is subject to may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use of solar power; the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive and evolving quickly; an anti-circumvention investigation could adversely affect the Company by potentially raising the prices of key supplies for the construction of solar power projects; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; a change in the Company’s effective tax rate can have a significant adverse impact on its business; seasonal variations in demand linked to construction cycles and weather conditions may influence the Company’s results of operations; the Company may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or have access to external financing; the Company may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future; the Company is subject to risks from supply chain issues; risks related to inflation and tariffs; unexpected warranty expenses that may not be adequately covered by the Company’s insurance policies; if the Company is unable to attract and retain key personnel, it may not be able to compete effectively in the renewable energy market; there are a limited number of purchasers of utility-scale quantities of electricity; compliance with environmental laws and regulations can be expensive; corporate responsibility may adversely impose additional costs; the future impact of any global pandemic on the Company is unknown at this time; the Company has limited insurance coverage; the Company will be reliant on information technology systems and may be subject to damaging cyberattacks; the Company may become subject to litigation; there is no guarantee on how the Company will use its available funds; the Company will continue to sell securities for cash to fund operations, capital expansion, mergers and acquisitions that will dilute the current shareholders; and future dilution as a result of financings.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any ‎forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or ‎otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it ‎is not possible for the Company to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such ‎factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to ‎differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-‎looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by ‎this cautionary statement.‎

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SOURCE PowerBank Corporation

LONDON, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With two months to go, BizClik is entering the final countdown to Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026, taking place on 4–5 March 2026 at the QEII Centre in Westminster, London.

As climate disclosure rules tighten and pressure around Scope 3 emissions continues to rise, the summit arrives at a critical moment for procurement and supply-chain leaders. The two-day event will bring together global executives across procurement, supply chain, sustainability, logistics and digital transformation to advance net-zero delivery and build resilient, future-ready value chains.

The summit will run alongside Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit, creating a unified platform for climate-aligned business transformation and reinforcing the growing convergence between sustainability strategy, procurement leadership and supply-chain execution.

Two Months Until Procurement and Supply Chain Leaders Convene

With just two months remaining, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 is preparing to welcome more than 1,000 in-person attendees, alongside a global virtual audience.

As the countdown continues, the summit will feature:

• 50+ expert speakers across procurement, supply chain, sustainability, logistics, ESG and climate tech
• 10 content tracks addressing the most urgent net-zero and supply-chain challenges
• 4 executive workshops designed for CPOs, CSCOs and senior transformation leaders

The agenda will deliver insight into decarbonisation, resilience, responsible sourcing, logistics optimisation and end-to-end supply-chain visibility.

Driving Net Zero and Supply Chain Transformation

As organisations accelerate toward net-zero commitments, the connection between digital transformation and sustainability has never been more critical.

Commenting ahead of the two-month countdown, Glen White, CEO of BizClik, said:
 “As organisations move faster toward decarbonisation, the connection between digital transformation and sustainability has never been stronger. This summit is designed to give leaders the strategies, tools and partnerships they need to deliver meaningful change at scale.”

Key Themes as the Two-Month Countdown Begins

With two months to go, the 2026 programme will focus on six priority areas:

1. Net Zero and Decarbonisation
    Reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and aligning supply chains with net-zero commitments.
2. Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Management
    Managing geopolitical risk, disruption, freight volatility and operational uncertainty.
3. Digital Procurement and AI Innovation
    Applying automation, digital sourcing, predictive analytics and AI-driven intelligence.
4. Sustainable and Ethical Supply Chains
    Strengthening transparency, supplier due diligence and ESG-aligned decision-making.
5. Global Logistics, Freight and Distribution
    Improving efficiency through sustainable transport and multimodal strategies.
6. Leadership, Strategy and Transformation
    Equipping CPOs and CSCOs with executive insight, governance frameworks and execution models.

Two Months Out: A Platform for Collaboration and Action

With the summit now just two months away, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 will provide delegates with access to:

• Real-world case studies and practical implementation insight
• Deep-dive masterclasses on emerging procurement and supply-chain challenges
• Discussions with innovators in AI, analytics, automation and sustainability technology
• Peer networking with senior procurement and supply-chain leaders
• Solution showcases from leading global vendors and providers

The co-location with Sustainability LIVE creates one of Europe’s most comprehensive net-zero ecosystem gatherings, uniting climate, procurement and supply-chain strategy in a single environment.

Why This Event Matters With Two Months to Go

As regulatory pressure increases and climate disclosure expectations rise, organisations are seeking practical pathways to reduce emissions and strengthen supply-chain resilience. With two months remaining, PSC LIVE: The Net Zero Summit provides a timely forum for leaders to move from ambition to execution.

Registration Now Open

With the two-month countdown underway, early bird tickets are available. Attendees can choose in-person or virtual access to all sessions, workshops, networking areas and exhibitor showcases.

About Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE

Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE is BizClik’s global event series for procurement, sourcing, supply chain and logistics professionals. The series connects decision-makers with insight on supply-chain strategy, digital transformation, risk, ethics and sustainability.

About BizClik

BizClik is a leading global digital media and events company producing industry-specific content across procurement, supply chain, sustainability, technology, energy, fintech and AI. Through digital magazines, websites, newsletters, webinars and world-class events, BizClik connects enterprise leaders with executive audiences worldwide.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2854346/BizClik_Media_PSC_Summit.jpg

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SOURCE BizClik Media

Former NFL standout and son of pioneering conservationist Dr. Kurt Benirschke takes the helm as the organization’s new board chairman

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has announced the election of Rolf Benirschke as the new chairman of its Board of Trustees. Benirschke, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Steven S. Simpson, who will continue to serve on the board.

Benirschke’s connection to the organization is deeply rooted as his father, Dr. Kurt Benirschke, was instrumental in establishing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation research program, laying the foundation for decades of scientific innovation. Rolf worked in the research lab at the zoo while he was in college and later created Kicks for Critters, a fundraising and awareness platform for the zoo and endangered species when playing in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers. He also started the Celebration for the Critters, a fundraising event that continues still today as the Food Wine and Brew Celebration.

“I am honored and very humbled to step into the role of chairman and help continue Dad’s legacy of applying science and innovation to conservation and wildlife protection,” said Rolf Benirschke. “San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has played a huge role in my life, and I am excited to be a part of this amazing team that continues to advance its mission of conservation.”

In addition to his family’s legacy, Benirschke has made significant contributions to the San Diego community and beyond. He is widely recognized for his 10-year career as a record-setting placekicker for the San Diego Chargers, earning numerous awards including the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the NFL’s highest honor. After retiring from the NFL, he became a sought-after keynote speaker, wrote four books, started the Legacy Golf Invitational now in its 26^th year, and built a patient engagement firm. He also helped fund several startup biotech companies that make products for patients who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, an illness he endured during his early years in the NFL and continues to sit on several biotech boards.

“Rolf’s heart and deep connection to our Alliance’s history and to the San Diego community, makes him the perfect person to fill this role. With his long history and deep connection to SDZWA, his lifelong passion for wildlife, and his years of trusted leadership, it is our privilege to welcome Rolf Benirschke to the chairman role,” said Shawn Dixon, President and Chief Executive Officer for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

In his role as chairman, Benirschke will lead the board in advancing strategic priorities and supporting the San Diego Zoo, the Safari Park, and the Alliance’s eight global conservation hubs, anchoring conservation work in key regions like the African Forest, Amazonia, Asia, Australian Forest, Oceans, Pacific Islands, Savanna, and Southwest.

CONTACT: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Public Relations
619-685-3291
publicrelations@sdzwa.org
sdzwa.org

VISUALS: https://sandiegozoo.box.com/s/zcakhsposjtkbjof4rtx17ymyn41cebs

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SOURCE San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Former NFL standout and son of pioneering conservationist Dr. Kurt Benirschke takes the helm as the organization’s new board chairman

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has announced the election of Rolf Benirschke as the new chairman of its Board of Trustees. Benirschke, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Steven S. Simpson, who will continue to serve on the board.

Benirschke’s connection to the organization is deeply rooted as his father, Dr. Kurt Benirschke, was instrumental in establishing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation research program, laying the foundation for decades of scientific innovation. Rolf worked in the research lab at the zoo while he was in college and later created Kicks for Critters, a fundraising and awareness platform for the zoo and endangered species when playing in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers. He also started the Celebration for the Critters, a fundraising event that continues still today as the Food Wine and Brew Celebration.

“I am honored and very humbled to step into the role of chairman and help continue Dad’s legacy of applying science and innovation to conservation and wildlife protection,” said Rolf Benirschke. “San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has played a huge role in my life, and I am excited to be a part of this amazing team that continues to advance its mission of conservation.”

In addition to his family’s legacy, Benirschke has made significant contributions to the San Diego community and beyond. He is widely recognized for his 10-year career as a record-setting placekicker for the San Diego Chargers, earning numerous awards including the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the NFL’s highest honor. After retiring from the NFL, he became a sought-after keynote speaker, wrote four books, started the Legacy Golf Invitational now in its 26^th year, and built a patient engagement firm. He also helped fund several startup biotech companies that make products for patients who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, an illness he endured during his early years in the NFL and continues to sit on several biotech boards.

“Rolf’s heart and deep connection to our Alliance’s history and to the San Diego community, makes him the perfect person to fill this role. With his long history and deep connection to SDZWA, his lifelong passion for wildlife, and his years of trusted leadership, it is our privilege to welcome Rolf Benirschke to the chairman role,” said Shawn Dixon, President and Chief Executive Officer for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

In his role as chairman, Benirschke will lead the board in advancing strategic priorities and supporting the San Diego Zoo, the Safari Park, and the Alliance’s eight global conservation hubs, anchoring conservation work in key regions like the African Forest, Amazonia, Asia, Australian Forest, Oceans, Pacific Islands, Savanna, and Southwest.

CONTACT: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Public Relations
619-685-3291
publicrelations@sdzwa.org
sdzwa.org

VISUALS: https://sandiegozoo.box.com/s/zcakhsposjtkbjof4rtx17ymyn41cebs

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SOURCE San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

DALLAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new research report warns that workplaces risk continuing to lose working mothers at scale unless they rethink how work is designed around maternity leave, return to work, and long-term sustainability.

According to The Future of Working Motherhood Annual Report, published by Executive Moms, 97.5% of working mothers say they would stay longer at a company that meaningfully supports working motherhood, yet 40% leave their job after having a baby when that support falls short. The findings suggest that attrition is not driven by a lack of ambition or commitment, but by systems that fail to evolve when employees do.

The report examines the full arc of working motherhood, from maternity leave through reentry and beyond, and reframes retention as a work design challenge rather than an individual one.

Reentry Is Where Retention Breaks Down

The data reveals that attrition among working mothers is concentrated in a narrow window following maternity leave. Of the nearly 40% of mothers who leave, 65% do so within the first year, indicating that most do not exit impulsively but after sustained strain.

Instead, the report finds that many mothers attempt to make it work, absorbing strain quietly as expectations resume without recalibration. When roles, workloads, and performance norms remain unchanged, staying becomes unsustainable over time.

Managers Matter But Systems Matter More

The report underscores the significant role managers play during reentry: 68% of mothers say their manager had the single biggest impact on whether their return to work was positive or negative.

However, individual support alone is not enough. Globally, regardless of how much paid leave was taken, 63% of respondents identified flexible work design as the most impactful systemic change for improving the sustainability of working motherhood, outweighing compensation or one-time benefits.

When flexibility is informal or manager-dependent, outcomes vary widely. When it is clearly defined and structurally supported, retention improves.

Ambition Hasn’t Decreased, It’s Been Misread

Contrary to persistent narratives, the report finds no evidence that working mothers lose ambition after having children. Instead, many describe a shift in how ambition is expressed, becoming more selective about where time and energy are invested.

76% of mothers said flexibility matters more than compensation, and 78% reported that motherhood made them better leaders, citing stronger prioritization, judgment, and focus. What can appear as disengagement is often a rejection of outdated performance models built around constant availability rather than impact.

A Design Opportunity for Employers

Rather than framing working motherhood as a cultural or values issue, the report positions it as a matter of execution. It outlines practical steps organizations can take now, including structured reentry planning, role protection during leave, clearer expectations, and expanded postpartum mental health benefits.

The full report is available at https://www.executivemoms.co/the-future-of-working-motherhood-2026

About Executive Moms

Executive Moms is a research-driven workplace advisory focused on improving maternity leave, reentry, and long-term retention of working mothers. The organization partners with companies to translate data into practical strategies, workshops, and leadership guidance, and also supports new and expecting working mothers with maternity leave planning tools designed to make working motherhood more sustainable.

Press Contact:

connect@executivemoms.co

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SOURCE Executive Moms

Chicago-based software company becomes first tech firm to fund biochar kilns in Thailand’s most polluted region, building on $50,000+ ocean conservation donations made to date.

CHICAGO and CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Iron Software, a leading developer of .NET libraries and tools, today announced an $USD18,000 donation to Warm Heart Worldwide/Biochar Life to fund 50 biochar kilns in northern Thailand. This initiative marks the company’s first major environmental project in Thailand and coincides with Iron Software’s 10th anniversary.

The partnership addresses the annual burning season that blankets northern Thailand in hazardous smoke, directly impacting Iron Software’s 50-person engineering hub in Chiang Mai while providing sustainable income for local farmers and removing carbon from the atmosphere. With burning season beginning in February, the kiln deployment aims to reduce smoke pollution in the region this year.

Chiang Mai has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant tech hubs, attracting software companies and digital nomads with its exceptional internet infrastructure, low cost of living, and thriving developer community. Often called a “mini Silicon Valley,” the city combines world-class connectivity with a high quality of life—making the annual air pollution crisis all the more pressing for the tech workers who call it home.

“As we celebrate Iron Software’s 10th anniversary, we’re committed to investing in the communities where our teams live and work,” said Cameron Rimington, CEO of Iron Software. “Our Chiang Mai engineering hub—where we develop core products like IronPDF for HTML to PDF conversion in C# and .NET—has been instrumental to our growth, and this partnership with Warm Heart Worldwide represents a practical solution to a challenge our team faces every burning season. By funding these biochar kilns, we’re not just addressing local air quality, we’re supporting farmers’ livelihoods and contributing to measurable carbon removal. It’s exactly the kind of clever, multi-benefit solution the tech industry should be championing.”

“I’ve lived in Chiang Mai for more than ten years, and the smoky season is noticeably impacting people’s lives,” said Jacob Mellor, Chief Technology Officer at Iron Software. “We’ve invested heavily in making our office a safe environment—medical-grade air purifiers, real-time AQI monitoring—and our remote work policy means team members can work from anywhere or take leave during the worst weeks. But we wanted to do more than protect ourselves. Our team members have families here, kids in local schools, neighbours who are farmers. This partnership is about giving back to the broader community that’s become home to so many of us.”

The donation will fund 50 “Aom Kilns,” specialized devices that convert agricultural waste into biochar, a carbon-rich material that improves soil health while permanently sequestering carbon. These kilns, designed by Kwanpiromtara (Aom) Suksri, COO at Biochar Life, who has 12 years of biochar expertise, will be the first to enter full production use in Phrao district, transforming what would typically be burned as crop waste into a valuable resource.

Building on Environmental Leadership

This Thailand initiative expands Iron Software’s environmental commitment, which includes over $50,000 donated to TeamSeas for ocean cleanup efforts since 2022. As a member of 1% for the Planet, the company has integrated environmental action into its business model, donating $50 to 1% for the Planet for every Iron Suite license purchased and offering EcoGrants to support sustainable technology projects.

“Iron Software represents really the first CSR innovation partner for us in Thailand,” said Matt Rickard, CEO of Biochar Life. “The local element of this partnership is crucial—everyone at Iron Software experiences the smoke pollution problem firsthand and will benefit from the solution. These kilns will enable farmers to earn income from their agricultural waste rather than burning it, while the resulting biochar improves soil health and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.”

Addressing a Regional Crisis with Global Impact

Northern Thailand’s annual burning season, typically occurring from February to April, creates some of the world’s worst air pollution as farmers burn crop residue to prepare fields for the next planting season. In 2024, Chiang Mai repeatedly topped IQAir’s global rankings as the world’s most polluted major city during peak burning months, with PM2.5 readings reaching 53 to 106 micrograms per cubic meter—with PM2.5 readings reaching 53 to 106 micrograms per cubic meter—well above the WHO guideline of 15 µg/m³.

The biochar solution offers multiple benefits:

• Environmental: Prevents agricultural burning, removes carbon permanently from the atmosphere
• Economic: Provides farmers with income from waste materials
• Agricultural: Improves soil health, water retention, and reduces chemical fertilizer needs
• Health: Reduces harmful smoke exposure for millions in the region

Project Impact

• Farmers supported: 40–50 smallholder farmers
• Agricultural waste converted: 150 tons annually
• Carbon removal: 80–100 tons CO2 per year
• Timeline: Kiln deployment in Q1 2026 (January–March)

About the Technology

Unlike traditional carbon offset programs focused on tree planting, biochar provides instant, measurable, and permanent carbon removal. The process converts agricultural waste into a stable form of carbon that can remain in soil for hundreds to thousands of years. According to recent studies, biochar solutions have accounted for 96% of all verified carbon removal to date, despite receiving a fraction of the funding directed toward other technologies.

The Aom Kiln represents a major innovation in this space—a low-emission, high-efficiency system that transforms crop waste cleanly, reduces smoke pollution, and empowers smallholder farmers with a more reliable, scalable way to produce biochar.

Looking Forward

This partnership reflects Iron Software’s evolution from ocean conservation to comprehensive environmental action, demonstrating how tech companies with international teams can address local environmental challenges while contributing to global climate solutions. The company continues to accept applications for its EcoGrant program, supporting organizations developing sustainable technology solutions.

For more information about Iron Software’s environmental initiatives, visit https://ironsoftware.com/about-us/1-percent-for-the-planet/. To learn more about Warm Heart Worldwide and Biochar Life’s work in Thailand, visit https://biochar.life/

About Iron Software

Iron Software develops trusted developer libraries used by millions worldwide. With over 94 million NuGet downloads across its product suite, the company supports engineers building secure, compliant, and high-performance applications across finance, healthcare, aviation, AI, and enterprise software. Its product suite includes IronPDF, IronOCR, IronXL, IronBarcode, and more—all engineered to simplify complex document and data workflows through simple, powerful APIs.

About Warm Heart Worldwide/Biochar Life

Warm Heart Worldwide is a U.S. nonprofit operating in northern Thailand through the Warm Heart Foundation, working with smallholder farmers and rural communities to promote biochar for better air quality, healthier soils, and increased incomes. Biochar Life, its social enterprise arm, connects this grassroots work to the global carbon market, enabling certified carbon removal credits that support farmers and scale climate-smart agriculture across the region.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iron-software-marks-10th-anniversary-with-18-000-biochar-initiative-to-combat-thailands-air-pollution-crisis-302653481.html

SOURCE Iron Software

Chicago-based software company becomes first tech firm to fund biochar kilns in Thailand’s most polluted region, building on $50,000+ ocean conservation donations made to date.

CHICAGO and CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Iron Software, a leading developer of .NET libraries and tools, today announced an $USD18,000 donation to Warm Heart Worldwide/Biochar Life to fund 50 biochar kilns in northern Thailand. This initiative marks the company’s first major environmental project in Thailand and coincides with Iron Software’s 10th anniversary.

The partnership addresses the annual burning season that blankets northern Thailand in hazardous smoke, directly impacting Iron Software’s 50-person engineering hub in Chiang Mai while providing sustainable income for local farmers and removing carbon from the atmosphere. With burning season beginning in February, the kiln deployment aims to reduce smoke pollution in the region this year.

Chiang Mai has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant tech hubs, attracting software companies and digital nomads with its exceptional internet infrastructure, low cost of living, and thriving developer community. Often called a “mini Silicon Valley,” the city combines world-class connectivity with a high quality of life—making the annual air pollution crisis all the more pressing for the tech workers who call it home.

“As we celebrate Iron Software’s 10th anniversary, we’re committed to investing in the communities where our teams live and work,” said Cameron Rimington, CEO of Iron Software. “Our Chiang Mai engineering hub—where we develop core products like IronPDF for HTML to PDF conversion in C# and .NET—has been instrumental to our growth, and this partnership with Warm Heart Worldwide represents a practical solution to a challenge our team faces every burning season. By funding these biochar kilns, we’re not just addressing local air quality, we’re supporting farmers’ livelihoods and contributing to measurable carbon removal. It’s exactly the kind of clever, multi-benefit solution the tech industry should be championing.”

“I’ve lived in Chiang Mai for more than ten years, and the smoky season is noticeably impacting people’s lives,” said Jacob Mellor, Chief Technology Officer at Iron Software. “We’ve invested heavily in making our office a safe environment—medical-grade air purifiers, real-time AQI monitoring—and our remote work policy means team members can work from anywhere or take leave during the worst weeks. But we wanted to do more than protect ourselves. Our team members have families here, kids in local schools, neighbours who are farmers. This partnership is about giving back to the broader community that’s become home to so many of us.”

The donation will fund 50 “Aom Kilns,” specialized devices that convert agricultural waste into biochar, a carbon-rich material that improves soil health while permanently sequestering carbon. These kilns, designed by Kwanpiromtara (Aom) Suksri, COO at Biochar Life, who has 12 years of biochar expertise, will be the first to enter full production use in Phrao district, transforming what would typically be burned as crop waste into a valuable resource.

Building on Environmental Leadership

This Thailand initiative expands Iron Software’s environmental commitment, which includes over $50,000 donated to TeamSeas for ocean cleanup efforts since 2022. As a member of 1% for the Planet, the company has integrated environmental action into its business model, donating $50 to 1% for the Planet for every Iron Suite license purchased and offering EcoGrants to support sustainable technology projects.

“Iron Software represents really the first CSR innovation partner for us in Thailand,” said Matt Rickard, CEO of Biochar Life. “The local element of this partnership is crucial—everyone at Iron Software experiences the smoke pollution problem firsthand and will benefit from the solution. These kilns will enable farmers to earn income from their agricultural waste rather than burning it, while the resulting biochar improves soil health and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.”

Addressing a Regional Crisis with Global Impact

Northern Thailand’s annual burning season, typically occurring from February to April, creates some of the world’s worst air pollution as farmers burn crop residue to prepare fields for the next planting season. In 2024, Chiang Mai repeatedly topped IQAir’s global rankings as the world’s most polluted major city during peak burning months, with PM2.5 readings reaching 53 to 106 micrograms per cubic meter—with PM2.5 readings reaching 53 to 106 micrograms per cubic meter—well above the WHO guideline of 15 µg/m³.

The biochar solution offers multiple benefits:

• Environmental: Prevents agricultural burning, removes carbon permanently from the atmosphere
• Economic: Provides farmers with income from waste materials
• Agricultural: Improves soil health, water retention, and reduces chemical fertilizer needs
• Health: Reduces harmful smoke exposure for millions in the region

Project Impact

• Farmers supported: 40–50 smallholder farmers
• Agricultural waste converted: 150 tons annually
• Carbon removal: 80–100 tons CO2 per year
• Timeline: Kiln deployment in Q1 2026 (January–March)

About the Technology

Unlike traditional carbon offset programs focused on tree planting, biochar provides instant, measurable, and permanent carbon removal. The process converts agricultural waste into a stable form of carbon that can remain in soil for hundreds to thousands of years. According to recent studies, biochar solutions have accounted for 96% of all verified carbon removal to date, despite receiving a fraction of the funding directed toward other technologies.

The Aom Kiln represents a major innovation in this space—a low-emission, high-efficiency system that transforms crop waste cleanly, reduces smoke pollution, and empowers smallholder farmers with a more reliable, scalable way to produce biochar.

Looking Forward

This partnership reflects Iron Software’s evolution from ocean conservation to comprehensive environmental action, demonstrating how tech companies with international teams can address local environmental challenges while contributing to global climate solutions. The company continues to accept applications for its EcoGrant program, supporting organizations developing sustainable technology solutions.

For more information about Iron Software’s environmental initiatives, visit https://ironsoftware.com/about-us/1-percent-for-the-planet/. To learn more about Warm Heart Worldwide and Biochar Life’s work in Thailand, visit https://biochar.life/

About Iron Software

Iron Software develops trusted developer libraries used by millions worldwide. With over 94 million NuGet downloads across its product suite, the company supports engineers building secure, compliant, and high-performance applications across finance, healthcare, aviation, AI, and enterprise software. Its product suite includes IronPDF, IronOCR, IronXL, IronBarcode, and more—all engineered to simplify complex document and data workflows through simple, powerful APIs.

About Warm Heart Worldwide/Biochar Life

Warm Heart Worldwide is a U.S. nonprofit operating in northern Thailand through the Warm Heart Foundation, working with smallholder farmers and rural communities to promote biochar for better air quality, healthier soils, and increased incomes. Biochar Life, its social enterprise arm, connects this grassroots work to the global carbon market, enabling certified carbon removal credits that support farmers and scale climate-smart agriculture across the region.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iron-software-marks-10th-anniversary-with-18-000-biochar-initiative-to-combat-thailands-air-pollution-crisis-302653481.html

SOURCE Iron Software