Month: April 2026

As global trade grows more complex, the strength of a supply chain increasingly depends on where and how goods move through key logistics hubs. DP World is redefining supply chain performance by combining integrated logistics with a strategically located network of warehouses across North America – bringing businesses closer to their customers and markets.

A Network Built for Speed and Reach

Rather than relying on fragmented infrastructure, DP World’s approach centers on strategically positioned logistics hubs that connect major ports, airports, and inland transport corridors. These locations are designed to reduce transit times, lower costs, and improve service reliability.

By placing inventory closer to demand centers, businesses can accelerate fulfillment while maintaining greater control over their supply chains.

Strategic Logistics Hubs Across North America

DP World’s growing footprint includes high-performance facilities designed to support distribution, eCommerce, manufacturing, and cross-border trade:

Perris, California

22305 Old Oleander Ave, Perris CA 92570

Located in the Inland Empire, this Free Trade Zone facility enables duty deferral and greater customs flexibility while providing access to one of the largest distribution markets in the U.S. Its proximity to major ports and population centers makes it ideal for fast, cost-efficient West Coast distribution.

Miami, Florida

7725 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33166

Serving as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, this 108,000-square-foot facility offers direct connectivity to Port Miami and Miami International Airport. It is optimized for regional fulfillment and rapid international distribution.

Brampton, Ontario

15 Bramalea Rd, Brampton, ON L6T 2W7, Canada

Positioned near Toronto Pearson Airport, this LEED-certified 174,000-square-foot hub connects Canadian and U.S. markets. With secure and temperature-controlled storage, it supports a wide range of industries requiring reliability and compliance.

Querétaro, Mexico

La Bomba Industrial Park located on Mexico-Querétaro Highway, Federal Highway number 57, km 194+813, El Colorado, El Marques, Queretaro

Located along a key industrial corridor, this 117,000-square-foot facility provides integrated production, warehousing, and distribution capabilities. Its access to major highways and air transport supports efficient manufacturing supply chains and cross-border logistics.

Middletown, Pennsylvania

140 Fulling Mill Road, Middletown, PA 17057

Centrally located in the U.S. Northeast, this facility offers multimodal access and flexible space for both B2B and B2C fulfillment. It enables fast delivery to densely populated East Coast markets.

Olive Branch, Mississippi

11244 S Distribution Cove, Olive Branch, MS 38654

Strategically positioned near Memphis – one of the largest logistics hubs in the U.S. – this location connects air, rail, and road networks. It provides scalable distribution across the southeastern United States with strong access to national transportation corridors.

Warehousing as a Strategic Advantage

These facilities are more than storage points – they are fully integrated logistics hubs. Each site is connected to DP World’s broader network of ports, terminals, and transportation services, enabling seamless movement of goods from origin to final delivery.

This integration allows businesses to:

• Reduce handling and transit times
• Improve inventory positioning and responsiveness
• Scale operations across regions with ease
• Optimize cross-border and international trade flows

Integrated Logistics, Powered by Location

DP World enhances its physical network with digital tools that provide real-time visibility across every warehouse and shipment. From inventory tracking to shipment monitoring, businesses gain the insights needed to make faster, more informed decisions.

Combined with multimodal transportation capabilities – across ocean, air, rail, and road – these locations form a synchronized system designed for efficiency and resilience.

A Smarter Way to Move Goods

By aligning warehouse locations with global trade flows, DP World transforms logistics from a series of disconnected steps into a cohesive, high-performing network.

The result is a supply chain that is not only faster and more reliable, but also more adaptable to changing market demands.

Discover how DP World’s strategically located logistics hubs can help you build a smarter, more agile supply chain.

Originally published on CVS Health

At CVS Health, we’re thinking about tomorrow’s pharmacists today. We understand the vital role they’ll play in communities across America, and we’re committed to supporting future pharmacists, so they can help create healthier communities for years to come.

Our 2025 Rx Report revealed that 40% of pharmacy technicians surveyed are interested in becoming pharmacists, up from 23% in 2024. And 77% of them say that tuition assistance would increase their likelihood of pursuing a career as a pharmacist.

As the nation’s largest employer of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, we continue to make great strides in putting pharmacy education within reach and encouraging more people to choose a career in pharmacy. We’re supporting the next generation of pharmacists, helping them achieve their developmental goals by providing structured internships and training, tuition assistance, and continuing education opportunities.

Pharmacy training lab

For example, we recently opened a newly remodeled training laboratory at the Medical University of South Carolina, designed to simulate the layout and workflow of a community pharmacy. Here, students will get true hands-on experience, practicing tasks like compounding medications, dispensing and labeling, counseling patients, administering immunizations, and using pharmacy software and technology to enhance patient safety.

Funded by a CVS Health donation, the lab will support student competency in both clinical and technical skills, patient care, communication, critical thinking, ethics and interprofessional collaboration.

Duquesne University PharmD scholarships

Additionally, through our partnership with Duquesne University, CVS Pharmacy colleagues have the opportunity to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree online at a reduced cost. Because the program is offered online, students benefit from its accessibility and flexibility, so they can continue to care for their communities at the pharmacy while also continuing their education and growing their careers.

Additional programs to reduce financial barriers

CVS Health colleagues can also take advantage of additional programs designed to help reduce financial barriers to education. These include the PharmD tuition assistance program, which offers up to $20,000 per school year for fifth-and sixth-year CVS Pharmacy interns; an annual benefit of $1,500 that can be applied toward select non-degree certificate programs through the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP); and a scholarship offered in partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Every day, across the country, our approximately 30,000 pharmacists and 74,000 technicians power quality care. Ultimately, their growth and development will help us deliver on our ambition to be America’s most trusted health care company.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., and BANNOCKBURN, Ill., April 14, 2026 /3BL/ – The Responsible Business Alliance and the Global Electronics Association today announced the publication of joint guidance on Accounting for Scope 3 Category 1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions; saving time, improving data accuracy, and enabling more consistent, high-quality sustainability reporting across global supply chains.

The guidance aims to provide the electronics industry with specific knowledge and practical recommendations to support the quantification of value chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in supply chains, specifically for Category 1, purchased goods and services, as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Companies across the industry face increasing pressure to report credible and accurate Scope 3 emissions data. This includes legislation requiring companies to publicly report third-party assured Scope 3 emissions data and pressure from downstream customers that rely on supplier data to quantify their corporate GHG emissions data to inform their external disclosures and decarbonization plans.

“This joint guidance demonstrates how the Responsible Business Alliance and Global Electronics Association are working together to build supply chain alignment around GHG reporting rules,” said Rob Lederer, CEO, Responsible Business Alliance. “By working together to provide reporting guidance, we can have a greater impact and better support companies in their GHG emission reporting and quantification efforts.”

“Although Category 1 is a material contributor to Scope 3 emissions in the electronics industry, reporting is currently limited and the use of supplier-specific data is low,” said John Mitchell, President and CEO, Global Electronics Association. “We believe practical guidance, such as this from the Global Electronics Association and the Responsible Business Alliance, can help change that dynamic.”

Emissions calculations based solely on secondary data limit companies’ ability to target supply chain decarbonization and to reflect suppliers’ emissions reduction efforts in Scope 3 results. This guidance builds upon recent Scope 3, Category 1 guidance from the semiconductor industry and is designed to support a transition toward an approach that strategically leverages a combination of primary data, including supplier-specific data, and secondary data, enabling clearer insights and more targeted decarbonization efforts.

Guidance such as this is increasingly important to GHG reporting solutions, such as the RBA’s Emissions Management Tool (EMT), in operationalizing aligned data requests and enabling more efficient, standardized exchange of supplier GHG data across company supply chains.

View the new guidance on the Responsible Business Alliance website or the Global Electronics Association website.

About the Responsible Business Alliance

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is a nonprofit organization comprised of companies committed to responsible business conduct in their global supply chains. The RBA has a Code of Conduct and a range of programs, training and assessment tools to support continuous improvement. The organization has a global footprint, with offices in North America, Europe and Asia. The RBA also has initiatives focused on specific issue areas, including its Responsible Minerals, Labor, Factory and Environment Initiatives, and its Responsible Glove Alliance. The RBA and its Initiatives have more than 600 members with combined annual revenues of greater than $8 trillion, directly employing over 21.5 million people, with products manufactured in more than 120 countries. For more information, visit responsiblebusiness.org.

About the Global Electronics Association

Global Electronics Association is the voice of the electronics industry, working with more than 3,000 members, thousands of partners, and dozens of governments to ensure a more resilient supply chain and drive industry growth. The Association advocates fair trade, smart regulation, and regional manufacturing, and educates on industry practices, actionable intelligence, and technical innovations to empower the future. The Association collaborates with governments and companies worldwide to advance a trusted and prosperous electronics industry. Formerly known as IPC, the organization serves a $6 trillion market and has offices across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North and Latin America. For more information, visit electronics.org.

Media Contacts

Responsible Business Alliance:
Jarrett Bens, Senior Director of Communications
jbens@responsiblebusiness.org
Phone: +1 571.858.5721

Global Electronics Association:
Sandy Gentry, Communications Director
sandygentry@electronics.org
Phone: +1 847.597.2871

Concrete is everywhere — in bridges, highways, buildings, sidewalks and homes. It’s the world’s most widely used manufactured material. But not all concrete is created equal. Its performance depends heavily on the quality of the cement construction materials and aggregates that go into every mix. From strength and durability to finish and long-term resilience, the right cement and concrete materials make the difference between infrastructure that lasts and infrastructure that fails. 

Covia plays a critical role in this equation. As a trusted supplier of high-purity, consistently graded minerals, Covia helps cement and concrete producers control porosity, enhance solidity and achieve reliable performance at scale. Our materials are engineered to support stronger mixes, smoother finishes and longer service life — while also helping customers meet growing expectations for sustainability.
This article explores the mineral science behind cement and concrete performance and explains how the right material choices directly impact durability, efficiency and environmental outcomes. For producers, engineers, and builders looking to optimize mix design and build with confidence, understanding these fundamentals and Covia’s role in delivering them is essential.

Cement vs. Concrete: What’s the Difference?

Although often used interchangeably, cement and concrete are distinct materials.

• Cement is a finely ground powder, primarily composed of limestone and clay, that reacts with water in a process called hydration. This chemical reaction produces compounds that harden and bind aggregates together.
• Concrete is the composite material made by combining cement with water, sand and gravel. The cement paste coats and binds the aggregates, creating a solid mass that can be shaped and cured into structural forms.

  In short, cement is the binder, while concrete is the final product that provides bulk, strength and durability to structures.

Porosity, Solidity and Why They Matter

The quality of concrete is largely determined by its microstructure— the network of pores, voids and solid phases formed during hydration.

• Porosity refers to the volume of voids within the hardened cement paste. Higher porosity means concrete is more permeable, allowing water and chemicals to penetrate. This accelerates deterioration from freeze-thaw cycles, the corrosion of reinforcing steel or sulfate attack.
• Solidity describes the density and continuity of the solid phases in the material. A high degree of solidity improves compressive strength, reduces permeability and extends service life.

The balance of porosity and solidity is influenced by the cement building materials used, the water-to-cement ratio and the quality of sand and aggregates in the mix. Impurities, poor gradation or reactive minerals can all lead to weaker, more porous concrete.

How Minerals Influence Performance

Every component in a concrete mix has a role to play:

• Sand: Fills the gaps between larger aggregates, creating a dense matrix. Well-graded sand reduces porosity, enhances compaction and improves workability.
• Gravel and Aggregates: Provide bulk, strength and dimensional stability. Clean, properly sized aggregates help reduce voids and improve solidity.
• Silica: Contributes to a smooth finish and reduces flaws in both structural and decorative applications. High-purity silica also minimizes chemical reactivity that can compromise durability.

By controlling porosity and promoting solidity, the right concrete construction materials extend the life of infrastructure while lowering long-term maintenance costs.

Sustainability and Innovation in Cement and Concrete

Concrete has a unique role in sustainability. It is not only strong and versatile but also offers environmental advantages when used and designed wisely:

• Carbon Reabsorption: Over its life, concrete naturally reabsorbs a portion of the CO₂ released during cement production through a process called carbonation. This makes it an important material in the circular carbon cycle.
• Thermal Mass Efficiency: Concrete’s ability to absorb and release heat helps regulate indoor temperatures, reducing energy use for heating and cooling.
• Longevity and Recyclability: Durable concrete structures last longer, requiring fewer resources for replacement. At the end of life, concrete can be crushed and recycled as aggregate for new projects.

Innovation is also reshaping the industry. Advances in mix design, mineral fillers and admixtures are helping reduce clinker content in cement, which lowers carbon emissions.

Clinker is the solid, pebble-like material made by heating limestone and clay at very high temperatures in a kiln. It is the main active ingredient in cement but producing it is energy-intensive and releases significant amounts of CO₂. By replacing part of the clinker with supplementary materials or optimized mineral fillers, producers can reduce the environmental footprint of cement construction materials without sacrificing performance.

Covia contributes by supplying high-purity, consistent minerals that enhance durability and reduce failures, which directly supports sustainability by extending service life and minimizing waste.

By focusing on both performance and environmental impact, Covia helps customers meet the rising demand for sustainable cement and concrete building materials without compromise.

Common Challenges in Cement and Concrete

Even small inconsistencies in raw materials can create big challenges:

• Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR): Reactive aggregates can expand and crack concrete when exposed to moisture and alkalis in cement.
   
• Freeze-Thaw Damage: Porous concrete absorbs water, which expands as it freezes, leading to spalling or crumbling.
   
• Weak Finishes: Poorly graded or impure sand increases porosity, creating brittle, uneven surfaces.

These problems underscore the importance of selecting reliable cement construction materials and partnering with trusted concrete material suppliers for optimal structural performance.

Covia’s Expertise in Building Materials and Construction

Covia combines mineral science with decades of application expertise to deliver concrete materials that support stronger, more resilient and more sustainable infrastructure.

• GRANUSIL® high-performance industrial silica is produced with strict quality controls for consistent grading. GRANUSIL’s high silica content improves workability, reduces porosity and enhances finish quality in both ready-mix and precast applications.
   
• SILVERBOND® multi-purpose ground crystalline silica is chemically inert and pH neutral. SILVERBOND contributes to solidity, maintains compressive strength and performs reliably in extreme environments.
   
• CSG GRAVEL– A durable aggregate that provides load-bearing strength, helps minimize voids and supports the dense packing needed for reduced permeability.

All products are processed under Covia’s rigorous quality programs to ensure predictable results, consistent grading and reliable supply — exactly what producers need to balance performance and sustainability.

Your Partner for Stronger, Smarter Infrastructure

The future of construction depends on concrete that lasts longer, resists environmental stress and supports sustainable building practices. That means selecting the right cement construction material and concrete material supply partner.

Covia provides more than minerals — we provide collaboration, technical expertise and dependable delivery. From optimizing mix designs to reducing porosity, enhancing solidity and improving sustainability, we help customers achieve better outcomes in building products and construction.

Conclusion: Building on a Better Foundation

Concrete will remain the backbone of infrastructure worldwide, but its strength depends on the quality of the materials within it. By managing porosity, enhancing solidity and selecting high-performance minerals, producers can create concrete that is stronger, more durable and more sustainable.
With Covia’s expertise, innovative mineral solutions and reliable supply network, you can build with confidence — today and for the future.

BOSTON, April 14, 2026 /3BL/ – Sappi North America has launched LusterFSB OGR, a new oil and grease resistant (OGR) solid bleached sulfate (SBS) food service board available in 12 to 20 pt calipers. This barrier technology delivers medium oil and grease resistance without polyethylene film, making it a recyclable and home-compostable alternative. It is purpose-built for quick service, takeout, and bakery applications where thick poly coating is more than the job requires.

“Food service packaging is under pressure to move away from plastic, and we’re excited to bring a sustainable option to market,” said Paul Bortolan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Sappi North America. “LusterFSB OGR is a testament to our R&D team’s ability to develop innovative solutions that meet genuine customer needs. It delivers the barrier performance food service requires while supporting the sustainability goals our customers and brands are working toward.”

Made with fresh fiber and produced on one of the newest, most advanced paperboard machines in North America — PM1 at Sappi’s Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine — LusterFSB OGR features a smooth clay coating on one side for exceptional print quality and a proprietary grease barrier coating on the reverse. The barrier side also accepts printing, offering converters design flexibility for applications where two-sided printing is an advantage. The grade is engineered for applications like bakery boxes, fried chicken and chicken nugget takeout containers, burger and sandwich clamshells, as well as french fry trays and scoops.

LusterFSB OGR is recyclable and designed to be home compostable, the most practical end-of-life path for grease-soiled food packaging. Its fully SBS-based construction means converter scrap and offcuts can be baled with standard SBS, eliminating the special segregation requirements that come with poly-lined alternatives and reducing plastic use in line with retailer and consumer sustainability expectations.

Because LusterFSB OGR arrives barrier-ready from the mill, converters don’t need to apply their own in-house coatings, removing a process step, reducing cost, and simplifying operations. Domestic production also means consistent quality and reliable supply without the sourcing uncertainty of imported grades.

LusterFSB OGR is available now for customer qualification and commercial orders. Customer feedback has indicated smooth processing and reliable performance. Sappi’s sales, technical, and product management teams are working directly with customers to support application testing and onboarding.

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About Sappi North America, Inc.

Headquartered in Boston, MA, Sappi North America is part of a global pulp, paper, and packaging company that transforms renewable resources into sustainable alternatives to plastics and fossil fuel- based products. From cosmetics packaging and food-safe barrier papers to dissolving wood pulp used in textiles, our solutions support a circular economy worldwide. Every product is recyclable, reusable, or compostable as manufactured.

Employing approximately 2,200 people across facilities in Maine, Minnesota, and Quebec, Sappi North America combines deep manufacturing expertise with a commitment to responsible forestry. Recognized with an elite EcoVadis rating for seven consecutive years and CDP scores of A in Forests, A- in Climate Change, and B in Water Security, we back our sustainability claims with data.

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents across seven countries, and customers in over 150 countries. To learn more, visit www.sappi.com.

Contact:

April Jones
Corporate Communications Manager, Sappi North America
april.jones@sappi.com
617.398.0691