Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on 3M News Center

As artificial intelligence (AI) workloads surge, U.S. data centers are under immense pressure to grow capacity while minimizing energy demand. A recent analysis from Epoch AI highlights that computational performance per watt in AI supercomputers has increased by 34% every year from 2019 to 2025, driven by innovations in cooling, power delivery, and energy efficient chip design. To sustain this momentum, data centers must optimize every aspect of power and thermal management.

According to a July 2025 report by 174 Power Global, AI workloads could push U.S. data center electricity demands sharply upward—AI alone may soon account for nearly eight percent of national power use and global demand may double by 2030. Flexible, smart energy architectures are vital to meeting this challenge, aligning with national goals to lead the AI era responsibly.

“From the grid to the rack, 3M innovations are designed to help hyperscalers and data center operators build faster, operate more efficiently and adapt to new workloads with confidence,” said Alex An, vice president, 3M Data Center Vertical. “Whether it’s enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency optical interconnects, solving mission-critical thermal challenges, improving the efficiency of power delivery, or improving hot aisle containment, 3M is helping data centers meet their increasing challenges of AI-driven growth by pushing the limits of our materials science, minimizing energy footprints and helping increasing connectivity speeds.”

3M innovations: Efficiency, performance, and sustainability

The 3M Cable Quality Prep System helps customers accelerate their medium voltage cable preparation while embedding performance monitoring – crucial in minimizing installation time and helping customers ensure reliable energy pathways.

3M Sensored Cable Accessories provide real-time data on electrical grid performance, helping data centers detect faults, optimize energy distribution, and reduce their downtime. By integrating sensors into cable accessories, these smart grid solutions can help hyperscalers enhance their predictive maintenance, minimize outages, and improve overall grid resilience.

Optical fiber interconnects can dramatically outpace electrical copper in both power efficiency and performance. Research by Frontiers in Physics shows that optical interconnects can deliver 10 times greater energy efficiency, with improved bandwidth, lower latency, and scalability to 1.6 terabits per second and beyond. They help customers eliminate bottlenecks and enable faster real-time data exchange critical for AI compute environments. As the industry evolves, 3M will address growing AI needs beyond traditional networking with advanced solutions like active copper, dense compute fabrics for GPUs, and co-packaged optics (CPOs), positioning 3M at the forefront of materials science-based innovations.

The 3M Expanded Beam Optical Interconnect, with significantly reduced dust sensitivity compared to physical contact optical connectors, helps data centers accelerate their hyperscale deployment by reducing cleaning and inspection requirements, which accelerates time to build.

As hyperscalers target zero waste, carbon neutrality, becoming water positive, and operating on 100% renewable energy, 3M is exploring materials to help them support their sustainability goals with products such as biobased floor marking tapes, longer life and recyclable air filters and solutions to help improve water usage efficiencies. The 3M Air Containment Barrier Film provides low-carbon alternative to traditional hot-aisle containment. Effective air management is a cornerstone of efficient data center design, as strategic approaches can help significantly reduce energy overhead associated with cooling, lighting, and airflow. Furthermore, 3M vibration and noise damping solutions are helping hyberscalers mitigate nuisance noise and vibration from servers and racks.

Smart grid integration and demand flexibility

Smart grid integration is helping transform how data centers manage their electricity. Advanced, low-voltage switchboards with real-time sensing and load balancing significantly help improve resilience, reduce waste, and accommodate renewable power sources. Notably, demand response flexibility enables data centers to scale back during peak grid usage, a strategy that some advanced hyperscalers are already implementing in collaboration with local utilities.

Flexible data centers not only help utilities avoid costly grid expansions but also accelerate deployment timelines—a recent report from Energy Innovation shows that demand flexibility can reduce the need for new gas generation or grid upgrades.

Why 3M matters for AI-Ready U.S. infrastructure

• Efficiency from installation to operation: By cutting cable prep time and improving reliability, 3M systems help data centers/hyberscalers reduce their labor and downtime risks.
• Next-Gen connectivity: Copper and optical interconnects help data centers/hyperscalers enable high bandwidth with low power and thermal footprint—key for dense AI workloads.
• Lower carbon solutions: 3M is committed to helping customers support their sustainability goals with innovations like biobased floor marking tapes, longer life and recyclable air filters, and solutions to help improve water usage efficiencies. Air barrier film contributes to hot aisle containment strategies that help data centers/hyperscalers meet their thermal requirements and support energy goals.
• Grid-aware infrastructure: Sensor-enabled cabling integrates seamlessly with smart grid and demand-response regimes, aligning with the U.S. aspiration to lead AI infrastructure efficiently.

As the U.S. competes on the global AI stage, data centers must be fast-built, energy-efficient, reliable, and smart-grid ready. 3M integrated solutions—from cable preparation and monitoring tools to optical interconnects and airflow management—help empower operators to meet their demands while also advancing their sustainability. Our innovations help unlock AI’s full potential with less energy, more speed, and greater resilience.

EMERYVILLE, Calif., September 8, 2025 /3BL/ – SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is pleased to announce that version 2.0 of the SCS-111 Certification Standard for Rigid Core Resilient Flooring is now available for public review. 

The Standard and associated certification label (Assure Certified™) were first introduced by SCS Global Services for the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) in January of 2020. SCS-111 builds upon the well-established FloorScore® program by incorporating additional performance criteria. In addition to evaluating indoor air quality, it includes rigorous testing for rigidity, durability and performance, and low heavy metals and ortho-phthalates content.  SCS-111 provides customers the highest level of confidence in the safety and performance of Rigid Core products, supporting the growth of this rapidly expanding market.

Version 2.0 of SCS-111 has been revised to add a new ASTM testing method, the Test Method for Measurement of the Fracture Resistance of a Modular Resilient Flooring’s Profiled Edge(s) to an Applied Vertical Force. This method is in the process of being finalized.

The public is welcome to comment on the version 2.0 updates to the standard until October 3, 2025. To submit comments, please reach out to standards@scsstandards.org, or please visit www.scsstandards.org/standards/certification-standard-rigid-core-vinyl-flooring.

About SCS Standards and Assurance Systems

SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is an organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent, and collaborative approach. SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is the official standards development body for Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. For more information, visit www.SCSstandards.org. 

Media Contact

Victoria Norman

Executive Director

Send an email

CLEVELAND, September 8, 2025 /3BL/ — Today, KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) announced the first half 2025 graduating classes of the Key Secured Credit Card® program comprise more than 4,400 clients who have been empowered to improve their credit scores and establish financial stability. Fifty-nine percent of these clients graduated within 12 months of joining the program and 88% have done so within 24 months. Graduation events were increased to quarterly in 2024 to reward clients more frequently when demonstrating credit improvement. These graduations bring the total number of graduates to more than 40,300 clients since the program’s inception in 2019.

The Key Secured Credit Card improves financial wellness by providing eligible clients with opportunities to establish or improve their credit history, bolster savings while building credit, and create better money habits. If clients graduate, their Key Secured Credit Card is upgraded to an unsecured credit card, releasing the funds in their Key Active Saver^® account that were once pledged as collateral. This secured card program can provide a path of access to Key’s traditional credit solutions.

“Consumers need a strong foundation to help them build financial literacy and resiliency, particularly in times of economic volatility,” said Dan Brown, Director of Consumer Product Management at KeyBank. “The Key Secured Credit Card program is designed to provide our clients the building blocks and education needed to move forward on a financial path of success. We’re proud to have helped so many graduates over the last six years gain the necessary skills needed to take the next steps in their financial journeys.”

Since the start of 2024, KeyBank has introduced several enhancements to further support client success. 

• Onboarding communications. The enhanced communication process, introduced in 2024 to our brand-new cardholders, provides access to tools and training to provide greater clarity and transparency to help card holders build credit¹. In 2025, card holders were supported with additional communications around financial education and account engagement communications.
• Graduation support. KeyBank also expanded its support for those still enrolled in the program to help even more clients move toward graduation. Beginning in April 2025, more than 11,400 Key Secured Credit Card holders across a seven-state pilot program were invited to attend two live educational workshops focused on credit scores and reports and debt management.
• Credit Line increases. In 2024, a Credit Line Increase program was introduced as part of the graduation process for those who qualify, which has enabled more than 6,500 graduates to receive a credit line increase upon graduation. This access to additional credit provides more capacity to meet clients’ daily payment needs.
• Access to traditional forms of credit. Additionally, a new Invitation to Apply campaign was launched in June 2025 for graduates ready to transition to traditional credit cards, reaching over 6,100 clients. The ongoing campaign introduces eligible clients to more traditional credit cards like the KeyBank Latitude® and Key Cashback® credit card products.²

Through the Key Secured Credit Card program, this year’s graduates have made major steps to improve their financial wellbeing, such as:

• 72% received a Key Secured Credit Card with no FICO score.
• 28% had a FICO score.
• For those with a FICO score, the average improvement in credit score was 85 points.

For those who entered the program with no FICO score, the average graduation score this year was 724. Throughout the program’s history, those with a FICO score at origination have shown an average increase of 68 points when they graduate³.

Additional Key Secured Credit Card features include:

• While clients build their credit¹, their Key Secured Credit Card deposit must be kept in a Key Active Saver account, allowing users to build their credit and savings in tandem. The monthly maintenance service charge on the Key Active Saver account is waived for Key Secured Credit Card clients.⁴ In addition, there is a $0 annual fee on the Key Secured Credit Card⁵.
• Unlike prepaid or debit cards, the Secured Credit Card reports clients’ history to credit bureaus, allowing them to show progress.
• Cardholders have the ability to check their FICO score⁶ for free anytime in online and mobile banking. It’s quick, easy and does not impact their credit score.
• With Key’s temporary lock security feature, cardholders can easily use online or mobile banking to lock and unlock a misplaced credit card, thus avoiding having to cancel it and open a new one—potentially harming their credit score.

For more information on Secured Credit Card, visit https://www.key.com/personal/credit-cards/key-secured-credit-card.jsp

¹ Use of the Key Secured Credit Card can help build your credit when the minimum payment is made by the due date, each month.

² All credit products are subject to credit approval.

³ Data based KeyBank Secured Card graduation rates from January 1-June 30, 2025.

⁴ The monthly maintenance service charge on the Key Active Saver account will be waived for Key Secured Credit Card clients. The monthly maintenance service charge waiver is only valid as long as the Key Secured Credit Card remains open. If you are graduated to an unsecured card or close your Key Secured Credit Card account, the Key Active Saver monthly maintenance service charge of $4.00 may apply, unless you are the owner on a KeyBank consumer checking account (including KeyBank Hassle-Free Account^®).

⁵ The Key Secured Card requires the card holder to have funds on deposit in a Key Active Saver® account in an amount greater than or equal to the assigned credit limit. The credit limit is determined by your creditworthiness and will be in an amount between $300 – $5,000. The variable APR for purchases is 27.24%. This APR will vary with the market based on Prime Rate. There is a $0.50 minimum finance charge where interest is due. The annual fee is $0. Foreign Transaction fee: 3% of the amount of each foreign transaction after its conversion into U.S. Dollars. Transactions originating in Canada are excluded from this fee. The monthly maintenance service charge on the Key Active Saver account will be waived for Key Secured Credit Card clients. The monthly maintenance service charge waiver is only valid as long as the Key Secured Credit Card remains open. If you are graduated to an unsecured card or close your Key Secured Credit Card account, the Key Active Saver monthly maintenance service charge of $4.00 may apply, unless you are the owner on a KeyBank consumer checking account (including KeyBank Hassle-Free Account®).

⁶ Clients with newly opened credit card accounts may not see their first FICO^® Score in online and mobile banking for up to 90 days after enrollment. In certain circumstances, a FICO^® Score may not be available for various reasons, e.g., having a limited credit history. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries

ABOUT KEYCORP

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $185 billion at June 30, 2025. 

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

CFMA #250904-3466132

Earlier this summer, devastating floods swept through Texas Hill Country, claiming more than 100 lives and causing widespread damage. Since the storm, Southwire’s Project GIFT volunteers alongside the company’s agent partners at JD Martin have taken action to support flood relief recovery efforts.

Project GIFT, the volunteer branch of the nonprofit Southwire CARES, has held disaster relief as a core cause for 20 years. In the wake of the Texas flooding, Project GIFT supplied 14 pallets of disaster relief kits to areas affected by the storm. Each kit consists of a bucket filled with cleaning supplies and other essential items to aid in the wake of the flooding.

Southwire’s Texas locations—including Arlington, Ft. Worth, Denton, DFW CSC and El Paso—also came together to support flood relief through Project GIFT® donation drives. In addition to these material contributions, Southwire donated $10,000 to help fuel recovery efforts, and team members across the organization donated more than $2,500.

“In times like these, it’s more important than ever that we come together as a community,” said Kristian Whittington, Director of Giving Back. “This recent flood has shown us how powerful compassion and unity can be.”

The Giving Back spirit spread to others within the Southwire community; JD Martin, an agent partner who supports Southwire in the Texas region, furthered their partnership with Project GIFT to expand the relief impact.

JD Martin provided a $50,000 monetary donation to Project GIFT’s Hill Country Flood Relief efforts, which allowed Southwire team members on-site in Texas to prepare an additional 1,250 relief kits. These kits were donated to the San Antonio food bank, which is providing resources to areas impacted by flooding.

“Southwire is proud of our legacy of making a difference in the communities we serve, and we are grateful to have partners like JD Martin who share this commitment,” said Norman Adkins, Southwire’s President and COO. “Their contribution to Project GIFT’s Texas flooding relief efforts reflects our spirit of Giving Back and strengthens the positive impact we can make when we come together.”

Additionally, JD Martin offered to match donations from their employees to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. JD Martin employees raised more than $13,000, which was matched by the company for a total combined contribution of more than $76,000 from JD Martin and their team.

“When we saw the flooding in the Texas Hill Country, we were proud to see Project GIFT step up right away – they’ve always led the charge when communities need it most,” said Greg Baker, President and CEO of JD Martin. “We were so impressed watching them take the lead, just like they did during Hurricane Harvey. It inspired us then, and it inspires us now to make a meaningful impact to help those affected by the flooding get back on their feet.”

For more news and information on Southwire’s Giving Back initiatives, visit southwire.com/sustainability.

What happens when you combine ambitious graduates, cutting-edge HVAC technology and a company that’s reshaping how the world uses energy? You get one of the most comprehensive and prestigious training programs in the HVAC industry, careers that make a difference and graduates who go on to excel personally and professionally.

You’ve spent four years mastering thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and engineering principles. You’ve aced your finals, walked across that stage, and landed your first job. Then reality hits: the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world application can feel impossibly wide.

“When you graduate, you’ve had four or five years of studying. Then you get to the field, and you feel like you don’t really know a ton,” admits Madison Smith, who joined  after completing her biomedical engineering degree in Canada. “The ability to come to a program that’s able to train you and ramp you up is really helpful.

WATCH: Championing Talent, Leadership and Legacy Through Trane Technologies’ Graduate Training Program

A world-renowned program to catapult careers

Trane Technologies knows there’s often a university-to-industry gap, which is why it designed its world-class five-month immersive program that provides recent graduates with comprehensive technical, business, sales engineering and leadership training. With more than 8,700 graduates to date, this industry-respected program is set in beautiful La Crosse, Wisconsin, a town renowned for being a vibrant educational hub.

“I signed up for the graduate training program because it’s just such a great opportunity that other companies in our industry don’t have,” explains Noah Hernandez from Trane Technologies’ new systems division. “We’re really well-equipped when we get into the field.”.

Building more than technical skills

The Graduate Training Program (GTP) was started in 1926 by Reuben Trane to train engineers and sales personnel on how to sell and apply new HVAC technologies. Today, it offers three distinct pathways, each designed for different career trajectories:

• Technical Sales GTP: Perfect for engineers who want to combine technical expertise with client relationships and business impact
• Energy Engineer GTP: For those passionate about energy audits, conservation measures and working with the world’s leading energy experts
• Contracting Project Management GTP: Designed to build technical project management skills and creative problem-solving abilities.

But the program goes beyond the deeply technical, helping nurture participants as complete professionals. “The program as a whole is there to develop you as a person entirely. We’ve focused on things like time management, presentation skills, and just knowing yourself and what you can improve on. We’ve also taken tests to gauge the type of learner you are, what your strengths are and where you need help,” explains Noah.

That kind of self-awareness and skill-building forms the foundation of Trane Technologies’ holistic approach, shaping engineers into leaders who can communicate complex technical concepts with confidence, build lasting client relationships and drive a meaningful impact for our customers and our planet.

For Carter Bloomquist, those lessons are already taking root. “I’m excited to bring my technical knowledge back home, but also the knowledge I’ve learned about building relationships and about just my personal self as well,” says Carter Bloomquist, who’s preparing for his role as a systems account manager in Twin Cities, Minnesota.

Encouraging curiosity and community 

The GTP is expertly designed and honed year after year to maximize learning efficiency and classroom camaraderie, building both technical knowledge and lasting professional relationships. “They’ve done a flipped classroom, where we learn lectures online and then come in person to practice together,” Madison explains. “It’s been a really awesome experience so far.”

Perhaps the most unexpected benefit? The people. “It’s one of the greatest decisions you could ever make. You learn so much and you make such great friends. Also, everyone’s coming from different places… just a ton of cultures coming together and hanging out,” Carter shares.

While in the program, each participant is paired with a dedicated mentor on staff, offering intensive, personalized guidance from industry veterans who are just as invested in your success as you are. “Our mentors are a source for us to go and say where we’re struggling, if we need help or what we can improve on,” says Noah.

The difference is in making a difference

Beyond connections and personal and professional development, our GTP students are excited for their work to have global impact. Madison, who studied biomedical engineering before pivoting to HVAC, now sees her role in a bigger context. “I’m really interested in AI and how that’s going to make buildings more sustainable.”

This is a sentiment echoed by Carter, “As people, it’s our duty to make the world a better place for tomorrow,” Carter reflects. “We’re setting a new standard for what companies should be doing for the world.”

Your meaningful career starts here

Whether you’ll be working with healthcare clients, supporting engineers or partnering with sustainability-focused contractors, at Trane Technologies, you’re joining a mission that extends far beyond engineering. That’s because we’re not just optimizing systems; we’re reshaping how the world uses energy. Ready to turn your engineering degree into a career with global impact?

Explore a wide variety of early career and engineering opportunities at Trane Technologies.