Five-Year Commitment will Support Future Leaders in the Tire and Automotive Service Industry

ATLANTA, April 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kumho Tire U.S.A., one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, is proud to announce a pledge of $25,000 in support of the Tire Industry Association (TIA) Tire Industry Scholarship program, created in partnership with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF). KUMHO has committed $5,000 per year for the next five years to invest in the future workforce of the tire and automotive service industry.

The TIA Tire Industry Scholarship program awards $2,500 scholarships to students pursuing higher education or trade programs related to the tire and automotive service industry. Administered through the UAF, the program is designed to strengthen the industry pipeline by supporting education.

“Our five-year pledge to the TIA Scholarship program reflects KUMHO’s broader commitment to developing and supporting the next generation of tire industry professionals,” said Ed Cho, CEO Kumho Tire U.S.A. “We are proud to invest in education and help provide greater opportunities for the future workforce who will shape our industry.”

“Kumho Tire U.S.A.’s generous commitment is a powerful investment in the future of our industry,” said Dick Gust, CEO of the Tire Industry Association. “By supporting the Tire Industry Scholarship program, they are helping to build a stronger, more skilled workforce and opening doors for the next generation of industry professionals.”

Kumho Tire joins a growing group of other U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) member companies supporting the scholarship program, which was established in November 2025.

To learn more about the Tire Industry Scholarship program, visit https://automotivescholarships.com/scholarships/the-tire-industry-association.

To learn more about Kumho Tire, visit www.kumhotireusa.com.

About KUMHO TIRE Co. Inc.
Kumho Tire, one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers, has more than 60 years of history of pioneering innovative approaches to developing tires and is dedicated to providing exceptional driving experiences to consumers around the world. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Kumho Tire U.S.A. is the US sales, marketing, product development, and distribution arm of Kumho Tire Co. Inc.

For more information on Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc., and its products, please visit www.kumhotireusa.com. Follow Kumho Tire on Facebook, Instagram and on X @KumhoTireUSA.

About the Tire Industry Association
The Tire Industry Association (TIA), with a 105-year history representing all segments of the national and international tire industry, is the recognized authority for tire service technician training and certification with more than 220,000 industry professionals trained since 1997. For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org or call 800-876-8372.

TIA Mission Statement
The mission of TIA is to promote tire safety through training and education, to act as the principal advocate in government affairs and to enhance the image and professionalism of the industry so that our member businesses may be more successful.

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SOURCE Kumho Tire USA

Five-Year Commitment will Support Future Leaders in the Tire and Automotive Service Industry

ATLANTA, April 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kumho Tire U.S.A., one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, is proud to announce a pledge of $25,000 in support of the Tire Industry Association (TIA) Tire Industry Scholarship program, created in partnership with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF). KUMHO has committed $5,000 per year for the next five years to invest in the future workforce of the tire and automotive service industry.

The TIA Tire Industry Scholarship program awards $2,500 scholarships to students pursuing higher education or trade programs related to the tire and automotive service industry. Administered through the UAF, the program is designed to strengthen the industry pipeline by supporting education.

“Our five-year pledge to the TIA Scholarship program reflects KUMHO’s broader commitment to developing and supporting the next generation of tire industry professionals,” said Ed Cho, CEO Kumho Tire U.S.A. “We are proud to invest in education and help provide greater opportunities for the future workforce who will shape our industry.”

“Kumho Tire U.S.A.’s generous commitment is a powerful investment in the future of our industry,” said Dick Gust, CEO of the Tire Industry Association. “By supporting the Tire Industry Scholarship program, they are helping to build a stronger, more skilled workforce and opening doors for the next generation of industry professionals.”

Kumho Tire joins a growing group of other U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) member companies supporting the scholarship program, which was established in November 2025.

To learn more about the Tire Industry Scholarship program, visit https://automotivescholarships.com/scholarships/the-tire-industry-association.

To learn more about Kumho Tire, visit www.kumhotireusa.com.

About KUMHO TIRE Co. Inc.
Kumho Tire, one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers, has more than 60 years of history of pioneering innovative approaches to developing tires and is dedicated to providing exceptional driving experiences to consumers around the world. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Kumho Tire U.S.A. is the US sales, marketing, product development, and distribution arm of Kumho Tire Co. Inc.

For more information on Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc., and its products, please visit www.kumhotireusa.com. Follow Kumho Tire on Facebook, Instagram and on X @KumhoTireUSA.

About the Tire Industry Association
The Tire Industry Association (TIA), with a 105-year history representing all segments of the national and international tire industry, is the recognized authority for tire service technician training and certification with more than 220,000 industry professionals trained since 1997. For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org or call 800-876-8372.

TIA Mission Statement
The mission of TIA is to promote tire safety through training and education, to act as the principal advocate in government affairs and to enhance the image and professionalism of the industry so that our member businesses may be more successful.

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SOURCE Kumho Tire USA

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The UAE has officially joined the Svalbard Treaty, following Federal Decree No. 125 of 2025. This step strengthens the country’s role in polar science and international cooperation and reflects its commitment to protecting some of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions.

Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago located in the far Northern Hemisphere of Earth, midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. It is known for its unique Arctic environment, its international scientific research community, and the world-renowned Global Seed Vault, which preserves millions of seeds as a safeguard for global food security.

The Svalbard Treaty promotes peaceful cooperation and responsible access in this Arctic region. By joining the treaty, the UAE builds on its existing engagement in the Antarctic Treaty System and expands its scientific contribution into the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth, complementing its work in Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere.

This accession supports the objectives of the Emirates Polar Program (EPP), which seeks to strengthen the UAE’s role in polar sciences and advance research across both regions: Arctic and Antarctic. Membership in the Svalbard Treaty can facilitate fieldwork by UAE researchers in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard; one of the world’s northernmost international research communities where scientists from more than ten countries collaborate on polar and atmospheric studies.

Speaking on this milestone, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and Chair of the Emirates Polar Program said: “Joining the Svalbard Treaty demonstrates the UAE’s steadfast commitment to international collaboration and scientific advancement. This agreement opens an important and exciting chapter for the UAE’s engagement in Arctic science, enabling us to contribute meaningfully to global research efforts. It also strengthens opportunities for deeper scientific cooperation and participation in joint Arctic expeditions alongside leading nations to help safeguard some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems.”

The UAE’s accession further reflects the country’s growing emphasis on science diplomacy, using scientific collaboration as a pathway to strengthen international partnerships and contribute to shared global solutions.

His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability and Deputy Chair of the Emirates Polar Program highlighted the broader significance of this step for the UAE’s climate agenda: “The UAE’s accession to the Svalbard Treaty reinforces its commitment to turning ambition into action through science-based collaboration and knowledge sharing. Climate action is both a necessity and a shared opportunity, and the UAE continues to help shape a sustainable and resilient future through strategic initiatives and international partnerships. Through the Emirates Polar Program, we will advance innovative research and contribute to practical solutions for polar regions.”

Adding to this, His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous  President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Director-General of the National Center of Meteorology emphasized the scientific value of the UAE’s expanded involvement in Arctic cooperation: “The UAE’s accession to the Svalbard Treaty opens new avenues for scientific and environmental cooperation and enabling our scientists to directly contribute to global research initiatives at stations such as Ny-Ålesund – one of the northernmost permanent civilian research stations in the world. At the National Center of Meteorology, and in alignment with the UAE’s vision, we will continue to grow our polar programs and strengthen international partnerships that enhance climate resilience and serve future generations.”

About Emirates Polar Program:

The Emirates Polar Program was established in line with the UAE’s commitment to advancing science and exploration, and its dedication to addressing global challenges through innovative research and solutions. The Program reflects the UAE’s active role in contributing to global efforts in climate research and environmental stewardship.

Guided by its five priorities — competitiveness and international cooperation, global climate action, scientific and human capital advancement, economic diversification, and establishing a physical presence in Antarctica and the Arctic — the Emirates Polar Program strengthens the UAE’s position as a bridge between nations and a catalyst for global scientific progress and sustainability.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2950182/Emirates_Polar_Program.jpg

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SOURCE Emirates Polar Program

TAICHUNG, April 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DataBeyond, a global leader in AI-powered intelligent sorting equipment, recently revealed that its flagship project in Taichung, Taiwan—Asia’s largest unmanned intelligent sorting center for all-category mixed plastics—has entered a phase of routine, high-efficiency operation. As the region’s first milestone project to achieve digital and intelligent sorting of all-category mixed plastics, it not only marks a leap in waste resource processing capacity in Asia but also provides a “China-originated solution” for the digital transformation of the global circular economy through cutting-edge AI technology.

Addressing the Post-Consumer Resin (PCR) challenge, DataBeyond’s Taichung facility features a fully automated design with a daily capacity of 100 tons. By deploying the AI Agent Factory Management System, the center has achieved unmanned production, eliminating the need for 20 sorting workers per shift. Throughput has surged from 2 to 10 tons per hour, a 500% efficiency increase that redefines plastic recycling as a high-tech industry.

Technological Edge: Closing the “Plastic-to-Plastic” Loop The center’s core competitiveness lies in DataBeyond’s proprietary “AI + Multi-Sensor Fusion” technology. Utilizing 256-band hyperspectral imaging and deep learning, the system identifies over 17 materials and colors, including PET, PP, PE, and ABS. By converting complex waste into industrial-grade recycled resin, it significantly reduces reliance on virgin petroleum.

“DataBeyond is committed to promoting intelligent sorting globally,” said Mo Zhuoya, CEO of DataBeyond. “The Taichung project proves that AI can liberate humans from dangerous work, allowing labor to become more dignified while giving waste a second life.”

ESG Leadership: Tech for Good Aligned with global ESG standards, the project delivers measurable impact:

  • Environmental: Daily processing of 100 tons of plastic reduces carbon emissions and microplastic pollution.
  • Social: The implementation of automated production lines has vastly enhanced workers’ occupational health and safety, embodying the humanistic care of “Tech for Good.”

About DataBeyond
Founded in 2018, DataBeyond focuses on AI and optoelectronic fusion, with thousands of units operating globally. We empower recycling enterprises to “afford and excel” in using high-end equipment, accelerating the global transition to an intelligent recycling era.

Contact: 
YI WU
marketing@databeyond.com 
+86 18038378718

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SOURCE Hangzhou DataBeyond Technology Co., Ltd.

LINCOLN, Neb., April 6, 2026 /3BL/ – Ponterra today announced a new project finance loan and partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, the world’s largest nonprofit organisation dedicated to planting trees. The loan represents one of the first project finance investments from the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission driven investment initiative, the Arbor Day Impact Fund.

The loan provided by the Arbor Day Impact Fund will support early-stage operations at Ponterra’s latest project, La Esperanza, the largest Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) project in Mexico. Designed to scale to over 100,000 Ha, La Esperanza restores degraded agricultural and idle lands into biodiverse native forest, providing a financially and environmentally sustainable income for local community members.

Arbor Day’s unique combination of deep carbon market experience and unparalleled reputation make them ideal partners for Ponterra as we bring La Esperanza to market. We applaud the Foundation for stepping up to provide impact capital to projects when they need it most and look forward to working together to unlock nature-based solutions at scale,” said Leigh Madeira, Head of Investments, Ponterra.

“Early-stage reforestation projects often face a critical gap between planting trees and securing long-term financial sustainability. We want to close that gap by pairing low-cost capital with market access. This partnership with Ponterra demonstrates a shared commitment to building forestry projects that deliver positive environmental and social outcomes,” said Pete Davis, Managing Director of the Arbor Day Impact Fund.

For the initial 10,000 Ha, Ponterra will plant more than 6 million trees from more than 50 different native species. The project will create over 200 formal jobs, strengthening community prosperity through employment, skills training, and revenue-sharing. As a result, La Esperanza is forecast to deliver over $160 million in community benefits in the next 40 years.

The Arbor Day Impact Fund was created to fill a critical gap in early-stage finance for nature-based solutions. While demand for high quality reforestation is rising, few financing mechanisms exist that can deploy mission-aligned capital into the early stage of project development, when it is needed the most yet hardest to secure. Through the Arbor Day Impact Fund, the Arbor Day Foundation addresses this gap by providing impact-first, catalytic debt and equity investments that prioritise measurable environmental outcomes and demonstrate that reforestation projects can be financed responsibly and at scale.

Alongside the loan, Ponterra and the Arbor Day Foundation have established a partnership that enables the Foundation and its corporate partners to claim tree planting rights from project activities at La Esperanza as part of their own reforestation commitments. The Arbor Day Foundation will also make La Esperanza available to its vast network of corporates for offtake and upfront financing, giving them access to tree planting claims and carbon credits from one of Latin America’s most ambitious reforestation projects.

Since 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has planted over 500 million trees and works with corporate partners to integrate tree planting into sustainability strategies. The Foundation already partners with project developers globally, including Taking Root in Nicaragua, and GreenTrees in the Mississippi River Valley, to connect corporate demand for high-integrity reforestation with credible, scalable projects. The partnership with Ponterra expands this portfolio into Mexico and adds a large-scale native species restoration project with both carbon and biodiversity outcomes.

The transaction follows Ponterra’s recent announcement of a first-of-a-kind biodiversity credit-backed loan from Fondo Nimbus, and reinforces growing investor confidence in Ponterra’s integrated approach to carbon, biodiversity, and community impact. Together, these transactions demonstrate that diverse sources of capital, from impact-first philanthropic finance to outcomes-based investment, can be mobilised into large-scale restoration when underpinned by operational excellence, high integrity project design, and deep community engagement.

About Ponterra

Ponterra is a commercial developer and operator of biodiversity-rich reforestation projects with the mission to restore nature at scale. Ponterra develops high-quality carbon projects that sequester carbon, restore biodiversity, and uplift rural communities through a vertically integrated model that blends ecology, operations, finance, and technology. Ponterra’s portfolio includes large-scale projects in Panama and Mexico, as well as pioneering biodiversity credits as the only ARR project developer selected for Verra’s SD VISta Nature Credit pilot program. For more information, please visit https://ponterra.eco/.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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