sHq_LoGiNz – Page 1586

Latest Study Confirms Shift in ESG for Private Market Investors, However, the Imperative of Sustainability as a Value Driver Remains Strong

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

April 17, 2025 /3BL/ – The latest research from the third ‘State of ESG’ report by Malk Partners (Malk), a company of SLR, surveying Portfolio Companies and General Partners (GP) representing $2.6T in total Assets Under Management (AUM) found sentiment remains strong around delivering on sustainability ambitions, however there is reserved hesitation on ESG given political volatility.

Adoption of foundational ESG programming by portfolio companies and GPs maintains strong momentum, with 99% of survey respondents sharing that they integrate ESG into the investment process with some combination of firm-level ESG accountability, investment ESG diligence, and portfolio stewardship. Nonetheless, the findings reveal a shift in ESG engagement due to political pressure, particularly in the U.S. where a quarter (25%) of GPs may look to scale back their ESG integration efforts, while almost a third (30%) are planning to reduce ESG communication, highlighting the continued influence of anti-ESG sentiment in the political climate.

Despite the retraction of external-facing initiatives, ESG demand by Limited Partners (LP) continue to be a key driver of GP ESG programming (87%). Additionally, many GPs recognize the significant business benefits that can be realized through thoughtful ESG integration, with 41% of GPs citing value creation as a primary motivation for their ESG efforts, while 60% of portfolio companies believe there is potential to capture financial value through ESG.

This notion is further supported by GPs and portfolio companies in their approaches to prioritizing and addressing the challenges of climate and decarbonization. Notably, 58% of GPs and 42% of portfolio companies are now tracking emissions, marking an increase of 9% and 12% from 2023, respectively. While the journey toward achieving ESG-driven value is still evolving, it is evident that underlying sustainability factors are an essential component of success in today’s market.

Anastassia Bougakova, Senior Vice President, Head of Multi-Strategy Advisory & Solutions at Malk says: “Our research indicate that while ESG terminology may continue to shift – with 41% of respondents rebranding away from the ESG acronym – there is significant alignment between LPs, GPs, and portfolio companies on many underlying sustainability value drivers, such as climate resilience, employee wellbeing, and supply chain transparency. GPs continue to integrate ESG data and performance management into their fund-level programming, often at the request of LPs. Meanwhile, private market companies are increasingly seeing sustainability disclosure requests not just from their investors, but from customers, regulators, and employees. No matter what we call it in public discourse, sustainability is becoming synonymous with business resilience and is here to stay.”

For a more detailed analysis of the research, download the full report: https://malk.com/esg-report/

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About Malk Partners

Malk Partners (Malk) is the leading advisor to private market investors for creating and protecting value through environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management and impact investing. Founded in 2009, Malk has supported many of the world’s top alternatives managers – including those in private equity, growth equity, venture capital, and private credit – by helping define ESG goals, achieve meaningful results, and guide portfolio companies in driving value creation and mitigating risks.

In October 2024, Malk was acquired by SLR, a global sustainability consultancy with over 4,500 technical consulting and strategic advisory professionals across Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Canada, North America and Latin America. Combining this global footprint with rich technical expertise and deep strategic knowledge, Malk can leverage expanded capabilities and resources to deliver world-class ESG strategies for its clients. Together, we bring a shared purpose of ‘Making Sustainability Happen,’ supporting businesses and investors across diverse industries and project life cycles.

For more information, please visit: www.malk.com

About SLR

SLR is a leading global environmental and advisory consultancy, with a team of over 4,400 talented professionals operating from a network of offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa. With the purpose of ‘Making Sustainability Happen’, SLR’s ‘One Team’ of environmental and business consultants, engineers and scientists partner with clients throughout their project life-cycle, from strategy and design, through compliance and operations, to end-of-life and remediation.

Working on diverse and challenging projects, SLR specialises in the built environment, finance, industry, infrastructure, mining & minerals, and power & renewables sectors. Operating across more than 45 technical disciplines, SLR staff help a growing base of business, regulatory and government clients navigate the ever-shifting context of sustainable business.

Find out more about SLR: www.slrconsulting.com

Posted in UncategorizedTagged 3BL

FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS AND MAKE-A-WISH HOST FIRST-EVER BAKE-A-WISH CHALLENGE IN HONOR OF WORLD WISH DAY

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

The event brought together top Fairmont chefs and wish alumni to create new signature confections, which will debut on Fairmont menus worldwide

NEW YORK, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Leading luxury hospitality brand Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is continuing its global partnership with Make-A-Wish, collaborating to host the first-ever Bake-A-Wish challenge. The event brought together young Make-A-Wish alumni, former wish recipients with a passion for food and cooking, with three of Fairmont’s top chefs for a friendly culinary showdown at Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.

The bake-off, hosted by content creator and on-camera personality, Melanie Sutrathada, challenged both Make-A-Wish alumni – Roux (18), Theo (9), and Jacqueline (16) – and Fairmont chefs – Chef Nancy Guerrero from Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, Chef Isabel Chung from Fairmont Empress in Victoria, and Chef Eraj Jayawickreme from Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle – to create the world’s most ‘wish worthy’ dessert. Each ‘wish alum’ was paired with a chef to collaborate and share ideas for their dream dessert. From there, the chefs were tasked to create an ultimate sweet treat inspired by their partner, and based off their preferred flavors, textures, colors and toppings. The final three creations will be added to select menus across the global network of 92 Fairmont hotels, giving guests a taste of the dreamy desserts and benefiting Make-A-Wish.

“For more than 115 years, we have been turning moments into special memories for our guests, celebrating their most significant occasions, both big and small. It is incredibly meaningful to us to carry this forward and help make dreams a reality for children facing critical illnesses around the globe, through our partnership with Make-A-Wish,” said Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont. “Now we are excited to bring a little bit of that magic to Fairmont hotels worldwide. This is just one small way we are honoring the amazing things Make-A-Wish does, and the inspiring legacy of World Wish Day. We hope you love these dream-inspired desserts as much as we do!”

The three Make-A-Wish alumni were given a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and passion for food alongside three of the brand’s most talented chefs. The chefs participating in this special event brought their wealth of knowledge and diverse culinary backgrounds to add a rich flavor and depth to the experience. Each pairing was encouraged to dream big to inspire a truly one-of-a-kind dessert.

S’mores Cake

Roux’s love for cooking, special fondness for chocolate and marshmallows, and recent wish trip to New York City inspired Chef Eraj’s special dessert. This creation was about more than just flavor – it was about connection. The graham cracker cake featured decadent, rich chocolate, complemented by a graham cracker-infused crème anglaise and topped with fresh marshmallows made from scratch that were delicately piped and torched tableside, filling the air with a smoky aroma, evoking the treasured moments of sharing s’mores with loved ones under the stars. Chef Eraj crafted this dessert to celebrate both the joy of the moment with Roux and the cherished memories they will carry from the experience.

Coconut Tres Leches with Caramelized Pineapple

Theo found inspiration for his dessert from a cherished family tradition of baking a pineapple upside-down cake with his grandfather, combined with his love for piña colada mocktails, which he enjoyed during a recent trip to Hawaii – part of his wish granted by Make-A-Wish. Chef Nancy crafted a Coconut Tres Leches with Caramelized Pineapple, blending those beloved flavors to create a dessert that would transport Theo back to those joyful memories.

Passionfruit Strawberry Yogurt Cake

Jacqueline’s deep love for strawberries became the heart of Chef Isabel’s creation – a dessert that intertwines flavors inspired by Jacqueline’s Guatemalan heritage. Infused with passionfruit, lychee, and the rich essence of her family’s chocolate production in Guatemala, the result is a Passionfruit Strawberry Yogurt Cake. To add a personal touch, delicate pink and white edible flower petals adorn the cake, a tribute to the colors Jacqueline chose for her Quinceañera, her wish granted by Make-A-Wish. As a heartfelt finishing detail, the dessert is plated on a black dish, symbolizing Jacqueline’s six-month-old Labradoodle.

During the Bake-A-Wish event, Chef Isabel’s Strawberry Yogurt Cake received the highest marks from the host and judges, earning her the winning title of the competition. Though the original intent was to feature only the winning dessert, Fairmont was so wowed by all three creations, and the wish alumni and the stories that inspired them, that the hotels will have the option of featuring any of the three desserts. Launching on World Wish Day, April 29th, Fairmont hotels will select one of the three Bake-A-Wish creations to be offered for a limited time with proceeds donated back to Make-A-Wish. World Wish Day is the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of Make-A-Wish, a day focused on raising awareness and support for granting wishes to children with critical illnesses.

“We are excited to announce our latest partnership with Fairmont, a brand that shares our dedication to creating unforgettable experiences for families,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “It takes an entire community of WishMakers to grant wishes that can be life-changing for everyone involved, and we’re extremely grateful for Fairmont’s support of our mission.”

“Wishes have the power to transform lives, bringing much-needed hope and joy to children facing critical illnesses and their families,” said Luciano Manzo, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish International. “Our partnership with Fairmont enables us to reach more children worldwide, allowing them to experience the lasting impact of a wish.”

Fairmont’s World Wish Day programming is a continuation of the ‘Wishes Start Here‘ program, a global partnership between Fairmont and Make-A-Wish, which made its debut in 2022. The legacy of the partnership extends much longer, however, with more than 20 years of bringing hope, strength, and joy to children around the world by granting wishes together.

Supporting images can be found HERE.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is renowned for the international luxury hospitality brand’s unrivalled portfolio of more than 92 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. From grand hotels to urban retreats, since 1907 Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – renowned addresses such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, Fairmont Doha and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Fairmont hotels are the social epicenters of their cities—iconic gathering places where people, culture, and ideas converge. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,600 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL, a loyalty program and booking platform providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com

About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, having granted more than 615,000 wishes in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 27,000 volunteers around the globe, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. For more information about Make-A-Wish International, visit worldwish.org and for more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

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SOURCE Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

Williams Employees to Volunteer and Complete More Than 100 Projects in Communities Nationwide

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

TULSA, Okla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Williams Employees to Volunteer and Complete More Than 100 Projects in Communities Nationwide

Posted in UncategorizedTagged Business Wire

Driving Business Value: Embracing Circularity

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

This article is authored by Jenelle Shapiro, Sustainability and Circularity Leader, Trane Technologies.

We live in an era where finite materials and critical resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. To ensure the long-term health of our business and a thriving planet, we need to rethink how we leverage our limited resources while reducing our emissions. But how do we achieve that goal? Enter circularity – a system designed to maximize the functional life and value of products and materials while tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.

At Trane Technologies, we’ve embarked on a pioneering journey to build circularity into the core of our business, implementing circular systems throughout our value chain to drive innovation and impact at all levels.

By rethinking traditional design and production processes, we’ll spark the development of new materials and technologies. By expanding our internal systems and external supplier processes for material repurpose and repair, we’ll safeguard the environment and our supply chain. And by integrating circular systems throughout our operations, we’ll create improved business models that deliver long-term value.

A circularity definition

At its highest level, circularity is a system that maintains the value and usability of products, materials and resources for as long as possible while minimizing waste. To achieve this goal, we source products, equipment and materials efficiently and preserve their value to the fullest extent by reusing, redistributing, remanufacturing or recycling.

By embracing circularity, we’re creating a business ecosystem that is both more resilient and less carbon-intensive. The result? A future where the full transition to a circular economy helps scale profitability.

Six key circularity pillars

Our circularity strategy focuses on six key pillars that touch every stage of our value chain, from initial product design to end-of-life.

Sustainable & circular design: We plan for the full equipment lifecycle during the product design stage, creating systems that are easily repaired, refurbished or recycled.
Material selection: As we select materials, we prioritize those with low environmental impact, incentivizing a circular and sustainable supply chain.
Maintain, prolong, share: We keep products and materials in use by maintaining them to extend their useful life while minimizing upgrades and unnecessary replacements.
Reuse, redistribute: We use products and components multiple times for their intended purpose without significant modification, conserving valuable resources.
Remanufacture, repair: Instead of disposal, we return our products or components into good working order by prioritizing upgrades, repairs, refurbishments or replacements of disassembled parts.
Recycle: Whenever possible, we transform our scrap and end-of-life products back into their base materials to reprocess them into new products, minimizing waste and maximizing material quality and value.

Measuring impact: our circularity goals and key performance indicators

Our primary goal is to increase our circularity capabilities throughout the business and reduce embodied carbon in our products and operations. Achieving this will help us reduce waste, conserve resources and create shared value with our customers and suppliers.

These circularity approaches will help us achieve our bold 2030 Sustainability Commitments – specifically our targets to reduce embodied carbon in our products by 40%, increase circularity in our systems design and send zero waste to landfills.

We’ve created several key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help us stay on target, including measuring the use of circular materials, tracking circular services and solutions and quantifying our greenhouse gas emissions impact. These high-level indicators are designed to help teams across our business set their own specific circularity targets to drive a circular transition at deeper levels of the organization.

Walking the walk: our circularity strategies, tools and resources

From design concept to end-of-life, our circularity strategies touch every facet of our value chain. Our core strategies include:

Increasing our ability to integrate circularity considerations during the product design phase, integrating repairability, ability to remanufacture and recyclability from day one
Reducing use of virgin, primary material while increasing and optimizing use of secondary, recycled or renewable alternatives
Incentivizing suppliers and third-party organizations throughout our value chain to reuse, repair and remanufacture whenever possible

To implement these strategies, we’re facilitating cross-functional collaborations within our organization and outside collaborators. Internally, 19 leaders representing every Trane Technologies business and region serve on our Circularity Council, working to align our sustainability goals with our business strategies. Many more participate in our circularity working groups, breaking down silos and barriers across our organization to implement the most impactful activities and business models.

Externally, we’re working with key suppliers to create reverse logistics models and extend their remanufacturing capabilities. In addition, we’re collaborating with industry alliances like the REMADE Institute and the Remanufacturing Industries Council, and engaging with coalitions that facilitate stakeholder and policy engagement, like the Circular Economy Coalition, the World Economic Forum and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

We’re also giving teams across our business concrete tools and resources to make progress and measure their impact. In 2024, we conducted a groundbreaking circularity maturity assessment, evaluating our entire business to assess what we are doing well today and where we want to scale tomorrow. This resource will serve as our baseline, helping us measure our progress.

Innovative new tools, like our Design for Sustainability and Circularity (DfSC) module, will help us leverage design as a mechanism for change. By utilizing the DfSC tool, business teams – including product management, engineering and operations – are expected to make design decisions reflective of both quantifiable and actionable product-level decisions.

Circularity outcomes: reducing emissions for our business and our customers

The circularity work we do around resource efficiency, waste reduction and product life reduces our upstream and downstream Scope 3 emissions as we transition our business to a circular economy. For example, rethinking our product design may reduce our raw material needs. Using scrap waste at our facilities or integrating remanufactured or repaired components into our products decreases reliance on virgin inputs.

Our circularity work also helps our customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions by addressing the indirect emissions throughout the lifecycle of the products they use. For example, equipment containing recycled content, recovered components or remanufactured parts decreases these emissions. Design for durability and repairability helps reduce new material needs. Our support with asset recovery at end-of-life helps minimize disposal emissions.

Implementing these innovative circular systems will require hard work, investment and shifts in both our way of thinking and our business processes. But this hard work will create value in multiple ways. The beauty of circularity is that it’s not an “either/or” proposition: integrating these practices into our core business operations will achieve better environmental and better business outcomes.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged 3BL

MEXC Ventures Launches IgniteX: A $30 Million Initiative to Foster Web3 Talent and Innovation

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC Ventures, the investment arm of the globally leading cryptocurrency exchange MEXC, has announced a $30 million allocation to support Web3 talent and accelerate innovation across the decentralized ecosystem. The investment initiative foresees a 5-year span and is part of the broader Corporate Social Responsibility effort by MEXC Ventures, “IgniteX,” in line with its global strategy of fostering sustainable blockchains through support and empowerment of young talents.

The purpose of the initiative undertaken by MEXC Ventures is to create a launchpad program that will serve as a hotbed for talent nurturing and idea development. The collaboration with Korea University’s Blockchain Research Institute will mark the beginning of the “IgniteX” initiative, with more details to be unveiled in an upcoming official announcement. MEXC will work closely with the institute on blockchain development, academic exchanges, and talent cultivation. MEXC Ventures encourages submissions from early-stage Web3 startups, research initiatives, developer communities, and academic institutions working on decentralized infrastructure, AI-integrated blockchain solutions, stablecoins, and fintech tools. MEXC Ventures aims to include mentorship, educational efforts, and funding as part of the program to create a future-ready blockchain ecosystem, thus ensuring a smooth transition for the next generation of users into Web3 and preparing a willing, enthusiastic, and well-trained pool of leaders to develop it further.

The impact-driven campaign will entail a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach that includes several key elements. The foundation will be the $30 million pledge, which will serve to fund education, project support, and development initiatives. The second part of the campaign will focus on organizing hackathons and developer engagement programs in the form of global events to identify and support emerging talents.

Education will form a major part of the campaign, with university scholarships and blockchain courses offered through partnerships with academic institutions. This step is crucial to making blockchain technologies and the underlying coding and programming languages more accessible to a greater number of potential developers and IT students. Mentorship programs will be launched in tandem to make sure talents have access to adequate training, event participation, and the experience of current Web3 leaders.

Lastly, strategic sector support will be implemented to ensure that funding is provided to promising projects. Special focus will be placed on initiatives developing stablecoins, AI-based solutions, and blockchain infrastructure elements.

As a CSR initiative, “IgniteX” adheres to achieving strategic objectives, which are based on building a pipeline of high-potential Web3 startups with early MEXC involvement for future cultivation and capitalization. This will have a positive impact on brand recognition for MEXC and position it as a strategic and valuable contributor to the development of Web3 space. The campaign will also help foster cross-border collaboration among all participants of the blockchain sector and promote diversity and inclusion based on shared blockchain values.

Through “IgniteX”, MEXC Ventures aims to create an impact on the global Web3 ecosystem by empowering potential future leaders and developers through education and responsible mentorship.

About MEXC Ventures

MEXC Ventures is a comprehensive fund under MEXC dedicated to driving innovation in the cryptocurrency sector through investments in L1/L2 ecosystems, strategic investments, M&A, and incubation. Upholding the principle of “Empowering Growth Through Synergy,” MEXC Ventures is committed to supporting innovative ideas and active builders in crypto.

MEXC Ventures is an investor and supporter of TON and Aptos, and looks forward to staying at the forefront of TON and Aptos innovations while actively engaging with builders to drive ecosystem growth.

For more information, visit: MEXC Ventures Website

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SOURCE MEXC

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

TAILG Shines at the 137th Canton Fair with a Diverse Lineup of Electric Vehicles

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

GUANGZHOU, China, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 15, the 137th Canton Fair opened in Guangzhou, attracting over 31,000 exhibitors and more than 60,000 overseas buyers attending in person. As a leader in electric two- and three-wheelers, TAILG has the largest booth in the industry, featuring 19 innovative models that captured international attention.

At the fair, TAILG showcases models including the Laser Armor Series, Feminine Series, high-speed electric motorcycles, cross-riders, and three-wheelers.

The Laser Armor Series, featuring a dual-headlamp mech design, captures attention with its striking mech aesthetics and cutting-edge technology. Notably, the F52 2025 model is equipped with the industry’s first V6 flat-wire wheel hub motor, integrating new energy technology for stronger power and extended range.

The Feminine Series, represented by the R53, addresses female riders’ daily mobility needs, while the step-through Series (T80PRO, T61L,T72L) offers long-range urban solutions. High-speed models S91PRO and S92PRO, with their mech-inspired aesthetics and exceptional performance, have gained recognition in international markets.

Visitors also experienced intelligent manufacturing and premium test-ride services at the Huizhou base.

On the opening day of the Canton Fair, the company secured key agreements and new orders, boosting its overseas expansion. From the delivery of the electric mobility project in Thailand to the base commissioning in Vietnam, from the office opening in Indonesia to its presence at EICMA 2024, TAILG has established seven global marketing centers, including benchmark markets in Southeast Asia like Vietnam and Indonesia. Facing global trade risks and opportunities, TAILG’s international expansion is steadily progressing.

As a pioneer in long-range electric vehicles, TAILG remains committed to a technology-driven global strategy and the advancement of low-carbon mobility.

Since becoming the UNEP E-Mobility Partner in 2019, TAILG’s international expansion has been highlighted by participation in the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) and a letter of appreciation from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, underscoring the company’s influence in E-Mobility.

About TAILG

TAILG Group was established in Shenzhen, China in 2003. It’s a group company integrating R&D, production, sales of electric two & three-wheelers, as well as the whole industry chain of sharing, charging and switching. TAILG has ten manufacturing bases worldwide with over 15 million units annually, and exports over 90 nations with more than 30,000 stores and served over 45 million consumers.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tailg-shines-at-the-137th-canton-fair-with-a-diverse-lineup-of-electric-vehicles-302431388.html

SOURCE TAILG

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

TACO BELL BRINGS BACK FAN-FAVORITE CHICKEN NUGGETS WITH AMBITIONS TO MAKE CRISPY CHICKEN PERMANENT BY 2026

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Following a sell-out launch and overwhelming fan demand, Crispy Chicken Nuggets return to menus on April 24 with permanent plans in the works

TLDR:

After fan demand sparked a sell-out last December, Crispy Chicken Nuggets return April 24 as the first step in Taco Bell’s plan to add crispy chicken to menus permanently by 2026.
Taco Bell tested over 50+ recipes and flavor combinations to perfect the crispy tortilla-chip breaded coating that makes these nuggets irresistible.
Bold by design, the nuggets are made with tender all-white meat chicken, marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk, complete with a tortilla-crumb coating.
Saucy sidekicks are back, including choice of Hidden Valley™ Fire Ranch Sauce, Bell Sauce, and Jalapeño Honey Mustard, all crafted for maximum dipping moments.
Crispy Chicken Nuggets and epic sauce pairing assets can be found here.

IRVINE, Calif., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets are making a comeback on April 24, after selling out nationwide in December 2024 in less than a week. This time, they’re bringing bigger plans with them. Followed by a menu pipeline of chicken-led innovation, the nugget’s return is the start of Taco Bell’s journey to become a go-to destination for crispy chicken with a permanent mainstay by 2026.

“We’re a taco place doing chicken our own way and like all our best moments, it’s a little unexpected – because we’ve never been about following the rules,” said Taco Bell’s Chief Marketing Officer, Taylor Montgomery. “The demand for our nuggets was off the charts, which is why we’re looking at making crispy chicken permanent to give our fans what they are telling us they want. We know we’re not the usual name in crispy chicken, but our nuggets speak for themselves — they’re bold, different, and unmistakably Taco Bell.”

Crispy Chicken Dominance is Just Heating Up
After testing more than 50+ recipes and flavor combinations, Taco Bell perfected the crispy tortilla-chip breaded coating that’s set to join menus permanently in 2026. With new forms and sauce pairings in the works all year long, fans can expect even more craveable drops ahead, including a sweet and spicy collab with Mike’s Hot Honey®, coming later this year. As 95% of innovations from the Taco Bell test kitchen feature chicken as the premier protein, Taco Bell’s chicken dominance is becoming undeniable. From the Cantina Chicken Menu to tests like Chicken Al Pastor Street Chalupas, everyone’s favorite taco place is suddenly becoming everyone’s favorite chicken place.

Fueled by Cravings, Powered by Fans
Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken has already earned global acclaim as a top-selling menu item, and the nationwide US debut proved to be just as iconic. During the initial run, roughly 5 million Americans turned to Taco Bell to satisfy their crispy chicken cravings. The response was overwhelming—almost 1 in 6 orders included Crispy Chicken Nuggets, leading to a nationwide sell-out in under a week. Message received: a taco joint can do chicken, too.

From day one, Taco Bell fans made it clear that the Crispy Chicken Nuggets were a “delish” smash hit. As many fans were left without the savory tortilla-chip coated goodness, the cultural obsession only grew as those desperate for nuggets demanded (even dreamt of) a comeback. That dream became reality at Live Más LIVE, where Taco Bell surprised superfans with the big reveal: Crispy Chicken Nuggets are making their return. And this is just the beginning—a bold new crispy chicken era is on the horizon.

Crispy Chicken Nuggets: Dip, Dunk, Devour
Fans know these aren’t the run of the mill nuggets. They’re built to defy expectations with every bite. Made with tender all-white meat chicken, Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets are marinated in a zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor, breaded with a blend of breadcrumbs and crispy tortilla chips. First introduced as a bold remix on a comfort classic, they became a sell-out sensation, delivering unmatched flavor and texture with a crisp so mouthwatering, it’s confusingly good that they’re from Taco Bell.

Fans have a handful of ways to enjoy their nugget experience.

Crispy Chicken Nuggets a la carte:
- 5-piece nugget + 1 dipping sauce: $3.99*
- 10-piece nugget + 2 dipping sauces: $6.99*
Crispy Chicken Nuggets Combo: Complete your meal with an order of regular Nacho Fries, nacho cheese sauce, and a large fountain drink.
- 5-piece nugget combo + 1 dipping sauce: $5.99*
- 10-piece nugget combo + 2 dipping sauces: $8.99*

Nuggets need the perfect sauce pairing—and fans made their favorite loud and clear. Hidden Valley™ Fire Ranch Sauce is back by popular demand after becoming the top-selected sauce for crispy chicken orders during the first run. It leads the returning trio from last year’s introduction alongside the tangy Bell Sauce and bold Jalapeño Honey Mustard, offering a crave-worthy lineup to elevate every dunk.

After dipping and dunking in their sauce of choice, fans can mail in their used, empty dipping cups throughout the month of April to earn 80 bonus Taco Bell Rewards points. Thanks to Taco Bell’s Sauce Container US Recycling Program partnership with TerraCycle®**, hundreds of thousands of used sauce packets and single-use sauce containers have been collected.

Keep an eye on social and LinkedIn to see how the crispy chicken craze comes to life.

About Taco Bell Corp.
For more than 62 years, Taco Bell has brought innovative, craveable Mexican-inspired food to the masses, and was recently recognized as one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, one of TIME’s Most Influential Companies, and Nation’s Restaurant News’ Brand Icon. For more information about Taco Bell, visit our website at www.TacoBell.com, our Newsroom at www.TacoBell.com/news, or check out www.TacoBell.com/popular-links. You can also stay up to date on all things Taco Bell by following us on LinkedIn, TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook and by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

*At participating locations for a limited time only, while supplies last. Contact restaurant for prices, hours and participation, which vary. Taxes extra. Prices higher with delivery. In combos and boxes, drinks exclude freezes.

**US only. Earn 80 Bonus Reward points when you recycle your used, empty sauce packets, sauce dipping cups, 2 oz souffle cups/lids, and coffee creamer pods with TerraCycle from 4/1/2025 – 4/30/2025 through 11:59 PM PST. (Taco Bell and any other brands accepted). Rewards members must use their Taco Bell Rewards account email address when they recycle on the TerraCycle site in order to receive the bonus points. 80 Bonus Points will only be rewarded one time per Taco Bell Rewards account regardless of the quantity of packets being recycled. Bonus Points will be reflected in Taco Bell Rewards account around mid-May 2025. No cash value. Taco Bell Rewards program is available at participating US locations and subject to terms and conditions. https://www.tacobell.com/terracycle.

Ronald Quintero – Taco Bell Corp.
Ronald.Quintero@yum.com

Rosie Herzog – Edelman
Rosie.Herzog@edelman.com

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SOURCE Taco Bell Corp.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

Connecticut Businesses Making Waves in Offshore Wind Sector

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

The nation’s first regional offshore wind supply chain study shows more than 50 state companies contributing to active projects — with over 450 identified as having strong potential

GROTON, Conn., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Connecticut Wind Collaborative (CWC) today released the nation’s first regional offshore wind supply chain study, “Connecticut Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment: Opportunities and Collaborative Efforts in the Northeast.”

Initiated by the Wind Collaborative and produced by Xodus Group in collaboration with The Pew Charitable Trusts, the report shows Connecticut businesses are an integral part of the offshore wind energy industry, and that the region has hundreds more businesses with the potential to benefit from growth in the sector. The assessment outlines steps decision makers can take to attract more offshore wind jobs and investment in the area.

“This report proves what we have been seeing for a long time; Connecticut businesses are an important link in the offshore wind supply chain and that translates into business growth and more jobs,” said Kristin Urbach, executive director of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative. “We are committed to working with our partners to implement the study’s recommendations, ensuring that Connecticut and the region capitalize on this tremendous opportunity and achieve our clean energy goals.”

The assessment highlights that more than 50 Connecticut companies are already contributing to active offshore wind projects and port infrastructure development. An additional 450 companies have strong potential to enter the sector, with more than 130 possessing either previous offshore wind experience or applicable expertise needed in the offshore wind supply chain.

“As this study makes clear, this new, domestic, sustainable energy industry is already providing jobs for Connecticut’s skilled workers and represents opportunities for many more,” said Gov. Ned Lamont. “We need more energy production, and offshore wind should be allowed to scale up to increase domestic energy sources while driving growth in manufacturing and construction.”

The state’s strategic investment in port infrastructure, notably the $310 million upgrade to the New London State Pier Terminal, has created an East Coast hub for staging and marshaling offshore wind projects in the Northeast.

The report underscores the critical role of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative in fostering regional collaboration to address industry challenges, pursue opportunities, and drive economic growth across the Northeast.

The full report is available here.

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SOURCE Connecticut Wind Collaborative

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

27.81%! LONGi Refreshes the World Record for the Efficiency of Monocrystalline Silicon Cells Again

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

XI’AN, China, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 11th, LONGi announced at its Wuhu base in Anhui Province, China: Through the authoritative certification of the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) in Germany, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of its independently developed Hybrid Interdigitated-Back-Contact (HIBC) crystalline silicon solar cell has reached 27.81%, pushing the exploration of the limits of monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells to a new height.

In November 2022, LONGi set a world record for the conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon cells at 26.81%. And then, LONGi increased this record to 27.3% in May 2024, and successively broke through 27.4%, 27.52%, and 27.63%, reaching 27.81%.

The HIBC cell, which independently developed through reconstructing the cell structure and material system by the Central Research Institute of LONGi, has achieved a dual breakthrough in optical management and carrier transport efficiency, opening a new path for improving the power density of photovoltaic modules.

PV innovation not only requires breaking through the limits of technology，but also anchoring long-term value in the fog of uncertainties. As a world-leading solar technology company, LONGi leads the development of the photovoltaic industry with independent innovation and original technologies. The HPBC2.0 technology and forward-looking R&D have achieved continuous breakthroughs based on this. At the same time, the conditions for the large-scale development of BC technology are mature, and the advanced manufacturing model of the lighthouse factory is being rapidly promoted. This breaking of the world record for the conversion efficiency of monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells not only verifies LONGi’s ability to focus on value creation and industrial progress driven, but also reflects the company’s ambition to achieve global energy transformation and energy equity.

About LONGi

Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world’s leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.

Under its mission of ‘making the best of solar energy to build a green world’, LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established several business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers, cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has, more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com

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SOURCE LONGi Solar

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

Cascale’s Higg FEM Reveals Opportunities for Low-Carbon Transition in Vietnam

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and Oakland, Calif., April 17, 2025 /3BL/ – Issued today, the “Vietnam Country Report: Macroeconomic, Socioeconomic, and Industry Analysis” report, developed by Cascale with support from the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), highlights the evolving macroeconomic landscape, sustainability challenges facing apparel and footwear manufacturing, and the rapid expansion of the consumer goods market in Vietnam. A strong economic outlook coupled with bold sustainability initiatives reveals a country poised to play a crucial role in global decarbonization efforts, even as tariffs threaten to put 5.5% of Vietnam’s GDP at risk and raise prices for American consumers (New York Times, April 6). Tariffs and other key topics impacting Vietnam will be on the agenda at the Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City on May 14-15, as Cascale members and non-members alike – including manufacturers, leading brands, service providers, and supply chain partners – come together for an immersive event to address urgent sustainability challenges and opportunities.

The report includes critical analysis of data from Cascale’s Higg Facility Environment Module (FEM) tool, exclusively available on Worldly. It is the first in a series of actionable reports filtering Higg FEM insights through a regional lens.

In 2023, over 1,200 verified Higg FEM submissions showed coal exacerbates carbon emissions in the region: 12% of apparel and footwear facilities use coal for energy, while 94% rely on electricity purchased from Vietnam’s coal-dependent grid. Although renewable energy accounts for less than 2% of the sector’s energy use, the analysis underscores opportunities for transformation to a low-carbon economy, including through the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR) developed by Cascale and Aii.

The report shows Vietnam can couple growth with sustainable manufacturing. Vietnam’s economy is expected to grow by 6.5% in 2025, outpacing regional peers. The manufacturing sector continues to be a key driver, contributing 23.88% to GDP in 2023. Additionally, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains robust, reaching US$31.4 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, signaling investor confidence in Vietnam’s economic resilience. Employing around three million workers and generating an estimated US$71 billion in export revenues for 2024, the apparel and footwear sector is a vital component of Vietnam’s economy but faces significant sustainability challenges, including high energy consumption and carbon emissions. With commitments in place for a 65-70% increase in renewable energy by 2045 – reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a projected 70-80% – Vietnam is committed to supply chain decarbonization, in line with the IDR.

The report brings Cascale and Aii’s IDR into focus as a potential solution. By uniting manufacturers, brands, retailers, and stakeholders around shared goals, the IDR emphasizes collective accountability and pre-competitive collaboration to accelerate systemic change across the supply chain. With a science-based target of reducing supply chain emissions by 45% by 2030, the IDR drives measurable progress through various interventions, solutions, and programs. The IDR ensures resources are targeted, so low-carbon sourcing and other benefits can be realized. This means prioritizing action in the 10% of facilities across the textile and apparel supply chain – including some in Vietnam – that account for over 80% of global manufacturing emissions. By aligning with these initiatives, facilities in Vietnam can play a pivotal role in the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

“This isn’t merely about compliance—it’s about long-term competitiveness,” said Colin Browne, Cascale CEO. “Brands increasingly prefer suppliers who meet robust sustainability standards. Manufacturers investing in sustainability today will secure long-term brand partnerships tomorrow.”

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

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