Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Large-Scale Carbon Capture

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

A new study conducted by SolAbility examines – while simultaneously creating sustainable materials and economic opportunity.

We are currently seeing temperatures on a global scale that were not experienced in the last 125’000 years; CO2 concentration is higher than at any point in the last 3 million years. We urgently need to remove 10 billion tonnes of CO2 annually to limit warming to a somewhat acceptable level.

Current carbon removal technologies face severe limitations: Direct Air Capture costs $600-1,000 per tonne and requires massive energy inputs – and is, after more than 20 years of heavily subsidised research, still in its infancy. Nature-based solutions like forests take decades to mature and remain vulnerable to fire and disease. Hemp biochar offers something different: a solution that works with today’s technology, creates permanent carbon storage, and generates revenue rather than just costs.

Hemp is an highly undemanding crop, does not need fertiliser and is resistant against pest and fungi. It grows in all climates, and reaches heights of up to 4 meters in only 100 days, absorbing 8-22 tons of CO2 per hectare in the process. We already have the technologies (pyrolysis) to produce biochar, construction materials, and textiles from hemp, meaning hemp carbon sequestration could start immediately.

The goal of this study is to examine the feasibility of using hemp to remove the 10 billion tons of CO2 required to keep global heating at an acceptable level. The key findings include:

  • Using ~10 billion meadows/grazing land would allow to grow enough hemp to absorb 10 billion toned of CO2 per annum
  • Deployment to achieve this scale would require 10 years
  • Total capital investment requirements (including agricultural measurements, transport, processing, R&D) would require U$ 4.8 trillion distributed over 10 years
  • Hemp carbon sequestration is 10x cheaper than DACCS ($45 vs $600/tCO2)
  • Hemp co-products offset costs (even with price collapse due to increased supply): hemp products could create a market worth several trillion dollars by 2025
  • Yield per hectare of hemp crop: 3-4 tonnes of biochar for permanent carbon sequestration and soil improvement; 2.5-3.5 tonnes of fibre for textiles and composite materials worth $800-2,000 per tonne; and 3.5-5 tonnes of hurds for construction materials and insulation worth $200-500 per tonne
  • Global deployment of hemp biochar as carbon removal would create 100-150 million jobs globally (taking into account job replacement in agriculture, construction material and textile industries) – one of the largest job creation programs in history. These jobs would primarily benefit rural communities in developing countries where employment is most desperately needed.
  • Overall pay-back time of the investments is expected to occur after 11 years under the most conservative scenario, and less then 3 years in the most optimistic case
  • Low energy requirements (feasible with current grid infrastructure)

Hemp biochar represents more than a climate solution – it’s an opportunity to demonstrate that environmental restoration and economic development can align. By creating value from carbon removal, generating employment for millions, and producing sustainable materials for the growing bio-economy, this approach offers a pathway to both climate stability and shared prosperity.

The full article and report can be accessed here.

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embecta Announces Major New Commitment to Direct Relief on World Diabetes Day

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif., November 14, 2025 /3BL/ – On World Diabetes Day, embecta Corp. (NASDAQ: EMBC), the largest manufacturer of insulin injection devices in the world, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Direct Relief, the leading humanitarian aid organization and largest charitable insulin provider in the United States.

In 2022, embecta was spun off from Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), and BD-branded pen needles and insulin syringes became part of the embecta portfolio. In 2025, the packaging was updated in North America from the BD brand to the embecta brand, and there was a significant opportunity to donate the injection devices that carried the previous brand to those most in need. Following the packaging transition across North America, embecta has donated approximately 15 million units of pen needles and insulin syringes to Direct Relief. Through 2026, embecta and Direct Relief.will continue their partnership to provide pen needle and insulin syringe access to those in most need across the globe.

This major commitment represents embecta’s largest humanitarian partnership since becoming an independent company and will support Direct Relief’s comprehensive diabetes programs serving vulnerable populations both domestically and internationally.

“As we mark World Diabetes Day, embecta is proud to deepen our commitment to ensuring that everyone living with diabetes—regardless of their ability to pay or where they live—has access to the supplies they need,” said Dev Kurdikar, Chief Executive Officer, embecta. “Since becoming an independent company, we have focused on empowering people with diabetes while paving the way for a life unlimited for all. This partnership with Direct Relief helps extend that mission to those who need it most.” 

Supporting Underserved Patients Nationwide 

embecta’s donation will significantly expand Direct Relief’s ability to serve uninsured and low-income patients with diabetes through the Safety Net Support Program. Direct Relief partners with more than 1,600 community health centers and free and charitable clinics across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, serving more than 36 million patients—including one in five of America’s uninsured.

Through this program, embecta’s diabetes products, including syringes, pen needles, and diabetes management supplies, will reach patients who cannot afford insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid, ensuring they have consistent, uninterrupted access to the tools essential for managing their diabetes.

“Direct Relief welcomes embecta’s extraordinary commitment to expanding diabetes care access,” said Amy Weaver, CEO, Direct Relief. “We are one of the largest charitable insulin providers worldwide and in the U.S., and embecta’s support will help us impact thousands of lives—from children with Type 1 diabetes through our support of the international Life for a Child program to increasing access for underserved patients at safety net clinics nationwide.”

Global Impact: Supporting Children and Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Internationally, embecta’s products support Direct Relief’s partnership with Life for a Child, which provides life-sustaining diabetes care to children and young people with Type 1 diabetes in resource-limited countries. Direct Relief has supported Life for a Child since 2011 and currently helps provide care to more than 53,000 children and young people with Type 1 diabetes in 45 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Through Direct Relief’s Global Diabetes Partnership with the International Diabetes Federation, embecta’s donated pen needles and syringes support people living with diabetes in more than 30 countries experiencing crises or facing significant gaps in healthcare access.

Most recently, in collaboration with Direct Relief, embecta donated 2.7 million insulin needles and syringes to support an upcoming humanitarian response campaign in Sudan. This campaign is organized by the Sudanese Diabetes Federation and other regional charitable stakeholders. The donation highlights embecta’s and Direct Relief’s shared commitment to providing life-saving diabetes care in regions affected by humanitarian crises.

Empowering Young People Through Diabetes Education

embecta’s commitment also extends to Direct Relief’s support of the Diabetes Education & Camping Association’s (DECA) network and diabetes camps nationwide. These camps provide children and young adults with diabetes with the opportunity to learn diabetes management skills, build confidence, and connect with peers while enjoying outdoor activities in a medically supervised environment. embecta’s past donations of pen needles, insulin syringes, sharps containers, and other essential supplies ensure these life-changing camp experiences can continue serving thousands of young people each year.

Emergency Response and Ongoing Support

The partnership includes continued emergency response capabilities, building on embecta’s July 2025 grant of $25,000 to Direct Relief for Texas storm and flood relief. This ensures that people with diabetes receive uninterrupted care even during natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

The Diabetes Crisis

According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than 537 million people worldwide are living with diabetes—a number projected to reach 783 million by 2045. In the United States, approximately 38 million Americans have diabetes, yet access to affordable care and supplies remains a critical challenge, particularly for uninsured and underinsured populations. Diabetes is responsible for 6.7 million deaths worldwide annually, with mortality rates directly correlated to economic stability and healthcare access.

About embecta

embecta is a global company that is advancing its 100-year legacy in insulin delivery to become a broad-based medical supplies company, helping to improve lives through innovative solutions, partnerships, and the passion of approximately 2,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit embecta.com or follow our social channels on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Direct Relief

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 U.S. states and more than 90 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or disasters—without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. Direct Relief is nongovernmental, nonsectarian, and not-for-profit. As the largest charitable insulin provider in the United States, Direct Relief operates the largest charitable medicine program in the country and is the first U.S. nonprofit accredited to distribute prescription medications in all 50 states. Recipient of the 2025 Seoul Peace Prize, Direct Relief is ranked by Forbes as the fifth-largest U.S. charity and maintains a perfect 100% rating from Charity Navigator. For more information, visit www.directrelief.org.

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LEOTEK Showcases Intelligent Sustainable Infrastructure at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), Driving the Global Net-Zero Transition

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LEOTEK participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), presenting its innovations at the Digital Innovation Pavilion organized by the Taiwan Climate Partnership within the Blue Zone. Ewing Liu, Chief of Staff and Vice President of Sales at LEOTEK’s U.S. headquarters, delivered a keynote speech titled “Lighting the Net-Zero Path: Global Practices in Intelligent Sustainable Infrastructure,” sharing how the company applies technology to help cities move toward a net-zero and sustainable future.


Online : Ewing Liu, Chief of Staff & Vice President of Sales, LEOTEK Electronics USA LLC; Left 1 : Luis Neves, CEO, Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI); Left 2 : Nivaldo Gagliardo, Vice President of Operations, ADATA Technology Co., Ltd.; Left 3 : Alex L. J. Shyy, Deputy Secretary General, International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF); Right 2 : Phoebe Chen, Founder, Taiwan Green Energy for Charity Association.

The forum, themed “Prosper and Innovate: Digital Empowerment for Environmental Coexistence,” was moderated by Luis Neves, CEO of the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI). It focused on how digital innovation can foster cross-sector collaboration to build a resilient and sustainable future. Held in Belém, Brazil, COP30 centers around the “Action Agenda,” highlighting six key pillars: urban resilience and infrastructure, energy and transport transition, biodiversity, food systems, just transition, and finance mechanisms, emphasizing the shift from commitment to action.

Within this context, LEOTEK’s vision of intelligent sustainable infrastructure integrates smart mobility, ecological lighting, and AI-driven data management technologies, addressing COP30’s core agenda on “urban resilience and infrastructure.” “We believe lighting is where technology meets ecology,” said Liu. “Through the integration of AI, IoT, and optical science, we help more than 300 cities build safer, smarter, and more nature-friendly urban networks.”

LEOTEK has long been committed to integrating lighting technology with ecological conservation. As early as 2014, the company introduced amber coastal lighting in Florida, USA, to reduce artificial light disturbance on sea turtle nesting and feeding, initiating global practices for eco-friendly lighting environments. It later launched the ECOridge Ecological Lighting Technology, granted a patent and designed with an ecological perspective integrating spectral control, intelligent environmental sensing, and the LEOLink RenAI: AI-powered Central Management System. The innovation was honored with the Edison Awards (USA), establishing LEOTEK as a global leader in sustainable roadway lighting.

Since 2023, LEOTEK has collaborated with Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) to advance the “Light Up Taiwan: Eco-Friendly Lighting Environment Project.” The initiative uses low-blue-light spectra and precise optics to reduce light pollution affecting fireflies and coastal species such as sea turtles. In 2024, the company expanded its efforts to the conservation of the endemic Matsu firefly (Rhagophthalmus ohbai), improving lighting conditions for population recovery and habitat restoration, demonstrating technology’s role in supporting ecological resilience.

LEOTEK also leverages the LEOLink RenAI: AI-powered Central Management System to analyze data and optimize lighting performance, creating a comprehensive solution that connects ecological design with smart governance. Currently, the Light Up Taiwan project covers 12 of the 45 ecological green corridors across Taiwan, advancing cross-regional biodiversity management. The technology is also being expanded to North, Central, and South America to establish demonstration projects for eco-lighting and international collaboration, continuing the vision of “net-zero and coexistence” worldwide.

At the same time, LEOTEK’s Interlux AI Traffic Signal System has been deployed across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, reducing carbon emissions while enhancing urban mobility efficiency, achieving both smarter traffic flow and lower emissions.

Watch Ewing Liu’s COP30 “Prosper” session presentation:

https://www.youtube.com/live/cQXaYWfxZxA?si=2YE_F50-tr4YSuu8 

About LEOTEK

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, USA, and Taipei, Taiwan, LEOTEK is a global leader in AI-driven smart traffic and sustainable lighting solutions. Since its founding in 1992, LEOTEK has served more than 30 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania, providing integrated infrastructure solutions that combine AI, IoT sensing, and predictive maintenance technologies. Guided by the vision of Intelligent Sustainable Infrastructure, LEOTEK continues to transform cities worldwide toward a safer, greener, and net-zero future.

Learn more: leotek.com  | www.linkedin.com/company/leotek-electronics-usa-corp

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SOURCE Leotek corporation

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How Trane Technologies' Rebecca Verdon Inspires Innovation and Community Through Sustainable Packaging

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Packaging Engineer, Rebecca Verdon, is making a difference at work and in the world by designing innovative packaging solutions and inspiring a more sustainable community.

Since joining Trane Technologies nearly two years ago, Rebecca Verdon has found more than just her first job – she’s discovered a place where she’s empowered to grow while uplifting others. Today, she’s boldly challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world… and, like the packaging engineer action figure she created, she’s doing it in steel-toe boots.

With a focus on sustainable design and rigorous testing, Rebecca’s role is one of precision, safety, collaboration and out-the-box (pun intended) thinking. She takes pride in ensuring that Trane Technologies’ products reach customers as safely and sustainably as possible.

WATCH: How Rebecca Guides Innovation and Sustainability as a Packaging Engineer

Joining a culture of sustainability and support

Rebecca was drawn to Trane Technologies because of its reputation for bold sustainability leadership. “Sustainability really drove me to come work at Trane Technologies. I was excited to bring packaging sustainability to a company whose products are already sustainable,” she says.

But our values around people and culture were just as important to her decision.

Turning curiosity into action

That sense of belonging and empowerment gave Rebecca the platform to explore new ideas, drive change and explore alternative solutions to greener packaging. She even took the initiative to reach out to colleagues in the sustainability department with a bold idea: creating a CO2 tracking tool for packaging.

This proactive mindset led her to the Sustainability Ambassador Network, where she found a community as passionate as she is about embedding sustainability into all business areas. “The Sustainability Ambassador Network is full of people excited about sustainability. There are so many opportunities to learn and understand how sustainability impacts different parts of our business,” she explains.

Empowering the next generation

Rebecca’s passion for sustainability is matched by her drive to inspire others, which is why she extends her support to the Women’s Business Resource Group, which is open to all employees. Here, she helps host events to connect people in the Trane Technologies’ community, facilitating encouragement, professional growth and camaraderie.

Rebecca also takes the time to regularly mentor new hires and interns, helping them navigate the packaging engineering space and encouraging them to bring forward their own sustainability ideas. What’s more, she’s equally committed to inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in sustainability-focused engineering, even going so far as to create her own packaging engineer action figure – complete with steel-toe boots, pink safety glasses and a recycling bin.

Living our purpose, one package at a time

Rebecca’s story is an admirable example of how sustainability, creativity and community come together at Trane Technologies. Her work helps us deliver on our bold 2030 Sustainability Commitments while fostering an inclusive culture where all employees feel empowered to lead.

In this way, Rebecca isn’t just designing packaging that protects our products, she’s building a career that helps protect our planet. “Now that I’m here, there are so many opportunities for me,” she says. “I could keep on the technical route and become a lead packaging engineer, or I could go into management. I’m excited for my future.”

Rebecca isn’t the only one excited for her future; we’re all looking forward to seeing what she does next.

Explore careers that make a difference at Trane Technologies.

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Smoky Night Lights Now Open at Zoo Knoxville

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Awe-Inspiring 360° Music and Light Spectacle Transforms the Smokies After Dark

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As daylight fades over Zoo Knoxville, the landscape transforms into a radiant celebration of nature with the debut of Smoky Night Lights, now open for the winter season. This awe-inspiring 360° immersive show invites guests to see the Smokies in a bold new way, through a mesmerizing display of music, light, and projection that captures the energy and spirit of the Appalachian wilderness.

Set within a natural amphitheater, guests are surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. The Timber Loop, once an undeveloped ravine, now takes center stage as a radiant boardwalk where breathtaking vistas, shifting light and an ambient harmony create beautiful perspectives of the mountain landscape.

Guests discover the changing seasons, from the awakening of a spring dawn, summer’s golden abundance, to the beauty of an autumn sunset and the quiet mystery of winter. Each part of the show unfolds like nature itself—calm and soothing, then vibrant and full of life—reflecting the distinct seasons of the Smokies.

Music is a driving force, immersing visitors in a dynamic soundscape where nature and melody converge. Created in collaboration with regional artists, it captures the unique essence of Appalachian culture. The result is an emotional, multi-sensory show celebrating the rhythm and spirit of East Tennessee as grand and dynamic as the mountains themselves.

“Smoky Night Lights is unlike anything Knoxville or East Tennessee has seen before,” said Bill Street, President & CEO of Zoo Knoxville. “Guests are going to love seeing Zoo Knoxville in a whole new light. The new Timber Loop transforms a previously unused six-acre area into a burst of energy and color. Guests will also enjoy seasonal food, curated cocktails, and local entertainment to make their entire evening at the Zoo more memorable.”

Created by internationally acclaimed entertainment studio Moment Factory, Smoky Night Lights is a one-of-a-kind production that merges artistry, technology, and nature. With over 550 multimedia experiences produced worldwide, this marks the studio’s first-ever outdoor collective show designed for a natural amphitheater and experienced from multiple perspectives.

“We are incredibly proud to be part of this groundbreaking project,” said Mathieu Grainger, Producer at Moment Factory. “Designing this show for Zoo Knoxville’s natural amphitheater allowed us to capture the Smokies’ beauty in a way that feels both majestic and intimate—a place where wonder unfolds all around you.”

Smoky Night Lights runs nightly throughout the winter season at Zoo Knoxville. Guests are encouraged to arrive early or stay after the show to enjoy seasonal food, specialty cocktails, and live local entertainment, extending their evening experience.

Link to visuals is here.

For showtimes and tickets, visit zooknoxville.org.

About Zoo Knoxville
Zoo Knoxville is a nonprofit conservation organization working to protect wildlife in the Smoky Mountains and around the world. From critical conservation efforts for native red wolves to species-survival programs for endangered red pandas, Zoo Knoxville connects people to the natural world and inspires action to protect it. An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the zoo upholds the highest standards in animal care, ethics, education, and conservation science. Located on 53 wooded acres just east of downtown Knoxville, the zoo is open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; guests can confirm hours and purchase tickets in advance at zooknoxville.org.

About Moment Factory
Moment Factory is a multidisciplinary entertainment studio that sparks human connections in the most innovative ways through Custom Experiences and Original ticketed attractions. Its team combines specializations in video, lighting, architecture, sound, interactivity and special effects to create remarkable experiences. Headquartered in Montreal, the studio also has addresses in Tokyo, Paris, New York City and Singapore. Since its inception in 2001, Moment Factory has created more than 550 unique projects worldwide, including the Lumina Night Walks, The Messi Experience and several projects at Sphere in Las Vegas. Productions include such clients as Universal Studios, Billie Eilish, FIFA, Disney, Olivia Rodrigo, Microsoft, Sony, and Changi Airport Group. momentfactory.com

Media Contact:
Kristy Chase Tozer | Kristy@theRumbleBuzz.com
RumbleBuzz Marketing + Communications

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SOURCE Zoo Knoxville

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Stora Enso initiates a strategic review of its Central European sawmills and building solutions operations (Inside information)

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STORA ENSO OYJ INSIDE INFORMATION 14 November 2025 at 10:31 EET

HELSINKI, Nov. 14, 2025/PRNewswire/ — Stora Enso is initiating a strategic review of its Central European sawmills and building solutions operations. The review, to be carried out in 2026, will cover one business unit of Wood Products business area, including seven sawmills in Austria, Czechia, Poland, and Lithuania, and further processing units with three cross-laminated-timber (CLT) mills, as well as wood procurement, and international sales and distribution operations. Whilst the business in scope has a strong position in an attractive market, it does not bring strategic or operational synergies for Stora Enso’s core renewable packaging operations.

In the strategic review, different scenarios will be assessed for the business and assets in scope, including the possibility to divest the business, to strengthen Stora Enso’s strategic focus on renewable materials and packaging. The synergetic sawmills in Northern Europe, including further processing operations, in Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Latvia are not part of the assessment, and this part of the business remains strategically important to Stora Enso going forward.

Stora Enso is the largest sawn wood producer in Europe and a world leader in providing sustainable wood-based building solutions, including the advanced CLT elements, for the global construction industry. The seven sawmills under the review have a production capacity of about 3 million m³ and offer an extensive range of sawn products and mass timber components. This entity represents approximately 50% of the Wood Products segment’s sales. In recent years, Stora Enso has developed industry leading building solutions, providing innovative concepts, services and a comprehensive portfolio of products to support low-carbon construction.

Stora Enso plans to provide an update on this strategic review in 2026. In the meantime, operations will continue as usual, with an ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, competitive products and services to customers.

All possible changes are subject to co-determination negotiations and other potential legal procedures in all impacted countries.

Webcast Friday 14 November at 13.30 EET / 12.30 CET

Stora Enso will organise a webcast for analysts, investors and media regarding today’s announcements today at 13.30 EET / 12.30 CET. The webcast can be accessed at https://stora-enso-call-november-2025.open-exchange.net/.

For further information, please contact: 

Hanna Rutanen
SVP Communications
tel. +358 41 507 1361

Investor enquiries:

Jutta Mikkola
SVP Investor Relations
tel. +358 50 544 6061

The forest is at the heart of Stora Enso, and we believe that everything made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. We are the leading provider of renewable products in packaging, biomaterials, and wooden construction, and one of the largest private forest owners in the world. In 2024, Stora Enso had approximately 19,000 employees, and the Group sales were EUR 9 billion. Stora Enso’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm AB (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA OTC Markets (OTCQX) as ADRs and ordinary shares (SEOAY, SEOFF, SEOJF). storaenso.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/stora-enso-oyj/r/stora-enso-initiates-a-strategic-review-of-its-central-european-sawmills-and-building-solutions-oper,c4267133

The following files are available for download:

 

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SOURCE Stora Enso Oyj

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Kia Marks Milestone with Establishment of Future PBV Production Hub in Korea

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  • Kia holds ceremony for completion of Hwaseong EVO Plant East and groundbreaking for EVO Plant West at AutoLand Hwaseong
  • Customized vehicle production and eco-friendly technologies adopted, to establish Hyundai Motor Group’s first PBV production hub
  • Kia to invest KRW 4 trillion in approximately 297,000 square-meter
    site to secure combined annual production capacity of 250,000 PBV units
  • 100,000 PV5 units to be annually produced at EVO Plant East, and 150,000 PV7 and other PBV units at EVO Plant West
  • Kia to establish centralized production base in Korea to support global expansion of its PBV business 
  • Launch of PBV Conversion Center for co-development of specialized PBV models with strategic partners, fostering a collaborative PBV ecosystem

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kia Corporation today celebrated the completion of its dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) facility, the Hwaseong EVO Plant East and the breaking of ground for the EVO Plant West, a large-scale PBV production facility in Korea.


Kia Marks Milestone with Establishment of Future PBV Production Hub in Korea.

The ceremony was held at Kia’s AutoLand Hwaseong plant, located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The event was attended by around 200 guests, including Min-seok Kim, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea; Shinhak Moon, Vice Minister of Trade Industry and Resources (MOTIR) of the Republic of Korea; Dong Yeon Kim, Governor of Gyeonggi Province; Myeong-geun Jeong, Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, and local National Assembly members.

From Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) key executives in attendance included Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Ho Sung Song, Kia President and Global CEO; Sung Kim, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Strategic Planning Division; and Chang Song, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Advanced Vehicle Planning (AVP) Division.  

To support construction of the PBV-dedicated facilities – including the newly completed EVO Plant East and the EVO Plant West, scheduled for operation in 2027 – Kia has secured a site of 296,882 square meters and is investing approximately KRW 4 trillion in infrastructure and research and development.

Leveraging a combined annual capacity of 250,000 units, Kia plans to position the Hwaseong EVO Plant (East and West) as a future strategic hub to drive the global expansion of the company’s PBV business.

Min-seok Kim, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, said in his congratulatory remarks, “I am delighted to take part in the completion ceremony for Kia’s Hwaseong EVO Plant East and the groundbreaking ceremony for EVO Plant West. We will usher in a new era of innovation in future mobility together with the automotive industry, embracing new challenges including electrification, autonomous driving, and AI.”

Ho Sung Song, Kia President and Global CEO said, “Kia is leveraging the electrification of light commercial vehicles as a key opportunity to position PBVs as a core future business. As we continue our journey toward sustainable future mobility, Kia remains committed to becoming a trusted partner in building a better future for Korea — and for humanity as a whole.”

For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com

 

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SOURCE Kia Corporation

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Xi Inspires | China’s Green Transformation

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BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report by China.org.cn on the philosophical underpinnings of China’s climate leadership:

 

China leads the world in clean energy production and electric vehicle manufacturing. But what sparked this remarkable achievement?

The driving force is Chinese President Xi Jinping’s approach that goes beyond conventional thinking. Traditional economic theory held that nations must choose between environmental protection and development. Xi rejected this premise entirely.

Instead, he saw that protecting nature and building wealth can support each other. For Xi, green policies can be a new engine for economic and social development.

This episode of “Xi Inspires” explores the philosophical underpinnings of China’s climate leadership.


Xi Inspires | China’s Green Transformation


https://en.chinadiplomacy.org.cn/2025-11/10/content_118169165.shtml 

 

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SOURCE China.org.cn

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Southeast Asia’s First Industrial Heat Battery Now Operating in Thailand, Built by Rondo Energy and SCG

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SARABURI, Thailand and ALAMEDA, Calif., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, at a ribbon cutting ceremony at SCG’s cement plant in Saraburi Province, Thailand, Rondo Energy and SCG Cleanergy, a subsidiary of SCG specializing in clean energy solutions, announced the start of operation of Southeast Asia’s first heat battery. 


Rondo Energy logo (PRNewsfoto/Rondo Energy)

The heat battery is now delivering 2.3MWth of continuous steam, charged from the grid and a nearby floating solar farm. Superheated steam delivered by the unit drives a steam turbine, generating 24-hour clean electricity used in cement production. 

“Today we’re announcing three big steps in Rondo’s journey,” said Rondo CEO Eric Trusiewicz. “We’re launching our first unit that is part of our new modular sizing approach, our first heat battery in South-East Asia, and the only one worldwide delivering high-pressure steam used for electric power generation.” 

New Modular Platform: Flexible Unit Sizing from MWs to GWs 

The unit unveiled today is a 33 MWh Rondo Heat Battery, the first built on Rondo’s new modular platform. Rondo now offers the Rondo Heat Battery with sizes ranging from 33 MWh to >1GWh, all with a common design, common construction, and common supply chain.

Mass-manufactured brick and wire heating elements are combined and configured to a range of RHB sizes, to meet the specific needs of each customer’s application — from smaller units suited for food and beverage producers, to larger units delivering more than 100 MWth for the needs of the world’s largest chemical plants and metals refineries. 

Rondo’s modular platform combines the benefits of a mass manufactured common core design that delivers certainty for customers and investors, with the ability to configure heat output, steam conditions, storage size, charging rate, and other aspects of the heat battery to deliver maximized project value.

Global Deployment, Local Supply Chains 

The companies announced that Rondo and SCG Cleanergy collaborated to build this unit entirely in Thailand with extensive reliance on local suppliers. The success of the project demonstrates how Rondo’s unique brick-based storage technology can leverage the efficiencies of local supply chains, while achieving the cost and speed advantages of a common, modular design. 

The companies also announced that SCG Cleanergy is now developing clean industrial heat projects powered by Rondo’s technology to serve customers across Southeast Asia. 

This announcement follows Rondo’s recent commissioning in California of the world’s largest industrial heat battery, underscoring the company’s global leadership in the fast-growing electric thermal energy storage (ETES) industry.

Generating Electricity with Heat 

The unit is integrated with the cement plant’s heat recovery system and is the only heat battery worldwide driving a steam turbine. Superheated steam supplied by the unit raises the heat recovery turbine power output.

“This project shows that powering industry with clean energy is not just possible—it’s economical and fast,” said Eric Trusiewicz. “Our team and SCG built this first-of-its-kind system in just eight months. It’s a model for how industry can go electric anywhere in the world.” 

Rondo and SCG’s Strong Partnership 

Rondo and SCG are now scaling manufacturing and deployments to meet surging demand for industrial decarbonization across the world. The companies are proud that Thailand is emerging as a global hub for clean-heat manufacturing. 

“Integrating the Rondo Heat Battery marks a turning point for Southeast Asian industry,” said Attapong Sathitmanothum, CEO of SCG Cleanergy, “because heat-intensive industries like textiles, chemicals, and food processing are growing rapidly here. SCG Cleanergy is bringing SCG’s strengths and new technologies to deliver low-cost clean energy to help our customers across the region decarbonize as they grow, in line with SCG’s vision of Inclusive Green Growth — driving the transformation of industries toward a low-carbon society in collaboration with all sectors, while strengthening business competitiveness to ensure the sustainable growth of businesses, communities, and the environment. This milestone also represents another important step toward achieving SCG’s Net Zero 2050 goal.” 

About SCG

SCG, now in its 112th year, is a leading business conglomerate in ASEAN. With strong resilience and advanced technology, the Company delivers innovative products, services, and solutions that meet diverse needs and adapt to fast-changing markets through its core businesses: Cement and Building Materials, Chemicals (SCGC), and Packaging (SCGP), as well as new businesses such as Clean Energy (SCG Cleanergy). Committed to improving quality of life and a sustainable future, SCG embeds ESG principles across Thailand, ASEAN, and globally, underpinned by trust, transparency, and its purpose of “Inclusive Green Growth.”

Follow us on Website www.scg.com, LinkedIn @SCG, Instagram @scg.officialig and Facebook @ SCGofficialpage.

SCG Cleanergy Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Siam Cement Public Company Limited (SCG), is a leading clean energy provider across ASEAN, specializing in renewable power generation for commercial and industrial sectors and standing out with its Smart Grid system. The company integrates advanced technologies and collaborates with Rondo Energy to develop Southeast Asia’s first Rondo Heat Battery project, enhancing energy efficiency, supporting industrial decarbonization, and driving progress toward SCG’s Net Zero 2050 commitment.

About Rondo:

Rondo is purpose-built for industrial facilities: Rondo Heat Batteries are constructed from proven, durable materials and are designed for seamless integration with existing industrial equipment and processes. Whether deployed as a drop-in replacement for retiring fossil-fueled heating equipment or as a resilient complement to existing systems, Rondo requires no disruptive changes to customers’ operations.

Building on strong momentum, including multiple full industrial-scale heat batteries in deployment globally, Rondo is actively scaling deployment and manufacturing. Rondo currently operates the world’s largest heat battery for industry, a 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery. Rondo Energy is headquartered in California, with a global team throughout North America, Europe and Australia. Heat batteries are also known in the industry as electric thermal energy storage (ETES), or thermal batteries.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southeast-asias-first-industrial-heat-battery-now-operating-in-thailand-built-by-rondo-energy-and-scg-302614982.html

SOURCE Rondo Energy

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