Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Total Round Reaches 17.8 Million USD to Accelerate R&D and Global Expansion

OKINAWA, Japan, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Japan-based deep tech startup EF Polymer K.K. (Founder & CEO: Narayan Lal Gurjar, “EF Polymer”), developer of 100% bio-based super absorbent polymers, today announced that it has completed the second close of its Series B financing round through a third-party allotment. In this second close, investors from diverse industries participated, bringing the total amount raised to 17.8 million USD  combined with the first close. This underscores the strong support for EF Polymer’s mission to scale sustainable solutions worldwide.

Business Progress

Sales Milestone:

• EF Polymer has achieved cumulative global sales of 500 tons, upcycling more than 5,000 tons of agricultural residues into sustainable products. Demonstration projects are actively underway in drought-affected regions such as France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.

Diversification Beyond Agriculture:

• In addition to agricultural use, EF Polymer’s bio-based polymers are being applied in cosmetics, personal care, cooling packs (“Cy-Cool”), and absorbent sheets.

Certifications & Recognition:

• EF Polymer’s India plant (Rajasthan) has obtained ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certifications.
• Organic certification “OMRI” obtained for the U.S. market.
• CEO Narayan Lal Gurjar selected for Forbes Japan 30 Under 30.
• Named a “THRIVE Rising Star” and listed in the 2025 Top 50 AgTech by THRIVE.

R&D Focus Areas

• Diversification of raw materials beyond orange and banana peels
• Establishing sustainable and circular production processes
• Development of new agricultural products by combining EF Polymer with other solutions
• Strengthening multi-site global production capabilities
• Expanding applications beyond agriculture

Series B Round Investors
Through this financing, EF Polymer aims to further accelerate and deepen its research and development (R&D), while strengthening our global business development capabilities to drive the next stage of growth.

Participating Investors (in no particular order):
Impact Capital I Limited Partnership / AgVenture Lab / Amami Okinawa Investment Limited Partnership (Kagoshima Development Co., Ltd.) / EMA Enterprise Co., Ltd. / Hokuyo SDGs Promotion No. 3 Investment Limited Partnership (Hokkaido Kyoso Partners Co., Ltd.) / Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality / Kyoritsu Holdings Corporation / Melissa Estate International Co., Ltd. / OLtV Opportunity Fund / Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd. / SVG Ventures Sunrise Agri Fund GP, LLC / Okinawa Development Finance Corporation / TOPPAN Holdings Inc. / Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.

Narayan Lal Gurjar, Founder & CEO of EF Polymer, commented:
“Our mission is to tackle water scarcity and environmental challenges while improving the livelihoods of farmers and communities. With the support of partners who share our vision, this Series B financing will further accelerate our efforts toward building a sustainable future.”

Business Synergies with Investors

EF Polymer will also collaborate with corporate investors to create business synergies:

• SVG Ventures: Supporting global tomato production with Kagome through stable supply of processing tomatoes.
• Soken Chemical: Co-developing absorbent sheets and launching applications in cosmetics and agriculture.
• TOPPAN Holdings: Developing soil regeneration technologies and collaborating on next-generation manufacturing.

About EF Polymer
EF Polymer is a deep-tech startup born in India and nurtured in Japan. By upcycling agricultural residues such as orange and banana peels into 100% bio-based super absorbent polymers, EF Polymer provides sustainable solutions for agriculture and beyond. The company also promotes applications in cosmetics, personal care products, and ice-packs, helping industries achieve green transformation (GX). Through its technology, EF Polymer strives to solve global environmental challenges, particularly water scarcity.
https://efpolymer.com/

CONTACT:

Nakao: kyoji.nakao@efpolymer.com / +81(0)50-3628-8676
Maekawa: kai.maekawa@efpolymer.com / +81(0)70-2210-5880 

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SOURCE EF Polymer K.K.

LanzaJet received a $13M award from the UK Department for Transport – the largest allocation this cycle – to support next phase of development for LanzaJet’s sustainable aviation fuel project in Teesside, United Kingdom

TEESSIDE, United Kingdom, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LanzaJet, Inc., a leading next-gen fuels technology company and producer of sustainable fuels, has been awarded more than $13 million (£10 million) from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) to accelerate development of Project Speedbird, a major sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) biorefinery in Teesside, United Kingdom being developed primarily for LanzaJet investor and SAF customer British Airways. 

The award will support the next phase of work on Project Speedbird as it progresses into Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), marking a key milestone in the creation of one of the UK’s first commercial-scale ethanol-to-SAF production facilities using waste-based feedstocks. Among the projects selected in this round of the AFF, Speedbird received the largest award, underscoring LanzaJet’s advancement in the SAF industry, the maturity of the project, and the UK’s commitment to moving beyond pilots toward industrial deployment.

Project Speedbird is set to transform the aviation sector by producing SAF from low-carbon ethanol using LanzaJet’s patented and fully integrated Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology. The LanzaJet solution incorporates Technip Energies’ Hummingbird® ethanol-to-ethylene technology, which Project Speedbird has licensed, and which is deployed at commercial demonstration scale for the first time at LanzaJet’s Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Georgia, USA.

Once Project Speedbird is operational, the facility is expected to produce over 30 million gallons (approximately 90 kilotons) of sustainable fuels from low-carbon ethanol each year, significantly reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil jet fuel. 

“We’ve maintained a long-held belief that creating a new industry requires partnership across the public and private sectors. We’re proud to collaborate with the UK Department for Transport to advance Project Speedbird as a leading project catalyzing SAF development in the UK,” said Jimmy Samartzis, Chief Executive Officer at LanzaJet. “This support demonstrates confidence in LanzaJet as a leading SAF company, in our ATJ technology, and in the critical role of ethanol-to-SAF in delivering economic growth, creating jobs, and decarbonizing air travel. Project Speedbird is vital to building a national SAF industry in the UK and to unlocking opportunity and innovation in the region. We thank the UK Department for Transport for its leadership and vision in accelerating the transition to net-zero aviation.” 

The project aligns with the UK Government’s SAF mandate, which requires 10% of jet fuel used in the UK to come from sustainable sources by 2030.

Located in the heart of Teesside, the LanzaJet plant will also deliver significant regional benefits – creating hundreds of jobs, boosting the local economy, and contributing to the region’s position as a clean energy hub. By anchoring the project in Teesside, LanzaJet is helping to build out a broader ecosystem for sustainable fuels, one that connects local feedstock providers, renewable energy producers, and storage and distribution partners. In doing so, the project supports the UK’s broader net-zero strategy and the Government’s ambition for the country to become a global SAF leader. 

With this latest milestone, LanzaJet continues to lead the scale-up of sustainable fuels globally as it combines technological innovation, operating experience, and deep partnerships to decarbonize aviation at pace. 

About LanzaJet 
LanzaJet is a leading alternative fuels technology provider with patented ethanol-based alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology. LanzaJet is creating an opportunity for future generations by accelerating the production and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other alternative fuel technologies critical to transform the global economy. Last year, LanzaJet was named a TIME100 Most Influential Company, a Rising Star Company of the Year by S&P Global, one of MIT’s 15 Climate Tech Companies to Watch in 2024, and the Platts Global Energy Award winner for Rising Star Company of the Year 2024. Further information is available at https://www.lanzajet.com/.

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SOURCE LanzaJet, Inc.

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vici Energy, an integrated energy company, today released its inaugural Sustainability Report 2025, outlining its sustainability framework and ESG commitments to decarbonize energy logistics and empower local communities.

The report highlights Vici Energy’s actionable targets, including reducing leased fleet emissions, a 15% expansion of certified biofuel trading by 2026, and STEM education programs for students in its operating regions. The company’s approach balances the urgent need for energy access in emerging economies with long-term sustainability imperatives.

Gordon Mackie, Director of Trading and Trade Finance at Vici Energy, commented: “This report demonstrates how we’re addressing global energy needs while creating tangible benefits in the communities where we operate. By integrating sustainability into every facet of our operations, from optimizing maritime logistics to investing in future talent, we are creating value for our stakeholders. Our approach is rooted in pragmatism: meeting today’s energy challenges while laying the groundwork for a lower-carbon future. Partnerships, innovation, and accountability will remain central to this mission.”

The report underscores Vici Energy’s 2024 commitment to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and its alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Read the full report on the Vici Energy website:
https://shorturl.at/R3D98

About Vici Energy

Vici Energy is a privately owned, integrated energy company engaged in the exploration, development, trading, and delivery of energy products. With a focus on emerging markets, Vici Energy leverages local expertise to drive economic growth and create long-term value for partners and communities where it operates.

For more information, please visit https://www.vicienergy.com/

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2780914/Vici_Energy_Report.jpg

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SOURCE Vici Energy

Fashion Designer activists unite during the United Nations General Assembly to spotlight the need to scale up diverse fashion brands supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Redress, the Asia-focused NGO accelerating circular fashion together with the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network (UNFLN), which plays a central role in advancing sustainable development by connecting industry stakeholders, media, governments, and United Nations entities, co-organised a high impact delegation and panel discussion of pioneering fashion designer activists, representing India, the Philippines and USA, within the SDG Media Zone at the United Nations General Assembly. With the mainstream global fashion industry generally failing to adopt adequate sustainable and ethical responses to fashion’s polluting and harmful ways, as sustainability takes a backseat and industry executives prioritise other opportunities^[1], the delegation called for support of established ethical and responsible fashion and lifestyle brands that already work to achieve multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in often far-reaching, developing world supply chains.

Fashion activists on the designer-led industry panel discussion, Damini Mittai (India), Jann Christian Lim Bungcaras (Philippines) and Isabella Li Kostrzewa (USA), discussed their works that are focused on key global fashion themes, including intersectional environmental justice, cultural identity, social inequality, gender inequality, overconsumption and textile waste colonialism.

“Fashion must be more than just creativity and commerce,” said Dr. Christina Dean, Founder of Redress. “Fashion needs more of an ethical heart and soul to address our planetary challenges. There are countless inspiring brands globally making more than just clothes; they are making positive impacts at various Sustainable Development Goals. From consumers to investors, we must spotlight and empower these businesses to give them a rightful seat at the global fashion table.”

Building momentum together: The United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network welcomes Redress’ Alumni designers

This delegation and event collaboration signified Redress as a member of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, the organisation that enables collaboration between industries and the United Nations system, accelerates innovation and knowledge sharing, and elevates the contributions of members driving positive impact worldwide that have significant global traction.

“As the United Nations Secretary-General reminded us on the International Day of Zero Waste, fashion must make good sense for both people and planet,” said Kerry Bannigan, Co-Founder of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network and President of the Board, PVBLIC Foundation. “Fashion significantly influences numerous aspects of society, from employment and gender equality to innovation and cultural expression. The choices we make in this sector today profoundly affect the world we live in tomorrow.”

Redress’ global network of ethical fashion designers, who are Alumni of the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition, the Redress Design Award, were outreached and supported in joining the UNFLN. The goal was to bring more fashion advocates, particularly those from Asia, into the UNFLN’s global network and to encourage industry stakeholders to demonstrate solutions and scale their impact. Through convenings, education and advocacy, Redress and UNFLN will continue to highlight sustainable practices and empower businesses to lead change.

Spotlighting Asia – and bringing more Asian designers into the network – is critical 

Asia is pivotal in achieving fashion’s global sustainability efforts. Asia accounts for some 60% of global exports of garments and textiles^[2], with approximately 60 million workers being employed in Asia’s garment manufacturing^[3]. Asia is also hit hardest by climate change, with the region heating up faster than the global average^[4]. Asia-focused Redress’ Alumni designers primarily come from Asia.

Damini Mittai, Founder and Designer, Koaka Collective, India, said “My work with marginalised female rural communities in India aims to foster sustainable livelihoods through skills-building and collective action, working against gender equality and the injustice of climate change.”

Jann Christian Lim Bungcaras, Founder, Creative Director and Designer, Jann Bungcaras Fashion House, Philippines, said “The Philippines is awash with a modern textile waste colonialisation, from post consumer to industry waste, and as a developing country, we should not be seen as a dumping ground for waste.”

Isabella Li Kostrzewa, Artist, Isboko, USA, said “Here in my own country of USA, we have a gluttony of fashion overconsumption and we urgently need to inspire fashion consumers toward healthier fashion choices.”

Redress Alumni designers who have joined the UNFLN are: Damini Mittai (India), Jann Bungcaras (Philippines), Isabella Li Kostrzewa (USA), Aashita Jain (India), Ruyin Tian (China), Aarushi Kilawat (India), Ruwanthi Gajadeera (Sri Lanka); and from around the world Lívia Aguiar de Castro (Brazil), Louise Boase (Australia), Rachel Clowes (UK), Rose Brown (UK), Magdalena Malbran (Argentina), and Silvia Acién Parrilla (Spain).

Together, they represent a growing movement of ethical and responsible businesses showing that sustainable fashion can scale beyond individual projects into systemic industry transformation.

Media Assets 

High-resolution images are available here.
Link to the three designers’ bios here.

About Redress:

Redress (www.redress.com.hk) is a Hong Kong-based, Asia-focused environmental NGO with a mission to accelerate the change to a circular fashion industry by educating and empowering designers and consumers so as to reduce clothing’s negative environmental impacts.

One of their programmes, The Redress Design Award (www.redressdesignaward.com) is the world’s leading sustainable fashion design competition that educates and empowers emerging fashion designers about circular design techniques to reduce fashion’s negative environmental impacts. Organised by Redress since 2011, the competition partners with academic institutions globally and attracts designer applicants from over 50 countries and regions to win prizes that connect them with global-leading fashion businesses to accelerate the change to a circular fashion industry. Through this, the Redress Alumni Network unites 330+ rising and established fashion voices from across the world, spanning brand founders to visionary educators. 

About the UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network

The United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network (unfashionlifestyle.org), an online platform hosted by the United Nations (UN), plays a key role in advancing sustainable development  by connecting industry stakeholders, media, governments, and UN entities. The Network enables collaboration between industries and the UN system, accelerates innovation and knowledge sharing, and elevates the contributions of members driving positive impact worldwide. The United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network is a collaborative initiative of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, the Fashion Impact Fund, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a supporting partner of the Network.

Special thanks to leading global garment manufacturer TAL Apparel who generously supported the Redress Alumni delegation’s trip to New York. Founded in 1947, TAL has established itself as a leading global garment manufacturer with a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. A trusted partner for fashion brands worldwide, TAL is proudly leading the transition to a sustainable future.

 

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SOURCE Redress

• The U.S. softwood lumber industry is a critical manufacturing industry essential to the national economic strength and the industrial resilience of the United States
• Canada’s unfair trade in softwood lumber continues to be extremely harmful to U.S. producers and workers
• Section 232 tariffs on softwood lumber product imports from around the world will facilitate a reliable supply of softwood lumber products made in the USA

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Lumber Coalition today welcomes the imposition of Section 232 tariffs on imports of softwood lumber products into the United States, and applauds President Trump for taking this necessary additional trade law enforcement action.

The harmful trade practices of Canadian softwood lumber producers, combined with ongoing unfair subsidies provided by the Canadian Government, have been thoroughly documented in the antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings on softwood lumber imports from Canada. Those trade cases offset unfair trade at the border, but have not fully addressed Canada’s massive excess capacity, which is currently the root cause of Canada’s unfair trading. The U.S. Lumber Coalition is hopeful that President Trump’s Section 232 tariffs will help right size the Canadian softwood lumber industry and allow the U.S. industry to grow to its natural size to fully supply the U.S. housing market with lumber made in the USA. 

“The U.S. Lumber Coalition greatly appreciates President Trump’s and the Commerce Department’s commitment to the U.S. wood products industry and welcomes Section 232 tariffs on imports of softwood lumber products into the United States,” stated Andrew Miller, Chairman and Owner of Stimson Lumber Co.

“We fully agree with President Trump that the wood products industry, and specifically the U.S. softwood lumber industry, is a critical manufacturing industry essential to the national economic strength, and the industrial resilience of the United States,” added Miller. “The time has come for the domestic industry to be able to operate on a level playing field and not be suppressed by predatory imports.” 

“Canada’s excess capacity since 2016 has increased from 2.8 to almost 8 billion board feet – that excess capacity is now the primary driver of Canada’s dumping behavior that is forcing U.S. softwood lumber producers to operate at unhealthy and unsustainably low capacity utilization rates,” said Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, adding that “it is outrageous that the National Association of Homebuilders continues to advocate for the importation of unfairly traded Canadian lumber imports that is harming U.S. workers, U.S. companies, and their communities.”

“The United States is the main outlet for Canada’s excess capacity and Canada continues to engage in aggressive dumping practices. This behavior is extremely harmful to U.S. producers and workers,” added van Heyningen. 

There is also evidence that, while imports of softwood lumber products from Canada have declined following the imposition of the antidumping and countervailing duties, the volume of imports from Europe and other sources has increased over the last several years. The U.S. Lumber Coalition has documented numerous subsidy programs provided by foreign governments, such as in Germany and Sweden, that contribute to the disruptive nature of those softwood lumber imports. 

“The Section 232 tariffs on softwood lumber products imported into the United States from around the world will facilitate the development of the domestic softwood lumber industry, which will strengthen our domestic supply of softwood lumber products,” concluded van Heyningen.

U.S. lumber community voices on President Trump’s trade law enforcement and the positive impacts on U.S. manufacturing: https://vimeo.com/1086817309?fl=pl&fe=ti

Enforcing the U.S. trade laws helps increase the U.S. supply of lumber to build American homes, all without impacting the cost of a new home, as demonstrated by data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Fastmarkets Random Lengths.

About the U.S. Lumber Coalition

The U.S. Lumber Coalition is an alliance of large and small softwood lumber producers from around the country, joined by their employees and woodland owners, working to address Canada’s unfair lumber trade practices. Our goal is to serve as the voice of the American lumber community and effectively address Canada’s unfair softwood lumber trade practices. The Coalition supports the full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws to allow the U.S. industry to invest and grow to its natural size without being impaired by unfairly traded imports. Continued full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws will strengthen domestic supply lines by maximizing long-term domestic production and lumber availability produced by U.S. workers to build U.S. homes. For more information, please visit the Coalition’s website at www.uslumbercoalition.org.

CONTACT: Zoltan van Heyningen
zoltan@uslumbercoalition.org | 202-805-9133

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SOURCE The U.S. Lumber Coalition