Tag: 3BL

When a plant goes above and beyond to build a safe work environment, take on an initiative that contributes to our ESG goals, or revitalize its working conditions – we love to highlight their incredible work and the great team that made it happen! Read on to learn more about the key contributions from our Cleburne, Texas, plant.

Covia’s Cleburne Plant, established in 2018, is in North Texas, approximately 15 miles west of downtown Cleburne. It is also around 20 miles away from Glen Rose, a town known for its quaint charm. However, Glen Rose is most famous for being the dinosaur capital of Texas, thanks to the well-preserved dinosaur footprints found in the Paluxy River. The Cleburne plant is constantly searching for dinosaur fossils and various footprints!

The plant serves the glass, building products, and oil and gas industries – and primarily produces GLASSIl® high-purity sand, GRANUSIL® high-performance industrial silica, and CERASIL® high-purity ceramic silica.

When Mike Foster started at Cleburne as the new senior plant manager in 2020, a major focus for him and the team was to ensure that every position was filled with the right Team Member. That focus helps create a positive work mindset and strengthens the team as a community. “This group really looks out for each other,” said Mike. “They treat one another like family.” Cleburne is home to a dedicated group of Team Members who work especially well together.

The Cleburne team also embraced an initiative to use data collection tools to improve their operation efficiency. It’s been a great success, and the plant faces little to no machine downtime. .

A Safety-First Mindset

With a strong safety record since 2020, every member of the Cleburne team is vigilant in upholding a safety-first work culture. When asked what a safety-first mindset meant to his facility, Mike said, “It means that in every job or task we take on, safety is the first thing considered. Not only is everyone responsible for their own safety, but also for the safety of those around them.”

The Cleburne team’s dedication to safety goes beyond best practices. That’s why the Team Members at the plant were recognized for their extraordinary safety efforts with the 2023 Covia President’s Safety Award.

The President’s Safety Award recognizes the Covia plant that achieves the highest level of safety performance across all categories. The collective efforts of the Cleburne team achieved the following results, which led to their selection as the 2023 award winner:

No LTIs or reportable incidents.Completed 100% of incident investigation actions and incident alert actions on-time.Completed 100% of dust sampling on-time.Completed 100% of incident investigations within 28 days.Had no regulator or internal housekeeping citations.Created several safety teams for special initiatives.

In addition to their exceptional safety performance, the Cleburne team also met all Quality Improvement Program (QIP) requirements and conducted a thorough process risk assessment in 2023.

ESG Initiatives: Monarch Joint Venture Project

Covia is committed to the conservation, restoration, and biodiversity of the land where we operate. Our ESG goals were established to help provide an environmental framework for our locations throughout our footprint. The Cleburne team has stepped up to help lead our newest partnership, working with Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) to safeguard and enhance the habitat of the migratory monarch butterfly and other pollinators.

The monarch butterfly is facing significant challenges that have raised concerns about the sustainability of its long-distance migration. Factors such as habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, and the decrease in milkweed plants crucial for monarch breeding have all contributed to this decline. MJV’s work aims to protect monarchs and their migration by collaborating with partners like Covia to deliver habitat conservation, education, and science across the monarch range.

The Cleburne plant is collaborating with MJV on a yearlong project to develop a multi-acre pollinator habitat at the plant. MJV will be offering guidance, expertise, and technical support in designing the habitat layout, preparing the site, selecting native plant species, and giving recommendations for dormant seeding.

The Cleburne team is in the beginning stages of their restoration project with MJV, preparing their property for the pollinator habitat. Mike stated, “We are excited about this partnership, and about creating what works for pollinators, particularly the magnificent monarch butterfly. We’re looking forward to seeing the new pollinator habitat develop.”

Ready to learn more about Covia and our mineral solution capabilities? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about how we can support your operation. If you’re interested in joining our team, check out our Careers page to see our current openings.

When a plant goes above and beyond to build a safe work environment, take on an initiative that contributes to our ESG goals, or revitalize its working conditions – we love to highlight their incredible work and the great team that made it happen! Read on to learn more about the key contributions from our Cleburne, Texas, plant.

Covia’s Cleburne Plant, established in 2018, is in North Texas, approximately 15 miles west of downtown Cleburne. It is also around 20 miles away from Glen Rose, a town known for its quaint charm. However, Glen Rose is most famous for being the dinosaur capital of Texas, thanks to the well-preserved dinosaur footprints found in the Paluxy River. The Cleburne plant is constantly searching for dinosaur fossils and various footprints!

The plant serves the glass, building products, and oil and gas industries – and primarily produces GLASSIl® high-purity sand, GRANUSIL® high-performance industrial silica, and CERASIL® high-purity ceramic silica.

When Mike Foster started at Cleburne as the new senior plant manager in 2020, a major focus for him and the team was to ensure that every position was filled with the right Team Member. That focus helps create a positive work mindset and strengthens the team as a community. “This group really looks out for each other,” said Mike. “They treat one another like family.” Cleburne is home to a dedicated group of Team Members who work especially well together.

The Cleburne team also embraced an initiative to use data collection tools to improve their operation efficiency. It’s been a great success, and the plant faces little to no machine downtime. .

A Safety-First Mindset

With a strong safety record since 2020, every member of the Cleburne team is vigilant in upholding a safety-first work culture. When asked what a safety-first mindset meant to his facility, Mike said, “It means that in every job or task we take on, safety is the first thing considered. Not only is everyone responsible for their own safety, but also for the safety of those around them.”

The Cleburne team’s dedication to safety goes beyond best practices. That’s why the Team Members at the plant were recognized for their extraordinary safety efforts with the 2023 Covia President’s Safety Award.

The President’s Safety Award recognizes the Covia plant that achieves the highest level of safety performance across all categories. The collective efforts of the Cleburne team achieved the following results, which led to their selection as the 2023 award winner:

No LTIs or reportable incidents.Completed 100% of incident investigation actions and incident alert actions on-time.Completed 100% of dust sampling on-time.Completed 100% of incident investigations within 28 days.Had no regulator or internal housekeeping citations.Created several safety teams for special initiatives.

In addition to their exceptional safety performance, the Cleburne team also met all Quality Improvement Program (QIP) requirements and conducted a thorough process risk assessment in 2023.

ESG Initiatives: Monarch Joint Venture Project

Covia is committed to the conservation, restoration, and biodiversity of the land where we operate. Our ESG goals were established to help provide an environmental framework for our locations throughout our footprint. The Cleburne team has stepped up to help lead our newest partnership, working with Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) to safeguard and enhance the habitat of the migratory monarch butterfly and other pollinators.

The monarch butterfly is facing significant challenges that have raised concerns about the sustainability of its long-distance migration. Factors such as habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, and the decrease in milkweed plants crucial for monarch breeding have all contributed to this decline. MJV’s work aims to protect monarchs and their migration by collaborating with partners like Covia to deliver habitat conservation, education, and science across the monarch range.

The Cleburne plant is collaborating with MJV on a yearlong project to develop a multi-acre pollinator habitat at the plant. MJV will be offering guidance, expertise, and technical support in designing the habitat layout, preparing the site, selecting native plant species, and giving recommendations for dormant seeding.

The Cleburne team is in the beginning stages of their restoration project with MJV, preparing their property for the pollinator habitat. Mike stated, “We are excited about this partnership, and about creating what works for pollinators, particularly the magnificent monarch butterfly. We’re looking forward to seeing the new pollinator habitat develop.”

Ready to learn more about Covia and our mineral solution capabilities? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about how we can support your operation. If you’re interested in joining our team, check out our Careers page to see our current openings.

Abbott

At Abbott, we’ve embedded sustainability across our business – which is helping us to deliver solid progress toward the goals we set in our 2030 Sustainability Plan. From our priority of innovating for greater access in health, to protecting a healthy environment, to building the diverse, innovative workforce of tomorrow, our 2023 Global Sustainability Report highlights progress toward our goal of improving the lives of 3 billion people each year by the end of the decade.

Innovating for Access and Equity

Innovation without access is meaningless. This is why we work so hard to ingrain access and affordability into our products at every stage of development and remove the barriers that stand in the way of good health, evolving the way we invent and bring technologies to the people who need them. A few highlights of our work in 2023:

In the last year, we further incorporated our Access and Affordability Design Principles into our R&D, manufacturing and commercialization processes across our businesses.Because more than 80% of people who need a pacemaker require pacing in two chambers of the heart (both the right atrium and the right ventricle), we introduced AVEIR DR, the world’s first device to offer beat-to-beat wireless communication and synchronization between two leadless pacemakers, each of which is smaller than a triple-A battery. AVEIR DR opens access to leadless pacing for millions of people.We announced an agreement that will provide greater access to biosimilar medicines for more people in key emerging markets, together with global biotech leader mAbxience.In Tanzania, we worked with the government to expand the reach of emergency medicine – the latest results from more than 20 years of partnership. To date, we have provided emergency care services to nearly 1.3 million patients there. The cover of this year’s report features the program’s 2023 graduates in emergency medicine, reflecting our ongoing commitment to building local healthcare capacity.In the U.S., we worked with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to launch an Innovation Incubator, helping eight health centers to find new ways to address the digital divide and advance care for more than 45,000 people in their communities.

Reducing Our Environmental Footprint

Advancing health also means doing our part to improve the health of the planet. Across Abbott, we completed 102 projects to help address our environmental impacts at 45 sites across 20 countries. We achieved a 7% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, making good progress toward our goal of a 30% reduction from our 2018 baseline, and established a $15 million annual environmental sustainability capital fund to support energy efficiency projects. We reduced our water use by 3% overall, and we tripled the number of high-water-impact sites in water-stressed areas that have achieved Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification, adding four sites for a total of six to date. We also diverted 91% of our operational waste from landfills and increased the number of sites sending zero-waste-to-landfill to 53 globally.

Building the Workforce of Tomorrow

Our ability to build a healthy, sustainable future depends on the innovative ideas, execution and dedication of our global workforce, and this year’s report shares updates those efforts. In our original 2030 plan, we had targets to create 1 million development and job opportunities for current and future employees, and to create opportunities in STEM programs and internships for 100,000 young people. In 2023, we were already exceeding our expected progress – so we’re now doubling those goals for 2030.

See our full 2023 Global Sustainability Report for more details on these areas – and to learn more about how we responsibly connect data, technology and care, strengthen our global supply chain and ensure product quality.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

AVEIR™ DR

Rx Only

Brief Summary: Prior to using these devices, please review the Instructions for Use for a complete listing of indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, potential adverse events and directions for use.

Indications: The Aveir™ Leadless Pacemaker system is indicated for management of one or more of the following permanent conditions: Syncope, Pre-syncope, Fatigue, Disorientation. Rate-modulated pacing is indicated for patients with chronotropic incompetence, and for those who would benefit from increased stimulation rates concurrent with physical activity. Dual-chamber pacing is indicated for patients exhibiting: Sick sinus syndrome, Chronic, symptomatic second- and third-degree AV block, Recurrent Adams-Stokes syndrome, Symptomatic bilateral bundle-branch block when tachyarrhythmia and other causes have been ruled out. Atrial pacing is indicated for patients with: Sinus node dysfunction and normal AV and intraventricular conduction systems. Ventricular pacing is indicated for patients with: Significant bradycardia and normal sinus rhythm with only rare episodes of AV block or sinus arrest, Chronic atrial fibrillation, Severe physical disability.

Intended Use: The Aveir™ Leadless Pacemaker (LP) is designed to provide bradycardia pacing as a pulse generator with built-in battery and electrodes for implantation in the right ventricle and/or right atrium. The LP is intended to provide sensing of intrinsic cardiac signals and delivery of cardiac pacing therapy within the implanted chamber for the target treatment group. The LP is also intended to operate optionally with another co-implanted LP to provide dual-chamber pacing therapy.

The Aveir™ Delivery Catheter is intended to be used in the peripheral vasculature and the cardiovascular system to deliver and manipulate an LP. Delivery and manipulation includes implanting an LP within the target chamber of the heart.

Contraindications: Use of the Aveir™ Leadless Pacemaker is contraindicated in these cases:

Use of any pacemaker is contraindicated in patients with a co-implanted ICD because high-voltage shocks could damage the pacemaker and the pacemaker could reduce shock effectiveness.Single-chamber ventricular demand pacing is relatively contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated pacemaker syndrome, have retrograde VA conduction, or suffer a drop in arterial blood pressure with the onset of ventricular pacing.Programming of rate-responsive pacing is contraindicated in patients with intolerance of high sensor driven rates.Use is contraindicated in patients with an implanted vena cava filter or mechanical tricuspid valve because of interference between these devices and the delivery system during implantation.Persons with known history of allergies to any of the components of this device may suffer an allergic reaction to this device. Prior to use on the patient, the patient should be counseled on the materials (listed in the Product Materials section of the IFU) contained in the device and a thorough history of allergies must be discussed.

Adverse Events: Potential complications associated with the use of the Aveir™ Leadless Pacemaker system are the same as with the use of single or dual chamber pacemakers with active fixation pacing leads including, but not limited to: Cardiac perforation, Cardiac tamponade, Pericardial effusion, Pericarditis, Valve damage and/or regurgitation, Heart failure, Pneumothorax/hemothorax, Cardiac arrhythmias, Diaphragmatic/phrenic nerve stimulation / extra-cardiac stimulation, Palpitations, Hypotension, Syncope, Cerebrovascular accident, Infection, Hypersensitivity reaction to device materials, contrast media, medications, or direct toxic effect of contrast media on kidney function, Pacemaker syndrome, Inability to interrogate or program the LP due to programmer or LP malfunction, Intermittent or complete loss of pacing and/or sensing due to dislodgement or mechanical malfunction of the LP (non-battery related), Loss of capture or sensing due to embolization or fibrotic tissue response at the electrode, Increased capture threshold, Inappropriate sensor response, Interruption of desired LP function due to electrical interference, either electromyogenic or electromagnetic, Battery malfunction/ premature battery depletion, Device-related complications (Premature deployment, Device dislodgement/embolization of foreign material, Helix distortion), Death. As with any percutaneous catheterization procedure, potential complications include, but are not limited to: Vascular access complications; such as perforation, dissection, puncture, groin pain, Bleeding or hematoma, Thrombus formation, Thromboembolism, Air embolism, Local and systemic infection, Peripheral nerve damage. General surgery risks and complications from comorbidities; such as hypotension, dyspnea, respiratory failure, syncope, pneumonia, hypertension, cardiac failure, reaction to sedation, renal failure, anemia, and death.

MAT-2306873 v1.0 | Item is approved for US Use

LAS VEGAS, June 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) today announced that six-time PGA TOUR winner Collin Morikawa is the company’s newest champion ambassador, a multi-year engagement that will incorporate the world-class athlete into the company’s integrated resort programs and advance the mutual goal of building strong and resilient communities with priorities on youth development and community revitalization in areas of need.

Kicking off their joint work, Sands is donating $100,000 to the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course restoration project in Los Angeles. Morikawa, an LA native and honorary chairman of FORE Youth: The 2023 U.S. Open Community Legacy Campaign, has championed transformation of the golf course into a hub for junior golf development. The project aims to raise $15 million to rejuvenate the nine-hole, par-3 golf course, along with its practice facility and supporting buildings, as well as ensure long-term sustainability and youth development programming.

Through the broader partnership, Morikawa will continue supporting Sands at golf clinics designed to promote youth development and leadership skills, as he has done at the Sands Youth Golf Clinic in Macao and for the Sands Cares Youth Empowerment Initiative in Long Island, New York, where Sands hopes to build an integrated resort if successful in obtaining a Downstate New York gaming license.

Sharing a commitment to community advancement, Sands and Morikawa also will work together on revitalization programs, like the LA golf course restoration project and Morikawa’s support of the relief efforts for the deadly wildfires in Hawaii last year.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Sands in New York and Macao, and we are very much aligned in our commitment to leverage the sport of golf to advance youth development and build leadership skills,” Morikawa said. “But I’m just as excited that we share a vision for creating strong communities by addressing areas that need the infusion of resources we can bring to the table. Working together, we will create many opportunities for our joint community priorities.”

A two-time major champion, six-time PGA TOUR winner, two-time Ryder Cup participant and Olympian at just 27, Morikawa has matched historical performances with one of the most genuine and relatable personalities in professional sports.

After putting the golf world on notice in 2020, he cemented his place in the history books in 2021.  With a win at the 2021 WGC-Workday Championship at The Concession, Morikawa joined Tiger Woods as the only players to have won a major and a WGC title before the age of 25. After top-10 performances at both the 2021 PGA Championship and U.S. Open, Morikawa joined the exclusive club entitled Champion Golfer of the Year with his commanding performance at the 2021 Open Championship. This performance again linked Morikawa and Woods, as they are now the only two players to have won both the PGA Championship and Open Championship before the age of 25.

At the 2020 PGA Championship, Morikawa hit one of the most iconic shots in major championship history, en route to victory with his sensational drive at the par-4 16th hole, which set up an eagle that cemented his place as a major winner. His two-shot win at Harding Park also carried historic significance, as he joined Jack Nicklaus, Woods and Rory McIlroy as the only 23-year-olds to win the Wanamaker Trophy.

Born and raised in Los Angeles and now a resident of Las Vegas, Morikawa has excelled both on the course and in the classroom as a 2019 graduate of the prestigious Haas School of Business at University of California, Berkeley. When not competing, Morikawa devotes himself to spending time with his wife, dog and finding the best eats in town.

“Collin is an outstanding partner for us on many fronts, first and foremost because of his leadership both on and off the course,” Sands Chairman and CEO Robert G. Goldstein said. “Between our mutual home of Las Vegas and shared Asia roots, we intend to create a host of opportunities to advance the priorities and causes that are equally important to us.”

 About Sands (NYSE: LVS)

Sands is the world’s preeminent developer and operator of world-class integrated resorts. The company’s iconic properties drive valuable leisure and business tourism and deliver significant economic benefits, sustained job creation, financial opportunities for local businesses and community investment to help make its host regions ideal places to live, work and visit.

Sands’ portfolio of properties includes Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and The Venetian Macao, The Plaza Macao, The Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao and Sands Macao in Macao SAR, China, through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd.

Dedicated to being a leader in corporate responsibility, Sands is anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and the planet. The company’s ESG leadership has led to inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for World and North America, as well as Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. To learn more, visit www.sands.com.

Contacts:

Kristin Koca
Sands
702.923.9142
Kristin.Koca@sands.com

Andrew Kipper
Excel Sports Management
310.801.8301
Andrew@excelsm.com

Each year, through Baker Tilly Wishes, the Baker Tilly Foundation provides grants of $10,000 to not-for-profits nominated by our team members. Learn why Nuestro Mundo’s mission resonates with Experienced Consulting Manager Nathan Olson.

Fostering connections and language skills 

Nathan Olson passionately believes in the power of building bridges between cultures. As a volunteer and board member with Nuestro Mundo, he plays a key role in their mission to foster deeper community connections through multicultural events and a dual language immersion (DLI) school.

“Nuestro Mundo’s mission aligns perfectly with my values,” Nathan said. “Their focus on empowerment, inclusivity, social justice and community engagement resonates deeply with me.”

Empowering young minds in a diverse world

Nuestro Mundo Inc. was founded to recognize the growing Latino immigrant population in Madison, Wisconsin. The organization equips students with a strong foundation of knowledge, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly globalized world. Their DLI school ensures that 90% of classes are taught in Spanish, regardless of subject matter.

Nathan actively supports these efforts by volunteering at events and leveraging his financial expertise as the organization’s treasurer. As he approaches his third year of volunteering, Nathan cherishes learning about different cultures firsthand.

“Witnessing our events bring people together is truly heartwarming,” Nathan said. “It’s so special to see groups of kids all playing together, regardless of language barriers.”

Expanding educational opportunities for adults 

Providing consistent adult language courses is crucial to Nuestro Mundo’s mission. The Baker Tilly Wishes grant will help launch and maintain English and Spanish classes for adults for more than two semesters. Childcare services will be offered alongside these classes to allow working parents to participate.

“This grant will significantly impact our community,” Nathan said. “As a strong advocate for global citizenship and cultural awareness, I’m grateful that the Baker Tilly Foundation is helping Nuestro Mundo achieve their goals.”

Learn more about Baker Tilly.

According to McKinsey, in the US alone the data center market is expected to reach 35 gigawatts by 2030, which is a 48% increase over the 17 gigawatts the market had in 2022. The US accounts for approximately 40% of the global data center market, and similar growth is expected across the global market. To meet demand, existing data center providers are building new data centers with new data center companies entering the market each year.

Data centers were historically owned/operated by one enterprise who was responsible for health and safety*. The boom of 3rd party data centers, especially with multiple tenants, has resulted in a complex multi-employer work environment. The recognition of safety hazards associated with these complex multi-employer spaces has only emerged over the past 5-7 years. Implementing company-wide health and safety programs designed to mitigate multi-employer risks has been challenging, as these data center businesses have been in a rapid growth cycle since 2020. The rapid growth has resulted in a large data center industry, in which many companies are less than six years old, safety programs that are not fully mature, and limited numbers of safety professionals with data center experience.

Collective Industry Action to Address Safety Gaps

In August 2023, 25 data center H&S professionals representing 12 companies gathered to discuss H&S challenges and share best practices across the industry. Recognizing the opportunity for industry leadership, a group of data center companies founded the Data Center Safety Council Council, an industry consortium dedicated to developing collaborative solutions to some of the data center industry’s most pressing H&S challenges. Sarah Kasper, Senior Director, Environment, Health and Safety at EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, eloquently articulates the “why” for the formation of this consortium at this critical time in the industry.

Consistency and Uniformity

The primary motivation for establishing the Data Center Safety Council is to achieve consistency and uniformity in safety protocols. Different data centers often have varying safety practices, which can lead to confusion and communication breakdowns. By standardizing safety expectations, the council ensures that all workers, regardless of their location or the company they work for, adhere to the same protocols. This uniformity reduces confusion, enhances communication, and fosters a unified approach to safety in all data centers.

Enhanced Safety Performance

Standardized safety expectations help to establish a baseline for safety performance, which is essential for minimizing accidents, incidents, and injuries. With clear, consistent guidelines in place, data centers can more effectively safeguard their employees by creating a safer working environment for all employees involved in commissioning, operations, and maintenance activities. This not only protects workers but also contributes to a safer, more reliable operation. By establishing these standards, the council aims to significantly improve safety performance across the board.

Risk Mitigation

A proactive approach to safety is critical in the high-stakes environment of data centers. Standardized safety expectations help in identifying and mitigating potential hazards before they become issues. Clear guidelines and procedures allow for a systematic approach to risk management, promoting a culture where safety is a continuous priority. This proactive stance is essential for preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of all employees. By setting clear guidelines and procedures, the Safety Council can help in preventing potential hazards and promoting a culture of safety consciousness among workers.

Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with safety regulations and industry standards is non-negotiable in the data center industry. Standardizing safety expectations helps ensure that all data centers operate within legal requirements, avoiding potential penalties and demonstrating a commitment to high safety standards. This not only protects the companies legally but also enhances their reputation as responsible and conscientious operators.

Efficiency and Productivity

When safety protocols are standardized, workers can perform their tasks more efficiently, knowing that they are protected and procedures are clear. This reduces the likelihood of disruptions caused by safety incidents, thereby enhancing overall productivity. The Safety Council’s efforts to minimize risks directly contribute to smoother, more efficient operations across multiple data centers.

Industry Leadership

Establishing a Safety Council focused on standardizing safety expectations showcases industry leadership and a commitment to excellence in safety practices. This collaboration showcases the dedication to setting high standards and leading by example. It enhances the reputation of data center owners within the industry as responsible and safety-conscious organizations willing to work together for the greater good.

Continuous Improvement

The Data Center Safety Council can serve as a platform for continuous improvement in safety practices by fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and implementing feedback mechanisms from workers. This iterative approach can lead to a culture of learning and improvement in safety standards.

A Step Forward

In the rapidly growing data center industry, safety is paramount. There is a need for collaboration and standardization of best practices due to the unique hazards present across the data center industry and the rapid surge of infrastructure development. Prioritizing health and safety is crucial to manage operational complexities and worker safety across the industry and ensure sustained success of the data center industry. The formation of the Data Center Safety Council demonstrates leadership from key industry stakeholders coming together to standardize safety expectations, enhance the experience of workers, and foster a culture of safety across the industry.

 

About the Data Center Safety Council

Established in January 2024 by founding members EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure , Salesforce, STACK Infrastructure, Vantage Data Centers, and Yondr Group, the Data Center Safety Council was created to establish a unified approach towards ensuring safety and wellbeing of personnel in data center operations. The vision is to create a forum where health and safety professionals work collaboratively as an industry group to improve data center worker safety wholistically. Together, member companies will address common issues and seek long-term solutions with vendors and suppliers for the benefit and safety of data center workers. For more information, please contact Kate Asleson at kate.asleson@anteagroup.us

* “Safety” throughout this article considers the whole occupational health and safety agenda.

Our people making a difference is a series featured throughout Owens Corning’s 2023 Sustainability Report.

With over 25 years’ experience in environmental management, circularity, decarbonization, and policy, Petra Inghelbrecht brings a wealth of insight to Owens Corning. She has unique insights into sustainability on a global level — the large brands driving trends, the push for increased legislation in the region, and the spread from Europe into other regions around the world. Petra shares some of her insights here, and offers her perspective on our approach to building a circular economy.

On the need to rethink our approach to waste 

Waste needs to become a raw material. If you do that, you can really grow without being that dependent on your resources. There is a sustainability element to this, but also a bit of a strategic element, because we cannot keep mining and extracting our raw materials. In Europe, we’re at that stage where this is what the markets expect from us. Circular business models also allow us to work in closed loop systems with our customers and value chain. If we take back waste and bring it back as recycled content in our product, we are working in a closed loop, which is good from a sustainability point of view, but also very strategic because we are working with customers, making us both stronger — this is the double win on circularity.

On what set Owens Corning apart in circularity 

First of all, there’s a strong, innovative, technology-driven focus here, in combination with a marketdriven approach. We work with our customers and value chains to see things from their perspective. We understand the markets and the regulations, and this is the basis for the strategies we set.

Secondly, we are an innovative company that is really agile, enabling us to develop, test, and implement new things, and this combination is quite powerful. It’s a collaboration across teams and businesses with a lot of interaction and overlap, and we are progressing extremely well. The team is really enthusiastic, and I’m amazed by the level of engagement I see in the people. They’re really growing in their leadership and pushing it further. This is really a positive dynamic I see in Owens Corning and circularity, and I really like that a lot.

On the need for an integrated strategy for sustainability 

Circularity is not one solution fits all. You need to be circular and decarbonize and reduce environmental impacts. This is an important thing about circularity — it’s about winning together. We provide solutions for customers’ waste and we give it back as a solution for them. We are first focusing on our customer’s waste, where our customers win and our end markets win — and we are an essential part of that chain. We need to do it together. On circularity, it’s not only internal with Owens Corning. It’s really about collaborating across the value chain, with customers, recyclers, transporters, and end-markets. Together, we can create a positive impact on the market.

Mastercard

We’re thrilled that Mastercard has been named one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2024 by TIME! This award is granted based on a comprehensive research study conducted by Statista and recognizes companies that are preserving the planet for future generations.

Here at Mastercard, we know that we all need a healthy planet to succeed. That’s why we’re driving toward net zero emissions and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, regenerative economy. We will continue striving toward a future where people and the planet can thrive.

Read more below: https://time.com/collection/worlds-most-sustainable-companies-2024/

About Mastercard

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

French renewables startup Sweetch Energy will rely on extensive domain expertise and global presence from Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) to help scale its osmotic power generation technology.

Osmotic energy is naturally generated by the difference in salinity between freshwater and seawater. The INOD® (Ionic Nano Osmotic Diffusion) technology developed by Sweetch Energy is the first technology of its kind to be marketed on an industrial scale.

Using Rockwell’s turnkey process control platform and visualization technology, Sweetch Energy will optimize its unique zero-carbon electricity generation technology in its first osmotic demonstrator plant at the Barcarin lock in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, France. The company plans to deploy several osmotic stations at the mouth of the Rhône to harness natural osmotic energy. These stations will represent up to 500 MW of carbon-free electricity production capacity, capable of supplying more than 1.5 million people – the equivalent to the population of cities such as Marseille and its surrounding areas, Barcelona, Amsterdam, or Montreal.

Manufactured using environmentally friendly bio-sourced materials, the osmotic generators can be located at any estuary or delta. Water is the only input in the process and is fully returned to the river mouth, with no chemical waste or pollutants created. And, unlike other renewables, it is not dependent on weather conditions and can produce clean electricity continuously.

Rockwell technologies will be used to automate, control, and monitor the system as well as optimize the process and power-generation efficiency. The technology to be deployed at the pilot plant is also highly scalable, allowing Sweetch Energy to create standardized, modular, with worldwide support for installations of any size, anywhere.

Learn more about Rockwell’s sustainably advantaged solutions.

As published on the Pentair Blog.

Pentair Pool is furthering its mission of helping people safely and sustainably enjoy water by continuing to highlight the importance of water safety awareness and learning to swim through a commitment to support Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). Pentair’s commitment to a Diamond Level sponsorship was announced at the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials in Indianapolis, IN, and will help increase access to swim lessons and water safety resources across North America.

“Pentair Pool has been a longtime advocate of water safety and an incredible partner to PHTA, and we are thrilled to expand that partnership through their generous support of Step Into Swim,” said Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships & Development, who leads the Step Into Swim initiative. “Thanks to Pentair Pool, children around the country will learn to be safer and more confident in and around the water — a lifelong skill that saves lives.”

Together, Pentair Pool and Step Into Swim will help provide learn-to-swim programming for thousands of children annually. Pentair Pool, a long-standing proponent of water safety education, has sponsored water safety programming, including the annual National Water Safety Month initiative, for nearly 10 years.

“At Pentair Pool our mission is to help people safely and sustainably enjoy water,” said Greg Claffey, PHTA board member and Pentair Pool president. “This partnership exemplifies our commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work by helping to safely advance the next generation of swimmers.”

Step Into Swim supporters provide the lifesaving skill of learning to swim and raising awareness for the aquatic industry’s role in improving public health and safety. In 2023, Step Into Swim raised over $1.4 million, which provided grants to more than 100 facilities in 32 states and Canada and funded swim lessons for 23,500 children. The initiative has gifted more than 330,000 swim lessons since 2012. The program is funded through partner contributions, which are integral for advancing the mission. Every dollar donated goes directly to learn-to-swim programming. To learn more, visit www.stepintoswim.com.