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RADNOR, Pa., December 1, 2023 /3BL/ – Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and technology industries received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and was recognized as an Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion honoree. The CEI is a national benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

“At Avantor, we are focused on creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity and we understand the unique perspectives and experiences of our associates help to drive innovation,” said Michael Stubblefield, President and CEO, Avantor. “We are proud of this recognition by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation of our efforts to support colleagues of all backgrounds and create a sense of belonging, and will continue to build upon the progress we have made in the past three years.”

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars: non-discrimination policies across business entities, equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families, supporting an inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility. This year, 545 companies received a top score.

Since Avantor initiated its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office in 2020, the company has implemented several programs, policies and practices which support the LGBTQ+ community. Early efforts included the creation of employee resource groups and joining CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion in 2020.

Avantor’s continued efforts include expanding health benefits to ensure full inclusion of spousal and partner benefits, family formation benefits and transgender benefits. The company also developed an LGBTQ+-specific benefits guide for associates and provided internal training on LGBTQ+ inclusion topics. In addition, Avantor is a co-signatory of the Human Rights Campaign’s Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ Legislation.

“Our diversity, equity and inclusion team and our Pride Network have been instrumental as we have worked to ensure that our benefits, policies and programming support an inclusive environment for our LGBTQ+ associates,” said Noël France, Vice President, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, Avantor. “This score is a testament to our associates and their engagement and involvement and we will continue this very important work.”

Learn more about Avantor’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by visiting our website. HRC Foundation’s full 2023-2024 CEI report is available here.

About Avantor 
Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and technology industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 300,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world. For more information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Media Contact 
Felicia Harvey 
Director, Media Relations and Corporate Communications 
Avantor 
656-209-8579 
Felicia.Harvey@avantorsciences.com
SOURCE Avantor and Financial News

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Not long after joining U.S. Bank, Dan Doyle pulled back a tarp at a bank building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and discovered something that surprised him.

“I thought, ‘Whose car is this?’” Doyle, a U.S. Bank properties manager, shared as he recalled finding the unexpected treasure below street level. “Turned out it was a Model A replica.”

While the original Model A vehicles were created in the 1920s and 1930s, the replica Doyle found was from the 1980s and used by U.S. Bank in parades and at events in the Cedar Rapids area. However, memories of it being used were lost over the years.

“I’ve worked in the Cedar Rapids area for years and have never seen it used,” said DJ Glasgow, the Branch Banking district manager for eastern Iowa, who joined U.S. Bank nearly 12 years ago. “When Dan found it, he said it wasn’t doing anyone any good just sitting there and we talked about donating it.”

After testing how it ran and cleaning the vehicle, it didn’t take long for the U.S. Bank team to decide who could benefit the most from it.

Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational respite care and travel program for people with disabilities. Based out of Monticello, Iowa, the organization serves nearly 10,000 campers of all ages each year through programming and activities such as group trips to Iowa football games and trips to the Badlands in South Dakota. Camp Courageous is largely volunteer run, with financial support coming from donations and community fundraising events.

“Our largest one-day fundraiser is our Pineapple Gala,” said Charlie Becker, the CEO of Camp Courageous. “It’s been going since 1979, when an airline began flying in pineapples to Iowa from Hawaii to promote tourism. It’s now a gala with an auction from items donated from the community.”

When the U.S. Bank team reached out to Becker about donating the car for the auction, it was an immediate yes. The Model A replica became the auction’s featured item, generating a significant amount of enthusiasm for the auction and Camp Courageous.

“It brought people to the table we’d never seen before or hadn’t seen in a while,” said Becker. “It generated so much interest in the camp. Not to mention that our campers loved the car.”

The Model A replica brought in $6,200 for Camp Courageous after a local car dealership took the top bid. It, along with university basketball tickets, helped double what the auction raised the previous year. 

“We’re really thankful to U.S. Bank and to everyone who poured their hearts out to make this possible,” said Becker. “It’s a great demonstration of how U.S. Bank cares about their community and customers.” 

Throughout the 26-state footprint of U.S. Bank, the company is driven to support local communities. In 2022, U.S. Bank provided $64 million in corporate and U.S. Bank Foundation giving to community organizations. Additionally, employees volunteered a total of 311,000 hours – totaling 35.5 years.

For Nancy Lynk, the Commercial Banking relationship manager in Cedar Rapids who serves as the city representative to the local U.S. Bank Advisory Board, that commitment to service lives on in the partnership with Camp Courageous.

“For more than 50 years, Camp Courageous has built a community of support for tens of thousands of campers and families,” said Lynk. “All of us here at U.S. Bank, whether through this year’s Pineapple Gala or by volunteering, are proud to be a part of that history.”

Henkel Spotlight News

Our purpose is what unites us at Henkel North America: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. Our pioneering spirit is reflective of the diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents of our employees and partners. They dare to make an impact on the world by collaborating to tackle challenges, find solutions and open new perspectives.

Their contributions allow us to deliver products, services and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life. We invite you to “meet” two of our pioneers in a double edition of our new series, “Pioneers for Good.”

Alice Cheung, Principal Scientist Product Development, and Alexis Kriegl, Product Optimization Manager, both play essential roles at Henkel Adhesive Technologies in providing innovative solutions for the packaging and consumer goods business. Alice has been with Henkel for 13 years working on advancements in hot melt adhesive products for end-of-line packaging applications. Alexis has been with the company for 9 years, working on adhesive solutions used in everyday products such as box closures, bottle labels, and sustainable paper products.

Working at Henkel has enabled Alexis and Alice to maximize their abilities, discover new possibilities within their field and uncover a passion for inspiring and mentoring the next generation.

Henkel’s commitment to education through programs like Henkel Researchers’ World provides opportunities for Alice and Alexis to share their love of science. They were lead organizers of the Henkel Researchers’ World event for National STEM Day on Nov. 8 where they taught science lessons to elementary school children. Alice says, “STEM helps advance our society and I am passionate about doing my part to encourage future generations to recognize its importance and contributions to everyday life.”

Alice, Scientist, Inventor, Volunteer at Heart

As a Principal Scientist for Henkel’s Packaging and Consumer Goods business, Alice designs and formulates new and innovative hot melt adhesive products for Henkel’s customers and consumers. After graduating with her Ph.D. in Polymer Science and working at a chemical company, Alice was interested in joining Henkel to pursue an adhesive formulation position, which was a new area for her. Since her journey at Henkel began 13 years ago, she’s been able to develop innovative solutions and patented technologies that have contributed to Henkel’s winning portfolio.

Being an instructor for Henkel Researchers’ World program is the latest in Alice’s extensive volunteer efforts for science education. Each year, Alice joins a Henkel team as a Sustainability Ambassador, where they visit schools to teach children about sustainable behavior at home. Her favorite part of every program is answering questions from the students and seeing that spark of innovative creativity within each child.

These experiences have been rewarding knowing that I have the opportunity to provide a stimulating and fun environment for each child. I hope one day they may also aspire to encourage future generations to take an active role in protecting our environment and igniting the spirit of a researcher to keep searching for ways to improve life.

Alice Cheung, Principal Scientist Product Development, Henkel Adhesive Technologies

Not only does she teach inside classrooms, but Alice has also helped create one. One of her favorite projects was the “Henkel Cargo of Dreams,” which transformed a trailer into a kindergarten classroom. What resonated most with Alice during this project was knowing that the classroom would engage children in exciting learning experiences.

Alexis, Engineer, Chemist and Mentor

At Henkel, Alexis has worked as an application engineer and product development chemist to help create new adhesives, manufacturing lines/processes, lab testing procedures, and new products. “I am continuously enamored at the engineering that goes into food and e-commerce packaging and love being a part of a team providing a beneficial adhesive solution for our customers.”

Alexis’s career journey at Henkel extends beyond the advancements she has helped to make in adhesives. Through Henkel’s education initiatives, Alexis shares her passion for science and gains great personal fulfillment. In addition to being a Henkel Researchers’ World instructor, Alexis is on the Sustainability Ambassadors team with Alice preparing lessons and teaching at local schools. She is also a key organizer of Henkel’s Take your Child to Work Day event –organizing activities to help children learn about their parent’s jobs in chemistry, engineering, marketing, sustainability and more.

I have a passion for inspiring and generating curiosity in the next generation of scientists and engineers. I love seeing the excitement as their hands raise to ask and answer questions.

Alexis Kriegl, Product Optimization Manager, Henkel Adhesive Technologies

Alexis says every role and experience she’s had at Henkel have helped transform her into the passionate, creative, and resourceful person she is today.

What it means to be a pioneer at heart for the good of generations

To Alexis, being a pioneer at heart for the good of generations means continuously exploring and challenging the current standard. To Alice, it means pushing forward so everyone has an opportunity to do good for generations. Their advice for young scientists is to be curious, courageous, and communicative!

Amid the ongoing race to slow the pace of climate change, Crown continues to take a proactive role in industry sustainability initiatives. Long-term decarbonization remains at the forefront of those efforts, with Climate Action and Optimum Circularity as two core pillars of focus within our ongoing Twentyby30™ program. We understand that to effectively drive change and reduce our footprint, we must be frequent participants in conversations both up and down the value chain, working with our partners and peers to identify and execute solutions for our sector. By being aligned as a collective group, we can create a larger, more meaningful impact.

To continue this collaboration, we are heading to COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (Dubai, UAE, Nov. 30 – Dec. 12). As the world’s largest and most prominent annual meeting of the minds on climate-related issues, COP28 serves as a critical forum for various industries to take stock of progress around the Paris Agreement.

This year, we are participating in two key sessions on site at COP28. Sandrine Duquerroy-Delesalle, Director of Sustainability & External Affairs at Crown will speak along with other thought leaders on various aluminum-centric topics. Details of the sessions include:

COP28 Call to Action – Circularity in the Heavy Emitting Sectors: A Call to Accelerate Aluminum Beverage Can Circularity

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 4 p.m. GST

Convened by COP28 and the International Aluminium Institute, the Call to Action will gather the aluminium beverage can industry and call on national governments to improve circularity policies. It will focus on the importance of aluminum beverage can recycling to achieve net zero targets, the need for widespread national and regional legislation and policies that will drive higher collection, sorting and recycling of used beverage cans.

From Policy to Action, Solving the Waste Challenges

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. GST

Convened by Tadweer, a leading waste and environmental services operator and aimed at unpacking waste management strategies and regulations and notably the principles of extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies and its impacts on product life cycles as well as the environmental importance of achieving packaging waste recycling targets.

We look forward to connecting with all COP28 participants in Dubai and to creating more actionable next steps around recycling rates, waste management and overall industry decarbonization. We also encourage our employees and partners to participate in these collective efforts, whether on site or from afar, as it is this kind of widespread momentum that can help us ultimately reach our targets.

Check back here and follow us on LinkedIn to see live updates from COP28 and to learn what’s next for us on the topic of climate action.

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Some of the most important work KeyBank does happens in the communities we serve. To make a lasting difference, Key teammates make it a priority to engage with community members and community leaders to understand their needs and ideas, develop plans and then act.

In Cincinnati, Key recently awarded six organizations with grant funds totaling $80,000. The grant funds will be used to support an array of programs from workforce development to creating safe, vital neighborhoods.

The organizations which received funds from KeyBank include:

Organization Program AmountCEO Works CincinnatiWorkforce Development$10,000Working in NeighborhoodsHomeownership$10,000Cincinnati Youth Collaborative        Education$20,000S.E.L.FHome Repair and Ownership    $15,000J-RAB, Inc.CJOC$15,000YWCADomestic Violence 
Shelter Programming$15,000

“These six organizations are representative of what we believe in at KeyBank: establishing safe, healthy, affordable and inclusive communities,” said Jennifer Damiano, KeyBank’s Cincinnati Market President. “We hope our grants can help in creating opportunities for our neighbors and help build even stronger neighborhoods. We are proud to partner with and support these organizations and the work they’re doing to prepare individuals for thriving futures.”

Learn more about KeyBank’s commitment to helping clients and communities thrive

ESG Talk hosts Mandi McReynolds, Steve Soter, Andie Wood, and Ernest Anunciacion come together for the first time in this special season finale. The group discusses key moments that shaped sustainability in 2023 and their predictions for 2024 – including the massive impact of global regulations and generative AI.

Listen Now

Looking for more? Subscribe to the ESG Talk podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and YouTube.

Employees of our Cadence Cork team recently volunteered to be part of an exciting journey with our learners from Age Action. Age Action is Ireland’s leading advocacy organization for older people and aging. The organization provides practical programs to support older people in overcoming their digital nervousness through their Care and Repair, Getting Started, and Information Service programs.

As part of Age Action’s Getting Started program, Cadence employees conducted one-to-one training in digital literacy, supporting older people in getting online, or using their smart device with confidence. Each Cadence volunteer committed to devoting two hours per week for a block of five weeks. There were 10 volunteers with a one-to-one mapping to 10 learners.

Internet and smart devices have become a necessity for every age group in this digital era. During our sessions, we realized that training people who grew up long before the Internet and social media era can be challenging. However, the learners were passionate about learning, and by the end of the program they were happy with what they had achieved.

We, as volunteers, customized our training based on our learner’s needs. By the end of the program, all learners were a lot more confident about using smart devices. It was indeed an enriching experience for Cadence employees and a golden opportunity to be part of this noble cause.

Above are a few comments from the individuals who were involved in this noble cause.

For more information on Age Action and their mission, check out their website and see how you can get involved.

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For every residential customer who signs up for Duke Energy’s Renewable Advantage program, the company will plant a tree

CHARLOTTE, N.C., December 1, 2023 /3BL/ – Renewable energy now comes with an added bonus — helping plant trees to benefit the environment.

For the first 1,000 Duke Energy residential customers who start a Renewable Advantage subscription between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15, the company will plant a tree with help from the One Tree Planted organization.

“More than half of Duke Energy’s generation in the Carolinas is already carbon-free and renewable energy plays an important role in helping further reduce carbon and serve our state’s growing energy needs,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina state president. “Renewable Advantage gives customers an easy option to support renewable energy and help reduce your environmental impact related to electric usage.”

Currently, more than 8,000 customers participate in the Renewable Advantage program. Each $4 purchase in the Renewable Advantage program supports the generation of 250 kilowatt-hour (kWh) blocks of electricity from renewable energy resources. Customers can purchase as many blocks as they wish. A typical residential customer uses roughly 1,000 kWh a month.

The Renewable Advantage program represents wind, solar and biomass generation that is verified and certified by Green-e® Energy. Duke Energy is required to disclose the quantity, type and geographic source of each certificate. For information on Green-e Energy, please visit www.green-e.org.

“We all have a role to play in protecting the environment and combating climate change, and we admire Duke Energy’s dedication to being a force for good,” said Matt Hill, founder and chief environmental evangelist at One Tree Planted. “With Duke Energy’s commitment to giving back to the environment by planting a tree for customers who start a Renewable Advantage subscription, we are restoring forests, creating habitat for biodiversity, and making a positive social impact.”

Since 2014, One Tree Planted has planted nearly 93 million trees in more than 80 countries around the globe. Learn more about its forest restoration efforts to help recover ecosystems after natural disasters, restore habitat for biodiversity, stabilize vital watersheds and more.

In addition, for each block of renewable energy that is purchased, 50 cents will be donated to support solar installation and education at North Carolina K-12 schools through NC GreenPower.

Duke Energy does not profit from Renewable Advantage. Program participation fees go directly toward the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) and program administration.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

One Tree Planted

One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to rebuild forests after fires and floods, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at onetreeplanted.org.

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Contact: Randy Wheeless 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853 
Twitter: @DE_RandW

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December 1, 2023 /3BL/ – Thermo King – by Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator – is setting the standard in digital solutions for transport with the development of telematics solutions that make it easier than ever for customers to meet both sustainability and operational goals.

With the industry’s first predictive analytics, Thermo King solutions enable reduced fuel consumption, increased uptime, and boost fleet profitability. With more than 100,000 connected vehicles utilizing TracKing globally, Thermo King’s suite of connected solutions help fleets optimize performance and transport valuable goods safely and efficiently.

“As the world contends with the impact of climate change, Thermo King continuously draws on our rich history of industry leadership to develop the next generation of technology,” said Karin de Bondt, president, Thermo King Americas. “By leveraging data and insights that respond and react to customer needs quickly, our solutions smooth the path to decarbonization without sacrificing performance.”

This September, Thermo King announced the launch of TracKing® Pro telematics, a premium digital offering with the potential to reduce up to 600,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year, the equivalent of taking over 100,000 passenger vehicles off the road. TracKing Pro telematics harnesses the power of cutting-edge algorithms to estimate fuel consumption, electricity usage and opportunities to enhance uptime. TracKing® Pro telematics also includes a benchmark analytics dashboard which allows customers to compare fleet energy usage and operations against best-in-class fleets to discover what is possible to achieve.

Beginning in 2024, TracKing telematics hardware and a two-year service subscription will be standard on Thermo King APU, trailer and large truck products which are sold through more than 185 Thermo King dealer locations in the U.S. and Canada. The Thermo King 3rd generation TriPac APU is the first in the refrigerated transportation industry to include telematics. TracKing telematics hardware is already standard in Thermo King’s newest domestic rail container unit, the Advancer S-DRC and on the Heat King® 450 series, the highest capacity transport heater available in the market today.

These digital offerings support Thermo King’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and advancing Trane Technologies’ 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge, a commitment to reduce one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from our customer’s carbon footprints by 2030.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition hosted a series of webinars to introduce the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) to members located in Asia, North, Central, and South America (AMER) and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The focus was to introduce MCAP as an integral part of SAC Decarbonization Program for SAC members and non-members alike, with a primary objective to accelerate the adoption of science-aligned targets for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as to highlight the SAC’s strategic partnership with Aii’s Carbon Leadership Program (CLP).

Joyce Tsoi, SAC director of Collective Action, APAC, hosted the webinar, and introduced Ringo Yu, the new MCAP manager. Presenters also included Andres Bragagnini, manager of stakeholder engagement and Tamara Wulf, vice president of programs at the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) and member of the apparel alliance, which the SAC formed in partnership with Textile Exchange and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) to create a connected, end-to-end path to action for the entire apparel and footwear industry.

Yu shared information about the SAC’s Collective Action team, which oversees the development of its Decarbonization Program in support of the organization’s goals to achieve a 45 percent greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in line with science-based targets (SBTs) by 2030 — and to zero by 2050. The SAC launched the Decarbonization Program in 2022 and integrated SBTs into SAC’s membership requirements in 2023, with over 50 percent of members having taken this action to date.

In September of this year, the SAC announced the launch of the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP). Designed in collaboration with NIKE and Target Corporation, the MCAP is a critical component of the SAC’s Decarbonization Program, designed to catalyze support and drive the sector toward ambitious yet necessary CO2 emissions reductions.

Tsoi shared the four key elements that form the core of MCAP, empowering manufacturers to take critical action to set science-aligned targets, reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency in order to advance industry goals. Then Bragagnini and Wulf detailed Aii’s Carbon Leadership Program, which can help manufacturers develop and implement a factory-level implementation plan by using Aii’s factory-level carbon toolkit, impact measurement, and validation to achieve their carbon reduction targets. They also shared details of Aii’s program portfolio. The portfolio covers a range of impact programs focused on achieving actual CO2e reductions through energy efficiency and the transition to renewable energy and away from fossil fuels. Finally, Tsoi encouraged SAC brands and manufacturer members to sign up and participate in MCAP from Q1 2024, and Aii invited the factories to participate in their programming.