Tag: 3BL

Across industries, organizations are navigating complex environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) challenges, from evolving regulations and operational risks to circularity, workforce safety, and supply chain pressures. While those challenges vary by sector, one thing remains consistent: progress happens faster through collaboration.

For over 20 years, Antea Group has facilitated industry consortiums that foster open dialogue, peer benchmarking, and collective problem-solving in a trusted environment governed by the Chatham House rule and anti-trust measures. Beyond our role as facilitator, Antea Group leads the committees and advisory boards within each group, provides project management and support, coordinates in-person meetings, and looks for opportunities for each group to leverage their expertise to advance their respective missions. At their core, these groups help industry leaders learn from one another while advancing meaningful progress for common challenges within a sector.

“Industry consortiums create a powerful space for organizations to work together on shared challenges that are often too complex for any one company to solve alone,” said Angelique Dickson, EVP of Partnerships and Networks, Antea Group USA. “By bringing the right partners to the table, we can help turn collective knowledge into practical solutions that move entire industries forward.”

Today, these global consortiums support industries ranging from healthcare and beverage manufacturing to technology and the rapidly growing data center sector. Below is a look at the three consortiums we facilitate, and some of the recent work taking place across these groups.

 

Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER)

BIER is a coalition of global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability through technical collaboration and shared industry action.

As BIER marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, the organization continues to expand its work across sustainability challenges affecting the beverage sector. Originally founded around water stewardship, BIER’s focus has evolved to include climate action, sustainable agriculture, circular packaging, sustainability reporting, and supply chain resilience.

In addition to facilitating collaboration among members, Antea Group provides technical support and subject matter expertise that helps advance BIER’s research initiatives, benchmarking programs, technical guidance, and collective action projects.

Initiatives and areas of focus include:

• Technical guidance and tools related to greenhouse gas emissions and water circularity
• Quarterly sustainability and environment, social, and governance (ESG) regulatory roundups
• Collective action initiatives focused on watershed collaboration and sustainable cooling solutions
• And more:

Industry Benchmarking

For nearly two decades, BIER’s benchmarking program has helped member companies and the larger beverage industry measure environmental performance and identify opportunities for improvement across water use, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. By collecting and analyzing standardized data from beverage facilities around the world, the program provides the beverage industry with valuable insights into operational performance, emerging trends, and areas of potential risk.

The benchmarking initiative also supports peer learning by enabling companies to compare performance against industry averages, identify leading practices, and make more informed decisions around resource efficiency and sustainability investments. As environmental expectations continue to evolve, the program remains an important tool for tracking progress and driving continuous improvement across the beverage sector.

Charco Bendito Watershed Initiative

One example of BIER’s collective action approach is the Charco Bendito watershed initiative in Jalisco, Mexico. The project brings together companies that share reliance on the same watershed to support long-term water resilience through restoration activities, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative resource management.

By working together across organizations and sectors, participants are helping address shared water challenges that would be difficult for any one company to tackle independently. The initiative demonstrates how collective action can create meaningful environmental and community benefits while supporting the long-term sustainability of critical water resources. BIER continues to look for opportunities around the world to launch similar impactful initiatives.

Sustainable Coolers Coolition

BIER also continues to advance the Sustainable Coolers Coolition, a collaborative effort focused on reducing the environmental footprint of commercial beverage refrigeration equipment.

The initiative brings together beverage companies, equipment manufacturers, and technical partners to explore opportunities and innovations for improved energy efficiency, circularity, and lower-emission cooling technologies. Through shared research, industry engagement, and innovation-focused programs such as the Cool Challenge, participants are helping accelerate the development and adoption of more sustainable refrigeration solutions across the beverage sector. BIER continues to provide a trusted, non-competitive environment where beverage companies can collaborate on practical, science-based approaches to shared environmental challenges.

Find out more about BIER here.

BIER contact: Celine Morris

 

Data Center Safety Council (DCSC)

This collaborative industry group is focused on improving health, safety, and workforce wellbeing across data center operations through shared best practices, training, and alignment.

DCSC continues to expand its collaborative efforts across workforce development, operational safety, and industry alignment. During a recent in-person steering committee meeting, members identified several potential new workstreams for 2026 and beyond, including Benchmarking and Metrics Harmonization and the Standardization of Qualified Electrical Worker Requirements. Discussions also explored the potential development of a broader Data Center Construction Coalition to further extend collaboration across the industry ecosystem.

One of DCSC’s major ongoing initiatives is the Data Center Safety Awareness Certificate, developed in partnership with Certus to establish a consistent baseline of safety awareness for personnel working in live data center environments. The training focuses on common operational risks including electrical hazards, fire and heat exposure, and access control while helping create more consistent onboarding and shared safety language across multi-employer sites.

Additional 2026 priorities include expansion of the High-Risk Activities (HRA) Resource Library, and continued DCSC Exchange bi-monthly forums for data center hyperscalers, owners, and operators. Together, these initiatives support DCSC’s broader mission of advancing holistic health and safety across the data center lifecycle through collaboration, knowledge sharing, workforce development, and practical industry guidance.

DCSC also recently released a new video featuring steering committee members reflecting on the mission, growth, and impact of the organization, and how collaboration across the industry is helping advance consistent safety practices, address shared risks, and improve worker wellbeing throughout the data center lifecycle.

Learn more about DCSC here.

DCSC contact: Tracy Taszarek

 

Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC)

HPRC is a cross-sector coalition of globally recognized organizations working to improve the recyclability of plastics and packaging used throughout healthcare environments. With active initiatives across the United States and Europe, HPRC brings together stakeholders from across the healthcare plastics value chain to develop practical, scalable recycling solutions.

At HPRC’s Spring 2026 Full Council Meeting, collaboration across the healthcare plastics value chain remained a central theme, with discussions focused on how manufacturers, healthcare systems, recyclers, and suppliers, can work together to address persistent recycling barriers.

HPRC’s 2026 roadmap includes several ongoing and new initiatives designed to improve healthcare plastics recycling infrastructure and implementation, including:

Houston Regional Healthcare Plastics Recycling Playbook

Building on work from previous years, HPRC is helping advance a regional healthcare plastics recycling model in Houston, Texas, in collaboration with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), the Vinyl Institute, and the Houston Methodist healthcare network. The initiative aims to develop a playbook that will allow other healthcare systems across the US to implement practical, economically viable programs for healthcare plastics recycling.

Hospicycle Resource Refresh

Working alongside the Healthcare Facility Advisory Board (HFAB), HPRC is updating and expanding Hospicycle tools and resources to better support healthcare facilities that are implementing plastics recycling programs.

Recycling Infrastructure Mapping

This initiative is focused on understanding barriers and opportunities for recycle-ready healthcare packaging and materials selection while developing a publicly available map of participating hospital recycling programs and infrastructure.

Standardized Packaging Labeling

HPRC is working to improve end-of-life material identification by exploring more standardized labeling approaches for flexible and rigid medical packaging.

Volume and Value Tool Development

Building on data gathered during previous project work, HPRC aims to develop a predictive tool that helps healthcare facilities better understand recyclable material volumes and how purchasing decisions influence recycling outcomes.

Learn more about HPRC here.

HPRC contact: Tracy Taszarek

 

Looking Ahead: The Future of Industry Consortiums

From advancing beverage sustainability and healthcare plastics recycling to improving data center safety, each of these consortiums demonstrates the value of bringing industry peers together to address shared challenges. Through benchmarking, technical collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective action, these groups help organizations move beyond individual efforts and make meaningful progress on issues that affect entire industries.

As environmental, health, safety, and sustainability priorities continue to evolve, the consortiums facilitated by Antea Group will continue providing trusted forums where organizations can exchange ideas, develop practical solutions, and help shape the future of their industries.

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these consortiums or exploring opportunities to participate, please reach out today.

July 15, 2026 /3BL/ – DP World is expanding the electrification of its port operations in Chile with the introduction of seven 100% electric Internal Transfer Vehicles (ITVs) and a dedicated charging station at its terminal in San Antonio.

The US$1.5 million investment makes San Antonio the first port terminal in central Chile to operate electric ITVs and supports DP World’s long-term transition from diesel-powered equipment to electric alternatives.

The new vehicles will handle approximately 12% of all container yard movements at the terminal while reducing emissions by around 329 tonnes of CO₂ and eliminating up to 120,000 litres of diesel consumption each year.

Advancing Port Decarbonization at Scale

The initiative is supported by a new on-site charging station featuring a 300kW fast charger with two charging connections, enabling vehicles to recharge from 20% to 80% battery capacity in approximately one hour when both connections are in use. The infrastructure also improves equipment availability while reducing operating costs, noise, and maintenance requirements.

The charging station will be powered by 100% renewable electricity. Since 2021, DP World’s operations in San Antonio have operated entirely on renewable energy, contributing to a reduction of more than 50% in the terminal’s CO₂ emissions over the past four years—equivalent to planting approximately 170,000 trees or removing more than 4,700 combustion-engine vehicles from the road over the same period.

San Antonio now joins DP World’s South Pier terminal in Callao, Peru, as the company’s second port terminal in the Americas to operate a dedicated electric charging station. Following the introduction of Latin America’s first charging station for electric terminal trucks in Callao, DP World is also constructing a dedicated charging station at its port terminal in Caucedo, Dominican Republic, as it expands fleet electrification in the region.

Scaling Electrification Across Chile 

The milestone also builds on DP World’s wider decarbonization efforts across Chile. Earlier this year, the company introduced Chile’s first fully electric container Reach Stacker at its multipurpose terminal in Lirquén, which is set to eliminate approximately 60,000 litres of diesel and preventing around 160,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions annually.

In Chile and across its global network, DP World continues to invest in fleet electrification, renewable energy, and low-carbon infrastructure as part of its decarbonization strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating how ports can reduce emissions while supporting the efficient movement of global trade.

Discover more about DP World’s Decarbonization Strategy here.

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom 

WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) today announced it is a presenting sponsor of the Kansas City Current’s 9th & Vant Brunt youth soccer league – a new, no-cost, no-barrier league that’s designed to increase youth soccer participation in Kansas City. The league reflects a long-term commitment between CVS Health and the Current to not only expand access to play, but also to improve community health and wellness across Kansas City.

On July 11, CVS Health representatives joined elected officials, youth participants, community members and more for an opening ceremony before the league’s inaugural matches. Additionally, prior to the first match, local CVS Health colleagues volunteered with the Current to distribute equipment bags that included shin guards, cleats and more, to help ensure league players have everything they need for a successful first season.

“We’re honored to have helped kick off the 9th & Vant Brunt Soccer League’s inaugural season as the club’s presenting sponsor,” said Hillary Crain, Region Director Emerging Leader at CVS Health. “We’ve seen firsthand the powerful role soccer plays in strengthening community health, and this league has the opportunity for a lasting, positive impact on Kansas City youth.”

The sponsorship is an extension of CVS Health’s existing support of the Kansas City Current; earlier this year, CVS Pharmacy became the club’s Official Retail Pharmacy, and CVS Health became the lower-back-of-kit partner. This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to bringing health and wellness resources directly into the community, which reinforces CVS Health’s goal of improving community-level health.

To learn more about how CVS Health is strengthening its communities through soccer, visit https://www.cvs.com/content/soccer.

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About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

CLEVELAND, July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – The KeyBank Foundation announced a $300,000 grant to the national nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) to support the expansion of the organization’s Youth Banking Connect (YBC) initiative, formerly known as Summer Jobs Connect. This investment will help more young people nationwide gain access to safe, affordable banking products, direct deposit, and financial education through government-connected workforce programs.

The three-year grant will enable the CFE Fund to expand its model beyond summer youth employment programs to reach young people participating in government-led workforce development opportunities. Through a cohort-based academy model, the initiative will provide technical assistance and support to at least 15 youth workforce programs nationwide over three years, helping them integrate banking access, financial education, and other financial empowerment strategies into their operations. As a result, the CFE Fund anticipates measurable increases in the number of participating youth who open safe and affordable bank accounts, receive wages through direct deposit, and engage in financial education programming.

“For many young people, a first paycheck represents a critical opportunity to begin building lifelong financial habits,” said Eric Fiala, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO of the KeyBank Foundation. “KeyBank is committed to advancing economic inclusion and financial wellness in the communities we serve. Through our partnership with the CFE Fund, we are helping more young people access safe banking products, receive wages through direct deposit, and gain the financial knowledge they need to build a strong foundation for their futures.”

Banking access remains a key building block of financial stability. Over the past decade, the CFE Fund’s youth banking efforts have helped more than 180,000 young people open their first bank account and enabled more than 600,000 youth workers to receive their wages through direct deposit. The newly expanded Youth Banking Connect initiative will build on that success by reaching a broader range of youth workforce programs serving participants ages 14 to 24.

“An early job can be a transformative moment in a young person’s life; pairing that experience with access to safe banking and financial education can have lasting impacts on lifelong financial stability,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “We are deeply grateful to the KeyBank Foundation for its support of Youth Banking Connect. This investment will help local governments and community partners across the country equip young workers with the tools and resources they need to begin their financial journeys with confidence.”

Through the Youth Banking Connect Academy, participating workforce programs will receive no-cost training, technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and resources to help them establish partnerships with financial institutions, increase direct deposit adoption, and incorporate financial education into youth workforce experiences.

The initiative primarily serves low- and moderate-income youth, many of whom are earning income for the first time and may be unbanked or underbanked. By connecting participants to banking accounts at the start of their working lives, the program aims to promote long-term financial potential, saving habits, and economic mobility.

The grant aligns with the KeyBank Foundation’s commitment to advancing economic inclusion and financial capability, helping individuals and families build stronger financial futures and creating pathways to greater opportunity in communities across the country.

• Non-profits and workforce development programs can apply for the YBC Academy here: https://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=CitiesFE

The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund will host two informational webinars on the YBC Academy:

• First informational webinar: Wednesday, July 22nd at 2pm ET (Register here)
   
• Second informational webinar: Thursday, August 13th at 3pm ET (Register here)

ABOUT KEYCORP

KeyCorp’s roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key (NYSE: KEY) is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2026.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately 1,100 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

ABOUT CITIES FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT

The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting-edge experience with large-scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund is currently working in over 150 cities and counties, and has disbursed over $75 million to local governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Bluesky at @cfefund.bsky.social.

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KEYBANK CONTACT: 

Lisa LoParo
Corporate Responsibility Communications
216-469-3815
Lisa_LoParo@KeyBank.com

CITIES FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FUND CONTACT:

Katie Plat
Chief of Communications and Development
818-970-2939
kplat@cfefund.org

PHOENIX, July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, will host its seventh Cleft Con at The Wigman in Litchfield Park, Arizona from July 17-19, bringing together cleft-affected individuals and their families for a dynamic weekend of connection and learning.

Cleft Con is Smile Train’s signature global event designed to unite the cleft community through shared experiences. The event features interactive sessions and honest conversations between individuals who have lived with a cleft, offering personal perspectives on the emotional and medical aspects of their journeys. Notable Smile Train cleft-affected ambassadors, including 2026 Miss Georgia Sophia Wootten; professional hockey player Nicole Hensley; and Dinè weaver and designer Naiomi Glasses, will also be in attendance.

“The cleft community is strongest when people have opportunities to connect and learn from one another,” said Iva Ballou, Cleft Community Manager, Smile Train. “Cleft Con celebrates those connections, bringing together voices from around the world to foster understanding and support one another.”

This year’s gathering will take place the weekend immediately preceding Smile Train’s second annual World Cleft Awareness Day on July 20, a global observance founded by Smile Train in 2025 to elevate awareness of cleft lip and palate and access to comprehensive care worldwide.

Together, Cleft Con and World Cleft Awareness Day reflect Smile Train’s ongoing commitment to building a global platform where people with clefts are seen, heard, and supported.

Although Cleft Con Phoenix 2026 is in person, there will also be a virtual Cleft Con on October 17, ensuring access for the global cleft community regardless of geography.

Registration details, agenda highlights, and speaker announcements are available at smiletrain.org/cleftcon.

About Smile Train

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train’s sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.

Media Contact

Emily Gay | Public Relations

egay@smiletrain.org | (561) 308-0089

By Lamor Williams

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., July 16, 2026 /3BL/ – Entergy Arkansas will host a series of in-person customer care events across the state beginning Tuesday, July 7, to connect customers with valuable resources like financial assistance for energy bills that increase with temperatures.

Entergy Arkansas works with community partners that administer the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, which provides financial assistance to eligible households to help cover energy costs.

The events are designed to help customers better manage their utility bills, learn about available assistance programs and access trusted community resources—all in one place. Customers can speak directly with Entergy Arkansas representatives, partner utilities and nonprofit organizations about payment options, energy efficiency programs and other support services.

To make the process as seamless as possible, customers planning to apply for LIHEAP assistance should bring the following items:

• A driver’s license or state-issued ID
• Social Security card or number
• Proof of all income
• The most recent utility bill(s) for cooling and heating (regardless of service provider)
• Lease agreement (if living in subsidized housing or if utilities are included in rent)

Each event is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to the public regardless of electric service provider. No appointment is required. The event schedule and locations is as follows:

July 7 – Camden
First United Methodist Church
121 Harrison Ave SW

July 9 – Magnolia 
First United Methodist Church
320 W Main St.

July 20 – Star City
Star City Civic Center
201 Liberty St

July 8 – El Dorado 
Municipal Auditorium
100 W 8th St.

July 10 – Little Rock
Arkansas State Fair Grounds
2600 Howard St.

For more information about Entergy Arkansas programs such as the Bill Toolkit, visit entergyarkansas.com or call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749). The Bill Toolkit consolidates helpful resources for customers interested in exploring ways to lower their electric use and costs and learn more about different payment options the company offers. It also provides information on energy efficiency programs and the incentives and rebates associated with these programs.

About Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 735,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyArkansas.com and connect with @EntergyARK on social media.

Media inquiries:

L. Lamor Williams
lwill51@entergy.com
501-377-3525

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We’re leading by example through responsible operations, reimagining our systems and taking action to have a restorative impact on the environment.

In Oberhausen, Germany, Trane Technologies created an innovation and operations hub designed to support a growing Rental Services business and advanced engineering capabilities in electrification and power electronics. Built with carbon-neutral operations in mind, the facility integrates a sustainable thermal management system, circular rental services and innovation teams in a single footprint. Together with nearby teams in Essen, the sites demonstrate how operational sustainability, electrification and circular business models can work together to support customer decarbonization and business growth.

PROJECT AT-A-GLANCE:

The opportunity:

Support the rapid growth of rental services and electrification engineering capabilities while advancing Trane Technologies’ 2030 Sustainability Commitments, reducing the environmental impact of operations, enabling lower-carbon solutions for customers and strengthening opportunities for engineering talent and innovation.

The solutions:

An integrated thermal management system eliminates the need for fossil fuel heating and cooling across the facility. Waste heat from cooling is captured and stored in a large buffer tank, where it can be reused to support equipment testing operations. The site also uses advanced Trane controls and building management systems to continuously optimize performance. Rainwater harvesting avoids using fresh water for equipment cleaning. And the facility supports an expanded circular rental services hub, capable of serving customer applications across an exceptional thermal range.

Sustainability outcomes:

• Carbon-neutral facility operations with no fossil fuel heating or cooling
• More than 500,000 kg of CO₂ emissions avoided annually through efficient thermal management and building systems
• Reduced freshwater demand through rainwater harvesting
• Circular rental model extending equipment life through refurbishment and redeployment across multiple customer applications
• Electrification innovations such as Thermo King® AxlePower reduce customers’ fuel consumption and emissions in refrigerated transport
• Expanded community partnerships to develop the next generation of sustainability-focused engineers

VIDEO: Leading by Example: Engineered for Sustainability in Oberhausen

A facility engineered for sustainability

Located in Germany’s Ruhr region, one of Europe’s largest industrial areas, Oberhausen and nearby Essen sit at the center of a region that has transformed from coal and steel production into a hub for engineering, logistics and advanced technology.

When the Trane Technologies team began envisioning a facility in Oberhausen, two needs quickly emerged.

One was practical: the Trane Rental Services business in the region was growing rapidly, requiring a larger hub to support expanding equipment fleets, testing capability and customer demand.

At the same time, the local engineering team in Essen was building new capabilities in electrification and power electronics for refrigerated transport, requiring labs and collaboration space to advance next-generation systems.

Bringing these two ambitions together shaped a broader vision for the site – a place where a circular rental services hub and an electrification engineering center could reinforce one another while supporting innovation, talent development and long-term business growth.

The team also set an ambitious goal for the facility to support the company’s 2030 Sustainability Commitments. “We had to think about how to optimize the site’s energy usage,” said Marco Henning, District Leader for Trane Germany. “It was clear Oberhausen needs to be carbon neutral.”

Designed for carbon-neutral operations and a model for customers

The resulting 14,000 square-meter business and innovation hub brings together offices, equipment workshops, training areas and engineering capabilities, and a warehouse, into a single footprint, with sustainability built directly into how the building operates.

A fully integrated thermal management system using a Trane® Sintesis Balance CMAF multi-pipe unit provides simultaneous heating and cooling across the facility without burning fossil fuels. When only comfort cooling is required, a Trane® Sintesis Advantage CXAF air-to-water heat pump recovers the heat that would otherwise be wasted, and stores it in a 50,000-liter water buffer tank. This heat is then reused to power on-site testing operations, creating a closed energy loop that reduces overall energy demand and avoids thermal energy waste.

The Trane control and building management systems allow for the complete integration of heating and cooling plants, serving the offices, rental hub and testing facilities. The thermal management system is expected to save over 500,000 kgCO2 emissions annually, equivalent to the annual heating of approximately 100 homes.

Additional features, including LED lighting, EV charging infrastructure and rainwater harvesting, further reduce resource use.

Rental Services: sustainability through circularity

Oberhausen is a major Rental Services hub, where the rental model supports a more resource-efficient and inherently circular approach to delivering thermal infrastructure for customers.

The fleet provides temporary cold storage and HVAC capacity without any capital investment, effectively turning each unit into a shared resource. Today the rental fleet spans an exceptional thermal range—from -70°C superfreezers to +120°C superheaters—supporting industrial cooling, process heating, emergency response and complex temperature-control applications such as data centers.

Instead of oversizing HVAC plants or purchasing equipment that may sit underutilized, customers can access rental systems for short- and long-term needs.

With dedicated testing, repair and refurbishment facilities on site, the Oberhausen hub keeps equipment performing at peak levels while enabling continuous refurbishment and redeployment across the fleet, extending the lifecycle of equipment and reducing the need for new manufacturing.

In addition to maintaining the fleet for Rental needs, the site provides compressor overhaul services to customers seeking to extend the life of their existing equipment, adding another sustainable contribution through resource reuse and performance efficiency.

Scaling innovation in electrification

Alongside the rental business, Oberhausen also serves as a Center of Excellence for Electrification within the company’s Advanced Concepts and Capabilities team, where engineers focus on developing scalable electric system architecture and advancing new capabilities.

Just 10 miles away in Essen, Thermo King teams design, test and manufacture the power electronics systems that enable electrified transport refrigeration. Together, the two locations operate as a closely connected innovation ecosystem where engineering, testing and real-world customer feedback come together to accelerate development and deployment.

One of the most ground-breaking outcomes is Thermo King® AxlePower, a kinetic energy recovery e-axle system that converts braking and downhill motion into usable electrical energy for refrigeration units—helping reduce fuel consumption, operating costs and emissions for truck operators.

“Ground up, we design our own power electronics. We build our own software. We integrate all the systems,” said Vikram Madineni, senior engineering manager for Batteries & Energy Storage. “This approach accelerates innovation across our business – allowing us to rapidly expand our knowledge and iterate in areas like battery technology and energy recovery solutions.”

Developing the next Generation of engineers and skilled trades

The Oberhausen hub is also an investment in people and capabilities.

The team works closely with nearby universities, bringing students into the organization through internships, graduate research projects and early-career engineering roles.

“About half of our team started that way,” said Eckardt Augenstein, Chief Architect for Power Electronics. Students often begin with research projects before joining the company as full-time engineers.

Senior engineers work closely with early-career colleagues, helping translate theoretical knowledge into practical engineering work through hands-on testing and experimentation.

Also onsite, technical trainees receive hands-on experience and instruction working on equipment from the Rental fleet and compressors workshop, with a pathway to become certified mechatronic technicians in the specialized refrigeration technology field.

Community engagement also plays a role. During the annual “Long Night of Industry” event, local residents and students tour the facility to see engineering and innovation in action.

Daniel Schranz, Mayor of Oberhausen highlighted the positive impact of Trane Technologies’ investment, stating, “This innovative center, along with the training facility on-site, will contribute to the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills in our community, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Internally, employee networks strengthen culture and connection through mentorship and inclusion. Electrical engineer Isobel Coenen helped launch the Women’s Employee Network for Germany, connecting employees across the organization.

“It helps to see examples and have allies,” Coenen said. “It encourages younger colleagues to follow that path.”

Tomorrow is full of possibilities, and they’re ours to engineer. – Ready to make an impact? Engineer your future with Trane Technologies.

See how we’re making sustainability scalable. – Read our latest Sustainability Report.

Each year on July 15, the United Nations observes World Youth Skills Day, highlighting the importance of equipping young people with skills for the future through education and training.

For SLB, that commitment extends beyond a single day. Across the globe, employees volunteer to help expand access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Through hands-on learning, mentorship and community partnerships, these initiatives help students build confidence, learn about opportunities in STEM fields and develop practical skills.

Hands-On STEM Learning

In Mexico, students participating in the SLB Excellence in Education Development (SEED) program developed skills in design, programming, construction and teamwork throughout the 2025-26 school year.

Teams took part in national and international robotics competitions, earning recognitions for innovation, excellence and collaboration. Highlights included the program’s first all-female team becoming national champion in its category and another SEED team qualifying for the 2026 World Robotics Championship held in St. Louis, Missouri.

Bringing STEM Learning to Schools 

In India, a new initiative called STEM on Wheels is helping address gaps in access to educational resources. Launched by SLB in partnership with a local nonprofit organization, the program brings hands-on STEM experiences directly to schools where access to laboratory facilities and digital tools may be limited. Students participate in interactive experiments, introductory robotics and coding activities with support from SLB volunteers.

Encouraging Girls in STEM

In Ghana, a SEED workshop focused on mentorship and encouragement. Members of a local Girls in Science and Technology Club spent time with SLB volunteers, who shared their experiences and offered guidance. The event included discussions about science and technology, personal development and ways to overcome challenges.

Making Coding More Accessible

In China, technology is helping make STEM education more accessible. Through the SEED-supported AI Programming Project for the Blind, students with sight loss are developing coding skills using voice-enabled programming software. Participants are also learning to operate robotic dogs, creating additional opportunities for hands-on learning and digital skills development.

While each initiative reflects the needs of its local community, all share a common goal: providing opportunities for young people to gain skills, experience and encouragement.

As SLB marks its centennial year, these programs reflect a long-standing commitment to supporting education initiatives in the communities where the company operates.

“At SLB, we believe education creates opportunities,” said Gwen Boyault, vice president of sustainability, SLB. “By supporting STEM learning and mentoring young people in our local communities, we aim to help the next generation develop skills, build confidence and pursue their goals.”

Learn more about SLB’s education and community initiatives in the company’s Sustainability Report.

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As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Whirlpool Corporation is marking its own milestone: 115 years as the only remaining American-owned major kitchen and laundry appliance manufacturer based in the United States. Starting in July with America’s birthday, the company will celebrate with its 20,000 U.S. employees who power the company’s 11 manufacturing communities and additional corporate offices—and build toward a major consumer campaign to celebrate the company’s official anniversary date on November 11.

As the only American-owned appliance company, Whirlpool Corporation is proud to commemorate the country’s 250-year milestone alongside its consumers. What sets Whirlpool Corporation apart isn’t just its longevity. Approximately 80 percent of the major appliances it sells in the U.S. are produced in American factories—three times more than the average of its major competitors. Whirlpool Corporation has doubled down on American workers, American innovation, and American communities, spending $23 billion on U.S. manufacturing, labor, and logistics over the past decade.

Whirlpool Corporation is also proud to be an embedded part of the fabric of the communities where it operates. The company recently celebrated 27-years of work with Habitat for Humanity, donating $160 million and over 260,000 products, including providing a range, refrigerator and garbage disposal for every U.S. Habitat home. The company’s additional programs and initiatives such as the United Way, Feel Good Fridge, Care Counts, and work with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, support local community services, provide fresh food access to over 25,000 families in need, address student absenteeism in 160 schools and invest millions in local redevelopment and youth programs.  

“For 115 years—nearly half of this nation’s history—Whirlpool Corporation has stayed and invested in American manufacturing, American workers, and American communities.”

“For 115 years—nearly half of this nation’s history—Whirlpool Corporation has stayed and invested in American manufacturing, American workers, and American communities,” said Marc Bitzer, Chairman and CEO, Whirlpool Corporation. “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we’re proud to honor our shared legacy with our employees, our partners, and the families who have trusted us to be the heartbeat of their homes since 1911.”

In July, Whirlpool Corporation will be kicking off its 115th-anniversary across its manufacturing facilities and corporate offices in Benton Harbor, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.; Amana, Iowa; Cleveland, Tenn.; Fall River, Mass.; Clyde, Findlay, Greenville, Marion, Ottawa, Perrysburg, Ohio; Tulsa, Okla.; and Racine, Wisc.

Coming This Fall: A Consumer Celebration Building to November 11

Three-quarters of U.S. households own at least one Whirlpool Corporation product today, including kitchen or laundry appliances from Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana, JennAir or InSinkErator, according to a third-party survey.*

Whirlpool Corporation will unveil a major consumer-facing campaign in August designed to thank and celebrate consumers and the story of 115 years of consumer-centered innovation. The campaign will build momentum toward November 11—Whirlpool Corporation’s official 115th anniversary—with activities that celebrate multi-generational family stories connected to Whirlpool Corporation appliances and the legacy of American manufacturing.

“We are grateful to our consumers who keep choosing our brands time and time again. To be present in three out of four households across the United States means a lot to us, and makes us work even harder. The consumer campaign will invite Americans to share special moments, captured by camera, that Whirlpool Corporation brands were part of—whether it’s the appliance their grandparents loved, the kitchen their parents cooked in, or the laundry room where they make sure that soccer jersey is ready for the big game day today,” Bitzer added. “This is about connection, heritage, and family stories.”

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*Based on a 2025 independent national survey of U.S. households with $30,000+ household income and owning one or more major kitchen or laundry appliances

 

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

HARTFORD, Conn., July 15, 2026 /3BL/ – Aetna®, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS) today announced findings from the second Aetna Provider Survey. The Aetna Provider Survey is a quarterly study that polls the U.S. provider market to better understand their perceptions on payers and the industry, today and into the future. This survey series is intended to solicit timely, objective feedback from the U.S. provider market so we can identify opportunities to change the provider-payer dynamic and deepen trust over time.

The study revealed the average provider-payer trust score on a scale from 1-10 is now 6.1, up from 5.4 in the first quarter (Q1), with 38% of providers ranking payers 8 or higher. Providers are also recognizing that payers are making strides in several areas:

• 52% agree payers consistently deliver on their promises, an increase of 16 percentage points from Q1
• 56% agree payers provide clear coverage information, an increase of 12 percentage points from Q1
• 44% agree payers help patients navigate the health care system, an increase of 6 percentage points from Q1

“Trust is a foundational element of health care today. To truly transform the system, we need to continue to deepen the provider-payer relationship,” said Steve Nelson, Executive Vice President and President of Aetna, “At Aetna, we’ve invested significant time and resources to listen to our provider partners and take actions accordingly. I’m encouraged to see that these efforts are being acknowledged and, while there is more work ahead, we are heading in the right direction today and into the future.”

Reducing administrative burden to unlock more time for patient care

Providers continue to rank administrative burden as their top challenge, pointing overwhelmingly to managing patient records or prior authorization as the single biggest contributor — together, 84% of responses. They identified submitting prior authorization requests (58%), re-entering patient information (42%) and submitting claims (41%) as key pain points that can be unlocked by technology.

By rolling out technology enabled solutions, providers saw meaningful time savings for clinicians that can be redirected to patient care. More than 30% of respondents expect to save more than an hour and 80% expect to save more than 30 minutes daily.

Improving interoperability to help improve patient care

The majority (68%) of providers cited interoperability and data integrity as their top technology challenge, with almost a third (29%) stating that providing real time patient data is the most important action payers can take to help their clinical teams. In fact, almost half of respondents (47%) believe that having this data could save more than 10 minutes per appointment.

Providers cited other tangible benefits to their patients, with the top three answers including:

• More informed treatment decisions at the point of care (63%)
• Fewer claim denials and resubmissions (54%)
• Reduced patient wait times for treatment approvals (47%)

Leveraging digital tools to help members access care

Providers believe that new digital tools from payers – which include apps, portals and messaging tools – can make a significant improvement in patient navigation and engagement.

• 71% agree that payers’ digital services help patients better understand benefits and care options
• 68% agree payers’ digital services help patients better understand status of a prior authorization
• 72% agree that payers’ digital services help patients understand their claims status

Over the next five years, 84% agree that advances in technology will lead to better health outcomes, and 72% expect both population health and the patient experience to improve.

Survey methodology and the Aetna Provider Survey

The national study was conducted in Q2 2026 by Morning Consult, a global decision intelligence company. The survey polled a representative sample of U.S. providers comprised of 723 participants, including hospital system executives, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and health IT leaders (CTO/CIOs) nationwide. The overall margin of error is ±4 percentage points.

The Aetna Provider Survey is a quarterly study that polls a representative sample of the U.S. provider market to better understand their perceptions, opportunities, and challenges today and into the future. This survey series is intended to solicit timely, objective feedback from the U.S. provider market so we can identify opportunities to change the provider-payer dynamic and deepen trust over time.

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About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media contact

Phil Blando
Phillip.Blando@cvshealth.com