Tag: 3BL

by Nancy Friedrich, Industry Solutions Marketing, 6G Thought Leadership

With initial 6G working groups launched by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), final research toward 6G standardization and deployment is underway. The initial research phase included two spectrum candidates: sub-terahertz (Sub-THz) frequencies from 90 to 300 GHz and the informally labeled frequency range 3 (FR3), covering 7 to 24 GHz. Although sub-THz frequencies may be used in future releases or generations, it is confirmed that 6G will use FR3.

The Wideband Multifunctional Software Defined Radio (WMSDR) project bridges the 5G-to-6G gap by covering up to 24 GHz using thin-film variable capacitors (varactors) developed by Professor Subramanyam at the University of Dayton in a project team also including the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and a new startup, CapV LLC. Guru Subramanyam, University of Dayton Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, explains that the project’s focus is on lab to fab transition by incentivizing key technologies to be matured very quickly for the benefit of the Department of Defense (DoD).

The Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC) funds this Microelectronics Commons Project, which is the U.S. DoD portion of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act. MMEC is one of the eight hubs established across the country, located in Dayton, Ohio. As one of only five 5G/6G projects, the WMSDR is currently in its first year of the three-year program.

Lockheed Martin leads the WMSDR project team. In fact, Lockheed reached out to the University of Dayton in 2018, when Subramanyam was working with a company called Indiana Microelectronics on an Air Force-funded small business technology transfer research (STTR) phase 1 grant. Lockheed recognized the varactor’s potential to help them miniaturize broadband tunable filters. From there, they started an independent R&D (IRAD) program from 2018 through 2020, working for about two years on ultra-miniaturized tunable filters up to 18 GHz. These filters were roughly 11 x 11 mm² in size, with chip scale integration being the overall program goal.

At the end of the Lockheed IRAD program, the team won the DARPA wideband adaptive RF protection (WARP) phase 1 program. The WARP tunable filters were designed for interference cancellation and other performance capabilities. Lockheed Martin, the University of Dayton (UD), Indiana Micro, and 3D Glass Systems (3DGS) were all part of those phase 1 and phase 2 programs. At the end of phase 2, CapV LLC was created for commercialization of thin-film varactor technology. The entire WARP team, along with Intel Corp., won the current WMSDR funding from the ME Commons program.

As a lab-to-fab transition company, CapV has developed AI-enabled varactor and varactor-based chips. Subramanyam lists the chips they make as one of the things he is most excited about in the current work. He says, “We make these thin-film varactor chips. A chip can be as simple as a single varactor, which can be used as a tuning element and integrated in a hybrid fashion with other chips. At the same time, we can also make multi-varactor based complex chips, such as analog phase shifters for precision phase control, tunable true time delay units, and reconfigurable antennas, which are all important for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) applications.”

6G Security and Performance

Looking beyond the chips to FR3 and 6G performance, Subramanyam anticipates improved latency, bandwidth, and connectivity, such as providing much faster data transfer and enhanced performance in terms of links and MIMO systems. He says, “What’s more exciting for us is, even at FR3 bands, you can easily switch the RF front-end modules from one center frequency to a completely different frequency using our technology. If there are some interferers, you can sense and move very quickly to a different band and still achieve a very high bandwidth and other performance features. That’s the capability provided by the varactor technology.”

Engineers can simply move up or down in frequency so that they can avoid interfering with signals anywhere nearby to effectively obtain the necessary bandwidth. This solution could have potential applications for privacy and security as well.

Design and Integration of Varactors

“There are a lot of applications for this technology,” Subramanyam notes. “Basically, all of them will be for chip-scale solutions. The challenges are in the integration of our chip-scale solutions onto existing RF circuits and systems. We have successfully demonstrated our chips for applications up to 18 GHz with no issues in terms of integrating our varactors and demonstrating tunable filters and other applications.”

Subramanyam believes that the varactor technology works well at higher FR3 frequencies as well. CapV has been working with Modelithics Corp. to develop models of varactor chips for integration with Keysight’s Advanced Design System (ADS) and Cadence’s AWR electronic design automation (EDA) tools. Modelithics has developed models for CapV’s varactor chips up to 67 GHz. These varactors can be designed for multiple form factors and integration requirements. Subramanyam says, “We can, for example, design a 50-ohm coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line multiple ways because the width of the signal line to the spacing between the ground lines determines the characteristic impedance. We can integrate our devices into multiple different existing designs.”

As a result, Subramanyam says everything is pretty much a custom design. This approach, for example, means they also have to design the biasing circuits for controlling the varactors precisely using a digital to analog converter (DAC). Subramanyam notes, “We also need to make sure that we are routing the biasing lines properly on existing boards and these will not affect the performance of the rest of the RF circuits.”

CapV is also developing a process design kit (PDK) for thin film varactor technology, with the goal of offering multi-project wafer (MPW) services by the last quarter of 2026. “Once we have the PDK,” Subramanyam states, “we can design and fabricate custom chips for any customer who wants to try our varactor technology. CapV will be the only U.S. entity to offer custom MPW chip fabrication service using the thin-film varactor technology.”

Testing for Confidence

The thin-film varactors are the key components for the WMSDR project for reconfigurable radio-frequency (RF) front end and interference cancellation. The team has tested the varactors all the way up to 67 GHz, so they are confident in their operation. Typically, they do electromagnetic (EM) simulations first to assess the performance of the chips. Subramanyam says, “Obviously, we try to model everything including the parasitics. We need to keep in mind the hybrid packaging, wire bonds, and the DC bias lines. We model everything very, very carefully and make sure that we can characterize each of the components of the chips using their drop-out test structures.”

Subramanyam states, “We have already supplied our varactor chips for the WMSDR project. Our team has integrated the varactor devices with the rest of the chips and built the WMSDR system. Demos are planned at the end of our first year. We are working toward solving the challenges in covering the FR3 bands and beyond in our next phase of the project.“

Meet the Expert

Subramanyam just completed his 27th year as a faculty at the University of Dayton. An electrical engineer by training, he got his MSEE and PhD in microelectronics from the University of Cincinnati. During his PhD, he worked with high-temperature superconducting thin films funded by NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. He worked closely with NASA Glenn researchers in the Communication Technology division during his graduate student years from 1986 to 1993. He credits the colleagues from NASA Glenn as the reason for his research in thin-film varactors. While serving as a summer faculty at NASA Glenn, he designed and developed ferroelectric thin-film-based tunable filters for satellite communications from 1997 to 2001.

Subramanyam says, “During my first year as a summer faculty fellow, I was introduced to thin-film ferroelectrics and started working on integrating thin-film varactors for Ku-band tunable filters. Throughout my career, it has been exciting to work with new materials and new devices. Even though I’m an EE, I enjoy solving many materials processing and materials integration issues for microwave and mmWave circuits and make them work well.”

Subramanyam has been collaborating with the AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate and Sensors Directorate since he joined the UD in 1998. “I continue to collaborate with colleagues at AFRL. We have an excellent group of researchers at AFRL, UD, and CapV. We are excited to transition the technology that we have developed over the years.”

Learn more about how to navigate your way to 6G with Keysight here.

Eastman

Collaboration between Eastman and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has led to eye-opening scientific results about how quickly certain biopolymers can degrade in seawater. Researcher Collin Ward hopes it opens eyes on other fronts too.

“We hope this pushes the Earth and environmental sciences community to think more broadly about the benefits of breaking down silos and working together,” Ward said.

Ward is a WHOI scientist who led a study to measure how quickly cellulose diacetate (CDA) breaks down in marine environments. WHOI worked with scientists from Eastman, which provided funding for the study as well as materials: CDA-based foams made with Eastman Aventa™ compostable materials.

WHOI researchers found these CDA foams, which have high surface-area-to-volume ratios, biodegrade rapidly in the ocean while also supporting circularity and material efficiency.

“With foaming, you increase the degradation rate by more than 10 times, and you get to a point where this foamed CDA is degrading faster than paper,” Ward said. “It turns out that this low-density CDA material is the fastest-degrading plastic we’ve ever measured in our lab, and we think it’s the fastest-degrading plastic to ever be documented in the ocean.”

This experiment aside, the partnership itself deserves attention. Eastman has worked for more than five years with WHOI, the world’s leading independent, nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to ocean research. Ward, who has a Ph.D. in Earth and environmental sciences, works in biogeochemistry and studies how organic molecules degrade in the environment. His previous work has produced valuable insights on degrading permafrost in the Arctic and the fate of oil during spills at sea, including the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Then he thought about translating his studies of molecular degradation to the plastic waste crisis.

“Around 2017 or so, I was having coffee with a close colleague, Christopher Reddy, another collaborator on the project, and thought, ‘Why don’t we take these tools and apply them to study the fate of plastics in the ocean?’ ” Ward said.

The partnership between WHOI and Eastman launched in January 2020. Scientists started with fundamental questions about the variables and timelines of CDA biodegradation.

“At the time, no one knew if CDA degraded in the ocean, which bugs ate it and how fast the process happened,” Ward remembered. “It was only a few years into the project when we had a firm enough grasp of that fundamental knowledge to start thinking about applying it to new products, like Aventa.”

Eastman has a century of experience in cellulosic biopolymers, which are made from sustainable wood pulp. Eastman has also studied CDAs used to produce other products, including Eastman Naia™ cellulosic fibers. The company developed Aventa as a compostable alternative for quick-service food packaging, like protein trays, cutlery and straws. Microorganisms can break down compostable food packaging that leaks into the environment so it doesn’t remain as pollution. Polystyrene foam, or Styrofoam, has long been used for quick-service food packaging, but it persists for hundreds of years in the environment.

Eastman turned to WHOI to assess how Aventa could be used as an alternative material that performs like plastic but doesn’t pollute the ocean. The results were published in 2024 in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. Eastman scientists were co-authors on the paper with Ward and his WHOI colleagues.

Ward was inundated with interview requests and questions from academic colleagues about the results and the academic-industry partnership. He’s happy to expound on the collaboration.

“One thing we learned over the last few years is that there’s a lot of resistance to these partnerships, particularly in the Earth and environmental sciences spaces,” Ward said. He hopes this study and the results help change that. “We really push back on the narrative that all companies are just trying to buy results, and our partnership with Eastman has been the furthest thing from this. Our papers are reviewed by Eastman, but no one’s telling us what to write. No one’s telling us what questions to ask, what hypotheses to test or how to interpret the data. We work amicably together to translate fundamental science into useful and more sustainable materials. It’s been one of the more gratifying collaborations of my career.”

Ward said big challenges need translational science that can be scaled up to make a real impact. Problems like plastic waste need the combined expertise of academic and industrial science.

“We think that bringing academia and industry together can solve this problem faster,” Ward said.

 

Originally published in Principal Financial Group 2024 Sustainability Report

Our approach

For nearly four decades, Principal® Foundation has been supporting organizations that help eliminate barriers to a better financial future and expand access to essential resources and services that build stronger communities.

Specifically, our funding champions organizations working in three primary areas we consider foundational to moving people closer to the financial future they envision.

• Ensuring access to essential needs
• Fostering social and cultural connections
• Promoting financial inclusion

Ensuring access to essential needs

Meeting our most essential needs is where the path to a better financial future begins. Principal Foundation invests in organizations that help ensure families around the world don’t have to worry about whether they will have a roof over their head, food on the table, or the support needed to recover following a disaster.

Fostering social and cultural connections

Arts and culture bind communities together. They shape our lives in innumerable ways—inspiring creativity, sparking collaboration, nurturing social and cultural connections. This creates space for individual growth and economic development. The aim of Principal Foundation is to see the arts and creative sectors embraced as a critical social, economic, and development partner.

Promoting financial inclusion

Access to financial education, services, and resources remains out of reach for too many around the world. By addressing the gaps and systemic barriers that prevent access to these tools and resources, Principal Foundation can help shape a financial system that works for everyone.

Principal® Foundation community investments

Our actions and performance in 2024

In 2024, Principal® Foundation provided $18.8 million to our communities around the globe. The missions of these recipient organizations fall under at least one of our focus areas.

• $18.8M Total community investments in 2024

Featured impact stories

DataSetGo

Principal® Foundation and Everfi joined together in 2022 to launch DataSetGo, a first-of-its-kind digital education program designed to introduce youth to data science fundamentals and exposure to new career opportunities. Since its launch, DataSetGo has reached over 560 schools and impacted more than 40,100 students nationwide. The program not only provides critical knowledge but also opens doors for students through the Distinguished Scholar Award, a competitive essay contest that awards 10 national scholarships each year.

• 40,100 students impacted by DataSetGo

These scholarships help students pursue their ambitions, from cancer research to fashion design, demonstrating the endless possibilities that data science can unlock.

For more information visit: principal.everfi.com

Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE): Small Business Boost

Small businesses are the backbone of local economies, yet nearly half fail within their first five years. To address this challenge, Principal Foundation committed to funding organizations like CFE that are providing innovative program support to small business owners. The Small Business Boost program was created with the goal of improving entrepreneur personal finances so they could better position themselves to achieve their business goals.

Through the Small Business Boost initial pilot, more than 1,200 financial counseling sessions were provided to more than 430 clients who reduced their debt by over $860,550 and built their savings by more than $235,120. Many of these clients established credit, opened new bank accounts and showed a higher retention rate than those using traditional support programs.

• >1,200 financial counseling sessions provided

Beyond direct assistance to entrepreneurs, CFE Small Business Boost worked with national research organization Urban Institute to evaluate the pilot’s impact and share key findings across the sector.

The study highlighted three key insights:

• The Small Business Boost pilot demonstrated the salience of financial issues like credit, debt, and separating business and personal finances to small business owners, particularly Black and Latina women.
• Successful engagement participants saw a clear link between personal and business financial well-being.
• The pilot demonstrated how free, one- on-one financial counseling as a public service could support small business owners and small business support ecosystems, when built upon robust partnerships that recognize evolving client pathways.

Building on this success, CFE is now preparing to launch Phase 2 of the program in 2025, expanding to additional cities and deepening the impact.

To follow along and find more impact stories visit principalfoundation.org

To learn more, read the Principal Financial Group 2024 Sustainability Report.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

About Principal® Foundation

Principal® Foundation is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so.

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CAMDEN, N.J., November 17, 2025 /3BL/ – Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today unveiled the latest installment of its long-running “Dog Tested. Dog Approved.” campaign, bringing back the automaker’s beloved Barkley family of dogs. The new ads follow the Barkleys behind the wheel of Subaru’s latest vehicles as they navigate everyday adventures that reflect the lives – and humor – of Subaru owners everywhere.

Created in collaboration with agency partner Carmichael Lynch, the campaign builds on Subaru’s legacy of heartwarming, pet-focused storytelling. The campaign features seven new ads, including “The Chase,” which premiered exclusively on Peacock during Sunday’s primetime football game on November 16. In the spot, the Barkleys embark on an adorable car chase with the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

The full lineup includes 30- and 15-second spots that will run across both linear and digital platforms.

• “THE CHASE” – When they see the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile on the road, the Barkleys chase their dreams in the new 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid with a next-generation powertrain.
• “ROUNDABOUT” – The Barkley family has all the range needed as they find themselves circling a roundabout in their Subaru Forester Hybrid.
• “NEW LOOK” – Dogs in the neighborhood are stunned to see the Barkleys behind the wheel of an all-new, completely redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback.
• “HANDWASH” – The Barkleys wash mud off their rugged all-new, completely redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness, but a mischievous pigeon has other plans.
• “TRACKING” – The Barkleys use their go-anywhere Subaru Trailseeker EV to quietly sneak up on a squirrel during a family outing.
• “NEW CAR SMELL” – Papa Barkley brings home a capable and fun-to-drive all-new Subaru Uncharted EV, and the family can’t help but take in that irresistible new car smell.
• “SQUEAK” – During an otherwise peaceful drive in their redesigned 2026 Subaru Solterra EV, baby Barkley breaks the silence from the backseat.

The spots are available to view on the Subaru of America YouTube channel’s “Dog Tested. Dog Approved.” playlist.

Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc.: “Subaru owners have always had a deep love for their pets, especially dogs, and that connection continues to inspire our work. The Barkleys perfectly capture the joy, adventure, and fun-loving nature that defines Subaru owners in these latest ads, showing how Subaru is part of life’s everyday moments for people and pets alike.”

To round out the campaign and extend its celebration of pets, Subaru of America will return as the exclusive automotive sponsor of Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet for the sixteenth consecutive year. Puppy Bowl, the original and longest-running call-to-adoption television event, returns for 2026.

For more information, visit: www.subaru.com/pets and follow #SubaruLovesPets on social media.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

###

Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com

Adam Leiter
Corporate Communications Specialist
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com

3BL’s media division TriplePundit is celebrating 20 years as a newsroom with a new multimedia campaign exploring the past, present and future of the corporate sustainability field.

3BL’s acquisition of TriplePundit (3p) in 2017 marked a formative moment in our journey to collaborate with the leading voices in responsible business. TriplePundit has helped propel 3BL forward, and we are proud to support them as they honor their legacy and look ahead to what’s coming next.

Shortly after the development of the “triple bottom line” framework, 3p launched as a side project of MBA candidates at Presidio School of Management in San Francisco, the first accredited business master’s program with a focus on sustainability. Fresh off media architecture stints at Mother Jones and Treehugger, Nick Aster founded the site to spread the word about the emerging concepts he was studying and recruited a few classmates to contribute. They described themselves as “critical optimists,” aiming to grow TriplePundit into a resource about the development of sustainable organizations, brands and workplace cultures.

Within a few years, it was one of the world’s most well-read websites on the subject of responsible business, with an audience of over 100,000 readers a month and bolstered by a vibrant community of professionals, advocates and curious minds. In keeping with a history of listening and responding to their community of readers and contributors, TriplePundit pivoted to solutions journalism in 2023, with a focus on telling the under-told stories of people and organizations making measurable progress on complex and seemingly intractable challenges.

Along the way, 3p’s journalists have seen it all — covering some of the most significant developments in the space as they happened, from the launch of pioneering corporate frameworks like Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan and Marks & Spencer’s Plan A, to the adoption of the Paris climate agreement and the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

“Having joined a few years shy of TriplePundit’s first decade, our 20th year as a newsroom is a milestone that means a lot to me, but the nature of the time we’re in — and the questions it inevitably brings forward about the measurable outcome of corporate sustainability — puts the occasion in a different perspective,” TriplePundit’s executive editor, Mary Mazzoni, wrote on the site this month. “In some areas, we’ve come a long way. In others, not so much.”

The Long View: 20 Years of Sustainability in Motion looks back on the pivotal moments, breakthrough technologies and disruptive ways of thinking that shaped the corporate sustainability field. Veteran journalists will take stock of what’s gone right and what’s gone wrong, and leaders, experts and advocates will share their projections and hopes for the future, while an accompanying social media campaign puts the progress and pitfalls into stunning visuals and invites our community to take part.

Check out the campaign here on TriplePundit’s brand new website, and follow along on LinkedIn, Facebook, BlueSky and Instagram.

Responsible procurement involves more than setting expectations for suppliers. It also requires setting a vision that enables Chemours to embed responsible sourcing into our supply chain in ways that reduce environmental impact, uphold labor and human rights, ensure ethical practices, and help communities thrive. This vision—which includes fundamental sustainability attributes such as safety and security, continuity and resilience, and social and environmental responsibility as well as profitability, reliability, and quality—guides our business strategies in a manner that encourages and delivers longer-term, more responsible performance.

As a strategic business partner that champions responsible sourcing, Chemours has a clear strategy for how we conduct and manage procurement activities that is built on partnering with suppliers and customers to create a more sustainable supply chain. We work with suppliers who align with our values and sustainability commitments, which include:

• Providing a safe workplace and complying with all applicable regulations
• Protecting and advancing human rights
• Sharing our commitment to environmental stewardship

Partnering with us to create sustainable supply chains and deliver business value, our expectations are clearly outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct, which is available in Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

The Responsible Procurement team, sponsored by our Chief Procurement Officer, drives our sustainability goals across the supply chain and leverages valuable sustainability platforms to execute our strategy. We accelerate meeting these goals by providing suppliers with the resources they need to build capabilities and knowledge in sustainable procurement practices.

Supplier Due Diligence

We measure supplier sustainability performance through our Supplier Corporate Responsibility Assessment (SCRA), conducted in partnership with EcoVadis, a third-party provider of business sustainability ratings for global supply chains. We evaluate across four environmental, social, and governance categories: ethical business practices, social performance, environmental performance, and sustainable supply chain. At the end of the assessment, the supplier receives a scorecard with recommended opportunities to improve their performance.

EcoVadis scorecards are part of our supplier evaluation and due diligence process. Chemours sets minimum performance requirements for the assessment scorecard result. Suppliers must meet these standards to align with Chemours’ sustainability goals. If a supplier’s score is below expectations, Chemours requests a Corrective Action Plan through the EcoVadis platform, where suppliers must propose steps to improve their performance. In turn, Chemours supports them in developing their capabilities and may request third-party audits to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

2024 Actions Toward Responsible Procurement

Raising the Bar on Our Corporate Responsibility Commitment Goal

In 2024, 81% of suppliers, by spend, demonstrated an average 29% improvement in their sustainability performance versus the 2018 baseline. This exceeds our goal to establish a baseline for the sustainable performance of 80% of suppliers and demonstrate a 15% improvement. As a result of this success and to drive continued improvement, we are in the process of developing a new goal that will be announced in future reports.

Partnering with Suppliers

In 2024, we continued to expand the number of suppliers we assess by matching supplier segmentation to spend—ensuring that we assess our most critical supply base. We also are expanding our commitment to collaborate with suppliers to improve their upstream environmental performance. This will help us support our goal to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 25% per metric ton of production by 2030.

To achieve this, we are partnering with suppliers to collect product carbon footprint (PCF) data using the Together for Sustainability (TfS) PCF Exchange solution. This secure platform ensures transparency and accuracy in emissions reporting, enabling us to track and manage upstream supply chain emissions more effectively. By leveraging TfS guidelines and resources in alignment with our Responsible Procurement program, we support suppliers in calculating and sharing their PCF data, which can help them identify and support more sustainable practices that contribute to our decarbonization efforts.

The Chemours Company is a global chemistry company that believes through transformative partnerships we can amplify our impact and work together to help solve the world’s biggest challenges. Read more about how we work with suppliers, partners, and customers to improve sustainability performance and reduce supply chain risks in Chemours’ latest Sustainability Report.

WATCH: How Trane Electrified NYC’s Largest Building | 55 Water Street

Project At-a-Glance:

The opportunity:
Transform one of the largest commercial buildings in New York City to align with decarbonization goals while maintaining zero disruption to customer operations.

The solution:

• Implemented an industry-first thermal energy system to accelerate building decarbonization through electrified heating and heat recovery, which is three times more efficient than traditional heating methods
• Completed retrofit in 12 months while maintaining full building occupancy

Sustainability outcomes:
This revolutionary approach, which transforms wasted heat generated from cooling processes into usable energy, resulted in

• 70% reduction in steam usage
• 20% improvement in energy efficiency
• helped save $1.5 million in utility costs annually

A breakthrough retrofit at one of New York City’s largest office buildings is redefining what’s possible for infrastructure upgrades and the environment.

It’s just one example of how we’re helping solve our customers’ big challenges by innovating and delivering solutions that are better for their business and for the environment. Through our Gigaton Challenge, we aim to reduce 1 gigaton of GHG emissions from our customers’ footprints by 2030.

A big opportunity

Some say the biggest buildings present the biggest challenges, but at Trane Technologies we see them as the biggest opportunities.

At 3.5 million square feet, 55 Water Street is the largest commercial office building in New York City and the second largest in the nation. With its own ZIP code, 86 elevators, and round-the-clock operations, it requires the infrastructure complexity of managing a small city.

Like many buildings across New York, 55 Water Street relied on aging steam infrastructure that was both costly and inefficient. Plus, with emissions limits tightening, the need for a sustainable solution was clear. Rather than do the minimum to comply, building leadership chose to reimagine the system entirely and turned to Trane to make it happen.

Innovation grounded in trust

A decade of collaboration with the 55 Water Street team had helped to create a strong foundation of trust in Trane’s expertise.

That trust gave 55 Water Street leadership the confidence to say yes when Trane recommended a bold, first-of-its-kind, electrification and decarbonization solution centered on an integrated thermal management system. Commonly referred to as ice storage, electric thermal energy storage ice tanks act like batteries – shifting all or a portion of a building’s heating and cooling electricity needs to off-peak hours while increasing energy efficiency and lowering costs.

Execution without compromise

Completing this level of transformation in a vacant structure would have been difficult, but making it happen while the building remained fully occupied required meticulous planning and constant coordination. To ensure daily operations were unaffected, nearly two-thirds of the construction took place overnight.

“I have a lot of trust with Trane,” said Dan Palino, Chief Operating Officer, 55 Water Street. “It was a big commitment to get a project of this size completed in a year with no disruption to tenants, but I was confident in their ability to get it done.”

Reimagining energy and sustainability possibilities

The full system was installed and operational within 12 months, with steam consumption dropping by approximately 70% and energy use intensity decreasing by nearly 20%. The project also helped save $1.5 million in utility costs per year, helped avoid more than $1 million in annual emissions penalties and qualified for more than $14 million in rebates and tax credits.

Today, 55 Water Street is more than a commercial building. It’s a symbol of what is possible when trust and innovation intersect and proves that meaningful change is achievable, even in the most complex built environments in the world.

At Trane, we’re not just responding to climate challenges but leading the global movement to solve them, proving that sustainable building solutions can be better for business and better for the world. Big change is possible, and together we can make it happen.

Discover more about the 55 Water Street project and the team that made it happen.

Read more about the history of our collaboration with 55 Water Street.

Since 2022, AMD and its employees around the world have joined forces with Rise Against Hunger to host 40 meal-packaging volunteer events. Rise Against Hunger is an international hunger relief nonprofit that provides food and aid to developing nations by coordinating volunteer meal-packaging events. It distributes highly nutritious, dehydrated meals made up of rice, soy, and vegetables to support education and health in countries facing a lack of access to food. The continued partnership reflects our company’s long-standing commitment to humanitarian efforts and community impact.

Over the past four years, more than 6,000 AMD employees across 13 global offices have packaged over one million meals for schools, orphanages, and crisis-relief centers worldwide. With global hunger still affecting 8.2% of people, according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), AMD is proud to help address food insecurity around the world.

“AMDers have the drive, the energy, the compassion and the commitment to giving back to our communities,” said Robert Gama, chief HR officer and senior vice president, AMD. “One million meals! We’re really having an impact in the lives of folks around the world, and that’s something to go celebrate.”

This achievement highlights the power of teamwork and our shared commitment to supporting those in need. “I’m inspired by the thousands of AMD employees who volunteered with Rise Against Hunger. Their teamwork and dedication embody the company’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities where we live and work, and to advancing the global fight against hunger” said Anne Fertitta, senior manager, Community Impact, AMD. With even more meal-packaging events planned in the coming months, AMD is continuing its mission to help feed the world.

To learn more, watch the video above, or read about AMD Community Impact at: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/community.html 

Tapping into different voices, perspectives, and experiences helps businesses solve problems, reveals new opportunities to grow, and encourages contributions that better support people and communities. At Henkel North America, diversity is a path to progress, innovation, and impact. Our employees and partners are united by our purpose: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. They collaborate to tackle challenges, find solutions and open new perspectives – allowing us to deliver products, services, and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life.

We invite you to “meet” our pioneers in our series, “Pioneers for Good.”

In this story, you will learn:

About the inspiring work of the ‘Vibe Tribe’ at Henkel’s Salisbury, NC facility—a movement transforming workplace culture and community connection.

• Meet Benny and Cindy: Learn who they are and how they sparked the Vibe Tribe.
• Culture in Action: Discover how they inspire belonging through teamwork and trust.
• Community Impact: See how the Vibe Tribe’s energy extends beyond the workplace.

Introducing Benny Young and Cindy Santiago

At Henkel’s Salisbury, NC facility, Benny Young, Materials Supervisor, and Cindy Santiago, Senior HR Manager, share a powerful belief: growth begins with people feeling valued. For them, success isn’t just measured in numbers—it’s about building a culture where every voice matters and every person feels seen.

“Inclusion is the foundation of a thriving workplace. When people feel seen, heard, and valued they bring their best selves to work,” says Cindy.

Bringing Forth Good Vibes

Benny and Cindy saw an opportunity to bring joy, connection and good vibes to the workplace. That sparked an employee-led engagement committee – called the Vibe Tribe – dedicated to infusing positivity, inclusion, and community service into everyday life at Henkel.

We care, we listen to the voices on the floor, and we have noticed a shift in the output at our facility because of this. If you ask me, the Vibe Tribe is the most important group on this site.

Benny Young, Materials Supervisor

Since its inception in 2023, the Vibe Tribe has seen remarkable growth in employee engagement and a stronger sense of belonging and community to create a workplace that feels like family.

“The Vibe Tribe is not only important to the site, but it’s important to the local community around us,” Benny adds.

Extending the Vibe Tribe to the Salisbury Community

“Henkel is a major brand at the forefront of innovation, and it’s vital for us to be involved in our community,” says Benny. “The Vibe Tribe is the catalyst for that here in Salisbury.”

To foster experiences that truly matter to the community, the Vibe Tribe introduced family-friendly events such as movie nights and holiday gatherings. At these events Benny has earned the reputation as the world’s greatest popcorn maker for his skill and joy in creating and passing out this delicious treat.

Another way they serve the community is at local schools. Every quarter, Vibe Tribe members monitor lunch periods giving teachers the opportunity to enjoy a rare, uninterrupted break.

The Power of Coming Together 

The Vibe Tribe is proof that when people come together with intention, they can create something extraordinary—stronger bonds, deeper trust, and a legacy of care that will ripple through generations.

We’re just getting started. There’s so much more to come from the Vibe Tribe.

Cindy Santiago, Senior HR Manager

CLEVELAND, November 14, 2025 /3BL/ – KeyBank, in collaboration with Everfi®, proudly announced the public launch of its new schools-based financial education and empowerment program, Money, Me & Key®, with a special event at Cleveland High School for the Digital Arts. This program is designed to equip K-12 students with the essential financial knowledge and skills they need to thrive.

The event brought together more than 60 12th-grade students for an engaging and interactive afternoon of small-group discussions, led by KeyBank volunteers. Students dove into real-world topics such as budgeting, financial goal setting, emergency savings and planning for major life purchases. Through hands-on activities that promote critical thinking and personal reflection, students worked to build confidence in their financial decision-making.

“There is no better way to educate our youth and future leaders of tomorrow, than by giving them the tools they need to prepare,” said Dr. Warren Morgan, CMSD CEO. “We are pleased and honored to partner with KeyBank and Everfi. Thanks to the financial literacy program, 5-dozen of our seniors from Cleveland High School for the Digital Arts, had an extraordinary opportunity to hear from top bank executives and leaders from the local community, and share critical information on budgeting, goal setting, and future planning.”

Money, Me & Key®, and its schools-based programming, are cornerstones of KeyBank’s commitment to communities and financial empowerment. Developed in collaboration with Everfi, the program provides KeyBank teammates with dynamic, up-to-date financial education materials to host free workshops in partnership with local nonprofits and community partners. Topics range from personal finance and homeownership to small business and retirement planning, with materials available in both English and Spanish. Launched in April 2024, over 1,600 KeyBank Money Mentors have delivered nearly 2,000 hours of financial education to clients and neighbors, including reaching more than 800 students across 21 CMSD schools, with schools-based programming.

“At KeyBank, we believe financial education is a powerful way to unlock opportunity,” said Chris Gorman, Chairman and CEO of KeyCorp. “By investing in young people and equipping them with real-world financial skills, we’re helping build stronger communities and a more inclusive economy.”

“Money, Me & Key reflects our deep commitment to helping our communities prosper,” said Eric Fiala, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO of the KeyBank Foundation. “This program was built with students at the center—guided by the perspectives of educators and community partners who understand what young people need to thrive. We hope this experience left students feeling empowered, equipped with the financial knowledge to shape their futures with confidence and purpose.”

“What KeyBank is doing in Cleveland is exactly what we need to see more of – they’re not just checking a box on financial education, they’re building a comprehensive program that works for students and teachers,” said Ray Martinez, CEO, Everfi. “We know from our data that students benefit most when they have repeated opportunities to learn and practice financial skills. It’s great to see KeyBank supporting their community by investing in their students’ success.”

ABOUT KEYBANK
In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at September 30, 2025.

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 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 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 EVERFI 
Since 2008, Everfi has connected businesses to communities by providing essential education that builds trust and drives measurable impact. Using digital and offline resources, the company delivers personal finance and life skills education to millions of learners annually in both K-12 schools and broader communities. Today, hundreds of organizations, including financial institutions, professional sports leagues, and healthcare systems, rely on Everfi to deliver measurable outcomes that benefit learners and drive business impact.

CFMA #251024-3668478