Tag: 3BL

How do you unlock your supply chain’s full potential in an era of rising costs, operational complexity, and shifting market demands? For supply chain professionals, the answer increasingly lies in integrated logistics solutions.

The latest research from Exame, based on insights from 204 supply chain decision-makers across various industries, highlights a significant shift in how organizations approach logistics. Cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and end-to-end service integration are no longer just nice-to-haves — they have become essential for staying competitive in today’s market.

Integrated Logistics as a Game-Changer 

The concept of integrated logistics isn’t new, but its adoption is transforming the industry like never before. Companies are moving beyond piecemeal, cost-benefit analyses and opting for comprehensive logistics partners that deliver end-to-end solutions. From streamlining supplier communication to improving efficiency and reducing overall costs, integrated logistics providers are proving essential in meeting modern challenges.

Why Integrated Logistics Matters Now 

According to Exame’s research, 55% of companies are actively consolidating their suppliers, seeking to partner with providers who offer a full suite of services. Here’s why integrated solutions are turning the tide for supply chains:

Cost Optimization

Cost reduction remains a top priority for logistics professionals, with 69% of respondents citing it as the leading advantage of integrated logistics. By working with fewer, more capable suppliers, organizations can cut inefficiencies and reduce supplier management expenses—a critical need, especially in industries where margins are tight.

Enhanced Efficiency and Speed

Automation and technology aren’t optional anymore; they’re essential. Supply chain managers are turning toward AI-driven forecasting and digitized inventories to improve velocity. Integrated suppliers further enhance this by offering seamless solutions across transportation, warehousing, and last-mile delivery, simplifying complex networks into a unified, efficient system.

Strategic Resilience

Operational disruptions, such as transportation hiccups or geopolitical pressures, are constant threats. Integrated logistics providers can mitigate such risks through diverse resources, advanced cargo tracking, and reduced delivery lead times, making supply chains more resilient in a volatile climate.

Comprehensive Visibility

Transparency is a growing expectation for both operations and consumers. Many managers are investing in visibility tools as part of their larger integrated logistics strategy, resulting in optimized KPIs and real-time troubleshooting.

Addressing Today’s Supply Chain Challenges 

Professionals managing complex global supply chains highlighted several critical hurdles in the Exame report. Among the top pain points were high costs (42%), poor supplier relationships (36%), and technology challenges (31%). These challenges call for integrated solutions that go beyond basic logistics services to add real operational and financial value.

Moving Beyond the Cost-Benefit Mindset 

One critical insight from the research is the need for businesses to pivot from solely focusing on immediate cost-benefit analyses to prioritizing partnerships that match operational needs, streamline processes, and align with strategic goals. With 62% of survey respondents at the C-level or managerial level, it’s clear that decision-makers are placing long-term value above short-term savings.

The data also underscores the importance of working with providers who understand these complexities. Integrated logistics suppliers must be partners, offering not only services but also tailored insights and operational expertise.

Real-World Impact of Integrated Solutions 

More businesses are seeing integrated logistics as a path to unlock their full supply chain potential. A few key takeaways from industry leaders include:

FMCG Case Study: A leading FMCG player switched to an integrated logistics provider, cutting delivery lead times by 20% and supplier management overhead costs by over 30%. Their integrated provider offered streamlined warehousing and transportation solutions that aligned with their specific supply chain processes.Emerging Markets: Managers in industries like IT and Retail emphasized their reliance on logistics experts who combine cost-effectiveness with ESG-compliance. Over 50% of professionals surveyed noted the importance of sustainability support when choosing integrated suppliers, an emerging trend aligned with public and corporate values.

Unlocking Supply Chain Efficiency with End-to-End Providers 

Survey respondents were clear in identifying the substantial benefits of supplier consolidation and integrated logistics providers:

Cost Savings: Over two-thirds of survey participants believe cost reduction is the most immediate and impactful advantage of integrated logistics.Streamlined Communication: Poor supplier communication was highlighted as a significant issue. 36% of respondents are investing in better supplier relationships, with integrated providers offering simplified, unified contact points.Access to Specialized Services: For businesses seeking to grow into new markets or adopt unique solutions, integrated logistics partners offer unparalleled access to global resources.

Looking Ahead 

The Exame report reveals that automation and digital tools dominate future plans, with supply chain managers positioning themselves to adopt more advanced logistics infrastructures. The pursuit of digitization, transparency, and end-to-end solutions will only accelerate as businesses face increasing complexity in demand forecasting and inventory management.

Industrial disruptions are inevitable, but enterprises equipped with integrated logistics are poised to adapt swiftly and maintain a competitive edge. By partnering with forward-thinking providers, businesses can not only solve operational challenges but also achieve strategic agility and long-lasting growth.

A Call to Action 

For logistics and supply chain professionals, the future is no longer about managing individual suppliers or chasing minor cost savings. It’s about harnessing the power of integrated logistics to achieve your organization’s broader business goals.

Download the full Exame report here to gain deeper insights into trends and strategies shaping the next generation of supply chain efficiency. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your logistics strategy.

by Casey Lozar, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ Center for Indian Country Development 

Imagine financial institutions across Indian Country focusing on goals rooted in social impact investing. Their missions might include fostering financial inclusion, providing culturally informed services and improving access to capital and credit in low- and moderate-income communities.   

These institutions exist, yet many people remain unfamiliar with them. Historically, economic data gaps have masked economic conditions and opportunities in Native communities. The Center for Indian Country Development, a research and policy institute based at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, is working to change that.   

CICD advances the economic self-determination and prosperity of Native nations and Indigenous communities through actionable data and research that inform public policy. As part of our portfolio, we’ve worked with a team of researchers to conduct a series of studies on the unique role of Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in addressing capital and credit gaps in Indian Country. Those looking to engage in economic well-being in Indian Country may be interested in four key themes that have emerged in our research. 

Read the full article, that looks at the Four Key Themes, here – https://greenmoney.com/a-community-centered-approach-to-closing-credit-access-gaps-native-cdfis

Funding supports 20 organizations each with $10,000Grants are a continuation of assistance to senior programs, with more than $300,000 distributed over the past two years  

GREENVILLE, S.C., February 20, 2025 /3BL/ – Duke Energy is providing $200,000 in grants to South Carolina organizations that help the state’s aging population with services and support, particularly for seniors with income challenges. The funds will be used to help these organizations with their infrastructure to continue expanding their services.

“With the aging population living longer, as well as the cost of living increasing, it’s important to ensure those that helped build and strengthen our communities have the resources they need to comfortably enjoy their golden years,” said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president.

Each of the following organizations received a $10,000 grant:

Meals on Wheels – (Anderson County)Lee County Council on AgingRebuild Upstate (Anderson County)Marlboro County Council on AgingSenior Solutions (Anderson/Oconee counties)Newberry County Council on AgingSenior Centers of Cherokee CountyPickens County Meals on WheelsCitizens United for Redevelopment
and Economy (Chester County)Mobile Meals (Spartanburg County)Darlington County Council on AgingRebuilding Together SpartanburgCareFirst Carolina Foundation (Dillon County)Upstate Family Resource Center (Spartanburg County)Senior Citizens Association in Florence CountyUnited Way of Sumter, Clarendon & Lee CountiesGreenville County Meals on WheelsVital Aging of Williamsburg CountyHOPE (Lancaster County)York County Council on Aging

“The funds received from the Duke Energy Foundation will provide 1,428 meals for neighbors we serve, who are just like Sam,” says Laurie Ashley, executive director of Meals on Wheels – Anderson. “Sam lives alone in the home he loves, surrounded by his Clemson memorabilia and race car collectibles, but what truly brings him comfort is the hot meal and friendly driver visit he receives each day. For Sam and so many others, these visits are not only a source of nourishment but also a vital connection to the outside world.”

“Because of this very generous grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, we will be able to buy more supplies for wheelchair ramps we build for senior citizens in Clarendon County,” said Vicki Singleton, executive director of United Way of Sumter, Lee and Clarendon Counties. “Some have not been able to leave their homes in years and will now be able to do things most of us take for granted, like go to the grocery store, go to doctor’s appointments or simply get their mail from their mailboxes.”

Grant recipients were selected through a request for proposals announced in January. This effort follows similar initiatives by the Foundation to support the organizations that provide services to seniors in the state.

Through a similar request for proposals in 2023, Duke Energy provided 15 qualifying nonprofits in South Carolina grants of up to $20,000 that funded needed home repairs to enable senior citizens to continue to enjoy life in their current homes. In 2024, the Duke Energy Foundation provided an additional $100,000 in grants to 13 organizations in the state with existing home ramp programs for low-income senior citizens or those with disabilities who qualified for assistance.

Customers who need the services provided by these organizations also might have challenges funding other household needs, to include their electricity bill. To learn more about programs and information that can assist families to manage their energy bills when times are tough, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Ryan Mosier
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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From wave energy to e-waste recycling and more, Cisco Investments supports cutting-edge innovation for a more sustainable future.

Cisco takes its climate efforts very seriously. And the company has set highly ambitious goals for greenhouse gas emissions and circularity.

One key tool to advance these goals? Investments.

“The future demands solutions that are sustainable,” said Jon Koplin, Cisco Investments senior director, who leads investments in Europe and in sustainability. “It’s no longer a ‘nice to have’; it’s become a ‘must have’ — for us and for our customers.”

Cisco Investments is among the world’s most active corporate venture investors, with a strong foundation in security, AI, networking, collaboration, and more. Recently, though, it has accelerated its efforts in the sustainability space.

These initiatives complement those of the Cisco Foundation, the company’s philanthropic wing, which in 2021 pledged $100 million in climate-related grants to nonprofits and impact investments, particularly in developing regions like Africa and the Amazon.

On the Cisco Investments side, the company seeks to invest in organizations that align with Cisco’s own climate goals and those of its customers.

“There is incredible innovation taking place in the climate technology space and our goal is to enable these solutions by investing in companies that align with our environmental sustainability goals,” said Mary de Wysocki, Cisco’s chief sustainability officer. “We’re backing early-stage startups that bring breakthrough ideas to life and supporting them to scale their impact to provide business value and address the challenges our planet faces.”

For Cisco, helping the planet is also a smart business strategy.

“At the end of the day,” Koplin stressed, “a lot of these innovations may ultimately drive lower operating costs and increase power efficiency across a number of products and services.”

Two key examples are Cisco’s investments in CorPower Ocean, which is developing powerful solutions to harness ocean waves for 24/7 renewable energy, and DEScycle, with its innovative, low-energy processes for extracting critical minerals from e-waste.

Endless energy, from ‘nature’s battery’

Wind and solar power are having an increasingly positive impact on global energy needs, with renewable sources making up 30 percent of global electricity sources in 2023.

But as good as they are, renewables can have shortfalls. For starters, the sun gets blocked by clouds and the wind doesn’t always blow. Batteries solve much of the problem, but they have their own limitations.

“Given the intermittent nature of solar and wind,” said Kelsi Doran, Cisco’s head of sustainability strategy and transformation, “Cisco became interested in using technology to harness the power of waves, with their potential to provide clean energy 24/7, at utility scale.”

That’s where CorPower Ocean comes in. The Stockholm-based company has been exploring wave power since 2012 and today has one of the most advanced solutions in the energy space.

Along the way — with test phases off Scotland, Portugal, and other coastlines — it has greatly improved the energy output of its wave-energy converters and their survivability in storms, two challenges that have bedeviled other attempts at scaling wave energy.

“I believe it’s fair to say that this is the first machine that has shown solid, strong survivability while doing efficient power generation in the regular wave conditions,” claimed Patrick Möller, CEO of CorPower Ocean. “It’s a combination which hasn’t been there previously for wave energy.”

CorPower Ocean’s floating wave-energy generators are about 260 feet tall and 30 feet wide and rated at 300 kilowatts each — enough to power a medium-sized office building. With a unique anchor system and hydraulics inspired by the pumping action of the human heart, they leverage the up/down motion of waves to create electricity via dynamos within each buoy.

With this latest technology, CorPower Ocean gets more energy from smaller, lighter structures that are scalable for larger floating clusters, or “farms.”

“It’s a huge step upwards in structure efficiency,” Möller added, “or at least five times improvement compared to previous state of the art in the field.”

As for Cisco’s investment, Koplin sees a promising opportunity to scale a potentially high-impact technology.

“The ocean is like the world’s largest battery,” he said. “There’s just so much power constantly running through these enormous oceans. And it’s very easy to imagine a farm being co-located with offshore wind and doubling or potentially even tripling the amount of energy that’s available from a given space that’s already been allocated to power companies.”

Tapping an e-waste ‘gold mine’

In 2022, the U.N’s Global E-waste Monitor estimated that a record 62 million metric tons of e-waste was generated globally. And it’s only increasing.

As for recycling, the U.N. estimated less than a quarter of that e-waste was properly treated. The rest was mostly burned or left in landfills — in either case releasing dangerous toxins like lead, cyanide, and mercury into the environment, while losing valuable metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Such metals represent an almost literal gold mine. According to E-waste Monitor, less than one quarter (22.3 percent) of e-waste was documented as having been properly collected and recycled in 2022. That left $62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources unaccounted for.

Cisco is just 4 percentage points shy of its goal of incorporating Circular Design Principles into 100 percent of its new products and packaging by FY25. But e-waste remains a key concern, and the company is always on the lookout for new solutions.

That’s why London-based DEScycle caught Cisco’s attention.

The startup has developed a novel low-energy, low-carbon process for separating critical metals from e-waste. Using deep eutectic solvents (DES), DEScycle has successfully demonstrated its chemical process for separating metals in labs and is now looking to scale.

“DEScycle was originally a collaboration with the University of Leicester,” said DEScycle co-founder and managing director Dr. Leo Howden. “But we wanted to take DES out of the university environment and create a technology and a process that can be applied commercially.”

Initially focused on the mining industry, DEScycle soon realized a great opportunity in e-waste.

“Our vision and mission is to replace the reliance on landfills and energy-intensive smelters with something that is sustainable,” Howden added, “a solution that doesn’t have an impact on the environment.”

DESCycle’s non-toxic, salt-based solvents are themselves recyclable, as opposed to some other e-waste chemical processes that rely on heavy acids.

“We have true recyclability of our solvents,” claimed DEScycle CTO Rob Harris. “The unique set of properties in our solvents give us fantastic efficiencies that we don’t see in water and acid-based processes. We can genuinely recycle our solvents, which means we’re not shipping in loads more chemicals onto the site.”

The solvents can also be tailored for specific metals, enabling traceability. So, for example, palladium from a Cisco product could go straight back to Cisco. And the process enables simpler, more localized recycling of e-waste, as opposed to shipping many tons of it to far-off, centralized smelters and landfills.

“You can avoid large, aggregated solutions,” explained Howden. “And you can do it in your own backyard. Because we can shrink the process down and co-locate it near the supply of the material.”

Such technologies could reap future benefits.

“It’s a very clean process, and they are able to do it at low scale and still be reasonably economical,” Koplin explained, “whereas some other solutions require very large plants or can’t cover the range of metals that DEScycle does. So, it’s a very innovative solution to a long-existing problem.”

DesCycle and CorPower Ocean represent but two technologies related to sustainability that Cisco Investments is helping to accelerate.

Koplin shared the excitement that’s building on the Cisco Investments team for what it can accomplish — for global ecosystems and for the business. But he tempered it with caution.

“It’s so great to work on something that could change the future of our planet,” he said. “But there’s still a lot of ground to cover. It’s going to be a long journey.”

Nevertheless, he’s encouraged that the business case for sustainability — in efficiency, energy savings, customer loyalty, and more — is becoming clear to many more organizations.

“We’re approaching a future,” Koplin concluded, “where the more you incorporate sustainable solutions into your business, the more competitive it will be.”

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As Ukraine marks three years of war, Action Against Hunger today confirmed that the U.S. government’s suspension of international aid has caused the nonprofit to stop distributing cash to families displaced near the front line. An estimated nine million Ukrainians live in poverty and as many as 12.7 million, or 40% of the population, depend on humanitarian aid to survive.

Humanitarian operations in the region were already functioning with limited resources and struggling to access frontline areas. With funding now slashed, around 20,000 people in these high-risk zones could face severe consequences. “As a result of this suspension, access to healthcare could become very limited for 18,000 people living in remote areas and in precarious conditions. We had to interrupt psychological support sessions for displaced and traumatized children and teenagers, and around 1,800 people in highly vulnerable situations may no longer receive financial support to cover their basic needs,” explains Ionuț Raita, Director of Action Against Hunger in Ukraine.

Ukraine is experiencing one of the world’s largest displacement crises, with 6.8 million people having fled the country and 3.6 million internally displaced since February 2022. More than 80% of the displaced have been dependent on humanitarian aid for more than a year, but are struggling to find sustainable solutions to their precarious situation.

“With the advance of Russian forces in the second half of 2024, more than 200,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes. Housing is difficult to access, leaving many people vulnerable,” explains Raita.

The destruction of agricultural and industrial infrastructure coupled with the closure of businesses has led to a 22% unemployment rate in regions close to the front line, and rising prices and loss of livelihoods in these areas threaten intense food insecurity.

The conflict has also severely disrupted access to healthcare services. Repeated attacks on health infrastructures and shortages of medicines and personnel are further limiting access to care. To meet these challenges, Action Against Hunger set up mobile health teams that travel to hard-to-reach areas in the Dnipro and Kharkiv regions. This team, made up of a doctor, a nurse, a midwife, and a gynecologist, provides health care and medicines to the most vulnerable people.

Mental health has plummeted, with the threat of air strikes, displacement, and the loss of loved ones and livelihoods causing deep distress. Ten million people are likely to suffer from mental disorders in the short to medium term, and the mental health of children, who have been deprived of formal education for four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war, is particularly at risk.

“Every air raid alarm not only increases the anxiety of Ukrainian children, but also their loss of learning. For children who no longer have access to schools, distance learning is made difficult by unstable Internet connections and power cuts caused by air strikes”, explains Raita.

Action against Hunger has been active in Ukraine since March 2022, focusing on the eastern part of the country and working in Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts. The organization supported 675,364 people in 2023, providing support for health, mental health and psychosocial care, water, hygiene and sanitation, as well as food security and livelihoods. The organization has also prioritized psychosocial support for people suffering from stress and trauma, reaching 12,457 people in 2023.

 

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Cordant™ Asset Performance Management delivers actionable insights for greater operational performance for energy and industrial customersFive-fold growth in Cordant™ APM deployments since the start of 2024Enhancements across asset health and strategy capabilities and advanced analytics to drive greater operational efficiency, resource productivity and risk management

FLORENCE, Italy, February 19, 2025 /3BL/ – Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, announced the general availability of the latest version of Cordant™ Asset Performance Management (APM), further advancing the digital transformation of asset management for energy and industrial customers worldwide. This highlights Baker Hughes’ continued commitment to driving operational excellence, sustainability and safety through innovative digital solutions.

Since its launch in 2023, Cordant™ APM has been deployed by customers across the globe, including some of the world’s largest national oil companies (NOCs), international oil companies (IOCs), and leading industrial companies in the chemicals and fertilizer industries, with a five-fold increase in deployments over the last year. It is delivering measurable results for customers, enabling improved reliability, reduced maintenance costs, and safer, more sustainable operations.

A global petrochemical player is targeting a $50M reduction in maintenance cost and increased availability with the implementation of Cordant™ Asset Performance Management.A large LNG operator deployed Cordant™ Asset Health and iCenter™, powered by Cordant™, enabling more than 12 hours of increased production with incremental value of more than $10M.A fertilizer manufacturer saw between 2-15% increase in equipment availability across their plants following the implementation of Cordant™ Asset Strategy.

“Today’s energy and industrial leaders consistently face three critical questions: How do I keep my people and operations safe? How do I improve productivity? And how do I enhance sustainability?” said Aravind Yarlagadda, senior vice president of Industrial Solutions, Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes. “We continue to innovate, delivering enhancements to our Cordant™ Asset Performance Management offering to address these challenges and support our customers in their pursuit for operational excellence and sustainability.”

The latest release of Cordant™ APM includes new capabilities across the following areas:

Enhanced Resource Productivity: Hybrid AI and physics-based analytics reduce manual analysis time, seamlessly connecting recommended actions to execution in the maintenance management system. Integration between Cordant™ Asset Health and Baker Hughes iCenter™ streamlines workflows and reduces touchpoints.Operational Efficiency and Sustainability: Opportunity analysis minimizes risk and resource costs, while asset efficiency analytics identify under-performing assets for corrective action, optimizing energy consumption.Comprehensive Risk Management: Mitigate risk exposure with optimized spares and materials holdings, compare production units to enhance performance, and register risks aligned with corporate objectives using a web-native risk register.Improved Maintenance Spend Visibility: New widgets integrate maintenance spend components, enabling proactive spend reduction initiatives and visibility on risk impacts.Enhanced Notification and Action Management: Integrated workflows and customizable notifications support cross-functional collaboration, prioritization, and faster decision-making. New reporting capabilities provide a holistic view of risk reduction and value gained from Cordant™ recommendations.

With a 100-year heritage of energy innovation, Baker Hughes is integrating digital solutions such as Cordant™ with our proven technologies to help customers achieve greater efficiency, extend asset life, and maximize returns. Learn more about the company’s end-to-end digital portfolio here.

About Baker Hughes 
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations

Kerry Davis 
+44 7443 157 262
Kerry.davis@bakerhughes.com 

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Our KFC team in the Middle East launched 3al Asl Tawar almost 18 months ago – and has already made a difference to over 300 people. This truly inspiring program has had amazing success, working predominantly to improve literacy among women and girls, and we can’t wait to see what the next year will bring.

When we launched 3al Asl Tawar in September 2023, we wanted to empower underrepresented Egyptian youth. In just one year, we’ve proudly impacted 300+ lives! 

On International Day of Education, we reflect on how our literacy program KFC 3al Asl Tawar impacted the humble community of Ezbet Khirallah:

We witnessed youth learners writing their names for the first timeWe are proud to say that 73% of the learners are women and young girls219 learners graduated from the program in the first yearThe Program improved literacy levels among 12-35-year-olds 

ProLiteracy Worldwide, Alesha Anderson, Christelle Marpaud, Raghad ElAssi, Ahmed Arafa

Sustainability is a priority in many sectors, and the world of sports is no exception. Sports organizations are increasingly adopting sustainable solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. This shift is accelerated by the realization that sustainable practices not only benefit the environment but can also enhance the fan and player experience.

In this evolving landscape, materials play a critical role. By leveraging our advancements in materials science, Dow contributes to sustainable sports facilities. Materials science, an interdisciplinary field, explores how to design materials with specific properties. This expertise enables our teams to develop solutions that meet the unique demands of athletes and where they play.

From the ground up, Dow materials are at the forefront of driving sustainability in sports. These innovations help organizations achieve their sustainability goals, providing durable, high-performance solutions that address environmental impact and elevate the overall experience of venues.

Sustainable materials for playing surfaces and footwear

Athletic fields, tracks, courts and equipment made with advanced materials can offer the optimal combination of performance, strength, and sustainability—supporting a top-tier playing experience across every sporting pursuit.

Artificial turf

Artificial turf has transformed sports by providing a versatile and durable surface that reduces water usage and maintenance needs. Dow’s innovative materials for artificial turf, such as ELITE™ and DOWLEX™ polyethylene resins, enhance turf safety and durability, while REVOLOOP™ 30-LL E Recycled Plastics Resin, which contains 30% post-consumer recycled content, can help organizations enhance sustainability and meet their goals.

Athletic tracks

Materials science has transformed the way athletic tracks are designed and utilized, providing innovative solutions that cater to the rigorous demands of athletes. One of those innovations is DIAMONDLOCK™ Track technology, which has revolutionized athletic tracks by providing a high-performance, waterproof system made from 60% recycled materials. This innovation ensures durability and sustainability, adapting to diverse climates and reducing environmental impact. An exemplar of DIAMONDLOCK™ Track is found at Joan Samarra Vila Communal Stadium in Andorra. Installed by Sportan, this track system demonstrates exceptional performance and adherence to sustainability standards.

Hard courts

The push to enhance the sustainability of playing surfaces has led to advancements such as RHOPLEX™ Acrylic Emulsions. Used in hard-court coatings, it supports resilient surfaces that dry quickly and resist weather and UV degradation, reducing downtime and maintenance. Dow alongside B.T. Sports developed GreenPave® PermeaCourt a permeable hard court surface to address rain disruption on play. ECOGROUND™ technology further enhances the court surface strength, while enabling steadfast color retention. GreenPave® PermeaCourt technology is showcased at SportsSG’s Jurong West Centre in Singapore, certified by the International Tennis Federation and the Singapore Green Building Council for its sustainability attributes.

Footwear

Dow collaborates with leading manufacturers to enhance high-performance athletic shoes. For instance, INFUSE™ Olefin Block Copolymers supports midsoles that offer exceptional recovery and compression, contributing to stability and shock absorption for injury reduction, while ENERLYTE™ Polyurethane Elastomers helps insoles and midsoles offer lightweight energy return to enhance rebound and VORALAST™ Polyurethanes helps shoes maintain flexibility and performance over time.

Building materials and energy-efficient stadium systems

By maintaining precision control and improving the overall efficiency of facility systems, material science contributes to significant energy savings and the sustainability of sports venues.

Lighting

Energy-efficient stadium lighting systems are vital for reducing electricity consumption while maintaining optimal performance. Innovations like SILASTIC™ Moldable Optical Silicones in next-generation LED designs enhance efficiency and light output, supporting venues with optimal visibility and appealing aesthetics. Dow has collaborated to help enhance stadiums such as the Dow Diamond with state-of-the-art LED systems, improving light levels, uniformity, glare control, and energy efficiency, even under harsh conditions. Dow also worked alongside Schréder, to develop reliable LED floodlights to illuminate the Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium in Hungary under intense conditions and UV exposure—introducing Eastern Europe’s first LED-illuminated sports stadium.

Heat and cooling

In ice venues, heat transfer fluids such as DOWTHERM™ SR-1 are used to maintain precise temperatures, ensuring optimal ice conditions for sports such as hockey and speed skating. The fluid is chilled by refrigeration equipment and circulated through pipes beneath the rink, extracting heat and freezing a smooth ice layer. This technology not only provides better ice grip for athletes but also simplifies maintenance and protects pipes from corrosion.

Heat transfer fluids are also crucial in stadium HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, enhancing energy efficiency and protecting components from corrosion and scaling, thereby extending the system’s lifespan. By ensuring optimal air flow and maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures, these fluids help reduce operational costs and environmental impact in large sports facilities. DOWFROST™ Heat Transfer Fluids serve as secondary refrigerants in air conditioning systems, playing a vital role in the overall performance of the HVAC systems.

Stadium seating

Dow contributes to this aspect of the fan experience through water-based coatings formulated with acrylic resins, which protect seating from the relentless sun and corrosive elements. Our SPECFLEX™ circular polyurethane foam technologies are also bringing a new level of comfort and support to spectators, ensuring that every game can be enjoyed with ease.

Materials science enhancing sporting venues around the world

Building state-of-the-art stadiums requires sustainable materials and innovative techniques to ensure the longevity and human-centric design of the structures.

The Japan National Stadium served as the Olympic Stadium during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. This existing venue was retrofitted with several Dow technologies including foam sealants to fill gaps between materials and provide structural stability during heat expansion, cable insulation for reliable power throughout the venue, water-based coatings to meet low-VOC requirements, and telecommunications compounds for the seamless transmission of event footage across the world.

The Dow Center stadium in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, a flexible-use facility supported by Dow and other partners, was the first LEED-certified sports complex in Latin America. Its construction includes polyisocyanurate panels and SILASTIC™ silicone elastomers to create effective insulation that reduces energy consumption and improves the acoustics of the venue.

In 2019, the Golden State Warriors moved into the Chase Center, a premier facility in San Francisco featuring an 18,000-seat arena and mixed-use office and retail space. To meet the tight build schedule and to achieve LEED Gold certification, they teamed up with Dow technical experts to install a DOWSIL™ Silicone Air Barrier System for the damp climate conditions and DOWSIL™ silicone structural sealants for the challenging façade design.

Performance from the ground up

Materials science is transforming the world of sports. By focusing on sustainability, durability, and performance, it is enhancing the experiences of fans and athletes and contributing to the long-term sustainability of stadiums and other venues.

Dow aims to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible, so that every aspect of the sporting world can benefit from our innovative technologies and solutions.

 

™ELITE, DOWLEX, REVOLOOP, DIAMONDLOCK, RHOPLEX, ECOGROUND, INFUSE, ENERLYTE, VORALAST, SILASTIC, DOWTHERM, DOWFROST, SPECFLEX, and DOWSIL are trademarks of Dow or an affiliated company of Dow

®GreenPave is a registered trademark of BT Sports

Originally published in Lenovo’s 2023/24 ESG Report

Keeping a product in use for a longer period is an important aspect of circular economy and reducing climate impact. Lenovo designs its products to maximize its product lifecycle by focusing on durability and ease of repair for customers of all skill levels.

To help keep products in use, Lenovo offers three-year standard warranties and five years of replacement parts availability on many of its top-selling commercial products. Three-year warranties are offered as the base warranty on many top-selling Think branded products, including monitors, notebooks, desktops, and others. Customers can also purchase warranty upgrades to extend the base warranty by one or two years for many products. Base warranties for consumer products vary by product type and geography but typically start at one to two years for the base warranty with the option for customers to purchase an extended warranty for many products.

In addition to the warranty offerings, Lenovo makes available service and maintenance manuals for many products along with parts removal and replacement videos. Customers can source spare parts from Lenovo or its authorized partners. Lenovo’s serviceability engineers are focused on minimizing the interruption to customers during repair and maintenance and consider the products’ eligibility for onsite repair as an indicator for ease of repair.

For more details, see Lenovo’s Warranty and Maintenance Services webpage. Lenovo’s ESG KPIs include a repairability KPI, for more information see Section 9.0. To support progress against this KPI Lenovo continues to increase the number of parts that are Customer Replaceable Units (CRU).

Lenovo is continuously designing innovative features for its products to help extend their useful life. For example, its battery technology extends notebook battery cycle life through key technologies, including:

Increased use of lithium polymer cells: Used in notebooks and tablets with embedded batteries, these cells typically provide longer life cycles than lithium-ion cylindrical cells.Longer lifespan batteries:Many of Lenovo’s embedded batteries are designed to last two to three times longer than standard batteries.Offering warranty upgrades up to five years on many embedded batteries. The longer lifespan is made possible with carefully selected cells and charge algorithms.

Product carbon footprint

The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) or Global Warming Potential (GWP-100) has become a key product attribute for Lenovo and customers. Knowing the PCF of a product allows customers to better understand the environmental impact of the products they purchase.

To provide Lenovo’s customers with PCF values for the broadest set of products, Lenovo continues to utilize the Product Attribute to Impact Algorithm (PAIA) platform to calculate streamlined Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) of desktops, notebooks, tablets, and workstation computers as well as monitors, servers, storage, and network switch products.

With a suite of simplified online tools, PAIA delivered a methodology for information and communications technology (ICT) product footprints which originated from a multi-stakeholder initiative of ICT companies that shared insights and best practices.

Lenovo’s participation in PAIA is helping to drive a sector-wide streamlined methodology that will be key to transforming ICT companies into sustainable businesses.

Using PAIA tools to calculate product footprints has significantly reduced the time and cost of calculating environmental footprints for its products. The quality and accuracy of the calculations allow Lenovo to confidently communicate this information with customers and other stakeholders. Lenovo shares these results with enterprise customers and publishes them publicly as PCF information sheets. PCF sheets for specific products can be found on Lenovo’s ECO Declarations webpage.

Lenovo’s product life cycle assessment system is based on the ICT industry eco-design requirements that analyzes the product’s full life cycle and design process to help bring products to the market with less environmental impact. Its product LCA system utilizes the ICT product footprint tool which assesses the core product design and manufacturing plan by using a scientific and quantitative configuration that supports improvement initiatives. In addition to products, Lenovo is working to expand this exercise to include materials and technologies, and components. In 2023, Lenovo conducted 24 LCAs and LCA– based PCF for notebook, desktop, display, server products, and components. The notebook, desktop, display and server products for which LCAs were conducted are ThinkPad T14 Gen 3, Legion 9 16IRX9, Yoga Pro 9 16IMH9, Yoga 9 2-in-1 14IMH9, Yoga Book 9 13IMU9, ThinkBook 13x G4 IMH, ThinkCentre M950t, ThinkStation K-C2, ThinkVision P27q-30, ThinkVision E22-30, ThinkVision E24-30, ThinkVision E24q-30, ThinkSystem SR650 V3, ThinkPad T14 Gen3 notebook, and P27q-30 display.

While there are other voluntary standards available to guide practitioners in compiling PCF, these standards are not designed to establish comparative values between products. The degree of flexibility written into the standards can produce variations in results for the same products when the same standard is applied by different practitioners. Compiling PCF using these standards is also a very lengthy and resource-intensive process. Other commonly used standards include the British Standards Institute’s PAS 2050, WRI/WBCSD’s GHG Protocol Product Lifecycle Accounting and Reporting Standard, ISO 14040, ISO 14044 – Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and ISO 14067 – Carbon Footprint of Products.

Environmental spotlight

Lenovo continues to promote the use of sustainable materials beyond its products. On March 31, 2023, Lenovo, People’s Daily New Media and Chishui City of Guizhou Province jointly launched the “Future With Bamboo” Sustainable Development Action in Chishui City of Guizhou, China. This initiative is in response to the “Bamboo as a substitute for Plastic Initiative” joint campaign launched by China and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization.

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By Candace Higginbotham 

Students are at the midterm of a busy fall semester at the University of Alabama.

It’s an exciting time, especially for freshmen. Getting accustomed to dorm living, balancing social life and academics, managing class workload – these are ordinary activities every new student has to figure out. But adapting to life at a large university is even more challenging for some students.

Many of these UA freshmen overcame major difficulties just to get here. But the university’s REACH program offers resources and guidance to ensure they succeed.

The University of Alabama REACH Program, part of the Capstone Center for Student Success, provides services and support to current and former foster youth, legal orphans, wards of the state, current and former kinship and guardianship youth and homeless youth.

“While I had a scholarship that made entering UA possible, REACH is what kept me there,” said 2021 graduate Samantha Whitley.

The Regions Foundation recently announced a $30,000 grant to support the work of the REACH program, to help students access needed services in a supportive environment, including academic, financial, emotional and social support.

The Regions Foundation® is a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank. Regions Foundation grants and investments to organizations create more inclusive prosperity in communities across the South, Midwest and Texas. The Regions Foundation, along with Regions Bank, focus on initiatives that advance economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness.

“We are proud to support the University of Alabama REACH program and the essential services they provide to students facing unique challenges,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation.

“Many of these young people don’t have the family safety nets that most college students have, and the REACH program fills that gap. With this extra support, students are able to focus on their academic goals and enjoy the campus experience, which makes them more likely to graduate and successfully enter the workforce.”

“Many of these young people don’t have the family safety nets that most college students have, and the REACH program fills that gap.” 
Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation

The program’s relationship with Regions goes beyond the Regions Foundation grant. Regions Bank has also provided financial support to Alabama REACH and recently bank associates hosted a financial education seminar for more than 65 Alabama REACH participants. Students took part in the Regions Next Step® Reality Check program, where they were presented with real-life scenarios to help them learn to make good decisions around budgeting and spending.

Alabama REACH began in 2013 and in recent years has gained momentum, with an increased number of students participating and expanded support services. According to Shannon Hubbard, Alabama REACH program manager, they welcomed their largest incoming class ever this fall, with 51 freshmen registered. They’re serving between 130 and 140 students total in the 2024-2025 school year.

And it’s making a real difference.

“The national graduation rate for foster and homeless youth is between 2 and 9 percent,” Hubbard said. “The graduation rate for the University of Alabama REACH program is 55 percent. And we have a strong 87 percent second-year retention rate.”

According to Hubbard, the program serves students with four main areas of focus.

Financial Support: REACH provides a $1,000 scholarship per year to each participant with the potential for another $1,000 in funding available. Emergency small-dollar funds are also available on an as-needed basis, in case a student can’t purchase a book, has a dead car battery or faces a healthcare need. Participants also have access to a supply pantry with food and snacks, household staples, cleaning supplies and personal care items.Emotional and Social Support: Students have a special lounge area to hang out with each other and enjoy being around other students with similar backgrounds. “The lounge gets tremendous utilization,” Hubbard said. “It’s a space of their own where they always feel like they belong and can get the peer support they need.” The students also have bi-monthly community meetings, which provide comradery as well as helpful information. The sessions cover what Hubbard calls “Adulting 101” – cooking, budgeting, financial education, tax guidance and other life lessons. They also receive advice on developing soft skills, like how to communicate with professors by email, job interview skills and basic etiquette.Academic Support: Participants meet twice every semester for one-on-one academic coaching. The first meeting is scheduled as classes begin, to help students figure out the logistics of their class schedule and identify potential trouble spots. The students also have the opportunity to participate in group tutoring sessions and individual meetings to address issues that may be standing in the way of their success. “Sometimes academic support means helping them manage life, such as work, childcare, mental health issues, physical issues or any outside influences that are affecting their ability to go to class or maintain their grades.”Mental Health Support: Alabama REACH offers group sessions on topics such as stress management, holiday grief, boundary setting and other issues that are especially relevant for this population. “Imposter syndrome is real for these students,” Hubbard said. “They don’t feel like they’re good enough to be here and often struggle with low self-esteem. Some students feel guilty because they have this opportunity that perhaps their siblings don’t have.”

“REACH helped a lot with my self-confidence,” Whitley said. “I entered the foster system when I was 13. The program connected me with other youth that faced similar issues I had, which opened the door for me to build relationships. With a little bit of support, a foster youth can do things they never thought possible.”

Whitley graduated from the university with a degree in criminal justice and a double minor in cyber criminology and social welfare. She currently works at the Children’s Aid Society of Alabama, an organization that provides services to families in need or at risk.

Current student Jamal Cumbie also credits the REACH program for keeping him on track, especially early on.

“REACH was a big help to me from the start,” Cumbie said. “When I arrived on campus, my meal plan hadn’t been activated and they helped me get that straightened out. They also helped me figure out my classes, especially when I decided to change my major during freshman year.”

Cumbie just started his senior year as a secondary education/social studies major. Looking back on the last three years, Cumbie said he really enjoyed the community of the REACH program. “I made friends with people I could relate to, with similar backgrounds, and got a lot of peer support,” he said.

He’s enjoying offering the same support to freshmen participants. When asked what advice he’s giving the new students, Cumbie said, “You’re going to get out of it what you put into it.”

Elizabeth Winter, Tuscaloosa market executive at Regions Bank, is excited about the Regions Foundation grant and other means of support the bank provides to Alabama REACH. “This is such an important program,” she said. “These students have unique needs and I believe that without tailored support many of them would face real difficulty adjusting to a university environment.”

“But with the extra coaching, mentoring and guidance – as well as financial assistance – they are able to enjoy all the wonderful parts of college life: making lifelong friends, learning about subjects they’re passionate about, planning their careers and, of course, going to Alabama football games!”

“An investment in Alabama REACH is an investment in our future.”

“These students have unique needs and I believe that without tailored support many of them would face real difficulty adjusting to a university environment. But with the extra coaching, mentoring and guidance – as well as financial assistance – they are able to enjoy all the wonderful parts of college life.” 
Elizabeth Winter, Tuscaloosa market executive at Regions Bank