Tag: 3BL

The textile and apparel industry woke up today facing more questions than answers. Business leaders around the world are scrambling to understand the immediate and long-term implications of President Trump’s announcement of substantial global tariffs, particularly as only 3% of apparel sold in the U.S. is manufactured domestically.

While the economic and logistical impacts are significant, it is essential we also recognize the profound human implications of these tariffs. Thousands of workers and their families across countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, and China rely on the textile and apparel industry for their livelihoods. Sudden disruptions caused by these tariffs could undermine decades of progress in social and economic stability, pushing vulnerable communities deeper into poverty.

We live in a globally interdependent world. Responsible business practices and quality manufacturing are not confined within any single country’s borders, including the U.S. As our industry navigates the turbulence ahead, maintaining strong international partnerships rooted in mutual respect and pragmatism is critical.

Farmers, factories, manufacturers, logistics providers—every stakeholder along the supply chain deserves responsible, thoughtful management and sustained investment. Now, more than ever, industry leaders must unite in collective advocacy to ensure global trade policies support not just economic stability but also environmental sustainability and social equity. Sustainability remains a business imperative.

As we respond to this challenge, our collective action must remain firmly focused on safeguarding livelihoods, advocating for fair and sustainable trade practices, and ensuring that economic policies recognize their human impact. Together, we can and must ensure that our global industry’s future is resilient, responsible, and inclusive for all, now and in the future.

To achieve net-zero carbon by 2050, Saint-Gobain North America must reach key milestones by 2030. In our latest episode of Journey to 2030, Saint-Gobain is showing how circular economy practices can be successful! 

When it comes to finding ways to recycle gypsum we are always looking for bolder practices to eliminate landfill waste and reduce our emissions. Discover the ways in which our plants across North America are sourcing and reusing this useful material in the production of wallboard.

About Journey to 2030

With approximately 37% of CO₂ emissions coming from the built environment, we have a responsibility as the leader of light and sustainable construction to move towards net-zero carbon by 2050. But before we can get there, Saint-Gobain has milestones we’re trying to achieve by 2030. 

Join us on our Journey to 2030 and watch the entire video series on YouTube.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 

This article is authored by Jose La Loggia, Group President, EMEA, Trane Technologies.

As the climate continues to change, and risks to human health and well-being continue to grow, one critical area demands our attention: the use of energy recovery technology in our cities to decarbonize buildings and transport.

Buildings represent more than 30%¹ of all emissions, with transport responsible for another 20%². That’s more than half of the world’s emissions that Trane Technologies can help address.

To reduce emissions and decarbonize our cities, we must revolutionize energy used in buildings and transport. Any heat released into the environment can be considered wasted, and since it takes energy to produce heat, wasted heat is wasted energy. By preventing and recovering waste heat, we are helping decarbonize buildings, industry and transport systems – transforming them from energy sinks into energy sources.

By focusing on the generated power that’s being wasted, what we call demand-side management, we can have a significant impact on addressing energy waste and reducing energy demand.

Energy recovery: a game changer for the built environment

Historically, buildings have relied on fossil fuels and natural gas for their heating and cooling needs. Most buildings have also typically used separate heating and cooling systems that operate independently, causing higher emissions – especially during cooling processes that generate heat, which is typically wasted and released into the atmosphere.

But our vision for the buildings of tomorrow is clear: a future in which renewable energy production, the heating and cooling of buildings and energy storage operate in unison to create highly energy-efficient buildings. Such buildings generate enough energy to run their own facilities without drawing from the grid, re-purposing what would otherwise be wasted while driving significant energy efficiencies. If decarbonized buildings became the norm, we could breathe cleaner air and live in smarter, healthier and more resilient cities that are less reliant on fossil fuels.

The concept of thermal management for temperature control is central to this vision. Energy recovery technology like heat pumps can capture naturally-generated heat as a byproduct, instead of rejecting it into the atmosphere, and repurpose it for another use, such as comfort heating and hot sanitary water. This “free heating” approach translates into substantial cost savings compared to conventional boiler systems. By using heat pumps, building owners and city planners can also integrate heating and cooling systems and draw from another untapped free source of energy: waste heat.

In fact, heat pumps can re-purpose wasted heat to address other heating demands at a building or city level. A prime example of an innovative thermal management system is Trane Technologies’ project in the Dutch city of Aalsmeer. Excess heat from a data center is repurposed to provide hot water to a local school and gymnasium. This project saved Aalsmeer 400 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually – equivalent to the emissions generated from 48 homes. Adopting a simultaneous heating and cooling thermal management system, which can heat and cool at the same time, not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels, but it is also much more efficient.

Driving down carbon emissions in transportation

New industry standards for emissions reduction and efficiency are being set for commercial transportation. Trane Technologies specializes in transport refrigeration, to ensure the safety of foods and medicines – in a sustainable way. The Thermo King AxlePower energy recovery system, for example, harvests energy when a trailer rolls or brakes, capturing and storing the power in a high-voltage battery that powers the refrigeration unit. Such high-performance, hybrid or fully electric systems can make significant CO2 savings.

During a trial on Woolworths’ long-haul N1 route in South Africa, the vehicle’s battery operated for a distance of 15,000 kilometers to cool the load and only engaged the diesel engine 3% of the time. On the route between Johannesburg and Cape Town, carbon emissions dropped by 27 tons.

Challenging the current mindset around decarbonization

By now, it should be clear that obstacles to creating decarbonized cities are not technological. So, what is? One common misconception is that sustainable solutions are prohibitively expensive. In reality, the energy efficiency and CO2 reductions achieved through these technologies often result in short payback periods, sometimes within just two to three years.

Another myth is that these systems are complex and only applicable to new building construction. This is far from the truth. Almost 75% of existing building stock in the European Union has a poor energy performance that can be considerably improved with smart heating and cooling solutions³ . When we replace cooling-only machines with those capable of simultaneous heating and cooling, the incremental cost is more manageable. And for fleet owners looking to switch to electric solutions, next-generation energy recovery systems (e.g. Thermo King AxlePower) are also more efficient, less reliant on recharging stations and fossil fuels.

Financing, often perceived as a barrier, is also readily available. The key is to finance the future, not outdated systems.

The future is now: time for action

The path to decarbonizing our cities lies in these sustainable, thermal management and energy recovery solutions. As we move forward, policymakers, industry leaders, and communities must work together to embrace this vision.

Decarbonizing our cities is within reach, and the benefits for our planet and future generations are immeasurable.

A version of this article originally appeared in the Financial Times.

Article Sources (3)

• [1] IEA, “Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2023: Buildings,” 2023.
• [2] IEA, “Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2023: Transport,” 2023. 
• [3] European Commission Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2024 and data collected by Trane Technologies.

The recent EU Omnibus package may propose to ease the reporting burden for companies in the EU, but many headlines have in fact triggered uncertainty and alarm.

If we can cut through the noise, proactive business leaders can not only prepare for these changes but seize the opportunity to drive strategic business value and even transformation.

My key takeaways for business:

• Large companies still have to report, while SMEs can gain an advantage through voluntary reporting
• Streamlined and integrated data management remains key for compliance and business value creation
• Get ahead by starting today

Sustainability regulations have been on a rollercoaster ride lately. To address concerns about the administrative burden, harmonization, and competitiveness, EU lawmakers have undertaken critical reviews of key policies, most notably the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Initial reactions to the Omnibus package ranged from celebratory to cautionary, with some media outlets pointing out “costly confusion” and even “catastrophic changes.” The slightest changes to any regulatory framework can spark confusion, but there is no need to panic. While still subject to final approval, the Omnibus package should provide companies extra time to prepare and reduced metrics to track.

Despite these proposed changes, business leaders should ensure their data management systems are equipped to handle the required sustainability metrics. Systems and processes for data management need to be instituted, KPIs identified, stakeholders managed — all of which takes time. As a rule of thumb, auditors recommend two years of preparation time before a reporting deadline hits. From automated collection and reporting to insights that drive measurable business value, an integrated data system has the potential to make sustainability data so much more than a mere component of compliance.

What are the changes in the Omnibus?

The Omnibus adjusts compliance thresholds, shifts reporting timelines, and removes the burden of CSRD reporting for small and midsize enterprises. Proposed changes include:

• Companies not yet required to report on FY 2024 will have a two-year delay (until 2028) before they must report with the CSRD
• Companies must have 1,000 employees and €50 million net turnover, or €25 million balance sheet to meet CSRD reporting threshold
• Limited assurance requirements are implemented in place of reasonable assurance
• Sector-specific reporting mandates have been eliminated
• Value chain data is only required from suppliers that also meet the reporting threshold
• Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) due diligence intervals increased from each year to every five years

All proposed changes are still subject to final approval.

What remains untouched in the Omnibus proposals?

Large European companies — those that were required to report with the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) — are still required to report with the CSRD this year for FY 2024, and are required to continue reporting despite the proposal. The pool of companies required to report will still expand, but now with a two-year delay and the timeline for non-EU parent companies has not changed. Companies with a two-year delay will still need to start preparing at least 12 months ahead of their new reporting deadlines.

Supply chain emissions, double materiality assessments, KPI identifying and tracking, and transition planning are all still fundamental to the CSRD. Supply chain data insights are still requirements of the CSDDD and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

The metrics on which companies are required to report are likely to be reduced and simplified, but regulatory compliance still remains a data challenge that requires integrated solutions. For companies that are no longer required to report, voluntary reporting can prove beneficial if data insights are deployed strategically. With the right solutions, sustainability data can unlock valuable insights to improve business performance.

How can sustainability data improve business performance?

With all the new compliance measures businesses have to navigate, it can be easy to get reporting tunnel vision and lose sight of the wider goal: sustainable business outcomes and value creation for the business.

Rigorous sustainability reporting should drive operational efficiency. Combined with a wealth of sustainability data, supply chain scrutiny and systems analysis lay the groundwork for deriving strategic business value. For example, sustainability data supports effective risk management through visibility into risks and their strategic and financial impacts, lowers costs by creating efficiency gains, and provides the insights needed to take action.

Collecting and managing data to comply with sustainability regulations requires data management software. The bare bones solution is the helpful, yet error-prone, Excel spreadsheet, while at the opposite end of the data management spectrum is the ERP-centric system.

The spreadsheet might manage to painstakingly serve the compliance function, but it lacks the ability to provide real-time insights that align sustainability goals with financial goals. What’s worse is that after data is collected and reported, it lives — and dies — on the spreadsheet, offering no added value, and certainly driving no business transformation.

In contrast, by using an ERP-centric system, data needed to comply with sustainability regulations can be pulled, aggregated, and integrated into business systems like finance, procurement, and HR. In fact, an ERP-centric system can provide access to as much as 85 percent of the quantitative data required for CSRD compliance.

ERP systems are the catalyst for strategic business transformation and streamlined regulatory compliance. ERP combined with SAP Sustainability solutions can provide access to sustainability data that permeates all business functions. Business leaders obtain the necessary insights to reduce carbon and material usage, accelerate CSRD compliance, and accurately measure the financial and sustainability impact of their decisions.

Get ahead by starting today

To stay ahead of current and upcoming regulations, streamlined and integrated management of data from operations and supply chain is essential. An ERP-centric approach can drive both sustainability and financial performance, with compliance being just the tip of the iceberg for ERP-centric sustainability data benefits.

Even with CSRD timelines extended for some companies, forward-thinking businesses have much to gain by continuing CSRD-aligned sustainability reporting now. This delay offers an opportunity to develop a strategic, technology-enabled approach to sustainability reporting that drives long-term business value.

Take action now and leverage SAP Sustainability solutions to transform your data management and sustainability reporting, ensuring your business not only complies but thrives in the evolving regulatory landscape. To learn even more about the Omnibus changes and how an ERP-centric system can benefit your business, read SAP’s latest white paper on mastering CSRD.

How to master the EU CSRD with SAP Sustainability solutions: New insights from the Omnibus proposal Read the White Paper here

^{Sophia Mendelsohn is chief sustainability and commercial officer at SAP.}

Las Vegas Sands

One of the four core priorities under the Planet pillar of Sands’ corporate responsibility program is incorporating environmentally friendly materials and resources into business operations. Through the stewardship of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability team in collaboration with departments company-wide, Sands is committed to avoiding and eliminating materials and resources that may negatively impact the environment and working to increase overall use of sustainable goods and services.

“Our desire to use sustainable materials and resources touches every part of the business, from procurement to food and beverage services, resort operations, engineering, development and more,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “The challenge in the hospitality industry is balancing selection of goods and services that are better for the environment with guest expectations for a high-end travel experience. That’s why system-wide collaboration among our teams is key.”

Sourcing Responsible Goods and Services

On a regular basis, Sands evaluates sourcing in key areas such as food and beverage services, hotel operations, and business and marketing materials to introduce or increase sustainable products and services. The company has placed special emphasis on addressing sustainability at company-owned restaurants and in catering operations.

Delivering outstanding food and beverage options is an essential component of creating a world-class guest experience, and Sands has focused on incorporating sustainable food into that experience. Efforts have included promoting sustainable sourcing to chefs and eliminating or reducing certain types of seafood from company-owned restaurants and food service operations. The company also targets sourcing of seafood products that are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

In addition, Sands has set a global target to source cage-free eggs for 100% of its operations by 2028. The company began this transition at select food and beverage outlets and in-suite dining in 2023 and will report on 2024 progress in its annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) report to be published this spring.

Furthering the commitment of sourcing environmentally responsible products and services, Sands also strives to upcycle materials to avoid sending items to landfills. For example, Marina Bay Sands partnered with ChopValue, a company that turns chopsticks into stylish products, to repurpose one million of these used utensils into cube-shaped menu displays for Sands Expo® and Convention Centre events and banquets. Some of the chopsticks were sourced from the resort’s Wakuda restaurant.

Reducing Plastic and Packaging Use

Another initiative related to incorporating sustainable materials and resources is addressing plastic and packaging, especially single-use items. Sands has set a global target to transition 100% of its branded water bottles to reusable solutions or products made from sustainable materials by the end of 2025.

Marina Bay Sands achieved 100% sustainable solutions for branded water bottles as of 2023, while Sands China continues to address applications that have been challenging for incorporation of sustainable solutions. One area is on casino floors, which use smaller bottles with limited supply options for sustainable products. The company has undertaken various trials such as use of water dispensers to overcome this challenge.

Other efforts to replace plastic and packaging at Sands China have included replacing single-use bathroom amenity bottles with bulk products at The Venetian Macao, Sands Macao, The Parisian Macao and The Londoner Macao. In addition, Sands China has targeted reducing plastics and single-use disposables in its laundry operations.

At Marina Bay Sands, the resort also has addressed laundry-related plastics by eliminating single-use plastic covers for Team Member uniforms. Another major focus has been on eliminating plastic cling wrap in its kitchens, which uses an average of 19,000 rolls annually.

Efforts have included identifying plastic wrap applications to establish new processes and solutions, engaging with food and beverage leaders to address changes, initiating a phased approach to plastic wrap elimination across the resort and setting up monthly scorecards to track plastic wrap purchases and use.

Sands’ commitment to using sustainable materials and resources is one of four core environmental stewardship priorities, which also include transitioning to low-carbon operations, reducing waste and responsibly managing water. To learn more about the company’s initiatives to protect the planet, read the latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

Electric vehicles have become a hot topic lately, unfortunately in more ways than one. Your facility may have recently installed one or more battery charging stations for your employees, clients, or customers to use while visiting your location. And while rare, electric vehicles and their charging stations do pose a fire risk. With a recent uptick in vandalism targeting EVs and charging stations, many of our clients have expressed concerns about how to be better prepared and how to safely manage fire risk.

Currently, there is no consensus standard for where to locate EV charging stations. Most commercial EV battery charging units (though not all) are equipped with a battery management system (BMS) designed to monitor an EV battery during the charging process and will shut off when an issue with the battery is detected. However, when someone intends to damage an EV or charging unit deliberately, all bets are off, even the most advanced BMS can’t prevent malicious actions from escalating into a fire or safety incident.

Whether an EV is hooked up to a charger or just waiting in an available parking space, the risk of fire, particularly from intentional damage, should be taken seriously.

Things to Consider if Your Business has EV Charging Stations: 

1. Does your Emergency Response (ER) or Emergency Action Plan (EAP) address civil disobedience or intentional vandalism? 
If not, it may be time to update it. Emergency plans should reflect new technologies and evolving risks, including potential threats from social unrest.

2. Have you informed your local fire department about your EV chargers? 
This includes how many units are installed, what kind they are, and exactly where they’re located. Coordination with first responders is key to a quick and effective emergency response.

3. Where are your EV chargers located? 
Chargers installed in areas like the lower level of a parking deck, beneath a building, or close to a critical structural component may pose greater risk in the event of a fire. Evaluate whether your location could amplify the consequences of an EV battery fire.

4. Do you have a means to control access to your parking areas? 
This includes gates, keycard entry, on-site security staff, or other measures that can help prevent unauthorized access, especially after hours.

5. Are there visible deterrents in place? 
Security cameras, motion-activated lighting, and signage can play a critical role in discouraging tampering or trespassing.

Understanding EV Battery Fires 

It’s important to realize that EV battery fires are not like conventional vehicle fires. Standard ABC fire extinguishers or even typical sprinkler systems are ineffective at extinguishing a thermal runaway event in a lithium-ion battery. In fact, most professional emergency responders are trained to contain the area and allow the fire to burn out in a controlled way.

The challenge? These fires can generate intense heat, last for hours, and potentially compromise the structural integrity of surrounding buildings or structures. Not to mention, if multiple vehicles are impacted in a chain reaction, the damage can multiply exponentially.

Planning for the Future 

• Do you have the flexibility to relocate chargers to safer, more open-air locations? If your infrastructure allows, consider whether it’s worth relocating chargers to reduce potential risk.
• Have you evaluated commercially available fire suppression solutions? There are specialized products on the market, such as EV-specific fire blankets, suppression foam systems, and remote monitoring solutions. While helpful, none are foolproof. Each option should be assessed for your site-specific conditions, risk tolerance, and budget. It’s always best to get professional support, and you can always contact your local fire department to formulate an appropriate response.
• Are you training your team? Micro-training modules or quick-response drills for security personnel, facilities teams, and even general staff can significantly improve your readiness. Knowing what to do (and just as importantly, what not to do) in the event of an EV fire is critical.

What NOT to Do During an EV Fire: 

• Do not attempt to move a smoking or visibly damaged EV manually.
• Do not try to extinguish a battery fire with water unless explicitly trained and equipped to do so.
• Do not allow staff to approach the vehicle closely. Lithium-ion battery fires can be unpredictable and explosive.

Final Thoughts 

EV adoption is only going to increase, and with it, new risks and responsibilities. Planning ahead, collaborating with local emergency services, securing your infrastructure, and educating your teams are all essential steps in keeping your people and property safe.

If you need help reviewing your site, assessing your emergency preparedness, or identifying the right suppression and security solutions for your facility, our team is here to help.

Albertsons Companies, in partnership with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, is kicking off the 2025 Million Hour Volunteer Rally. At a time when food insecurity is on the rise and volunteerism is declining, our communities need our help more than ever.

We are calling on our customers, associates, partners and community members to collectively donate 1 million volunteer hours, support local nonprofits and uplift those in need. As a special incentive, participants could win prizes, including free groceries for a year and donations to local hunger relief nonprofits.

Together, we can make a real difference. Learn more here.

See the original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

At Covia, safety is more than a priority – it is our North Star and the foundation of everything we do. It guides our decisions, shapes our culture, and keeps our teams focused on what matters most: protecting each other.

Covia is proud to highlight how our teams across North America lead by example:

• At Covia’s St. Canut, Canada, plant, team members participated in ladder rescue drills using a mannequin provided by the local fire department in recognition of Ladder Safety Awareness Month. Team members participated in rescue techniques where they went through regular rescue drills designed to make them comfortable and prepared for emergencies that occur off the ground.
• At the Independence, Ohio, office, the team partnered with the Independence Police Department for a hands-on traffic safety session. They learned about the dangers of distracted driving, new traffic laws, and more.
• Congratulations to the Benito Juarez, Mexico, plant for reaching 3,000 days without a lost-time injury – a milestone made possible by a strong culture of communication, trust and shared responsibility. Raul Esteban Martinez Rojas commented, “Commitment, life-saving rules, and teamwork have brought us to 3,000 days of safe work—for ourselves and for those waiting at home. This milestone is possible only through empathy, open communication, and the courage to speak freely about both work and personal matters. Even the most meticulous worker depends on emotional well-being to make safe decisions. Congratulations, Team!”

Click here for more information about Covia’s ongoing commitment to excellent safety performance.

As the world eagerly anticipates the arrival of applicable 6G innovations, researchers face numerous challenges in validating this next-generation wireless communication technology. The journey from theoretical concepts and mathematical equations to real-world 6G implementation is complex and requires meticulous planning, testing, and measurements to better characterize these ultra-high frequencies.

Not only must 6G research help uncover specific channel behaviors ─ it also validates how these new frequencies, waveforms, and other capabilities will perform from the physical layer up to the higher-layer protocols. Let’s dive into the challenges that researchers must resolve:

Channel-Level 6G Challenges

• High-frequency signal propagation:
  • Path loss: Sub-terahertz and terahertz (THz) bands are prone to significant signal attenuation, losing signal strength over long distances. They also encounter penetration loss where high-frequency signals fade upon encountering obstacles like buildings and foliage, leading to coverage issues.
  • Atmospheric absorption: THz signals are particularly susceptible to absorption by atmospheric gases, reducing signal strength and reliability.
  • Link budget challenges: The broad bandwidth of 6G signals can lead to low signal-to-noise ratios, as energy is spread over a wider frequency range.
• Multipath propagation:
  • Interference: Signals reflecting off surfaces and arriving at the receiver at different times cause interference and signal distortion. This is exacerbated in urban environments.
  • Fading: Rapid fluctuations in signal amplitude due to multipath effects lead to inconsistent signal quality and reduced communication reliability.
• Beamforming and beam management:
  • Beam alignment: Precise beamforming techniques are required to direct high-frequency narrow beams towards the receiver, which is challenging in dynamic environments.
  • Beam tracking: Continuous tracking of the receiver’s location to adjust the beam direction in real time adds complexity to the system.

Network-Level 6G Challenges

• Network density and interference:
  • Inter-cell interference: Dense networks with numerous small cells may increase inter-cell interference, degrading overall network performance.
  • Spectrum management: Efficient spectrum management is crucial to minimize interference and maximize the use of available frequencies.
• Latency and reliability:
  • Ultra-low latency: Achieving ultra-low latency targets (e.g., one-microsecond latency) requires highly efficient signal processing and transmission techniques.
  • Reliability: Ensuring reliable communication in diverse environments, including urban, rural, and remote areas, is a significant challenge.
• Integration with heterogeneous networks:
  • Seamless handover: Integrating 6G networks with existing 5G and other wireless technologies requires seamless handover between various network types.
  • Interoperability: Ensuring interoperability between various network components and technologies, such as satellite, terrestrial, and aerial networks, is critical for achieving comprehensive coverage and performance goals.

From 6G Theory to Simulation, and Emulation

6G researchers are modeling systems, channel propagation, and waveforms with design simulation software tools.

The next step in this 6G development process is to take these simulations into real-world signal emulation. Emulation is crucial for testing the performance of 6G systems in real-time channels and networks, from the physical layer to higher layer protocols.

Emulating 6G signals in a controlled lab environment enables researchers to accurately assess the performance of 6G systems. This includes evaluating the challenges mentioned earlier under repeatable conditions to fine-tune program iterations against varying scenarios. Researchers can also study system vulnerabilities by emulating cybersecurity issues and addressing them early on.

6G: From Innovative Research to Reality

The industry expects 6G commercialization to happen by 2030 – leaving at best five years to bring to fruition both products and applications which must meet conformance standards that are still in various stages of formulation. Researchers, device and component designers, test and measurement specialists, network and cybersecurity engineers, and regulatory authorities are collaborating across the 6G ecosystem to bring 6G to life.

Recently, Keysight had the opportunity to visit the 6G research labs at Northeastern University, where the researchers shared their exciting projects. These covered:

1. Studying a 130 GHz broadband MIMO system to increase data throughput and transmission distance. The MIMO system uses two data streams with 10 GHz of bandwidth at 130 GHz to achieve a 36 Gbps over-the-air transmission.
2. Emulating a person-in-the-middle attack scenario to eavesdrop on a highly directional sub-THz communication link. The person-in-the-middle attack scenario uses a metasurface to bend a highly directional sub-THz beam towards an eavesdropper receiver while maintaining the line-of-sight link.
3. Researching real-time sub-THz for network applications. The real-time sub-THz test bed uses an FPGA prototyping system with high-speed digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), capable of supporting 8-10 GHz of contiguous bandwidth at sub-THz frequencies to get up to 60 Gbps.

Keysight’s production crew captured highlights of these exciting 6G projects, so that we can share them with you in this online event: Innovating for 6G with Keysight & Northeastern University. Pick a date and time that is convenient for you to attend.

Americas: April 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. PT
Europe, Middle East, and Africa: April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. CET
Asia Pacific, India: April 17, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. IST, 10:30 a.m. SGT

Register today!

Originally published on Principal.com

Every role at Principal® serves our customers. Risk and security leaders, like Michelle, play a major role in that—helping secure customer data, their products, and their savings.

“Whenever a customer’s connecting with us, they can trust we’re taking care of them in a secure manner,” she says.

See what else she has to say about her purpose-led tech role, and how it’s evolved over time.

When did you join Principal, and what was that role like?

I started as an intern over 32 years ago! I really enjoyed that internship because I was in my last semester of classes, and I could relate my coursework to the professional work I was doing.

After that, I signed on as a developer. And within a couple of years, I started dabbling in leadership—managing interns and new hires.

What’s your role today?

I’m in information security and risk—primarily working in identity and access management.

That means making sure we’re helping keep our customers’ and our own employees’ data and information secure. We’re responsible for ensuring customers can securely log in or connect with an engagement center.

I’m a leader on this team, but what’s cool is that I’m also a Principal customer; we all are. I can put myself in a customer’s shoes and recognize the value firsthand.

How has the way we work evolved over the years?

The scope of roles has changed dramatically. Initially, everyone in IT/engineering did a little bit of everything. Then we broke responsibilities into specific roles. We aren’t afraid to pivot when our processes aren’t effective or aren’t allowing us to move forward.

What’s your impression of our modernization?

It’s easy to keep doing the things we’ve always been doing. My teams will ask: Why are we doing this? What value does it bring? What’s the impact?

When the answer is, ‘It’s how we’ve always done it,’ it’s time to dig into whether it still brings value.

Principal really makes a concerted effort to prioritize progress.

How have you helped support other women in tech at Principal?

First, I’m always interested in how I can have a diverse team, in terms of skill sets as well as demographics.

Mentorship—both formal and informal—also really stands out. I enjoy hearing about what others are doing and what challenges or pressures they have. Sometimes I learn from them, and sometimes there are things they can learn from me.

And how have you been supported?

My mantra: I work to live. I don’t live to work. That balance isn’t always easy.

One of the things I’ve always appreciated is the flexibility at Principal. I loved going to my kids’ classrooms to read when they were in grade school, getting involved in their school activities, being a Girl Scout leader. Having that extra time together—or being able to stay home if someone was sick—helped meet the needs of our family.

Also, we have volunteer hours, which I always take advantage of.

What’s your advice for someone looking to break into tech?

Be inquisitive. If tech is something that you enjoy, be sure to challenge yourself. Technology changes so quickly. Being able to learn a specific skill and be an expert in that feels really good. What also feels really good is becoming well-rounded and knowledgeable.

At the same time, you don’t have to be the expert at everything. It’s OK to say, ‘I don’t know, I’ll get back to you,’ and then work through your network and use the tools available to you to move forward.

Principal® is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and an E-Verify participant. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion or religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic partner status, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also prohibit harassment on these bases.

Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (dol.gov)

If at any stage of the employment application process you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, contact Human Resources at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947. Read our employment policies for more information.

Recruitment fraud is a scheme that offers fictitious job opportunities to people. This type of fraud is normally done through online services such as bogus websites, social media, or through unsolicited emails/SMS texts claiming to be from Principal or Principal employees. Only applicants who have filled out an official application on our career site (careers.principal.com) will be considered for employment opportunities. Principal will never ask for money during any stage of the employment application process. If you receive a communication (e.g., LinkedIn message, Facebook Messenger, SMS text, personal email, etc.) asking for money or personal financial information, don’t engage or respond. Please contact our Human Resources team at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947, and your local law enforcement. For more information, review our recruitment fraud information.

You can find our U.S. workforce privacy notice here.

Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company®, a member of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

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