Tag: PR Newswire

Envision doubles down on the renewable energy system with its launch of Dubhe, an energy foundation model shaping the AI energy system.

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Envision, the global leader in green technology, today announced the launch of Dubhe, its groundbreaking Energy Foundation Model, designed to shape the world’s largest Physical AI system – the AI energy system.

Inspired by Dubhe, the guiding star of the Big Dipper that has helped humanity navigate by the North Star for thousands of years, the Dubhe Energy Foundation Model was unveiled by Lei Zhang, Founder and CEO of Envision, during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Dubhe sits at the core of Envision’s Physical AI architecture, analysing vast real-world energy data streams to orchestrate renewable generation, storage, grids, and demand in real time. By unlocking the abundance of renewable resources and driving costs toward near-zero marginal levels, Dubhe enables energy systems to scale in step with AI—addressing the unprecedented energy demands that AI places on global infrastructure.

“For centuries, Dubhe guided humanity through the night sky. Today, Dubhe is the guiding star of the AI era—shaping the AI energy system with a foundation that is infinite, intelligent, and inexpensive, supporting the prosperity of a new civilization.” Says Lei.

Shaping the AI Energy System: From Large Language Models to Physical Artificial Intelligence

While large language models have transformed the digital world, Envision believes the next leap lies in Physical Artificial Intelligence—AI that directly governs the physical systems essential to human survival and prosperity.

Dubhe works in tandem with Tianji, Envision’s large-scale weather foundation model. Because renewable energy depends on weather, Tianji provides the predictive intelligence that allows Physical AI to anticipate and respond to weather-driven variability, ensuring the energy system operates efficiently and reliably at scale.

“Language models understand words. Physical AI understands the world. Energy is the foundation of all systems.” Says Lei. “This isn’t just an energy transition. It’s a civilizational upgrade, laying the foundation for human prosperity within planetary boundaries.”

Strategic Partnership with Masdar to Advance AI Energy System Deployment

Envision also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy champion, to jointly unveil the future-oriented AI Energy System.The signing was witnessed by HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, Masdar Chairman, together with Lei Zhang.

Under the agreement, Masdar recognizes Envision as a strategic partner in renewable energy technology sectors, including wind power, energy storage, and green hydrogen, to jointly advance the large-scale deployment of AI energy systems and accelerate the global energy transition.

About Envision 

Envision is a world-leading green technology company that provides renewable energy solutions for global enterprises, governments, and institutions. Encompassing three major business sectors – Smart Wind Turbines, Energy Storage, and Green Hydrogen Solutions, Envision collaboratively constructs comprehensive solutions for energy transformation.

Envision has received several accolades for its sustainability performance, including the EcoVadis Gold Medal and the CDP “A-List”. It was also recognized in Fortune’s “Change the World” list and ranked among the top 10 smartest companies by the MIT Technology Review.

Today, Envision leverages its global network of R&D and engineering centers across the United States, UK, France, Germany, Denmark, China, etc. to continuously lead global green technology development. Envision joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and committed to achieving the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” in 2021. It has achieved carbon neutrality across its global operations by 2022 and will achieve carbon neutrality throughout its value chain by 2028.

For more, please visit envision-group.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/envision-launches-dubhe-shaping-the-ai-energy-system-with-the-worlds-first-energy-foundation-model-302662344.html

SOURCE Envision Energy

Patton Veterans Project (PVP) has hosted more than 50 film workshops in partnership with military bases, VA hospitals, universities, and private clinics.

NEW YORK and TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Your Home Digital LLC, through its Your Home TV platform, has announced a new collaboration with the Patton Veterans Project (PVP) to stream short films produced by military veterans. This partnership aims to showcase the creative work of veterans and provide a broader audience for their unique cinematic expressions.

Individuals interested in learning more about this initiative, supporting veteran filmmakers, or viewing the compelling short films are encouraged to visit the Your Home TV platform or explore the mission of the Patton Veterans Project.

“We’re thrilled and honored to team with Benjamin Patton and PVP to bring authentic veteran stories to global audiences on Your Home TV,” said Sean Stockell, founder and executive producer. “We all know and admire the Patton name, and the incredible legacy of their military service for our nation and the world. Ben Patton, the youngest son of Major General George Patton, IV, and grandson of legendary, General George S. Patton, Jr. (WWII), is a brilliant writer and passionate advocate for our veterans. Ben graduated from Georgetown University, received his master’s degree from Columbia University and co-authored, ‘Growing Up Patton: Reflections on Heroes, History and Family Wisdom’. It’s a pleasure to join Ben and his amazing team at PVP to support his vision and purpose, filmmaking for our veterans.”

“What we do is to enable our veterans to express the challenges they have faced in the military in creative and powerful ways. While the transformative impact on the vets themselves is always profound, educating ‘the rest of us’ is equally important, and that wouldn’t be possible, without the technology, reach and passion of media outlets like Your Home TV. We are delighted to be partnering with Your Home TV to use this incredibly powerful tool of video to enable others around the world to better understand what our cherished servicemen and women and their families have endured,” said Benjamin Patton, founder and executive producer of Patton Veterans Project.

The Patton Veterans Project utilizes collaborative filmmaking as a therapeutic approach for veterans managing post-traumatic and other service-related stress. This innovative program provides a creative outlet that helps participants in several key ways:

• Validating Service Accomplishments: The filmmaking process offers a pathway for veterans to acknowledge and honor their military contributions and experiences.
• Reducing Social Isolation: Engaging in collaborative projects fosters connections and shared understanding among veterans, mitigating feelings of solitude.
• Strengthening Bonds: Participation helps to enhance relationships within families, communities, and professional circles, building a supportive network.
• Linking with Care: The project serves as a bridge, connecting veterans with essential support services and resources.

By featuring these films, Your Home TV provides a significant platform for the voices and artistic talents of veterans. This collaboration not only highlights their creative endeavors but also underscores the profound impact that artistic expression can have in addressing the challenges faced by those who have served. The films offer valuable insights into the diverse experiences of military personnel, fostering greater public awareness and appreciation for their journeys.

ABOUT PATTON VETERANS PROJECT

The Patton Veterans Project (PVP) uses collaborative filmmaking as a therapeutic gateway for veterans coping with posttraumatic and other service-related stress to validate their service accomplishments, reduce social isolation, strengthen family, community and professional bonds, and link them with care. Through regular community screenings, PVP strives to break down barriers between veterans and civilians and educate the public about the mental health challenges facing veterans and military families today. DONATE HERE: https://pattonvets.org/donate/

ABOUT YOUR HOME DIGITAL/YOUR HOME TV

Your Home Digital is a premier digital agency with a dynamic network of media partners and strong collective of content creators, including film producers, influencers, leading brands, and authentic storytellers. Our unique collaboration structure enables us to achieve superior client outcomes and ROI objectives. We specialize in OTT and CTV (connected TV) streaming via our global network, Your Home TV, and manage brand and marketing strategies for top-tier clients. We develop mobile-reach technology and partnerships which optimize engagement through home entertainment.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patton-veterans-project-joins-forces-with-your-home-tv-to-stream-short-films-produced-by-military-veterans-302661559.html

SOURCE Your Home Digital LLC

Patton Veterans Project (PVP) has hosted more than 50 film workshops in partnership with military bases, VA hospitals, universities, and private clinics.

NEW YORK and TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Your Home Digital LLC, through its Your Home TV platform, has announced a new collaboration with the Patton Veterans Project (PVP) to stream short films produced by military veterans. This partnership aims to showcase the creative work of veterans and provide a broader audience for their unique cinematic expressions.

Individuals interested in learning more about this initiative, supporting veteran filmmakers, or viewing the compelling short films are encouraged to visit the Your Home TV platform or explore the mission of the Patton Veterans Project.

“We’re thrilled and honored to team with Benjamin Patton and PVP to bring authentic veteran stories to global audiences on Your Home TV,” said Sean Stockell, founder and executive producer. “We all know and admire the Patton name, and the incredible legacy of their military service for our nation and the world. Ben Patton, the youngest son of Major General George Patton, IV, and grandson of legendary, General George S. Patton, Jr. (WWII), is a brilliant writer and passionate advocate for our veterans. Ben graduated from Georgetown University, received his master’s degree from Columbia University and co-authored, ‘Growing Up Patton: Reflections on Heroes, History and Family Wisdom’. It’s a pleasure to join Ben and his amazing team at PVP to support his vision and purpose, filmmaking for our veterans.”

“What we do is to enable our veterans to express the challenges they have faced in the military in creative and powerful ways. While the transformative impact on the vets themselves is always profound, educating ‘the rest of us’ is equally important, and that wouldn’t be possible, without the technology, reach and passion of media outlets like Your Home TV. We are delighted to be partnering with Your Home TV to use this incredibly powerful tool of video to enable others around the world to better understand what our cherished servicemen and women and their families have endured,” said Benjamin Patton, founder and executive producer of Patton Veterans Project.

The Patton Veterans Project utilizes collaborative filmmaking as a therapeutic approach for veterans managing post-traumatic and other service-related stress. This innovative program provides a creative outlet that helps participants in several key ways:

• Validating Service Accomplishments: The filmmaking process offers a pathway for veterans to acknowledge and honor their military contributions and experiences.
• Reducing Social Isolation: Engaging in collaborative projects fosters connections and shared understanding among veterans, mitigating feelings of solitude.
• Strengthening Bonds: Participation helps to enhance relationships within families, communities, and professional circles, building a supportive network.
• Linking with Care: The project serves as a bridge, connecting veterans with essential support services and resources.

By featuring these films, Your Home TV provides a significant platform for the voices and artistic talents of veterans. This collaboration not only highlights their creative endeavors but also underscores the profound impact that artistic expression can have in addressing the challenges faced by those who have served. The films offer valuable insights into the diverse experiences of military personnel, fostering greater public awareness and appreciation for their journeys.

ABOUT PATTON VETERANS PROJECT

The Patton Veterans Project (PVP) uses collaborative filmmaking as a therapeutic gateway for veterans coping with posttraumatic and other service-related stress to validate their service accomplishments, reduce social isolation, strengthen family, community and professional bonds, and link them with care. Through regular community screenings, PVP strives to break down barriers between veterans and civilians and educate the public about the mental health challenges facing veterans and military families today. DONATE HERE: https://pattonvets.org/donate/

ABOUT YOUR HOME DIGITAL/YOUR HOME TV

Your Home Digital is a premier digital agency with a dynamic network of media partners and strong collective of content creators, including film producers, influencers, leading brands, and authentic storytellers. Our unique collaboration structure enables us to achieve superior client outcomes and ROI objectives. We specialize in OTT and CTV (connected TV) streaming via our global network, Your Home TV, and manage brand and marketing strategies for top-tier clients. We develop mobile-reach technology and partnerships which optimize engagement through home entertainment.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patton-veterans-project-joins-forces-with-your-home-tv-to-stream-short-films-produced-by-military-veterans-302661559.html

SOURCE Your Home Digital LLC

Agreement Calls for Over 100,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) across 3 Years

GURUGRAM, India, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Varaha, a leading developer of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects with smallholder farmers across Asia, today announced a major offtake agreement with Microsoft for biochar carbon removal in India.

Varaha will develop 18 industrial gasification reactors that will operate for 15 years, with a total projected removal volume exceeding 2 million tonnes of CO₂ over the project’s lifetime.

The project sources cotton stalks from smallholder farms in Maharashtra, India for use as the feedstock for biochar production. After harvest, these stalks are treated as waste biomass, and open-field burning is a common practice across the region’s cotton belt. This project provides an alternative use for the stalks, converting them into biochar through Varaha’s biomass gasification facilities and sequestering biogenic carbon for centuries.

Delivering Local Impact

Varaha’s biochar project also delivers measurable benefits for farmers and communities:

• Improvement in Air Quality: The project mitigates the widespread burning of cotton crop residue, significantly reducing PM 2.5 pollutants that contribute to poor air quality. By providing an economically viable alternative to field burning, the initiative tackles a major source of seasonal air pollution.
• Promotion of Regenerative Agriculture: Farmers participating in the program adopt regenerative practices like crop residue mulching and biochar application to soils, improving soil health, water retention, and long-term agricultural productivity.
• Lifting Farmer Livelihoods: The program directly enhances the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers, who receive payment both for contributing agricultural biomass and for implementing crop residue incorporation practices.

“This agreement demonstrates that high-integrity carbon removal can drive transformative co-benefits for communities and ecosystems,” said Madhur Jain, Varaha CEO. “We’re not just removing carbon—we’re creating economic incentives for farmers to mitigate open burning of crop residues.”

The project’s first reactor will operate alongside Varaha’s 52-acre cotton research farm in Maharashtra, where Varaha works directly with farmers to test sustainable practices, including soil application of biochar, under real-world conditions. With up to 18 total reactors funded across India’s cotton belt through Microsoft’s commitment, the focus remains clear: scaling quickly while putting farmers first.

Setting New Standards for Asian Carbon Markets

The agreement signals growing recognition of the region’s potential for high-quality carbon removal projects. Biochar offers permanent carbon storage on geological timescales while supporting agricultural systems, making it one of the most promising pathways for durable carbon dioxide removal.

“This offtake agreement broadens the diversity of Microsoft’s carbon removal portfolio with Varaha’s biochar project design that is both scalable and durable. It represents a step forward in scaling biochar CDR growth in Asia and advancing co-benefits for farmers—improved soils, cleaner air, and shared economic opportunity,” said Phil Goodman, program director, CDR at Microsoft.

The credits generated through the Varaha program meet rigorous standards for measurement, reporting, and verification, ensuring that each tonne represents genuine, permanent carbon removal.

About Varaha

Varaha is a leading developer of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects in Asia, with a mission of scaling smallholder farmer-led climate solutions to remove carbon from the atmosphere and strengthen rural livelihoods. Specializing in regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, biochar, and enhanced rock weathering projects across South Asia, Varaha has pioneered a technology- and science-driven approach to carbon project development since its founding in 2022. Varaha is headquartered in Gurugram, India, and operates 20 carbon projects across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2861911/Farmers_biochar_Varaha_ClimateAg.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2861912/Varaha_ClimateAg_Logo.jpg

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varaha-signs-carbon-removal-agreement-with-microsoft-302662101.html

SOURCE Varaha ClimateAg

• Global agri-food innovation competition names four winning startups during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
• HyveGeo, Permia Sensing, Flybox, and Akorn Technology to share USD 2 million to pilot and scale solutions in the UAE and the Global South.

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The third edition of the UAE FoodTech Challenge, a global competition that identifies and scales the world’s most promising agri-tech innovations, concluded at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with the announcement of four winning startups:

Category: Climate-Smart Food Production

• Permia Sensing uses AI, bioacoustic sensors and drone imaging to monitor tree health. Already covering over 15,000 hectares of palm plantations in Sri Lanka, the technology offers early detection of stress factors, such as dehydration and pest infestations, enabling farmers to boost yields and reduce waste. They now plan to work with local partners to finesse and localize their solution for the UAE and scale its application across the Middle East.
• HyveGeo turns agricultural waste into a carbon-rich biochar, then enriches it with microbes to create a high-performance soil enhancer. This circular, nature-based approach is already being used by farmers and landscape managers across the UAE, transforming arid, desert soil into fertile, arable land. As winners, they plan to expand their research and launch pilots in markets across the Global South.

Category: Food Loss & Waste Reduction

• Akorn Technology produces a natural, edible coating for fruit and vegetables, including a vegetable protein to slow ripening, a wax to reduce moisture loss, and a vegetable oil to maintain color. Their solution is already being used in Egypt and Ghana to extend the shelf life of produce and cut post-harvest losses, and will now be optimized for use in the UAE and arid environments across the region.
• Flybox uses black soldier fly larvae to convert agricultural byproducts into high-quality protein and fertilizer, while reducing waste sent to landfill. Housed in shipping containers, their off-grid, low-cost solution is currently being used in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria, and will now launch in the UAE, with plans for working with local waste management partners to deploy at scale.

From an initial pool of 1,215 submissions from 113 countries, ten finalists advanced to the final stage of the competition, presenting their solutions in live pitches to an international judging panel comprising senior leaders and experts in food systems, sustainability, investment, and international development. Following evaluation, the four winning startups were announced during an awards ceremony on the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week main stage.

Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, remarked:

“Building resilient and secure food systems is central to the UAE’s long-term vision for a prosperous future. The latest winners of the UAE FoodTech Challenge now join a growing community of past awardees, who have since raised over USD 48 million in follow-on funding and launched more than 50 pilot projects across the UAE and other markets. As they begin this next phase of their journey, support from our network of partners and UAE’s world-class innovation ecosystem will serve as a launchpad for their solutions, enabling them to contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems in the UAE, the global south, and worldwide.”

The four teams will share a USD 2 million prize and will be invited to scale their solutions in the UAE, where they will receive tailored in-kind support, including pilot opportunities, access to research facilities, market-entry guidance, mentorship, and investor introductions through an extensive network of local and international partners. From this base, the winners will work to deploy and scale their solutions across key markets in the Global South, supporting more resilient and sustainable food systems.

Fatema Almulla, Senior Specialist Development, International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, said:

“The UAE plays a leading role in international development, with agricultural innovation central to its global engagement. Through the UAE FoodTech Challenge, winning startups are embedded within a proven development ecosystem; where advanced technologies, policy leadership, and global expertise come together to accelerate solutions from pilot to scale. This is how innovation is translated into measurable impact, from the UAE to climate-vulnerable regions worldwide.”

This year’s FoodTech Challenge is organized by the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Tamkeen, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, ne’ma (The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative), and Silal. The finalist cohort represents a diverse range of approaches to food system innovation, including advanced technologies for post-harvest preservation, waste-to-value conversion, precision agriculture, and resource-efficient food production.

Shelly Sundberg, Deputy Director of Adaptive and Equitable Food Systems at the Gates Foundation, said:

 “The UAE FoodTech Challenge plays an important role in advancing practical, scalable, and accessible solutions that can strengthen food security across underserved and climate-vulnerable populations. At the Gates Foundation, we are proud to support initiatives that translate innovation into real-world impact, helping food systems reduce loss, improve sustainability, and expand access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. These are essential to building more resilient food systems in the face of climate and economic pressures.” 

Khuloud Nowais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne’ma Steering Committee, said: 

“Seeing the caliber of this year’s winners and the diversity of their solutions has been truly inspiring. As a judge, it has been encouraging to witness the growing sophistication of solutions that address food loss and waste challenges. At ne’ma, we are proud to support initiatives that turn ideas into actionable, lasting impact for food systems.” 

The UAE FoodTech Challenge identifies and accelerates agri-food technology solutions that boost food production and reduce food loss and waste in arid and increasingly climate-stressed environments. Attracting technology-driven innovations that can be refined in the UAE and scaled internationally, the competition directly supports the UAE’s long-term food security ambitions and contributes to global food system resilience.

To learn more about the FoodTech Challenge, visit: www.foodtechchallenge.com

See YouTube videos of the winners here:

• Akorn Technology
• Permia Sensing 
• Flybox 
• HyveGeo 

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2862529/The_UAE_FoodTech_Challenge.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-uae-foodtech-challenge-2026-winners-to-join-national-agri-tech-ecosystem-and-support-global-food-security-302662189.html

SOURCE The UAE FoodTech Challenge

• Global agri-food innovation competition names four winning startups during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
• HyveGeo, Permia Sensing, Flybox, and Akorn Technology to share USD 2 million to pilot and scale solutions in the UAE and the Global South.

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The third edition of the UAE FoodTech Challenge, a global competition that identifies and scales the world’s most promising agri-tech innovations, concluded at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with the announcement of four winning startups:

Category: Climate-Smart Food Production

• Permia Sensing uses AI, bioacoustic sensors and drone imaging to monitor tree health. Already covering over 15,000 hectares of palm plantations in Sri Lanka, the technology offers early detection of stress factors, such as dehydration and pest infestations, enabling farmers to boost yields and reduce waste. They now plan to work with local partners to finesse and localize their solution for the UAE and scale its application across the Middle East.
• HyveGeo turns agricultural waste into a carbon-rich biochar, then enriches it with microbes to create a high-performance soil enhancer. This circular, nature-based approach is already being used by farmers and landscape managers across the UAE, transforming arid, desert soil into fertile, arable land. As winners, they plan to expand their research and launch pilots in markets across the Global South.

Category: Food Loss & Waste Reduction

• Akorn Technology produces a natural, edible coating for fruit and vegetables, including a vegetable protein to slow ripening, a wax to reduce moisture loss, and a vegetable oil to maintain color. Their solution is already being used in Egypt and Ghana to extend the shelf life of produce and cut post-harvest losses, and will now be optimized for use in the UAE and arid environments across the region.
• Flybox uses black soldier fly larvae to convert agricultural byproducts into high-quality protein and fertilizer, while reducing waste sent to landfill. Housed in shipping containers, their off-grid, low-cost solution is currently being used in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria, and will now launch in the UAE, with plans for working with local waste management partners to deploy at scale.

From an initial pool of 1,215 submissions from 113 countries, ten finalists advanced to the final stage of the competition, presenting their solutions in live pitches to an international judging panel comprising senior leaders and experts in food systems, sustainability, investment, and international development. Following evaluation, the four winning startups were announced during an awards ceremony on the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week main stage.

Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, remarked:

“Building resilient and secure food systems is central to the UAE’s long-term vision for a prosperous future. The latest winners of the UAE FoodTech Challenge now join a growing community of past awardees, who have since raised over USD 48 million in follow-on funding and launched more than 50 pilot projects across the UAE and other markets. As they begin this next phase of their journey, support from our network of partners and UAE’s world-class innovation ecosystem will serve as a launchpad for their solutions, enabling them to contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems in the UAE, the global south, and worldwide.”

The four teams will share a USD 2 million prize and will be invited to scale their solutions in the UAE, where they will receive tailored in-kind support, including pilot opportunities, access to research facilities, market-entry guidance, mentorship, and investor introductions through an extensive network of local and international partners. From this base, the winners will work to deploy and scale their solutions across key markets in the Global South, supporting more resilient and sustainable food systems.

Fatema Almulla, Senior Specialist Development, International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, said:

“The UAE plays a leading role in international development, with agricultural innovation central to its global engagement. Through the UAE FoodTech Challenge, winning startups are embedded within a proven development ecosystem; where advanced technologies, policy leadership, and global expertise come together to accelerate solutions from pilot to scale. This is how innovation is translated into measurable impact, from the UAE to climate-vulnerable regions worldwide.”

This year’s FoodTech Challenge is organized by the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Tamkeen, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, ne’ma (The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative), and Silal. The finalist cohort represents a diverse range of approaches to food system innovation, including advanced technologies for post-harvest preservation, waste-to-value conversion, precision agriculture, and resource-efficient food production.

Shelly Sundberg, Deputy Director of Adaptive and Equitable Food Systems at the Gates Foundation, said:

 “The UAE FoodTech Challenge plays an important role in advancing practical, scalable, and accessible solutions that can strengthen food security across underserved and climate-vulnerable populations. At the Gates Foundation, we are proud to support initiatives that translate innovation into real-world impact, helping food systems reduce loss, improve sustainability, and expand access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. These are essential to building more resilient food systems in the face of climate and economic pressures.” 

Khuloud Nowais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne’ma Steering Committee, said: 

“Seeing the caliber of this year’s winners and the diversity of their solutions has been truly inspiring. As a judge, it has been encouraging to witness the growing sophistication of solutions that address food loss and waste challenges. At ne’ma, we are proud to support initiatives that turn ideas into actionable, lasting impact for food systems.” 

The UAE FoodTech Challenge identifies and accelerates agri-food technology solutions that boost food production and reduce food loss and waste in arid and increasingly climate-stressed environments. Attracting technology-driven innovations that can be refined in the UAE and scaled internationally, the competition directly supports the UAE’s long-term food security ambitions and contributes to global food system resilience.

To learn more about the FoodTech Challenge, visit: www.foodtechchallenge.com

See YouTube videos of the winners here:

• Akorn Technology
• Permia Sensing 
• Flybox 
• HyveGeo 

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2862529/The_UAE_FoodTech_Challenge.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-uae-foodtech-challenge-2026-winners-to-join-national-agri-tech-ecosystem-and-support-global-food-security-302662189.html

SOURCE The UAE FoodTech Challenge

• Global agri-food innovation competition names four winning startups during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
• HyveGeo, Permia Sensing, Flybox, and Akorn Technology to share USD 2 million to pilot and scale solutions in the UAE and the Global South.

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The third edition of the UAE FoodTech Challenge, a global competition that identifies and scales the world’s most promising agri-tech innovations, concluded at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with the announcement of four winning startups:

Category: Climate-Smart Food Production

• Permia Sensing uses AI, bioacoustic sensors and drone imaging to monitor tree health. Already covering over 15,000 hectares of palm plantations in Sri Lanka, the technology offers early detection of stress factors, such as dehydration and pest infestations, enabling farmers to boost yields and reduce waste. They now plan to work with local partners to finesse and localize their solution for the UAE and scale its application across the Middle East.
• HyveGeo turns agricultural waste into a carbon-rich biochar, then enriches it with microbes to create a high-performance soil enhancer. This circular, nature-based approach is already being used by farmers and landscape managers across the UAE, transforming arid, desert soil into fertile, arable land. As winners, they plan to expand their research and launch pilots in markets across the Global South.

Category: Food Loss & Waste Reduction

• Akorn Technology produces a natural, edible coating for fruit and vegetables, including a vegetable protein to slow ripening, a wax to reduce moisture loss, and a vegetable oil to maintain color. Their solution is already being used in Egypt and Ghana to extend the shelf life of produce and cut post-harvest losses, and will now be optimized for use in the UAE and arid environments across the region.
• Flybox uses black soldier fly larvae to convert agricultural byproducts into high-quality protein and fertilizer, while reducing waste sent to landfill. Housed in shipping containers, their off-grid, low-cost solution is currently being used in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria, and will now launch in the UAE, with plans for working with local waste management partners to deploy at scale.

From an initial pool of 1,215 submissions from 113 countries, ten finalists advanced to the final stage of the competition, presenting their solutions in live pitches to an international judging panel comprising senior leaders and experts in food systems, sustainability, investment, and international development. Following evaluation, the four winning startups were announced during an awards ceremony on the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week main stage.

Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, remarked:

“Building resilient and secure food systems is central to the UAE’s long-term vision for a prosperous future. The latest winners of the UAE FoodTech Challenge now join a growing community of past awardees, who have since raised over USD 48 million in follow-on funding and launched more than 50 pilot projects across the UAE and other markets. As they begin this next phase of their journey, support from our network of partners and UAE’s world-class innovation ecosystem will serve as a launchpad for their solutions, enabling them to contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems in the UAE, the global south, and worldwide.”

The four teams will share a USD 2 million prize and will be invited to scale their solutions in the UAE, where they will receive tailored in-kind support, including pilot opportunities, access to research facilities, market-entry guidance, mentorship, and investor introductions through an extensive network of local and international partners. From this base, the winners will work to deploy and scale their solutions across key markets in the Global South, supporting more resilient and sustainable food systems.

Fatema Almulla, Senior Specialist Development, International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, said:

“The UAE plays a leading role in international development, with agricultural innovation central to its global engagement. Through the UAE FoodTech Challenge, winning startups are embedded within a proven development ecosystem; where advanced technologies, policy leadership, and global expertise come together to accelerate solutions from pilot to scale. This is how innovation is translated into measurable impact, from the UAE to climate-vulnerable regions worldwide.”

This year’s FoodTech Challenge is organized by the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Tamkeen, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, ne’ma (The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative), and Silal. The finalist cohort represents a diverse range of approaches to food system innovation, including advanced technologies for post-harvest preservation, waste-to-value conversion, precision agriculture, and resource-efficient food production.

Shelly Sundberg, Deputy Director of Adaptive and Equitable Food Systems at the Gates Foundation, said:

 “The UAE FoodTech Challenge plays an important role in advancing practical, scalable, and accessible solutions that can strengthen food security across underserved and climate-vulnerable populations. At the Gates Foundation, we are proud to support initiatives that translate innovation into real-world impact, helping food systems reduce loss, improve sustainability, and expand access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. These are essential to building more resilient food systems in the face of climate and economic pressures.” 

Khuloud Nowais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne’ma Steering Committee, said: 

“Seeing the caliber of this year’s winners and the diversity of their solutions has been truly inspiring. As a judge, it has been encouraging to witness the growing sophistication of solutions that address food loss and waste challenges. At ne’ma, we are proud to support initiatives that turn ideas into actionable, lasting impact for food systems.” 

The UAE FoodTech Challenge identifies and accelerates agri-food technology solutions that boost food production and reduce food loss and waste in arid and increasingly climate-stressed environments. Attracting technology-driven innovations that can be refined in the UAE and scaled internationally, the competition directly supports the UAE’s long-term food security ambitions and contributes to global food system resilience.

To learn more about the FoodTech Challenge, visit: www.foodtechchallenge.com

See YouTube videos of the winners here:

• Akorn Technology
• Permia Sensing 
• Flybox 
• HyveGeo 

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2862529/The_UAE_FoodTech_Challenge.jpg

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SOURCE The UAE FoodTech Challenge

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Shanghai Electric (SEHK: 2727, SSE: 601727) made a high-profile appearance at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2026, which opened today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. At the summit, the company showcased its full-scenario energy solutions, including solar power, desalination, hybrid energy storage, hydrogen energy, and green fuels, demonstrating its commitment to empower the Middle East in building a resilient, intelligent, and sustainable energy ecosystem.

The Middle East is endowed with abundant oil and gas resources and ample solar potential, yet faces water scarcity, making its energy transition pathway uniquely complex.

As one of the largest and most influential renewable energy events in the Middle East and North Africa, WFES brings together global policymakers, industry leaders and technology innovators to address energy transition challenges and promote sustainable energy solutions.

“Energy transition is not a simple combination of individual technologies. It is a system-level undertaking,” said Zhu Weiwen, Deputy Director of Marketing at Shanghai Electric Power Generation Group. “Shanghai Electric acts as system integrator. We view high-penetration renewable integration, grid stability, green fuel production and industrial decarbonization as an interconnected whole, enabling us to provide executable transition pathways for customers in the Middle East.”

Against this backdrop, Shanghai Electric’s exhibition adopted an immersive, scenario-based design, presenting four integrated solution zones that illustrate the full energy value chain—from generation and storage to conversion and efficient utilization.

In the Integrated Solar and Water zone, projects such as the Dubai Solar Park were highlighted as reference projects demonstrating the complementary integration of concentrated solar power, photovoltaic power, and energy storage for 24-hour electricity supply. The zone also showcased Shanghai Electric’s seawater desalination capabilities, including its mastery of both thermal-based multi-effect distillation (MED) and membrane-based reverse osmosis (RO) technologies.

The Grid Support and Hybrid Storage zone focused on grid stability under high renewable penetration. Shanghai Electric highlighted its “flywheel energy storage plus synchronous condenser” solution, which provides critical inertia support and fast frequency regulation. The solution has been deployed in multiple projects, including the Penasco photovoltaic power plant in Mexico.

In the Power-to-X and Hydrogen Energy zone, Shanghai Electric showcased its Bristack® series electrolyzers, featuring an industry-leading energy consumption level of 3.94 kWh/Nm³, alongside a scale model of the Taonan Green Methanol Demonstration Project in Jilin Province, China. As China’s first large-scale green methanol demonstration project, it integrates wind power-generated hydrogen with biomass-based green methanol production technology, and has obtained full-process ISCC EU certification.

The Zero-Carbon Industrial Parks zone illustrated pathways for high-energy-consuming industrial parks to achieve low-carbon transformation through the synergy of high-efficiency industrial turbines and intelligent energy management systems, enabling system-level efficiency improvements and smart dispatch.

Each solution showcased at the Shanghai Electric booth is backed by proven project delivery. From the 2 GW AI Sadawi Photovoltaic Project in Saudi Arabia and the Safi Seawater Desalination Project in Morocco, to the Pancevo Gas-Fired Power Plant in Serbia and the Taonan Green Methanol Project in China, these projects across multiple countries and application scenarios underscore Shanghai Electric’s capability to deliver complex, cross-regional integrated energy systems.

On the first day of the summit, Shanghai Electric hosted multiple technical roadshows addressing key regional topics such as energy-desalination coupling, green fuels and grid stability, attracting strong interest from industry participants. 

As a trusted energy system partner, Shanghai Electric continues helping the Middle East and global markets transform abundant natural resources into sustainable, reliable and green energy for the future.

For more information, please visit: https://www.shanghai-electric.com/group_en/

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SOURCE Shanghai Electric

(Strategic Expansion Positions YI TING as Resilient Supply Partner, Cutting Lead Times By 
Up to 30% for Sustainable Filtration)

TAOYUAN, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trusted by world-renowned specialty coffee equipment innovators and Tier-1 roasters, YI TING Non-Woven, a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of engineered nonwoven materials, today announced a major capacity doubling to scale support for its rapidly growing client base across Europe and North America. This expansion leverages YI TING’s expertise in biodegradable PLA-blend materials and high-precision engineering to provide advanced solutions for the coffee, tea, and various industrial sectors. As a premier OEM/ODM partner, YI TING is now positioned to reduce development-to-mass-production lead times by up to 30% for Tier-1 global brands focused on supply chain resilience and ESG mandates.

Global Demand Is Accelerating — YI TING Responds with Scalable, High-Reliability Production

Across the beverage and food industries, global brands are shifting toward sustainable materials and diversified manufacturing sources. YI TING’s expansion strengthens its role as a stable, high-trust production partner in a global landscape increasingly shaped by ESG mandates and supply-chain resilience strategies.

The capacity upgrade includes:

• Increased monthly output across coffee and tea filtration materials.
• Higher automation levels for consistent pore distribution and bonding strength.
• Expanded clean-processing lines for food-contact applications.
• Dedicated production slots for large international OEM programs.
• Reduced development-to-mass-production lead times by up to 30%.

“The shift to high-performance, verifiable sustainable materials is no longer a trend—it’s an industry requirement,” said Kasley Lee, CEO of YI TING. “Global OEM clients are demanding transparency and functionality without compromise. Our focus is precisely on closing that gap, providing precision materials whether it’s the 40-micron filtration required for coffee or the certified biodegradability needed for advanced tea packaging.”

Engineering Stability-at-Scale: A Key Advantage for OEM Partners

The capacity expansion is anchored by YI TING’s proprietary Pure.F multi-layer nonwoven fabric platform. This engineering design ensures superior performance consistency, enabling the material to maintain a precisely consistent 40-micron cutoff point.

As a leading provider of nonwoven coffee filter solutions, YI TING’s expanded capabilities include:

• Precision Geometry: High-performance materials optimized for both cone-shaped and V-shaped coffee filters.
• Specialized Functionality: Advanced options such as hydrophobic coffee filter grades, engineered for controlled fluid flow and aroma preservation.
• Versatile Applications: YI TING’s high-precision nonwoven fabric for coffee filters demonstrates why our technology leads the industry; for more nonwoven fabric examples in technical filtration, please visit our product gallery.

This level of technical reliability is why YI TING remains the trusted production partner for premier specialty brands and global industry leaders across Japan and North America who demand uncompromising quality at scale.

Meeting Global ESG and Compliance Requirements

International beverage and food brands increasingly require suppliers with certified biodegradable material options, traceable raw materials, and food-safe, migration-tested substrates.

YI TING’s expansion incorporates equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption and improve materials traceability, helping OEM partners meet tightening regulatory requirements in Europe, North America, and Japan. This commitment to sustainability is a key factor in strengthening long-term supply chain partnerships.

Beyond Coffee: Multi-Sector OEM Capabilities

YI TING’s expanded production lines support a wide range of fast-growing applications:

• Tea & Food Packaging: Improved bonding strength and lower breakage rates help premium tea producers achieve stronger consumer retention and cleaner product presentation. YI TING offers options that support advanced packaging methods, including ultrasonic bonding, and certified biodegradable substrates. Our solutions include materials for heat sealable tea bags and are increasingly used in reusable spice bags for cooking applications.

  In a recent case study, an organic tea brand adopted YI TING’s PN33 nonwoven tea bag material and reported a significant reduction in breakage rates, leading to a 30% increase in customer repurchase rates.

• Agriculture: Lightweight, breathable nonwoven fabrics used for frost protection, pest control, and moisture management support more sustainable farming with reduced pesticide reliance.
• Eco-Industrial & Medical: Marine oil-absorption bags, reusable mesh, and medical-grade substrates demonstrate YI TING’s ability to meet high safety and hygiene standards. Our multi-sector materials, including PP Spunbond nonwoven fabric, provide essential solutions for Medical & Hygiene sectors, ranging from protective surgical components to high-purity hygiene substrates.

Kasley Lee, CEO, added, “Our capacity doubling and strategic expansion into North America and Europe is more than just growth—it is our definitive commitment to becoming the most trusted, Asia-based supply chain alternative in sustainable filtration. We are ensuring that our global OEM partners can meet tightening regulatory and ESG demands without compromising on material precision, translating our environmental responsibility directly into a core competitive advantage.”

About YI TING

YI TING NON-WOVEN CO., LTD. is a leading Taiwanese manufacturer specializing in the research, development, and scalable OEM/ODM production of engineered nonwoven materials. Since its founding in 2015, YI TING leverages its proprietary Pure.F multi-layer nonwoven platform—a core strength—to provide high-precision filtration, protection, and packaging solutions across diverse sectors including food & beverage (coffee and tea filter media), agriculture, industrial, and medical applications. Driven by a commitment to sustainability and technical excellence, YI TING delivers materials that meet stringent global compliance standards (e.g., food-contact safety and biodegradability), and is established as the trusted partner for international brands seeking supply-chain resilience and innovation.

# # #

Media Contact

Kasley Lee, CEO, YI TING NON-WOVEN CO., LTD.
Email: Yi-ting@yi-ting.com.tw
Website: https://www.yitingnw.com/en/
Phone: +886-3-328-6585

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SOURCE YI TING NON-WOVEN CO., LTD.

Under the 12-year agreement, Microsoft will purchase 2.85 million soil carbon removal credits from Indigo, supporting thousands of American farmers across millions of U.S. acres

BOSTON, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Indigo Carbon PBC today announced one of the largest soil carbon deals to date. Under the 12-year agreement, Microsoft will purchase 2.85 million credits generated under the Carbon by Indigo program, Indigo’s U.S.-based project, emphasizing regenerative agriculture’s role in high-integrity carbon removals.

As Indigo and Microsoft’s third transaction, this deal builds on prior purchases of 40,000 tonnes in 2024 and 60,000 tonnes in 2025, underscoring Microsoft’s commitment to being carbon negative by 2030 and Indigo’s leadership in delivering scalable, high-integrity soil carbon removals.

Regenerative agriculture practices have been recognized by governments and climate organizations as a valuable tool for carbon removal, with the ability to remove more than 3.5 gigatons of carbon-dioxide equivalent every year* in addition to improving soil health, increasing crop resiliency and yields, and scaling local investment. Amidst rising water scarcity, regenerative agriculture programs also offer support to rural communities with meaningful co-benefits including improved water infiltration and water conservation.

“Microsoft’s purchase highlights the transformative power of regenerative agriculture to support watersheds, support farming communities, and advance global net-zero goals,” said Meredith Reisfield, Senior Director of Policy, Partnerships and Impact at Indigo. “Indigo is a proud catalyst of today’s soil carbon market, with our long-standing history of farmer collaboration and proven impact, already saving 64 billion gallons of water and issuing nearly one million tonnes of CO₂e carbon removal credits since 2018.”

At a time when farmers face mounting economic and environmental pressures, this deal delivers meaningful financial incentives for the adoption and expansion of regenerative practices, improving farm resiliency, and creating new revenue streams for farmers. Indigo is proud to work with farmers across eight million acres, paying farmers $40 million across all of Indigo’s programs to date, independently of government funds.

“Microsoft is pleased by Indigo’s approach to regenerative agriculture that delivers measurable results through verified credits and payments to growers, while advancing soil carbon science with advanced modeling and academic partnerships. Indigo is strengthening the carbon market through their commitment to enhancing project quality, championing the improvement of third-party standards, and producing high-integrity carbon removal credits,” said Phillip Goodman, Director of Carbon Removal at Microsoft. 

This agreement is also one of the first soil carbon deals to feature credits approved under the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s (ICVCM) Core Carbon Principles. With its peer-reviewed research, on-the-ground science, and cutting-edge remote sensing and machine learning, Indigo has issued 927,296 carbon removal and reduction credits from CAR1459, using the Climate Action Reserve’s Soil Enrichment Protocol (SEP). Indigo has added measures to reduce reversal risk throughout the 40-year durability term agreed with Microsoft, in addition to the SEP’s 100-year monitoring and reversal compensation obligations.

About Indigo Ag:

Indigo Ag is setting a new standard for agriculture—delivering proven solutions that enrich soils, support healthy watersheds, and drive lasting farm productivity, while building an enduring global food system. Indigo connects farmers to proven programs and products to grow resilient crops, while enabling businesses to invest in farms, soils, and ecosystems that strengthen over time. With more than a decade of delivered impact, Indigo and its affiliates have paid tens of millions of dollars to farmers committed to regenerative practices and removed over one million tons of carbon from global croplands. By establishing the benchmark for scientific and agronomic integrity and scalability, Indigo proves what’s possible today while pioneering what’s next—creating prosperity for farmers, businesses, and the planet. The Carbon by Indigo program is operated by Indigo Carbon PBC, a public benefit corporation and subsidiary of Indigo Ag.  Learn more at indigoag.com

*Climate Change Synthesis Report (2023),  Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

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SOURCE Indigo Agriculture