Tag: PR Newswire

HOUSTON, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MTM Critical Metals Ltd (ASX: MTM | OTCQB: MTMCF (soon to be renamed Metallium Ltd), a pioneer in low-impact, high-efficiency metal recovery technologies, today unveiled its updated strategy, commercial rollout plans, and rebranding during its Annual Shareholder Meeting held in Perth, Australia.

The company is focused on deploying its patented Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology for strategic metals recovery in the US. The proprietary FJH process enables single-step extraction of critical, strategic, and precious metals, including antimony, gallium, germanium, indium, gold, and rare earths, from electronic waste and mineral concentrates, without smelting or acids.

Key Highlights from the Presentation:

• $50 million (AU) Institutional Placement Completed
  Firm commitments from Tier-1 global investors endorse transition to a U.S.-focused industrial tech platform. The raise enables rapid U.S. expansion and construction of MTM’s first commercial plant in Texas.
• U.S. Commercial Operations to Launch in 2026
  Texas Technology Campus secured and under construction; commissioning targeted for Q1 2026. Facility will process high-grade e-waste and semiconductor refinery scrap, with offtake agreements already in place.
• Strategic Partnerships Driving Execution
  MTM is collaborating with industry leaders such as Vedanta (India), Indium Corporation (U.S.) and multiple U.S. electronics recyclers. These partnerships secure feedstock and validate industrial deployment.
• Disruptive Technology Platform
  FJH is a patented electro-thermal metal recovery process developed at Rice University. It simplifies processing, eliminates harmful chemicals and dramatically improves metal recovery efficiency from difficult feedstocks.
• U.S. National Rollout Underway
  MTM is developing a network of regional sites beyond Texas, with potential locations identified in Louisiana, Florida, Nevada and Ohio to meet the growing demand for domestic refining of critical metals.

Managing Director & CEO Michael Walshe commented:
“This is a pivotal moment in MTM’s evolution, which is the reason for a strategic rebranding of the Company to Metallium Ltd. We are fully capitalized and strategically positioned to become a U.S.-based industrial producer of critical and precious metals. Our technology is not just cleaner and faster, it’s commercially viable today based on testing carried out on multiple feedstock samples and the FJH system is vital to building resilient domestic supply chains.”

A recording of the presentation can be found at: https://investorhub.mtmcriticalmetals.com.au/announcements/7028814

For more information, please visit:
www.mtmcriticalmetals.com.au
www.flashmetalsusa.com

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SOURCE MTM Critical Metals Ltd.

The endowed scholarship builds on UMG’s Sounds of the Future initiative and The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of music industry leaders.

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the establishment of the Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship at The Herb Alpert School of Music. In partnership with The UCLA Foundation, UMG has endowed a new scholarship, which will support high-potential students studying in the school’s Music Industry Program.

The scholarship builds on the 2024 launch of The UCLA Berry Gordy Music Industry Center at the school of music, a hub dedicated to research, teaching, and community engagement and career support around the evolving global music business. Each year, a student demonstrating exceptional promise and financial need will be named a Berry Gordy Scholar and receive funding towards tuition, housing, and other educational expenses. The recipient will also play an active role in the life and mission of the Center, helping to shape the future of the music industry from within one of the country’s top public universities.

In making the announcement, Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO said, “For more than 65 years, Berry Gordy’s name has been synonymous with artistry and the transformative power of music. Through this scholarship, UMG is honoring his enduring legacy by investing in a new generation of young people who will help carry that spirit forward—creators and changemakers, who will have an opportunity to reflect the innovation and entrepreneurial genius that Mr. Gordy helped bring to the world through Motown, Tamla and the pioneering sound of Detroit.”

Berry Gordy said, “I am thrilled that my friend Sir Lucian Grainge and Universal Music Group have committed to support this program with their endowment that will help open doors for many more students and continue to pave the way for music to be a force for good and change. The center provides vital opportunities for students at UCLA to help prepare for careers in the music industry, so that future generations of young talent will continue to innovate, inspire and bring together culture and communities through the power of music.”

The Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship aligns with UMG’s ongoing Sounds of the Future campaign, launched by its Task Force for Meaningful Change in 2023. Now in its third year, Sounds of the Future supports initiatives that amplify Black creativity, preserve cultural heritage, and ensure equity in the music business. The establishment of this scholarship directly supports the ‘Invest’ pillar of Sounds of the Future—advancing the commitment to schools, institutions, and community-led programs that preserve and pass down the creative legacy of Black music for generations to come.

“UMG’s partnership with The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music reflects our belief that increasing access to education and professional training is a powerful tool for transforming the music industry,” said Robert Fink, Acting Dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and Director of The Berry Gordy Music Industry Center. “This endowment ensures that the next generation of music executives, artists, and entrepreneurs will not only be inspired by Berry Gordy’s legacy of innovation but also equipped to build on it.”

Scholarship recipients will be selected by the Director of the Gordy Center, and will be eligible to receive the award in consecutive years based on demonstrated financial need and academic engagement.

In creating this lasting investment, UMG and The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music hope to honor the cultural contributions of Berry Gordy and the Motown legacy while opening doors for a new generation to thrive at the intersection of music, culture, and business.

This year, UMG has expanded Sounds of the Future to honor not just the future of Black music, but its impact on the past and present. The campaign reaffirms UMG’s dedication to celebrating the artists, teams and institutions who shape the soul of music and culture today, while also investing in those who will carry that creative legacy forward.

The Sounds of the Future 2025 program has included:

• Deepened Investment in Grassroots, Safeguarding Black Music’s Future. At a time when many community-led organizations are facing growing demand for their services but shrinking resources, UMG is deepening its investment in grassroots institutions that safeguard the future of Black music. This year, UMG has extended donations to two vital nonprofits: Roots of Music in New Orleans, which empowers youth through culturally rooted music education; and Girls Make Beats in Los Angeles, which opens doors for the next generation of female producers, DJs and engineers. While teaching music, these organizations are also cultivating confidence, creativity and opportunity for youth.
• Career Immersion Experience. UMG and its Interscope Records label joined together at the Chicago stop of the Grand National Tour to offer local youth a rare, behind-the-scenes look at careers in music – inviting them into the world of sound engineering, choreography, tour production, wardrobe, artist relations and more. Designed as a career immersion experience, the program provided a firsthand glimpse into how artists’ creative visions come to life through collaboration.
• Immersive Art Installation with BLK MKT Vintage. Earlier this month, UMG hosted an immersive art installation at its Santa Monica headquarters, curated in partnership with BLK MKT Vintage, a Brooklyn-based archive concept shop devoted to Black ephemera and cultural storytelling. The exhibit, explored the continuum of Black music through the lens of sampling, highlighting how generations of UMG artists have borrowed, transformed, and echoed one another’s genius. Salon-hung and deeply evocative, the installation traces the throughline of Black creativity that reverberates across time, sound, and genre.

You can listen to a special Sounds of the Future playlist curated for the Installation HERE that showcases artists, past and present who have shaped – and will continue to shape – culture through truth, rhythm and innovation.

About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group exists to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com.

About Universal Music Global Impact Team
Through the Global Impact Team, UMG amplifies its vision for positive change through community engagement, environmental sustainability, events and special projects. It drives positive impact across the company, industry, and local communities in which UMG operates. The Global Impact Team is comprised of members of UMG’s Social Responsibility and Sustainability Teams, as well as The Universal Music All Together Now Foundation (ATNF), all of which partner with organizations around the globe that are working towards meaningful positive change.

About The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music prepares students for twenty-first century music careers. Home to renowned musical scholars, music industry experts and world-class musicians, educators and composers within one institution, the school of music offers students a vibrant interdisciplinary education that prizes music performance and scholarship while also emphasizing active engagement in the greater Los Angeles community. Esteeming all musical traditions as vital expressions of an evolving global society, the school of music boasts over 40 ensembles performing music from around the world.

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SOURCE Universal Music Group N.V.

PLYMOUTH, Minn., June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions recently awarded sixteen $3,000 college scholarships: eight to the children and/or grandchildren of Intact employees, and eight to children and/or grandchildren of the company’s distribution partners. Recipients were selected based on criteria such as academic performance, leadership roles and participation in school and community activities.

“We are proud to support these remarkable students as they pursue their academic and professional goals,” said Lynn O’Leary, U.S. President, Global Specialty Lines at Intact. “Their achievements and aspirations are truly inspiring, and we’re excited to see the positive impact they will make in their communities and beyond. It’s an honor to contribute to their continued success.”

Over 400 students have been awarded college scholarships since the inception of the program in 2003. The program is funded by the Intact Charitable Trust and managed by Scholarship America®, a nonprofit scholarship program administrator.

The following are this year’s award winners, along with their parent’s or grandparent’s employer and the college or university they plan to attend this fall:

The Intact Charitable Trust USA is a tax–exempt private foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code managed by employees of Intact Services USA LLC.

About Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
Throughout the United States, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions’ underwriting companies offer a broad range of specialty insurance products through independent agencies, regional and national brokers, wholesalers and managing general agencies. Each business is managed by an experienced team of specialty insurance professionals focused on a specific customer group or industry segment, and providing distinct products and tailored coverages and services. Targeted solutions include group accident and health; commercial and contract surety; entertainment; environmental; excess property; financial institutions; financial services; inland marine; management liability; ocean marine; technology; trade credit; and tuition refund. For further information about U.S. products and services visit: intactspecialty.com.  

Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions is a marketing brand for the insurance company subsidiaries of Intact Insurance Group USA LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC), the largest provider of property and casualty (P&C) insurance in Canada, a leading Specialty lines insurer with international expertise and a leader in Commercial lines in the U.K. and Ireland. IFC’s business has grown organically and through acquisitions to almost $24 billion of total annual operating direct premiums written (DPW). The insurance company subsidiaries of Intact Insurance Group USA LLC include Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company, a New York insurer, which wholly owns Homeland Insurance Company of New York, a New York insurer, Homeland Insurance Company of Delaware, a Delaware insurer, OBI America Insurance Company, a Pennsylvania insurer, and OBI National Insurance Company, a Pennsylvania insurer.  Each of these insurers maintains its principal place of business at 605 Highway 169 N, Plymouth, MN 55441. For information about Intact Financial Corporation, visit: intactfc.com.  

Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions is backed by the financial strength of Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company, an indirect subsidiary of Intact Financial Corporation (TSX:IFC), rated A+ by A.M. Best.

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SOURCE Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions

• This year’s Sustainability Report details key milestones across five focuses in 2024
• Continued dedication to compliance and self-regulation highlighted
• Product safety a priority in bringing all-around adult user experience
• Product lifecycle carbon footprint verification completed

LONDON, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Heaven Gifts, a global vaping industry leader, releases its 2024 Sustainability Report, showcasing significant progress across five focuses during the past year — Sustainable Business and Ethical Governance, Product Safety and User Satisfaction, Climate Action, Employee Wellbeing, and Community Engagement.

In the Report, Heaven Gifts announces a sustainability milestone that in its first-ever assessment by EcoVadis in December 2024, the company was scored 70 — outperforming 90% of all evaluated companies worldwide. Heaven Gifts owns and operates two of the world’s leading vape brands ELFBAR and LOST MARY, and EcoVadis is a globally recognized sustainability ratings platform.

Committed to compliance and self-regulation

Heaven Gifts prioritizes integrity in its global expansion and advocates for the industry’s self-regulation. In October 2024, the company’s UK Advisory Board was established, bringing together experts from various sectors to provide strategic guidance for its compliant and sustainable development.

Heaven Gifts was also the industry’s first to sign the IBVTA (Independent British Vape Trade Association) Code of Conduct, reinforcing its dedication to accurate flavor descriptors and minimizing its appeal to unintended user groups.

With responsible marketing and sales principles at the core, the company introduced a retail licensing system, which is now considered for legislation in the UK. It has also called for packaging and flavor standardization to stay ahead of the changing regulatory landscape.

The brands’ recycling programme “GreenAwareness” for discarded vapes has seen an outcome. As of December 2024, it had collected nearly 240,000 used vapes in the UK alone, weighing 7 tons.

Consistently upholding product safety

In 2024, Heaven Gifts invested RMB 40 million in its Innovation Lab, which now covers 3,000 square meters, and is equipped with over 350 sets of facilities, and staffed by some 100 experts.

The lab is capable of conducting tests in line with global safety standards, including HPHCs (Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive), and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals).

The company and its flagship brands, ELFBAR and LOST MARY, have remained at the forefront of the industry by continuously adopting safer e-liquid ingredients and exploring more reliable materials to enhance product quality. Their R&D efforts span the entire product lifecycle and are supported by a systematic safety evaluation procedure.

This procedure now covers 281 tests, including 142 on e-liquids, 22 on aerosols, 86 on device materials, and 31 on product reliability parameters.

In product design, the company has taken a circular economy-oriented approach. ELFBAR 600V2 features an upgraded modular design that further simplifies automatic disassembly for easier recycling, while LOST MARY has reduced plastic usage by an average of 10 grams per mid-sized carton.

Full product lifecycle carbon footprint verified

Heaven Gifts’ pursuit to become a better corporate citizen started in 2024 from its White Paper on Climate Action, outlining a clear roadmap guided by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In the White Paper, the company is committed to achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2035 (Scopes 1 & 2) and net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2050 (Scopes 1, 2 & 3).

In line with ISO 14067, Heaven Gifts applied Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to quantify the full carbon footprint of five core products, helping identify carbon reduction opportunities in each phase — from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to transportation, consumption, and disposal — and providing solid data support for low-carbon designs.

Notably, ELFBAR ELFA became the industry’s first prefilled pod kit certified by ISO 14067. Heaven Gifts also spearheads the industry with a new functional unit — “puff count across full lifecycle” — to standardize emissions benchmarking.

Attracting global talents and taking more social responsibility

Under its “Tomorrow’s Miracles” Guardian Program, Heaven Gifts has blended social influence into business operations. The company has carried out a range of initiatives, including environmental protection, community development, and all-staff volunteer activities.

From 2022 to 2024, the company invested nearly 8 million RMB in public welfare, of which 5.96 million in improving community infrastructure and 2 million in ecological protection and restoration.

The company’s approximately 1,000 employees have contributed 772.5 hours to volunteering in environmental protection, community welfare, and support for underprivileged demographic groups.

About Heaven Gifts

Heaven Gifts, originated in 2007, was among the world’s first brand owners and manufacturers of vaping products with atomizing solutions at its core.

Between 2018 and 2021, the company leveraged its trading expertise to strategically transition from a trading platform to a brand owner, introducing leading global vape brands such as ELFBAR and LOST MARY.

To date, Heaven Gifts and its harm reduction products are present in some 100 markets worldwide, serving over 50 million adult users in their smoking cessation journeys. Its flagship brands, ELFBAR and LOST MARY, hold leading market shares in major global regions.

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SOURCE ELFBAR

Renewable energy product aligns with updated Scope 2 guidance and growing demand for transparent, hourly carbon-free energy claims

NEW YORK, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Catalyst Power Holdings LLC (“Catalyst Power”), an independent provider of retail energy and cleaner energy solutions for commercial and industrial customers, today announced a new partnership with Granular Energy to offer one of the first U.S. retail energy solutions aligned with emerging hourly carbon-accounting guidance. Voluntary emissions tracking efforts, such as Scope 2 reporting under the GHG Protocol, play a critical role in helping companies measure, manage, and reduce their climate impact—even in the absence of regulatory mandates.

“Hourly matching isn’t just a buzzword—it’s where the market is heading,” said Gabriel Phillips, CEO at Catalyst Power. “Our partnership with Granular Energy ensures our customers can stay ahead of changes to procurement and accounting standards while making a real, measurable difference in reducing their Scope 2 carbon emissions.” 

“After successful implementations with suppliers across Europe, we’re excited to bring our platform to the U.S. with a forward-thinking partner like Catalyst Power,” said Toby Ferenzci, CEO at Granular Energy. “This is a critical step in enabling U.S. businesses to lead the charge toward 24/7 carbon-free energy.”

The hourly-matched product provides U.S. commercial customers with verified clean power data matching their electricity consumption, supporting transparency in Scope 2 emissions reporting. The partnership also marks Granular Energy’s entrance into the U.S. market following successful programs across the UK, EU, and Japan.

Granular Energy’s software platform automates the hourly matching and reporting process, integrating with Catalyst Power’s retail supply and leveraging Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to align renewable generation with consumption in real time. The hourly-matched product is now available to select Catalyst Power customers across deregulated markets in the U.S. Businesses can contact Catalyst Power to explore how this offering can support their decarbonization goals.

Businesses interested in partnering with Catalyst Power or learning more can contact:

Web: https://catalystpower.com/

Phone: 1-888-789-7250

Email: contact@catalystpower.com

About Catalyst Power Holdings LLC: Catalyst Power Holdings LLC is an independent energy solutions provider specializing in integrating retail energy with complementary cleaner energy solutions designed to help commercial and industrial companies reduce costs and generate revenue with no upfront investment. Catalyst Power’s suite of solutions includes customized Connected Microgrid solutions, solar, energy storage, CHP, and more. Catalyst Power specializes in serving middle-market commercial and industrial end-use customers. Catalyst Power is backed by investments from DRW Holdings and BP Energy Partners. More info: www.catalystpower.com.

About DRW Energy Trading LLC: DRW is a global trading firm with decades of experience across diverse markets and asset classes, including commodities, real estate, venture capital, and crypto assets. DRW Energy Trading LLC, the firm’s energy commodities marketing, logistics, and trading division, focuses on North American Power, Gas, and Emissions markets. The group leverages a talented team of meteorologists, engineers, data scientists, traders, and financial experts to address complex energy market challenges. Active in all major US Power and Gas markets, it manages a portfolio of assets that ensure critical supply and takeaway options in capacity-constrained regions. DRW provides supply and liquidity through both physical and financial markets. Learn more at drw.com.

About BP Energy Partners: BP Energy Partners (BPEP) is a Dallas-based private equity firm specializing in lower-middle market investments in North American companies that provide industrial products and value-added services to owners of critical infrastructure, utilities, and energy-intensive operations. Founded in 2012 as an independent firm, BPEP has aimed to accelerate the growth of medium-sized businesses across the broader energy, power, electrification, and industrial sectors. Our core investment themes include value-add infrastructure, the natural gas value chain, electrification, and environmental management. To learn more, visit www.bpenergypartners.com

About Granular EnergyGranular Energy is the leading software platform for managing and optimizing granular energy attribute certificates (EACs). Trusted by energy suppliers and utilities across Europe and beyond, Granular helps organizations transition to hourly carbon-free energy and prepare for the future of emissions accounting. Learn more at www.granular-energy.com.

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SOURCE Catalyst Power

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Over 2,500 passionate supporters of the land and people of Israel will come together October 23-26, 2025, at The Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, for Jewish National Fund-USA’s Global Conference for Israel-one of the world’s premier gatherings for philanthropy, advocacy, and Zionist engagement. Together, attendees will Unite for Israel’s Future through meaningful connection, bold ideas, and an unwavering commitment to building what comes next.

The multi-day event showcasing the pride and beauty of Zionism will unite philanthropists, congressional leaders, activists, Israelis whose lives have been transformed by decades of support from Jewish National Fund-USA, and individuals who are passionate about celebrating a strong and prosperous future for the Jewish Homeland.

Leading speakers from Israel will also share first-hand accounts about the realities on the ground two years after the devastating terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, and provide updates about rebuilding initiatives underway in Israel’s North and South.

“Through every challenge, we have overcome, fueled by an unshakable spirit and an unbreakable bond with our ancient homeland,” said Local Event Chairs Ariel and Josh Deitchman and Loren and Eric Stein. “Now, more than ever, Israel needs us, and we need Israel. Our Global Conference for Israel is more than just a gathering—it’s a call to action, a celebration of resilience, and a reaffirmation of our eternal connection to our land and people of Israel. Together, we will celebrate Israel’s future by uplifting stories of strength, solidarity, and shared destiny.”

From dozens of intimate breakout discussions to large-scale plenaries featuring keynote addresses by esteemed speakers from across the globe, the conference will offer attendees the opportunity to engage meaningfully with those who have helped shape Israel’s past, present, and future.

Conference headliners (in formation) include:

• Journalist and New York Times Bestselling Author Douglas Murray
• United States Congressman (NY-15) Rep. Ritchie Torres
• International Broadcaster & Advocate Erin Molan
• Israeli Diplomat Amb. Ido Aharoni Aronoff
• Former NBA All-Star Eddy Curry
• Kansas City Chiefs’ Hall of Famer Nick Lowery
• Nova Music Festival Survivor Ofri Reiner
• Comedians Mario Adrion and Joel Chasnoff

The conference will include over 100 sessions tailored for the diverse array of attendees, including college students, faculty members, young professionals, older adults, rabbinical attendees, major philanthropists, those beyond the Jewish faith, and more.

Additionally, a variety of unique experiences will be included throughout the conference, including an Israel Expo with complimentary swag and Israeli goods for sale, an evening of comedy, a movie night, a catered Shabbat dinner, a young-professionals after party, a “Chopped”-style cooking competition, and an exclusive musical performance by Israel’s beloved Special in Uniform Band.

“This conference is about building partnerships, reaffirming commitments, and leaving with a deeper sense of purpose—and pride—for what we can achieve together,” said National Conference Co-chair Ken Segel. “The Global Conference for Israel is a beacon of light, drawing dreamers, defenders, and doers who believe that the story of the Jewish people is still unfolding—and that by coming together, we Unite for Israel’s future with vision and purpose.”

For more information, including a full list of speakers, Conference Chairs, and programming (in formation), or to register for the Global Conference for Israel, visit jnf.org/global.

MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Milton: 561-447-9733 x875 or 397365@email4pr.com 

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SOURCE Jewish National Fund-USA

STUTTGART, Germany, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (“Sinopec”, HKG: 0386) has won the “Best Scientific And Technological Innovation Practice” award at the 2^nd Sino-European Corporate ESG Best Practice Conference (the “Conference”), which was hosted on June 26 in Stuttgart. Sinopec’s case submission of Breakthrough in Depth, Climb to New Heights — Empowering the Energy and Chemical Industry with Technological Innovation stood out among the numerous entries.

The Conference reviews and awards the best ESG application cases in six areas of environmental protection, social responsibility, corporate management, scientific and technological innovation, education and training, to further enhance mutual understanding between Chinese and European businesses, facilitate bilateral economic and trade exchanges, and showcase China‘s open, inclusive and confident mindset to European society.

“Sinopec has harnessed technological innovation as a powerful engine in its journey toward carbon peaking and carbon neutrality,” the jury panel said. “By focusing on strategic areas such as oil and gas exploration and development as well as green and low-carbon transformation, the company is vigorously advancing high-end, intelligent, and green development.”

Leveraging its integrated, full-industry-chain innovation capabilities, Sinopec is scaling up clean energy solutions and decarbonization in production to continuously empower the social development.

Driven by innovation, Sinopec‘s Project Deep Earth is regarded as “Mount Everest underground” to unlock ultra-deep oil and gas reserves and light up the green future of the earth. In shale gas exploration and development, Sinopec‘s Fuling Shale Gas Field is the first in China with commercial development, boasting reserves of hundreds of billions of cubic meters.

In promoting the green and low-carbon technology, Sinopec built China’s first megaton CCUS project as well as the world‘s first 100-kilometer CO₂ transmission pipeline. Sinopec collaborates with Shell, China Baowu and BASF to launch the joint study on the first 10-million-tonne open-source CCUS project to provide a new path of decarbonization emphasizing both emission reduction and carbon sequestration.

Innovation is powering Sinopec to continuously break new ground and achieve intelligent transformation. In 2024, the world’s first intelligent ethylene factory based on digital twin technology was put into operation, and Sinopec’s AI digital employee is now on duty at over 40 integrated energy stations to provide smart services to customers.

At the Conference, Sinopec also released the “World Energy Outlook 2060” report, which is Sinopec‘s first energy and chemical industry development report released in Europe.

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SOURCE SINOPEC

The continuous improvement of Shanghai Electric’s brand value is due to a resilient long-term development structure with a strong focus on ESG management.

SHANGHAI, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Shanghai Electric (SEHK: 2727, SSE: 601727) ranked among the top 50 in World Brand Lab’s China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands for the 10th consecutive year, with a record brand value of 228.565 billion yuan ($31.8 billion). The ranking is based on financial performance, brand strength, and market competitiveness. The Company’s growth highlights its role in high-end manufacturing, green energy, and global low-carbon development.

Driving Global Energy Transition through Innovation: A Dual Approach of Hard Technology and System Solution

At the intersection of the energy revolution and intelligent manufacturing, Shanghai Electric’s “hard technology plus system solution” model has driven key innovations to lead the sustainable development of the industry. Green methanol redefines the carbon-neutral fuel supply chain, floating offshore wind power taps deep-sea renewable energy, heavy-duty gas turbines overcome efficiency bottlenecks, and intelligent robots empower the “nerve center” of smart manufacturing. Shanghai Electric is reshaping global energy and industrial logic, injecting momentum into high-quality development.

Additionally, Shanghai Electric has actively participated and shared innovations at major international events such as Hannover MESSE, Intersolar Europe, the World Energy Congress, and the China International Industry Fair. Through the sharing of innovative technologies and global collaboration, Shanghai Electric is committed to advancing carbon reduction goals and contributing to sustainable development worldwide.

Embracing Global Responsibility: Shanghai Electric Leverages Technology and Actions for Sustainable Development

While driving the global energy transition, Shanghai Electric has also dedicated itself to boosting agricultural development through rural revitalization and a strong sense of social responsibility. The Company has integrated consumer assistance with industrial resources to diversify sales channels for agricultural products, injecting vitality into rural economic growth. Additionally, Shanghai Electric has brought advanced technologies to rural areas through university-enterprise collaboration, empowering industrial upgrades and laying a solid foundation for sustainable development in rural areas.

In 2024, Shanghai Electric showed how technology empowers international cooperation and helped to advance global energy transformation with two landmark projects, namely, Uzbekistan’s first digital substation in Zafarabad, enhancing eastern power stability and boosting China–Uzbekistan cooperation, and Croatia’s 156MW Senj Wind Farm, the largest in the Balkans, generating 530 million kWh annually and cutting 400,000 tons of carbon. Both projects highlight China’s green tech exports and regional economic impact.

Moreover, Shanghai Electric’s Thar Project team in Pakistan visited nearby villages during Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr in recent years, donating gifts to over 200 children and essential supplies to 1,500 families. Reflecting its ESG commitment, the project has invested $2 million to support livelihoods and promote local employment. The team also reopened the renovated Marvi Stadium, originally built in 2008, with a $200,000 investment. The upgraded stadium enriches community recreation and celebrates Pakistan’s cricket culture.

Shanghai Electric, a global leader in energy equipment and intelligent manufacturing, integrates ESG strategy into its core development. Through innovation, social responsibility, and global collaboration, it promotes a sustainable, mutually beneficial ecosystem. The Company plans to further strengthen brand resilience and support building a more sustainable society in the years ahead.

For more information on Shanghai Electric’s ongoing development, please visit
https://www.shanghai-electric.com/listed_en/upload/resources/file/2025/05/19//111560.pdf.

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SOURCE Shanghai Electric

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Corn Next, the California-based biobased material innovator, proudly announces two major milestones: the company has secured its first round of equity investment and officially selected Los Angeles as the site for its U.S. Integrated Demonstration Unit (IDU).

This initial funding marks a significant step forward in Corn Next’s mission to replace harmful single-use plastics with its proprietary, fully biodegradable material, Corn Next-17. The investment will support early-stage production, strategic hiring, and expansion of research partnerships.

“We are thrilled to have the support of forward-thinking investors who recognize both the environmental urgency and market potential of our technology,” said Randy Zhang, Founder and CEO of Corn Next. “This validation empowers us to accelerate our impact.”

Simultaneously, Corn Next has chosen Los Angeles as the home for its U.S.-based IDU, following extensive evaluation of locations across the country. The IDU will serve as a pilot manufacturing hub, testing facility, and collaboration space for future commercial scale-up.

“Our decision to anchor the IDU in Los Angeles reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and proximity to global partners,” Zhang added. “This city offers the infrastructure and talent we need to bring our vision to life.”

Corn Next is best known for Corn Next-17, a starch-based material that naturally degrades within weeks without leaving behind microplastics or toxic residues. With the IDU in place, the company aims to demonstrate scalable production and attract additional partnerships in North America and beyond.

For more information, visit www.cornnext.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corn-next-secures-first-investment-and-announces-idu-location-in-los-angeles-302493714.html

SOURCE YMYH Inc. DBA Corn Next

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Corn Next, the California-based biobased material innovator, proudly announces two major milestones: the company has secured its first round of equity investment and officially selected Los Angeles as the site for its U.S. Integrated Demonstration Unit (IDU).

This initial funding marks a significant step forward in Corn Next’s mission to replace harmful single-use plastics with its proprietary, fully biodegradable material, Corn Next-17. The investment will support early-stage production, strategic hiring, and expansion of research partnerships.

“We are thrilled to have the support of forward-thinking investors who recognize both the environmental urgency and market potential of our technology,” said Randy Zhang, Founder and CEO of Corn Next. “This validation empowers us to accelerate our impact.”

Simultaneously, Corn Next has chosen Los Angeles as the home for its U.S.-based IDU, following extensive evaluation of locations across the country. The IDU will serve as a pilot manufacturing hub, testing facility, and collaboration space for future commercial scale-up.

“Our decision to anchor the IDU in Los Angeles reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and proximity to global partners,” Zhang added. “This city offers the infrastructure and talent we need to bring our vision to life.”

Corn Next is best known for Corn Next-17, a starch-based material that naturally degrades within weeks without leaving behind microplastics or toxic residues. With the IDU in place, the company aims to demonstrate scalable production and attract additional partnerships in North America and beyond.

For more information, visit www.cornnext.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corn-next-secures-first-investment-and-announces-idu-location-in-los-angeles-302493714.html

SOURCE YMYH Inc. DBA Corn Next