TotalEnergies and Masdar have signed a binding agreement to establish a $2.2 billion joint venture aimed at accelerating the development of renewable energy projects across Asia, combining their onshore solar, wind and battery storage portfolios across nine countries.

$2.2bn renewable energy joint venture announced

The 50/50 partnership between TotalEnergies and Masdar will merge the companies’ onshore renewable activities in key Asian markets, creating a new platform headquartered in Abu Dhabi to support the region’s rapidly growing electricity demand.

The agreement will establish a new renewable energy platform with a combined portfolio of 3 GW of operational capacity and 6 GW of projects in advanced development, expected to become operational by 2030.

Each company will contribute assets of comparable value to the venture. Once the transaction closes, the new entity will serve as the sole vehicle for developing, building, owning and operating onshore solar, wind and battery storage projects for both partners in selected Asian markets.

The joint venture will be headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and is expected to employ around 200 staff from both companies.

Renewable energy expansion across nine Asian markets

The partnership will focus on renewable projects across nine countries in Asia:

• Azerbaijan
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Uzbekistan

The new platform is intended to help the companies capture the region’s rising electricity demand while accelerating renewable deployment.

Responding to rising electricity demand in Asia

Asia is expected to be a major driver of global electricity demand growth in the coming years, creating opportunities for large-scale renewable power development.

His Excellency Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said the partnership builds on the UAE’s track record in global energy investment.

“The UAE has established itself as a global energy leader by delivering at scale, investing with conviction, and building partnerships that endure. Masdar epitomizes that approach. We are proud to have pioneered renewable energy deployment in Central Asia and the Caucuses, and we have an expanding portfolio in some of the most attractive growth markets in Asia-Pacific. Asia will be the main driver of global electricity demand growth this decade, and this collaboration with TotalEnergies will accelerate our progress across the continent, unlocking new opportunities to deliver the competitive, reliable energy solutions that our partners and customers need,” said His Excellency Dr, Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar.

Strategic partnership for renewable growth

Executives from both companies said the joint venture will combine expertise and resources to expand renewable energy development across Asia.

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, said the collaboration will strengthen the company’s position in renewable power markets.

“We are delighted with the signing of this agreement with Masdar, which brings together two major renewable players to build a renewable champion in Asia. It will allow us to combine the strengths of our two companies to secure significant positions in these markets and create more value than if we were acting alone. This agreement is fully in line with the renewable energy strategy of our Integrated Power business. We are also pleased to further deepen, in this area, the long-standing relationship between the United Arab Emirates and TotalEnergies,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.

Portfolio diversification and energy transition

The joint venture will also expand Masdar’s renewable portfolio while supporting the company’s international growth strategy.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, said the collaboration strengthens Abu Dhabi’s role in global energy development.

“This joint venture reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as a global center for energy leadership, combining the expertise of Masdar and TotalEnergies to drive renewable energy deployment across Asia. For Masdar, this JV strengthens and diversifies our portfolio, unlocking new opportunities in attractive, high-growth markets, while bringing in a like-minded partner to accelerate growth and deliver additional value in our existing markets.” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar.

Sustainability and clean energy transition

The partnership is designed to support the deployment of renewable power at scale across Asia as the region’s electricity demand continues to increase.

By combining their existing renewable portfolios and development pipelines, TotalEnergies and Masdar aim to expand solar, wind and battery storage projects in the region while accelerating the transition to low-carbon electricity generation.

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Epiroc has launched the new-generation PowerROC T25 surface drill rig, offering notable improvements for quarry and aggregate operations.

SUPERIOR EFFICIENCY  

The new-generation PowerROC T25 surface drill rig sets a new standard for efficiency and ease of operation, featuring the latest PowerROC control system.  

“The new PowerROC T25 delivers enhanced performance along with superior efficiency. We are very excited to add this upgraded drill rig to the PowerROC family,” comments Sivakumar Devarajan, Senior Manager – Marketing for the Epiroc Surface Division. 

Designed to optimise performance whilst reducing fuel consumption, the intelligent system automatically adjusts engine speed to the most efficient level, ensuring power output always matches real-time drilling demands. 

All operational data is displayed on a 12-inch screen, creating a more intuitive user experience and aligning operation and data analysis with other PowerROC models, including the PowerROC T35 MKII and PowerROC T45 MKII. 

STEP-CHANGE IN ENGINEERING PROJECTS  

At the heart of the machine is the new cabin, representing a major step forward in operator comfort and productivity. The upgraded cabin delivers improved visibility, enhanced comfort and ergonomics, and reduced noise and vibration levels, helping to create a safer, more comfortable, and more productive working environment. 

The PowerROC T25 is powered by a new Volvo diesel engine delivering 129 kilowatts (173 horsepower), available in both Tier 3 and Tier 4 Final/Stage 5 versions. This dependable, high-performance engine provides the power required for construction and civil engineering projects, as well as small aggregate and limestone quarrying operations. 

To maximise versatility, the PowerROC T25 is available in both long-feed and short-feed versions, allowing operators to handle different drilling depths in a single pass. 

“The modular design of the new PowerROC T25 further simplifies maintenance and streamlines spare parts inventory.  

“At Epiroc, we are committed to continuously accelerating the transformation – and this new rig is an important step in that direction,” Devarajan adds.   

ABOUT EPIROC  

Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Epiroc is a global productivity partner for mining and infrastructure customers, accelerating the transformation towards a sustainable society.  

With ground-breaking technology, the company develops and provides innovative and safe equipment, such as drill rigs, rock excavation and construction equipment, and tools for surface and underground applications.  

Epiroc also offers world-class service and other aftermarket support as well as solutions for automation, digitalisation, and electrification. 

The post Epiroc Enhances Performance with New PowerROC T25 appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

Lenovo sets a new standard for transparency and precision in IT sustainability by delivering configuration-level product carbon footprint data for ThinkPad.

DRIVING PRECISION IN SUSTAINABILITY DATA  

With sustainability becoming an increasingly important factor in enterprise purchasing, Lenovo is advancing its approach by delivering configuration-level Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) for its ThinkPad portfolio through a partnership with Makersite. 

The move reflects a broader shift in enterprise expectations, as buyers are no longer satisfied with product-level carbon estimates and are instead seeking detailed insights into the environmental impact of specific configurations. This includes demand for data that is aligned with International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) frameworks and supported by verifiable methodologies. 

Historically, ThinkPad PCFs were reported at the model level, providing an accurate portfolio-wide view but lacking the granularity needed to reflect variation across thousands of possible configurations. This created challenges during enterprise tenders, where customers increasingly requested configuration-specific data, often requiring additional manual analysis. 

By adopting Makersite as a complementary system, Lenovo has transitioned to a more detailed and scalable approach. The integration enables automated Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), enhanced supplier data utilisation, and standardised modelling processes –supporting greater accuracy and transparency in sustainability reporting. 

ENABLING DATA-DRIVEN PURCHASING DECISIONS  

The shift to configuration-level PCFs allows Lenovo to provide enterprise customers with more meaningful insights into how individual component choices influence overall carbon impact. 

Variations in storage, memory, displays, and other hardware elements can significantly affect a device’s footprint. With enhanced modelling capabilities, Lenovo can now demonstrate these differences clearly, helping customers balance performance, cost, and sustainability considerations. 

This level of visibility also strengthens engagement during procurement processes. Evidently, rather than relying on broad estimates, sales teams can present data-backed comparisons, enabling more informed decision-making. For example, alternative component selections with lower carbon impacts can be identified and evaluated using credible, standardised data. 

The approach aligns sustainability more closely with practical purchasing decisions, making it a measurable and actionable factor within enterprise IT strategies. 

BUILDING A SCALABLE DATA FOUNDATION 

To support this sustainable transformation, Lenovo has established a unified and auditable data framework by integrating Makersite into its workflows, which consolidates sustainability, engineering, and commercial data, ensuring consistency across teams and outputs. 

Millions of supplier Full Material Declarations (FMDs) have been incorporated into the platform, enabling detailed, substance-level LCAs and improving the accuracy of carbon modelling. A structured validation process has also been introduced to maintain data quality as new components are added. 

This centralised approach enhances confidence in sustainability reporting whilst improving efficiency in responding to customer requirements. It also enables Lenovo to scale its configuration-level modelling capabilities across its product portfolio. 

SUPPORTING NET ZERO AMBITIONS 

Lenovo’s investment in advanced carbon modelling supports its broader commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions by 2050, with targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

The accurate measurement of emissions across the value chain remains a key challenge, particularly as a significant proportion of emissions fall within Scope 3, including product use by customers. By providing configuration-level PCFs, Lenovo is enabling organisations to better understand and manage their own IT-related carbon impact. 

Through data-driven tools and enhanced transparency, the company is strengthening its sustainability strategy whilst supporting customers in making more informed, environmentally conscious purchasing decisions. 

The post Lenovo Advances IT Sustainability with Makersite Partnership appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

Unilever has agreed to combine its foods division with McCormick & Company in a deal that will create a $20bn global flavour business spanning herbs, spices, seasonings, sauces and condiments, while repositioning Unilever as a €39bn pure-play home and personal care company.

A global flavour powerhouse

Unilever PLC and McCormick & Company have announced an agreement to combine Unilever’s Foods business with McCormick to create a global flavour powerhouse with a portfolio of leading brands including McCormick, Knorr and Hellmann’s, alongside growth brands such as Cholula, Maille and Frank’s.

The combined company will have revenues of approximately $20 billion, based on fiscal year 2025 data, and a strong presence across retail and foodservice markets. The deal reflects an enterprise value of $44.8 billion for Unilever Foods, equivalent to an EV/Sales ratio of 3.6x and an EV/EBITDA multiple of 13.8x, based on McCormick’s one-month volume-weighted average share price of $57.84.

As part of the transaction, Unilever and its shareholders will receive shares equal to 65% of the fully diluted combined company equity, while Unilever will also receive $15.7 billion in cash. Unilever shareholders will own 55.1% of the combined company, with Unilever retaining a 9.9% stake, while McCormick shareholders will hold 35%.

The transaction is expected to close by mid-2027, subject to shareholder approval, regulatory clearances and other customary conditions.

Building a global flavour business

The combination will bring together complementary portfolios across herbs, spices, seasonings, cooking aids, sauces and condiments, supported by global R&D capabilities and a broad geographic footprint.

The merged business is expected to generate around $600 million in annual run-rate cost synergies, with full value realised by the end of year three. A further $100 million in incremental cost and revenue synergies will be reinvested to support growth.

McCormick will retain its name, global headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and its NYSE listing, while establishing an international headquarters in the Netherlands and planning a secondary listing in Europe.

Unilever’s strategic shift to home and personal care

Following the separation of its foods division, Unilever will become a €39 billion pure-play home and personal care (HPC) company, operating across Beauty, Wellbeing, Personal Care and Home Care.

Based on FY2025 revenues, Beauty, Wellbeing and Personal Care will account for around 67% of group turnover, while emerging markets will represent 62% of revenues. The company said the shift will strengthen its focus on high-growth categories and markets.

Unilever reaffirmed its medium-term financial framework, targeting mid-single digit underlying sales growth, supported by at least 2% underlying volume growth and modest operating margin expansion.

Executive comments

Fernando Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer of Unilever, commented:

“For Unilever, this transaction is another decisive step in sharpening our portfolio and accelerating our strategy towards high-growth categories as a€39 billion pureplay HPC company with a proven sector-leading growth profile.

We are unlocking trapped value through a growth-led separation of Foods, creating a scaled, global flavour powerhouse. By combining Unilever Foods’ iconic leading brands and global reach with McCormick’s exceptional portfolio, category expertise and capabilities, we are establishing a focused, high-quality business with significant top line growth and value creation potential.

This is a combination built on strong strategic and cultural alignment, providing exciting opportunities for our people and ensuring our Foods brands continue to thrive as part of a global flavour leader. Our retained ownership stake reflects our conviction in the strength of the combined company and its future prospects.”

Brendan Foley, Chief Executive Officer of McCormick, commented:

“This transformative combination accelerates McCormick’s strategy and reinforces our continued focus on flavour. The Unilever Foods business is one we have long admired, with a portfolio that complements our existing business, capabilities and long-term vision. Together, we will be better positioned to accelerate growth in attractive categories. This combination will create a diversified flavour leader with a robust growth profile that remains differentiated by its focus on flavouring calories while others compete for them.

Unilever Foods’ global portfolio of strong brands, combined with our proven expertise in insight-driven brand-building and integration, will enable us to deliver flavour in new and exciting ways for more consumers, driving significant growth across the combined portfolio and value for all stakeholders. Integrating two global organisations of this scale requires disciplined execution, and we are confident that our detailed integration roadmap, experienced teams from McCormick and Unilever, external advisors and our strong partnership will enable us to capture the full value of this opportunity. McCormick is the right partner for Unilever Foods’ brands and employees, and our shared culture and values will empower our combination. We are excited to welcome their exceptional talent and international expertise to our Power of People culture.”

Leadership and governance

Upon completion, Brendan Foley will serve as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of McCormick, while Marcos Gabriel will be Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Executives from both McCormick and Unilever Foods will take senior leadership roles, and Unilever will appoint four of the twelve members of the combined company’s board.

The post Unilever CEO and McCormick CEO Explain the Deal as the Two Companies Combine appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

NinjaOne has introduced a new AI-driven vulnerability management solution designed to help IT teams identify, prioritise and remediate vulnerabilities in real time, reducing exposure risk while streamlining patching and endpoint security operations.

A New Approach to Vulnerability Management

NinjaOne has announced the launch of NinjaOne Vulnerability Management, a new solution designed to help IT teams identify, prioritise and remediate vulnerabilities faster.

Built natively into the company’s Unified IT Operations Platform, the solution combines AI-driven real-time vulnerability assessment, patch confidence scoring and automated remediation workflows. The goal is to reduce the time organisations remain exposed to vulnerabilities while simplifying operations for IT and security teams.

Traditional vulnerability management approaches rely on periodic scans and manual processes, which can create delays between detection and remediation. NinjaOne says its new platform addresses this gap by enabling organisations to identify and remediate vulnerabilities continuously in real time.

Reducing Risk in Modern IT Environments

“The traditional vulnerability management model – scan once or twice a week, export, hand off, wait – creates gaps, delays, and unnecessary risk,” said Rahul Hirani, Chief Product Officer at NinjaOne.

“Our customers are looking for ways to reduce risk faster without slowing down their teams and organizations. By integrating real-time vulnerability assessment, which scans continuously, directly with patching and endpoint management, we help customers reduce risk faster in a way that fits their existing processes and simplifies their work.”

Real-Time Visibility and Automated Patching

The new solution uses AI to analyse millions of data points across NinjaOne’s device inventory, enabling organisations to identify vulnerabilities continuously without relying on scheduled scans.

By linking vulnerability detection directly with autonomous patching workflows, the platform allows IT teams to prioritise and deploy patches across Windows and Linux systems from the same environment.

The system is designed to operate server-side using existing device telemetry, meaning vulnerability identification occurs without intrusive scans, agent spikes or any impact on endpoint performance.

Key Capabilities

The new solution is designed to deliver benefits for IT teams and security operations, including:

• Real-time vulnerability visibility without scheduled scanning
• Integrated detection and remediation workflows in a single platform
• Autonomous patching across Windows and Linux systems
• No endpoint performance impact through server-side analysis
• Continuous vulnerability and remediation records to support compliance and auditing

Customer Experience

“Implementing NinjaOne’s real-time vulnerability assessment has transformed how we manage endpoint risk. The single pane of glass approach gives us consolidated visibility into endpoint health, detected vulnerabilities, and remediation guidance all in one place. This centralized view allows us to prioritize patching based on real risk, accelerate remediation timelines, and reduce the operational friction that often comes with coordinating across multiple tools and teams,” said Spencer Stycos, Manager, Systems Engineering – IT Infrastructure at Great Minds.

“Prior to NinjaOne, vulnerability tracking required aggregating data from different systems, which increased reporting overhead and slowed response efforts. Today, vulnerability insights are directly integrated into our patching workflows, making next steps clear and actionable. The result is a more streamlined process, improved cross-team efficiency, and a stronger overall security posture without impacting endpoint performance or user experience.”

The post NinjaOne Launches AI-Driven Vulnerability Management to Reduce Risk Faster appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

Toyota Motor Corporation is set to join Daimler Truck and Volvo Group as an equal shareholder in fuel cell joint venture cellcentric, following the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between the companies. The move aims to strengthen the development and commercialisation of fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles and other applications.

Scaling fuel cell technology for heavy-duty applications

The collaboration will combine Daimler Truck and Volvo’s commercial vehicle expertise with Toyota’s fuel cell development, production technology and manufacturing experience. The partners aim to develop, produce and commercialise fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles and other applications with comparable requirements.

Toyota and cellcentric also intend to jointly manage the development and production of fuel cell unit cells, the core component of fuel cell systems, along with related architecture and control elements.

Hydrogen as a key pathway to decarbonisation

Daimler Truck, Volvo and Toyota have positioned hydrogen as one of the key energy sources to decarbonise transport. Through cellcentric, the companies aim to advance technological innovation in fuel cell systems and contribute to the development of a hydrogen society.

The partners also plan to collaborate with industry associations and partners across the hydrogen value chain to support the development of hydrogen supply and infrastructure in its early stages.

Karin Rådström, President & CEO, Daimler Truck, said:

“We are proud that Toyota plans to join cellcentric as a shareholder. This will enable us to strengthen development and further scale hydrogen technology, which we believe complements battery-electric drives in decarbonising transport”.

Equal shareholding and joint venture structure

The three companies intend to collaborate based on an equal shareholding, with Toyota joining as the third partner in cellcentric. To achieve this structure, Toyota plans to participate in a capital increase in the joint venture.

Cellcentric will continue to operate as an independent and autonomous entity, serving customers across heavy-duty on- and off-road transport and stationary applications. Daimler Truck, Volvo and Toyota will continue to compete independently in all other areas of their respective businesses.

Collaboration across the hydrogen value chain

The agreement highlights the importance of collaboration in advancing hydrogen technologies. The companies intend to work with like-minded partners to share technological developments and address common challenges, with the aim of achieving sustainable and effective implementation of fuel cell systems for heavy-duty applications.

Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO, Volvo Group, said:

“We are thrilled to explore this collaboration with Toyota, so that we through cellcentric can accelerate and create critical mass for hydrogen applications. This is an important signal to customers, suppliers, and others in the ecosystem. Given the importance of accelerating the transformation into net-zero transportation, the need of great companies coming together and collaborating is more important than ever. Welcoming Toyota onboard will be a big leap towards realising decarbonisation of our industries.”

Leadership perspectives on fuel cell collaboration

Andreas Gorbach, Daimler Truck Board Member responsible for Truck Technology and former cellcentric CEO, said:

“Joining forces with the world’s largest automotive manufacturer and fuel cell pioneer is a privilege for us―and a game changer in making hydrogen in transportation a reality and cellcentric the go to place for fuel cell technology in commercial vehicles worldwide.”

Koji Sato, President and CEO, Toyota, said:

“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to soon be joining Daimler Truck and Volvo Group as partners in building a hydrogen society. cellcentric which possess deep expertise in commercial fields together with Toyota’s over 30 years of fuel-cell development in the passenger car sector, can combine their strengths to deliver one of the world-leading fuel cell systems for heavy commercial vehicles. Toyota will continue to contribute to realising a hydrogen society alongside like-minded partners.”

Nicholas Loughlan, Managing Director and CTO, cellcentric, said:

“We are extremely proud that Toyota intends to join as a shareholder of cellcentric―a great sign of trust in our company from one of the world’s leading automotive companies. Together, in this new set-up, we look forward to seizing the opportunity to significantly improve our company across the entire value chain.”

Next steps for the agreement

The agreement is non-binding, and the parties will continue discussions with the aim of reaching a legally binding agreement. Any final agreement will be subject to approval by relevant boards and regulatory authorities.

The collaboration also aims to contribute to the long-term vision of the European Green Deal objectives and the hydrogen society act in Japan, supporting the wider deployment of fuel cell systems in heavy-duty transport.

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Sony Group Corporation is advancing the development of environmentally conscious materials as part of its broader sustainability strategy, with innovations designed to support material circulation, reduce waste and explore new applications in design and manufacturing.

Developing new materials for circular design

Among the materials developed by the company are Original Blended Material, a paper-based material made from bamboo, sugarcane fibres and recycled paper, and Triporous, a porous carbon material produced from rice husks. Together, these materials form part of Sony’s efforts to reduce environmental impact through its long-term environmental plan, Road to Zero environmental plan, which aims to achieve a zero environmental footprint by FY2050.

Sony’s material innovation programme focuses on developing alternatives that make more effective use of renewable or recycled resources while enabling new design possibilities.

What is Sony’s Original Blended Material?

Original Blended Material was initially developed for use in product packaging. By combining bamboo, sugarcane fibres and recycled paper, the material delivers a paper-based solution designed to support effective material circulation. Its use has expanded beyond packaging to include applications such as business cards and exhibition fixtures across Sony Group companies.

The material can also be moulded into different forms by adjusting the size and structure of its fibres. This allows it to be processed into compressed boards through heat pressing or formed into cord-like structures by thinning the fibres. In some applications, Sony has incorporated a plant-based binder derived from corn stalks and wheat straw to reinforce its environmentally conscious design.

The material is made by blending bamboo, sugarcane fibres and post-consumer recycled paper, creating a durable and recyclable paper material that can be moulded to suit a wide range of packaging formats. The use of rapidly renewable plants such as bamboo and sugarcane helps reduce reliance on traditional wood pulp and supports more sustainable resource use.

By combining recycled fibres with longer plant fibres, Sony has developed a material that maintains structural strength while enabling versatile packaging designs. The approach also helps reduce plastic use and encourages more effective recycling by using a single paper material across different packaging components.

What are the key uses and benefits of Original Blended Material?

• Plastic-free packaging alternative – designed to reduce reliance on petroleum-derived plastics in product packaging.
• Made from renewable and recycled resources – combines bamboo, sugarcane fibres and post-consumer recycled paper.
• Supports material circulation – using one paper material across packaging components simplifies recycling and material recovery.
• Versatile and mouldable – can be formed into many packaging elements including outer boxes, inner boxes, cushions, sleeves and protective sheets.
• Lower resource impact – uses fast-growing plants such as bamboo and sugarcane rather than relying only on wood-based pulp.
• Reduced ink and colouring needs – text and logos can be embossed directly into the material.

Triporous turns agricultural waste into functional carbon material

Sony has also developed Triporous, a naturally derived porous carbon material created from rice husks.

Rice husks are produced in large quantities as agricultural by-products. Japan alone generates around two million tonnes annually, while global production is estimated to exceed 100 million tonnes each year. By converting this biomass into Triporous, Sony aims to support the transition towards a more recycling-oriented society.

The material’s patented microstructure enables a range of potential applications, including water purification and air purification, highlighting its potential as a functional sustainability material.

Because of these properties, the material is being explored for a wide range of applications, from water purification and air filtration systems to products in sectors such as textiles, food, cosmetics and electronics. Sony is also licensing the technology so other companies can integrate Triporous into their own products and environmental solutions.

Potential applications of Triporous

• Water purification systems capable of removing pollutants, viruses and bacteria.
• Air purification and deodorisation, helping adsorb industrial gases, odours and pollutants such as particulate matter.
• Environmental cleaning filters for wastewater treatment and other industrial applications.
• Textiles and apparel, including fibres designed to absorb odour molecules in clothing.
• Product applications across multiple industries, including cosmetics, electronics and consumer goods.

Design as a platform for sustainable materials

Sony’s Creative Center continues to explore how design can help unlock new value from these materials and broaden their potential applications.

“At Sony, design stands on the philosophy to “Create New Standards”. We envision new paradigms, give meaning to ideas, and engage globally — a process that resonates with a diversity of values, bringing new standards, or the future, into being,” says Daisuke Ishii, Head of Creative Center, Sony Group Corporation. “With ESQUISSE, we explore the hidden potential within materials and connect them with diverse disciplines, seeking to create new experiences that resonate emotionally while contributing to a more sustainable world.”

Milan Design Week installation explores future materials

Sony will showcase these materials at Milan Design Week 2026 through an installation titled ESQUISSE – A dialogue with materials for the future, presented as part of the FuoriSalone 2026 – INTERNI MATERIAE exhibition.

Hosted at the University of Milan from 20–30 April 2026, the installation explores how materials can connect different disciplines and creative practices.

The exhibition will feature furniture and spatial elements made from Original Blended Material, alongside cushions and rugs created using Triporous. The installation aims to highlight the tactile and expressive potential of these materials while exploring new applications beyond their current uses.

Collaborative pieces designed by Milan-based designers Setsu Ito and Shinobu Ito will also be included, reflecting the multidisciplinary dialogue around materials, design and sustainability.

The post Sony: A Commitment to Environmentally Conscious Materials appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

A report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlights the potential role of paper-based materials in addressing the growing environmental impact of flexible plastic packaging. The study calls for rapid innovation and industry collaboration to develop paper-based alternatives that can be responsibly designed and scaled.

Flexible plastic packaging driving global pollution

The report has been endorsed by 47 businesses, NGOs, investors and academics, all supporting efforts to accelerate innovation in paper-based flexible packaging solutions.

Flexible plastics — including sachets, wrappers and pouches — are the fastest-growing type of plastic packaging worldwide. According to the report, these materials represent a major source of pollution in regions with limited waste management infrastructure.

In countries with low formal collection and recycling systems, flexibles make up around 80% of the plastic packaging that ends up in oceans. The report notes that small-format flexible packaging is widely used for everyday products ranging from snacks and shampoo to coffee and milk.

The Foundation warns that, without intervention, an estimated 20 trillion flexible plastic packaging items could enter the oceans over the next 15 years.

The potential role of paper-based alternatives

The report — titled Paper-Based Flexible Packaging – The role it could play in tackling small-format flexible plastic pollution in markets with high leakage rates — suggests paper could provide an alternative to plastic in certain applications.

Paper-based packaging can potentially be designed to be both recyclable and biodegradable. In markets where flexible packaging frequently escapes into the environment, these materials could reduce persistent plastic pollution while still allowing recycling once collection systems improve.

The research highlights that this approach could be particularly relevant in countries such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, where packaging leakage rates are high.

Safeguards needed to ensure environmental benefits

Despite its potential, the report warns that paper packaging must be carefully designed and sourced to avoid creating new environmental problems.

To address this, the report outlines six criteria for responsible paper-based flexible packaging:

• Responsibly sourced to avoid contributing to forest degradation.
• Responsibly produced to minimise pressure on climate and water resources.
• Meets technical, economic, and consumer needs to be viable in practice.
• Recyclable locally and supported by efforts to scale up collection infrastructure.
• Avoids hazardous chemicals and persistent plastic pollution. 
• Fits within a broader, socially inclusive circular economy strategy.

Sander Defruyt, Plastics Strategy Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, said:

“Flexible plastic packaging pollution is a systemic challenge – with an estimated 20 trillion items expected to enter our oceans over the next 15 years. There’s no silver bullet, therefore adding paper-based alternatives to the mix helpfully expands the toolbox, complementing other priority solutions such as reusable packaging.

“This will require major innovation and action from industry and policymakers to speed up development and scaling, guided by the six critical criteria in this report to ensure we don’t replace one problem with another.”

While innovation is progressing, the Foundation notes that paper-based flexible packaging solutions are not yet available at the scale, cost or performance levels required for widespread adoption.

Launched in 2010, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international charity accelerating the transition to a circular economy – one that is globally resilient and thrives within planetary boundaries. 

Businesses explore next-generation packaging solutions

Major consumer goods companies are already exploring paper-based packaging technologies.

Pablo Costa, Global Head of Packaging, Digital & Transformation at Unilever, said:

“Next-generation paper-based flexible packaging is a key focus for Unilever and an industry-wide priority.

“This report is clear on the important role paper will play and what it will take to scale solutions that are desirable for consumers, better for the environment, and viable for businesses.”

Allison Lin, Global VP Healthy Planet at Mars said:

“Well-designed, responsibly-sourced paper, as laid out in this report, is one of the viable solutions against plastic pollution.

However, we need more innovation to broaden the scale and applications of paper-based packaging, including coating and adhesive technologies. We hope this report highlights the need for additional investments and innovation into this space, as well as the necessary guardrails.”

Gilles Demaurex, Head of Global Packaging Development at Nestle said:

“Nestlé believes paper-based flexible packaging can play a valuable role in addressing virgin plastic reduction and minimizing flexible packaging waste and pollution.

This report provides stakeholders with a much‑needed common vision and a clear set of criteria to ensure that paper‑based flexible packaging solutions are developed and deployed responsibly. We call on the entire value chain and policymakers to join us in taking action to accelerate innovation aligned with these criteria, while prioritizing collection and recycling systems for all packaging.”

David V Allen, Vice President Sustainable Packaging at Pepsico said:

“Business, governments, financial institutions and civil society all have a role to play to continue to drive packaging circularity.

We hope this report helps align all stakeholders behind a common vision and set of critical criteria to responsibly advance paper-based flexibles as one of the possible levers to support circularity.”

Research highlights need for innovation and collaboration

Experts say innovation across materials, design and supply chains will be needed to make paper-based flexibles viable.

Gaurav Goel, Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, said:

“This report, backed by evidence and stakeholder input, sets the initial canvas on challenges and critical conditions to turn the promise of paper flexibles into a scalable reality.

“It strongly emphasises the need to combine judicious material choice and radical material innovation with deep collaboration and data-driven assessment for engineering packaging solutions that protect the product and the planet.”

Erin Simon, Vice President and Head, Plastic Waste and Business WWF said:

“Small-format flexible packaging is a significant contributor to plastic pollution, particularly in high leakage markets, making it one of the most pressing challenges we face.

Material substitution has an important role to play in addressing this crisis, but it must be applied thoughtfully — alongside elimination and reuse solutions — to avoid unintended trade-offs. This report provides the much needed guardrails and practical guidance to ensure that any transition to paper-based packaging is pursued responsibly and delivers real environmental and social benefits.”

Paper packaging part of a broader circular economy strategy

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation stresses that paper alternatives represent only one part of a broader strategy to tackle plastic pollution.

Its research prioritises reducing reliance on small-format flexible packaging overall, including scaling reuse models alongside material innovation.

The new report forms part of the Foundation’s wider 2030 Plastics Agenda for Business, which identifies small-format flexible packaging as one of the key systemic barriers to achieving a circular economy for plastics.

How supply chains play a key role in paper based packaging

The report highlights that transitioning to paper-based flexible packaging is not simply a material substitution but a supply chain transformation requiring end-to-end coordination.

From responsibly sourced fibre and certified forestry inputs to converters, brands and retailers, every stage must align to ensure sustainability gains are realised.

The findings also point to significant downstream challenges, particularly the lack of collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure needed to handle paper-based flexibles at scale.

Without these systems, material innovation risks shifting environmental impacts upstream rather than reducing them.

The post Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Why Paper-Based Packaging is Vital in Tackling Flexible Plastic Pollution appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

When players take to the pitch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Nike produced jerseys will showcase more than national pride. They will also represent a significant step toward circular fashion: elite performance kits made from recycled textile waste.

How Nike turns textile waste into performance fabric

Nike has unveiled its new federation football kits featuring Aero-FIT, a performance cooling technology that also marks the company’s first elite apparel made from 100% textile waste through textile-to-textile recycling.

The innovation is designed to help athletes cope with hotter playing conditions while reducing the environmental footprint of performance apparel.

Traditionally, recycled sportswear polyester has been made largely from plastic bottles. Nike’s new process instead uses advanced chemical recycling to transform discarded textiles into high-performance recycled polyester yarn comparable to virgin material.

This shift moves the industry closer to a circular textile system—where old garments become raw material for new ones—rather than relying on fossil-fuel-derived plastics.

The material will debut globally in national team kits worn by Nike-sponsored federations during the tournament.

The move could help demonstrate the viability of circular textiles in high-performance apparel, a sector where durability, breathability and moisture management have historically limited the use of recycled materials.

Designed for a hotter game

The sustainability milestone is paired with a performance innovation. Aero-FIT fabrics are engineered to move air between the skin and garment, helping athletes regulate body temperature in increasingly hot and humid conditions.

The knit fabric combines open and closed mesh zones that channel airflow across the body and slightly lift the fabric away from the skin. According to Nike, the material allows more than twice the airflow of previous fabrics, helping sweat evaporate more efficiently during play.

“Nike exists to make athletes better, and our breakthrough Aero-FIT technology delivers the future of our industry-defining apparel innovation in both elite performance and sustainability at scale,” said Janett Nichol, Vice President of Apparel and Advanced Digital Creation Studio Innovation at Nike.

Designers used heat mapping and motion data to determine where ventilation zones should be placed across the jersey, ensuring cooling benefits without compromising mobility or durability.

Climate adaptation meets circular design

The technology reflects the dual pressures facing sportswear brands: climate change and textile waste. Rising temperatures and humidity are increasingly affecting athletic performance, while the fashion industry remains one of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors.

“Our national team kits start with the athletes who wear them and the fans who stand behind them,” said Amy Montagne, President of Nike. “These kits bring the best of Nike together with an apparel innovation designed to remove climate as a variable for athletes.”

By combining circular materials with climate-adaptive design, Nike is attempting to address both challenges simultaneously.

A proving ground for circular sportswear

The 2026 tournament provides a powerful testing ground. Elite athletes will wear the kits under intense conditions, offering a real-world demonstration of whether textile-to-textile recycling can match the performance of traditional fabrics.

If successful, the approach could influence broader adoption of circular materials across the sportswear industry. High-profile sporting events often accelerate innovation cycles, turning niche technologies into mainstream standards.

The post Nike’s FIFA World Cup Shirts Made of 100% Textile Waste appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Global Climate 2025 report warns that Earth’s climate system is increasingly out of balance, with record temperatures, accelerating ocean warming and rising greenhouse gas concentrations highlighting growing risks for economies, infrastructure and global supply systems.

Rapid change affecting global economies

The Earth’s climate is becoming increasingly unstable as greenhouse gas concentrations continue to drive warming across the atmosphere and oceans, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The organisation’s State of the Global Climate 2025 report shows that the past eleven years have been the warmest on record, with 2025 ranking as the second or third hottest year globally.

The report highlights rapid changes to the climate system, including rising ocean heat content, melting ice and increasing sea levels, alongside escalating extreme weather events affecting communities, economies and infrastructure worldwide.

Record temperatures and climate indicators

According to WMO, the period from 2015 to 2025 represents the eleven warmest years on record. The globally averaged temperature in 2025 was about 1.43°C above the 1850–1900 pre-industrial average.

Extreme weather events—including heatwaves, heavy rainfall and tropical cyclones—caused widespread disruption during the year, demonstrating the vulnerability of interconnected economies and societies.

“The State of the Global Climate is in a state of emergency. Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red,” said António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

“Humanity has just endured the eleven hottest years on record. When history repeats itself eleven times, it is no longer a coincidence. It is a call to act.”

Earth’s energy imbalance reaches record levels

For the first time, WMO’s flagship climate report includes Earth’s energy imbalance as a key climate indicator.

The measure tracks the difference between energy entering the Earth system from the sun and energy leaving the planet. Under a stable climate these levels are roughly equal, but rising greenhouse gas concentrations have disrupted this balance.

Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide concentrations have reached their highest levels in at least 800,000 years, driving a growing imbalance that reached a new high in 2025.

“Scientific advances have improved our understanding of the Earth’s energy imbalance and of the reality facing our planet and our climate right now,” said Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization. “Human activities are increasingly disrupting the natural equilibrium and we will live with these consequences for hundreds and thousands of years.”

How oceans absorb heat

The report shows that the oceans continue to absorb the majority of the planet’s excess heat. More than 91% of excess heat is stored in the ocean, helping to buffer temperature increases on land.

Ocean heat content reached a new record in 2025, and the rate of warming has more than doubled between the periods 1960–2005 and 2005–2025.

Over the past two decades, the ocean has absorbed heat equivalent to around eighteen times the annual human energy use each year.

Despite La Niña conditions, around 90% of the ocean surface area experienced at least one marine heatwave in 2025, according to the report.

Melting ice and rising sea levels

Melting ice sheets and glaciers continue to contribute to rising sea levels.

Both Antarctica and Greenland have lost significant ice mass, while Arctic sea ice reached either the lowest or second lowest annual average extent since satellite records began in 1979.

Glacier loss also accelerated, with exceptional levels recorded in Iceland and along the Pacific coast of North America in 2025.

Global mean sea level in 2025 was comparable to the record highs recorded in 2024 and now sits around 11 cm higher than at the start of the satellite altimetry record in 1993.

Ocean warming and melting ice are expected to drive sea-level rise for centuries.

Climate impacts on economies and communities

Extreme weather events in 2025—including heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, storms and flooding—caused thousands of deaths, affected millions of people and generated billions in economic losses.

“On a day-to-day basis, our weather has become more extreme. In 2025, heatwaves, wildfires, drought, tropical cyclones, storms and flooding caused thousands of deaths, impacted millions of people and caused billions in economic losses,” adds Celeste Saulo.

The report also notes that climate stress can have cascading impacts on food security, migration and economic stability.

“In this age of war, climate stress is also exposing another truth: our addiction to fossil fuels is destabilizing both the climate and global security. Today’s report should come with a warning label: climate chaos is accelerating and delay is deadly,” continues António Guterres.

Climate data and decision-making

The report is intended to support decision-making by governments, businesses and institutions and is based on scientific contributions from national meteorological services, WMO regional climate centres, United Nations partners and dozens of experts.

“WMO’s State of the Global Climate report seeks to inform decision-making. It is in keeping with the theme of World Meteorological Day because when we observe today, we don’t just predict the weather, we protect tomorrow. Tomorrow’s people. Tomorrow’s planet,” said Celeste Saulo.

The post Earth’s Climate Swings Increasingly ‘Out of Balance’ Warns World Meteorological Organization appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

Delivering triple-digit revenue growth in Singapore for a second consecutive year, Airwallex is leading the way in the FinTech sector, helping shape a borderless banking future.

LEADING THE FINTECH INDUSTRY

As a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, Airwallex – founded in Melbourne, Australia, in 2015 – is constructing the future of international banking for a borderless, real-time, intelligent economy.

Relied upon by over 200,000 companies worldwide, the company is relied upon to manage global banking and financial operations, and to build and monetise financial products, serving everyone from startups to public enterprises.

Airwallex hold 80 licenses across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific (APAC), cementing the company as one of the most comprehensive financial infrastructures in the world. The expansive footprint enables Airwallex products to operate at a global scale, including payment acceptance, billing, global accounts, corporate cards, and spend management.

This international backbone can be directly observed through the company’s recent announcement of having delivered triple-digit revenue growth in Singapore for a second consecutive year, with the latest report revealing shifting small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) priorities in 2026 amid rising cost pressures.

“2024 was our launchpad, and 2025 solidified our lead in Singapore. In 2026, we will look to seal our leadership position across the region, building upon our momentum in Singapore,” explains Arnold Chan, General Manager, APAC, Airwallex.

DELIVERING A STANDOUT FINANCIAL YEAR

Having reported a 107 percent revenue growth in Singapore for financial year (FY) 2025, Airwallex has extended its growth streak with a strong annual performance, with transaction volume rising 93 percent over the same period.

“Singapore is the engine room for our APAC expansion, and our performance here reflects a deliberate strategy of combining deep local trust with a relentless focus on execution. By staying agile to our customers’ needs and deepening our strategic partnerships, we are ready to deliver yet another standout year by driving growth for both Airwallex and the businesses that rely on our financial infrastructure to achieve their global ambitions,” details Chan.

The company established its strong local footprint in 2025, embracing customers such as Minor Hotels, HipVan, Lovet, J&Co Jewellery, and Motherswork, whilst continuing to fuel growth for brands including GlobalTix, Endowus, and Love, Bonito in order to better manage their global financial operations.

In addition to its impressive commercial expansion, Airwallex’s Singapore team size grew by 62 percent in 2025, with hires across its corporate and commercial teams, as well as product, engineering, and design (PED) functions.

Spearheading the company’s growth across the APAC region, including new market entries into Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Korea, Airwallex Singapore plans to expand its headcount by more than 70 percent by the end of 2026.

SPEED, EFFICIENCY, AND CONNECTIVITY

The latest SME study reveals that rising cost pressures and a shift towards more cautious investments in 2026 are emerging. Equally, FinTech adoption is surging as SMEs are prioritising faster transactions and expansion closer to home in Southeast Asia.

SMEs with regional and global ambitions for growth have acted as a key driver of Airwallex’s growth in Singapore.

The company surveyed 250 local business decision-makers, expanding on a 2025 report to gain deeper insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by this crucial business segment. The results showed trends around financial pressures, talent constraints, cross-border expansion, and an increase in digital financial tools.

“These findings confirm a fundamental shift. SMEs are adapting strategically – trading broad market ambition for strategic discipline. Whilst cost pressures are intensifying, businesses are not retreating – they are recalibrating. They continue to invest, but selectively. SMEs are also accelerating digital adoption and focusing on regional markets where they see a stronger path to winning growth. Speed, efficiency, and regional connectivity are becoming decisive advantages for them,” expands Chan.

The post Airwallex : Building the Future of Global Banking appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

Chinese technology company TCL has outlined how it is embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into its global operations, highlighting initiatives spanning manufacturing efficiency, supply chain responsibility and sustainable global expansion.

Manufacturing decarbonisation and energy efficiency

The company says it is integrating ESG principles across its operational strategy while pursuing green and low-carbon transformation throughout its industrial chain.

Founder and chairman Li Dongsheng highlighted the role of manufacturing innovation in reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, noting that industrial production remains a significant source of energy consumption.

Speaking at the United Nations Global Compact “ESG+20 Sustainability Leaders Interview Series” that Li discussed the company’s ESG strategy and explained that companies must pursue innovation in production technologies, processes and workflows in order to achieve meaningful energy savings.

Within TCL’s manufacturing network, TCL CSOT implemented multiple energy-saving measures during 2024, resulting in electricity savings of 220,000 MWh.

In October 2025, the company also announced the construction of a printed OLED production line designed to significantly reduce power consumption compared with traditional vacuum evaporation processes, helping reduce carbon emissions at the source.

Sustainability initiatives also extend to product development. TCL’s FreshIN energy-saving air conditioner received the “AI Energy-Saving Technology Gold Award” at the IFA 2025 for its carbon footprint-reducing design.

At an industry level, solar technology company TCL Zhonghuan contributes to the development of global clean energy infrastructure through its core products.

Strengthening ESG standards across the supply chain

As a leading company within its industrial ecosystem, TCL has encouraged partners across its supply chain to implement ESG principles through both TCL Industries and TCL Technology.

The company has established supplier standards covering labour rights protection and operational compliance, promoting responsible practices among upstream and downstream partners and these measures aim to ensure sustainability commitments extend beyond TCL’s own operations and into its wider value chain.

Global expansion built on local development

Li also discussed how sustainability principles are integrated into TCL’s global expansion strategy.

The company’s international growth has evolved from exporting products to developing local manufacturing capabilities in key markets.

Li referenced earlier milestones including the acquisition of Thomson’s colour television business and Alcatel’s mobile phone business in 2004, alongside the development of manufacturing bases in Mexico and Vietnam.

According to Li, operating to the “highest standards” across different regulatory environments allows the company to create value for local economies, employees and communities.

Innovation, AI and responsible brand growth

Technological innovation remains central to TCL’s sustainability and competitiveness strategy.

The company invests approximately RMB12 billion (about USD 1.74 billion) annually in research and development and has accumulated 124,000 patents, including nearly 20,000 PCT patents.

In recent years TCL has also integrated large AI models into its intelligent manufacturing systems. In 2024 these initiatives generated RMB530 million (around USD 76.8 million) in economic benefits for TCL CSOT.

Li also highlighted the role of corporate responsibility in building brand trust, noting that TCL has incorporated ESG into the strategic planning and annual targets of all business units and publishes ESG reports each year.

In 2025 the company also became a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, a move that increased global visibility and coincided with a 30% rise in TCL’s European market sales.

Supporting global sustainability initiatives

TCL officially joined the United Nations Global Compact in July 2024 and has committed to supporting the organisation’s Ten Principles covering human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption.

Through initiatives ranging from energy efficiency and emissions reduction to responsible supply chain management and sustainable innovation, TCL says it aims to embed ESG principles throughout its corporate strategy and global operations.

What is #TCLGreen?

#TCLGreen, launched by TCL in 2022, is a global campaign highlighting the company’s progress on environmental, social and governance priorities.

The programme focuses on reducing environmental impact through greener production methods, developing more energy-efficient devices and encouraging circular-economy practices such as electronics recycling. It also aims to increase visibility around TCL’s long-term sustainability goals.

Key sustainability initiatives at TCL

• Electronics recycling programmes to support responsible disposal and recycling of electronic waste.
• Energy-efficient product development, focusing on TVs and consumer electronics designed to reduce power consumption.
• Sustainable and recyclable packaging, including greater use of recycled and FSC-certified materials.
• Circular economy initiatives aimed at improving product and packaging recyclability.
• Carbon-reduction and climate targets, including a roadmap toward operational carbon neutrality by 2050.
• Responsible supply-chain management aligned with international standards such as the Responsible Business Alliance Code of Conduct.
• Environmental awareness programmes that promote sustainability and recycling among consumers and communities.

The post How TCL is Embedding ESG into Global Operations appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

Alibaba Cloud says its AI-driven cloud ecosystem is helping businesses around the world adopt artificial intelligence at scale, driving innovation across sectors including mobility, healthcare, smart cities and digital media.

Supporting enterprise digital transformation

The company is highlighting customer deployments from 2025 that demonstrate how its AI and cloud technologies are supporting enterprise digital transformation.

The examples demonstrate growing demand for AI infrastructure as organisations move from experimentation to deploying AI in core business operations.

Dr. Feifei Li, President of International Business for Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, said enterprises globally are expanding their use of AI technologies.

“In 2025, we witnessed enterprises deepening and broadening their use of AI. Businesses around the world are utilizing our AI capabilities, built on a secure, scalable cloud foundation, to reimagine their industries, from AI-driven sustainable mobility to intelligent healthcare and generative content creation. Alibaba Cloud remains committed to delivering full-stack AI solutions, open-source initiatives and AI-optimized cloud infrastructure that empower customers to innovate at pace.”

Cloud infrastructure supporting enterprise AI growth

Alibaba Cloud says its AI portfolio – including infrastructure, its Qwen and Wan model families and development platforms – is seeing increasing demand as businesses scale AI applications.

As companies expand their AI use, demand for cloud computing services has also grown, reinforcing the role of cloud platforms in supporting enterprise AI strategies.

AI tools supporting sustainable cities

Alibaba Cloud’s AI models are also supporting sustainability initiatives. Lighting company Signify has integrated a generative AI agent powered by the Qwen model into its Interact City Flex street lighting system to help improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Hans Nikol, Head of Open Innovation at Signify, said:

“Digital transformation in urban environments relies on intelligent systems that make city management smarter and more sustainable. By making use of Alibaba’s Qwen model in our GenAI Agent, we’re empowering cities to proactively reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs. This collaboration marks an important step in intelligent city management and underlines our commitment to innovation and our vision for greener, brighter cities.”

Supporting EV innovation in Malaysia

In Malaysia, Alibaba Cloud has supported mobility technology company PRO-NET with a cloud-first, data-driven approach built on an end-to-end data pipeline.

The platform is helping PRO-NET support Malaysia’s emerging new energy mobility ecosystem and the transition towards intelligent and sustainable transport.

The company is also developing an internal chatbot using Alibaba Cloud’s Model Studio, which may later expand into customer-facing services and vehicle infotainment systems.

Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer of PRO-NET, said:

“Alibaba Cloud has been a key partner to PRO-NET, and their support in building our cloud-first and data-driven foundation has been instrumental as we advance Malaysia’s new energy mobility ecosystem. As we move into the next phase with AI, this impactful collaboration will empower us to unlock deeper insights, elevate customer experiences, and accelerate our vision of shaping a smarter, more connected future of mobility for Malaysia.”

Advancing multilingual AI in Southeast Asia

In Singapore, Alibaba Cloud supported the development of Qwen-SEA-LION-v4, a large language model created by AI Singapore.

Built on Alibaba’s Qwen3-32B foundation model, the system has been trained on more than 100 billion Southeast Asian language tokens to better understand regional languages and expressions.

Leslie Teo, Senior Director of AI Products at AI Singapore, said:

“Our collaboration with Alibaba on Qwen-SEA-LION-v4 is an important milestone in advancing AI inclusivity and to make it more representative of Southeast Asia. It embodies our shared vision of accelerating AI innovation across the region and ensuring that developers, enterprises, and public institutions have access to AI that is open, affordable, and locally relevant, and is designed to truly understand the languages, cultures, and communities of this region.”

AI modernising healthcare and smart cities

In Hong Kong, Chinese medicine company PuraPharm Corporation Limited and software provider HerbMiners Informatics Limited are using Alibaba’s Qwen3 model to enhance the Traditional Chinese Medicine Advisor (TCMA) platform.

The system applies natural language processing and deep learning to analyse clinical information such as doctors’ notes and herbal prescriptions, helping support personalised treatment decisions.

Dr. Wilfred W.K. Lin, Co-founder and Chief Data Analytics Director at HerbMiners Informatics Limited, said:

“Our pioneering TCMA platform sheds lights on how modern tools can unleash the value of traditional wisdom, creating smarter, more responsive, and globally scalable healthcare systems. The platform is poised to redefine the future of TCM, not only in Hong Kong, but on a global scale.”

The post How Alibaba Cloud is Accelerating Global AI Adoption Across Industries appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

Mars Incorporated has launched the Mars Impact Fund, a new enterprise-level philanthropic sustainability initiative aimed at driving long-term impact for people, pets and communities connected to the company’s global operations.

Benefitting people, pets and planet to create lasting impact

The fund will allocate $85 million between 2025 and 2027, with the company planning to distribute at least $50 million annually from 2028 onwards in additional philanthropic capital.

The initiative is designed to strengthen existing sustainability programmes while creating new partnerships focused on community resilience, scientific opportunity and companion animal wellbeing.

“The Mars Impact Fund builds on decades of partnership and investment in the communities where we operate, strengthening and scaling the work already underway. It is designed to complement our broader impact agenda to benefit people, pets and the planet and help us deepen relationships with organisations working to create lasting impact,” said Andy Pharoah, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability.

Strategic priorities for global impact

The Mars Impact Fund will focus on three key areas aligned with the company’s business priorities and long-term sustainability strategy:

• Boost Sourcing Community Resiliency – Supporting farm families and communities to improve livelihoods, wellbeing and resilience
• Grow and Diversify the Pipeline of Scientists – Expanding opportunities for scientists, particularly in food, agriculture and pet care
• Improve Companion Animal Wellbeing – Increasing access to veterinary care and support for pets in underserved communities

The fund will also support rapid response efforts during large-scale disasters, enabling Mars to provide aid to affected communities, employees and supply chain partners.

“Change starts with listening, learning and working alongside the communities we serve. Through the Mars Impact Fund, we’re partnering with organizations that bring deep expertise and local insight so that, together, we can expand opportunity, strengthen resilience, and improve lives for people and pets around the world,” said Michelle Grogg, Executive Director, Mars Impact Fund.

Initial grants focus on Indonesia, India and Mexico

The first grants from the Mars Impact Fund target initiatives aimed at strengthening supply chain communities and improving access to veterinary care.

Among the initial recipients is Save the Children, which has been awarded a three-year, $3 million grant to expand Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and strengthen community resilience programmes in cocoa-growing regions of Indonesia.

The initiative will support financial inclusion, local economic development and community-led resilience efforts in farming communities.

“We’re grateful for our long-standing partnership with Mars, grounded in our shared commitment to children and communities,” said Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children US. “As we enter this next phase of our collaboration in Indonesia, the Mars Impact Fund will help us reach 115 villages over the next three years. Together, we’re supporting families to build financial stability, strengthen child protection systems, and advance community-led resilience across cocoa growing areas—delivering lasting change for women, children, and families.”

A second grant of $726,000 has been approved for Humane World for Animals to expand access to veterinary care and professional training in underserved communities in India and Mexico. The funding marks the beginning of a multi-year partnership focused on improving animal welfare and public health outcomes.

“What excites me about our partnership with Mars is that together we’re removing one of the biggest barriers to better health and welfare outcomes for companion animals: access to quality veterinary care,” said Kitty Block, President and CEO of Humane World for Animals. “Our programs reaching street dogs and pets in underserved communities are doing more than just improving the lives of animals, too. They’re creating lasting solutions for healthier and safer communities around the world.”

A long-term sustainability commitment

The Mars Impact Fund forms part of the company’s broader ambition to use its scale and partnerships to deliver positive social and environmental outcomes.

As a family-owned business, Mars says the fund will help deepen collaboration with organisations that have local expertise while enabling long-term investment in communities connected to its global supply chains and operations.

The initial grants signal the beginning of what the company expects to become a long-term philanthropic platform supporting community resilience, scientific innovation and animal wellbeing worldwide.

The post Mars Incorporated : What is the Mars Impact Fund? appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.

Boosting digital transformation and elevating the customer experience across the industry, Huawei’s latest portfolio of smart retail solutions is set to change the face of intelligent retail technology.

HUAWEI DRIVES SMART RETAIL WITH LEADING SOLUTIONS

Speaking at EuroShop 2026, Huawei explored the fundamental shifts taking place across the retail and sales landscape.  

In the face of digital transformation, traditional retail stores are transitioning into instant service hubs where smart devices optimise in-store operations. At the same time, supply chain activities are no longer driven by reactive stock management but by anticipatory demand forecasting.

On the flip side, customers are increasingly searching for artificial intelligence (AI)-powered shopping experiences that revolve around tailored and highly personalised services.

Within this context, Huawei’s newest smart retail solutions will help operators seize opportunities across cognitive supply chains, facilitate immersive customer experiences, and bring to the fore leading IP and IT infrastructure.

A NEW ERA OF SMART RETAIL SOLUTIONS

At the helm of Huawei’s roll-out is its smart store solution, which involve electronic shelf labels that use Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4 to facilitate centralised, real-time price and promotion updates. This specialised technology helps reduce operating costs and streamline the customer experience.

The company’s solutions also include radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled access points fitted with passive tags that instantaneously track inventory movements and stock levels. As such, retailers have greater oversight of their inventory and improved restocking processes.

Equally integral to tackling the challenges of an evolving retail landscape, Huawei’s cognitive supply chain solution offers AI-driven predictive demand planning tools that enable advanced sales and order forecasting, therefore supporting supply chain management.

Taking the customer experience to a new level, Huawei’s smart solutions also involve a virtual showroom platform that uses the latest innovations in AI and augmented reality to create immersive product presentations and interactive consultations.

Using AI-powered contact centres allows retailers to provide direct video communication between customers and service staff, ensuring efficient handling of enquiries.

Moreover, the company launched its leading IP and IT network and storage infrastructures that support rapid deployment and reliable operation of smart applications.

A CHANNEL FOR INDUSTRY DIALOGUE

Positioned as a keynote speaker at EuroShop 2026, the world’s leading technology trade fair, Huawei raised awareness around current retail trends, highlighting noteworthy examples of key European companies.  

The presentations specifically focused on real-time data utilisation, automation, and AI-driven customer experience.

EuroShop 2026 also saw Huawei host roundtable discussions on smart retail solutions and infrastructure.

The company’s presence at the event and launch of its newest smart retail solutions demonstrated Huawei’s commitment to driving transformation in retail and reaffirmed its position as a top global provider of ICT solutions.

The post Huawei Drives Smart Retail with Leading Solutions appeared first on APAC Outlook Magazine.