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134th Canton Fair: A Hotspot for New Material Innovation and Quality Chemical Supplies

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The 134th China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, a titan of global trade, opened its doors in Guangzhou, China, on October 15. The first phase of the onsite exhibition is drawing in thousands of businessmen from around the world. The "New Materials and Chemical Products" section, one of the 11 major revamped exhibition sections, was a showcase of innovation, featuring a wide array of new materials, technologies, and high-quality chemical products.

Spanning a vast 10,000 square meters, this section is meticulously segmented into five distinct zones: "Phosphorus Chemicals", "Rubber and Plastics", "Adhesives", "New Materials", and "Other Chemical Products". This strategic layout has drawn a multitude of industry-leading companies and their superior products, encompassing a wide range of categories from inorganic and organic chemicals to agrochemicals, dyes, pigments, plastics, and rubber products.

Guangdong Pustar Adhesives & Sealants Co., Ltd. ("Pustar"), a frontrunner in the adhesive and sealant industry, has unveiled its latest invention, the 3rd Generation of SBR Negative Binder, at the Fair. This advanced aqueous binder for lithium-ion battery negative electrodes outperforms its predecessors and common organic solvent-based binders, boasting a monomer conversion rate of over 99.5% and superior high- and low- temperature performance. It also effectively mitigates the volume expansion of the electrode during the lithium-ion battery’s charging and discharging process. Learn more about this groundbreaking product at https://goo.su/rNUl9.

At the 134th Canton Fair, Zhejiang Huayuan Pigment Co., Ltd. ("Huayuan") unveiled a series of innovative products in the iron oxide pigment sector. A standout product is the Heat Stable Iron Oxide Yellow, a high-tech solution for industries that require high-temperature processing, such as plastic, coil coating, powder coating, etc. This product, developed through a specialized coating process, effectively slows down the dehydration process caused by high temperature. More information can be found at https://goo.su/fZdmuCc.

Sanwei Holding Group Co., Ltd. ("Sanwei"), a pioneer in the Chinese conveyor belt and rubber V-belt industry, is showcasing its premier Chemical Resistant Conveyor Belt, known for excellent resistance to chemical corrosion, suitable for a wide range of applications, including chemical plants and paper mills. Sanwei applies hot air accelerated aging technology in the development and production of the product with test condition to 70℃ and up to 96 hours, ensuring the physical integrity of the covering layer. For more details, click https://goo.su/Mmy5cZ4.

The 134th Canton Fair showcases an array of high-quality products, crafted using innovative materials and cutting-edge technologies. For more information about the exhibitors and their products, please visit the official Canton Fair website at https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/posts/646531331412942848 or reach out to caiyiyi [email protected].

Source : 134th Canton Fair: A Hotspot for New Material Innovation and Quality Chemical Supplies

This content was prepared by our news partner, Cision PR Newswire. The opinions and the content published on this page are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Siam News Network

Milieu Insight releases new version of award-winning platform, Canvas, with groundbreaking visual survey builder

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Brands will be able to conceptualise, design and execute powerful market research on a unified platform that features an industry-first visual editor for seamless survey design

SINGAPORE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Milieu Insight, the Southeast Asia research and analytics firm, has unveiled the latest iteration of its end-to-end  market research and community engagement platform, Canvas. The latest release of the Canvas platform features a number of industry-first innovations, including a highly visual survey builder, designed to make it seamless for product and marketing teams to collaborate in real-time. The release of the new visual editor embodies the company’s commitment to building market research and consumer engagement tools that are user-centric and agile. The launch also spotlights the company’s strategic expansion, with new community-building capabilities for brands to engage with customers from anywhere globally.

Tech solutions to address industry’s biggest pain points

In just 6 years, Milieu has received several accolades, including winning Campaign Asia’s Most Valuable Product (MVP) award twice. Despite this success, the company has continued to invest heavily in building new features and products that address the industry’s pain points. The company believes that these additions will render the process of designing, executing, and implementing market research and community feedback programs entirely seamless.

Commenting on the product release, Milieu Insight’s founder and CEO, Gerald Ang, said "Our founding vision and product philosophy is to make market research easy and truly accessible to all, experts and novices alike. Our latest release of Canvas brings to life many of the features we dreamt of when the ideas for Milieu and our offerings were just a series of notes scribbled on a notepad.”

A unified market research and community engagement platform

Canvas unifies the entire quantitative research supply chain into a single platform, which includes three core products; Studio, Hub and Analyze.  Canvas Studio covers survey creation and features the innovative visual survey editor, as well as dynamic tools for distributing surveys and monitoring fieldwork. Hub features tools for data cleaning and processing. And Analyze allows users to crunch data, discover insight and enrich their data via Milieu’s consumer profiling database.

Launch of the first ever visual editor for survey programming

Unlike the usual linear approach of survey programming, the visual editor is a groundbreaking solution that not only adds to Milieu’s track record of user-centric design, but is a formidable challenge to the decades-old industry to rethink the definitions of best practices.

Connect and visualise multi-source data on one platform

To enable brands to seamlessly connect their existing customer database to Canvas, brands can integrate data from existing CRM databases, mailing lists and even social media lists. Brands will also have access to Milieu’s panels across Southeast Asia and an extensive profiling database of the latest insights from millions of unique consumers. Brands will be able to slice and connect data, enabling cross-market analysis and deep-dive consumer segment analysis. Data reports are updated in real-time, empowering more agile, data-driven decision making.

Source : Milieu Insight releases new version of award-winning platform, Canvas, with groundbreaking visual survey builder

This content was prepared by our news partner, Cision PR Newswire. The opinions and the content published on this page are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Siam News Network

GEODIS and Sephora open new Shanghai Distribution Center

GEODIS and Sephora open new Shanghai Distribution Center

New distribution center enables Sephora to enhance the customer experience for their e-commerce business and stores in China

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach – 17 October 2023 – GEODIS and Sephora, the world’s leading omnichannel prestige beauty retailer, announced the inauguration of the distribution center (DC) in Minhang District of Shanghai. The official opening ceremony for the 20,000 square-meter facility took place on 11th October 2023. Managed by GEODIS, the DC will play a critical role in enhancing Sephora’s customer experience and supporting its fast-growing e-commerce business and sales in its stores across China.

(from left to right) Maggie Chan, Managing Director, Sephora Greater China, Lily Zhou, Chief Operating Officer, Sephora Greater China, Onno Boots, GEODIS APAC and Middle East Regional President and CEO, and Ivan Siew, GEODIS China Managing Director, at the opening ceremony of the new Shanghai distribution centre.
(from left to right) Maggie Chan, Managing Director, Sephora Greater China, Lily Zhou, Chief Operating Officer, Sephora Greater China, Onno Boots, GEODIS APAC and Middle East Regional President and CEO, and Ivan Siew, GEODIS China Managing Director, at the opening ceremony of the new Shanghai distribution centre.

The facility includes a state-of-the-art storage technology and systems, consisting of mezzanine flooring, Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) pallet racks, and racking served by Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV). The facility is fully automated to optimize operations and deliver the improved storage and inventory-processing in response to Sephora’s expanding product demand in China, which is now one of Sephora’s biggest markets in the world.

Aligning with Sephora’s and GEODIS’ commitment to sustainability, the facility provides access to features and processes that manage carbon emissions. This includes the use of sustainable construction materials for the warehouse façade, LED lights and motion sensors, automatic energy consumption monitoring systems, and energy-efficient air conditioning units. These features have been certified ‘Platinum’ by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the highest level of accreditation within the most widely used green building rating system in the world.

“We are committed to providing our consumers with the best possible shopping experience. The opening of this new distribution center is a significant milestone for Sephora as it will enable us to drive an incredible last-mile experience for our consumers and ensure that stock availability is the best it can ever be at our stores,” said President of Sephora Asia, Alia Gogi.

“I would like to thank Sephora for their trust and partnership over the past 17 years. As their growth partner, we look forward to supporting their long-term vision for expansion in China. We are committed to continually innovating and ensuring excellence in their supply chain operations to meet the demands of their consumers in this dynamic retail environment,” said GEODIS APAC and Middle East Regional President and CEO, Onno Boots.

Hashtag: #GEODIS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Sephora – www.sephora.com

Sephora is the world’s most loved beauty community, offering a unique retail experience for passionate clients and innovative beauty brands, encouraging them to be fearless in their creativity and self-expression. Since its debut in France almost 50 years ago, Sephora has been a leader in global prestige omni-retail, inspiring clients to explore a universe of beauty and wellness with an ever-changing array of carefully curated brand partners, from classic selective brands to exclusive independent ones, and the critically acclaimed Sephora Collection. Owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury goods group, Sephora’s excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit have made it an omnichannel beauty trailblazer in 36 countries.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com   

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.

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This content was prepared by Media OutReach. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Siam News Network.

NetApp and Equinix Deliver Industry’s Most Comprehensive Bare Metal-as-a-Service Solution for Cloud Adjacent Experience

NetApp and Equinix Deliver Industry’s Most Comprehensive Bare Metal-as-a-Service Solution for Cloud Adjacent Experience

NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal, powered by NetApp Keystone, lets organizations power business-critical workloads with a full stack solution as-a-service.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 17 October 2023 – NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global cloud-led, data centric software company, today announced their new joint Bare-Metal-as-a-Service (BMaaS) solution, NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal. NetApp Storage integrated with Equinix Metal is delivered as an as-a-service model through NetApp Keystone®, which offers a real hybrid cloud experience–in a single subscription–so users can choose the storage capacity and performance they need without overprovisioning. Keystone® greatly reduces upfront costs with the flexibility to add more storage on demand as business needs dictate.

NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal provides customers with a full stack of compute, networking and storage infrastructure with low-latency interconnection to all major public clouds. This environment can be either single tenant or dedicated, and meets most stringent performance requirements, provides elasticity, and is packaged, priced, billed and supported under a single agreement.

“Today’s rapid pace of cloud innovation enables companies to move more workload types to the hybrid multi-cloud more easily and in greater numbers than ever before,” said Sandeep Singh, Senior Vice President and GM of Enterprise Storage at NetApp. “NetApp is a leader in delivering native cloud and first-party solutions on all three major public clouds that provide a unified hybrid multicloud experience for customers. NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal further illustrates the industry value of our partnership and our collective commitment to providing as-a-service, hybrid multicloud solutions with higher performance, scalability, and simplified management.”

“As organizations in Asia Pacific accelerate their cloud journey, they need to build a robust data infrastructure for a flexible and secure hybrid multicloud experience on-premises, in any cloud, and anywhere in between,” said Matthew Swinbourne, CTO, Cloud Architecture, NetApp Asia Pacific. “We are excited to introduce this enterprise-grade flash as-a-service solution that is seamlessly integrated with Equinix Metal. With NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal, organizations will be able to better focus on driving innovations and business critical tasks.”

Key benefits of NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal include:

  • Integrated Solution: NetApp Storage is fully integrated with Equinix Metal’s infrastructure, ensuring a cohesive full stack experience for storage (file, block, and object), compute, and networking as-a-Service under a single subscription.
  • Cloud Adjacent: Customers can choose how they want to build their hybrid multicloud experience while maintaining control of their data in a low latency, high performance environment—on premises, in the cloud, or anywhere in between—on all three major public clouds.
  • Higher performance for demanding workloads: When NetApp Storage is combined with Equinix Metal’s high-performance dedicated bare metal servers, users unlock fast data access, minimal latency, and the ability to handle the most demanding workloads with ease.
  • Scalable Capacity and Performance On-Demand: With NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal, customers can scale their storage resources as required to meet evolving business needs.
  • Superior Data Security: NetApp Storage delivers industry-leading encryption, ransomware, and security features, and enables customers to receive industry-leading physical and environmental security in an Equinix International Business Exchange (IBX®) data center to help ensure customer data remains protected. NetApp’s proactive ransomware detection capabilities can identify potential cybersecurity threats and automatically perform an additional immutable back up of data if a threat is suspected.
  • Global Reach: Equinix’s extensive global footprint lets users take advantage of NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal in Equinix IBX data centers across the world. As of June 2023, Equinix has a total of 250 IBX data centers globally in 71 metros with 26 Equinix Metal locations.
  • Simplified Management: NetApp’s unified control plane for storage and data services provides customers with comprehensive control and visibility over their data no matter where it resides. Equinix Metal’s automated provisioning platform further simplifies deployment and management.

“The growth of cloud adoption, the acceleration of AI, and the desire to derive real-time insights from data puts significant pressure on customers to optimize data management to gain a competitive advantage,” said Brian Stein, Senior Vice President, Edge Infrastructure Services at Equinix. “Achieving our goal of an integrated, full stack, solution is another milestone that provides enterprise customers low latency access to all clouds while keeping control of their data. This cloud adjacency helps transform how companies deploy applications, design their own solutions, and generate new revenue streams while simplifying operations and containing costs.”

NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal is a strategic expansion of NetApp’s Cloud strategy, adding a true hybrid multicloud experience. NetApp can now deliver the entire stack in Equinix IBX data centers outfitted with Equinix Metal. The solution provides an optimized connection to most major public clouds through local, high-speed connectivity through on ramps. On Equinix’ global dedicated bare metal equipment, users have full access to NetApp cloud services such as Cloud Volumes ONTAP.

Visit the NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal page.

Additional Resources

NetApp Keystone: Storage as a service done right

NetApp Storage on Equinix Metal

Hashtag: #NetApp #Equinix #Keystone #BMaaS #Cloud

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About NetApp

NetApp is a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company that empowers organizations to lead with data in the age of accelerated digital transformation. The company provides systems, software, and cloud services that enable them to run their applications optimally from data center to cloud, whether they are developing in the cloud, moving to the cloud, or creating their own cloudlike experiences on premises. With solutions that perform across diverse environments, NetApp helps organizations build their own data fabric and securely deliver the right data, services, and applications to the right people—anytime, anywhere. Learn more at or follow us on , , , and .

NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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This content was prepared by Media OutReach. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Siam News Network.

In the presence of Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industries (SAVI) cluster launches at Masdar City

Hong Kong Baptist University-led research discovers new therapeutic target for irritable bowel syndrome

SAVI will support innovation and the commercialisation of smart and autonomous vehicle technologies in the UAE

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – EQS Newswire – 17 October 2023 – In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster has launched at Masdar City, which was endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Further enhancing Abu Dhabi’s industrial evolution, SAVI aims to position Abu Dhabi as a leading smart and autonomous vehicles hub, making significant contributions across air, land and sea mobility applications.

SAVI will support innovation and the commercialisation of smart and autonomous vehicle technologies in the UAE, unlocking their global potential, by providing state-of-the art facilities and value-added services within an enabling regulatory environment.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) said: “Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in advancing technology and commercialisation within the smart and autonomous vehicles sector. Backed by a proven track record of accelerated innovation and built on a robust industrial base, the emirate both embraces and shapes global trends, supercharging the sector by leveraging its infrastructure, talent, progressive regulatory mindset, and key location at the crossroads of global trade.

“As a catalyst for Abu Dhabi’s diversification, SAVI is a game changer that will unleash extraordinary economic growth and create new opportunities for talent, entrepreneurs, and investors. SAVI is projected to contribute AED90-AED120 billion to the UAE economy and generate 30,000-50,000 jobs, which will create an extended ripple effect benefitting various sectors, and taking our smart, diversified, sustainable Falcon Economy to new heights”.

The launch of Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster follows Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS), launched by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, in June 2022, that aims to leverage advanced technologies to harmonise human development, sustainability, and growth.

ADIS champions green economy practices and Industry 4.0 technologies to drive Abu Dhabi’s transition towards a smart, circular, and sustainable economy.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) are spearheading the development of SAVI covering the design, testing, and manufacturing of applications for transportation and mobility, as well as to service other sectors such as logistics. SAVI will build on the strength of Abu Dhabi’s industrial base and leverage its unparalleled access to established air corridors, road infrastructure and global network of partners.

The SAVI cluster brings together all relevant stakeholders to advance the development of the value chain, attract companies from all around the world, enable access to funding and investments, facilitate and fund innovation, streamline regulatory services and accelerate the adoption of future urban and mobility services. SAVI will house academia, test zones, R&D labs, testing and certification facilities, large scale workshops, hangars, manufacturing facilities, connected through Abu Dhabi’s global logistics network. Underpinning all operations are the local regulators establishing an enabling regulatory framework across air, land, and sea applications. These include the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Integrated Transport Centre and Abu Dhabi Maritime.

Three dedicated test zones, provided through ADIO’s partnerships with Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP), Miral and Maqta Gateway, part of AD Ports Group’s Digital Cluster, will enable companies to test and certify applications across air, land and sea. Enabling testing, TIP will make available its Nibras Aerospace Park, runway facilities, and an aerospace park for testing and manufacturing companies. The land testing zone in Yas Island, home to F1’s Yas Marina Circuit, offers an established road mobility test bed with a growing number of incorporated technology startups. The sea testing zone in Mussafah Port houses a port and the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy.

The SAVI cluster will complement existing infrastructure and tap into synergies from shared technologies such as smart electrification, connectivity, and navigation software. It will also maximise the scope and coverage of applications to serve the future of integrated multi-modal logistics and mobility in the UAE, across the region and elsewhere around the world.

As the UAE prepares to host COP28, the launch of Abu Dhabi’s SAVI cluster will also help to accelerate the adoption of green mobility services and propel the country and wider world towards a zero-emissions future. SAVI will be centred in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, a sustainable development pioneer and a hub for research and development to realise greener, more sustainable urban living.

SAVI launches with immediate scale as many global companies concurrently announce plans to establish operations in Abu Dhabi, with each bringing specialisation in air, land and sea applications.

Download image (1): https://apo-opa.info/45wsGp5
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Hashtag: #ADDED

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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"Packaging Sustainability in the Global Cosmetics Market" SK chemicals Partners with The Estée Lauder Companies

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The Estée Lauder Companies packaging to incorporate SK chemicals


The Estée Lauder Companies packaging to incorporate SK chemicals’ post consumer recycled content solution
Joint development of products aims to increase use of recycled raw materials 

SEONGNAM, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — SK chemicals is strengthening its sustainability approach in the cosmetics container market through a partnership with global cosmetics brand The Estée Lauder Companies.


The Estée Lauder Companies packaging to incorporate SK chemicals’ post consumer recycled content solution.

On the 17th, SK chemicals announced the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) with The Estée Lauder Companies regarding the supply of circular recycling solutions.

The Estée Lauder Companies is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The Company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under more than 20 brand names including Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Clinique, and La Mer.

Under this agreement, SK chemicals will supply ECOTRIA CR and SKYPET CR, which incorporate advanced recycled materials, and ECOZEN CLARO, which can be incorporated into a recycle stream. The Estée Lauder Companies will develop packaging utilizing the materials supplied by SK chemicals.

Advanced recycling is a technology that chemically decomposes waste plastic into monomers, the raw materials for plastic. It is considered important technology for the advancement of packaging-to-packaging recycling, helping solve plastic waste issues in a circular and innovative way.

SK chemicals and The Estée Lauder Companies will gradually increase the amount of recycled  materials in their products and replace other non-recyclable materials, with designs that incorporate recyclable or recycled materials, helping to move ELC’s packaging sustainability goals forward. 

The agreement enables the potential acceleration of the packaging sustainability movement in the global cosmetics container market, as SK chemicals’ unique recycling solution will be applied to The Estée Lauder Companies and its portfolio of brands.

SK chemicals has consistently pursued the supply of recycled materials to the cosmetics container market beyond The Estée Lauder Companies.

In March, the company signed a business agreement with Yonwoo, a subsidiary of Kolmar Korea, which holds the highest market share in the domestic cosmetics container market, to develop and commercialize containers using recycled materials. In June, the company signed another business agreement with COSMAX, a global leader in cosmetics original development manufacturing (ODM), to "build the cooperation model for cosmetics container proposal" with sustainable plastic materials applied.

Especially in March, SK chemicals established a subsidiary SK Shantou and signed an asset acquisition agreement related to the circular recycling raw material and circular recycled PET business of Shuye, a Chinese company specializing in green material, thereby establishing a global base for recycled plastic business and stable production system.

Ahn Jae-hyun, the CEO of SK chemicals, said, "Through this agreement, we believe positive synergies can be created in both business and environmental aspects as SK chemicals, leading the circular recycling plastic technology, partners with The Estée Lauder Companies, leading the global cosmetics market." He added, "We will continue to work harder to create a sustainable cosmetics container ecosystem."

About SK Chemicals

SK Chemicals is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of chemical and life science products. The South Korean company’s Green Chemicals business focuses particularly on the development and production of biocopolyesters, copolyesters and polyethylene terephthalates (PET), as well as engineering plastics. The Life Science business unit focuses on the production and marketing of medicines. Through continuous innovations that meet the world’s highest technological standards, SK Chemicals is known as a market-leading supplier of environmentally friendly materials and holistic medical products.

 

Source : "Packaging Sustainability in the Global Cosmetics Market" SK chemicals Partners with The Estée Lauder Companies

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Precision Medicine Forum Gathers Experts to Pioneer Taiwan's Personalized Cancer Care

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TAIPEI, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Malignant tumors have consistently ranked as the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 40 straight years. In 2020, for example, the cancer incidence rate in Taiwan reached 311.3 per 100,000 population, with specific types like breast and colorectal cancers increasing among younger populations. This trend underscores the urgent need for precise and personalized cancer care, aiming to enable early detection and optimize treatment outcomes.


Precision Medicine Forum Gathers Experts to Pioneer Taiwan’s Personalized Cancer Care

Organized by the Taiwan Oncology Society and co-hosted by entities like ACT Genomics, the "2023 Advanced Precision Cancer Medicine Forum" was held on August 27th at Le Meridien Taipei. The event brought together hundreds of doctors, scholars, and experts to explore new opportunities for the development of precision cancer medicine, through clinical case studies, key points of testing principles, and relevant healthcare policies.

Furthermore, the recent announcement by the National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), in July that next-generation sequencing (NGS) for precision cancer treatment would be covered by health insurance starting in 2024 heightened the forum’s focus on pertinent policy issues.

Related article: APCM 2022: Precision Medicine Is Opening Up a New Prospect of Cancer Therapy

Is Taiwan Ready for Precision Cancer Medicine?

The morning session primarily delved into Taiwan’s precision cancer medicine development and its future from a policy perspective. It also highlighted the emergence of the "Molecular Tumor Board (MTB)" concept in recent years. Dr. Yang, Pan-Chyr, a renowned lung cancer researcher, kicked off the session with insights into the remarkable improvements in patient survival rates achieved through genetic testing and the identification of driver genes in tumors. Coupled with targeted drugs, these studies have led to enhanced outcomes, even in notoriously challenging cancers like pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Yang underscored how various countries are actively nurturing the precision health industry, combining biomedical science, research and development, information technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). These efforts are strengthening the collection, integration, and analysis of public health data and enhancing healthcare policies through disease prevention, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment. Notable examples from the United States, Japan, and Singapore were cited to illustrate how gene sequencing data, electronic healthcare records, and big data analysis can drive precision health development.

Dr. Yang also shared that Taiwan, recognizing precision health as one of its six core strategic industries, has embarked on the "Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI)." Collaborating with 16 healthcare systems across Taiwan, this initiative aims to collect genetic data from approximately one million individuals. It seeks to establish a risk assessment model for common diseases, employing genome-wide association studies (GWAS), AI and big data.

Yet, Yang also stressed that TPMI faces practical challenges, including infrastructure innovation, medical data consolidation, international standards compliance, regulatory flexibility, and the utilization of AI and telemedicine. To keep pace with the international community and transition from precision medicine to precision health, Taiwan must seize opportunities in research and development, regulatory adjustments, incentive creation, and talent cultivation.

Taiwan’s Precision Cancer Medicine and Bio-Data Integration: Progress and Prospects

Prof. Chen Li-Tzong from Kaohsiung Medical University stressed the importance of precision cancer care not only for better treatment options and prolonged survival but also for lowering healthcare costs. As genetic testing technologies advance, new drug treatments emerge, potentially leading to increased medical costs and healthcare disparities. Taiwan must expedite healthcare insurance coverage for cancer genetic testing to align with neighboring Asian countries.

While lung cancer has been a model case for precision medicine, Prof. Chen predicted that biliary tract cancer (BTC) may also become a focus in the future. Although BTC has a poor prognosis among GI cancers, some patients carry a gene alteration (FGFR2 fusion) suitable for targeted therapy. Genetic testing may help identify these patients, offering potential for individualized treatments.

Dr. Yang Yi-Hsin introduced the National Biobank Consortium of Taiwan (NBCT), funded by the government and managed by the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI). NBCT collaborates with four research institutes and 31 hospitals to compile clinical and genetic data, facilitating research resources for the biomedical industry. It also partners with hospitals to build a common data model using patients’ electronic health records. This approach enables data analysis on diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, promoting personalized cancer treatment and drug development.

International Examples of Genetic Data Management and Updates of Taiwan’s Regulations on LDTs

Liu Yu-Ching, Deputy Director General of the Department of Medical Affairs, MOHW, discussed genetic data management mechanisms in other countries and updated regulations on the management of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) in Taiwan. She cited examples from Finland, the United Kingdom, and Japan, highlighting that a government’s management mindset and public trust influence genetic data management.

Liu suggested that Taiwan could learn from Finland, the UK, and Japan in genetic data management while addressing information security, privacy, and data utilization. She advocated for inter-departmental collaboration to establish common data formats following international standards.

Liu also introduced the MOHW’s amendment to regulations governing LDTs announced in February 2021. Key points included requiring medical institutions to apply for approval when conducting LDTs, certification for laboratories, and accreditation for overseas labs. These changes aim to ensure quality and regulatory compliance.

MTB As a New Trend in Precision Cancer Medicine

Dr. Lin Yung-Chang, Vice Superintendent of Chung Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) Linkou Branch, discussed molecular tumor boards (MTBs) in personalized cancer care. MTBs address challenges stemming from complex genetic test results, providing comprehensive evaluations and tailored therapeutic approaches. International studies show that MTB-based treatments improve clinical benefits, overall response rates, and progression-free survival.

However, based on the practical experience of CGMH in the past few years, he pointed out that challenges persist in MTB practices, such as variations in processes, limited patient access due to time constraints, lack of standardized tools, and questions about genetic test result quality and credibility. Dr. Lin called for standardized practices, including result discussions, report formats, and drug recommendation evidence. Cross-hospital genetic databases and virtual network MTBs may also enhance smaller hospitals’ capabilities.

Experts Gather to Discuss Strategies for Promoting Precision Medicine

Apart from expert presentations, the plenary session also included two panel discussions, bringing together experts, doctors, scholars, and government representatives to explore policy and practical issues related to precision cancer care from multiple perspectives. Concerns included uncertainties surrounding the upcoming health insurance coverage for next-generation sequencing (NGS), the impact of family history and genetic risks in cancer diagnosis and treatment, healthcare resource constraints, budgetary suggestions, integrating the ICT industry with healthcare, enhancing patient involvement in healthcare decisions, and addressing data sharing challenges.

These discussions provided insights for Taiwan’s healthcare policymakers to formulate informed policies in this ever-changing field, helping the nation meet the challenges of the new era of precision medicine.

Advances in Precision Lung Cancer Treatment Cover Multiple Genetic Variants

The afternoon session delved into two breakout workshops: "Lung Cancer" and "Gastrointestinal Cancer." In the lung cancer session, doctors from NTU Hospital and NTU Hospital Hsinchu Branch shared cutting-edge advances in precision medicine for lung cancer. Meanwhile, the GI cancer workshop featured three MTB demonstrations, aiming to raise awareness of molecular testing’s application through live discussions of real cases.

Dr. Ho Chao-Chi, Secretary General of the Taiwan Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, discussed molecular testing’s role in lung cancer treatment, emphasizing its application to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). He highlighted the inclusion of various genetic mutations in treatment guidelines but noted the high cost of next-generation sequencing as a clinical challenge. Dr. Ho called for learning from overseas experiences and establishing a more effective health insurance coverage mechanism to improve patient survival.

Dr. Liao Wei-Yu and Dr. Lin Yen-Ting addressed exon 20 insertion and BRAF V600E mutation in NSCLC patients, offering insights into therapeutic options, drug resistance, and recent clinical studies. Dr. Wu Shang-Gin discussed MET exon 14 gene skipping in NSCLC management, while Dr. Lee Jih-Hsiang shared the clinical progress of Pralsetinib for NSCLC with RET gene fusion.

Expert Presentation and MTB Demonstration Showcasing New Treatment Strategies for GI Cancers

According to the MOHW’s 2022 Cause of Death Statistics, gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute half of Taiwan’s top 10 leading causes of cancer deaths (in order of ranking: liver and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer). This underscores the demand for effective GI cancer treatments and their public health implications. The GI cancer workshop addressed colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary tract cancer, and pancreatic cancer (and ampullary cancer).

Prof. Lin Zong-Zhe, Clinical Associate Professor of NTU College of Medicine, discussed how next-generation sequencing can guide targeted therapy for liver and biliary tract cancers (BTC). He emphasized the paradigm shift in systemic treatment and the need for molecular classification to optimize treatment outcomes, particularly for BTC cases with diverse therapeutic targets. Immunotherapies also hold promise in treating these cancers.

The workshop featured MTB demonstrations on colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary tract cancer, and pancreatic cancer, co-hosted by seasoned oncologists from various institutions. Each demonstration was based on real cancer cases, presenting the patients’ conditions, treatment history and strategies, as well as genetic test results. Participants engaged with presenters, moderators, and experts, gaining insights into the practical application of precision medicine in GI cancers.

In conclusion, the "2023 Advanced Precision Cancer Medicine Summit" united professionals and policymakers to address the challenges and opportunities in advancing cancer care in Taiwan. With the exchange of clinical experiences, international references, and innovative policies, Taiwan aims to realize precision and personalized cancer care, benefiting a broader spectrum of patients.

Related article:
2023 Precision Medicine Industry Policy White Paper Paves the Way for the Biotechnology in Taiwan
2023 ASCO Annual Meeting: Progress in Solid Tumor Treatment Research, and Promising Results in Emerging Therapies

Source : Precision Medicine Forum Gathers Experts to Pioneer Taiwan's Personalized Cancer Care

This content was prepared by our news partner, Cision PR Newswire. The opinions and the content published on this page are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Siam News Network

Berge Bulk unveils the world's most powerful sailing cargo ship

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Berge Olympus, the world


Berge Olympus, a Newcastlemax bulker, is equipped with four BARTech WindWings by Yara Marine Technologies that use wind power to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions The WindWings installation is part of Berge Bulk’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2025 and lead the world to a zero-carbon future through safe, efficient, and sustainable shipping

SINGAPORE, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Berge Bulk, one the world’s leading dry bulk ship owners, launches its Newcastlemax bulker, Berge Olympus, with four retrofitted BARTech WindWings by Yara Marine Technologies. The WindWings installation is part of Berge Bulk’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2025 and marks the Berge Olympus as the world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship.


Berge Olympus, the world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship

With four WindWings installed, each possessing an aerodynamic span of 37.5 metres height and 20 metres width, the Berge Olympus will save 6 tonnes of fuel per day on an average worldwide route and, in the process, reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 19.5 tonnes per day. With these fuel savings and CO2 reductions, Berge Bulk is evaluating the potential of installing WindWings on more of its vessels that trade on routes with favourable wind conditions.

Berge Bulk’s WindWings project is a testament to its commitment to lead the way towards a zero-carbon future while enhancing vessel efficiency. This initiative aligns with the new IMO goals, to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around, i.e., close to 2050, as well as indicative check-points for international shipping to reach net-zero GHG emissions for 2030 (by at least 20%, striving for 30%) and 2040 (by at least 70%, striving for 80%). Contributing to this mission, Berge Bulk’s WindWings project reflects its dedication to environmental sustainability and technological advancement.

In addition to the installation of the WindWings, Berge Olympus has been retrofitted with a shaft generator system. The shaft generator is driven by the main engine to supply electric power to the vessel, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions. With a 1MW capacity, it is sized to eliminate the need to operate auxiliary engines while at sea. This installation is in itself ground-breaking and concludes a program that saw multiple vessels retrofitted with the technology.

As part of the global effort to reach future decarbonisation goals, Berge Bulk is forging a trail to carbon neutrality by 2025 through safe, efficient and sustainable shipping. To achieve this milestone, Berge Bulk has deployed a four-pillar decarbonisation plan that focuses on improving fleet efficiency, leveraging the latest maritime technology, piloting new fuels and investing in carbon capture, Berge Bulk calls it the Marshall Plan. Berge Bulk’s adoption of WindWings – the culmination of years of research by naval architect BAR Technologies – highlights the clear opportunity for vessel owners to swiftly retrofit new technologies to make a rapid and profound difference to the climate impact of their fleet.

James Marshall, Chief Executive Officer, Berge Bulk concluded: "At Berge Bulk, we are constantly striving to enhance our efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of our existing fleet. From 2008 until today, we have achieved a remarkable 46% reduction in our CO2 emissions per tonne mile, already surpassing the 2030 IMO target for reducing carbon emissions intensity. There’s still so much to do as we accelerate the transition to new fuel in the zero-carbon future. That is why we are proud to partner with BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies to pioneer this WindWing system. The Berge Olympus is a testament to innovation and sustainability."

John Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, BAR Technologies said: "We’re immensely proud to be spearheading wind-assisted propulsion through the development of WindWings and through our shared vision with Berge Bulk to launch the world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship. We cannot afford to stand still in developing sustainable solutions for the shipping industry. We believe there is more to be done to harness wind power and push shipping into a greener, and more efficient era. To that end, we are already working on superior hydrodynamics and new types of accommodation blocks with several vessel designers."

Thomas Koniordos, Chief Executive Officer, Yara Marine Technologies said: "Wind-assisted propulsion has the potential to offer immediate long-term solutions for shipping’s pathway to Net Zero. We are proud to work with trusted partners such as Berge Bulk and ensure that this technology can be scaled and manufactured to shipping’s high standards, ensuring a robust and resilient supply chain that can meet industry demand."

Notes to editor:

Berge Olympus is a bulk carrier ship with four WindWings, a technology that uses wind power to reduce fuel and emissions Berge Olympus will sail between Brazil and China – a trade route known for having favourable wind conditions The WindWings are large, rigid sails that can be adjusted to optimise the aerodynamic performance of the ship Each of the four WindWings is 20 m wide and 37.5 m tall, which is taller than a 10-story building The total surface area of the four wings is 3,000 m2, which is more than three times the surface area of the wings of an A380 airplane (843 m2) The WindWings can save up to 20% fuel, reducing CO2 emissions by 19.5 tonnes per day on an average worldwide route The WindWing technology actively supports the industry in its mission to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping by at least 20% by 2030 and 70% by 2040, reflected in the new IMO regulations. The WindWings are expected to achieve double digit percentage reduction in fuel and CO2

— ENDS —

About Berge Bulk

Berge Bulk is one of the world’s leading independent dry bulk owners and has an outstanding record for its reliable, safe and efficient delivery of commodities around the world. Starting out with 12 vessels in 2007, the company now owns, operates and manages a fleet of 85 safe and fuel-efficient vessels, equating to 14 million DWT.

Berge Bulk’s vision is to lead the world to a zero-carbon future through safe, efficient and sustainable shipping. Acknowledging the crucial role of emerging marine technologies in this transformation, Berge Bulk takes an active stance by retrofitting its existing vessels with revolutionary decarbonisation equipment as part of pilot trials, expediting the progress towards greener maritime practices.

For more details: www.bergebulk.com 

About BAR Technologies:

With an impressive heritage, having originally spun out from the former British, America’s Cup Team, BAR Tech provides a wide range of design and engineering consultancy services with a focus on 4 key sectors; Workboats and Commercial Vessels, Shipping, Special Projects and Leisure Marine and Yachts.  

BAR Technologies offer a cohesive team of world lead naval architects and optimisation specialists; fluid dynamists; mechanical, structural and composite engineers; control strategy and system specialists; they offer data and simulation engineers with access to the latest commercial knowledge, using bespoke in-house design tools.  

For more details please visit: https://www.bartechnologies.uk/  

About Yara Marine Technologies

Yara Marine (YMT) provides technologies to enable a greener maritime industry.

Since 2010, YMT has been at the forefront of maritime emissions reduction, working closely with ship-owners, yards, and naval architects as partners in our effort to drive the change towards sustainable shipping. Today, Yara Marine offers a portfolio of green technologies, such as SOx scrubbers, fuel optimization systems – FuelOpt and Fleet Analytics, turnkey shore power solutions, and the cutting-edge, advanced wind-assisted propulsion system WindWings.

Yara Marine is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices in Sweden, Poland, and China.

To learn more, please visit www.yaramarine.com or follow YMT on LinkedIn. 

Source : Berge Bulk unveils the world's most powerful sailing cargo ship

This content was prepared by our news partner, Cision PR Newswire. The opinions and the content published on this page are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Siam News Network