Daily Archives: 16, January 2024

SIC5 Launches as Swiss Payment System’s Next Generation, Paving the Way for Instant Payments

(IN BRIEF) SIX and the Swiss National Bank have unveiled SIC5, the new generation of the Swiss payment system, which sets the stage for instant payments, enabling electronic customer payments to be processed 24/7 in a matter of seconds. Over … Read the full press release

SGS Approved as Pre-Export Verification Provider for Oil and Gas Equipment in Uganda

(IN BRIEF) The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) and Uganda’s National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) have granted approval to SGS to offer Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) services for equipment and materials intended for Oil and Gas projects in Uganda. … Read the full press release

Accenture Report Urges Business Leaders to Scale Generative AI by Redesigning Processes and Prioritizing Worker Well-Being

(IN BRIEF) Accenture’s latest report, “Work, workforce, workers: Reinvented in the age of generative AI,” emphasizes the need for business leaders to expand their focus beyond the impact of generative AI on specific tasks and roles. Instead, they should concentrate … Read the full press release

Hexagon’s R-evolution Launches Green Cubes Initiative to Boost Rainforest Conservation with Reality Capture Technology

(IN BRIEF) R-evolution, the sustainable innovation and green-tech investment subsidiary of Hexagon, has unveiled its forest initiative called Green Cubes, aimed at accelerating global biodiversity rainforest conservation. Utilizing Hexagon’s reality capture technology, Green Cubes allows corporations to sponsor rainforest segments … Read the full press release

NIB Grants USD 97.3 Million Loan to Northvolt for Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Facility in Sweden

(IN BRIEF) The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has provided a USD 97.3 million (EUR 88.30 million) loan to Northvolt Ett AB, as part of a consortium, for the establishment of an integrated lithium-ion battery manufacturing and recycling facility in Skellefteå, … Read the full press release

EQT Life Sciences and Gimv Lead €30M Series C Round for Onera Health to Advance Sleep Diagnostics

(IN BRIEF) Onera Health, a leader in sleep diagnostic and monitoring solutions, has successfully completed a €30 million ($32 million) Series C financing round. The funding was led by EQT Life Sciences and co-led by Gimv, with participation from existing … Read the full press release

Alfa Laval Introduces Innovative Cleaning Solution to Enhance Hygienic Processing Lines

(IN BRIEF) Alfa Laval has unveiled the “Free Rotating Retractor,” a highly efficient retractable cleaning device designed to address the challenges of cleaning confined spaces with hard-to-reach shadow areas in hygienic processing lines such as milk or infant powder plants. … Read the full press release

Empa Researchers Develop Nanoparticle Soldering for Minimally Invasive Surgery

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers have developed an innovative technique using nanoparticles for soldering wounds, potentially revolutionizing wound closure methods. This groundbreaking approach offers precise temperature control and can be applied in minimally invasive surgery. The nanoparticles enable gentle laser soldering, … Read the full press release

ING’s Share Buyback Program: Over 4.4 Million Shares Repurchased

ING Repurchases Nearly 1.7 Million Shares, Demonstrating Progress in Buyback Initiative

(IN BRIEF) ING has reported the completion of its €2.5 billion share buyback program, which was initiated on November 2, 2023. During the week of January 8, 2024, up to January 12, 2024, the company repurchased a total of 4,485,148 … Read the full press release

Hydro Expands Commitment to Green Transition with First Suppliers Hub Membership

(IN BRIEF) Hydro, a leader in low-carbon aluminum production, has joined the First Suppliers Hub, a tool launched at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos. The hub streamlines the transition from climate commitments to action for companies dedicated … Read the full press release

EU Initiative SCO2OP-TES Advances Green Energy Transition with Alfa Laval

(IN BRIEF) Alfa Laval is part of a 16-member consortium called SCO2OP-TES, which aims to develop advanced Power-to-Heat energy storage technology. This initiative, aligned with the European Union’s renewable energy goals, seeks to provide cost-effective and grid-stable thermal energy storage … Read the full press release

Prudential Appoints Arjan Toor as CEO Health to Drive Transformation and Customer Trust

(IN BRIEF) Prudential plc has announced the appointment of Arjan Toor as its new CEO Health, effective from February 1, 2024. This appointment is a significant step in Prudential’s strategic transformation, focusing on its Health business as one of its … Read the full press release

ANDRITZ and Powerhouse Controls Partner to Revolutionize North American Paper Machine Drive Systems

(IN BRIEF) International technology group ANDRITZ has joined forces with Powerhouse Controls, a leading drive system provider, to address the modernization needs of North American paper mills while minimizing production downtime. This partnership combines Powerhouse Controls’ drive solutions with ANDRITZ’s … Read the full press release

eCarsTrade annonce Dirk Van Roost au poste de Directeur Administratif et Financier: une décision stratégique pour la croissance à venir

(ACTUALITÉ EN BREF) eCarsTrade, une plateforme d’enchères en ligne B2B spécialisée dans la vente de voitures d’occasion européennes, a annoncé l’arrivée de Dirk Van Roost en tant que nouveau Directeur Financier et Administratif (CFO). Dirk apporte avec lui plus de … Read the full press release

Outokumpu Completes Share Repurchases, Holding Over 28 Million Treasury Shares

(IN BRIEF) On January 15, 2024, Outokumpu announced the completion of its share repurchase program, where it repurchased its own shares across different trading venues. The total cost of these repurchases amounted to EUR 453,926.84. This program was initiated in … Read the full press release

Spanish Subsidiary of Kapsch TrafficCom to Optimize Traffic Control in Basque City

(IN BRIEF) Kapsch TrafficCom’s Spanish subsidiary is now managing Vitoria-Gasteiz’s traffic information and control systems, aiming to ensure safe and reliable urban mobility in the Basque city. The four-year contract, valued at EUR 4 million, covers the installation, operation, and … Read the full press release

EIB Group Signs PLN 2 Billion Securitisation Agreement with EFL to Support Polish SMEs and Sustainable Projects

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) has entered into a revolving synthetic securitisation agreement with Europejski Fundusz Leasingowy S.A. (EFL) for a PLN 2 billion portfolio of leasing receivables. EFL commits to provide PLN 2.5 billion in … Read the full press release

Dutch Grid Operator TenneT Adopts Innovative Drones for Bird Safety

(IN BRIEF) TenneT, the Dutch high-voltage grid operator, has conducted a groundbreaking pilot project using drones to install wire markers on a 150 kV high-voltage line. Traditionally, this task was performed using helicopters or cranes and climbers. The innovative approach … Read the full press release

80% of Torchbearers Announced for Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays

(IN BRIEF) Paris 2024 has revealed that 80% of the 11,000 Torchbearers for the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays have been selected. These Torchbearers, representing diverse backgrounds, will carry the Olympic and Paralympic Flames throughout France, igniting excitement and anticipation … Read the full press release

DNV Enters Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC) Market with Purus’ Eco-Friendly Vessels

(IN BRIEF) DNV, a prominent classification society, has secured a contract to oversee the construction of two innovative Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) for Purus, a ship owner. These VLECs, built at Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, are set … Read the full press release

Deutsche Telekom Leads Consortium to Advance Quantum Security in Europe

(IN BRIEF) The European Commission has initiated a 10-year strategic partnership led by Deutsche Telekom, called “Nostradamus,” to build a quantum key distribution (QKD) testing infrastructure. This infrastructure will evaluate QKD devices from European manufacturers and support the development of … Read the full press release

Astrophysicist Gilles Chabrier Receives Royal Astronomical Society’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Contributions

(IN BRIEF) Astrophysicist Professor Gilles Chabrier from the University of Exeter and Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon has been awarded the prestigious Royal Astronomical Society’s Gold Medal for his exceptional contributions to stellar and planetary astrophysics, as well as galactic … Read the full press release

New Research Reveals Link Between High Blood Sugar and Upper Limb Problems

(IN BRIEF) A recent study led by the University of Exeter has identified a connection between consistently high blood sugar levels and upper limb conditions such as frozen shoulder, Dupuytren’s disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and trigger finger. The research, conducted … Read the full press release

Vodafone to Invest $1.5 Billion in Cloud and AI Services in Collaboration with Microsoft

(IN BRIEF) Vodafone and Microsoft have announced a 10-year strategic partnership aimed at transforming customer experiences and fostering business growth in Europe and Africa. The collaboration includes leveraging Microsoft’s generative AI to enhance customer engagement, expanding Vodafone’s IoT platform, creating … Read the full press release

University of Exeter to Drive Climate Action Discussions at World Economic Forum

(IN BRIEF) The University of Exeter is set to play a significant role in advancing climate action discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The university will organize a series of events building upon the recently launched Global Tipping … Read the full press release

Volvo Group Explores Potential Sale of Arquus, Expects Negative Impact on Q4 2023 Income

(IN BRIEF) The Volvo Group has entered into an option agreement with John Cockerill Defense, allowing Volvo to potentially sell Arquus, a company specializing in defense vehicle manufacturing. The agreement requires consultations with employee representative bodies, expected to conclude in … Read the full press release

DNV’s Market Study Explores Denmark’s Potential as a European CO2 Hub in Pursuit of Climate Targets

(IN BRIEF) DNV has completed a comprehensive market study commissioned by a consortium of Danish entities in the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) sector, aiming to assess Denmark’s potential as a pivotal European CO2 hub. This initiative aligns with … Read the full press release

DAAD Recommends Realpolitik Approach in New Guidelines for Academic Cooperation with China

(IN BRIEF) The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has released guidelines for academic collaboration with China, favoring a realpolitik approach in line with the German government’s China strategy. The guidelines provide three general principles for German higher education institutions dealing … Read the full press release

Bundeswehr Awards Rheinmetall €50 Million Contract for Aircraft Decoy Flares

(IN BRIEF) The German military, Bundeswehr, has awarded Rheinmetall a significant contract worth nearly €50 million for over 470,000 decoy flares from Rheinmetall’s Birdie product line. These infrared decoy flares are used to distract incoming infrared-homing guided missiles and simulate … Read the full press release

BevZero Announces Strategic Partnership with TOMSA Destil to Distribute equipment for sustainability in the wine industry, as well as the development of Next-Gen Dealcoholization technology

(IN BRIEF) BevZero and TOMSA Destil have partnered to revolutionize the beverage industry. They are developing a state-of-the-art dealcoholization technology called “ClearAlc” and offering eco-friendly solutions to wineries, including emissions reduction, CO2 recovery, energy efficiency, and wastewater treatment. This collaboration … Read the full press release