Home Blog Page 109

Asahi Super Dry Brings Its Iconic Nama Jokki Can to Chinese Mainland with Multi-Hyphenate Celebrity Henry Lau

By
Advertorial Desk
-

The market debut of this revolutionary draft style beer in a can marks a new chapter in Asahi’s premiumization journey


SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 July 2026 – Japan’s number one1 selling beer brand Asahi Super Dry is introducing its breakthrough Nama Jokki Can in Chinese Mainland, with beloved celebrity Henry Lau fronting the launch as ambassador and inviting consumers to enjoy a thrilling, foam‑topped draft beer in a can. Already a hit in Japan and other key Asian markets, the launch marks a bold new chapter in Asahi’s premiumization journey in Chinese Mainland.

Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki Can (Chinese Mainland) Product KV

Nama Jokki Can delivers draft‑beer excitement to any occasion

The Nama Jokki Can delivers a draft‑style experience that closely mirrors freshly poured beer at a bar, all in a convenient can, and transforms the simple act of opening it into a more ceremonial sensory moment. With its innovative full‑open lid and special interior coating, fine foam forms naturally upon opening, recreating the rich, layered sensation and fresh taste of beer served at a bar or restaurant. Designed for contemporary drinking occasions, from social gatherings and casual nights with friends to music‑filled moments and everyday premium experiences, it offers a distinctive way to enjoy Asahi Super Dry.

Henry Lau brings a contemporary edge to Asahi Super Dry’s draft‑style enjoyment

Asahi Super Dry has appointed Henry Lau as the launch ambassador for the Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki Can in Chinese Mainland and as the face of the broader Asahi Super Dry line-up, including Asahi Dry Crystal and Asahi Dry Crystal 3.5. Henry has built a multifaceted international career as a singer, actor, and music producer, combining a global outlook with distinctive creative strength, earning wide recognition worldwide.

Lau’s artistic identity closely reflects Asahi Super Dry’s core values of craftmanship, modernity, innovation, and energy. His involvement connects Nama Jokki Can’s distinctive draft‑style experience with contemporary cultural relevance for Chinese beer lovers.

Deepening its footprint in Asia, Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki Can aims to bring greater quality and innovative experiences to Chinese consumers

This launch builds on the momentum from other Asian markets, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan Region, China, as well as Hong Kong SAR, China, where Nama Jokki Can has already demonstrated strong consumer appeal and commercial potential. This track record supports the product’s debut in Chinese Mainland and reflects Asahi Super Dry’s confidence in its long-term growth potential in the market.

“We are honored to introduce this groundbreaking innovation, the Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki Can, to consumers in the Chinese Mainland. It artfully combines Asahi’s proud tradition of precision brewing with the authentic enjoyment of draft beer, elevating the simple act of opening a can into a moment of ritual and pleasure. The Nama Jokki Can helps create meaningful moments of genuine connection, making every sip feel fuller and more satisfying, and making every shared occasion more memorable. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance this elevated experience and bring more surprises and value to Chinese consumers who seek quality and taste.” says Kinyi Choo, Managing Director, Asahi Beer Asia.

“When developing the Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki Can, our ambition was to redefine the essence of the draft beer experience while remaining true to the distinctive character of Asahi Super Dry,” adds Mizuho Kajiura, Chief Global Officer, Asahi Group Japan. “Introducing this innovation to the Chinese Mainland is part of our global vision to create drinking experiences that transcend markets, cultures and occasions. Through our continued focus on research and development, we are constantly exploring how our brewing expertise can better meet local consumers’ taste preferences and lifestyles.”

Building on the regional success of the 2025 BLACKPINK campaign, Asahi Super Dry’s collaboration with Henry Lau marks a powerful next chapter, bringing the brand closer to local consumers by pairing award-winning beer with an ambassador of genuine cultural appeal.

[1] Asahi Super Dry was certified by IWSR as “Japan’s No. 1 Beer” according to IWSR 2024 volume and retail value data, published in 2025.

Hashtag: #Asahi

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

About Asahi Super Dry

Asahi Super Dry was first created in 1987, redefining the beer category and introducing to the world a new taste in beer. Today, Asahi Super Dry is Japan’s No.1 beer* and we are proud that our innovative brand has become a global icon of progressive Japan. Asahi Super Dry is brewed with precision to the highest quality standards, under the supervision of Japanese master brewers. Our advanced brewing techniques deliver a dry, crisp taste and quick, clean finish. We’re constantly innovating at our brewery to improve production technology and quality management. This commitment to progressive brewing will help us share Asahi Super Dry with the whole world .

For more information, please visit .

About Henry Lau

Henry Lau is a multi-talented pop singer, producer and actor with formal training from Berklee College of Music. Proficient in multiple instruments, including violin and piano, he is widely recognized for his “one-man band” performances and compelling stage presence. His versatile artistry has earned him strong influence across both the music industry and the variety show space, making him a prominent figure in contemporary Asian pop culture.

NOVI Health Named Wellness Partner for Visa Infinite’s Reimagined Premium Ecosystem Across Asia Pacific

By
Advertorial Desk
-

Singapore-founded longevity brand joins Visa Infinite as a premium health partner for Asia Pacific, reflecting a new era where healthspan is as valuable as status.

SINGAPORE, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NOVI Health, the Singapore-based longevity and metabolic health company, has been named a wellness partner for Visa’s reimagined Visa Infinite proposition across Asia Pacific, placing preventative healthcare for the first time alongside travel, dining and lifestyle as a defining pillar of the region’s most exclusive card ecosystem.

As Visa Infinite redefines what premium means for Asia Pacific’s affluent consumers, health has become central to the experience, and NOVI is proud to be its chosen health and longevity partner.

For a generation that has already conquered first-class flights and Michelin tasting menus, the next frontier of luxury isn’t something you can buy off a menu; it’s decades of healthy life. NOVI Health is now the partner helping Visa’s most valuable members access that.

“We’re seeing a profound shift in how people think about health,” said Dr Sue-Anne Toh, Co-founder of NOVI Health. “People increasingly recognise that living well starts long before illness appears. We’re proud to partner with Visa to support members who are investing in their long-term health and wellbeing.”

Through the partnership, Visa Infinite members across Asia Pacific gain access to NOVI’s evidence-based approach to metabolic health, weight management and longevity, combining physician-led care, dedicated health coaching, and proprietary technology to deliver continuous support that goes beyond the four walls of a clinic. It’s healthcare built for people who don’t have time to be unwell, and who no longer accept “wait until something’s wrong” as the standard of care.

The announcement comes as NOVI Health accelerates its regional expansion, scaling its longevity programmes, deepening strategic partnerships, and actively exploring new markets beyond Singapore.

“Healthcare is becoming part of everyday life, rather than something people only access when they’re unwell,” said Dr Kyle Tan, Co-founder of NOVI Health. “This partnership reflects that evolution, and we’re excited to play a role in helping more people live healthier, longer lives.”

Visa’s reimagined Visa Infinite programme brings together a curated collection of travel, dining, lifestyle and, for the first time at this scale, wellness partners, into a single premium ecosystem. NOVI’s inclusion signals a growing shift in the region’s luxury landscape, where healthspan, vitality, and years lived well are becoming the new markers of premium living.

The partnership reinforces the company’s mission to move people beyond reactive healthcare and into continuous, preventative care that turns knowing into doing, and positions a Singapore-born health company as the name a global payments leader trusts to represent the future of wellbeing across one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury markets.

About NOVI Health

NOVI Health is a Singapore-based health and longevity company combining doctors, health coaches and technology to deliver personalised, evidence-based care for metabolic health, weight management and longevity. Through continuous care and data-driven support, NOVI helps people live healthier, longer lives.

https://novi-health.com/

Media Contact:

Tempest J Larichia

Chief Growth & Experience Officer

tempest.jody@novi-health.com

StarHub Strengthens Position as a Trusted Regional Digital Transformation Partner with HPE APAC Recognition

By
Advertorial Desk
-

SINGAPORE, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — StarHub has been named APAC Service Provider of the Year 2026 by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), recognising its success in helping enterprises modernise critical infrastructure, and deliver secure, resilient and AI-ready digital transformation.

The HPE Partner of the Year Awards recognise partners that have demonstrated excellence in delivering customer outcomes, driving innovation and creating measurable business impact.

StarHub’s recognition reflects its growing role as a trusted digital transformation partner, helping organisations translate technology investments into measurable business outcomes through its Modern Digital Infrastructure (MDI) platform strategy.

Underpinned by a cloud-native, hybrid multi-cloud architecture, MDI brings together networks, cloud, cybersecurity and clean data on a unified data platform. Combining AI-driven automation, operational intelligence and advanced analytics, it helps organisations modernise infrastructure, strengthen resilience and accelerate innovation for sustainable growth.

Through its MDI strategy and collaboration with HPE, StarHub partnered the National University of Singapore (NUS) to realise the Borderless University vision by implementing a smart, safe and sustainable ubiquitous network. By integrating StarHub’s enterprise networking, solar-powered Wi-Fi and private 5G capabilities, the joint initiative has strengthened digital connectivity and supported more flexible, seamless and secure learning experiences for students and faculty across campus beyond traditional boundaries, in Singapore and overseas.

“As organisations accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption, effective implementation increasingly depends on strong industry expertise, collaboration, and the ability to translate ideas into practical outcomes,” said Tan Kit Yong, Chief, Regional Enterprise, StarHub. “Our collaboration with NUS reflects a shared commitment in supporting digital capabilities that will enhance everyday technology experiences for faculty, researchers, staff and students. This recognition highlights the broader importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing evolving technology needs.”

For more information, visit starhub.com/managedservices.

Synagie Unveils Geene 2.0 – BytePlus, SingData and FLY Entertainment Among 12 Founding Partners Building Trusted AI Commerce

By
Advertorial Desk
-

Co-developed by leaders across AI, data, media, commerce and blockchain, the Trusted AI Commerce Intelligence Ecosystem gives enterprises a practical way to scale AI with confidence.

SINGAPORE, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Synagie, the flagship digital commerce and technology brand of Hong Kong-listed Synagistics Limited (HKEX: 2562), today unveiled Geene 2.0, a Trusted AI Commerce Intelligence Ecosystem (a SaaS platform) designed to help businesses move beyond isolated AI applications towards trusted, scalable business transformation.

While many organisations have adopted AI for content generation, analytics and workflow automation, these capabilities often operate independently, making it difficult to translate intelligence into measurable business outcomes while maintaining governance and accountability.

Geene 2.0 addresses this challenge by bringing together specialised capabilities across data, artificial intelligence, media, commerce and blockchain into a single software-as-a-service platform. Businesses can analyse markets, formulate strategies, generate content, automate operations and verify products through one connected ecosystem.

The platform will be commercially available in early August 2026.

The preview was witnessed by Guest-of-Honour Mr Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), alongside more than 200 business leaders, ecosystem partners, customers and invited guests.

Built by Twelve Industry Leaders

Geene 2.0 was co-developed by twelve founding partners, each contributing deep expertise across data, artificial intelligence, commerce, media and blockchain.

Rather than relying on a single vendor to provide every capability, Geene 2.0 combines best-in-class technologies into one coordinated platform, enabling enterprises to deploy AI faster while reducing implementation complexity.

At the heart of the platform is the ecosystem’s proprietary ASSET intelligence engine, which orchestrates every stage of AI-driven commerce through five interconnected intelligence layers:

ASSET Layer

Business Outcome

Analyse

Transform market, customer and business data into actionable intelligence

Strategise

Recommend AI-driven commercial strategies and business decisions

Storytelling

Generate multilingual marketing, commerce and customer content

Execute

Automate commerce operations, customer engagement and sales workflows

Trust

Verify products, AI actions and business claims through blockchain-backed traceability

Together, these five intelligence layers transform AI from standalone tools into a coordinated business capability spanning insight, execution and trust.

The founding partners are:

BytePlus

China Mobile International

DataCloud

DU-MAS

FLY Entertainment

International Brand Centre

Masverse

Mei Ah Entertainment

SingData

Synagie

Yiwise

Zeneva

A Vision for the Next Generation of AI Commerce

Ms Pei Gy Wong, Chief Digital Officer of Synagie Group Asia and Europe, said:  “The next generation of AI will not be won by the companies with the largest models. It will be led by those who can build the greatest trust.

Businesses do not need more AI tools. They need AI they can trust to make better decisions, execute with confidence and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Geene 2.0 reflects our belief that the future of enterprise AI lies in collaboration. By bringing together industry leaders across data, AI, commerce, media and blockchain, we are giving businesses a practical pathway to adopt AI with confidence and at scale.”

Demonstrating the Enterprise Intelligence Ecosystem in Action

Geene 2.0 has already moved beyond concept into commercial deployment through AGONG Durian, a premium Malaysian durian brand supplied and blockchain-tagged by founding partner DU-MAS.

The implementation demonstrates how AI-powered market intelligence, content creation, commerce automation and blockchain verification can operate together in a real business environment to improve operational efficiency while strengthening consumer confidence.

The same framework can be applied across industries including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, consumer goods and luxury products where authenticity, compliance and trust have become increasingly important.

Accelerating Trusted AI Adoption in Singapore

Technology alone is not enough to accelerate AI adoption. Businesses also need access, practical implementation pathways and a workforce equipped with the right skills.

Synagie’s Geene 2.0 is one example of a digital solution that can help companies address common business challenges such as improving operational efficiency, strengthening decision-making, streamlining workflows and enhancing customer engagement. Companies seeking such solutions may explore implementation through the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) initiative. Through the CTC Grant, eligible companies can receive up to 70% funding support for projects that drive business transformation and workforce outcomes, including job redesign, skills development and productivity improvements. Workers could also benefit from wage increase, structured career pathways and/or skills allowance.

Synagie is also collaborating with the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union to strengthen AI readiness for its workers, including PMEs.

Looking Ahead

As enterprise AI adoption accelerates across Asia, Synagie believes the next phase of innovation will be defined by trusted ecosystems rather than standalone AI applications.

By combining intelligence, execution and accountability in one platform, Geene 2.0 provides businesses with a practical foundation to scale AI confidently while positioning Singapore as a leader in responsible enterprise AI innovation.

/C O R R E C T I O N — OCEAN RWA FINANCE/

By
Advertorial Desk
-

In the news release, OCEAN RWA FINANCE, SYMPHONY DIGITAL ASSETS AND ALPHA JAGUAR CAPITAL ESTABLISH EARLY BLUEPRINT FOR TOKENISED PRIVATE CREDIT SECONDARY MARKETS ON AVALANCHE, issued 21-Jul-2026 by OCEAN RWA FINANCE over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that an incorrect media contact was added to the release. The complete, corrected release follows:

OCEAN RWA FINANCE, SYMPHONY DIGITAL ASSETS AND ALPHA JAGUAR CAPITAL ESTABLISH EARLY BLUEPRINT FOR TOKENISED PRIVATE CREDIT SECONDARY MARKETS ON AVALANCHE

  • Ocean RWA Finance, Symphony Digital Assets and Alpha Jaguar Capital complete first institutional secondary trade in tokenised private credit, with the position backed by Oceanus Group trade flows. Symphony Digital Assets provided valuation and pricing infrastructure while Alpha Jaguar Capital participated as the secondary buyer.
  • Transaction records are anchored to a public blockchain through cryptographic hash references, allowing approved participants to verify that records remain unaltered without requiring confidential invoices, trade documents or counterparty data to be disclosed.
  • The position is linked to real-economy trade flows, building on Oceanus Group’s verifiable tokenisation roadmap and demonstrating how tokenised real-world assets can support repeatable, transferable institutional structures.

SINGAPORE, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ocean RWA Finance, Symphony Digital Assets and Alpha Jaguar Capital today announced the completion of a secondary market transaction involving tokenised private credit, with the position linked to Oceanus Group trade flows, marking an early proof point for institutional participation in tokenised real-world assets (RWAs).

(From Left to Right) Duane Ho, CFO at Oceanus, Peter Koh, CEO at Oceanus, Justin Kim, Head of Asia at Ava Labs, Ming, Founder of Ocean RWA Finance.
(From Left to Right) Duane Ho, CFO at Oceanus, Peter Koh, CEO at Oceanus, Justin Kim, Head of Asia at Ava Labs, Ming, Founder of Ocean RWA Finance.

This transaction demonstrates how private credit positions can be transferred, reviewed, and verified through digital infrastructure while preserving confidentiality around underlying commercial data.

Tokenised real-world assets have attracted growing institutional interest, but the market has focused more on issuance pilots rather than repeatable transaction infrastructure. For private credit in particular, broader adoption will depend on structures that give institutions confidence in how these positions are valued, transferred and reviewed after issuance. This transaction addresses that gap by combining traditional private market discipline with digital verification tools.

The transaction was originated and structured by Ocean RWA Finance and supported by Symphony Digital Assets through valuation, pricing and secondary market infrastructure. Alpha Jaguar Capital participated as the secondary buyer, while Oceanus Group’s trade flows provided the real-economy context for the private credit position.

To support the transfer and review process, the digital verification framework anchors transaction records to a public blockchain through cryptographic hash references, allowing approved participants to check that records have not been altered, without exposing confidential invoices, trade documents, or counterparty information. This allows institutional participants to review, monitor and transfer private credit positions with greater confidence, while keeping private credit documentation within controlled channels.

“Private credit is entering a new phase,” said Ming, Founder at Ocean RWA Finance. “The opportunity is not simply to tokenize an asset and call it innovation. The opportunity is to build transaction structures that institutions can review, price, transfer, and monitor with more confidence. This transaction is an early step in that direction.”

“For tokenised real-world assets to mature, they need more than blockchain networks,” said Huan Kiat, CEO at Symphony Digital Assets. “They require the market infrastructure to support valuation, pricing, and secondary market transactions, together with the same discipline investors expect in traditional private markets. This transaction shows how those pieces can begin to come together.”

Alpha Jaguar Capital’s acquisition of the position reflects a broader institutional use case for tokenised private credit: giving secondary buyers a clearer basis to evaluate asset quality, review supporting documentation, and participate in private market transactions with improved verification.

“As a secondary buyer, we are focused on asset quality, documentation, and the ability to review the position with confidence,” said Jess Tang, Director at Alpha Jaguar Capital. “Digital verification can help reduce friction in that process, especially as private credit and other real-world assets begin to move into tokenised market structures.”

Advised by Lam Shiao Ning, Managing Director of Rubicon Law, this model establishes a versatile framework for RWA transactions, capable of supporting future applications across private credit transfers, structured trade finance exposures, bridging the gap for institutional adoption by delivering verification, controlled disclosure, and essential secondary liquidity.

Ocean RWA Finance’s tokenisation framework is deployed on Avalanche, leveraging the high-performance architecture to support institutional-grade token issuance and secondary transfers. Blockchain records are used to anchor ownership and verification data, while commercially sensitive documentation remains securely managed off-chain through controlled disclosure mechanisms. Avalanche’s robust RWA ecosystem provides the foundation for institutional-grade tokenization and onchain capital markets.

“Avalanche’s high-throughput architecture and rapid transaction finality provide the underlying infrastructure for token ownership and facilitating secondary transfers while allowing confidential transaction documentation to remain off-chain,” said Justin Kim, Head of Asia at Ava Labs.

The participants intend to build on the framework demonstrated through this transaction by expanding the range of transferable private credit assets, refining institutional verification processes and supporting broader participation in tokenised secondary markets as regulatory and market infrastructure continue to mature.

About Ocean RWA Finance

Ocean RWA Finance is focused on building institutional-grade infrastructure for tokenised private credit and real-world asset transactions. Its work centers on bringing real-economy credit exposures into verifiable digital market structures, with an emphasis on controlled disclosure, secondary transferability, and investor-grade review.

Website: https://www.oceanrwafinance.com/

About Symphony Digital Assets

Symphony Digital Assets, a member of the PhillipCapital Group, focuses on building the technology infrastructure for digital assets and tokenisation. Based in Singapore, it develops capabilities across token creation and lifecycle management, smart contract deployment, investor whitelisting, wallet and custody integration, blockchain connectivity, and API-based system integration. Its mission is to bridge traditional finance with blockchain-based financial markets and support the broader adoption of digital assets.

Website: https://symphonyda.io/

About Alpha Jaguar Capital

Alpha Jaguar Capital Limited is an investment firm specialising in private alternative opportunities, from artificial intelligence to emerging digital asset investment.

About Oceanus Group

Oceanus Group Limited is a Singapore-listed company engaged in global trade and supply chain-related businesses, leveraging technology to drive disciplined capital management and sustainable growth.

Website: https://oceanus.com.sg 

About Avalanche

Avalanche is a high performance blockchain network that provides the reliability, control and scalability required to run real financial systems, and solving real problems at scale.  Ava Labs is a leading blockchain technology company dedicated to empowering organizations to build scalable decentralized applications and custom blockchains on Avalanche.

Website: https://avalanche.com 

About Rubicon Law

Rubicon Law is a boutique law practice with particular expertise in mergers and acquisitions, and fundraising transactions. Alongside its core corporate practice, the firm actively advises clients navigating the evolving digital assets landscape, lending its deep transactional expertise to pioneering projects in tokenization and decentralized finance. Rubicon Law bridges the gap between traditional corporate law and next-generation financial technology.

Website: https://www.rubicon-law.com/ 

Important Notice

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, invitation, or solicitation to acquire or subscribe for any securities or financial products. Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Shareholders and investors are advised to exercise caution and seek independent professional advice when dealing in the securities of the Company.

Media contact: Liu Shanming
HP: +65 89302010
Email: ming@oceanrwafinance.com

Laos Suspends Vientiane Private Hospital Suspected of Organ Trafficking

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
-
Lao authorities have suspended BLL Hospital in Vientiane while investigating allegations of illegal organ trafficking linked to kidney transplant procedures for foreign patients. Amone village, Xaysettha district, Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: The Laotian Times)

The Ministry of Health announced the immediate closure of BLL Hospital after a Taiwanese media investigation published allegations of organ trafficking at the facility.

Despite the order, patients and doctors were still seen entering and leaving the hospital on Tuesday morning. 

The parking lot remained full, with no visible police presence or signs that authorities had begun enforcing the closure.

In a notice issued on 21 July, the ministry said the hospital would remain suspended while authorities investigate the claims, although it did not say how long the inquiry would take.

BLL Hospital is located in Amone village, Xaysettha district, about 7 kilometers from That Luang Stupa in Vientiane Capital. The allegations first surfaced in an investigation published by The Reporter on 19 July, which claimed the hospital was being used as the base of an illegal transnational organ trafficking operation.

According to the report, brokers working with Chinese doctors arranged kidney transplants for patients from Taiwan, China and other parts of Asia at the hospital. It alleged that transplant recipients were quoted between USD 130,000 and USD 180,000 per procedure and were required to pay the full amount in cash.

Public Pressure Mounts

The story went viral across Laos and beyond on 21 July, triggering widespread public reaction and calls for answers.

Authorities are now investigating whether BLL Hospital or anyone connected to the facility violated Lao law, including provisions under the Law on Health Care that prohibit the trafficking of human organs and human tissue.

So far, the Ministry of Health has not named any individuals under investigation or confirmed whether the allegations are true, saying only that the inquiry is ongoing.

Under current regulations, organ transplants in Laos are only permitted at two public hospitals in Vientiane, Mittaphab Hospital and Military Hospital 103. BLL Hospital is not licensed to perform transplant procedures.

As of 22 July, one day after authorities announced the hospital’s temporary closure, cars were still parked outside and people continued to move in and out of the premises. It was unclear whether they were officials carrying out the inspection, hospital staff, patients, or members of the public.

 

Daicel Corporation HPPs SBU Unveils New DURACON (R) POM Line with 30% Recycled Content

By
Advertorial Desk
-

OSAKA, Japan, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Daicel Corporation’s High Performance Polymers (HPPs) SBU (formerly Polyplastics Co., Ltd.), a global leader in engineering plastics, has launched four new DURACON (R) POM grades containing 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. This new PCR-POM offering includes “standard, low VOC, sliding, and tough” grades which enable customers to select the material that suits their applications needs.

Image: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M100475/202607152558/_prw_PI1fl_4193114y.png 

These newly developed grades were first unveiled at CHINAPLAS 2026 held in Shanghai in April. The standard PCR-POM grade offers a melt flow rate of 9 while low VOC materials meet OEM requirements. The sliding grade offers significantly better sliding properties while tough materials deliver the same performance as virgin POM grades.

Since 2023, Daicel has offered DURACIRCLE (R) re-compounding service which recycles plastic scrap collected from customer plants. While the previous focus was on post-industrial recycling (PIR) which reuses scrap generated during manufacturing, the PCR-POM currently under development utilizes POM that has been used in the market as a recycled raw material.

A major challenge in utilizing PCR materials is variability in properties and ensuring consistent quality. Leveraging its long-standing compounding expertise and quality control technologies, Daicel has confirmed that key mechanical properties remain at levels comparable to conventional grades, even with 30% recycled content (based on in-house test conditions).

DURACON (R) POM has been adopted across a wide range of industrial sectors. It features high mechanical strength/rigidity, excellent wear resistance, sliding properties, and high dimensional stability. It is widely used in applications such as gears, connectors, precision parts, and automotive components.

Daicel is undertaking further development activities with the aim of expanding its PCR-POM offering to meet a wider range of needs.

For more information, visit: https://hpps.daicel.com/global/s/ourapproach/a5nRB000005SAUbYAO/272?language=en_US

About Daicel Corporation High Performance Polymers SBU

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202607152558-O1-06622HZp.pdf 

DURACON (R) is a registered trademark of Daicel Corporation in Japan and other countries.

Laos Must Spend More on Healthcare as Costs Rise, World Bank Says

By
Beatrice Siviero
-
A nurse assists a mother and her child during a routine healthcare visit at a health facility in Laos. (Photo: Gavi)

Healthcare in Laos is under growing financial pressure, and the country can no longer rely on donors to fill the gap, according to the World Bank’s latest Lao PDR Economic Monitor.

The June 2026 report says public spending on health accounts for just 4 percent of the national budget, well below the level typically seen in countries working toward universal health coverage. Unless health financing improves, it warns, Laos could struggle to meet the country’s growing healthcare needs.

With limited government funding, many Lao families are left paying for healthcare themselves. Out-of-pocket payments remain the country’s largest source of health financing, meaning patients often cover the cost of doctor visits, medicines and medical tests directly.

For wealthier households, those expenses may be manageable. But for lower-income families already dealing with higher food, fuel and transport costs, they can mean delaying treatment or skipping it altogether.

The challenge comes as Laos faces a growing burden of disease, the report mentions. Cases of heart disease, stroke and diabetes are increasing, while infectious diseases, maternal and child health issues, and undernutrition remain major concerns, particularly in rural areas.

Ongoing Economic Challenges

Meanwhile, the country’s wider economic situation is making it harder to invest in healthcare.

Higher fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East have pushed up inflation, increasing costs for both households and the government. At the same time, Laos continues to face high public debt, leaving limited room to increase spending, while international donors that have long supported health programmes are gradually scaling back their assistance.

Although the government has introduced reforms to strengthen public finances, including a medium-term debt strategy announced in late 2025, and repaid USD 2.45 billion in foreign debt between 2024 and September 2025, debt servicing continues to consume a large share of public finances, leaving less money available for sectors such as healthcare.

Rather than spending more, the World Bank says Laos also needs to spend smarter.

The report recommends gradually increasing health spending to around 9 percent of the national budget by 2030, supported by stronger domestic revenue through broader tax reforms and health-related taxes.

It also calls for greater investment in primary healthcare, arguing that preventive care and early treatment deliver the biggest health benefits for the money spent.

Another priority is improving how health budgets are managed. Many hospitals and health centres still face delays in receiving funds, rigid budgeting rules and weak financial systems, making it harder to deliver services consistently. Better digital systems linking finance, insurance claims and health services could help ensure funding reaches facilities on time and is used more efficiently.

Growing Calls for Reform

The World Bank’s recommendations echo concerns that have already been raised inside Laos.

In November 2025, lawmakers, government officials and development partners met at a National Assembly workshop on financing primary healthcare and immunisation. Participants warned that as international donors reduce support, Laos will need to find more domestic funding to keep essential health services running.

Officials estimated that from 2026 onward, the country would need more than USD 3 million every year to purchase vaccines alone. They also recommended increasing domestic immunisation spending to at least USD 20 per child to avoid reversing years of progress.

Many of the solutions discussed at the late-2025 workshop mirror the World Bank’s latest recommendations, including raising health spending to around 9 percent of the national budget, increasing tobacco and alcohol taxes, improving coordination between the Ministries of Health and Finance, and strengthening the national health insurance system.

1...108109110...6,452Page 109 of 6,452