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Be My Guest: The Culture Episode

GUIYANG, China, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Southwestern China’s Guizhou, often called the “Land of a Thousand Cultures,” is a province of highland and mountains. As a Chinese saying goes, in Guizhou, “Every mountain is home to an ethnic group, customs differ every ten miles, and traditions differ every hundred miles.” The province is rich in cultural diversity, showcasing its unique charm and vitality among other regions in China.


Be My Guest: The Culture Episode

The short video series”Be My Guest • Focus Guizhou“, produced by Guizhou Satellite TV and the International Communication Center of Guizhou Radio and Television Station, is a documentary about the real life of local people from the perspectives of international photographers who come to explore Guizhou.

In this episode, American photographer Dan Sandoval comes along with Chen Jing, a student in the Department of Drama and Performance at Guizhou University, to take a journey in Guizhou and experience the region’s beautiful landscape and vibrant culture.

Dan and Chen meet in Anshun city, where they delve into the 600-year-old Tunpu culture. This culture can be dated back to the Ming Dynasty when the imperial court moved part of troops and immigrants from northern China to Anshun. After the war ended, the stationed troops settled down and thereafter lived for generations. The settlers’ old customs became a legacy that is still preserved today. Through watching Anshun Dixi Opera, Dan and Chen feel the thrilling war years of the ancient settlers.

Next, they visit the Guizhou Peking Opera Theatre to watch Yangming‘s Enlightenment, a drama performance that tells the story of Wang Yangming, a renowned philosopher, educator, and military strategist in the Ming Dynasty.

Finally, they travel to Congjiang County, where they marvel at the picturesque village scenery and experience the charm of ethnic traditions. In Biasha Miao Village, they are captivated by the Miao culture of “the tree of life”, and in Gaozeng Dong village, they are enchanted by the Grand Songs of the Dong people. This ancient form of multi-part, unaccompanied choral singing has been practiced for over 2,500 years. In 2009, it was inscribed on the list of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“I’m already planning my next trip to Guizhou!” Dan says, who is deeply moved by the vibrant culture and unforgettable experience. He’s eager to return with his camera to explore more places and landscapes and immerse himself once again in the region’s culture.

https://youtu.be/3ChKzNWkGvs

Synechron Earns Great Place to Work Certification™ in 14 Countries

SYDNEY, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Synechron, Inc., a leading global digital transformation consulting firm, has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work® Certified™ organization for 2024 to 2025 in 14 countries. This recognition is based on anonymous feedback from more than 14,500 Synechron employees collected through Great Place To Work®.

Synechron was certified in the following countries:

  • Australia
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Luxembourg
  • Mexico
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Switzerland
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America

“With this global recognition, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative workplace where employees can thrive,” said Faisal Husain, Synechron’s co-founder and CEO. “Our people are at the heart of what we do, driving innovation and delivering transformative solutions for our clients.”

The Great Place To Work® Trust Index™ Survey provides valuable insights into the organization’s performance by assessing five key areas: Credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. These pillars reflect a positive employee experience and highlight the level of trust that employees have in the organization.

“A Great Place To Work® Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the vice president of global recognition at Great Place To Work®. “By successfully earning this recognition, it’s evident that Synechron stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing an excellent workplace environment for its employees.”

About Synechron:

At Synechron, we believe in the power of digital to transform businesses for the better. Our global consulting firm combines creativity and innovative technology to deliver industry-leading digital solutions. Synechron’s progressive technologies and optimization strategies span end-to-end Artificial Intelligence, Consulting, Digital, Cloud & DevOps, Data, and Software Engineering, servicing an array of noteworthy financial services and technology firms. Through research and development initiatives in our FinLabs we develop solutions for modernization, from Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to Data Science models, Digital, cloud-native, mobile-first applications and more. Over the last 20+ years, our company has been honored with multiple employer awards, recognizing our commitment to our talented teams. With top clients to boast about, Synechron has a global workforce of 14,500+, and has 58 offices in 21 countries within key global markets. For more information on the company, please visit our website or LinkedIn community.

About Great Place To Work®

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. Our mission is to help every place become a great place to work for all. We give leaders and organizations the recognition and tools to create a consistently and overwhelmingly positive employee experience, fostering cultures that are proven to drive business, improve lives, and better society. Our recognition is the most coveted and respected in the world for elevating employer brands to attract the right people. Our proprietary methodology and platform enables organizations to truly capture, analyze, and understand the experience of all employees. Our groundbreaking research empowers organizations to build cultures that retain talent and unlock the potential of every employee. Our coaches, content, and community connect the boldest leaders, ideas, and innovations in employee experience. Since 1992, our Certification™, Best Workplaces™ Lists, and global benchmarks have become the industry standard, built on data from more than 100 million employees in 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.greatplacetowork.com.

For more information please contact:

Randall Jensen
Head of Communications & PR
Synechron
(+1) 7329438076
randall.jensen@synechron.com

Or

Rashmi Joshi
Media Relations, Synechron
(+91) 9560694654
Rashmi.Joshi@synechron.com

 

IFEZ captivates global audience with its innovative companies at CES 2025

  • IFEZ’s ‘INCHEON-IFEZ’ Booth attracts 12,000 visitors
  • Participating companies secure a foundation for global expansion, including 10 MoU signings

INCHEON, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ) has announced that the ‘INCHEON-IFEZ’ booth at CES 2025 showcased its vision for the future of smart cities and promoted innovative companies from Incheon to a global audience.

IFEZ captivates global audience with its innovative companies at CES 2025
IFEZ captivates global audience with its innovative companies at CES 2025

CES 2025 (Consumer Electronics Show 2025), the largest technology exhibition in the world, took place in Las Vegas, USA, from Tuesday, January 7, to Friday, January 10th.

The INCHEON-IFEZ Booth, themed “Urban Renaissance: Building Tomorrow’s Smart Cities Today,” garnered attention by demonstrating a sustainable urban future powered by advanced technologies from Incheon-based companies. During the event, the booth welcomed more than 12,000 visitors.

To boost the global presence of Incheon’s startups, IFEZ supported the participation of 41 companies at CES 2025, dividing them across various exhibition areas: 10 companies in the ‘INCHEON-IFEZ’ Booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 10 in the Korea pavilion (KOTRA) at the Eureka Park, 6 in the Global Pavilion, and 15 as the Incheon Startup Park Delegation.

These companies achieved record-breaking results, conducting 869 export consultations with international buyers and investors, which amounts to an estimated $400 million in potential deals.

Notably, Sheco, a company specializing in robotic solutions for recovering oil spills, was highlighted as one of the “12 Must-See Startups at CES 2025” by The Vertical, a U.S. media outlet covering tech startups, underscoring the company’s innovative capabilities.

Six companies signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for tangible outcomes, creating opportunities for global market expansion and attracting investments.

Additionally, 12 companies supported by IFEZ won 13 CES Innovation Awards, setting a new record. The award-winning companies attracted significant interest from global buyers and investors, firmly establishing their innovation and technological prowess on the world stage.

At CES 2025, IFEZ actively promoted its initiatives and innovative companies through various programs. On the first day of the exhibition, the ‘Unveiled Incheon Media Stage’ was held for about 30 global media outlets. This event highlighted IFEZ’s commitments to supporting businesses with world-class infrastructure and fostering global cooperation centered on its thriving innovation ecosystem.

Also, “All Connected Incheon Night,” held on the evening of January 7 (local time), brought together distinguished global leaders, including Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix; Victor Hoskins, CEO of Fairfax County Economic Development Authority; and Doug Bruhnke, CEO of Global Chamber.

IFEZ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Global Chamber, a global business network organization during the gathering. This collaboration aims to strengthen the partnership and better support startups in expanding worldwide.

Commissioner Yun Wonsok said, “Through this participation in CES, we have showcased IFEZ’s smart city vision to the global market and taken a step closer to our goal of becoming a ‘Global Top 10 City, Incheon.'” He emphasized, “We will continue to support IFEZ and Incheon startups in leading the global market and do our utmost to develop Incheon into a global business hub.

Infosys leads the industry with the fastest growing CAGR in brand value of 18% over 5 years. Maintains leadership as a global Top 3 IT services brand

Infosys CEO Salil Parekh is the No.1 IT services CEO, for the second year in a row, in the Brand Guardianship Index 2025

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation firm, has recognized the company as a Top 3 IT services brand and the fastest growing IT services brand globally, with a CAGR of 18% over 5 years in its Brand Finance Global 500 2025 report. Infosys’ brand value has grown to over US$16 billion in 2025, and Infosys is ranked as #132 most valuable brand in the world.

Infosys Chief Executive Officer, Salil Parekh, for the second year in a row, tops the IT services ranking in Brand Finance’s Brand Guardianship Index (BGI) 2025 for the role of CEO as brand custodian and steward of long-term shareholder value.

“Over the last four decades, brand Infosys has been nurtured by our founders and our leadership, carefully balancing purpose, promise and performance. This relentless focus is reflected in the brand’s leadership and steady gains in brand value over the years,” said Sumit Virmani, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Infosys. “We are delighted with Brand Finance’s recognition of Infosys’ continued brand momentum and differentiated value creation for businesses in an AI-first world,” he added.

Brand Finance has positioned Infosys among the world’s top 3 most valuable IT services brands for the fourth consecutive year. This is a testament to Infosys’ deep relevance and leadership in a world where companies are looking to digital and enterprise AI solutions to solve tough business challenges. Infosys has earned a brand reputation for tackling critical IT challenges, while upholding ethical standards, fostering trust and inclusion. This is enabled through continued investments in sub-brands like Infosys Topaz – its generative AI-powered solutions and Infosys Cobalt – the industry’s first ever cloud services brand.

David Haigh, CEO and Chairman at Brand Finance, commented, “Infosys has demonstrated remarkable growth over the past five years, achieving the fastest CAGR among IT services brands. The company has strategically prioritized innovation and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on generative AI. Infosys has also consistently leveraged high-profile sponsorships and strategic partnerships, intensifying its brand visibility and market presence in recent years. This commitment to technological innovation and strategic brand positioning has not only enhanced Infosys’ brand value growth but has also strengthened its brand on the global stage, reflected in an enhanced brand strength score and an impressive AAA rating.”

Even as brand Infosys has evolved to remain relevant to the shifting needs of stakeholders and to help them navigate their next, it remains unchanging in its commitment to live its purpose – amplifying human potential and creating the next opportunity for all. With the work of Infosys Foundation, the brand continues to create positive impact in healthcare, education, sustainability, and women empowerment. The Infosys Springboard initiative helps build digital skills by providing free learning programs to 12 million people around the world. As an environmentally conscious global enterprise, Infosys continues to be carbon neutral. The brand was recognized by Ethisphere, once again, in 2024, among the world’s most ethical companies.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the ‘safe harbor’ under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

 

THE MARKETING SOCIETY ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP FOR SINGAPORE HUB

SINGAPORE, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Marketing Society proudly announces key leadership updates within its Singapore hub as the organisation continues to strengthen its commitment to empower marketers to thrive and lead, raising marketing’s positive impact across the Asia-Pacific region.

Gita De Beer, Global Director of Strategic Initiatives at Heineken, takes on the role of its new Chair in Singapore alongside six new board members. This significant step in the Society’s growth in Asia brings together senior leaders from world-class brands, united in their mission to drive marketing excellence across the region. Gita brings over 18 years of experience with iconic brands such as Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Diageo. Having previously served as a board member, she now takes the helm of the Singapore Hub. As the new Chair of The Marketing Society Singapore, Gita is deeply committed to elevating the work of Asian marketers onto the global stage while fostering their personal growth. Her vision is to empower marketers in Singapore and the region to lead with confidence, realise their ambitions and amplify Asia’s unique strengths worldwide.

Speaking on her new appointment as Singapore Chair, De Beer said: “At The Marketing Society Singapore, you, our Members, are the reason we exist. We are dedicated to empowering marketers at every stage of their careers to thrive, connect, and lead with confidence. I am incredibly proud to introduce our exceptional new board of senior leaders—trailblazers behind some of the world’s most iconic brands. These aren’t just industry leaders, they’re changemakers whose experience spans building brands from within, navigating growth, and leading through transformation. Together, as a board, we are committed to supporting you in unlocking your full potential as we navigate the exciting challenges and opportunities ahead. Let’s connect, grow, and lead together.”

In addition to this leadership change, The Marketing Society is delighted to welcome six newly appointed board members:

  • Amrita Randhawa, CEO, Singapore & Southeast Asia, Publicis Groupe
  • Cindy Tan, Managing Director, Global Clients APAC, Meta
  • Lex Bradshaw-Zanger, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer SAPMENA, L’Oréal Groupe
  • Severine Vauleon, Global Brand Vice President, Unilever (Lux)
  • Siew Ting Foo, Transformational Growth Leader and Author (ex HP/Diageo/Mars/Unilever)
  • Sohil Tiwari, Chief Financial Officer APAC, ex Mastercard

These leaders bring unparalleled expertise and a shared commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and excellence and they join existing board members; Erica Kerner, MD, Global Head of Brand Partnerships, Sponsorships & Events, Standard Chartered, Lynette Pang, Deputy CEO, National Arts Council, Matthias Blume, VP & General Manager Alcoholic Ready to Drink Beverages ASEAN & South Pacific Coca-Cola, Xiaowei Liu, Director, Special Projects, Asia World Energy Council. Together, they will create new opportunities for marketers to thrive, ensuring that The Marketing Society continues to be a driving force for transformation and growth.

Sophie Devonshire, CEO of The Marketing Society, said, “Gita’s dynamic leadership and the expertise of our new board members will help us continue to build our growth and success in Singapore. Their combined experience across global brands and markets is superb in helping support the best, most ambitious marketing leaders across Southeast Asia.”

About The Marketing Society
www.marketingsociety.com

The Marketing Society is a leading global community of the world’s smartest marketers raising the quality and importance of our profession and our impact on business, the economy and in society.

We strive to inspire, accelerate, and unite the marketing leaders of today and tomorrow to help them do well in their careers and do good in their organisations and society, championing marketing excellence and empowering brave leadership.

We work together to grow marketing’s positive impact because we believe that brilliant marketers and brave leaders grow organisations and change the world. We connect the changemakers, those who want to make an impact and make a difference because we know that together, as a community, we achieve more than we do alone.

We were founded in 1959 as a not-for-profit membership organisation. Since then, we have grown to become a highly influential global community of marketing leaders with bases including England, Scotland, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and New York.

Through the connections of our 2800+ membership community, a world-class programme of events, ground-breaking professional development programmes, prestigious award programmes, publications and insightful content, we help empower our members to lead success in their organisations and add value to customers and society, leading the conversation in businesses and the industry.

Top left to right: Gita De Beer, Global Director of Strategic Initiatives at Heineken; Amrita Randhawa, CEO, Singapore & Southeast Asia, Publicis Groupe; Cindy Tan, Managing Director, Global Clients APAC, Meta; Lex Bradshaw-Zanger, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer SAPMENA, L'Oréal Groupe.   Middle left to right: Severine Vauleon, Global Brand Vice President, Unilever (Lux); Siew Ting Foo, Transformational Growth Leader and Author (ex HP/Diageo/Mars/Unilever); Sohil Tiwari, Chief Financial Officer APAC, ex Mastercard; Erica Kerner, MD, Global Head of Sponsorship & Events, Standard Chartered Bank.   Bottom left to right: Lynette Pang, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council; Matthias Blume, VP of Marketing ASEAN and South Pacific, The Coca-Cola Company; Xiaowei Liu, Asia Director, World Energy Council.   Individual images available upon request.
Top left to right: Gita De Beer, Global Director of Strategic Initiatives at Heineken; Amrita Randhawa, CEO, Singapore & Southeast Asia, Publicis Groupe; Cindy Tan, Managing Director, Global Clients APAC, Meta; Lex Bradshaw-Zanger, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer SAPMENA, L’Oréal Groupe. Middle left to right: Severine Vauleon, Global Brand Vice President, Unilever (Lux); Siew Ting Foo, Transformational Growth Leader and Author (ex HP/Diageo/Mars/Unilever); Sohil Tiwari, Chief Financial Officer APAC, ex Mastercard; Erica Kerner, MD, Global Head of Sponsorship & Events, Standard Chartered Bank. Bottom left to right: Lynette Pang, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council; Matthias Blume, VP of Marketing ASEAN and South Pacific, The Coca-Cola Company; Xiaowei Liu, Asia Director, World Energy Council. Individual images available upon request.

 

Weeks before New Year, Octa broker helps flood victims in Kelantan, Malaysia


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – In December 2024, Malaysia suffered devastating floods that affected 10 states and left more than 147,000 without roofs over their heads. Among the areas affected by the disaster, Kelantan was the hardest-hit state, with at least 93,000 people fleeing their flooded homes and seeking refuge.

Octa

To help the flood victims of Kelantan live through these trying times, Octa broker joined forces with its local partner, Azeehan. Octa sponsored the provision of basic necessities, including food, drinking water, hygiene amenities, towels, pillows, blankets, and house cleaning tools. By distributing these emergency kits, the broker aimed to support flood victims in their hour of need and make it a little bit easier for them to come back to normal life when the water subsided.

Octa

‘After a natural disaster such as this, thousands of people are driven from their homes. Sometimes, they lack even the most basic means to sustain themselves. This is why we really appreciate Octa supporting the local communities of Kelantan. This charity effort will be a great help to our displaced members in enduring the floods,‘ Azeehan commended.

Octa

Octa hopes that the New Year will bring benevolent weather to Malaysia, making it possible for the people of affected communities to return to their homes as soon as possible.

Octa

Hashtag: #Octa

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

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charity and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

The BioCircular Materials Alliance initiated by Spiber welcomes new partners including Stella McCartney and publishes its first Progress Report

  • Stella McCartney, Marzotto Wool Manufacturing Srl, Fashion for Good, and 13 new companies and organizations have joined the BioCircular Materials Alliance (the “Alliance”), led by biomaterials pioneer Spiber.
  • The Alliance published its first Progress Report, highlighting ongoing research and development efforts to build circular infrastructure utilizing nature-driven materials and agricultural waste.
  • The Alliance published the first version of its Materials BioCircularity Database and has made significant progress toward developing its Product Design Guidelines for fashion industry players to integrate biocircularity principles into their design processes.
  • The official BioCircular Materials Alliance website has been launched.

TSURUOKA, Japan, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The BioCircular Materials Alliance (the “Alliance”, previously known as the “Biosphere Circulation Project”), conceived by Spiber Inc. and powered by a growing coalition of industry leaders, is excited to welcome new members, including Stella McCartney, Marzotto Wool Manufacturing Srl, and Fashion for Good, while continuing its collaboration with founding members such as Kering and Goldwin (see Appendix for full list). 


The Alliance was founded to harness the transformative power of biology to accelerate the global transition toward a circular future. By bringing together leading brands, manufacturers, and innovators, the Alliance seeks to enable regeneration of bio-based waste—from textiles, agriculture, and forestry—into valuable products such as protein materials through Metabolic Recycling* and other advanced processes.

Seeing such a diverse group of organizations align and collaborate toward a shared goal is truly inspiring. What began as a vision has grown into a dynamic, collaborative effort with strong momentum for real, societal-level change to create a circular future.” Kenji Higashi, Spiber Inc. Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Director of the Alliance Steward Team

Stella McCartney is proud to partner with the BioCircular Materials Alliance, driving the industry towards a circular future. The accomplishments highlighted in the Alliance’s first Progress Report demonstrate significant progress in creating a regenerative bioeconomy, showcasing the power of collaboration and innovation in achieving societal-level change. We look forward to working with this groundbreaking initiative.” – Stella McCartney brand

The Alliance is proud to announce the release of its first ever Progress Report, which highlights key milestones achieved in 2024. This includes the collaborative development of an Action Plan, which sets the stage to drive the industry toward a circular bioeconomy—where bio-based waste is transformed into new, regenerative materials—through shared knowledge, actionable data, and industry-wide collaboration.

The Progress Report also highlights the creation of the first version of the Materials BioCircularity Database and the progress made in developing the Alliance’s Product Design Guidelines. These tools will serve as comprehensive resources explaining how various combinations of materials and chemical treatments impact the compatibility of resulting products with the biocircular recycling systems. 

The Materials BioCircularity Database is an emerging tool designed to help industry players make informed choices about the selection of fibers, dyes, and chemicals used in their products to optimize them for biocircularity. While still in its early stages, initial datasets have been compiled and the Database is set to evolve into a critical resource for guiding more sustainable product design. The Product Design Guidelines will serve to help industry players understand how material and chemical combinations affect compatibility with biocircular recycling systems. Insights from the growing Database will inform these guidelines, and the Alliance is planning to have an initial draft completed in 2026. 

Fashion for Good is pleased to be collaborating with Spiber and the other BioCircular Materials Alliance Members such as Kering; a founding Alliance Member and a Fashion for Good partner. Finding solutions for different waste feedstocks that currently have no pathways i.e: recycling is vital to help solve the textile waste crisis. We look forward to contributing our expertise on topics such as the Materials Circularity Database that could help steer the industry towards making better design choices to enable bio-circularity.” – Maria Arroyo I Bacete, Fashion for Good Innovation Manager

In tandem with the Progress Report, the Alliance is proud to launch its official website, https://biocircularmaterials.org. The website will serve as a central hub for updates on the Alliance’s activities, providing access to resources like the Progress Report, the Materials BioCircularity Database, and the Product Design Guidelines, as well as information on membership opportunities.

The BioCircular Materials Alliance continues to champion innovation, foster collaboration, and pave the way for a regenerative future in textiles. We urge brands, manufacturers, industry organizations, and policymakers to join us in building a biocircular future.

*Metabolic Recycling

Metabolic Recycling Is the Conversion of Biobased Waste into Nutrients, Such As Sugars and Amino Acids, Which Are Then Used in Microbial Fermentation to Create New Materials. This Process Unlocks the Potential of Biobased Waste, Offering a Scalable and Practical Solution for a Circular Bioeconomy. by Enabling the Use of Low-quality Waste Across Multiple Rounds of Recycling Without Compromising the Performance of the Resulting Materials, It Provides a Groundbreaking Approach to Fiber-to-fiber Recycling.

 


The BioCircular Materials Alliance

Formalized in 2024, the BioCircular Materials Alliance (the “Alliance”) was created to harness the power of biology to drive our society towards a more circular reality. Its vision is a future where biobased components of waste—from, for example, the textile, agriculture, and forestry industries—are transformed into biological nutrients and regenerated into new chemicals and materials through microbial fermentation.

For more information, visit https://biocircularmaterials.org

Spiber Inc.

Established in 2007, Spiber is a biotech venture company based in Yamagata, Japan. Dedicated to creating innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable wellbeing, Spiber has developed a new material solution inspired by nature’s diversity and circularity: the “Brewed Protein™” material platform. By harnessing the power of precision fermentation, Spiber engineers proteins at the molecular level, resulting in versatile materials that can be tailored to specific needs. This innovative solution opens up new possibilities for sustainable and high-performance materials in various industries, including apparel, food, automotives, and more. Alongside our partners, Spiber is constantly exploring diverse new applications for Brewed Protein™ materials in order to help pave the way for a brighter future. Our passion lies in fostering a circular economy, minimizing our environmental impact, and working together to build a world that is inclusive, fair, and regenerative.

For more information, visit https://spiber.inc/en/

Appendix: Alliance Members

22 Alliance Members as of January 21st, 2025.

This list does not include anonymous companies that are silent contributors to the Alliance.

1.    Albini Group

2.    Archroma

3.    Armedangels

4.    DyStar

5.    EILEEN FISHER

6.    Fashion for Good

7.    Goldwin Inc.

8.    Gruppo Florence

9.    Kering

10.  Marzotto Wool Manufacturing Srl

11.  Marimekko

12.  Pangaia

13.  RDD Textiles

14.  Stella McCartney

15.  Spiber Inc.

16.  UNITED ARROWS LTD.

17.  Vollebak

Hang Lung Signs HK$10 Billion Five-Year Syndicated Loan Facilities


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) (“the “Company” or “Hang Lung”) announced that it has successfully signed a five-year HK$10 billion loan facilities (“the Facilities”) with a consortium of more than 10 international, Chinese and local banks. The Facilities received an encouraging response from the banking community, demonstrating strong confidence in Hang Lung’s long-term prospects.

Mr. Weber Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hang Lung Properties (fourth from the left), and Mr. Kenneth Chiu, Chief Financial Officer of Hang Lung Properties (fifth from the left), with bank representatives (from left to right: United Overseas Bank Limited, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, and DBS Bank Ltd.) at the closing ceremony of Hang Lung’s five-year syndicated loan facilities
Mr. Weber Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hang Lung Properties (fourth from the left), and Mr. Kenneth Chiu, Chief Financial Officer of Hang Lung Properties (fifth from the left), with bank representatives (from left to right: United Overseas Bank Limited, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, and DBS Bank Ltd.) at the closing ceremony of Hang Lung’s five-year syndicated loan facilities

The proceeds from the Facilities will be used to refinance part of the Company’s debt and provide additional working capital to support the Company’s business development.

Mr. Weber Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hang Lung Properties, said, “The strong demand of the Facilities underscores Hang Lung’s solid credit profile and the market’s trust on our business model. We are committed to utilizing the funds from the Facilities effectively to fuel sustainable business growth. We sincerely appreciate the robust endorsement from the banking sector.”

Mr. Kenneth Chiu, Chief Financial Officer of Hang Lung Properties, said, “Securing this strategic financing will strengthen our financial position, and empower us to implement disciplined capital management while pursuing growth. Furthermore, it will strengthen our banking relationships, bolstering our financial resilience in an evolving market.”

Hang Lung’s five-year syndicated loan facilities received an encouraging response from a consortium of more than 10 international, Chinese and local banks
Hang Lung’s five-year syndicated loan facilities received an encouraging response from a consortium of more than 10 international, Chinese and local banks

The Facilities are backed by:
Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited
DBS Bank Ltd.
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited
United Overseas Bank Limited
Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch
The Bank of East Asia Limited
China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch
China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch
Hua Xia Bank Co., Limited Hong Kong Branch
Chong Hing Bank Limited
Hang Seng Bank Limited
First Commercial Bank Ltd.
Hashtag: #HangLungProperties

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

About Hang Lung Properties

Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) creates compelling spaces that enrich lives. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hang Lung Properties develops and manages a diversified portfolio of world-class properties in Hong Kong and the nine Mainland cities of Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming, Wuhan and Hangzhou. With its luxury positioning under the “66” brand, the company’s Mainland portfolio has established its leading position as the “Pulse of the City”. Hang Lung Properties is also recognized for leading the way in enhancing sustainability initiatives in the real estate industry, all the while pursuing sustainable growth by connecting customers and communities.

At Hang Lung Properties – We Do It Well.

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