31.6 C
Vientiane
Sunday, May 25, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 41

Star Living’s New Electronic Product Line Debuts Across Showrooms in May


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 May 2025 – Star Living, a home furnishing brand in Singapore, is proud to announce its expansion into the electronic product category this May. With a curated selection of everyday appliances and smart home essentials, the move marks a strategic step towards becoming a comprehensive, one-stop destination for modern homeowners.

Electronics Range at Star Living Sungei Kadut Showroom
Electronics Range at Star Living Sungei Kadut Showroom

This milestone is part of Star Living’s broader vision to go beyond furniture and address the evolving lifestyle needs of customers. “We saw a growing need among new homeowners for a convenient shopping experience. Many are furnishing their homes and buying electronic products at the same time. Expanding our offerings was a natural step,” reveals Koh Hong Jie, Group Retail Manager at Star Living.

Smart Living, All in One Place

Launching across Star Living showrooms at Sungei Kadut, Tampines, and Serangoon North, the initial electronics lineup includes:

  • Wells water and air purifiers
  • Roborock robot vacuums
  • Deerma appliances such as dehumidifiers, air fryers, kettles, and hair dryers
  • Standing fans
  • Other everyday smart essentials
The range reflects Star Living’s commitment to quality and purposeful selection, not an overwhelming choice. These electronic products are chosen based on functionality, design synergy, and trusted brand reputation.

Meanwhile, an in-store experience allows customers to test robot vacuums under actual furniture or see how small appliances complement different room layouts. This offers a practical and immersive shopping experience. For Well’s products, upon receiving an order, Star Living will liaise directly with Wells to manage fulfilment and installation, providing a seamless, end-to-end experience for the customer.

On the other hand, Roborock and Deerma products are part of Star Living’s in-house inventory. They are available for immediate cash-and-carry. As such, customers can enjoy instant gratification and trusted after-sales service.

A Glimpse Into the Future

This electronic product launch is just the beginning of Star Living’s journey into broader lifestyle categories. With custom carpentry services already in the pipeline, the brand is exploring new ways to integrate smart living and furniture design— including future possibilities like tech-integrated furniture and smart home systems.

“This expansion reflects a shift in how Singaporeans shop for their homes. By curating electronics that seamlessly integrate into real living spaces, we are hoping to redefine what a modern home store can be,” Koh Hong Jie, Group Retail Manager at Star Living says.

Star Living will evaluate the initiative based on showroom engagement, sales metrics, and customer feedback, particularly the attach rate of electronics purchased alongside furniture.

The brand welcomes media and customers to explore the new electronics range in person at its showrooms, where furniture meets functionality and style meets smart living.
Hashtag: #starliving



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

About Star Living

Star International is a vertically integrated company involved in the design, manufacturing, retail, and export of household furniture and accessories. Their furniture range such as , sofa and caters to urban dwellers seeking practical home living solutions. The brand covers a retail presence of 5 retail points in Singapore, 9 in Taiwan, and 1 in Malaysia.

Elyon Family Clinic Launches STD Testing Packages Amid Rising Sexual Health Awareness

SINGAPORE, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Elyon Family Clinic & Surgery, an STD clinic in Singapore, has expanded its diagnostic offerings with the launch of two new testing packages: the STI-7 Multiplex Panel and the Genital Ulcer Assay. These additions are in line with the clinic’s ongoing commitment to improving early detection and clinical outcomes in the area of sexual health.

The introduction of these testing options comes amid rising awareness of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and shifting infection patterns in Singapore and across Asia. Regional medical reports have noted an increase in the prevalence of infections such as Mycoplasma genitalium, Hepatitis C virus, and other lesser-known pathogens. Many of these conditions often present with minimal or no symptoms, making them difficult to diagnose using traditional testing methods.

The STI-7 Multiplex Panel provides simultaneous testing for seven common and emerging STIs in a single lab-based analysis. This includes detection of conditions such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and Mycoplasma genitalium, among others. The test is designed for individuals seeking a broad diagnostic overview, particularly those with multiple risk factors or recurring symptoms.

The Genital Ulcer Assay, on the other hand, focuses on identifying pathogens responsible for ulcerative STDs. It helps to accurately diagnose infections such as syphilis and herpes, which are often underdiagnosed despite their increasing presence in the local population.

Both new packages support Elyon Family Clinic & Surgery’s mission to offer accessible and confidential STD screening options backed by up-to-date clinical protocols. These tests add to the clinic’s existing services that include STD consultations, treatment, and preventive care.

Elyon Family Clinic & Surgery is helmed by Dr. Vincent Chia, a Harvard-trained, board-accredited Family Physician with over 25 years of clinical experience. Under his leadership, the clinic has built a reputation for professionalism, discretion, and evidence-based care. Its services include HIV testing, ensuring timely diagnosis and management as part of its comprehensive sexual health offerings.

With these expanded offerings, Elyon Family Clinic & Surgery continues to strengthen its capacity to address a wide range of sexual health needs in Singapore.

About Elyon Family Clinic & Surgery

Elyon Family Clinic & Surgery is a medical clinic based in Singapore that provides a range of healthcare services with a dedicated focus on sexual health. The clinic adopts a discreet and patient-centred approach, offering testing, treatment, and preventive care designed to meet the healthcare needs of individuals in Singapore.

For more information, please visit https://elyonclinic.com.sg.

Nanyang Polytechnic introduces Singapore’s First Common Programme in Business, IT and Engineering

  First-of-its-kind in Singapore, it allows learners articulation into diplomas in three Schools. 
 Programme is one of five new NYP options for the 2025 Early Admissions Exercise.

SINGAPORE, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — For the first time, learners can opt for and enrol in the new Common Business & Technology Programme (CBTP) offered by Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP). Approved by the Ministry of Education, the new programme will be offered for the first time at the upcoming Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) next month.

The CBTP has innovatively structured the first semester so that entrants can articulate to diplomas in three separate NYP Schools: Business Management, IT and Engineering (or BITE).  Learners will take interdisciplinary modules like Applied Business Fundamentals & Communication, Programming, and UX Design in Web Development in the first semester. After a taster of all three disciplines, they can make informed choices and select their preferred diploma in the three Schools to pursue.

“We believe in empowering learners with the choice to shape their own polytechnic journey,” said Mr Russell Chan, Principal and CEO of NYP. “We call it our ‘programme with bite!’ Why? It’s powerful: it gives learners room to explore their interests in three distinctively different disciplines, discover their strengths, and make confident choices about their future.”

“We’re proud to be the first polytechnic in Singapore to offer this cross-school programme, and we’re excited to see how it opens new doors for a new generation of learners.”

Navigating post-secondary education can be challenging for learners who are still unsure about their pathways. This is perhaps why Common Entry Programmes (CEPs) have gained popularity since their introduction in 2017. Today, 30 per cent of the cohort enrolling into Polytechnics choose CEPs to start their polytechnic life. These Programmes allow learners to spend one or two semesters learning fundamental modules before deciding on their specialised diplomas.  

However, all previous CEPs in local polytechnics have been School-based. This means that learners would go on to specialise in their chosen academic School’s disciplines. For example, a learner who enrols in NYP’s Common Engineering Programme would then choose among the School of Engineering’s diplomas, such as Aerospace Engineering, AI & Data Engineering, or Sustainability in Engineering with Business.

NYP’s new Programme becomes the 26th Common Entry Programme to be offered across the five polytechnics in Singapore. It is one of five new options that NYP is offering for learners starting polytechnic next year in AY2026. Applications for all these courses will be open at the upcoming EAE.

The other new courses are:

1.    Diploma in Biomedical Science with Analytics

With data being critical in the decision-making process, particularly for the healthcare sector where time is of essence, the demand for professionals who can bridge science and analytics is ever increasing. The new Diploma in Biomedical Science with Analytics combines biomedical fundamentals with applied data skills, enabling learners to analyse complex biological datasets to support research, diagnostics, and innovation in healthcare.

Beyond equipping learners with skills in diagnostic and clinical research, graduates will also be equipped with practical skills in AI and data analytics, bioinformatics and biomedical research to put them at the forefront of the biomedical industry.

Through partnerships with leading healthcare institutions and research facilities in Singapore, learners will gain hands-on experience working with real-world biological datasets and analytical tools.

2.    Diploma in Cloud Engineering

The cloud engineering industry is estimated to grow more than 14 per cent annually, and be worth US$1,066 billion globally by 2031[1]. With cloud platforms now underpinning everything from e-commerce to entertainment, the demand for cloud engineers continues to surge.

NYP’s new Diploma in Cloud Engineering is the only polytechnic course in Singapore that integrates both hardware and software knowledge and skills, preparing tomorrow’s cloud engineers with the skills to design, build and manage the infrastructure that powers digital transformation across various industries.

Learners will gain hands-on experience through projects and internships with industry leaders in cloud technology like GovTech and Singtel-Nxera, and be equipped with industry-recognised certifications from AI Singapore.

3.    Diploma in Media & Communication Management

In a media landscape driven by digital platforms and rapid content cycles, communicators must be strategic, agile, and tech-savvy. The Diploma in Media & Communication Management will train learners at thinking holistically about strategic communication, craft compelling messages, manage brand narratives, and execute integrated campaigns across multiple channels.

Learners will gain practical experience not just in the aspect of media and communications like content creation, public relations, and communications strategy, but also business management fundamentals, preparing them for dynamic roles in branding, media, corporate communications and beyond. They will be able to put these skills into practice through internships and projects with the likes of Mediacorp, SGAG, and Mothership.

4.    Diploma in Business Management: New Specialisations in AI, Psychology

A McKinsey report in 2025[2] found that while nearly all companies invest in AI, only one per cent consider themselves mature in AI integration – not due to a lack of technology or talent, but a shortfall in strategic leadership and human-centred thinking.

To equip our learners with future-ready skills needed to thrive in the everchanging landscape, NYP’s Diploma in Business Management will offer two new specialisations from academic year 2026 (commencing Apr 2026) – AI & Business Digitalisation and Business Psychology.

The only business diploma in Singapore that allows learners to start specialising from year two, the diploma also boasts the largest number of specialisations – seven – among local polytechnics. Beyond the two new specialisations, learners can choose from existing specialisations like International Business, Human Capital Management, E-Commerce & Retail, Supply Chain & Logistics Management, and Marketing.

More information on all five new course offerings is found in the Annexes.

Enrolment into these new programmes starts in June 2025, through the EAE. For more information, visit NYP’s EAE Festival on campus on 30 and 31 May 2025, or www.nyp.edu.sg/eae

FACT SHEETS

ANNEX A

All of NYP’s new diploma offerings are taught under its unique Professional Competency Model – as its name suggests, it is about ensuring that graduates emerge with skills that address real world needs alongside theoretical knowledge.

This integrated approach means that subjects are not taught in isolation but are combined in practical, real-world scenarios. For instance, when learners work on assignments and projects, they simultaneously apply technical knowledge, data analysis skills, and business communication as they develop solutions and present recommendations.

Through partnerships with industry leaders, learners will undergo curriculum that is co-developed and co-taught by experts in their field. They will also receive industry-recognised co-certificates that put them a step ahead of their peers.

Common Business & Technology Programme (CBTP)

School of Business Management, School of Engineering, School of Information Technology

This new cross-disciplinary common entry programme helps address a common challenge faced by post-secondary learners who are uncertain about their preferred diploma. Many O-Level graduates, while possessing strong academic foundations, often find it challenging to choose between business, engineering, or technology pathways. The CBTP provides these learners with the unique opportunity to experience all three disciplines firsthand, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their academic and career trajectories based on actual experience rather than preconceptions.

Learners who enrol in the CBTP will learn the fundamentals for all three disciplines in their first semester, before selecting one discipline to pursue. Those who choose the business discipline will pursue a Diploma in Business Management, while learners with interest in engineering or technology will be posted to the Common Engineering Programme or the Common ICT Programme respectively. This group of learners will undergo another semester in the common entry programme and take on more domain-specific modules, before deciding on their preferred Engineering or IT diploma to pursue from Year 2.

As part of the programme, learners will also go through a series of education and career guidance (ECG) activities, including school immersion activities, career profiling, and mentorship, to guide them in making confident and informed choices about their learning path.

ANNEX B

Diploma in Biomedical Science with Analytics (DBMSA)

School of Applied Science

With hands-on experience in analysing datasets and leveraging analytical tools, DBMSA learners are skilled in handling both laboratory and analytical work. The programme’s industry-aligned curriculum ensures graduates are ready to contribute in clinical research organisations, pharmaceutical companies, or healthcare technology firms. They will be equipped to support data-driven decision-making in healthcare, contribute to biomedical lab research, and drive innovation in diagnostic technologies.

Graduates of the Diploma programme can sit for the International Medical Laboratory Technician MLT(ASCPi) certification examinations offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). This internationally recognised qualification is highly valued, being a benchmark of excellence for laboratory professionals across more than 30 nations. Having this certification enhances one’s prospects for both job opportunities and career growth within the healthcare sector.

ANNEX C

Diploma in Cloud Engineering (DCE)

School of Engineering

Cloud engineers are the brains that power the tech behind the likes of Netflix and Spotify. Additionally, businesses and government agencies are also moving operations and data to the cloud for scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, bringing about an increasing need for skilled and versatile individuals.

DCE prepares learners for more than just data centre management. In addition to key domain skillsets in cloud engineering such as cloud architecture, automation and cybersecurity, it also equips them with significant transferrable skills in innovation, sustainability, digitalisation and AI, which aligns with broader digital sustainability efforts in Singapore.

As Singapore continues its Smart Nation journey, DCE graduates will be well-positioned to support various sectors in their cloud adoption and digital transformation efforts, contributing effectively to Singapore’s growing digital economy.

ANNEX D

Diploma in Media & Communication Management (DMCM)

School of Business Management

DMCM equips learners with competencies in the likes of business communication and innovation, business intelligence and data science, digital media communication, on top of hard skills in media design and production. Learners graduate as all-rounders in media, communications and business – opening doors for hybrid roles and multiple pathways for further studies.

Through partnerships with prominent media organisations, the public sector, and businesses, learners can hone their ability to produce compelling content that educates, amuses, and motivates audiences. They also gain hands-on experience through industry-based projects, learn from seasoned professionals during guest sessions, and build valuable connections whilst staying current with emerging media trends.

For example, year one learners can enhance their presentation abilities through workshops with SPH Radio, with the opportunity to work alongside evening radio presenters.

ANNEX E

Diploma in Business Management (DBM)

School of Business Management

The dual specialisation structure in a business management diploma addresses a growing industry need for hybrid talent – professionals who are agile, adaptable, and able to work across disciplines. As the business landscape evolves, graduates will need more than technical knowledge. They will need the ability to think creatively, analyse trends, and understand people.

The new AI & Business Digitalisation specialisation offers learners hands-on learning opportunities with low-code digital tools, empowering them to create business apps and digital solutions with ease. By demystifying technologies like predictive analytics and automation, learners gain the confidence to apply digital strategies in real-world settings – with no technical background required.

In the new Business Psychology specialisation, learners explore areas such as consumer behaviour, user experience (UX), and organisational psychology – skills that are increasingly vital for companies seeking to enhance customer experience and manage workplace change.

[1] Source: Verified Market Research, “Cloud Engineering Market Size And Forecast,”

https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/cloud-engineering-market/               

[2] Source: McKinsey, “Superagency in the workplace: Empowering people to unlock AI’s full potential,”
https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work

 

Trump Organization Eyes New Tower in Vietnam, Local Authorities say

Trump Organization Eyes New Tower in Vietnam. (Photo: Jon Tyson on Unsplash)

AFP – United States President Donald Trump’s real estate company is seeking to build a tower in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese officials said on Tuesday, with his son due to scout locations this week.

Authorities in Vietnam’s southern business hub said in a statement that they met with a representative of the Trump Organization and its local partner, the Kinh Bac City Development Corporation (KBC).

The statement said authorities had already conducted a field survey of two potential locations in the eastern part of the city on Monday and are scheduled to meet leaders of the Trump Organization on Thursday.

The company, which builds luxury developments around the world, has come under scrutiny, with critics accusing Trump of leveraging his political position for personal financial gain.

The state-controlled Tuoi Tre newspaper said the organisation’s senior vice-president, Eric Trump, the US president’s second son, would lead the visit.

It also said the delegation would visit a proposed location for “Trump Tower”.

The Trump Organization did not respond immediately to AFP’s request for comment.

Tuoi Tre said Eric Trump would also attend a ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday for a USD 1.5 billion luxury resort and golf course developed by the Trump Organization and KBC.

The 990-hectare golf complex in northern Hung Yen province outside Hanoi will feature a 54-hole course and residential villas, the newspaper said.

Project director Charles Boyd-Bowman said in a meeting with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in March that his group aimed to finish the golf resort in March 2027, before Vietnam hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Vietnam and the United States are engaged in trade talks after President Trump threatened a 46 percent levy on Vietnamese goods as part of his global tariff blitz.

Trump visited the Vietnamese capital in 2019 for his abortive second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

He described Hanoi at the time as an “incredible city” and praised Vietnam for “the job they’ve done, economic development.”


© Agence France-Presse

Info-Tech Research Group Expands Annual Awards Program to Spotlight IT Leadership, Excellence, and Innovation

Reflecting the evolving role of IT in driving business success, Info-Tech Research Group, a global IT research and advisory firm, has announced the launch of its expanded Info-Tech Awards program to celebrate exceptional leaders and organisations across five new categories to celebrate both organisational impact and individuals in the industry. Nominations are now open for the 2025 program, with winners set to be announced in November.

SYDNEY, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Info-Tech Research Group, a global IT research and advisory firm, has officially launched its newly expanded Info-Tech Awards for 2025. The reimagined program now includes two distinct streams, Leader of the Year and Innovator of the Year, to honour both individual excellence and organisational impact in the field of IT.

Info-Tech Research Group has announced the launch of its expanded Info-Tech Awards program to celebrate exceptional leaders and organisations across five new categories to celebrate both organisational impact and individuals in the industry. Nominations are now open for the 2025 program, with winners set to be announced in November.
Info-Tech Research Group has announced the launch of its expanded Info-Tech Awards program to celebrate exceptional leaders and organisations across five new categories to celebrate both organisational impact and individuals in the industry. Nominations are now open for the 2025 program, with winners set to be announced in November.

With five new award categories, the Info-Tech Awards program celebrates leaders and teams who have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and strategic alignment across their IT initiatives. Nominations are now open and will be accepted until July 31, 2025, with winners announced in November 2025.

“Across the Asia-Pacific region, IT leaders are playing an increasingly central role in driving business growth and innovation,” says George Khreish, Managing Partner at Info-Tech Research Group, APAC. “With the expanded Info-Tech Awards program, we’re proud to recognise not only technical excellence but also the vision and leadership required to deliver lasting impact in an exponentially evolving landscape.”

Info-Tech Awards 2025 Categories and Criteria
With expanded criteria and new categories, the Info-Tech Awards 2025 recognises both individual technology leaders and innovative organisations that have driven measurable impact through strategy, execution, and alignment with business priorities. The Info-Tech Awards categories and descriptions are as follows:

  • IT Impact Award This award recognises Info-Tech members who have delivered top-ranking stakeholder satisfaction by aligning IT services with strategic goals, measured through the CIO Business Vision diagnostic. This survey-based program captures stakeholder perspectives on IT performance, priorities, and impact to drive a successful IT strategy that focuses on what matters most to the organisation.
  • IT Excellence Award This category honours leaders who have taken clear, measurable steps to improve IT processes and operational performance using Info-Tech’s IT Management & Governance Program. This survey-based diagnostic is designed to identify strengths and weaknesses across 50 IT processes and guide improvement in the areas that are most important to the organisation.
  • IT Transformation Award – This award spotlights members who have implemented strategic initiatives that drive alignment between IT and broader business goals, guided by Info-Tech’s CIO Playbook, which is a structured, 12-step framework designed to help CIOs systematically improve and transform IT performance.
  • Women Leading IT Award – This recognition celebrates women in IT who exemplify innovation, inclusive leadership, and mentorship within their organisations and the broader industry, inspiring the next generation of leaders. Nominations from the public are welcomed for this category.
  • Innovator of the Year Award – This distinction highlights any organisation that has implemented groundbreaking IT initiatives that drive organisational success. This award honours those who have leveraged technology in innovative ways to solve challenges, enhance efficiency, or set new industry standards, shaping the future of IT and delivering exceptional value. Applications are accepted from both Info-Tech members and other organisations across the globe.

Key Dates and Application Process

  • Nomination Deadline: Nominations for all categories will close on July 31, 2025.
  • Selection Process: Winners will be selected through a combination of diagnostic data, nomination forms, and interviews, with additional evaluations as required.
  • Announcement & Recognition: Awards will be publicly announced in November 2025, with winners receiving a trophy and certificate to recognise their achievements.

For full eligibility criteria and submission details, as well as detailed information about each of the awards, please visit the Info-Tech Awards 2025 page.

To stay up to date with all further announcements, please follow Info-Tech Research Group on LinkedIn and X.

Media Passes for Info-Tech LIVE 2025 in Las Vegas
Media professionals, including journalists, podcasters, and influencers, are invited to attend Info-Tech LIVE 2025 to gain exclusive access to research, content, and interviews with industry leaders. For those unable to attend in person, Info-Tech offers a digital pass option, providing access to live-streamed keynotes, select sessions, and exclusive virtual interviews with speakers and analysts.

Media professionals looking to apply for in-person or digital passes can contact pr@infotech.com to secure their spot and cover the latest advancements in IT for their audiences.

Exhibitors are also invited to be part of Info-Tech LIVE and showcase their products and services to a highly engaged audience of IT decision-makers. For more information about becoming an Info-Tech LIVE exhibitor, please contact events@infotech.com

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organisations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/info_tech_research_group_info_tech_research_group_expands_annual-1.jpg
Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/info_tech_research_group_info_tech_research_group_expands_annual.jpg

Thailand Ranks Among Top 10 Countries with Highest LGBTQ+ Population, Laos Data Unavailable

Thailand Ranks Among Top 10 Countries with Highest LGBTQ+ Population, Laos Data Unavailable
Same-sex couples walk on a rainbow carpet at a marriage registration event at Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on January 23, 2025. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Thailand has been ranked among the top 10 countries with the largest percentage of individuals identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community, according to the latest data from the World Population Review (WPR). 

Prime Focus Technologies to showcase CLEAR® AI Agents and AI Applications for Postproduction and Content Supply Chain at Broadcast Asia 2025

LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the creator of CLEAR®, is excited to announce its participation at Broadcast Asia (BCA) in Singapore, where it will showcase its CLEAR® AI Agents and AI Applications—designed to deliver real results in postproduction and content supply chain workflows. CLEAR® AI is purpose-built for video content and is set to showcase how these innovations can enable visible ROI for AI investments today.

PFT at Broadcast Asia
PFT at Broadcast Asia

“In a region as diverse as APAC, AI must do more than automate—it must understand context, culture, and workflow nuances, said Anupam Sharma, Senior Vice President & Head of Sales – APAC, PFT. “At PFT, our AI Agents and AI Applications empower media companies to scale operations, accelerate time-to-market, and tap into new audience segments—without ballooning costs. This is AI that drives reach and revenue across your content portfolio.”

At BCA 2025, visitors at Meeting Room #5J3-8 will see:

Content Discovery AI Agents: CLEAR® AI’s Search & Metadata Agents go beyond keywords to empower teams to retrieve assets for powerful storytelling. Our AI Agents make it easier than ever to repurpose content, enabling new monetization channels and driving additional revenue.

Content Studio AI Agents: CLEAR® AI’s Content Creation Action Agents automate the time-consuming tasks of snackable content creation—from generating highlights to automating the editing process. This accelerates time-to-market and drives higher viewership and engagement. With proven success, including a 4X YouTube viewership increase and 22X revenue growth for a major content network, our AI Agents are designed to turn your content into a revenue generator.

Content Automation AI Agents: CLEAR® AI Automation Agents take the heavy lifting out of operations—whether automating segmentation, ensuring compliance, or seamlessly adapting assets for global distribution. Experience a 25% increase in viewer retention, a 15% boost in ad revenue, and a reduction in manual compliance review time by 80%.

Beyond AI Agents, PFT will feature applications like AI-powered video collaboration, smart MAM, and supply chain automation, empowering teams to achieve more with fewer resources and driving productivity while cutting operational costs.

Media companies don’t have time for experiments that don’t move the needle. See us at BCA, Meeting Room #5J3-8, and see how CLEAR® AI delivers real results—no fluff.

About Prime Focus Technologies

Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the creator of CLEAR®. It offers streaming platforms, studios, and broadcasters AI-led technology and media services powered by the cloud—enabling creativity, agility, and most importantly, revenue growth. PFT partners with major players such as Channel 4, ITV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, A&E Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Crunchyroll, Insight TV, JioStar, BCCI, Tegna, Amazon MGM Studios, and more.

For more information visit: www.primefocustechnologies.com.

Press Contact

T Shobhana
Senior Vice President & Global Head of Marketing
Prime Focus Technologies
Los Angeles, CA
t.shobhana@primefocus.com

Sicona Signs Transformational Licensing Agreement with Himadri to Scale SiCx® Production

AU$15M investment to accelerate global commercialisation of SiCx® anode technology

SYDNEY, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sicona, a leading innovator in next-generation battery materials, today announced a landmark strategic partnership and technology licensing agreement with Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd (BSE: 500184 | NSE: HSCL), one of the foremost specialty chemical conglomerates in India. The deal includes AU$15 million cornerstone investment by Himadri and marks a pivotal milestone in the commercialisation of Sicona’s flagship Silicon Carbon anode material, SiCx®.

The proceeds will be used to expand Sicona’s pilot plant operations in Australia and scale up production to meet surging demand for sampling materials from major global cell manufacturers who service the electric vehicle (EV), 3C (consumer electronics, communications and computers), defence and space industries, who are actively qualifying SiCx® for next-generation battery platforms.

Licensing Deal Overview: Accelerating Global Production

Under the agreement, Himadri will licence the full suite of intellectual property required to establish and operate a SiCx® production facility in India. The plant, which will be fully funded by Himadri, is being fast-tracked to meet rising global demand. Sales from the facility will be targeted primarily in the automotive sector—positioning Himadri and Sicona at the centre of global EV supply chains.

“This deal is transformative for Sicona,” said Christiaan Jordaan, CEO and Co-Founder of Sicona. “This partnership enables us to commercialise SiCx® at an unprecedented speed and scale, without shouldering the burden of the first-of-a-kind (FOAK) facility funding alone.” Himadri’s manufacturing pedigree and global reach make them the ideal partner.”

Strategic Benefits: Cost-Effective Global Commercialisation

For Sicona, this licensing model offers a capital-light pathway to revenue generation, accelerating its timeline to commercial scale production. Royalties from SiCx® sales in India will provide a steady income stream, while Sicona focuses on delivering its own large-scale facilities—cementing Sicona’s position as a global leader in Silicon Carbon (Si/C) anode materials.

“This partnership proves that early-stage climate tech startups can overcome the challenges of FOAK commercialisation with the right partners,” Jordaan added. “We’re now laser-focused on delivering the facilities in India and the USA.”

SiCx® Technology Edge

Sicona’s SiCx® is a non-silane, mechanical Silicon Carbon material that delivers industry-leading electrochemical performance. Unlike silane-based products, which rely on expensive, volatile and emissions-intensive gas processes, Sicona’s proprietary method uses inert and safe raw materials, allowing for location-agnostic manufacturing and competitive pricing. Furthermore, SiCx® makes no compromise in key specifications and performance.

SiCx® has been engineered to directly tackle two major barriers to EV adoption: limited range and long charge times. When blended with graphite (typically in proportions of 5–20%+), SiCx® boosts energy density by over 20% and cuts charge times by more than 40%, all while maintaining compatibility with today’s lithium-ion battery manufacturing lines.

These improvements contribute meaningfully to reducing carbon emissions in transport, while also diversifying the critical minerals supply chain away from high-risk, concentrated regions and inputs.

Himadri: A World-Class Manufacturing Partner

With over 30 years of manufacturing excellence, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd brings deep experience, robust infrastructure and global distribution capabilities to the partnership. Operating eight zero-liquid discharge pitch facilities and with product availability in around 56 countries, Himadri has established itself as a key player in the advanced materials value chain.

“This collaboration marks a turning point in the world’s advanced battery materials journey,” said Mr. Anurag Choudhary, Chairman, Managing Director and CEO of Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd. “Sicona’s SiCx® delivers two core advantages—higher energy density for longer driving range, and faster charging capability that dramatically reduces wait time for EV users.”

“By integrating Sicona’s technological might with Himadri’s global scale and operational excellence, we are creating a blueprint for innovation-led clean energy leadership. We are throwing all our resources behind this project to get it operational on an accelerated timeline.”

Global Impact: From Pilot Plant to Global Leader

This agreement is the latest in a string of strategic milestones for Sicona, which recently announced plans to build a 6,500tpa commercial production facility in the southeastern United States with long-term plans to expand capacity there to 26,500 tpa on a single site.

With demand from EV manufacturers continuing to surge, Sicona is now positioned to scale rapidly across three continents—leveraging both direct operations and high-value partnerships to drive global impact.

“We thank Himadri for their unwavering belief in our team, our technology, and our mission,” said Jordaan. “Despite challenging capital markets, we are forging ahead, delivering on our goal to be the largest global producer of Si/C materials. This is how we win in climate tech, through smart partnerships, fast execution, and solutions that scale globally.”

About Sicona

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Wollongong, Australia, Sicona is a next-generation battery materials company developing and commercializing advanced Silicon Carbon (Si/C) anode materials. SiCx®, Sicona’s flagship product, delivers breakthrough energy density and charging speed for lithium-ion batteries at industry leading cost and scale. Sicona’s mission is delivering high-performance battery materials at mass-market scale, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.

About Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd

Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd is a global speciality chemical conglomerate with a strong focus on research and development (R&D), innovation and sustainability. As pioneer in the production of lithium-ion battery materials in India, it continuously develops and innovates raw materials of lithium-ion battery value chain. It’s diverse product portfolio includes speciality carbon black, coal tar pitch, refined naphthalene, advance materials, SNF, speciality oils, clean power, etc. catering to various industries such as lithium-ion batteries, paints, plastics, tyres, technical rubber goods, aluminium, graphite electrodes, agrochemicals, defence and construction chemicals. Himadri operates in both domestic and international markets, with its products available in around 56 countries across the globe. With a strong commitment to corporate governance, safety and sustainability, it has 8 zero-liquid discharge manufacturing facilities and utilizes in-house clean power for 100% of its electrical energy needs. Himadri is a people first organization and is making a positive impact on the industry, both in India and globally through its focus on innovation fuelled by extensive R&D, new business opportunities and sustainability.

ENDS

For more information, interview requests or images please contact Julian O’Brien, Sicona PR and Comms manager, +61 419 155 376 or jobrien@southbreakmedia.group