PERTH, Australia, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pela Global Limited (PELA), an Australian based critical and precious metals company, has executed a Project Development funding agreement with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), securing up to US$5 million to advance its Krstov Dol Antimony Mine Restart Project in North Macedonia. This deal marks DFC’s first antimony investment and first project in North Macedonia, providing strong validation of the project’s strategic and commercial positioning.

The agreement includes the potential for follow-on financing, subject to feasibility and DFC investment criteria, and indicates a pathway with strong potential toward construction and long-term development support.

“DFC is proud to announce our partnership with Pela on this strategic Project Development agreement, our first in North Macedonia,” said DFC CEO Ben Black. “By supporting the revival of the brownfield antimony mine and processing operation at Krstov Dol, this project will help diversify global antimony supply away from China and secure a reliable source of this critical mineral for the U.S. and our allies.”

The investment is anchored in the strategic positioning of the Krstov Dol Mine (KDM) project. KDM is a historically producing antimony asset being advanced as a near-term source of supply for U.S. and allied markets. Antimony is a critical input in defence, semiconductor and energy systems, with limited near-term production capacity across allied economies, positioning the project to benefit from tightening supply-demand dynamics.

DFC funding will support key feasibility milestones, including a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate and assessments aligned with international standards, helping to de-risk the project and advance it toward development.

As a follow-on to DFC’s agreement, PELA recently collaborated with PGM Processing, a U.S.-based company, to explore a commercial offtake arrangement. Under this engagement, PGM Processing intends to procure a substantial volume of antimony concentrate and tailings from PELA, subject to the successful completion of processing trials and project development milestones.

“Together, DFC’s investment and the PGM Processing partnership are expected to support the development of near-term antimony supply for the United States, anchored in allied production and U.S.-based processing”, Nik Jovanovski, the Managing Director of PELA Global.

Located in North Macedonia, a NATO member and EU accession country, the project offers a stable and strategically aligned jurisdiction for investment. PELA Global, is advancing the project in line with internationally recognised environmental and social standards.

Pela Global Limited is an Australian critical and precious metals company focused on the responsible development of mineral resources across Southeastern Europe’s Tethyan Metallogenic Belt. 

AI Demand, Advanced Logic and Memory Drive Record Semiconductor Equipment Billings in 2025

MILPITAS, Calif., April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment increased 15% to $135.1 billion in 2025 from $117.1 billion in 2024, driven by continued investment in advanced logic, memory, and AI-related capacity expansion, SEMI, the industry association representing the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, reported today. The data is available in the Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) report.

In 2025, the global front-end semiconductor equipment market posted solid growth, with wafer processing equipment sales increasing 12% and other front-end segments rising 13%. The expansion was driven primarily by continued investment in leading-edge logic and memory capacity, supported by AI-related demand and ongoing node and technology migrations.

The back-end equipment segment also recorded strong growth in 2025. Test equipment billings surged 55% year-over-year as AI devices and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) increased performance requirements and test intensity, while assembly and packaging equipment sales rose 21% as adoption of advanced packaging technologies continued to expand.

“Record semiconductor equipment billings of $135 billion in 2025 underscore the scale and urgency of the industry’s buildout as AI accelerates demand for leading-edge logic, advanced memory and high-bandwidth architectures,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI President and CEO. “From wafer fab investments to the rapid rise of advanced packaging and test, the global ecosystem is expanding capacity and capability to support the next wave of innovation.”

Regionally, semiconductor equipment spending remained concentrated in Asia in 2025, with mainland China, Taiwan, and Korea together accounting for 79% of the global market, compared with 74% in 2024.

In 2025, spending in mainland China remained near record levels at $49.3 billion, down just 0.5% from the prior year, as domestic chipmakers continued to invest in mature nodes and select advanced capacity. Equipment spending in Taiwan rose 90% year-over-year to a record $31.5 billion, reflecting AI- and HPC-driven capacity expansion. Korea increased 26% to $25.8 billion as investment in HBM and DRAM remained strong.

Japan recorded 22% growth to $9.5 billion, supported by continued investment in domestic advanced-node manufacturing. Europe declined 41% to $2.9 billion, marking a second consecutive year of contraction amid ongoing weakness in automotive and industrial demand. North America fell 20% to $10.9 billion as spending moderated following earlier capacity expansion. The rest of the world increased 25% to $5.2 billion, reflecting expanding activity in emerging semiconductor production markets.

Compiled from data submitted by members of SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), the WWSEMS report is a summary of the monthly billings figures for the global semiconductor equipment industry.

About SEMI Market Data

The Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) from SEMI provides comprehensive market data for the global semiconductor equipment market. A subscription includes three reports:

• Monthly SEMI North American Billings Report, an early perspective of equipment market trends
• Monthly Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics(WWSEMS), a detailed report of semiconductor equipment billings for seven regions and more than 22 market segments
• Bi-annual Total Semiconductor Equipment Forecast – OEM Perspective, an outlook for the semiconductor equipment market

Download a sample EMDS report.

For more information or to subscribe, please contact SEMI Market Intelligence at mktstats@semi.org. Details on SEMI market data are available at SEMI Market Data.

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About SEMI

SEMI^® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON^® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.

Association Contacts
Sherrie Gutierrez/SEMI
Phone: 1.831.889.3800
Email: sgutierrez@semi.org

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Email: squinn@kiterocket.com

SYDNEY, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Virtual IT Group (VITG) today announced the acquisition of Australian cybersecurity consultancy Security Centric, expanding its security capability at a time when mid-market organisations across Australia and New Zealand are facing a sharp rise in both the frequency and sophistication of cyber threats.

With origins in defence and federal government, Security Centric brings expertise in managed detection & response, GRC & advisory, security engineering and technical assurance. Its team will join VITG’s expanding security practice, forming a combined group of approximately 45 cybersecurity specialists. This strengthens VITG’s 24/7 ANZ Security Operations Centre (SOC), automation platform, and end-to-end security offering.

The partnership strengthens customer outcomes by deeply integrated technology and cyber functions normally available only to large enterprise teams.

Sash Vasilevski, CEO of Security Centric said, “Our customers will see continuity with meaningful uplift. The same trusted team will now be supported by deeper engineering capability, automation expertise, and national reach.”

Vasilevski will step into the role of Chief Security Officer (CSO) on VITG’s executive team.

VITG is an Australian founded MSP and MSSP with ten offices across Australia and New Zealand. It has more than 400 employees, supporting mid-market organisations and their business systems, helping them to stay stronger and more secure, as they face increasing technology complexity, security threats and rapid AI adoption.

The acquisition also reinforces a shared mission to help customers stay ahead of fast evolving threats.

Maurice McCarthy, CEO at VITG said, “Mid-market organisations across ANZ are being hit harder and more often by increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Security Centric brings exceptional capability and a pragmatic, customer-first mindset that aligns strongly with VITG’s vision. Together, we will deliver scalable, security-led outcomes that give customers confidence and resilience in a rapidly changing environment.”

About Virtual IT Group

Virtual IT Group is one of the fastest growing mid-market technology and cybersecurity providers in Australia and New Zealand. With scale, reach, and proven expertise, we deliver end-to-end managed IT and security services making our client’s business systems stronger, safer and simpler every day.

www.vitg.com.au

Andrew Chung Named President and Co-CEO; Kevin D. Kim Named Executive Vice President

NEW YORK, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Extell Development Company, one of the nation’s premier real estate development firms, announced today two executive appointments. Andrew Chung has joined the company as President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, partnering with Gary Barnett, Extell’s Founder, Chairman & CEO. Kevin D. Kim has been named Executive Vice President of Government Relations & Capital Raising – Asia.

Andrew Chung

“Andrew and Kevin bring exceptional leadership to Extell at a pivotal moment,” said Gary Barnett, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Extell Development Company. “Andrew’s background in development and institutional investment, together with Kevin’s expertise in capital raising, government, regulatory and community engagement, will be critical as we grow and take on increasingly complex opportunities.”

Chung is the founder of Innovo Property Group, established in 2015. Previously, he was a Partner at The Carlyle Group, where he was a senior member of the U.S. Real Estate Fund and led the New York office for a decade. His experience spans large-scale development and complex capital structures. In his role, Chung will work closely with Barnett to oversee Extell’s pipeline and strategic growth. He serves on the NYU Schack Institute Advisory Board and was named to The New York Observer’s “Power 100” for six consecutive years.

Kim’s career spans senior leadership roles across the private and public sectors. He was previously a partner at IPG Partners 2.0, leading capital raising and government relations, and began his career as a corporate real estate attorney at Davis Polk & Wardwell. He has held senior roles across city, state, and federal government, most recently as Commissioner of NYC Small Business Services, where he launched the city’s largest public-private loan program for small businesses. He has also served as Commissioner of the New York State Liquor Authority, Trustee of The City University of New York (CUNY), and currently sits on the congressionally appointed National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission.

Kim is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and has been recognized by City & State on its annual power lists. He holds degrees from Stanford University and Columbia Law School and was a member of the Columbia Law Review.

Extell Development
Extell Development, founded by Gary Barnett, is a nationally recognized developer of luxury residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties in New York and other premier markets. Notable projects include Central Park Tower, One57, One Manhattan Square, Brooklyn Point, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, and Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Park City, Utah.

Kevin D. Kim

NORWALK, Conn., April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LBB Specialties (LBBS), a North American distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients providing technical solutions with a customer-first approach, today announced a new partnership with DMC Biotechnologies (DMC), a U.S.-based ingredient supplier pioneering sustainable fermentation technologies. Through this agreement, LBB Specialties will serve as the distributor of DMC’s KeyPura™ fermented myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in the United States and Canada — two next-generation ingredients produced through precision fermentation — serving the Human Nutrition, Food, Personal Care, and Life Science markets.

“This collaboration brings to market a cleaner, more sustainable, and more reliable source of inositols. As essential compounds, inositols play critical roles in hormonal balance, reproductive health, infant brain development, blood sugar regulation with improved insulin sensitivity, and overall metabolic health,” said Jerry Whelan, Senior Vice President, Food & Nutrition at LBBS. “DMC leverages their proprietary precision fermentation technology to produce bio-identical ingredients without solvents, with greater purity and consistency, and with a significantly lower environmental footprint than traditional chemical production methods.”

“Together, LBBS and DMC are shaping the future of ingredient innovation,” said Rusty Pittman, Vice President of Business Development at DMC. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to high-purity, naturally derived ingredients with proven health benefits – responsibly sourced and sustainably produced. The partnership further strengthens LBBS’s growing portfolio of functional and sustainable ingredient technologies that empower brands to meet the next generation of consumer expectations, without compromising performance, purity, or planet.”

For more information about DMC’s KeyPura™ fermented inositols, please contact LBB Specialties today.

About LBB Specialties

LBB Specialties (LBBS) is a dedicated provider of specialty chemicals and ingredients, specializing in sales, marketing, and distribution across North America. LBBS provides technical solutions with a customer-first approach, serving diverse end-markets through five industry and market business units: Care, Food & Nutrition, Industrial Specialties, Life Sciences, and Canada. www.LBBSpecialties.com

Media Contact:
Ahmed Hanafy
media@lbbspecialties.com

About DMC Biotechnologies

DMC Biotechnologies is a U.S.-based biomanufacturer redefining how the world produces specialty chemicals and ingredients. Through precision fermentation and synthetic biology, DMC creates sustainable, bio-based alternatives that reduce carbon emissions, enhance quality, and improve global supply chain resilience. The company’s proprietary Dynamic Metabolic Control™ platform enables predictable, scalable, and efficient fermentation processes that unlock a new era of low-impact ingredient manufacturing. Learn more at www.dmcbio.com

Media Contact:
Megan Hopkins
media@dmcbio.com

Kuala Lumpur hosts first launch as wellness technology brand expands into Middle East, Central Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — International wellness technology brand Amezcua is marking its 20-year milestone with the global rollout of the GX-1 Bio-Reset System, a non-powered grounding mat designed to be used as part of everyday wellness routines.

Amezcua GX-1 Reset Mat is portable and convenient to use

The Kuala Lumpur launch signals the first phase of Amezcua’s 2026 expansion across the Middle East, Central Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, regions experiencing accelerated growth in consumer-led, lifestyle-oriented wellbeing adoption.

Malaysia’s wellness economy has been valued at approximately USD$31.8 billion, reflecting sustained consumer interest in lifestyle-driven wellbeing solutions according to the Global Wellness Institute, 2024.

Designed for daily use at home or at work, the GX-1 requires no electricity, charging, batteries, or powered connection. As a non-powered mat, it does not generate electrical current or emit signals. The system includes a conductive connection wire linking the primary mat to a secondary floor contact pad. The portable mat is intended to complement rest, recovery and overall wellbeing routines as part of broader lifestyle practices.

Amezcua is a wellness technology brand under QNET, a wellness and lifestyle focused direct selling company. This latest launch reflects the organisation’s continued focus on accessible, nature-inspired wellness solutions.

“Over the past two decades, we have observed a global shift from reactive healthcare to proactive wellbeing,” said Matthias Mildenborn, Chief Executive Officer of QNET. “The GX-1 reflects that transition by offering a simple, non-powered solution designed to integrate seamlessly into modern lifestyles without requiring additional digital dependency.”

Grounding — sometimes referred to as “earthing” — is a wellness practice that continues to attract interest internationally. The GX-1 is developed under the guidance of the Amezcua Scientific Advisory Board, which includes experts in energy science and integrative health, including Professor Dr. Konstantin Korotkov, whose published work has explored bioelectrical and environmental interactions. (Korotkov, K.G., academic publications and Bio-Well research)

Amezcua emphasises responsible communication in the evolving wellness space and positions the GX-1 as a lifestyle wellness product and not a medical device.

Elena Khoo, Chief Marketing Officer of QNET, said transparency is essential as consumer literacy continues to grow. “The wellness sector is evolving rapidly, and consumers are increasingly discerning. Our responsibility is to communicate clearly that grounding is positioned as a complementary lifestyle practice, not a form of medical care or intervention. Transparency builds long-term trust.”

Materials, Safety and Quality
The GX-1 is made with an electroconductive polyurethane (PU) upper layer and Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer (TPE) foam for the base layer. Independent testing conducted by Bureau Veritas confirmed that the materials comply with the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) chemical safety regulation, with no Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) detected. The materials are hypoallergenic and safe for prolonged skin contact. The product is manufactured under an ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system and is positioned as a non-powered general wellness mat, not a medical device.

Product Formats and Everyday Use
The GX-1 is available as a pack of two: a large mat and a small mat. The large mat is designed for versatile use — for example, placed on a bed beneath a sheet, used on a chair or sofa, or used as a yoga mat as part of a personal wellbeing routine. The small mat is designed for portability, including use when seated during travel (such as flights) by placing it at the feet, or at a work desk. For users who want extended coverage, the two mats can be connected together to create a larger continuous grounding surface.

The product is available through the official QNET e-store and via authorised Independent Distributors in participating markets.

As Amezcua expands into new regions throughout 2026, the GX-1 launch signals the brand’s continued focus on nature-inspired wellness technologies adapted for contemporary lifestyles.

For more information, visit www.amezcua.com.

About Amezcua

Founded in 2006, Amezcua is a global wellness technology brand focused on supporting how the human body interacts with modern living environments. Guided by nature-inspired energy science, Amezcua develops non-invasive lifestyle solutions designed to complement everyday wellbeing.

Backed by 20 years of focused innovation, ongoing research, and the guidance of its Scientific Advisory Board, Amezcua’s ecosystem spans water, light, environment, and body-ground solutions. Its portfolio includes the Bio Disc, Bio Light, Chi Pendant, E-Guard X, and the GX-1 Bio-Reset System — powered by its proprietary Amezcua Resonance Technology (ART).

Amezcua continues to expand across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, positioning itself at the intersection of science, technology and accessible lifestyle wellness.

For more information, visit www.amezcua.com.

For further information kindly contact:

Diana Buxton, PR Manager
Mobile: +6017 325 0520
Email: diana@slpr.com.my

Aryssa Fahmy, Associate PR Manager
Mobile: +6017 203 2750
Email: aryssa@slpr.com.my