SAGA, Japan, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Saga Prefectural Government, southwestern Japan, will host a wide range of events and openings in 2026 with media support available for international journalists and media organizations.

Eventful new openings, a global environmental initiative, and international sporting events will take place alongside festivals and fairs steeped in tradition, revealing the Saga spirit, which continues to have a profound influence on Japan.

Support for media coverage of these events and other developments, including interpretation services and coordination of interviews and site visits, will be available. The region, on the island of Kyushu, is accessible within one hour from Fukuoka and Nagasaki.

2026 Highlighted Events and Openings:

Snow Peak Grounds Yoshinogari opens, March 18

The Prefectural Government and Snow Peak Inc. open Snow Peak Grounds Yoshinogari, an interactive complex at Yoshinogari Historical Park, on March 18. On-site cottages and cabins, inspired by period architecture, and one of Kyushu’s largest camping fields open for stays from April 18.

Arita Ceramic Fair, April 29-May 5

The largest ceramics fair in Arita attracts around 1.2 million visitors to the town, considered the birthplace of Japan’s porcelain industry.

World Ocean Plastic Planning Center opens, June 7

The Prefectural Government opens the World Ocean Plastic Planning Center–the world’s first hub aimed at tackling global marine plastic pollution through regional initiatives. The center offers hands-on experiences and exhibits focused on upcycling marine plastics, and houses a cafe and shop.

Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2026 makes Saga debut, October 10

The annual stage road race, the Tour de Kyushu, comes to Saga for the first time in 2026. Officially recognized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the tour will bring cyclists from the world’s top road racing teams to Karatsu.

2026 Saga International Balloon Fiesta, October 30-November 3

Asia’s largest sky sports event brings hot air balloon competitions and festivities to Saga each autumn. The 2025 event saw 124 pilots from 20 countries and regions participate in front of over 800,000 visitors.

Karatsu Kunchi, November 2-November 4

The Karatsu Shrine Autumn Grand Festival, Karatsu Kunchi, is one of Japan’s UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage-listed float festivals. Karatsu Kunchi’s floats are considered some of the largest works of dry lacquer craftsmanship in the world.

Images: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202603125517?p=images

• 62% of APAC consumers prioritise supporting physical health when choosing FSN products.
• 61% use FSN products to ensure their daily nutritional needs are met.
• 48% look for solutions that help maintain healthy energy levels throughout a busy day.
• 21% value convenience on the go, while 19% use FSN products to save time on meals or snacks.

SINGAPORE, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global food supplements and nutrition (FSN) market, spanning protein-enriched beverages, fortified drinks and functional supplements, is projected to reach approximately USD$758.99 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% globally.^[1]

Against this backdrop of steady global expansion, Asia Pacific (APAC) is emerging as a key growth region. To help brands better understand the evolving consumer expectations across APAC, Tetra Pak commissioned new global research examining the motivations and preferences shaping the future of the category. For APAC, the analysis draws on insights from markets including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and India.

The findings point to a broader global shift in consumer priorities that is reshaping the FSN market. Emotional benefits and local preferences are increasingly influencing demand, alongside traditional functional claims. The research shows that consumers are turning to FSN products not only for their ability to integrate seamlessly into modern lifestyles, but also for the emotional, aspirational and performance-driven reassurance these products provide.

Across Asia Pacific, functional health benefits remain fundamental. At the same time, emotional reassurance, natural ingredients and lifestyle fit are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions.

Consumers want nutrition that fits their lifestyle

Consumers across APAC are increasingly incorporating FSN products into a holistic approach to wellbeing. The leading motivators include*:

• Supporting physical health (62%)
• Ensuring daily nutritional needs are met (61%)
• Maintaining healthy energy during a busy day (48%)

Beyond physical benefits, FSN products are also valued for boosting mental wellbeing (28%) and improving appearance or fitness (23%). Taste remains equally important, with 23% citing enjoyment as a driver, highlighting the need for products that balance function with sensory appeal.

Emotional reassurance is another important factor, with 42% consumers globally saying they want to feel more in control of their health, alongside peace of mind about nutrition (39%) and feeling more balanced or less stressed (30%).

Practical considerations continue to influence behaviour: 21% value convenience on the go, while 19% look to save time on meals or snacks.

Liquid formats are gaining strong traction, with 59% of consumers expressing interest in ready-to-drink FSN products. Their appeal lies in everyday practicality:

• No preparation required
• Easy storage
• Suitable for busy, mobile lifestyles

John Jose, Marketing Director Tetra Pak Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines & Indonesia (MSPI), commented: “Convenience remains a baseline expectation. For brands across Asia Pacific, it’s a chance to lead with convenient formats and innovative formulations that meet evolving expectations and deliver greater value for customers. But interest in this category goes far beyond ease alone. With 62% of consumers prioritising physical health and 61% using FSN products to ensure their daily nutritional needs are met, we’re seeing a clear shift toward value-driven products that support long-term wellbeing.”

The study also identifies distinct pain points that packaging can help address, from price sensitivity and trust to format convenience and ingredient transparency. Clear labelling, transparent communication and convenient, single-serve formats can help build confidence while supporting busy lifestyles. With 63% consuming FSN products “as is”, shelf-stable packaging solutions are particularly well positioned to meet expectations for ease, portability and reliability. Through its latest research, Tetra Pak aims to support brands in Asia Pacific in developing differentiated offerings that deliver both functional benefits and emotional value in a category defined by rapid innovation and evolving expectations.

John Jose added: “These findings provide a clear direction for brands seeking growth in APAC’s fast-evolving FSN market. By aligning with local preferences and delivering convenient solutions that support everyday nutrition and wellbeing, particularly as 21% of consumers value convenience on the go, brands can build stronger connections and unlock sustainable growth opportunities.”

*Tetra Pak’s FSN Global Consumer Research was conducted by Ipsos in July 2025. The survey covered 25,547 health-conscious consumers, including parents of children, adults aged 16-65 and seniors aged 65+, across 17 countries. Contact us for further insights.

Further insights and practical guidance on the fast-growing FSN (Food Supplements and Nutrition) category are available on Tetra Pak’s website.

ABOUT TETRA PAK

We’re here to make food safe and available. It’s why we provide advanced food production systems. In collaboration with our customers and suppliers, driven by more than 24,000 dedicated employees worldwide, we protect food sustainably every day for hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries. Because we’re here to fulfil a purpose:

We commit to making food safe and available, everywhere, and we promise to protect what’s good: food, people and the planet.

More information about Tetra Pak is available at tetrapak.com.

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@tetrapak

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WUZHONG, China, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Power Facility Spatial Layout Plan of State Grid Wuzhong Power Supply Company has been officially reviewed and approved, setting a clear medium- and long-term development blueprint for Wuzhong’s power grid from 2025 to 2035. The plan marks a new stage of standardized and regulated power grid spatial planning, effectively resolving long-standing conflicts between land use for power grid construction and ecological protection, and laying a solid energy foundation for high-quality economic and social development in Wuzhong.

To address challenges including difficult project implementation and strained corridor resources, Wuzhong Power Supply Company adopted the core planning philosophy of “multi-plan integration”. Leveraging digital platforms such as the “Online Power Grid” and GIS geographic information systems, the company integrated key spatial data including ecological protection redlines and permanent basic farmland boundaries. It conducted a comprehensive census and precise assessment of the city’s power facilities and spatial resources, culminating in a complete planning system consisting of 1 general report, 4 load forecasting maps, 8 geographic wiring and corridor maps, and 39 substation site selection maps.

In parallel, State Grid Wuzhong Power Supply Company established a cross-departmental collaboration mechanism. Its staff carried out more than 60 on-site surveys in conjunction with county and district branches and power supply stations, and conducted 12 joint surveys with municipal departments including the Bureau of Natural Resources. These efforts minimized the impact of substations and transmission corridors on ecologically sensitive areas and basic farmland, embedding the concept of “green infrastructure” throughout the entire planning process.

As a benchmark plan completed in strict accordance with State Grid’s in-depth regulations for the first time, the planning team finished site selection and route surveys for 39 planned substations of 330kV and below within three months, with 55 supporting power lines planned.

330kV projects: 6 substations planned, with an additional transformation capacity of 4,320 MVA and planned line length of 196 kilometers;

110kV to 35kV projects: 33 substations planned, with an additional transformation capacity of 2,772.3 MVA and planned line length of 646.67 kilometers.

Implementation of the plan will fully meet future electricity demand driven by population growth and key industrial projects, while providing a reliable grid framework for large-scale integration of new energy sources including distributed photovoltaic and wind power.

Moving forward, Wuzhong Power Supply Company will actively coordinate with municipal and county-level governments to integrate all planned projects into Wuzhong’s territorial spatial planning. It will steadily advance the construction of planned substations and transmission lines, continuously enhance the reliability, intelligence and green development of the power grid, and deliver safer, more stable and eco-friendly power support for high-quality development in Wuzhong.

Australian-invented modular smelting technology set to unlock billions in stranded iron ore value, create regional jobs and deliver lower-cost, clean steel with first modules ready for site deployment toward the end of H1 CY26.

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Low-carbon steel platform Metal Logic has executed an agreement to acquire approximately 1,000 hectares of tenements strategically located in Western Australia’s iron ore-rich Pilbara region, within 20 kilometres of rail corridors operated by BHP, Roy Hill and Fortescue. The rail corridors collectively transport more than half the iron ore mined in the Pilbara to the coast for export.

Subject to standard conditions precedent, the acquisition secures the site for Metal Logic’s first industrial-scale deployment of its modular, scalable array smelting technology at an initial capacity of one million tonnes per annum (1Mtpa). The platform is designed to scale further through additional modular units manufactured from the company’s production facility in Victoria. The acquisition of these strategically located tenements include a mining lease and a site for smelting of materials, enabling Metal Logic to establish a fully integrated value-added processing hub in one of the world’s premier mining jurisdictions.

Metal Logic Managing Director Joel Nicholls said, “This agreement marks a critical milestone in our journey from technology development to industrial deployment. We have secured a strategic piece of land in the heart of the Pilbara to build Australia’s first modular clean steel smelting hub. Our focus on thermal efficiency has delivered what many thought impossible—a smelting process that is simultaneously lower-cost and lower-emission than conventional steelmaking. We don’t need to rely on subsidies or carbon border adjustment mechanisms to make this work – the thermodynamic efficiency does the heavy lifting.”

Thermal Efficiency Delivers Lower Cost and Lower Emissions

Metal Logic’s approach fundamentally resets how Australian iron ore is processed to steel by focusing on superior thermodynamic efficiency. Importantly, the platform delivers both a lower-cost and a lower-emission pathway to steel production.

Critically, the technology is not grade dependent. It makes lower-grade iron ores economically viable, extends mine life, and unlocks previously stranded or care-and-maintenance deposits that would otherwise remain untapped—retaining up to US$400 in added value per tonne of ore processed onshore rather than shipped as raw material.

Building Momentum Toward First 1Mtpa Facility

The Pilbara site acquisition follows Metal Logic’s September 2025 announcement confirming the strategic location and the commencement of modular smelter unit production at its Victorian facility. The company’s Australian-manufactured modular smelting units are designed to be shipped to site and deployed progressively, enabling a rapid and capital-efficient ramp to the initial 1Mtpa capacity.

The modular architecture is central to Metal Logic’s ‘smelting as a service’ model. Each unit is manufactured, tested and quality-assured at the production facility before deployment, reducing on-site construction risk and enabling scalable rollout across multiple locations. The company is actively expanding its team to support the next phase.

“Metal Logic is moving to industrial scale with a modular platform that can be manufactured in Australia and deployed anywhere iron ore is located. The Pilbara is our first major deployment, the architecture is designed to replicate—unlocking stranded resources across Australia and globally. Every module we ship creates Australian manufacturing jobs and retains value onshore that has historically been exported as raw ore.”

Aligned with Western Australia’s Green Steel Ambitions

The deployment is directly aligned with the Western Australian Government’s Expression of Interest for locally manufactured green steel to be used on major government projects, and the broader Made in WA policy agenda. The WA Government has signalled its commitment to local steel procurement through the WA Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS) Addendum for steel, which introduces stronger expectations for local sourcing and recognises the role of low-emission steel products in government procurement.

Metal Logic’s initial product focus is rebar for the construction sector, targeting demand from government infrastructure projects across rail, roads, transmission lines, hospitals and housing. The company’s clean steel will carry full traceability and a verifiable carbon footprint, meeting the enhanced sustainability metrics now embedded in WA procurement frameworks.

The economic benefits extend well beyond the smelting platform itself. By processing iron ore into steel onshore, Metal Logic’s hub will generate significant employment during both construction and steady-state operations across Western Australia and Victoria, create downstream manufacturing opportunities, contribute tax revenue to State and Federal budgets, while delivering lower-cost clean steel to Australian end customers.

“The Western Australian Government has opened the door for locally manufactured clean steel, and we intend to walk through it. Metal Logic’s platform delivers exactly what the State’s green steel vision calls for—steel that is made in Australia, creates jobs for Australians, generates tax revenue, and provides end customers with a lower-cost, lower-emission product with full traceability. Our focus on efficiency has enabled us to deliver value with the benefits flowing to miners through extended mine life, to manufacturers through lower input costs, to communities through jobs, and to governments through a stronger, more diversified industrial base.”

Sevan Gore and Chris Wright of Hall & Wilcox acted as legal advisors to Metal Logic on the transaction.

About Metal Logic

Metal Logic operates research, development, laboratory, smelter development and production facilities in Victoria, with offices in Perth and Melbourne and a newly acquired site near Port Hedland in the Pilbara. The company is commercialising its modular, scalable clean steel smelting technology that aims to provide steel at a lower cost than traditional carbon-intensive methods while significantly reducing emissions. Metal Logic’s platform industrialises resource-rich regions, extends mine life, reduces environmental footprints and supplies downstream industries with lower-cost, traceable steel.

www.metallogic.com

For further information:
Warrick Hazeldine
media@metallogic.com