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Vietnam’s Recycling Villages Face Growing Health, Pollution Risks

This photo taken on November 25, 2025 shows a man sorting plastic waste in a village on the outskirts of Hanoi. Crouched between mountains of discarded plastic, Lanh strips the labels off bottles of Coke, Evian and local Vietnamese tea drinks so they can be melted into tiny pellets for reuse. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)
More waste arrives daily, piling up like technicolour snowdrifts along the roads and rivers of Xa Cau, one of hundreds of “craft” recycling villages encircling Vietnam’s capital Hanoi where waste is sorted, shredded and melted.

The villages present a paradox: they enable reuse of some of the 1.8 million tonnes of plastic waste Vietnam produces each year, and allow employees to earn much-needed wages.

But recycling is done with few regulations, pollutes the environment and threatens the health of those involved, both workers and experts told AFP.

“This job is extremely dirty. The environmental pollution is really severe,” said Lanh, 64, who asked to be identified only by her first name for fear of losing her job.

It is a conundrum facing many fast-growing economies, where plastic use and disposal has outpaced the government’s ability to collect, sort and recycle.

Even in wealthy countries, recycling rates are often abysmal because plastic products can be expensive to repurpose and sorting rates are low.

But the rudimentary methods used in Vietnam’s craft villages produce dangerous emissions and expose workers to toxic chemicals, experts say.

“Air pollution control is zero in such facilities,” said Hoang Thanh Vinh, an analyst at the United Nations Development Programme focused on waste recycling.

Untreated wastewater is often dumped directly into waterways, he added.

The true scale of the problem is hard to judge, with few comprehensive studies.

In one village, Minh Khai, Vinh said a sediment analysis found “very high contamination of lead and the presence of dioxins”, as well as furan, all of which have been linked to cancer.

And in 2008, the life expectancy for residents of the villages was found to be a full decade shorter than the national average, according to the environment ministry.

Local authorities and the environment ministry did not reply to AFP’s requests for comment.

Lanh believes the toxic waste in Xa Cau gave her husband blood cancer, but she still spends her days sorting rubbish to pay his medical bills.

“This village is full of cancer cases, people just waiting to die,” she said.

Sickness and wealth

No data exists on cancer rates in the villages, but AFP spoke to more than half a dozen workers in Xa Cau and Minh Khai who reported colleagues or family members with cancer.

Xuan Quach, coordinator of the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance, said sustained exposure to the “toxic environment” made it inevitable that residents face “health risks that are of course higher”.

Dat, 60, has been sorting plastic in Xa Cau for a decade and said the job “definitely affects your health”.

“There’s no shortage of cancer cases in this village.”

But there is also no shortage of workers, keen for the economic lifeline recycling provides.

In Xa Cau, plastic piles up around multi-storey homes, some with ornate facades noting the years they were built.

“We get richer thanks to this business,” said 58-year-old Nguyen Thi Tuyen, who lives in a two-storey home.

“Now all the houses are brick houses… In the past, we were just a farming village.”

Most of the waste the villagers recycle is home-grown, researchers and residents say.

But even though Vietnam only recycles about a third of its own plastic waste, it also imports thousands of tons annually from Europe, the United States and Asia.

Imports soared after China stopped accepting plastic waste in 2018, though recently Vietnam has tightened regulations and announced plans to phase out imports too.

For now, US and EU trade statistics show shipments to Vietnam from the two economies reached over 200,000 tonnes last year.

In Minh Khai, the owner of a plant producing plastic pellets said domestic supply “is not enough”.

“I have to import from overseas,” 23-year-old Dinh, who only gave one name, explained over the whir of heavy machinery.

Most domestic waste doesn’t get sorted, so it cannot easily be reused.

There have been efforts to improve the industry, including a ban on burning unrecyclable waste and building modern facilities.

But burning continues and unusable waste is often dumped in empty lots, according to Vinh.

He said the government should help recyclers move to industrial parks with better environmental safeguards, formalising a sector that handles a quarter of the country’s recycling.

“The current way of recycling in recycling villages… is not good to the environment at all.”


© Agence France-Presse

NX Taiwan Participates in Local Environmental Conservation through “CSR Green Action Day”

– Contributing to Sustainable Society through Tree Planting Activities and Resource Recovery –

TOKYO, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nippon Express (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “NX Taiwan”), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., made a tree-planting effort on Friday, October 24, in collaboration with the Taiwan Reforestation Association aimed at promoting local forest regeneration and environmental conservation.

Logo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dqm0cxpYamnvMUra1AGXMuGlX932Z353/view?usp=drive_link

Scene from tree-planting effort: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fbzz-M3B6ihd5eeh0hnoH3CA84JzNyDX/view?usp=drive_link 

NX Taiwan Chairman Masaru Kawamoto (left) receiving a letter of appreciation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fSNL-kBLYbpjXGmpjGGZoeshzM_ck955/view?usp=drive_link

As a company that supports a safe and secure social infrastructure through logistics, the NX Group fulfills its social and public missions by promoting diverse social contribution activities, including environmental conservation, disaster relief, and collaboration with local communities, thereby working toward the realization of a sustainable society.

NX Taiwan is actively engaged in such social contribution activities as awarding scholarships to universities and pursuing tree-planting endeavors. In the recent “CSR Green Action Day” collaboration with the Taiwan Reforestation Association, a total of 100 NX Taiwan employees and family members took part in the event led by Chairman Masaru Kawamoto. The participants repotted seedlings and planted 10 trees, as well as recovering over 300 kg of soil materials in half a day to help promote resource recycling.

Following the conclusion of the event, Taiwan Reforestation Association Executive Director Tsai Chih-hao presented a letter of appreciation to NX Taiwan. The experience helped foster environmental awareness among employees, with participant feedback indicating that employees and their families had gained a deeper appreciation for the blessings of mountains and forests and a heightened awareness of the importance of cherishing the natural environment. NX Taiwan will continue conducting environmental conservation activities to aid in building a sustainable future through planting trees and encouraging resource recycling.

The NX Group remains committed to connecting people, businesses, and communities as it fulfills its responsibility for social development, and to actively engaging in global environmental conservation to achieve sustainable societies.

About the NX Group: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mbvBL6C8THZNrR5LREgGeafNkEdaAmV-/view?usp=drive_link

NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/
NX Group’s official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/

Global Semiconductor Equipment Sales Projected to Reach a Record of $156 Billion in 2027, SEMI Reports

Growth Supported by Leading-edge Logic, Memory and Advanced Packaging Applications from 2025 through 2027

TOKYO, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global sales of total semiconductor manufacturing equipment by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are forecast to reach a record high of $133 billion in 2025, growing 13.7% year-on-year, SEMI announced today in its Year-End Total Semiconductor Equipment Forecast – OEM Perspective at SEMICON Japan 2025. Growth in semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales is expected to continue in the two following years of the forecast period, with projections of $145 billion in 2026 and $156 billion in 2027. This growth will be driven primarily by investments related to AI, particularly in leading-edge logic, memory, and the adoption of advanced packaging technologies.

Total Semiconductor Equipment Market by Segment
Total Semiconductor Equipment Market by Segment

“Global semiconductor equipment sales show robust momentum, with both the front-end and back-end segments projected to see three consecutive years of growth, culminating in total sales surpassing $150 billion for the first time in 2027,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “Investments to support AI demand have been stronger than anticipated since our midyear forecast, leading us to boost the outlook for all segments.”

Semiconductor Equipment Sales by Segment

After registering a record $104 billion in sales last year, the wafer fab equipment (WFE) segment, which includes wafer processing, mask/reticle, and fab facilities equipment, is projected to grow 11.0% to $115.7 billion in 2025. This represents an upward revision from the previously forecast $110.8 billion in the SEMI 2025 Mid-Year Equipment Forecast, reflecting stronger than expected investments in DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to support AI computing. Continued capacity build-out in China is also contributing meaningfully to WFE demand. Looking ahead, WFE segment sales are projected to expand 9.0% in 2026 and 7.3% in 2027, reaching $135.2 billion as device makers increase spending on advanced logic and memory technologies.

The back-end equipment segment is anticipated to continue its strong recovery that began in 2024. Sales of semiconductor test equipment are projected to surge 48.1% to $11.2 billion in 2025, while assembly and packaging (A&P) equipment sales are projected to rise 19.6% to $6.4 billion. Back-end growth is expected to continue, with test equipment sales growing 12.0% in 2026 and 7.1% in 2027, and A&P sales are forecast to grow 9.2% in 2026 and 6.9% in 2027. This expansion is underpinned by the growing complexity of device architectures, accelerated adoption of advanced and heterogeneous packaging, and stringent performance requirements for AI and HBM semiconductors. These drivers are partly offset by ongoing softness in consumer, automotive and industrial demand, which continues to weigh on some mainstream test and packaging segments.

Wafer Fab Equipment Sales by Application

WFE sales for foundry and logic applications are expected to show robust 9.8% year-over-year growth to $66.6 billion in 2025, supported by resilient spending for advanced nodes. The segment is forecast to see 5.5% growth in 2026 and 6.9% increase to $75.2 billion in 2027 as chipmakers add capacity for AI accelerators, high-performance computing and premium mobile processors. Investments will increasingly target leading-edge technologies as the industry moves toward high-volume manufacturing at the 2nm gate-all-around (GAA) node.

Memory-related capital expenditures are projected to see significant expansion through 2027 powered by increasing demand for HBM to support AI deployment and ongoing technology migration. The NAND equipment market is expected to see growth of 45.4% to $14.0 billion in 2025 and further increase 12.7% to $15.7 billion in 2026 and 7.3% to $16.9 billion in 2027, driven by advancements in 3D NAND stacking and capacity expansion at both leading and mainstream layers. DRAM equipment sales are projected to rise 15.4% to $22.5 billion in 2025, followed by 15.1% and 7.8% year-on-year growth in 2026 and 2027, respectively, as memory suppliers ramp HBM and upgrade to more advanced process nodes to meet AI and data center requirements.

Semiconductor Equipment Sales by Region

Mainland China, Taiwan and Korea are expected to remain the top three destinations for equipment spending through 2027. China is projected to maintain the leading position over the forecast period as domestic chipmakers continue to invest in both mature and select advanced nodes, even as growth moderates and sales gradually decline from 2026. In Taiwan, robust 2025 spending reflects large-scale leading-edge capacity builds for AI and high-performance computing, while Korea’s equipment outlays are supported by substantial investments in advanced memory technologies, including HBM. All other regions tracked are expected to see equipment spending increase in 2026 and 2027, supported by government incentives, regionalization efforts and targeted specialty capacity expansions.

The SEMI forecast is based on collective input from top equipment suppliers, the SEMI Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) data collection program and the industry-recognized SEMI World Fab Forecast database. 

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

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

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

Stephanie Quinn/Kiterocket (Media Inquiries)
Phone: 1-480-316-8370
Email: squinn@kiterocket.com

Wafer Fab Equipment Forecast by Application
Wafer Fab Equipment Forecast by Application

 

 

GameChange Solar secures 1,200 MWp tracker order for Khulis Solar PV Plant in Saudi Arabia

DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GameChange Solar, a leading global supplier of solar tracker and fixed-tilt racking technology, announced that it has been selected to supply its Genius Tracker™ 1P system for the Khulis Solar PV Independent Power Plant, being developed by ACWA Power. The project is being executed by a joint venture of CEEC, GPEC and NWEPDI as the EPC partners.

The Khulis Solar PV project will deploy GameChange Solar’s advanced Genius Tracker™ 1P platform featuring SmartStow™ Strategy, PowerBoost™ Strategy, and the WeatherSmart™ system. These features ensure reliable performance in Saudi Arabia’s harsh climate, characterized by high wind speeds, unpredictable wind directions, hurricanes, and extreme heat.

GameChange Solar was selected for this project due to three key differentiators:

  • Proven reliability and performance with 53+ GW delivered globally
  • Complete quality control and assurance over deliveries
  • Lowest lifetime operating costs with industry-leading tracker solutions

Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of the Middle East’s clean energy transformation, and we are proud to partner with ACWA Power and CEEC on this landmark project,” said Vikas Bansal, President & CEO – International, GameChange Solar. “The Khulis plant will showcase how advanced engineering, and robust technology can deliver reliable performance even in the most challenging environmental conditions. This project also builds on our growing collaboration with CEEC across the Middle East, representing a combined capacity of nearly 3 GW.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2025, with commissioning planned for November 2027.

About GameChange Solar
GameChange Solar is one of the top three global providers of solar tracker solutions used in utility-scale and ground-mounted distributed generation solar projects around the world. We have delivered over 53 GW of solar tracker and fixed tilt systems that combine fast installation, bankable quality, and unbeatable value through superior engineering, innovative design, and high-volume manufacturing. Our products enable solar panels at power plants to follow the sun’s movement across the sky and optimize plant performance while protecting the array from damaging weather conditions. GameChange Solar is a wholly owned subsidiary of GameChange Energy Technologies Corp.

For more information, visit www.gamechangesolar.com.

Media Contact
Nisha Wadhwani
Lead – Marketing, GameChange Solar
nisha.wadhwani@gamechangesolar.com

Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade goes global stage

Running 20–24 December 2025, the five-day illuminated heritage festival is reimagined for international audiences under TAT’s Signature Event Thailand initiative

BANGKOK, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is elevating the Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade into a festival of global standing under the Signature Event Thailand initiative. The 2025 edition will take place from 20 to 24 December in Tha Rae Municipality, Sakon Nakhon, featuring expanded programming, enhanced storytelling, and immersive lighting and drone displays designed to enrich visitor experiences while supporting sustainable economic benefits for local communities.

Aerial view of the Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade showing illuminated star processions, festive market stalls, and the Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel during the annual celebration in Tha Rae, Sakon Nakhon.
Aerial view of the Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade showing illuminated star processions, festive market stalls, and the Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel during the annual celebration in Tha Rae, Sakon Nakhon.

Held annually for more than a century, the Christmas Star Parade is a defining cultural tradition of Sakon Nakhon and one of the most distinctive Christian celebrations in Northeastern Thailand. Inspired by the guiding star that marked the birth of Jesus Christ, the procession has evolved into a living expression of spiritual heritage, creative craftsmanship, and shared community identity.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said “The Christmas Star Parade reflects the enduring spirit and creativity of the Tha Rae community. By elevating its storytelling and visitor experiences, we aim to introduce this remarkable tradition to wider international audiences while ensuring that local communities benefit meaningfully from tourism. With its strong cultural roots and contemporary creative appeal, the festival has the potential to stand alongside Thailand’s most iconic cultural events on the global stage.”

For 2025, TAT has integrated contemporary creative elements that complement the festival’s spiritual and cultural foundations while strengthening its international appeal. Immersive lighting installations illuminate key heritage settings, including the Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel and Tha Rae’s century-old stone houses, reinforcing the destination’s distinctive historical character.

Visitor experiences extend across the five-day programme through AI-driven photo spots; creative, sustainability-focused workshops; a family-friendly snow experience; and Amazing Thailand–branded illuminated star vehicles. Hands-on DIY activities, such as cupcake decoration, star ornament making, and recycled-material jewellery workshops, encourage active participation while reinforcing community involvement and responsible event practices.

From 20 to 22 December, and continuing through the daytime programme on 23 December, festival activities take place along the walking street and Martino Pavilion, creating a continuous, community-led celebration that blends culture, heritage, and festive life. On 20 December, activities begin at 14.00; on 21, 22, and 23 December, daytime programmes start at 10.00. Visitors can browse local indigo textiles and locally made products, enjoy regional cuisine, and join heritage walks through the historic Christian community.

Throughout these days, creative showcases and performances by local musicians, schools, and youth groups animate the area, with evening variety music programmes beginning from 19.00. A visual highlight on 22 December is the public showcase of large, illuminated star vehicles along Ratcharoen Road from 17.00. Programmes from 20 to 23 December run through the evening and conclude at 22.30.

On the evening of 23 December, the festival reaches its central highlight. Float registration begins at 15.00, followed by formation from 16.00 at the Martino Pavilion. At 18.00, the illuminated star procession is released, with ornate star vehicles parading along the designated route before returning at 20.00. The programme then continues with Christmas performances by local schools and community groups, followed at 20.30 by the official opening ceremony. The evening programme features Christmas blessings, a festive candy shower, gift-giving, a sacred nativity drama, presentations for the best illuminated star floats, variety music performances, and TAT’s special drone light show.

On 24 December, the festival transitions into a more traditional and sacred Christmas Eve observance. The handheld star procession gathers from 18.00 at the Martino Pavilion and departs at 18.30 for a full circuit around the Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel before entering the church. The evening continues with Christmas Mass, followed by a sacred nativity performance by local youth at the Grotto of the Infant Jesus. In keeping with Christmas Eve tradition, the programme concludes following the completion of religious services.

By positioning the Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade as part of Thailand’s growing portfolio of culturally distinctive festivals, TAT aims to strengthen global awareness of the country’s diverse cultural landscape. This momentum builds on the international recognition of “Songkran in Thailand” as a UNESCO-inscribed cultural heritage and the growing global appeal of “Loi Krathong” as one of Asia’s most captivating light festivals, reinforcing Thailand’s commitment to sharing culturally rich, community-rooted experiences with the world in meaningful and memorable ways.

Cyble Earns G2 ‘Users Love Us’ Badge and 18 Category Wins in Winter 2026 Reports

CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cyble, a global leader in AI-native cybersecurity and threat intelligence, today announced its recognition in the G2 Winter 2026 Reports, earning the prestigious ‘Users Love Us’ badge along with 18 category wins across threat intelligence, digital risk protection, and attack surface management.

The ‘Users Love Us’ badge is awarded exclusively to vendors with consistently high customer ratings and verified user reviews, underscoring strong customer trust and real-world product impact. Cyble surpassed the required review threshold with a 4.0+ star average, reflecting sustained customer satisfaction across regions and use cases.

Strong Leadership Across Core Cybersecurity Categories

Cyble’s performance in the G2 Winter 2026 rankings highlights its depth and breadth across critical security domains:

Threat Intelligence: Multiple recognitions including Regional Leader and Easiest to Use across Asia Pacific and India

Dark Web Monitoring: Category and regional leadership positions across Asia Pacific and India

Brand Intelligence: Leader and Regional Leader distinctions across Asia and APAC

Attack Surface Management: High Performer recognition in the Enterprise segment

Web Security & System Security: Leader positions in both categories

These recognitions are driven entirely by verified customer feedback, reinforcing Cyble’s position as a trusted partner for enterprises and government organizations managing complex threat landscapes.

“This recognition reflects the confidence our customers place in Cyble to deliver intelligence that actually drives decisions,” said Beenu Arora, CEO and Co-founder of Cyble. “The ‘Users Love Us’ badge is especially meaningful because it comes directly from practitioners who rely on our platforms daily to identify, investigate, and mitigate threats at scale.”

AI-Native Platforms Built for Real-World Security

Cyble’s growing momentum is fueled by its AI-first approach to cybersecurity. Its flagship platforms — Cyble Vision, Cyble Hawk, Blaze AI, Odin, and Titan — deliver real-time threat intelligence, automated investigations, and continuous risk visibility across digital, cyber, and physical threat vectors.

By processing over 50TB of threat data daily, Cyble enables security teams to move beyond alerts and toward faster, intelligence-led action.

About Cyble

Founded as an AI-first cybersecurity company, Cyble provides real-time threat intelligence, digital risk protection, and predictive cyber defense solutions to enterprises and governments worldwide. Trusted by Fortune 500 organizations and public sector agencies, Cyble is committed to making the digital world safer through intelligent, autonomous cybersecurity.

For more information, visit www.cyble.com

Media Contact

Email: enquiries@cyble.com
Phone: +1 888 673 2067

GEEKOM officially partners with Micro Center, allowing consumers to experience the future of computing firsthand.

TAIPEI, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a move that underscores the growing demand for compact yet powerful computing solutions in the US market, GEEKOM announced its milestone cooperation with Micro Center, one of America’s leading computer and electronics retailers.

Established in 2003, GEEKOM has become one of the global leaders in the mini PC market, specializing in compact systems that deliver desktop-level performance in a fraction of the space. Its products are popular among professionals, gamers, and everyday users who value efficiency without compromising on power. The company’s lineup integrates the latest AMD and Intel processors, advanced connectivity options, and sleek designs that appeal to modern consumers.

Micro Center, which was founded in 1979, has built a reputation as a go-to destination for technology enthusiasts, offering an extensive range of computer hardware, software, and accessories. With more than 25 locations across the United States, the retailer is known for its hands-on shopping experience, where customers can test products before purchase and receive expert guidance from in-store staff. This makes Micro Center an ideal partner for GEEKOM, whose mini PCs are designed to balance performance, portability, and affordability.

The four models entering Micro Center offline retail shelves highlight GEEKOM’s diverse portfolio. The A5 Pro 7430, which features an AMD Ryzen 7430U processor and a super-quiet cooling system, offers energy-efficient performance for everyday computing, while the A6 6800 caters to multitaskers and creative professionals with its powerful Ryzen 7 6800H processor and Radeon 680M iGPU. On the Intel side, the XT13 13900HK, which rocks a Core i9-13900HK processor, delivers high-end performance for demanding workloads, and the XT15 Mega showcases Intel’s latest Core Ultra 9 285H, optimized for AI-driven tasks and next-generation applications.

For U.S. consumers, the partnership means more than just availability—it provides the opportunity to experience GEEKOM‘s mini PCs in person. Shoppers can visit Micro Center stores, interact with the devices, and evaluate their performance before making a purchase. This hands-on access is particularly valuable in the mini PC segment, where compact design and usability are key selling points.

By joining forces, GEEKOM and Micro Center are bridging the gap between online innovation and offline retail, giving American customers the chance to explore the future of computing up close. To find the nearest Micro Center offline store, please visit the retailer’s store locator.

 

Microsoft Selects Iron Software as Key .NET 10 Launch Partner for APAC Region, Showcasing C# Generate PDF Innovation at .NET Conf Thailand 2025

Iron Software successfully hosted Microsoft-sponsored virtual event, delivering expert insights on .NET 10 migration, AI-powered development, and performance optimization to developers across Asia-Pacific.

CHICAGO and CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Iron Software, a global developer tools company headquartered in Chicago with a major engineering hub in Chiang Mai, Thailand, successfully hosted .NET Conf Thailand 2025 on December 10, 2025, as part of its role as a Microsoft .NET 10 launch partner for the Asia-Pacific region. The Microsoft-sponsored virtual event connected developers across the region with the latest .NET 10 advancements, AI workflows, and document automation capabilities—including best practices for using C# to generate PDF documents at enterprise scale.

The partnership underscores Iron Software’s decade-long commitment to advancing enterprise-grade developer tools, including its industry-leading C# generate PDF technology through IronPDF.

“Being selected as a Microsoft .NET 10 launch partner validates our decade-long investment in building developer tools that enterprises truly rely on,” said Jacob Mellor, Chief Technology Officer at Iron Software. “Microsoft doesn’t choose partners lightly—they select ISVs whose technology helps customers solve complex, real-world problems. Our C# generate PDF capabilities are a perfect example of how .NET 10 is transforming document automation at scale.”

Event Highlights: Three Expert Sessions

The event featured presentations from three Iron Software engineers, covering the strategic vision behind .NET 10, practical migration guidance, and performance optimization insights relevant to developers who use C# to generate PDF documents and process other file formats.

Jacob Mellor, CTO opened the event with a forward-looking session on .NET, AI, and WebAssembly. Mellor emphasized WebAssembly’s transformative potential, noting that .NET 10’s improved WebAssembly compilation means C# code can now run anywhere—in browsers, on servers, and across devices—without requiring runtime installation. He also shared Iron Software’s approach to AI-augmented development, describing how the company uses multiple AI tools in coordinated workflows to accelerate development while maintaining engineering oversight.

“AI is like going from a typewriter to a mega-typewriter,” Mellor explained. “It doesn’t replace the software engineer—it extends their capacity. A small team of smart people can achieve much more than a big team ever could.”

Shadman Majid, Engineering and Support Manager delivered a comprehensive live demonstration of .NET 10 migration, walking attendees through the complete process of upgrading a Blazor application from .NET 8 to .NET 10. Key migration steps covered included installing Visual Studio 2026, updating target frameworks across projects, managing NuGet package dependencies, replacing Swagger with OpenAPI, and adopting the new streamlined .slnx solution file format.

“Migration is always a big pain if not done carefully and systematically,” Majid noted. “But following these steps, you can do the migration very easily. Once you migrate to .NET 10, you’ll definitely get a lot of benefits.”

Jim Fry, Sales Engineer closed the event with a deep dive into .NET 10’s performance improvements and their ROI implications. Fry presented custom benchmarking results demonstrating up to 27% performance improvements in collection operations—critical for applications that C# generate PDF documents at high volume, iterating through thousands of pages and processing complex content.

“It’s not one silver bullet—it’s hundreds of fairly significant performance improvements that compound together,” Fry explained. “The real business impact is lower cost and higher throughput on the same infrastructure. IronPDF and .NET 10 are a powerful combination for document processing.”

A Milestone for Microsoft’s APAC Ecosystem

Iron Software’s inclusion among Microsoft’s select Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) highlights its pivotal role in shaping the future of digital transformation. Its developer libraries—including IronPDF, IronOCR, and IronXL—are used by enterprises globally, including the majority of Fortune 500 companies. With IronPDF, developers can C# generate PDF files from HTML, URLs, images, and more with just a few lines of code.

Through this partnership, Microsoft ensures that .NET 10 developers have immediate access to reliable, production-ready tools to automate document workflows with enterprise-grade reliability.

What This Means for Enterprise Customers

  • Validated Technology Stack – Microsoft’s endorsement confirms Iron Software’s tools meet the highest standards for performance, security, and Azure compatibility.
  • Accelerated Time-to-Market – Developers can integrate C# generate PDF features in days, not months, with seamless deployment across cloud and on-premises infrastructure.
  • Premier Support Path – As a strategic Microsoft ISV partner, Iron Software maintains direct engineering escalation channels with Microsoft for coordinated enterprise support.
  • Roadmap Alignment – Early access to Microsoft’s roadmap ensures Iron Software’s products evolve in sync with future .NET and Azure releases.

“The .NET 10 release represents a massive leap forward for developers worldwide, and we’re proud to help them harness its full potential through our document processing libraries,” said Cameron Rimington, CEO at Iron Software. “Whether teams need to C# generate PDF reports, invoices, or complex documents, our tools amplify what’s possible with .NET 10.”

Chiang Mai: A Strategic Hub for Microsoft’s APAC Expansion

Iron Software‘s engineering hub in Chiang Mai continues to play a crucial role in supporting Microsoft’s regional ecosystem. By hosting .NET Conf Thailand 2025, Iron Software extended its tradition of annual .NET meetups, creating opportunities for developers to learn about new Microsoft releases, performance improvements, and AI-driven innovation.

“For us, .NET Conf Thailand isn’t just a conference—it’s about community,” added Mellor. “Each year, we bring together engineers to explore the latest Microsoft technologies and discover how C# generate PDF tools can make development faster, smarter, and more connected.”

Watch the Recording

Developers who missed the live event can access the full recording and resources at: https://www.youtube.com/live/Qb8TM9ZGFCc?si=PHKeTX5xWi8XDxrF

About Iron Software

Founded in 2015, Iron Software builds developer tools that simplify complex data and document processing for enterprises and government organizations. Its flagship products—IronPDF, IronOCR, and IronXL—are used by teams at Qatar, Mercedes Benz, NASA, 3M, Hertz, and multiple government agencies to automate document creation, transformation, and compliance workflows. As a Microsoft .NET 10 launch partner, Iron Software continues its decade-long commitment to the .NET ecosystem, ensuring developers can C# generate PDF documents, perform text recognition, and handle Excel automation tasks with enterprise-grade performance and security. The Iron Suite libraries are compatible with .NET 5 through .NET 10, supporting seamless migration for teams upgrading to the latest framework. Headquartered in Chicago with an engineering hub in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Iron Software provides 24/7 global engineering support to developers worldwide. For more information or to explore how to C# generate PDF files with IronPDF, visit: https://ironsoftware.com