One of the highest prizes among mobile photography awards
The awards also offer winners training, and exhibition opportunities
World renowned photographers including Alec Soth, Tang Hui, Tina Signesdottir Hult, Wang Jianjun, Yin Chao, are among the prestigious judge panel
SHENZHEN,CHINA – Media OutReach – 17 April 2023 – OPPO, a leading global technology company, officially launched the imagine IF Photography Awards 2023, a mobile photography competition that pushes the boundaries of creativity beyond the limits of existing images and expressions.
One of the Highest Prizes in Mobile Photography Awards
The vision of “Beyond the Image, Beyond Imagination” reflects OPPO’s commitment to driving progress through technological innovation and igniting the creativity of users worldwide. OPPO’s professional mobile photography technology is designed to inspire maximum aesthetics and inspiration, empowering non-professional users to create timeless masterpieces.
As a testament to OPPO’s commitment to inspiring mobile photographers, the awards offer one of the highest prizes in the industry. The OPPO imagine IF Master of the Year (Golden Award) includes a prize of CNY160,000, participation in the Hasselblad Image Training Camp, and international photo exhibition opportunities. There are also four Silver Awards (CNY 60,000), ten OPPO Bronze Awards (CNY 20,000) also offering attractive prizes as well as opportunities for training and exposure.
Additionally, there are four Honorable Mentions in each of the eight categories as well as Partner Channel Awards and Monthly Activity Awards to include more inspiring works.
Prestigious Global Judges
OPPO has assembled a prestigious panel of judges composed of world-renowned photographers who bring diverse perspectives and extensive experience to the competition.
Among the distinguished judges is Alec Soth, one of the most famous contemporary photographic artists and a member of Magnum Photos. Pete Lau, Senior Vice President, and Chief Product Officer of OPPO, adds his valuable insights to the panel. Tang Hui, a top Chinese portrait photographer, and Hasselblad Master, brings his wealth of experience to the judging process. Tina Signesdottir Hult, an internationally recognized art photographer and Hasselblad Master, also graces the panel with her discerning eye. Wang Jianjun, a top landscape photographer and member of the Chinese Photographers Association, lends his expertise to the competition. Yin Chao, a top Chinese fashion photographer, and Hasselblad ambassador brings his expertise to the judging process.
Eight Categories to Explore Artistic Expressions
The competition features eight different entry categories, including The Distant View, Portrait, Night Scenery, Colors, Landscape, The Taste of Memories, Light & Shadow, and Chapters of a Life, aimed at inspiring creativity among OPPO users worldwide.
Submissions for the OPPO Imagine IF Photography Awards 2023 are open until 24:00 GMT on July 25, 2023 and can be made through OPPO Imagine IF official website, or partner channels-500px.
For more information, please visit the official OPPO Imagine IF Photography Awards website at https://imagine-if.oppo.com/en/
Hashtag: #OPPO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About OPPO
OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone – “Smiley Face” – in 2008, OPPO has been relentless in its pursuit of the perfect synergy between aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 60 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.
The company won in the Infant and Child Nutrition category for its upgraded HK MJN A+ formula.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 17 April 2023 – Mead Johnson Nutrition Hong Kong (“Mead Johnson”) clinched the top award for its HK MJN A+upgraded formula in the Infant and Child Nutrition category at the recent Hong Kong Business Greater Bay Area Enterprise Awards 2022. For more than a century, Mead Johnson Nutrition has led the way in developing safe, high-quality, innovative paediatric nutrition products, guided by the mission to nourish the world’s children for a better start in life.
Mead Johnson designed HK MJN A+ upgraded formula to give babies and children the best start in life. Mead Johnson Nutrition made the formula accessible to South China parents with a regionwide campaign. Through the project, Mead Johnson distributes the formula across Mainland China using cross-border platforms whilst driving consumer engagement and improving parent knowledge.
The HK MJN A+ formula is Mead Johnson’s first that included DHA and ARA as ingredients. Since the Hong Kong launch of HK MJN A+ in 2000, consumers have continuously rated it as the top infant milk formula for over ten consecutive years. It is also the leading brand paediatricians recommend for child brain development in Hong Kong. The new HK MJN A+ upgraded formula adds HMO, a nutritional ingredient recognised by top researchers in recent years.
Mead Johnson used online and offline channels to distribute the HK MJN A+ upgraded formula across free trade zones. The company also made product-related information readily available, allowing parents to make the better choice for their children’s nutritional needs.
The engaging HK MJN A+ upgrade launch inspired hundreds of partners and channel customers to assist parents during the launching event. Besides making high-quality infant and child nutrition products accessible, the partner network ensured that parents received quality service and professional assistance. Mead Johnson followed up by sharing scientific knowledge on nutrition and parenting on social media to keep the parents engaged and informed.
The campaign earned positive word of mouth and recommendations by consumers on Wechat, Xiaohungshu, TikTok, and baby vertical social platforms.
“We go beyond providing high-quality products and continue to drive innovation in infant and child nutrition products. We collaborated with healthcare professionals to help parents address concerns and difficulties in baby care and parenting. The goal was to empower parents so they could give their children a better start in life,” said Mr Pankaj Agarwal, General Manager, Cross Border, Hong Kong & Taiwan of Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited.
The prestigious HKB Greater Bay Area Enterprise Awards honours outstanding companies for their excellent performance and commitment to driving collaborative and economic development between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.Hashtag: #MeadJohnson
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited
Mead Johnson Nutrition has been established for more than a century. Since its founding in 1905, the renowned infant and child nutrition brand has led the way in developing science-based pediatric nutrition products, guided by the mission to nourish the world’s children for a better start in life. Currently, Mead Johnson Nutrition provides more than 70 products in over 50 countries.
Excellent quality has helped Mead Johnson Nutrition earn the trust of nutritionists and parents. Its dedicated and rigorous approach, continuous innovation, tireless pursuit of excellence, and caring feedback to the community have also helped establish a good brand image.
Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited has been in Hong Kong for over half a century. It provides Hong Kong parents with high-quality, science-based products, various parenting information, and professional advice, gaining trust and support from parents.
Mead Johnson Nutrition’s scientists and healthcare professionals are focusing their efforts on the formula for children with special nutrition needs. Mead Johnson Nutrition is one of the very few brands that insists on producing the formula for children with special needs, giving them hope.
The 5th generation of Sennheiser’s popular wireless microphone systems for camera use is here
WEDEMARK, GERMANY – Media OutReach – 17 April 2023 – At NAB, Sennheiser launches its 5th generation of Evolution Wireless systems for filmmaking and video applications. Purpose-built for content creators, filmmakers, and broadcasters, EW-DP is a fully digital UHF wireless microphone system with a new portable design and unmatched audio quality. At its heart is a compact, intelligent receiver that helps even novice users set up their audio with ease. The EW-DP EK receiver features an innovative magnetic stacking system, and can be conveniently controlled remotely via the Smart Assist app.
“On set time is the most valuable asset,” says Tobias von Allwörden, head of Sennheiser’s Audio for Video portfolio. “Therefore, we designed EW-DP such that it is intuitive and fast to set up and helps you to troubleshoot your system. EW-DP provides the reliability and consistency that you need in stressful filming situations and time-sensitive working scenarios.”
The EW-DP series
The EW-DP series Besides the stackable EW-DP EK receiver, the series includes a bodypack transmitter for clip-on mics (EW-D SK), a handheld transmitter (EW-D SKM-S) and a plug-on transmitter (EW-DP SKP) that will launch in October. As part of the larger Evolution Wireless Digital family, EW-DP inherits the family features such as the exceptionally low latency of 1.9 ms and a wide 134 dB dynamic input range, which ensures that everything from a soft whisper to a loud scream can be reliably captured without distortion.
Three sets are available now: The EW-DP ME 2 SET comes with a bodypack transmitter and the ME 2 omni-directional clip-on (lavalier) microphone, while the EW-DP ME 4 SET includes a cardioid clip-on microphone for noisier environments. The EW-DP 835 SET contains a handheld transmitter with cardioid MMD 835 dynamic microphone head.
All sets come with a magnetic mounting plate kit, a BA 70 rechargeable battery, two standard AA batteries, a locking 3.5 mm TRS to 3.5 mm TRS cable, a locking 3.5 mm TRS to XLR cable, and a USB-C charging cable for the receiver.
Peace of mind on location “Though sound is decisive for the overall quality of a production, it is usually not the first priority on set. More often than not, freelancers will work without a dedicated audio person. There are enough challenges on set, so we embarked on developing a UHF audio system that would require minimal attention and give the videographer peace of mind,” explains von Allwörden. “For this, we collaborated closely with a peer group of filmmakers, camera operators and content creators. The outcome is EW-DP, which I like to call a UHF system with 2.4 GHz simplicity.”
Notably, EW-DP is the first portable wireless system that has magnetically stackable receivers with a user-facing OLED display and ergonomically designed controls. Thanks to EW-DP’s automated frequency coordination, videographers can get up and running quickly: The receiver finds a free frequency (which can also be initiated via the Smart Assist app), then the transmitter is simply synced via Bluetooth.
EW-DP’s magnetic plate allows filmmakers to simply (and securely) stack multiple receivers. Alternatively, the plate can be used with the provided clip to wear the receiver on the belt or attach it to the sound bag
Never caught off guard with Smart Notifications EW-DP requires little RF or audio knowledge – if any issues should occur, the system will guide users with Smart Notifications that give tips for troubleshooting and show them where to fix a problem. The system sends alerts for audio clipping, low battery, occupied frequencies, muted transmitters, and unlinked devices – and all come with a suggestion of how to quickly solve the issue. “This guidance makes all the difference when audio isn’t your only responsibility on set,” comments von Allwörden.
Various powering options for long location shoots The EW-DP receiver can be powered by a BA 70 lithium-ion rechargeable battery, two standard AA batteries, or via USB by a power bank, for example. Added to the variety of powering options is an exact read-out of battery runtime in hours and minutes to avoid surprises. Battery life is up to 12 hrs on the transmitters, and up to 7 hours on the receiver with the included BA 70 rechargeable battery.
Control via receiver or Smart Assist app Automated set-up, operation and monitoring can also happen at a distance from the camera receiver – conveniently via Bluetooth using the Smart Assist app on nearly any iOS or Android device. In the app, auto frequency coordination creates reliable wireless connections for up to 16 systems on set, no wireless expertise required. Videographers can quickly and discreetly alter system settings across the room, and remotely override an accidentally activated mute button on the transmitter. The app also includes a support hub with video tutorials and detailed manuals.
The Smart Assist app is a convenient tool for setting up, operating and monitoring EW-DP
Upcoming: A very special plug-on transmitter There’s more to come: In October, a plug-on transmitter will be added to the series. With +48V phantom power on board, the EW-DP SKP will be able to turn any wired XLR microphone into wireless, such as an MKH 416 on a boom pole. In addition, the plug-on transmitter features a locking 3.5 mm mic input for lavaliers – making it a versatile tool that can act as a real problem solver.
A versatile tool: The SKP can be connected to dynamic and condenser microphones as well as lavalier mics with a 3.5 mm connector. Thanks to on-board recording, videographers have the option of having a safety copy of their audio on a micro SD card. Available from October 2023
“In our conversations with the peer group, many expressed the wish to have some sort of safety net for their audio,” shares von Allwörden. “So we fitted the plug-on with a micro SD card slot for 24-bit, 48 kHz on-board recording.”
The plug-on transmitter will be part of the EW-DP ENG SET, which will include the receiver, a bodypack transmitter, the ME 2 lavalier mic and the SKP plug-on transmitter.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Sennheiser brand
We live and breathe audio. We are driven by the passion to create audio solutions that make a difference. Building the future of audio and bringing remarkable sound experiences to our customers – this is what the Sennheiser brand has represented for more than 75 years. While professional audio solutions such as microphones, meeting solutions, streaming technologies and monitoring systems are part of the business of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG, the business with consumer devices such as headphones, soundbars and speech-enhanced hearables is operated by Sonova Holding AG under the license of Sennheiser.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – EQS Newswire – 17 April 2023 – Monitchem Holdco 3 S.A. (the “Issuer“) today announced that it has launched an offering of floating rate senior secured notes due 2028 (the “Floating Rate Notes“) and fixed rate senior secured notes due 2028 (the “Fixed Rate Notes” and, together with the Floating Rate Notes, the “Notes“), as part of the refinancing of the Issuer’s existing floating rate senior secured notes due 2025 and fixed rate senior secured notes due 2025 (collectively, the “Existing Senior Secured Notes“) and its parent company Monitchem Holdco 2 S.A.’s existing senior notes due 2026 (the “Existing Senior Notes” and, together with the Existing Senior Secured Notes, the “Existing Notes“).
The proceeds from the offering of the Notes (the “Offering“), together with cash on balance sheet, are expected to be used to (i) redeem the Existing Notes in full (including paying the accrued interest), (ii) pay the redemption premium for the Existing Notes and (iii) pay related fees and expenses. There can be no assurance that the Offering will be completed.
The Issuer has posted additional information about the CABB Group on CABB Group GmbH’s investor page.
Cautionary Statement
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or any other security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which, or to any persons to whom, such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any jurisdiction.
The Notes and the related guarantees have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in a member state of the EEA. For the purposes of this paragraph, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (a) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65 (as amended, “MiFID II”); (b) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a “professional client” as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (c) not a “qualified investor” as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of this paragraph, a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (a) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “EUWA”); (b) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (c) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “U.K. Prospectus Regulation”), and the expression an offer includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Notes. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “U.K. PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the U.K. PRIIPs Regulation.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement may include projections and other “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any such projections or statements reflect the current views of the Monitchem Holdco 2 S.A., Monitchem Holdco 3 S.A. and CABB Group GmbH about future events and financial performance. The use of any of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “will,” “project,” “should,” “believe,” “plans,” “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. Although Monitchem Holdco 2 S.A., Monitchem Holdco 3 S.A. and CABB Group GmbH believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because Monitchem Holdco 2 S.A., Monitchem Holdco 3 S.A. and CABB Group GmbH can give no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
The forward-looking statements and information contained in this announcement are made as of the date hereof and Monitchem Holdco 2 S.A., Monitchem Holdco 3 S.A. and CABB Group GmbH undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
The information contained in this announcement constitutes inside information for purposes of Art. 17 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Update enhances user experience for Spotify, WhatsApp, Messenger, Messages by Google, Telegram and LINE.
LONDON, UK – Media OutReach – 17 April 2023 – Global leading smart device brand OPPO today announces the rollout of a major software update for its flagship foldable phone, the Find N2 Flip, which further enhances functionality of its cover display.
The new Spotify Widget, jointly developed by OPPO and Spotify exclusively for the Find N2 Flip, maximizes the utility of the largest cover screen of any flip phone. Users can enjoy full play control, the Heart button and content recommendations, without unfolding their device.
Peter Dohyung Lee, head of the flagship product line at OPPO, said: “This update underlines OPPO’s commitment to the best possible experience for Find N2 Flip owners, enabling more freedom for self expression and creativity when using the industry-leading 3.26 inch cover screen.
“Working directly with Spotify is exactly the kind of developer collaboration that allows users to make the most of the Find N2 Flip’s pocketable design, best-in-class displays, and bespoke personalization options. We look forward to updates for more much-loved apps later this year.”
A custom-built Speech-to-Text quick reply feature will also drop, accessible through the cover screen when users receive a message. All apps that enable quick reply will support Speech-to-Text, including: WhatsApp, Messenger, Messages by Google, Telegram and LINE.
This is the first significant update for the Find N2 Flip since its international launch in February 2023. It signals OPPO’s four-year commitment to major device improvements, which rolls out worldwide from mid-April. Speech-to-Text will automatically update, while users can manually add the Spotify widget through the screen widgets settings under “Pocket Player”.
Hashtag: #OPPO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About OPPO
OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone Smiley Face in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find X and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS and internet services including OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 50 countries and regions with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.
Achievement Speaks to Ongoing Innovation and Dedication to User Experience
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 17 April 2023 – Arlo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ARLO), a leading smart home security brand, today announced it has surpassed 2 million total paid subscribers. The success speaks to the brand’s ongoing innovation and robust ecosystem of award-winning hardware, software, and services. From comprehensive and customizable smart notifications to 24/7 Emergency Response and Professional Monitoring, Arlo makes it simple for users to protect their everything with the utmost peace of mind.
“After adding 189,000 paid accounts in Q4 2022, Arlo continued to acquire new subscribers in Q1, reaching 2 million total subscribers and doubling our paid accounts in just five quarters,” said Matt McRae, CEO of Arlo. “Additionally, new products like the Arlo Home Security System backed by Professional Monitoring and Arlo Safe will add to our pace of subscriber acquisition in 2023. This continued success illustrates the value we provide to customers as we help them stay protected both at home and on the go.”
Features of Arlo Secure subscriptions include:
Advanced Object Detection – Arlo processes and filters 50 million events each day using proprietary computer vision and advanced artificial intelligence to recognize people, packages, vehicles, and animals which adds key context to notifications and reduces unwanted alerts.
Smart Interactive Notifications – Users can take quicker action by responding to rich notifications or viewing an animated preview of a notification video through the lock screen on their smartphone or other smart device.
Smart Activity Zones – Users can reduce unwanted notifications by highlighting specific areas on their property where they want motion to be detected.
4K Cloud-based Video Recording – View 30 days of motion event recordings with up to 4K resolution stored remotely and securely on Arlo’s SmartCloud platform for ultimate peace of mind.
24/7 Emergency Response with Direct Dispatch (Secure Plus) – One touch dispatch of fire, police, or medical first responders directly from Arlo’s mobile application in the event of an emergency. Arlo’s Emergency Response team can also provide critical location information to responders en route to better prepare them, such as gate codes, medical conditions of family members, and pet details.
24/7 Professional Monitoring(Arlo Safe & Secure Pro) – Professional monitoring for Arlo’s Security System provided around the clock by award winning, 5 diamond, and UL listed call centers that provide full emergency support.
Priority Care & Support – Subscribers get priority technical support through the in-app Help Center with omni-channel access to phone, chat, community and self-help articles.
Features of Arlo Safe subscriptions include:
Personal Safety Response – One touch access to real time emergency help via the Arlo Safe application or Arlo Safe button accessory.
24/7 Emergency Response with Direct Dispatch – One touch dispatch of fire, police, or medical first responders directly from Arlo’s mobile application in the event of an emergency. Arlo’s Emergency Response team can also provide critical location information to responders en route to better prepare them, such as gate codes, medical conditions of family members, and pet details.
Crash Detection & Response – Advanced impact detection expedites emergency response in the event of a vehicle accident by sharing appropriate location and medical information with first responders.
Family Safety (Family Plan) – Never miss a moment with the ability to know where opt-in family members have been, see their current location, or send help directly to them in an emergency.
Arlo Secure subscription plans currently start at US$12.99 per month to support unlimited home security devices with up to 4K video recordings. For those who want even greater peace of mind, Arlo Secure Plus grants access to the potentially lifesaving 24/7 Emergency Response feature for US$17.99 per month. Arlo Safe monthly subscription plans start at US$4.99 for individuals, US$9.99 for families, or the all-new Safe and Secure Pro plan, providing the best value for complete security at home and on the go for US$24.99 per month.
For more information on the full range of Arlo smart home security products and services, visit www.arlo.com.
Hashtag: #Arlo
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Arlo Technologies, Inc.
Arlo is the award-winning, industry leader that is transforming the way people experience the connected lifestyle. Arlo’s deep expertise in product design, wireless connectivity, cloud infrastructure, and cutting-edge AI capabilities focuses on delivering a seamless, smart home experience for Arlo users that is easy to setup and interact with every day. The company’s cloud-based platform provides users with visibility, insight, and a powerful means to help protect and connect in real-time with the people and things that matter most, from any location with a Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. To date, Arlo has launched several categories of award-winning smart connected devices, software and services, including wire-free smart Wi-Fi and LTE-enabled security cameras, audio and video doorbells, a floodlight, the Arlo App and Arlo Secure, an AI-based subscription service designed to maximize security through personalized notifications and emergency services for quicker help during a crisis.
With a mission to bring users peace of mind, Arlo is as passionate about protecting user privacy as it is about safeguarding homes and families. Arlo is committed to supporting industry standards for data protection designed to keep users’ personal information private and in their control. Arlo does not monetize personal data. Arlo provides enhanced controls for user data, supports privacy legislation, keeps user data safely secure, and puts security at the forefront of company culture.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 17 April 2023 –Portkey, the first Contract Account (CA) wallet from aelf’s ecosystem, delivered keynote speech at a special session held by Microsoft at Hong Kong Web3 Festival, and made presentation at “Demo Day” session on the same day. The four-day Web3 Festival co-hosted by Wanxiang Blockchain Labs and HashKey Group has attracted over 10,000 participants and 300 distinguished industry speakers from countries across the globe.
At “Web3+Cloud+AI: Three swords unite, Future has come” , the Microsoft special session which focuses on the entry point for enterprises to explore the value of Web3, Steven, CTO of Portkey, presented the topic “Building A Web3 Infrastructure with .NET – Paving the Way for Web3 Mass Adoption”. Portkey, as the only CA wallet project invited for demonstration, also participated in the Demo Day in the afternoon, showing Portkey’s potential in helping users enter Web3 in an easy, friendly, secure and low cost way.
Even though Web3 projects a fancy future, traditional wallets have hindered large scale of Web2 users from entering Web3. Many are stopped at the first step: log in. While Web2 applications usually allow users to create an account with e-mail, phone or other social information effortlessly, the so far most-used Web3 wallets – non-custodial EOA wallets need users to have seed phrases and private keys which are hard to remember and easy to lose. Some rookie users will use exchange wallet to access Web3, however, as the saying goes, “not your keys, not your coins”. Users don’t have control of their accounts and assets because the keys of their wallets are in hands of the exchanges.
“The primary mission of Portkey is to let users log into their Web3 wallets just as easy as how they log into Web2 applications, and at the same time, to guarantee that it is absolutely decentralized,” said Steven.
From 2019 to 2022, developers in the open-sourced aelf network have successfully realized one technical breakthrough: account abstraction, which is also a trendy technology in major blockchain ecosystems like Ethereum. With this technology, it becomes possible for a smart contract (CA) wallet to be built on aelf.
Given how CA wallet decouples user accounts and private keys, it allows users to finally log into their accounts in the Web2 way, exempting them from the burden of providing seed phrases and so forth. On top of this, Portkey also invented DID (decentralized identity) solution to enable social recovery and to make sure the wallet is fully decentralized and extra secure. In Portkey, to protect one’s account, the user can add guardians. When a user loses his or her account, guardians can help users restore their accounts.
One may wonder, such wallet which seems to combine all the merits together must be really expensive. That’s not the case with Portkey. The wallet uses a unique delegation mechanism to allow users to create wallet accounts free of charge.
With the global crypto wallet market size estimated to reach US$48.27[1] billion by 2030, and the number of crypto wallet users to increase nearly 12 folds to 1 billion by 2031[2], Portkey is well positioned to capitalize on this enormous growth with its super user-friendly features.
Portkey users can not only enjoy its features, but also its prosperity in the future. Portkey supports on/off-ramp function for users to buy or sell crypto with fiat. It is also interoperable with multiple chains, making it possible to support projects from other networks. As a matter of fact, Portkey’s native chain aelf already allows the payment of gas fee in other non-native tokens. Users can be seamlessly connected to various DApps and assets via Portkey without any obstacles.
“The Web3 Festival Hong Kong was an important opportunity for Portkey to showcase our innovation and what we could bring to mass migration from Web2 to Web3,” said Steven, CTO of Portkey. “We believe with Portkey, we can really expect a large scale of growth of Web3 happening soon”
[1] Source: “Crypto Wallet Market Size, Share, & Trends Analysis Report by Wallet Type (Hot Wallet, Cold Wallet), by Operating System (android, iOS, Others), by Application, by End Use (Individual, Commercial), by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2022-2030”
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Portkey
Portkey is the first CA wallet from aelf’s ecosystem, migrating Web2 users and developers into Web3 with DID solution.Users can swiftly log into Portkey via their Web2 social info with no private keys or mnemonics required. Underpinned by the social recovery and decentralized verifier design, Portkey safeguards users’ assets from centralized control and theft. Portkey also generates nearly zero fees for account creation and user usage with superior delegation mechanism.
Portkey provides crypto on/off-ramp services, allowing users to exchange fiat with crypto freely. It supports the storage and management of various digital assets such as tokens, NFTs, etc. The compatibility with multi-chains and seamless connection to all kinds of DApps makes Portkey a great way to enter the world of Web3.
aelf is a high-performance blockchain designed to support the development of Web3 and its explosion in the next 5 to 10 years. Built on cloud computing, aelf has a distributed network of nodes on various cloud data centers. Multiple tools like browser extensions, aelf blockchain explorer, wallet App, and SDKs have been built and open-sourced so developers can easily build and contribute to aelf ecosystem.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 17 April 2023 – Apical, through its renewable energy subsidiary Bio-Oils located in Huelva, Spain, has established a joint venture with Cepsa to produce second generation (2G) biofuels by constructing the largest plant in southern Europe. The alliance marks Apical’s entry to the sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) market and a key milestone in RGE’s strategy to produce a range of fuels to decarbonise aviation, maritime and land transportation. Apical, a leading vegetable oil processor, is a member of the Singapore-headquartered RGE group of companies.
Photo caption: The new joint venture was announced at La Rábida Energy Park with the participation of Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of the Regional Government of Andalusia; Maarten Wetselaar, Cepsa CEO (fourth from the left); Oscar Garcia, Bio-Oils CEO (second from the right); Dato’ Yeo How, President, Apical (fourth from the right); Pratheepan Karunagaran, Executive Director, Apical (third from the left); and Lamberto Gaggiotti, Head, Green Energy, Apical (first from the left).
The new plant, which is scheduled to begin operation in H1 2026, can produce up to 500,000 tons of SAF and/or renewable diesel annually, enabling the reduction of CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent, as compared to traditional fuels.
SAF is often viewed as a tool to a zero-emissions future. However, the key global challenge to the production of SAF is access to feedstock (renewable waste and residue raw materials). As a large global integrated processor of vegetable oils, Apical is able to efficiently and sustainably extract waste and residue from its supply chain and its processes in a transparent and traceable manner.
Through the joint venture, the plant will secure the majority of its feedstock supply from Apical’s agricultural waste and residue through a global, long-term agreement. Cepsa will contribute its technical expertise and experience in the development of large industrial projects and fuel production; and knowledge of the European market and the decarbonisation goals of its customers in the transport sector. The facility will be located at Cepsa’s La Rábida Energy Park in the Spanish province of Huelva.
Dato’ Yeo How, President of Apical, said: “Apical’s ample supply of high quality second generation feedstock is key to ensuring that the new joint venture delivers on our shared vision to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across air, sea and land transport. The wider use of SAF and renewable diesel provides significant benefits on a global scale, both in terms of mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting sustainable economic growth. Apical, through Bio-Oils, will ensure the supply of raw materials and contribute our own expertise in biofuels production.”
The new facility will feature the latest technology for the production of second generation biofuels. Designed as a digital native plant, the new operation incorporates state-of-the-art technology including the latest industry advances in artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT) and data analysis to maximise process efficiency, and ensure the highest standards of safety and environmental protection. By leveraging innovation, Apical is accelerating its sustainable operations in line with Apical2030’s Pillar 3 (Green Innovation) of its strategic sustainability roadmap.
Pratheepan Karunagaran, Executive Director, Apical, said: “Aviation emissions account for 2-3 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions and are expected to grow by 300-700 percent by 2050[1]. To reduce the direct carbon emissions of flying, SAF can be an immediate solution. A next-generation low-carbon fuel produced from 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, it works seamlessly with existing aircraft engines and fuelling infrastructure. As the availability of waste and residue grows in tandem with the expansion of Apical’s global footprint and capacities, we are able to create value-added partnerships for our waste stream in various parts of the world, especially in Asia.”
With regard to the development of the SAF industry in Asia, Pratheepan commented: “SAF in Asia has much potential for growth and development. The good news is: as more countries begin to recognise the importance of sustainable practices and environmental responsibility, there is likely a greater focus on promoting the adoption of SAF throughout the aviation industry,” he added.
Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, highlighted in his speech: “Cepsa has been investing in Huelva and Andalusia for almost 60 years and has been an active part and main player in the progress experienced in our land. Cepsa has made an outstanding contribution to our progress and to the creation of employment, with almost 8,000 direct and indirect jobs. Big bets like Cepsa’s confirm that we are on the right track.”
MaartenWetselaar noted: “This alliance is a decisive step in our strategy to lead biofuels in Spain and Portugal and positions Andalusia as a European benchmark in sustainable energy production and circular economy. Second-generation biofuels are an immediate solution to support our customers’ energy as they can be used in conventional engines, while enabling local development and increased energy autonomy in Europe.”
Oscar Garcia said: “Cepsa has been Bio-Oils’ largest customer for many years. We share many operational advantages, such as the proximity and interconnection of our facilities and the use of the Reina Sofía berth for the charge and discharge of our products. This new joint venture is a natural evolution of our relationship”
[1]Source: International Civil Aviation Organisation
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Notes to Editors:
Apical is a leading vegetable oil processor with an expanding global footprint. Our vertically integrated mid-stream refining and value-added downstream processing makes us an integral supplier that supports the food, feed, oleochemicals and renewable fuel needs across industries. With integrated assets in strategic locations spanning Indonesia, China and Spain, Apical operates numerous refineries, oleochemical plants, renewable fuel plants and kernel crushing plants. Through joint ventures and strategic partnerships, Apical also has processing and distribution operations in Brazil, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Middle East, Africa, USA and Vietnam.
Apical’s growth is built on the foundations of sustainability and transparency, and motivated by our strong belief that we can make a more meaningful impact even as we continue to grow our business and deliver innovative solutions to our customers.
*** Cepsa is a leading international company committed to sustainable mobility and energy with a solid technical experience after more than 90 years of activity. The company also has a world-leading chemicals business with increasingly sustainable operations.
In 2022, Cepsa presented its new strategic plan for 2030, Positive Motion, which projects its ambition to be a leader in sustainable mobility, biofuels, and green hydrogen in Spain and Portugal, and to become a benchmark in the energy transition. The company places customers at the heart of its business and will work with them to help them advance their decarbonization objectives.
ESG criteria inspire all of Cepsa’s actions as it advances toward its net positive objective. Over the course of this decade, it will reduce its Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 55% and its carbon intensity index by 15-20%, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
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Bio-Oils was founded in 2005 to develop biofuels projects, with the strategic objective to become a leading industry player in the Spanish and European biodiesel market. A member of the Singapore-based Apical group of companies, Bio-Oils´ wholly owned “La Rábida” Biodiesel Plant, located in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva), began operations in 2008 and today is one the most efficient plants in Spain, benefitting from a strategic location, with pipeline connections to vessel and tanker loading docks.
Through an ambitious R&D program, Bio-Oils has obtained wide experience in the production of high-quality biofuels from a broad variety of oils. The plant currently uses all available first-use oils, and has been adapted to process other residual raw materials. Committed to operating at the highest levels of sustainability, Bio-Oils is a member of APPA (Association of Renewable Energy Producers), FOSFA (Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations), EBB (European Biodiesel Board), EABA (European Algae Biomass Association), and AIQBE (Association of Chemical Industries, Basic and Energy of Huelva).
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RGE, headquartered in Singapore, is a group of resource-based manufacturing companies with global operations. We produce sustainable natural fibres, edible oils, green packaging and clean natural gas used to create products that feed, clothe and energise the world. We help improve billions of peoples’ lives through sustainable products they use every day. With more than US$30 billion in assets and 60,000 employees, we are creating a more recyclable, biodegradable and lower carbon future.
Committed to sustainable development, conservation and community development, we strive towards what is good for the community, good for the country, good for the climate, good for the customer, and good for the company. With current operations spanning across Indonesia, China, Brazil, Spain and Canada, we continue to expand and engage new markets.