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My grandfather donated fighter planes to help fight Japanese aggressors

ZHONGSHAN, China, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Zhongshan Daily & Zhongshan International Communications Center: 

How can there be a home without a country?

On September 3, 2025, at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, Fang Chi Wei once again recalled these words – his grandfather words, Fang Zuo Biao, as he watched the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Fang Chi Wei, Honorary President of the Fiji Chinese Federation for Culture, Arts and Economic Development, it was the second time he was invited to attend the Victory Day commemoration in Beijing.

Ten years earlier, he also stood here, representing his grandfather in receiving the Commemorative Medal for the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

His grandfather, Fang Zuo Biao, was a native of Haochong Village in Shaxi Town, Zhongshan. In 1920, he and five of his brothers sailed across the oceans to Fiji to make a living.

When the war broke out in 1937, Fang Zuo Biao—though thousands of miles away—was filled with anguish for his homeland. He rallied Chinese in Fiji and Australia, sparking a powerful wave of donations to support the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Knowing that Japanese warplanes were ravaging Chinese skies and that China’s air defense capabilities were lagging far behind, Fang and three leaders of the overseas Chinese community resolved to purchase four fighter planes for their native country of China. To fulfill this pledge, he mortgaged his home, poured in his life savings, and bore the full cost of a single plane—5,000 pounds—all by himself.

In 1943, defying the peril of Japanese pursuit, Fang delivered the aircraft to Chongqing in person.

 

 

Turnitin Clarity Named to TIME’s List of the Best Inventions of 2025

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Turnitin, a leading provider of technology solutions in academic integrity, today announced Turnitin Clarity has been named to TIME’s list of the Best Inventions of 2025, which features 300 extraordinary innovations changing our lives. Turnitin Clarity is a solution that gives educators a view into how the students have approached the assignment to guide learning, incorporate the responsible use of artificial intelligence and uphold academic integrity. 

Turnitin_Time_Best_Inventions
Turnitin_Time_Best_Inventions

“Turnitin Clarity was born out of the conversations we were having with educators about the concerns, and opportunities, artificial intelligence presents in the classroom. We delivered on this by creating a composition space where students draft assignments with transparency and, when allowed by educators, receive AI assistance and tailored feedback to improve their work,” said Annie Chechitelli, chief product officer, Turnitin. “We are honored to see Clarity recognized by TIME on its list of best inventions of 2025, and more importantly appreciate our customers and their recognition that the use of AI and academic integrity are not mutually exclusive.”

To compile this year’s list, TIME solicited nominations from TIME editors and correspondents around the world, and through an online application process, paying special attention to growing fields—such as health care and AI. TIME then evaluated each contender on a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.

Turnitin recently reached several significant milestones, including the launch of Turnitin Clarity, with nearly 100 U.S. secondary schools and districts piloting the solution in its first 60 days. The company also released its first global research study on AI in education, pioneered AI bypasser detection, enhanced Turnitin Feedback Studio, and earned recognition on TIME’s list of the World’s Top EdTech Companies.

Read more about the announcement on our blog: https://www.turnitin.com/blog/turnitin-clarity-a-time-best-invention-of-2025.

See the full list here: time.com/collections/best-inventions-2025/.

Press Contact
press@turnitin.com

About Turnitin
Turnitin is a global company dedicated to ensuring the integrity of education and meaningfully improving learning outcomes. For more than 25 years, Turnitin has partnered with educational institutions to promote honesty, consistency, and fairness across all subject areas and assessment types. Turnitin products are used by educational institutions and certification and licensing programs to uphold integrity and increase learning performance, and by students and professionals to do their best, original work.

Turnitin has over 16,000 customers in 185 countries use Turnitin services: Gradescope by Turnitin, Turnitin Clarity, iThenticate, Turnitin Feedback Studio, Turnitin Originality, Turnitin Similarity, ExamSoft by Turnitin, ProctorExam and Ouriginal.

TIME ©2025 TIME USA LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Hithium Experiences Rapid Business Growth, Likely to Continue Hong Kong IPO by Year-End

The energy storage company’s initial filing expired after a six-month limit, with an update likely by year-end as it reports rapid growth for its international and storage systems businesses

XIAMEN, China, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co. Ltd. is likely to restart its Hong Kong IPO process in the next three months, after its application filed earlier this year expired, as it seeks funds for its global expansion and ramps up its energy storage systems business.

The company’s original March listing application lapsed late last month after it failed to complete the IPO within six months, a common occurrence for most companies in their first listing attempts, rather than a sign of failure. The development comes not long after a similar application by another energy storage company, Sigenergy, also expired after it failed to complete the listing within six months after filing.

A knowledgeable source told Chinese media that Hithium is likely to restart its Hong Kong IPO process by the end of this year.

The energy storage sector is currently thriving in the capital markets, attracting strong investor interest on strong growth prospects and supportive government policies. Hithium is seeking to tap booming global demand for both batteries and systems used to store energy from a growing number of solar, wind and other new energy farms and other generating stations being built worldwide. Such storage is a critical component for these facilities, allowing them to store excess electricity during peak generating times for later release during production lulls.

As demand ramps up, the global energy storage market is expected to pass 1,000 GWh per year by 2030, according to third-party market data in Hithium’s original March prospectus.

Founded in 2019, Hithium provides batteries and energy storage systems for residential, commercial and industrial customers. It is the world’s third largest provider in its sector, with about 11% of the global market. Its shipments grew by an average 167% annually between 2022 and 2024 to reach 35.1 GWh last year.

A recent boom in overseas demand for energy storage has helped Hithium to win multiple international orders from Europe, the U.S. and the Middle East, propelling it to second in global energy storage shipments in the first half of 2025. The company’s two production bases in the cities of Xiamen and Chongqing have been operating at full capacity since March, and it is also building a new facility in the city of Heze in Shandong province to boost its capabilities. In a move to hedge against U.S.-China trade frictions, the company has already put a new facility in the U.S. state of Texas into operation — making it the first Chinese enterprise in this sector to establish and launch such a production base in the United States.

Hithium’s revenue grew 26% last year to 12.9 billion yuan ($1.81 billion) from 10.2 billion yuan in 2023. Within that bigger figure, revenue from energy storage systems, which typically carry higher profit margins, more than doubled last year to 4.67 billion yuan from 1.97 billion yuan the previous year, rising to 36.2% of the total from 19.3% over that time.

The company is also rapidly building up its overseas business, which grew from just 1% of sales in 2023 to 28.6% last year. Hithium made a big advance on that front in August, when it signed a major supply deal with Saudi Electricity Co. worth about 2.6 billion yuan. On the bottom line, Hithium also passed another major milestone last year when it became profitable on an adjusted basis, reporting a 318 million yuan adjusted profit for the year.

allnex to launch its European Defense Materials Program


FRANKFURT, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – allnex is taking a bold leap forward with the launch of its European Defense Materials Program. This initiative is designed to accelerate innovation and support Europe’s ambition for greater strategic autonomy in defense.

Europe’s defense sector is facing urgent challenges. New solutions must be developed faster, built to last longer, and perform reliably in the harshest environments. Leveraging allnex resin technology, the program focuses on boosting productivity in structural composite manufacturing and accelerating in-field repairs to ensure a rapid return to service. Meeting these demands calls for fresh thinking, stronger partnerships, and advanced materials that set a new industry standard.

“At allnex, we’re not entering this program with a list of ready-made solutions,” said Mirko Schnitzler, EVP EMEA. “We come with open ears and open minds. Our ambition is to work side by side with customers and partners across the value chain, uncover the roadblocks that hold back progress, and mobilize our best people to create answers together. If there are bottlenecks, we’ll break them. If there are barriers, we’ll remove them. Because only by rethinking the way we collaborate can we set new standards for the future of defense materials.”

A key part of this approach is exploring the advantages of high-speed curing technologies such as EBECRYL® and Radcure® UV/EB curing and AcureTM, which can dramatically accelerate production and repair cycles. In parallel, allnex is developing resin solutions that address critical defense requirements—from stealth and corrosion protection to high heat and chemical resistance. These innovations are built to extend the service life of next-generation solutions, reduce repair and production times, and ultimately deliver greater military performance and readiness.

“While the European chemical industry faces challenges, demand for a more self-sufficient defense ecosystem in Europe is creating strong momentum,” said Cedric D’Hulst, Marketing Director EMEA. “This momentum is driving a surge in demand for advanced defense materials and innovative coating solutions. With solid investments flowing into defense R&D and plant upgrades, the need for high-performance resin systems is growing rapidly. allnex has launched this program not only to meet this demand, but to lead innovation in industrial resin systems that will enable the next generation of defense solutions.”

With the launch of the European Defense Materials Program, allnex is making its position clear. The company is ready to listen, collaborate, and deliver breakthrough technologies that will shape the future of European defense. Now is the time to forge the partnerships and innovations that will secure Europe’s strength for decades to come.

Hashtag: #allnex

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

About allnex

allnex is a leading global manufacturer and solution provider of coating resins and additives for industrial and composite markets. With a 75-year heritage, over €2.2 billion in revenue and 4,000 employees worldwide, our focus is to create innovative chemistry for all nex>t generations, driven by the needs of our customers in a fast-changing world. We do this with sales, research and production network spanning 35 countries, a workforce representing over 50 nations with an all-in dedication to innovation, sustainability and reliable partnership.

allnex supports customers to enhance their product and service solutions with a wide range of chemistries and innovative products, including the sustainable ECOWISE™ offerings. As part of PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC), our main markets are Mobility & Transportation, Packaging & Consumer Goods and Construction & Infrastructure.

For more information, please visit

HUBLOT AND DANIEL ARSHAM UNVEIL THE MP-17 ARSHAM SPLASH : A FLUID EVOLUTION OF ARTISTIC HOROLOGY

SINGAPORE, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pioneering Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot has announced the latest evolution in its ongoing partnership with celebrated American artist and Hublot Ambassador, Daniel Arsham: the Hublot MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire.

Hublot introduces the new MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire
Hublot introduces the new MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire

Following the success of the transformable pocket watch, the MP-16 Arsham Droplet, this new timepiece once again rewrites the rulebook on watch design, finding its inspiration in the dynamic essence of water, organic forms and transparency.

The MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is the perfect blend of Hublot’s Art of Fusion and Arsham’s unique fictional archaeology vision, where he reimagines contemporary objects as ancient artefacts, blurring the lines between past, present and future. 

Arsham’s first wristwatch design for Hublot, the timepiece is a wearable sculpture with Arsham’s creative direction dripping from every fluid curve. The compact 42mm case size has been made possible through the integration of Hublot’s new, smaller Meca-10, an in-house manual-wind movement that can be seen through the dial opening and sapphire caseback.

The choice of sapphire crystal – used for the frosted box-shaped bezel – titanium and rubber as the raw materials underpins the essence of Art of Fusion and has provided the perfect base to sculpt the watch’s organic shapes that are inspired by flowing water. The defining feature is a striking splash-shaped opening on the dial, which is a direct evolution from the MP-16’s droplet inspiration.

Arsham’s view of time is central to his design approach. In his 2016 TED Talk, he explained, “My work is about collapsing time. You’re not quite sure if it’s an object from the past or the future.” While the MP-16 Arsham Droplet brought that concept to life through form, the new MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire focuses on how time leaves an impression. With its fluid case lines, splash-shaped dial opening, and transparent sapphire components, it blends Arsham’s artistic vision with Hublot’s Meca-10 movement to deliver both concept and performance in a wearable design.

At first sight the watch seems to be a departure from the familiar Hublot form, yet on closer inspection, all of the signature elements are there including the six H-screws on the bezel and caseback, the distinctive lugs at 3 and 9 o’clock and the titanium H-shaped folding clasp. Arsham green accents are found on the hour and minute hands, the numerals, the hour and five-minute markers, the small seconds hand at 9 o’clock and on the power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock.

The Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is more than a timekeeper; it is a fusion of fine watchmaking and contemporary art, placing a twist on conventional materials and form. It invites collectors and art enthusiasts alike to experience time through Daniel Arsham’s unique, fluid lens.

“Working with Daniel Arsham is a discovery of new design and perception,” says Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot. “The MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire represents the next exciting chapter in our collaboration with our ambassador, artist Daniel Arsham. It’s a testament to Hublot’s Art of Fusion, seamlessly blending fine watchmaking and art to create a timepiece that is visually stunning whilst pushing the boundaries of innovation. This watch invites us to see time in a new light, through Arsham’s unique and fluid vision.

Daniel Arsham adds, “This collaboration with Hublot explores the fluidity of time through a case inspired by the perfect geometry of a water droplet, crafted using Hublot’s Meca-10 movement. The watch’s transparent structure captures the clarity and motion of water, suspended, precise, and always in flux.”

Limited to only 99 pieces, the Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire is available at Hublot boutiques and authorized retailers.

Discover the video here: https://youtu.be/2mJljSSbdqM 

About Hublot

In 1980 and for the first time, a watch dared to put a gold case on a rubber strap, turning the luxury watch world upside down in the process. Named for the porthole-shaped bezel with its exposed screws, Hublot was born and with it, the Art of Fusion.

In 2005 the brand took this exercise in creative thinking to a new level with the Big Bang and its iconic design, size and layered construction case. That same year, Hublot received the Best Design award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Since then, spurred by this revolutionary mindset, the Big Bang has never stopped reinventing itself. The twenty-first century has its first watch Icon.

The concept of fusion is omnipresent, the guiding principle for every collection. Big Bang timepieces reshape the geometries of time; Classic Fusion balances boldness and restraint, while the Exceptional Timepieces overwrite expectations to create unprecedented horological objects. With its disruptive approach of challenging convention, Hublot’s DNA is transcribed in the Unico, Meca-10 and tourbillon in-house movements, to add another tier of meaning to the Art of Fusion.

Alchemy is ingrained into Hublot and not just at La Manufacture. Magic can take place on a football pitch, producing partnerships with major events (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Euro™). Sometimes it happens at a concert, a basketball match, an artistic performance or at a unique gastronomic experience with Hublot’s family of starred Chefs. And so, the Hublot Vibes come to life, through shared moments of exaltation amongst the Hublotistas, its very own community of proud Hublot owners. The Art of Fusion goes beyond the tangible. It is a way of being, the Hublot way of life.

BIG BANG 20TH ANNIVERSARY – A CELEBRATION OF THE BIG BANG REVOLUTIONARY MINDSET

In 2005 the Big Bang marked the advent of a new era in watchmaking, more closely attuned than ever to the privileges of its name. Few timepieces have transformed contemporary watchmaking like the Big Bang. Twenty years after its launch, it remains the incarnation of a Manufacture that constantly pushes the boundaries of the unknown. Through exclusive materials and in-house movements, led by the Unico and the Meca-10, the Big Bang breaks with tradition —a notion it has never completely embraced. Singular for its bold aesthetic, plural for its versatility, this is the Big Bang.

About Daniel Arsham

Daniel Arsham is a New York based artist whose practice spans fine art, architecture, performance, and film. Arsham’s iconic works meld the past, present and future, showcasing the malleability and power of nostalgia, often through references to moments of the late 20th century. Arsham has collaborated across various industries, sharing his distinctive art with people all over the world.

MP-17 MECA-10 ARSHAM SPLASH TITANIUM SAPPHIRE

REFERENCE

CASE

CASE-BACK

BEZEL

 

917.NJ.6909.RX

 

MP-17 MECA-10 ARSHAM
SPLASH TITANIUM
SAPPHIRE

 

Limited to 99 pieces

 

Shiny Microblasted Titanium

 

Glass: Sapphire Crystal with Anti-
reflective treatment

 

Size: 42 MM

Thickness: 15.35 MM

Water Resistance: 50M

 

 

Shiny Microblasted Titanium

 

Polished & Laser Textured
Sapphire Crystal

 

Screws:

6 H-Shaped Titanium

DIAL

MOVEMENT

STRAP AND CLASP

PRICE

Rhodium plated & Shiny
Microblasted with Green
Arsham Superluminova

HUB1205 Manufacture manual winding

skeleton power reserve

movement in grey PVD

 

Thickness 6.8 mm

Diameter 33.50

 

Frequency (HZ): 3 (21’600 A/H)
Power reserve: 240 Hours

Number of components: 264

Jewels: 29

 

Charmille grained Black Rubber
decorated with the Arsham Monogram

 

Titanium Deployant Buckle

CHF 60’000

EUR 69’000

USD 69’000

GBP 57’000

 

 

 

HUBLOT: www.hublot.com

 

 

Hithium Experiences Rapid Business Growth, Likely to Continue Hong Kong IPO by Year-End

The energy storage company’s initial filing expired after a six-month limit, with an update likely by year-end as it reports rapid growth for its international and storage systems businesses

XIAMEN, China, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co. Ltd. is likely to restart its Hong Kong IPO process in the next three months, after its application filed earlier this year expired, as it seeks funds for its global expansion and ramps up its energy storage systems business.

The company’s original March listing application lapsed late last month after it failed to complete the IPO within six months, a common occurrence for most companies in their first listing attempts, rather than a sign of failure. The development comes not long after a similar application by another energy storage company, Sigenergy, also expired after it failed to complete the listing within six months after filing.

A knowledgeable source told Chinese media that Hithium is likely to restart its Hong Kong IPO process by the end of this year.

The energy storage sector is currently thriving in the capital markets, attracting strong investor interest on strong growth prospects and supportive government policies. Hithium is seeking to tap booming global demand for both batteries and systems used to store energy from a growing number of solar, wind and other new energy farms and other generating stations being built worldwide. Such storage is a critical component for these facilities, allowing them to store excess electricity during peak generating times for later release during production lulls.

As demand ramps up, the global energy storage market is expected to pass 1,000 GWh per year by 2030, according to third-party market data in Hithium’s original March prospectus.

Founded in 2019, Hithium provides batteries and energy storage systems for residential, commercial and industrial customers. It is the world’s third largest provider in its sector, with about 11% of the global market. Its shipments grew by an average 167% annually between 2022 and 2024 to reach 35.1 GWh last year.

A recent boom in overseas demand for energy storage has helped Hithium to win multiple international orders from Europe, the U.S. and the Middle East, propelling it to second in global energy storage shipments in the first half of 2025. The company’s two production bases in the cities of Xiamen and Chongqing have been operating at full capacity since March, and it is also building a new facility in the city of Heze in Shandong province to boost its capabilities. In a move to hedge against U.S.-China trade frictions, the company has already put a new facility in the U.S. state of Texas into operation — making it the first Chinese enterprise in this sector to establish and launch such a production base in the United States.

Hithium’s revenue grew 26% last year to 12.9 billion yuan ($1.81 billion) from 10.2 billion yuan in 2023. Within that bigger figure, revenue from energy storage systems, which typically carry higher profit margins, more than doubled last year to 4.67 billion yuan from 1.97 billion yuan the previous year, rising to 36.2% of the total from 19.3% over that time.

The company is also rapidly building up its overseas business, which grew from just 1% of sales in 2023 to 28.6% last year. Hithium made a big advance on that front in August, when it signed a major supply deal with Saudi Electricity Co. worth about 2.6 billion yuan. On the bottom line, Hithium also passed another major milestone last year when it became profitable on an adjusted basis, reporting a 318 million yuan adjusted profit for the year.

SKEMA presents UNVEIL, its 2025 – 2030 strategic plan

To unveil talents and transform societies

PARIS, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Autumn 2025 marks a pivotal moment for SKEMA Business School. With 10 sites across 7 countries, 11,000 students, and 63,000 alumni, the school is launching its new 2025–2030 strategic plan titled UNVEIL. Behind this name lies a clear ambition: to unveil talents and unleash the potential of new generations to shape more sustainable organisations, and build, through SKEMA, a global educational platform spanning all continents.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: 
https://www.multivu.com/skema/9359751-en-presents-unveil-2025-2030-strategic-plan-reveal-talents-transform-societies

Four structuring pillars to rethink the school

To design this fourth strategic plan, SKEMA consulted all its stakeholders: students, faculty, alumni, staff, and corporate partners. Four interconnected pillars form a dynamic loop within UNVEIL – SEEK, COMMIT, BUILD, and GROW – redefining SKEMA’s student experience, societal engagement, and global ambition.

With ‘SEEK’, SKEMA is undertaking a profound transformation of its pedagogies and reinventing learning in the age of AI.

The school is adopting a pioneering doctrine, “Learn, Teach, Search, Work in the age of AI“, which integrates AI into all the structuring dimensions of the institution. By 2030, every student will benefit from an AI-enhanced CV. Faculty and staff will be supported by KOMPASS, a tool designed to guide their professional trajectory. An interdisciplinary academic and scientific framework will also be established.

COMMIT expresses SKEMA’s determination to create sustainable futures. Through its Move for Good initiatives and AI for Accelerating Impact programme, the school is mobilising its community around social and environmental causes and aims to support 150 impact-driven start-ups by 2030. A Global Impact Observatory will assess the tangible outcomes of these initiatives. A business hub will also bring together companies and alumni.

Major investments and global expansion

With BUILD, SKEMA is investing €150 million in its campuses to make them “Great Places to Work and Study”. The school is evolving into a global higher education platform to deliver a unique and unified learning experience across all its campuses worldwide, developed with the support of its AI Innovation Centre in Montréal, Canada.

Finally, GROW embodies SKEMA’s global ambition: following the opening of a campus in Dubai in 2025, the school will open two new campuses, in India and Australia, by 2030, expanding SKEMA’s global network to 12 locations across 9 countries and 6 continents. The school will also create a School of Professional Studies (SPS) to train professionals and address the growing needs of regions and industries for degree, certification, and distance learning programmes.

2030 targets: 16,000 students and 250 faculty members

By 2030, SKEMA will welcome 16,000 students, 250 faculty members will make up the school’s permanent academic staff, and the school’s overall budget will reach €250 million.

With UNVEIL, SKEMA reaffirms its mission: to empower generations to reinvent organisations and societies.

Contact:

marcom@skema.edu

 

 

SKEMA Business School | UNVEIL – Strategic Plan 2025-2030

 

SKEMA presents "UNVEIL", its 2025-2030 strategic plan to reveal talents and transform societies
SKEMA presents “UNVEIL”, its 2025-2030 strategic plan to reveal talents and transform societies

 

 

Kimberly-Clark Launches Enhanced Global Partnerships to Advance Essential Care for 24 Million Women and Girls

DALLAS, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ: KMB) is deepening its commitment to advancing essential care for women and girls through four enhanced strategic, charitable partnerships. Through new programs with Baby2Baby, Plan International, Project HOPE, and UNICEF, Kimberly-Clark aims to expand access to life-changing care in Brazil, Peru, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United States. Taken together, these partnerships will work to improve the lives of an estimated 24 million women and girls over the next three years. 

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/kimberly-clark/9238951-en-kimberly-clark-global-partnerships-women-and-girls

This announcement is a direct result of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation‘s recent sharpening of its strategic focus: to advance essential care for women and girls on their journeys through puberty and motherhood. The foundation will fund this three-year, $28.7 million commitment, which focuses on menstrual care and maternal & infant care. 

Women’s Health Remains an Urgent Issue around the World
Every seven seconds, a woman or infant dies during or shortly after childbirth, according to the World Health Organization. Furthermore, approximately 500 million women and girls lack access to resources to manage menstruation, as reported by the World Bank. Despite the difficult landscape, opportunities to uplift women and in turn—entire communities—abound: according to the World Economic Forum, “Investment in women’s [health] is unrivaled in its return on the investment for the health of all of society.”

“We envision a world where women and girls everywhere can receive equal access to the fundamental care they need to thrive,” said Mike Hsu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kimberly-Clark and President of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation. “Kimberly-Clark invented the feminine care category in 1921, and we’ve remained committed to advancing care for women and girls ever since. From developing innovations that meet our consumers’ unmet needs to deploying strategic social impact programming, we take great pride in our responsibility to work to improve the lives of the communities we serve.  Now, we’re aiming to accelerate our impact because we know Better Can’t Wait.”

The programs funded will focus on supporting underserved communities. Key initiatives will include menstrual hygiene and stigma-breaking educational programs for adolescents; programs to expand access to safe sanitation solutions; comprehensive perinatal and newborn care services; maternal mental health supports; and programs aimed at strengthening health systems to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable.

Transformational Partnerships to Deliver Better Care for a Better World
Kimberly-Clark’s alliance with Baby2Baby to provide essential baby items for families living in poverty began in 2011 as the nonprofit organization’s first corporate partner. In 2024, the company’s Huggies® brand deepened this commitment by supporting Baby2Baby’s initiative to address rising maternal mortality rates in the U.S., in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Through the distribution of Maternal Health & Newborn Supply Kits, the program addresses the critical intersection of diaper need, newborn health and maternal mental health.

“We are deeply thankful to our longtime partners at Kimberly-Clark and their Huggies brand for their unwavering support. Thanks to their extraordinary donation and three-year commitment, we will make a greater impact in the fight against maternal mortality,” said Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof. “With their help, we are expanding our efforts to deliver supplies to new mothers across 15 states, ensuring they have the basic essentials they need for themselves and their babies, especially during the often overwhelming postpartum period.”

Since 2020, Plan International and Kimberly-Clark, alongside its Kotex® brand, have reached an estimated 11 million people through programs that support girls’ menstrual health. This evolved partnership serving the U.S., Brazil, China and Peru will create period-friendly community and school environments by ensuring access to supplies, bathroom facilities, and education that empowers girls to manage their periods with confidence and dignity.

“With over 80 years of experience championing opportunity for girls, Plan International knows that menstrual health is key to unlocking girls’ potential,” said Kate Ezzes, Vice President of Program Development at Plan International USA. “We also know lasting change happens when boys are engaged as allies. Our partnership with Kimberly-Clark helps dismantle harmful taboos and ensures every child can learn, lead, decide and thrive.”

Kimberly-Clark’s partnership with Project HOPE will expand access to menstrual and maternal health for women and girls in China and Indonesia. The initiative focuses on menstrual hygiene education, respectful maternity care, and mental health support. Through a life-cycle approach, the program empowers individuals from adolescence through pregnancy and early motherhood with education, digital tools, and compassionate care.

“Kimberly-Clark and Project HOPE share a deep commitment to a world where women and girls have access to the care, dignity, and opportunities they deserve,” said Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, Chief Health Officer at Project HOPE. “Kimberly-Clark has long been part of our journey, supporting our work through product donations and core mission support that have helped expand access to essential health services for women and girls across the globe. This next phase of our partnership takes that impact even further through a holistic approach that supports women and girls at every stage—from a girl’s first period, to pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Together, we’re investing in education, mental health, capacity-building, and advocacy to drive sustainable, systemic change.”

Over the course of an almost 25-year relationship, Kimberly-Clark and UNICEF have worked together to improve the health and well-being of babies, girls, and women in 26 countries. Now, that legacy continues through a new multi-region initiative focused on menstrual hygiene education and access for girls and maternal health for young mothers across Brazil, India, Indonesia, Peru, and Vietnam. 

“Since 2001, our partnership with Kimberly-Clark has empowered close to 14 million children and adults through the provision of neonatal healthcare, early childhood development, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, and lifesaving services during emergencies,” said Kitty van der Heijden, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships. “We are grateful that this transformative partnership for girls and women is now deepening to save even more lives, deliver services that promote dignity and create lasting impact for future generations.”

While some of these charitable partners are long-standing collaborators with Kimberly-Clark, this marks a new chapter in how these organizations work with the foundation. By aligning around two critical impact areas—menstrual care and maternal & infant care—as part of the foundation’s new strategic focus, these partnerships address interconnected challenges that are often treated in isolation.

This integrated approach reflects the full continuum of care, recognizing the deep links between menstrual health, maternal wellbeing, and infant development. As a company whose brands already serve these populations with essential products like diapers and feminine hygiene solutions in each of these regions, Kimberly-Clark is strategically positioned to make a meaningful impact, at scale, through these partnerships.

“We seek to lead with care in everything we do,” said Russ Torres, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kimberly-Clark. “‘We Care’ is, in fact, one of our three core values. Whether it’s caring for our people, our customers, our consumers, or the communities in which we live and operate, care is at the heart of Kimberly-Clark. These strategic partnerships enable us to extend this value even further as we work to ensure women and girls around the world receive the essential support they deserve.”

The Kimberly-Clark Foundation’s enhanced focus on caring for women and girls is one of the many ways the company works to live its purpose of Better Care for a Better World. It is also aligned to the company’s Powering Care business strategy and will directly contribute to delivering on Kimberly-Clark’s global ambition to positively impact 1 billion lives by 2030.

To learn more about Kimberly-Clark’s 2030 ambition and the work of the Kimberly-Clark Foundation, visit https://www.kimberly-clark.com/en-us/sustainability/2030-ambition.

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About Kimberly-Clark 
Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries and territories. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, Goodnites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. Our company’s purpose is to deliver Better Care for a Better World. We are committed to using sustainable practices designed to support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and enable our business to thrive for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and learn more about the company’s more than 150-year history of innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website

About the Kimberly-Clark Foundation
Established in 1952, the Kimberly-Clark Foundation is the charitable arm of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and is dedicated to supporting global causes that create lasting social change. Funded by the corporation, the foundation’s primary focus is on social impact investments that help advance essential care for women and girls on their journeys through puberty and motherhood.