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Vitafoods Asia 2026 Expands by 30%: A Bigger, More Dynamic Trade Event with Exciting New Features & Increased International Participation

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BANGKOK, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With a remarkable 30% growth in size and participation, Vitafoods Asia 2026 organised by Informa Markets, is set to redefine the nutraceutical industry in Asia, offering unparalleled opportunities for innovation and collaboration. The event will feature an exhibit space of 30,000 square meters with over 800 companies, representing an impressive 30% growth compared to the 2025 edition. Taking place once again at the state-of-the-art venue in Bangkok – Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) from 2 – 4 September 2026.

Vitafoods Asia 2026 will see increased international participation with two new country pavilions, including Australia and New Zealand
Vitafoods Asia 2026 will see increased international participation with two new country pavilions, including Australia and New Zealand

New Country Pavilions and New Experiential Activities & Features
This year’s event will also see the addition of two new country pavilions, Australia and New Zealand, further enhancing its global representation and showcasing innovations from these regions in the nutraceutical and functional food industries. In addition to its expanded size and international reach, Vitafoods Asia 2026 will introduce a host of exciting new features designed to elevate the attendee experience and provide deeper insights into the industry:

Sensory Box: A workshop-style feature that enables attendees to experience food ingredients through sense of smell, touch, and taste. Creating an interactive experience that enables attendees to re-imagine user experience for their nutraceutical development.

From Lab to Launch: The event will host a range of speakers that will provide valuable insights to R&D professionals, enabling them to envision the product all the way from raw ingredients in the laboratory to finished goods, with concept to completion journey for research professionals, including clinical trials.

Four-Factor Solution Workshop: Delivered in partnership with the Healthy Marketing Team (HMT), expert brand builders specialised in serving brands, businesses and people in the food and nutrition industry, this programme is curated to guide and enable entrepreneurs to align their products and brands with the target audience and market. “The workshop will focus on learn the success factors in nutrition & health marketing, innovation, and branding, and avoid failure”  

Thailand Nutraceuticals Award Powered by Vitafoods Asia: A prestigious award ceremony recognising excellence and innovation in the Thai nutraceutical sector for finished products.

Pet Nutraceuticals Showcase: A special exhibit highlighting the growing market for nutraceuticals designed for pets.

Attendees at Vitafoods Asia 2026 can expect several experiential and learning activities
Attendees at Vitafoods Asia 2026 can expect several experiential and learning activities

Theme for Vitafoods Asia 2026
The overarching theme for Vitafoods Asia 2026 is “Nutraceuticals Trends Across Generations”, focusing on redefining health and wellness across all life stages. This visionary theme emphasises cutting-edge science, natural ingredients, and personalised nutrition through technology, aiming to create a future where people not only live longer but live better. These include gut and microbiome health, cognitive and mental wellness, active body and longevity, and personalised and digital nutritional enablers.  

“Vitafoods Asia 2026 is set to redefine the future of health and wellness by embracing cutting-edge science, natural ingredients, and personalised nutrition technologies. Our theme, ‘Nutraceuticals Trends Across Generations,’ envisions a world where people not only live longer but thrive at every stage of life. This year, the event will be 30% bigger and feature greater international participation, making it a truly global platform to explore innovative solutions that cater to the unique health needs of each generation, from Boomers to Generation Alpha. Together, we are fostering a healthier and more vibrant future for all.” added Rose Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN, Informa Markets.

“As an Australian brand, Healthy Care values Vitafoods as a global platform to connect with partners across markets and gain insights into evolving health and wellness trends. This marks our first participation at the event, and we see Vitafoods as an important opportunity to further expand our reach across Southeast Asia. We look forward to building strong partnerships and contributing to conversations shaping the future of nutrition.” added Michael Wu, General Manager, Nature’s Care Manufacture Pty. Ltd. (Australia).

Vitafoods Asia continues to be the leading platform for professionals in the nutraceutical, functional food, and dietary supplement industries, offering a unique space to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest trends and innovations.

“For those who are still deciding whether they should attend Vitafoods Asia, I would 100% recommend coming here. It’s the best place to explore trends, meet partners, potential partners, future partners, existing customers and clients, as well as brand owners. It’s the ideal venue to build your network, engage in face-to-face meetings, and develop meaningful connections.” added Pierre-Luc Morlet, Sales Director, Pharm Active Biotech Products.

From my perspective, what I enjoy most is the opportunity to meet so many professionals from across Asia in one place. I think this is a great platform for us to exchange ideas, discover opportunities, and connect with numerous potential partners.” added Alex Du, General Manager, Sirio Pharma Co., Ltd.

For more information about Vitafoods Asia 2026, visit www.vitafoodsasia.com

About Vitafoods Asia

Vitafoods Asia is the leading nutraceutical event in Asia, bringing together industry professionals from across the globe to explore the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in the nutraceutical and functional food sectors.

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Gautam Jatwani
Senior Marketing Manager
Gautam.jatwani@informa.com

Anaplan Launches AWS Data Center in Singapore to Enhance Global Reach and Support Local Enterprises

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New location expands company’s global infrastructure, while offering faster data processing, robust security measures and regulatory compliance

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – Anaplan, the global leader in AI‑driven scenario planning and analysis, today announced the launch of its new Amazon Web Services data center in Singapore. This strategic expansion is designed to accelerate digital transformation and empower businesses in Southeast Asia with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities for real-time planning and decision-making.

Anaplan Launches AWS Data Center in Singapore to Enhance Global Reach and Support Local Enterprises

The new data center will significantly enhance Anaplan’s global infrastructure and offer faster data processing, improved security and regulatory compliance. These features are essential for protecting sensitive information and meeting local data sovereignty requirements, which is especially critical for industries such as public sector and financial services.

“The launch of Anaplan on AWS in Singapore represents a strategic milestone and reinforces our shared commitment to customers across Asia-Pacific,” said Carol Potts, general manager for North America ISV sales at AWS.

By leveraging the Anaplan platform, businesses in the region will gain access to leading AI and machine learning technologies, enabling them to:

  • Optimize planning processes: AI-driven insights will help businesses make more informed, data-driven decisions in real-time, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
  • Enhance data security: The data center ensures that data remains within Singapore, adhering to local regulations.
  • Drive AI innovation: Backed by a reliable and secure infrastructure, companies can scale their operations by embedding cutting-edge AI technology directly into cross-functional planning processes and workflows, empowering teams to move faster, make smarter decisions, and stay ahead of the competition.

“We are delighted to bring the Anaplan platform, including our new suite of role-based AI agents, to Singapore and the broader Southeast Asia region,” said Amit Bagga, managing director, APAC, at Anaplan. “Data sovereignty is a stringent requirement for our clients, and our new location ensures that their data remains within Singapore, adhering to local regulations. Plus, with Anaplan Intelligence, businesses can harness the power of AI to optimize and unify their finance, workforce, sales, and supply chain planning processes, gain deeper insights and make strategic decisions with confidence.”

This regional addition marks another milestone in Anaplan’s $500 million innovation roadmap, aimed at expanding the company’s global reach and supporting local businesses with the latest AI-driven planning and analytics technology. The company has also made other data center expansions in the Asia-Pacific region, including in India, Indonesia, and Australia, further solidifying its commitment to the region.

Hashtag: #Anaplan

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

About Anaplan

Anaplan is the only AI-driven scenario planning and analysis platform designed to optimize decision-making in today’s complex business environment so that enterprises can outpace their competition and the market. By building connections and collaboration across organizational silos, our platform intelligently surfaces key insights — so businesses can make the right decisions, right now. More than 2,500 of the world’s best brands, including nearly half of the Fortune 50, continually optimize their decision-making by planning with Anaplan. To learn more, visit

Trad To Tech: Craftsmanship Growing Inside the Most Beautiful Homes as MIFF Leads the Way

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – At the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), a master craftsperson brings a solid wood tabletop to fruition, overseeing finish, joinery and the quiet patience required to get it right. Just steps away, a sleek, minimalist booth hums softly, where beds adjust at the touch of a button, sofas glide into position, mechanisms hidden so precisely they seem to disappear. There is no divide between old and new here.

Craftsman at work
Craftsman at work

Instead, MIFF, taking place from 4 to 7 March this year across two major venues at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), unfolds like a conversation across generations, where chisels and circuit boards share the same floor. Here, traditional woodwork brands stand confidently beside smart home piece creators. It is in this unexpected harmony that MIFF reveals its true character: a place where craftsmanship has not been replaced by technology but expanded by it.

In today’s most beautiful homes, craftsmanship no longer belongs exclusively to the past. It lives quietly alongside technology—coded, calibrated, and refined—shaping furniture that feels both deeply human and unmistakably contemporary. At this year’s edition,this evolution takes center stage, positioning the fair not just as a trade marketplace, but as a living narrative of how tradition and innovation now coexist.

Ms Kelie Lim, General Manager of MIFF 2026, says, “Craftsmanship isn’t being lost to technology. It’s evolving, with technology now working alongside the maker rather than replacing the hand. At MIFF, this evolution plays out in real time—positioning the fair not just as a trade marketplace, but as a living narrative of how tradition and innovation now coexist.”

Craftsmanship in the 21st Century

In modern homes, where space is fluid and functionality is paramount, this new craftsmanship answers contemporary needs without sacrificing beauty. The result is furniture that works harder, lasts longer and feels effortless, an evolution of craft shaped by modern life.

This shift is evident in the work of manufacturers like, among others, SMART TOP, where advanced engineering meets refined furniture-making. Craftsmanship is expressed through precision mechanisms, seamless movement and invisible intelligence built into everyday living pieces. Automation does not replace skill; it amplifies it. Human expertise guides design, ergonomics and material selection, while technology ensures consistency, durability and scale.

Cultural Identity as a Design Constant

Yet, as technology advances, identity remains essential. Across Southeast Asia, furniture traditions are inseparable from cultural expression. You see them woven into motifs, proportions and materials passed down through generations. Among other exhibitors at MIFF 2026 are brands like TANGGAM that demonstrate how cultural heritage can remain a constant, even as production methods evolve.

TANGGAM’s work reflects a deep respect for regional craftsmanship, translating traditional forms and philosophies into contemporary furniture suited for global interiors. Subtle references to vernacular architecture, local materials and artisanal detailing are preserved, not through nostalgia, but through thoughtful reinterpretation. Here, technology becomes a bridge rather than a break. Digital tools allow heritage aesthetics to be refined, repeated and shared across markets, ensuring that cultural identity is not diluted by scale, but protected by it.

Embracing Tech to Preserve the Past

Perhaps nowhere is this balance more intimate than in the realm of rest. Sleep, one of the most personal human experiences, has become a new frontier for craft and technology.

Luxury Sleep exemplifies how advanced systems can preserve traditional values of comfort, care, and well-being.By integrating smart sleep technology like its AI BedMatch™ system developed with scientists at the Sleep to Live® Institute with meticulous material selection and ergonomic design, Luxury Sleep elevates an age-old craft into a future-ready experience. Sensors, adaptive support systems and data-driven comfort do not remove the human element; they respond to it. The craft lies in understanding the body, just as artisans once understood wood or fabric. Only now, the tools are digital.

MIFF 2026: Where Trad Meets Tech

What unites these stories is MIFF itself. In 2026, the fair emerges as a stage where craftsmanship is neither romanticised nor mechanised, but redefined. Exhibitors reflect a shared understanding: the future of furniture lies in collaboration, between hand and machine, heritage and innovation, culture and commerce.

MIFF 2026 is not simply showcasing products. It is presenting a philosophy of making, one where technology safeguards tradition, and craftsmanship evolves to meet the demands of modern living. Inside the world’s most beautiful homes, this new craft is already at work. And at MIFF, its future is being shaped.

The 32nd edition of the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2026 will be held from 4 to 7 March 2026, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, across two venues: the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL). Be part of Southeast Asia’s largest furniture trade show from 9:30am to 6:00pm (March 4-6) and 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (March 7). For more information, please visit www.miff.com.my

For images, please click here.

Hashtag: #MIFF2026

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

About MIFF

MIFF is the largest and leading export-oriented furniture trade show in Southeast Asia, showcasing the widest collection of Made-in Malaysia wooden furniture, home furniture, and office furniture. Since 1995, MIFF is a one-stop platform connecting a wider community of 20,000+ buyers from 140 countries and regions. MIFF is organised by Informa Markets, which is a part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B event organiser in the world.

TREOO Puts Listening First with Try-Before-You-Buy Vinyl Station as Turntables Resurge in Singapore

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As analogue audio experiences a renewed surge in popularity, Singapore-based audio retailer TREOO is stepping firmly into the spotlight through a series of brand-led initiatives centred on turntables and vinyl listening. Alongside expanding its curated turntable range and engaging design-conscious homeowners and first-time vinyl listeners, TREOO has also placed fresh emphasis on hands-on listening through its Try-Before-You-Buy vinyl station, where customers are invited to bring their own records into the showroom to experience how different turntables perform before making a purchase. This renewed focus on listening-led retail has contributed to growing momentum around record players as both lifestyle statements and serious listening tools.

Turntables Lead the Analogue Revival

Once regarded as niche or nostalgic, turntables are increasingly being rediscovered by modern listeners seeking more intentional, tactile ways to experience music. TREOO’s recent focus on analogue playback reflects a broader shift in consumer behaviour, where sound quality, visual design, and the ritual of listening matter as much as convenience.

As more Singaporeans revisit vinyl collections or explore records for the first time, turntables are emerging as the centrepiece of the analogue revival. This momentum is echoed by the rise of independent record stores, vinyl-focused cafés, and dedicated listening spaces that serve as social hubs for enthusiasts. Lifestyle and culture publications highlight a thriving local vinyl ecosystem where collectors, audiophiles, and casual listeners gather to experience analogue sound through curated music selections. [1]

“For a long time, sales inquiries for turntables and, more recently, CD players have jumped, with many customers trying to learn what vinyl record players are all about and understand the principles of analogue playback,” said Cassandra, CEO of Treoo Group Pte. Ltd. “Many customers we interact with explain that they’ve just gotten keys to their new BTO homes, and a turntable is something they want to display as a showcase for friends and family, as well as for personal enjoyment.”

Market research firms project this demand to continue over the next decade. According to global forecasts, the turntables market is expected to grow from USD46.42 million in 2025 to over USD60.61 million by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate of approximately 3.01%.[2] This projected growth reinforces the shift to long-term adoption, as vinyl culture expands worldwide and across the world.

Together, these developments align with the broader vinyl revival. This cultural movement has seen vinyl record sales consistently outperform other physical music formats over the past decade, signaling enduring consumer commitment rather than a passing trend.

A Cultural Shift Beyond Nostalgia

Industry analysts note that while nostalgia contributes to renewed interest in analogue audio, the revival is largely sustained by broader cultural and lifestyle shifts. Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards slower, more intentional listening experiences as an alternative to algorithm-driven digital consumption, valuing the sense of engagement, ownership, and collectibility that physical music formats provide in an age of digital overload.

Looking ahead, market outlooks for both the global and Singapore turntable sectors point to continued growth[3], supported by rising consumer education, improved access to analogue audio products, and a growing appreciation for high-quality home listening experiences.

About TREOO

TREOO is a Singapore-based destination for both modern and retro audio gear. The company curates a wide range of audio equipment, from contemporary wireless solutions to classic analogue systems, serving casual listeners, design-led homeowners, and dedicated audiophiles alike.

Explore TREOO’s range of turntables and record players at https://www.treoo.com/category/turntable

[1] https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/record-stores-vinyls-turntables-singapore/
[2] https://www.globalgrowthinsights.com/market-reports/turntables-market-112679
[3] https://www.6wresearch.com/industry-report/singapore-turntable-market-outlook

Keeper Security Expands Relationship With Ingram Micro to Broaden Availability of Privileged Access Management in Singapore

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Expansion strengthens cybersecurity resilience by delivering a modern, scalable privileged access solution


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – Keeper Security, the leading zero-trust and zero-knowledge Privileged Access Management (PAM) platform, is expanding its relationship with Ingram Micro to increase the availability of KeeperPAM® in Singapore. Through Ingram Micro’s extensive distribution network, Managed Service Providers (MSPs), resellers and enterprises across the country can now more easily adopt Keeper’s unified, cloud-based PAM platform to strengthen access controls, support regulatory compliance and defend against advanced cyber threats.

The expansion aligns with Singapore’s national focus on strengthening cyber resilience and digital trust, supporting organisations operating under frameworks such as the Cybersecurity Act and the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust marks. With increasing emphasis on compliance, governance and operational resilience across sectors including finance, manufacturing and critical infrastructure, modern, scalable PAM solutions help manage privileged access more securely while reducing cybersecurity risk.

Through this relationship, Ingram Micro will make KeeperPAM widely available to its Singapore-based network of resellers, system integrators and MSPs. Leveraging Ingram Micro’s scale and expertise in cloud and cybersecurity distribution, the collaboration enables organisations across industries to deploy Keeper’s modern PAM platform quickly and effectively, while reducing complexity and administrative overhead.

As a unified, cloud-native solution, powered by AI, KeeperPAM integrates password, secrets and session management with zero-trust network access and remote browser isolation. Designed to simplify privileged access security while improving enterprise-wide visibility, the platform enables organisations of all sizes to enforce least-privilege policies, secure third-party access and maintain oversight of privileged accounts and activity. KeeperPAM meets globally recognised compliance standards, including SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001, 27017 and 27018.

“As identity-based attacks continue to escalate, organisations need privileged access security that is both powerful and easy to deploy,” said Scott Unger, Director of Global Channel Account Management, Keeper Security. “By expanding our partnership with Ingram Micro in Singapore, we’re empowering the local partner ecosystem to deliver enterprise-grade PAM at scale, helping customers strengthen security, improve visibility and support compliance across their environments.”

“As businesses accelerate cloud adoption, managing privileged access securely and efficiently has become a top priority,” said Eunice Lau, Executive Managing Director, Ingram Micro. “Keeper’s zero-trust PAM platform aligns well with this need, enabling our partners to help customers reduce complexity, strengthen access controls and gain real-time visibility across their environments.”

Built on a zero-trust and zero-knowledge security model, KeeperPAM secures, manages and audits privileged accounts using advanced capabilities such as Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Just-In-Time (JIT) access. Real-time monitoring, session recording and detailed audit trails provide transparency into privileged activity, helping organisations detect anomalies quickly and maintain compliance.

KeeperPAM addresses the full spectrum of privileged access use cases, including:

● Password management – Securely store, manage and rotate passwords, passkeys and confidential files

● Secrets management – Protect API keys, CI/CD pipelines and developer credentials while eliminating secrets sprawl

● Session management – Enable passwordless, audited remote access to infrastructure through a standard web browser

● Database access – Control privileged database access across on-premises and cloud environments using UI, CLI or tunneling tools

● Remote browser isolation – Secure access to internal web applications and admin portals while preventing data exfiltration

● SSH key management – Protect SSH keys with encrypted storage, automated rotation and privileged session controls

● AI threat detection – Automatically analyse user activity and terminate sessions when suspicious activity is detected

● Admin console – Centralise user management, policy enforcement, identity provider integration and activity monitoring

● Control plane – Orchestrate privileged access workflows, session activity and enforcement policies across the environment

Ingram Micro’s security expertise and Xvantage™ digital experience platform further support the deployment of KeeperPAM, enabling MSPs and IT teams to integrate privileged access controls into existing environments with minimal disruption.

This expanded relationship underscores Keeper’s continued investment in the APAC region and its commitment to making enterprise-grade, zero-trust privileged access security accessible to organisations of all sizes.

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

About Keeper Security

Keeper Security is one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity software companies that protects thousands of organisations and millions of people in over 150 countries. Keeper is a pioneer of zero-knowledge and zero-trust security built for any IT environment. Its core offering, KeeperPAM®, is an AI-enabled, cloud-native platform that protects all users, devices and infrastructure from cyber attacks. Recognised for its innovation in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Privileged Access Management (PAM), Keeper secures passwords and passkeys, infrastructure secrets, remote connections and endpoints with role-based enforcement policies, least privilege and just-in-time access. Learn why Keeper is trusted by leading organisations to defend against modern adversaries at .

Learn more:

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Agoda and China Airlines Enhance Travel Rewards with New Hotel Booking Platform, StayMiles

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda, through its strategic partnerships arm Rocket Travel by Agoda, has teamed up with China Airlines, a Taiwan-based carrier, to launch a new hotel booking platform. The new StayMiles platform enables China Airlines members and customers to book hotels globally and seamlessly earn and redeem miles, enhancing their travel rewards experience.

The collaboration redefines China Airlines’ travel rewards by delivering customers a more seamless experience through the expansion of hotel bookings with flight services and strengthening loyalty. As the sole digital travel partner, Rocket Travel by Agoda will manage the platform, guiding the complete customer journey from search and booking to customer service, while providing access to a comprehensive array of global properties. Every hotel booking through StayMiles allows travelers to earn miles, adding value to each trip.

“This partnership with China Airlines marks an exciting milestone especially as travel loyalty evolves into more integrated and rewarding experiences. We’re appreciative of the trust in our ability to deliver robust, value-driven platforms and offer the best supply available today. Our tailored solutions empower members to earn and redeem miles effortlessly within a seamless booking environment,” said Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Rocket Travel by Agoda.

With StayMiles, China Airlines members can redeem hotel stays starting from just 1,000 miles using an intuitive slider feature, offering greater flexibility and control. Members can now earn up to 10,000 miles per night on local hotel stays and weekend getaways, making it easier to accumulate rewards beyond international flights and increasing overall program engagement.

China Airlines’ customers will be able to book hotels across key global markets, including Taiwan, North and Southeast Asia, North America, Canada, and Europe. By connecting members to over 600,000 hotels worldwide, the partnership underscores our commitment to broadening travel choices and enhancing the overall travel experience for loyalty program members.

 

VINSSEN and MANA Engineering Sign MOU to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell Retrofit for 800 TEU Feeder Vessel

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LR Approval in Principle as first step toward EU-compliant decarbonization solution

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — VINSSEN, a South Korean maritime specialist in hydrogen fuel cells and integrated system solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MANA Engineering, a Netherlands-based engineering firm driving the energy transition through innovative technologies. The partnership aims to jointly develop a hydrogen fuel cell-based retrofit solution for an 800 TEU feeder container vessel operating in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea.

VINSSEN and MANA Engineering Sign MOU to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell Retrofit for 800 TEU Feeder Vessel
VINSSEN and MANA Engineering Sign MOU to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell Retrofit for 800 TEU Feeder Vessel

The collaboration will focus initially on a comprehensive technical feasibility study and the pursuit of Approval in Principle (AIP) from Lloyd’s Register (LR). The AIP process will validate the technical concept and establish the framework for a potential pilot retrofit project

The proposed retrofit concept retains the vessel’s existing main propulsion system while replacing hotel loads and auxiliary power with a hybrid system of hydrogen fuel cells and battery energy storage. Hydrogen will be supplied through swappable storage modules, and an integrated control system will enable seamless switching between fuel cells and existing diesel generators, minimizing potential operational disruption and associated technical risk.

The system reduces onboard CO₂ emissions, supporting compliance with FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS requirements without relying on onshore power supply (OPS), while also improving the vessel’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating.

MANA Engineering will contribute its European engineering expertise and regional market access, while VINSSEN will provide its proprietary fuel cell and battery system technologies. Together, the partners will evaluate commercial deployment opportunities within the European short-sea shipping segment.

Chil-Han Lee, CEO of VINSSEN, said, “This agreement represents a practical step toward validating hydrogen retrofit solutions in line with classification requirements and advancing decarbonization options for existing vessels in Europe.”

Dennis Lensing, Managing Director of MANA Engineering, added, “We look forward to cooperating with our Korean partners during this risk assessment and concept phase, and beyond. Together we will build a strong foundation for potential demonstration and retrofits of this concept in the European markets.”

About VINSSEN

VINSSEN is a pioneering provider of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) solutions for the maritime industry. With advanced R&D capabilities and expertise in clean propulsion systems, VINSSEN develops high-performance, scalable, and regulatory-compliant fuel cell solutions supporting the global transition to sustainable and zero-emission shipping.

Malaysia’s First Globally Recognized Best Workplaces List Out This Week

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The methodology behind the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For arrives in Malaysia this week, with 20 organizations making the inaugural list based on what 45,000 of their own employees had to say.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Between broad economic reforms, the startup boom, and a talent market that’s getting more competitive by the quarter, Malaysia is having a moment. 

What the country hasn’t had, until now, is Great Place To Work. The global authority on workplace culture behind the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and Best Workplaces™ lists in more than 170 countries is coming. This Thursday, 26 February, Great Place To Work will release the first‑ever Best Workplaces in Malaysia list for 2026.

“We’re honored to bring the Best Workplaces recognition to Malaysia for the first time,” said Evelyn Kwek, Managing Director of Great Place To Work ASEAN & ANZ. “It’s an extremely dynamic time for this country, and as the nation presses forward with these big ambitions for growth, it makes sense for organizations here to have a benchmark for attracting and retaining high-quality talent.”

Taking data from over 45,000 individual employee survey responses, representing a workforce of 95,000, it’s one of the most comprehensive workplace culture studies Malaysia has seen.

Twenty organisations have made the cut in 2026 across small, medium, and large categories, spanning tech, hospitality, construction, finance, manufacturing, and professional services, a cross-section of the industries driving Malaysia’s economy.

How The Best Workplaces Lists Are Decided

The rankings are based on the Great Place To Work Trust Index™ Survey, the same methodology used all over the world. Employees answer questions about what it’s really like to work at their company, and Great Place To Work looks at how positive that experience is for all groups, roles, and levels – not just a select few.

To become Great Place To Work Certified, organizations must reach at least a 65% score on the survey. Only Certified organizations are then considered for the Best Workplaces list, where the highest‑scoring companies in each size category are ranked.

“Great Place To Work has accumulated global best practices around people, leadership, and culture from nearly three decades of data,” said Kwek. “Those insights are invaluable to Malaysian companies, whether they’re homegrown businesses or local operations of multinationals. While Great Place To Work hasn’t been in Malaysia until now, we’ve been operating in this region for more than 12 years with a lot of big clients who have a presence in the country.”

Kwek has led the team that also introduced Great Place To Work culture benchmarking to Singapore, The Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

“I believe we bring the best of both worlds; global best practices in leadership and people culture, applied with local nuance.”

Why Malaysia, Why Now?

Malaysia’s economic trajectory, growth ambitions, and increasingly competitive regional talent market have created exactly the kind of conditions where workplace culture becomes a strategic differentiator.

Last year the Malaysian economy grew 5.2% and the ringgit emerged as Asia’s best‑performing currency, gaining nearly 9% against the US dollar. Unemployment has fallen to around 3%, its lowest level in a decade, and North American tech giants and cloud providers have committed more than US$23 billion to build data centres and digital infrastructure across the nation.

“We feel it’s time to recognize companies which are doing wonderful things, truly great workplaces that top talent might consider working for. Malaysia is definitely a country coming into its own in that respect,” Kwek said.

One of the more interesting tensions in Malaysia’s current business landscape is the coexistence of a thriving startup ecosystem alongside large, established corporations. Both need strong culture, but for entirely different reasons.

“There is a growing number of startups in Malaysia, and we can help them understand how to scale culture as they grow and expand. For large organizations, the challenge is different, it’s about how to amplify culture so that it reaches every part of the business. These are two distinct challenges, and we have the experience and data to support both,” Kwek explained.

Scaling culture is straightforward in theory. But what happens when a 40-person company doubles headcount in a single quarter and the informal structures that once held everything together (who talks to whom, how decisions get made, what new hires absorb in their first week) stop working?

“When organizations have a strategic focus on culture, they statistically do better on innovation, adaptability and even revenue,” explains Kwek. “High‑trust workplaces earn up to 8.5 times more revenue per employee than the market average. They’re also better able to withstand the shocks of an uneven financial climate. Trust is what allows them to absorb that friction and still perform, and often outperform their competitors.”

What Comes Next?

Bringing Best Workplaces to Malaysia 2026 is just the beginning. Great Place To Work will be building an annually updated body of evidence about what workplace culture actually looks like in the country, measured by the people who experience it every day.

“One of the key distinguishing factors of Great Place To Work is that our model is built on the idea of a great place to work for all, the ideal of inclusiveness. As Malaysia builds its next-generation workforce, helping organizations build and amplify a culture of trust, regardless of background or where people come from, is foundational. That ‘for all’ philosophy is what we hope to bring to Malaysia,” Kwek said.

For the companies that made the list, it’s external validation of something they’ve been investing in internally. For those that haven’t yet participated, the benchmark now exists and a standard has been set.

Want to see who made the list? Sign up to be notified when the inaugural Best Workplaces in Malaysia List 2026 drops on 26 February. REGISTER HERE

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