Tuesday, 12 August 2025

Global Industry Leaders Launch CCUS Hub Study to Accelerate Decarbonization in Asia

 

SINGAPORE, Aug 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An industry consortium comprised of leading steelmakers ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, JSW Steel, Hyundai Steel Company and other value chain players, BHP, Chevron, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (the Consortium), are undertaking a pre-feasibility study to assess the development of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) hubs across Asia.

The CCUS Hub study is the first independent industry-led study of its kind in Asia and will examine the technical and commercial pathways to utilising CCUS in hard-to-abate industries across Asia. The study will focus on the potential to develop large-scale projects which can repurpose, or store, captured carbon dioxide (CO2).

By leveraging shared infrastructure and economies of scale, the study will seek potential applications for captured CO2 in industrial processes, or transport captured CO2 via pipeline or shipping to storage sites in Asia or Northern Australia.

The plan is for each participant in the study to be included in at least one hub, and the study will deliver conceptual development strategies for each hub including cost and schedule estimates, and potential commercialisation pathways.

The study will also look at non-technical enablers required to make CCUS hubs a reality, for example regulatory assessments including intra and inter-regional assessments of CCUS and cross border transport.

The Consortium, which is open to additional members joining and contributing to the study, has appointed Hatch as Project Management Officer in collaboration with Global CCS Institute, McDaniel, and Pace CCS.

The study is expected to conclude at the end of 2026, with findings to be shared publicly to promote broader industry learning and support the development of enabling policy and regulatory frameworks.

A role for CCUS is well represented in a number of external global climatic scenarios. Carbon capture technologies used in a range of existing industrial applications are relatively mature, and able to integrate with existing facilities.

The Consortium is prioritising the next important step - the study of scalable utilisation and storage solutions to test the potential for broader adoption to support decarbonisation, especially in regions where regulatory hurdles and market maturity limit progress.

By concentrating on regional hubs, the Consortium’s study will look to find ways to solve the challenge of scale by aggregating captured carbon into sufficiently large quantities to:
  • Optimise the unit cost of capture, transportation, and storage through economies-of-scale
  • Provide sufficient scale for economic utilisation solutions
  • Unlock novel solutions for multiple hard-to-abate industries at once, to enable regional decarbonisation efforts to be accelerated, and/or
  • Ensure cost and risk is appropriately shared among interested parties.
Comment from Dr Ben Ellis, Vice President Marketing Sustainability, BHP

“BHP is committed to supporting our steelmaking customers on their journey to decarbonise the industry.

With more than 1 billion tonnes of production a year in Asia coming from blast furnace capacity that is relatively early in its production life, it’s important for industry to progress technologies to decarbonise existing steelmaking assets while new commercial pathways to decarbonise steelmaking are developed over time.

By leveraging shared knowledge and resources with our partners, we are investing in support for innovative solutions—like the potential of CCUS—that we see as an essential part of decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steelmaking.”

Comment from Dr. Arvind Bodhankar, the Chief Sustainability Officer at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India)

"At AM/NS India, we recognise that the future of steel is inextricably linked to the well-being of our planet and the generations to come. The choices we make today will fundamentally shape the next generation, far more than our own. This profound responsibility underpins our commitment, which extends well beyond the delivery of world-class steel. It is this shared vision that has led to the formation of a robust consortium, which will enable all stakeholders to strategically undertake pioneering initiatives not only to decarbonise steelmaking but also set new benchmarks in industrial practices. For AM/NS India, the priority is to spearhead a new era of industrial responsibility and leadership, with the clear purpose of accelerating India's journey towards the net-zero goal and significantly enhancing its global competitiveness."

Comment from Prabodha Acharya, the Chief Sustainability Officer at JSW Group

“Sustainability is a value that lies at the very core of JSW's Sustainability Vision that shapes the organization's strategic goals and priorities.

We remain committed to transforming our sustainability vision into reality with specific targets and commitments. We aim to reduce our CO2 emission intensity in steelmaking by 42% by 2030 from a base year of 2005 and achieving net neutral carbon emissions by 2050. This commitment to decarbonization has already progressed well and achieved a reduction of carbon emissions intensity by 30% against our 2005 baseline.

However, we believe that, CCUS has to be developed to become a financially viable decarbonization lever which would be crucial to achieve near zero emissions in the steel sector. Partnerships and collaboration to accelerate the development and deployment of CCUS is essential, and this consortium would help pave the way forward”.

Comment from Yonghee Kim, Vice President of the Process R&D Sub-division, Hyundai Steel

“Hyundai Steel is committed to leading the decarbonisation of the steel industry, despite it being one of the most carbon-intensive and technically challenging sectors to decarbonise.

This consortium goes beyond conventional technological development – it aims to deliver real and measurable emissions reductions through collaboration with global partners, sharing knowledge and experience across borders.

Hyundai Steel will continue to take the lead in developing a wide range of low-carbon technologies, including CCUS, contributing to the overall sustainability of the industry.”

Comment from David Fallon, Chevron Australia Lower Carbon Execution General Manager

“Chevron believes in the critical role CCUS can play in a lower carbon world, including by reducing carbon emissions in the hard-to-abate sectors.

We are focused on leveraging our expertise and global reach to advance CCS technologies and scale lower carbon solutions across the value chain with a focus on areas including the hard-to-abate sector.”

Comment from Masaya Inamuro, Chief Operating Officer of Mineral & Metal Resources Business Unit, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

"Mitsui has established a vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and is targeting a 30% reduction by 2030, relative to 2020 levels.

We are committed to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future by initiating a study on CCUS in collaboration with key industrial partners across the Asia-Pacific region.

This initiative aims to explore viable pathways for large-scale CO₂ reduction and lay the groundwork for future deployment of decarbonization solutions in various industries."

BHP is a global resources company. With more than 90,000 employees and contractors, we work in more than 90 locations worldwide and our products are sold globally. We're focused on the resources the world needs to grow and decarbonise. Population growth, urbanisation and improving living standards are global trends that underpin strong demand for the commodities we produce. Demand for essential commodities is expected to increase as the world seeks to decarbonise. Our project pipeline and focus on continuous improvement in existing operations leave us well positioned for growth across our four commodity pillars of copper, potash, iron ore and steelmaking coal in the decades ahead.

We are partnering with customers and others to try to accelerate decarbonisation in steelmaking. BHP’s 2030 goals include supporting industry to develop steel production technology capable of 30 per cent lower GHG emissions intensity relative to conventional blast furnace steelmaking, with widespread adoption expected post-2030.

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, two of the world’s leading steel manufacturing organisations. A leading integrated flat carbon steel producer in India, the company has a crude steel capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum with state-of-the-art downstream facilities. It produces a fully diversified range of flat steel products, including value-added steel, and has a pellet capacity of 20 million tonnes. With the objective to make steel production climate-neutral, AM/NS India has strategic plans to transition its business to cleaner technology and is looking to strengthen its sustainability roadmap through clean energy sources viz., renewable power, natural gas, carbon capture utilization and/or storage and green hydrogen.

Hyundai Steel Company, established in 1953 as Korea’s first steel manufacturer, is a member of Hyundai Motor Group and a recognized leader in high-performance steel materials. Hyundai Steel has paved the way for sustainable growth by launching its blast furnace business in the 2010s as a new growth engine, in addition to its existing electric arc furnace-based operations. Hyundai Steel has served as a prime mover in Korea’s steel industry and is now actively undertaking the establishment of an overseas production base to secure a foundation for future growth. Hyundai Steel aims to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, emphasizing sustainable practices and innovative carbon-neutral technologies to meet government-mandated carbon reduction requirements and become a low-carbon steelmaker.

JSW Steel is the flagship company of the US$23 billion JSW Group, a diversified Indian conglomerate with interests spanning energy, infrastructure, cement, paints, realty, mobility, defence, sports, and venture capital. Over three decades, JSW Steel has evolved into India’s leading integrated steel producer with a consolidated crude steel capacity of 35.7 MTPA (including 1.5 MTPA in the US), set to grow to 43.4 MTPA in three years. Its Vijayanagar plant in Karnataka is India’s largest single-location steel facility at 17.5 MTPA.JSW Steel is recognized for sustainability and operational excellence, earning accolades like the Steel Sustainability Champion (2019–2025), Deming Prize for TQM, and top rankings in CDP disclosures and global sustainability indices. It ranks 2nd globally in S&P Global CSA Score 2024 and 8th in World-Class Steelmaker Rankings by WSD. Committed to climate goals, JSW Steel targets a 42% CO₂ reduction by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, aiming to power steel-making entirely with renewables by 2030. It’s also certified as a Great Place to Work and recognized among India’s best employers in health and wellness.

Chevron Australia New Energies (CANE) is a subsidiary of Chevron, one of the world's leading integrated energy companies and through its Australian subsidiaries, has been present in Australia for more than 70 years. With the ingenuity and commitment of thousands of workers, Chevron in Australia operates the Gorgon and Wheatstone natural gas facilities and is a significant investor in exploration, operates one of the world’s largest integrated CCS projects at Gorgon, and delivers quality fuels and lubricants primarily via its Caltex network of service stations across Australia. Globally, Chevron aims to grow its oil and gas business, lower the carbon intensity of its operations, and grow new businesses in renewable fuels, carbon capture and offsets, hydrogen, power generation for data centers, and emerging technologies, through various subsidiaries including CANE.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is a global trading and investment company with a presence in more than 60 countries and a diverse business portfolio covering a wide range of industries. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. identifies, develops, and grows its businesses in partnership with a global network of trusted partners including world leading companies, combining its geographic and cross-industry strengths to create long-term sustainable value for its stakeholders. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. has set "Global Energy Transition" as one of Key Strategic Initiatives in the Medium-term Management Plan 2026.

Media Contacts

Hatch

Lindsay Janca
Tel: +1 289 219 2384
Email: media@hatch.com

BHP

Michael Cox
Tel: +65 8964 3561
Email: michael.cox1@bhp.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5dd7c568-05ba-4c5d-9c27-1199bc80641a 


SOURCE: Hatch Ltd

MIMOS SERVICES SDN BHD SIGNS STRATEGIC MOU WITH BANGLADESH-MALAYSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY TO STRENGTHEN TECHNOLOGICAL COLLABORATION

 

MIMOS Services Sdn Bhd (MSSB) signed an MOU with the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BMCCI) today to advance technology transfer, talent development, and research collaboration in the semiconductor sector. The MOU was signed by Mr. Shabbir Khan, President of BMCCI (second from left) and Mr. Mohamad Fauzi Bin Yahaya, Chief Executive Officer of MSSB, (third from left), witnessed by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia (first on right) and H.E. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (first on left).  


PUTRAJAYA, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- MIMOS Services Sdn Bhd (MSSB), the commercial arm of MIMOS Berhad under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), today entered into a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BMCCI) to advance technology transfer, talent development, and research collaboration in the semiconductor sector.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Mohamad Fauzi Bin Yahaya, Chief Executive Officer of MSSB and Mr. Shabbir Khan, President of BMCCI, and witnessed by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and H.E. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. This strategic alliance marks a significant step in deepening diplomatic and economic relations between Malaysia and Bangladesh, while laying a strong foundation for future cooperation in other emerging and high-impact technologies.
 
The signing ceremony, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, marks a significant milestone in fostering bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Bangladesh, particularly in supporting Bangladesh’s economic development and strengthening Malaysia’s role as a regional technology leader.
 
Under the MoU, MSSB will spearhead a series of strategic initiatives aimed at advancing Bangladesh’s semiconductor and high-technology sectors. These include the development of specialised training programmes for Bangladeshi talent in integrated circuit (IC) design, semiconductor technology, embedded systems, and product test engineering; the facilitation of knowledge exchange and best practices between Malaysia and Bangladesh; and the fostering of partnerships with local Bangladeshi companies to strengthen technological capabilities.
 
The collaboration will also prioritise talent retention within Bangladesh’s growing semiconductor ecosystem, ensuring the continuity of expertise and innovation. This strategic partnership supports Malaysia’s national agenda to expand its Electrical & Electronics (E&E) footprint on the global stage and also creates new avenues for Malaysian companies to explore investment opportunities abroad. Simultaneously, it is poised to contribute to Bangladesh’s vision of becoming a high-income nation by nurturing a skilled workforce and driving industrial growth. 

About MIMOS Services Sdn Bhd
 
MIMOS Services Sdn Bhd is the commercial arm of MIMOS Berhad, Malaysia’s National Applied R&D Centre under MOSTI, specialising in semiconductor, microelectronics, photonics, ICT, and AI. It provides advanced R&D facilities, technology solutions, and talent development programmes to support national and international industry growth.
 
SOURCE: MIMOS Services Sdn Bhd

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Saidatul Farrah Binti Muhammad Johar
MIMOS Services Sdn Bhd
Technology Park Malaysia
57000 Kuala Lumpur
Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur 
Tel: +6013-637 6097
Email: farrah.johar@mimos.my

--BERNAMA

PETRONAS AND DOSH MARK REGULATORY MILESTONE WITH LAUNCH OF SSI REGULATIONS 2025

(Middle) Ir. Haji Mohd Hatta Zakaria, Director General of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), together with Zamri Japar, Vice President of Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment, PETRONAS, and Bahrudin Mamat, Deputy Director General of Occupational Safety, DOSH, on stage during the launch of the Special Scheme of Inspection (SSI) Regulations 2025.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- PETRONAS, in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), has launched the Occupational Safety and Health (Special Scheme of Inspection) Regulations 2025 or SSI Regulations 2025, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s occupational safety and health landscape.  

Gazetted on 20 January 2025, the SSI Regulations 2025 aims to elevate compliance standards and promote holistic asset integrity practices.  By embedding risk-based inspection into the core of asset management practices, the regulations reinforce PETRONAS’ commitment to ESG principles, particularly in governance, health and safety.  
 
Replacing the Factories and Machinery (Special Scheme of Inspection) (Risk-Based Inspection) Regulations 2014, the SSI Regulations 2025 adopts a more progressive approach in managing plant safety through systematic and risk-based inspection for certification of fitness.  
 
“This launch marks more than the gazettement of a new regulation—it’s a commitment to collaboration, innovation and proactive enforcement. The partnership between DOSH and PETRONAS is a strong example of how regulators and industry players grounded in shared values of safety, sustainability and innovation, can align towards a common vision that spurs progress for the nation and beyond,” said DOSH Director General Ir. Haji Mohd Hatta Zakaria at the launch. 
 
PETRONAS Vice President of Group Health, Safety, Security & Environment, Zamri Japar, said the SSI Regulations 2025 marks a paradigm shift in how safety and asset management are approached.  
 
“The SSI Regulations 2025 represent a strategic shift from a traditionally reactive approach to one that is proactive and forward-looking. We are moving beyond conventional technical risk management toward a comprehensive, system-wide framework that strengthens safety, drives operational and technical excellence, and enhances long-term resilience, supporting both long-term resilience and our broader ESG commitments,” he said. 
 
The SSI Regulations 2025 delivers substantial operational advantages by enhancing plant efficiency, minimising downtime and strengthening the culture of ownership and accountability in maintaining safe and reliable operations.  
 
DOSH and PETRONAS are also working closely to ensure that the new regulations are clearly communicated and well understood across the relevant industries, reflecting a shared commitment to continuous improvement and self-regulation.   

Issued by
Media Communications
Group Strategic Relations & Communications
PETRONAS

SOURCE: PETRONAS


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Estee Aina Huslan
Tel: 012-2283377
Email: esteeaina.huslan@petronas.com 

--BERNAMA

QE 5.0 TO DRIVE MODERN TECHNOLOGY UNDER RMK-13

MPC proudly celebrates the commitment and achievements of its partners with the official presentation of recognition certificates, marking another milestone in driving productivity and excellence.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) today introduced Quality Environment 5.0 (QE 5.0), an industry-designed, MPC-endorsed programme aimed at helping firms achieve measurable productivity gains in line with the RMK-13 target of 3.6% annual labour productivity growth.

This program was designed by MPC through collaboration with the management consulting team led by Mr. KT Ng.
 
Currently this program certifies 200 companies under QE 5.0, with early adopters already reporting stronger efficiency, employee engagement, and performance outcomes.
 
“QE 5.0 embeds a culture of continuous improvement to help firms achieve real cost savings and productivity gains,” said Professional Services Productivity Nexus champion, Ts. Choo Kok Beng.
 
“I see QE 5.0 as more than a programme. It is a movement to transform how Malaysian companies work, think, and grow. My vision is for every firm to see productivity not as a target, but as a culture that drives lasting success,” said KT Ng.
 
MPC Director General Datuk Zahid Ismail stressed that industry-led programmes like QE 5.0 are vital to meeting national productivity targets and positioning Malaysia among the top 12 most competitive nations by 2030.
 
Key Features of QE 5.0:
 
· Structured frameworks for workplace optimisation.
· Customised consulting support.
· Measurable productivity outcomes via leading and lagging indicators.
· Capacity-building for sustained improvement.
 
About Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
MPC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). It drives national productivity holistically at the national, sectoral, and enterprise levels through three main thrusts: developing future talent, driving digitization and innovation, and building a robust ecosystem. It collaborates strategically with the private and public sectors by emphasising productivity as a key agenda to boost productivity growth and national competitiveness, ultimately leading to shared well-being and prosperity.

SOURCE: Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Nik Haneez Amizan bt Nik Rosdi
Tel: 019-7181804 
Email: nikhaneez@mpc.gov.my

Name: Zaki Jaafar
Tel: 012-269 4835
Email: zeck@mpc.gov.my 

--BERNAMA

Friday, 8 August 2025

13TH STRAITS YOUTH DAY WRAPS IN FUZHOU WITH OVER 2,000 YOUNG LEADERS

The Straits Youth Heart-to-Heart Exchange on August 6

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The 13th Straits Youth Day concluded its week-long main events on Aug 7, bringing together more than 2,000 young talents from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan in a bid to deepen cross-strait cultural and developmental ties.

The Youth Day staged its centralised activities, featuring 25 events, including the 13th Straits Youth Heart-to-Heart Exchange, the ninth Cross-Strait College Student Leadership Camp, and the fourth Taiwan Youth Talk at the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Themed “Inheriting Chinese Culture and Honoring Family Ties”, the 13th Straits Youth Day plans to roll out 52 events throughout the year, and it is expected that over 3,000 Taiwan youth will be invited, according to a statement.

As the main event, the Straits Youth Heart-to-Heart Exchange was held in Fuzhou on Aug 6, at which the second batch of measures to build Fuzhou as a Straits Youth Development City was released.

In addition, the cooperation to build Straits Youth Development Cities was initiated, and the Declaration on Cooperation among Straits Youth Development Cities (Fuzhou Declaration) was read out by representatives from both sides of the strait.

Fuzhou has held 12 Straits Youth Festivals since 2013 to promote youth exchanges and integrated development, attracting at least 41,000 participants, and among them, more than 23,000 are Taiwan compatriots, and it was their first trip to the mainland for nearly half of them.

Beginning this year, the Straits Youth Festival has been upgraded to Straits Youth Day, pooling the wisdom of young people and injecting momentum into the integrated development of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

-- BERNAMA

HUNAN YUNENG CHOOSES MALAYSIA FOR ITS SOUTH EAST ASIAN LITHIUM BATTERY MANUFACTURING HUB

From left to right:
1. Yang Berusaha Mr. Ten Wee Seong, Chief Executive Officer, Seri Pajam Development Group
2. Yang Berbahagia Dato' Haji Najmuddin Sharif Bin Sarimon, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Negeri Sembilan
3. Yang Berhormat Dato’ Mohd Zafir Bin Ibrahim, State Government Secretary, Negeri Sembilan
4. Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Aminuddin Bin Haji Harun, Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan
5. Yang Berusaha Mr. Liang Kai, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Hunan Yuneng New Energy Material Company, Limited
6. Yang Berhormat Tuan Teo Kok Seong, EXCO of Investment and Non-Muslim Affairs, Negeri Sembilan
7. Yang Berusaha Ms. Surayu Susah, Executive Director Manufacturing Development (Resource), MIDA
8. Yang Berusaha Mr. Ma Guodong, Chief Investment Officer, Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Material Company, Limited
9. Yang Berusaha Mr. Zhou Zhihui, Deputy General Manager, Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Material Company, Limited
10. Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ten Ah Man, Group Executive Chairman, Seri Pajam Development Group


NEGERI SEMBILAN, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- Leading Chinese battery manufacturer Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Material Co., Ltd. ("Hunan Yuneng") has officially committed to establishing its first Southeast Asian manufacturing facility in Malaysia. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Invest Negeri Sembilan and SPD Tech Valley Sdn. Bhd. on August 7, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia's growing clean energy sector.

The new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Malaysia will be dedicated primarily to producing lithium battery cathode materials. This project represents Hunan Yuneng’s inaugural presence in Malaysia and expected to create over 200 new job opportunities, demonstrating the company’s commitment to Malaysia’s continuous economic development.

The MoU was formally signed between YBhg. Dato' Hj. Najmuddin Sharif Bin Sarimon, Chief Operating Officer of Invest NS, Mr. Liang Kai, Deputy CEO of Hunan Yuneng and Mr. Ten Wee Seong, CEO of SPD Tech Valley. The signing ceremony was witnessed by YAB Dato' Seri Utama Haji Aminuddin Bin Harun, Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan, highlighting the strategic significance of this collaboration.

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), said, " This MoU marks a significant milestone that aligns perfectly with Malaysia's long-term industrial transformation plans under the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030. We've identified sustainability, innovation, and advanced technology as key pillars driving our nation’s growth, and this investment by the company aligns strongly with all these priorities. MIDA stands ready to support this project with our full range of facilitation services and ecosystem development initiatives. Having Hunan Yuneng's technical expertise, combined with strong local partnerships, puts Malaysia in an excellent position to strengthen our global clean energy value chain.”

Mr. Liang Kai, Deputy CEO of Hunan Yuneng, said, “Malaysia has successfully drawn a growing cluster of Chinese enterprises across the entire new-energy battery industry to establish operations. The forthcoming Malaysian facility will serve as Hunan Yuneng’s strategic springboard for expanding throughout Southeast Asia. Hunan Yuneng’s participation will materially strengthen Malaysia’s new-energy battery ecosystem, elevating the nation’s position as a comprehensive industry hub in the region.”

In Q12025, Malaysia approved RM89.8 billion in investments, with the manufacturing sector accounting for RM30.5 billion. Notably, the chemicals and chemical products sub-sector attracted RM4.2 billion, ranking third among contributors to manufacturing investment – a trend that underscores investor confidence in Malaysia’s industrial diversification.

For media enquiries, please refer to this link: https://shorturl.at/BZPV7

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MIDA
Name: Puan Siti Halimaton Mohd. Rejab
Director, Chemical and Advanced Materials Division
Tel.: +603-2267 6701
Email: shalimaton@mida.gov.my

Hunan Yuneng
Name: Mr. Flynn Ma
Director of Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Material Co., Ltd.
Email: flynn@hunanyuneng.com

--BERNAMA

CIMB and CEO Action Network spotlights the success factors behind China’s green finance surge at CIMB’s Cooler Earth Sustainability Series

Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- CIMB Bank Berhad (“CIMB”) and CEO Action Network (“CAN”) co-hosted a high- level dialogue to explore how Malaysia and ASEAN can draw lessons from China’s green finance journey. The event, held as part of CIMB’s The Cooler Earth Sustainability Series, brought together over 300 participants comprising CEOs from various industries, regulators, government- linked investment companies (“GLICs”) and CAN members.

Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia and Interim Chair of the CAN Steering Committee, opened the session by emphasising the importance of using real-world insights in shaping locally focused actions to address climate change.
 
“Escalating climate risks highlight the growing importance of transition finance as a bridge to enable high-carbon, hard-to-abate sectors to shift towards more sustainable business models. There is much more to be done in operationalising green taxonomies and realigning market incentives to drive capital flows into sustainable initiatives,” said Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed.

Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic, highlighted how insights from China’s green finance journey could support ASEAN in developing bankable green portfolios and mobilising private capital.
 
“CIMB is committed to playing a catalytic role in ASEAN’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Malaysian corporates and financial institutions can gain valuable insights by studying China’s green financing strategies and tailoring them to our regional needs. By embedding sustainability at the core of our financial frameworks, we not only contribute to global environmental objectives but also open up new pathways for economic development. Embracing innovation and forward- looking approaches will help create a more resilient and inclusive future for both businesses and the communities we serve,” said Shahriman.
 
The session featured a keynote by Dr. Ma Jun, a globally recognised expert in green finance, who is Chairman of the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (“CASI”) and President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (“IFS”). Dr. Ma has been instrumental in shaping some of the world’s most influential green finance frameworks, including China’s first green finance guidelines, the G20 Sustainable Finance roadmap, and the China–EU Common Ground Taxonomy. He was recently awarded the Hong Kong Medal of Honour for his outstanding contributions to green finance policy and development.

Dr. Ma shared how coordinated policy, market incentives and financial innovation have enabled China to future-proof its economy. China now generates over 60% of its installed power capacity from renewable sources and is on track to reduce coal power to just 5% by 2045–2050. Electric Vehicles (“EVs”) make up more than 50% of new car sales, with internal combustion engines potentially obsolete by 2030. China also dominates global battery production, with some technologies accounting for up to 90% of global output.

Dr. Ma highlighted how green finance was instrumental in this transition, with the majority of capital flowing into renewable energy, transport and manufacturing sectors to drive large-scale decarbonisation. Today, China is home to the world’s largest green finance market, with over RMB40 trillion (USD5.5 trillion) in outstanding green loans, RMB2.2 trillion (USD302 billion) in green bonds, and more than 1,000 green equity funds. Dr. Ma shared that out of the RMB487 trillion (USD66.9 trillion) needed for green investments in China over 30 years, about two-thirds can be financed through the existing green finance ecosystem, leaving one-third still to be funded, indicating the significant room for green and transition finance growth.
 
Dr. Ma also emphasised the importance of a coordinated approach across regulators, financial institutions and industry players. He shared practical examples from China where insurance solutions were used to de-risk green technologies and support bankability – including energy efficiency performance guarantees for buildings, revenue protection for renewable energy, and biodiversity-linked crop insurance in rural regions to protect the farmers.

“ESG in China is not just about managing risks, it is a long-term national strategy for competitiveness and financial resilience. ASEAN has the potential to benefit by adopting shared taxonomies like the China–EU Common Ground Taxonomy, improving cross-border carbon markets, and scaling green finance through product innovation and industry collaboration. With the right policy, financial and technical ecosystems in place, ASEAN can accelerate its transition and seize new growth opportunities. Business leaders should adopt the long-term view, noting that while ESG investments may involve short-term costs, as they are key to building competitiveness, innovation, and long-term value,” said Dr. Ma Jun.
 
The event was also supported by BoardRoom Group, NTT Data Payment Services, Impacto and Big Caring Group.

About CIMB

CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM88.0 billion at 31 March 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present in ASEAN nations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines.

Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 592 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 31 March 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 92.5% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.8% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.
 
About CEO Action Network (CAN)

The CEO Action Network (CAN) is a coalition of over 70 Malaysian CEOs and Board members committed to sustainability advocacy, policy influence, and inclusive leadership. Founded in 2020, CAN drives cross- sector transformation through peer collaboration and real-world action. CIMB is a founding sponsor and active member of CAN, having co-conceptualised the network in 2020 together with its sustainability partner, Impacto.
 
Website: https://ceoactionnetwork.wixsite.com/home

SOURCE: CIMB Group Holdings Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Name: Anis Azharuddin 
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com 
Name: Kelvin Jude Muthu
​Email: kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com 

--BERNAMA

Thursday, 7 August 2025

World’s First Digital Product Passport Universal Framework Launched Forging a New Digital Mutual Trust Foundation for Global Sustainable Development

BEIJING, Aug 6 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Symposium on International Cooperation for Digital Product Passport (DPP) and International Standards for Entire Lifecycle Management," organized by Zhongguancun Industry & Information Research Institute of Two-Dimensional Code Technology (ZIIOT), International Identification Code Industry Alliance (ICA), and the IEC 63538 Working Group, concluded successfully in Beijing. It unveiled the groundbreaking MA-DPP Universal Framework V1.0, an open international public good, providing standardized solutions for global supply chain digital transformation while seeking worldwide partners for joint implementation to facilitate smooth and stable global supply chains.

Built upon the IEC 63538 international standard "Life-cycle events: information models and services," MA-DPP Universal Framework will offer global foundational framework, cloud, and open interface services, providing unified, convenient, and trusted digital infrastructure for global supply chain collaboration, empowering all participants to jointly build a global DPP ecosystem.

Zhang Chao, Secretary-General of ICA and President of ZIIOT, likened it to a "digital utility tunnel" and a key tool to boost industrial chain resilience and green transformation, solving common challenges of data interconnection, mutual recognition, and sharing throughout lifecycles.

The symposium witnessed the debut of MA-STEEL-DPP Public Service Platform based on this framework, marking the official transition of DPP from theoretical innovation to industrial practice.

MA-DPP Global Ecosystem Partners Program was simultaneously initiated, aggregating industry leaders, technology solution providers, and localization service providers. Collaboration models include technology licensing, joint R&D, and market promotion, with over 20 renowned enterprises including Siemens already joining.

The event drew widespread international attention. Former European Parliament member Jo Leinen described it as "a critical milestone in global industrial digitalization, signaling a new stage of standardized, trust-based international cooperation." Rainer Schrundner, Chair of IEC/TC65, presented updates on EU DPP system and highlighted the pivotal role of IEC 63538 international standard, noting this framework would significantly enhance global supply chain connectivity. Olaf Wilmsmeier, Vice Chair of ETSI TG34, stated: "MA Identification System fully complies with all technical requirements of EU DPP and will strongly support the implementation of European Green Deal."

MA-DPP Universal Framework offers cutting-edge digital tools and new opportunities to participate in green supply chain development. ICA will accelerate international standard development, strengthen collaboration with industry leaders worldwide to promote localized implementation, and jointly inject strong momentum into advancing global sustainable development. 

International Identification Code Industry Alliance (ICA)
Gloria Wang
info@icacode.org
http://www.icacode.org

Photos:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa241089-ec9d-4b3a-8385-174942949a8d
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d30ff8c1-b957-47a9-be07-7d6af67824b8
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a6083144-b404-4e1b-91bc-1647696692b6

SOURCE: International Identification Code Industry Alliance (ICA)

--BERNAMA

Cloudera Data Services Brings Private AI to the Data Center

 


Cloudera removes barriers to AI adoption by allowing organizations to run AI on their own data behind their firewall


SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug 7 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cloudera, the only company bringing AI to data anywhere, today announced the latest release of Cloudera Data Services, bringing Private AI on premises and giving enterprises secure, GPU-accelerated generative AI capabilities behind their firewall. With built-in governance and hybrid portability, organizations can now build and scale their own sovereign data cloud in their own data center, eliminating security concerns. Cloudera is the only vendor that delivers the full data lifecycle with the same cloud-native services on-prem and in the public cloud.

Concerns about keeping sensitive data and intellectual property secure is a key factor for what holds back AI adoption from enterprises across industries. According to Accenture, 77% of organizations lack the foundational data and AI security practices needed to safeguard critical models, data pipelines, and cloud infrastructure. Cloudera directly addresses the biggest security and intellectual property risks of enterprise AI, allowing customers to accelerate their journey from prototype to production from months to weeks.

This release brings the benefits of Cloudera Data Services to an organization’s data center. Users can significantly reduce infrastructure costs and streamline data lifecycles, boosting data team productivity. They can also accelerate workload deployment, enhance security by automating complex tasks, and achieve faster time to value for AI deployment. In addition to improved practitioner experience and enterprise readiness, users now get cloud-native agility behind their firewall, allowing them to scale efficiently without sacrificing security.

As part of this release, both Cloudera AI Inference Service and AI Studios are now available in the data center. Both of these tools are designed to tackle the biggest barriers to enterprise AI adoption and have previously been available in cloud-only. This launch empowers organizations to accelerate AI adoption and securely build and run GenAI applications within the security of their own data center to keep sensitive intellectual property behind their firewall. Here’s how each offering delivers value on premises:
  • Cloudera AI Inference services, accelerated by NVIDIA, on premises is one of the industry’s first AI inference services to provide embedded NVIDIA NIM microservice capabilities. Cloudera now brings its ability to streamline the deployment and management of large-scale AI models to the data center. This secure and scalable engine helps deploy and manage the AI production lifecycle, right in the data center, where data already securely resides.
  • Cloudera AI Studios on premises democratizes the entire AI application lifecycle, offering low-code templates that empower teams to build and deploy GenAI applications and agents.
According to an independent "Total Economic Impact™" (or TEI) study conducted by Forrester Consulting and commissioned by Cloudera, a composite organization representative of interviewed customers who adopted Cloudera Data Services on premises saw an 80% faster time-to-value for workload deployment, a 20% increase in productivity for data practitioners and platform teams, and overall savings of 35% from the modern cloud-native architecture. The study also highlighted significant operational efficiency gains, with some organizations improving hardware utilization from 30% to 70% and reporting they needed between 25% to more than 50% less capacity after modernizing.

“Historically, enterprises have been forced to cobble together complex, fragile DIY solutions to run their AI on-premises,” said Sanjeev Mohan, industry analyst. “Today the urgency to adopt AI is undeniable, but so are the concerns around data security. What enterprises need are solutions that streamline AI adoption, boost productivity, and do so without compromising on security.”

“Cloudera Data Services On-Premises delivers a true cloud-native experience on-premises, providing agility and efficiency without sacrificing security or control,” said Leo Brunnick, Cloudera’s Chief Product Officer. “This release is a significant step forward in data modernization, moving from monolithic clusters to a suite of agile, containerized applications.”

"BNI is proud to be an early adopter of Cloudera’s AI Inference service," stated Toto Prasetio, Chief Information Officer of BNI. "This technology provides the essential infrastructure to securely and efficiently expand our generative AI initiatives, all while adhering to Indonesia's dynamic regulatory environment. It marks a significant advancement in our mission to offer smarter, quicker, and more dependable digital banking solutions to the people of Indonesia."

This product is being demoed at Cloudera’s annual series of data and AI conferences, EVOLVE25, starting this week in Singapore. Register for EVOLVE25 to learn more about how Cloudera is delivering industry-leading data services anywhere enterprise data resides, to power AI everywhere.

To learn more about how Cloudera Data Services can accelerate AI adoption and execution, tune in to ClouderaNow on October 15, 2025 at 8:00 AM PT | 11:00 AM ET | 4:00 PM GMT | 5:00 PM CET, contact us directly or visit Cloudera AI Inference.

About Cloudera

Cloudera is the only data and AI platform company that large organizations trust to bring AI to their data anywhere it lives. Unlike other providers, Cloudera delivers a consistent cloud experience that converges public clouds, on-prem data centers, and the edge, leveraging a proven open-source foundation. As the pioneer in big data, Cloudera empowers businesses to apply AI and assert control over 100% of their data, in all forms, improving security, governance, and real-time and predictive insights. The world’s largest brands across all industries rely on Cloudera to transform decision-making and ultimately boost bottom lines, safeguard against threats, and even save lives.

To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact
Jess Hohn-Cabana
cloudera@v2comms.com

SOURCE: Cloudera, Inc.

Voxela Officially Launches Next-Generation AI Eldercare Solution “Voxela VCare Pro”

 


Table

Voxela VCare Pro Overview


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 7 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Voxela, Inc. is pleased to announce the official release of its next-generation AI eldercare solution, “Voxela VCare Pro”. The revolutionary VCare Pro significantly reduces operational burdens for caregivers while dramatically enhancing the safety and quality of life for elders within care facilities.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806952676/en/
 
Key Features of Voxela VCare Pro:
https://www.voxela.ai/vcare/pro 
 
  1. AI-Powered Automatic Incident Reports

    Upon detecting and notifying incidents such as falls, VCare Pro immediately analyzes the situation and automatically generates detailed, accurate incident reports. This significantly reduces the workload traditionally associated with manual reporting, allowing caregivers to focus more time and resources on resident care.
     
  2. Incident Analytics Dashboard

    This visual dashboard analyzes incident data to identify trends and patterns clearly, enabling facilities to proactively predict and implement effective preventive measures, thus reducing the recurrence of accidents.
     
  3. Virtual Check-In (Remote Monitoring)

    By reducing the need for periodic room visits, this function enables caregivers to perform real-time remote wellness checks. Staff can ensure residents’ safety through timely and targeted interventions, effectively minimizing unnecessary room visits and significantly reducing caregiver stress.
Transforming the Eldercare Industry:

By integrating VCare Pro, care facilities can reduce indirect care duties, allowing staff to dedicate more time to essential caregiving activities. VCare Pro significantly enhances operational efficiency, resulting in more comprehensive, attentive, and safer care for elderly residents. It reduces the time spent on manual documentation, physical inspections, and on-site verifications, thereby enhancing the quality of care environments.

Already Adopted by Many Facilities:

VCare Pro has been widely implemented and highly praised by numerous eldercare facilities for its innovative and practical benefits, clearly demonstrating its effectiveness and significant positive impact on operational outcomes.

Under Voxela’s vision, "Make Aging Beautiful," we remain committed to continuous innovation and creating solutions that address the real-world challenges of eldercare, shaping a brighter future for the caregiving industry.

For more details or demonstrations, please contact us directly at:
https://www.voxela.ai/contact/

About Voxela, Inc.:

Voxela, Inc., headquartered in Silicon Valley, offers advanced AI solutions designed to transform the eldercare industry, improving the safety, quality of life, and operational efficiency of eldercare facilities through cutting-edge technology.

https://www.voxela.ai 

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806952676/en/

Contact

For inquiries, please contact: info@voxela.ai

Source : Voxela, Inc.