Tag Archives: ESG

PR Newswire

Acer Commits to Collecting 50 Tons of Plastic Waste From the Environment Through Plastic Bank Partnership

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Editor’s Summary:

  • Acer partners with Plastic Bank for an Impact Program Partnership to collect 50 tons of ocean-bound plastic[1] in 2024 through its community of collectors in Southeast Asia
  • Through this effort, Acer and Plastic Bank will prevent the equivalent of 2.5 million plastic bottles[2] from entering the ocean, tackling the problem of plastic pollution at the source
  • The partnership also provides support to under-developed communities by allowing residents to collect plastic and trade it for income, goods, and services to support their livelihood

TAIPEI, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Echoing this year’s Earth Day theme of “Planet vs Plastics”, Acer has partnered with Plastic Bank and has pledged to collect and recycle at least 50 tons of plastic waste from the environment in 2024. The Canada-based social enterprise focuses on tackling the growing issues of plastic pollution by building recycling ecosystems and creating livelihood opportunities in vulnerable coastal areas.

Acer’s Impact Program Partnership with Plastic Bank is projected to prevent the equivalent of more than 2.5 million plastic bottles[2] from entering the oceans through the efforts of collection members in Southeast Asia. Members bring their collected plastic to Plastic Bank collection branches in exchange for the local market price of the gathered material as well as bonuses that help provide additional income and access to social benefits, like meal vouchers, health insurance, and more.       

Acer’s collaboration with Plastic Bank supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 1 for no poverty, SDG 8 for decent work and economic growth, SDG 12 for responsible consumption and production, SDG 14 for life below water, and SDG 17 for partnership for the goals.

Acer’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals also include adapting 20-30% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic content in computers and displays by 2025 and working towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Acer has been making strides to incorporate PCR versions of the plastic types used in electronic consumer products with its eco-conscious Vero line, and has reinforced its commitment to carbon neutrality with the launch of its first carbon-neutral PC, the Acer Aspire Vero 16, which debuted in December 2023. Acer will continue to evolve with the industry and changing lifestyles by promoting innovative and eco-conscious solutions for the long-term sustainability of its operations and the environment.

About Acer

Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world’s top ICT companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. As Acer evolves with the industry and changing lifestyles, it is focused on enabling a world where hardware, software and services will fuse with one another, creating ecosystems and opening up new possibilities for consumers and businesses alike. Acer’s 7,700 employees are dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of products and solutions that break barriers between people and technology. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.

© 2024 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by location. Applicable sales tax extra.

PR Newswire

Kia presents roadmap to lead global electrification era through EVs, HEVs and PBVs

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  • Kia drives forward transformation into ‘Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider’
  • Roadmap enables Kia to proactively respond to uncertainties in mobility industry landscape, including changes in EV market
  • Company to expand EV line-up with more models; enhance HEV line-up to manage fluctuation in EV demand
    • Goal to sell 1.6 million EVs annually in 2030, introducing 15 models
    • PBV to play a key role in Kia’s growth, targeting 250,000 PBV sales annually by 2030 with PV5 and PV7 models
  • Kia to invest KRW 38 trillion by 2028, including KRW 15 trillion for future business
  • 2024 business guidance : KRW 101 tln in revenue with KRW 12 tln in operating profit; operating profit margin of 11.9% on sales of 3.2 million units globally
  • CEO reaffirms Kia’s commitment to ESG management

SEOUL, South Korea, April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Kia Corporation (Kia) today shared an update on its future strategies and financial targets at its CEO Investor Day in Seoul, Korea.

2024 CEO Investor Day
2024 CEO Investor Day

Based on its innovative achievements in the years since the announcement of mid-to-long-term business initiatives, Kia is focusing on updating its 2030 strategy announced last year and further strengthening its business strategy in response to uncertainties across the global mobility industry landscape.

During the event, Kia updated its mid-to-long-term business strategy with a focus on electrification, and its PBV business. Kia reiterated its 2030 annual sales target of 4.3 million units, including 1.6 million units of electric vehicles (EVs). The 2030 4.3 million annual sales target is 34.4 percent higher than the brand’s 2024 annual goal of 3.2 million units.

The company also plans to become a leading EV brand by selling a higher percentage of electrified models among its total sales, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery EVs, projecting electrified model sales of 2.48 million units annually or 58 percent of Kia’s total sales in 2030.

“Following our successful brand relaunch in 2021, Kia is enhancing its global business strategy to further the establishment of an innovative EV line-up and accelerate the company’s transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia. “By responding effectively to changes in the mobility market and efficiently implementing mid-to-long-term strategies, Kia is strengthening its brand commitment to the wellbeing of customers, communities, the global society, and the environment.”

Business, Contributed

Work With What You’ve Got To Streamline Operations

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This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager at Lenovo Malaysia.

Those of us in the manufacturing industry have already come to terms with a difficult truth: manufacturing output is set to shrink by 3.2% this year. Stringent regulations and decreased consumer demand are proving very trying in a recessionary environment.

And many manufacturers still find themselves short-staffed. They are tasked with doing more with less. Upping output without the talent and financial resources they relied on in the past.

I see only one way forward: doing whatever we possibly can to create a streamlined working environment. Organizations that get hung up on what they don’t have will fall behind. Smart organizations think laterally. They understand that they have the means to effect change on their environments. And that seemingly small changes quickly add up.

Creating a streamlined, productive environment is the way forward. Increasing operational efficiency has never been as crucial as it is at this moment in time. Organizations that take action to create this kind of environment now will reap the rewards and come out stronger.

The three building blocks of an efficient environment

1.    Making the most of your assets with IT and OT convergence

As a reminder, IT is Information Technology, tools that process data. OT is Operational Technology, tools for managing physical assets. IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) technology can bring IT and OT together. With IIoT tools like smart sensors, digital twins, and machine learning, physical assets come to life in the IT space. When leadership can see crucial data and insights on how machines are doing, they can ensure that they make the most of them. A great example of a product that can assist with making the most of your assets through IT convergence is the ThinkPad® X1 Carbon Gen 11, powered by Intel® Core™ i5-1335U processor (13th Gen), built for what IT needs and users want.

Lenovo byline Work with What you Have

Utility consumption monitoring is a great example of the benefits of converged IT and OT. Electricity, water, and gas make up a significant part of any manufacturer’s budget. Sensors on the factory floor can detect when a process consumes more power than necessary. This data is then acted on in real time – and the process is automatically adjusted until it’s optimal. For example, temperature and water use can automatically be controlled to create an environment that supports efficient energy use. Where equipment needs to be warmer to operate, they can automatically be switched on when the time’s exactly right – eliminating the wastage that comes with guessing the wrong timing. Sensors that detect compressed-air leaks allows leadership to act before more energy goes to waste.

The cumulative savings tend to make a profound difference to utility bills. Even better: IIoT helps manufacturers get closer to their ESG goals and safeguard the environment.

2. Staying a step ahead with predictive maintenance

The technological advances in predictive maintenance are some of the most exciting I’ve seen in my career. Instead of waiting for machines to break down, we can now proactively prevent them from reaching a state of disrepair. There’s now no reason for manufacturers to be wrong-footed by ‘cranky’ or ‘moody’ machinery.

In order to reap the benefits of predictive maintenance, manufacturers need to have the right solutions in place. High-quality sensors, reliable and fast connectivity, and servers that can process asset data and allow it to be analyzed, fast.

Naturally, I’m a big advocate of Lenovo’s ThinkEdge servers, powered by Intel® and enabled by AI. These servers have the processing power required to make quick work of asset data. They are rugged and sturdy and can withstand extreme temperatures, dust, and vibration. My clients store these servers on the floor, close to where data is generated. This reduces latency between data collection and a resulting insight – allowing leadership to act fast when an AI alerts them of a potential issue or a worrisome trend.

3. Keep quality high with virtual inspection

In manufacturing, high-quality products are what we live for, and inspection is a crucial process for any manufacturer. More and more, I’m seeing manual quality assurance become a thing of the past.

Continuous, virtual inspection means that manufacturers can track every process, part, and final product. If a quality issue arises on the floor, IIoT technology means that a real-time notification will trigger necessary corrective actions for related processes or down-the-line tasks – including dynamically adjusting product runs.

This kind of intelligent inspection leads to time and money saved. Fixing potential issues before they lead to defective products is obviously much less costly than tossing out goods that are not up to standard. But it’s more than that: a smart factory floor with integrated IT and OT means that AI is continuously learning to improve and streamline processes. This allows manufacturers to create products they can be proud of, keeping their customer experiences high while boosting their productivity. It’s a win-win.

PR Newswire

Century in the Spotlight: Paris Rhône Rings in the Holidays with Innovative Home Appliances

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PARIS, Dec. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Paris Rhône, the esteemed household appliance brand established in 1915, is set to add joy and cheer to the holiday season with its legacy of innovation. As Christmas and New Year approach, the brand reflects on a century of remarkable achievements and looks forward to a future filled with advanced smart home appliances.

Take a moment to delve into the remarkable development history of Paris Rhône over the past century.

  • Revolutionizing Home Cleaning since 1925: In 1925, Paris Rhône’s Aspiron sub-brand launched the world’s first vacuum cleaner, featuring eye-catching graffiti-inspired designs.
  • Pioneering Electric Mobility in 1941: In 1941, Paris Rhône introduced the VPR electric tricycle, revolutionizing personal transportation with its unique design and two-person bench seat. It reached a maximum speed of 19 mph and traveled up to 40 miles, showcasing Paris Rhône’s innovative spirit. The updated Baby-Rhône II debuted the next year.
  • Building a Reputation for Excellence in 1952: In 1952, Paris Rhône built a two-floor, 5,000 sqm building for home appliances. They added vacuum cleaners, polishers, and coffee grinders to their offerings. The coffee grinders became popular for preserving classic flavors and were loved by coffee enthusiasts.
  • Embracing Culinary Innovation in 1970: In 1970, Paris Rhône expanded into kitchen appliances, introducing electric knives and a limited edition dishwasher. Customers were captivated by their impeccable design and performance.

A Global Brand in the 21st Century

Embracing the new era, Paris Rhône launched its brand globalization strategy in the 21st century. Paris Rhône’s dedication to quality and innovation propelled its growth, making it a sought-after household appliance brand across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific. Starting in 2023, the company is set to further enhance its product range by introducing WiFi-enabled smart home appliances. Customers can delight in the convenience and seamless connectivity delivered by WiFi-enabled smart home appliances from Paris Rhône. Experience the ease of remotely controlling your household appliances, promoting energy efficiency, and harnessing the power of voice commands.

Innovation, Heritage, and Global Expansion

Today, Paris Rhône proudly showcases its products in over 30 countries worldwide and has emerged as one of the most promising household appliance brands. Combining its rich Parisian heritage with a century of expertise in meaningful innovation and industry-leading design, Paris Rhône is set to introduce exceptional smart household appliances to users around the globe through its three sub-brands: Aspiron, Sympa and Evatronic.  In the 1920s, Aspiron quickly rose to become one of the most well-known vacuum cleaner brands. Building upon their success, Sympa puts its focus on smart lighting products, with a dedicated mission to create intelligent and energy-efficient lighting solutions. Additionally, Evatronic emerged with a strong commitment to delivering innovative, professional, and user-friendly household appliances to consumers worldwide.  

As the world eagerly awaits the arrival of the holiday season, Paris Rhône remains committed to enriching lives with its visionary products and celebrating a century of excellence. Let us see what surprises Paris Rhône has in store for us this Christmas.

Paris Rhône 5.3 Quart Air Fryer AF014

Effortlessly monitor cooking progress with the viewing window and interior light. Enjoy healthier meals and hassle-free cleaning thanks to the ceramic-coated nonstick basket. Delight in efficient heating without the need for pre-heating or oil. Explore a wide range of preset cooking options and adjustable settings through the 8 easy functions. Rest assured with safety protection, including auto shut-off when the basket is removed, all certified for your safety.

  • Viewing window & interior light: See cooking progress easily.
  • Ceramic-coated nonstick basket: ensures healthier cooking and effortless clean-up.
  • No pre-heating & oilless: Efficient heating & less oil usage.
  • 8 easy functions: Preset cooking options & adjustable settings.
  • Safety protection: Auto shut-off when basket is removed. Certified safe.

ASPIRON® Lightweight Bagless Vacuum Cleaner CA006

Enhance your daily life with our product featuring 3-stage filtration, powerful suction, versatile tools, long power cord, and a bagless washable dust cup for convenient cleaning and healthier living. Get ready to embrace a spotless home this holiday season.

  • 3-Stage Filtration: Including the revolutionary Central Cyclonic Filtration System, a washable Inlet HEPA-H10 Filter, and an Outlet Sponge, it ensures impeccable air quality while capturing even the tiniest dust particles.
  • Over 455AW/24Kpa of Strong Suction with 5 Versatile Tools: Effortlessly tackles any mess with its arsenal of 5 versatile tools. From carpets to hard floors, furniture to curtains, no surface is left untouched.
  • 20Ft Long Power Cord with Automatic Cord Rewind: Its 20Ft long power cord ensures seamless cleaning in every corner, and the automatic cord rewind feature adds convenience to your cleaning routine.
  • 3.5L/3.7Qt Bagless Washable Dust Cup: Saving you time and money. Cleaning has never been this easy and efficient.

Paris Rhône 4-in-1 Electric Milk Frother MF010

Experience the elegance of Paris with Paris Rhône extraordinary Electric Electric Milk Frother, inspired by the iconic Eiffel Tower. This visually delightful appliance not only decorates your kitchen but also adds an ergonomic design, ensuring a comfortable grip. Perfectly timed for the Christmas season, it makes for a thoughtful gift choice.

  • 4-in-1 Multifunctional: Imagine savoring the perfect cup of coffee every morning, with a foam so creamy and smooth, it transforms your ordinary coffee break into a luxurious moment. The 4-in-1 foam maker allows you to heat milk to perfection or whip it into hot dense foam, hot airy foam, or even cold froth – the choice is yours. 
  • One-Button Control & Quiet Operation: Experience delightful simplicity with the one-button control and whisper-quiet operation. Switch between modes effortlessly, and in just 2 minutes, indulge in fragrant milk froth without the distraction of noise. The LED indicators guide you through each function, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.
  • Rinse to Clean: Cleaning has never been easier. Paris Rhône electric milk steamer features a food-grade non-stick interior coating, making it a breeze to clean. Simply rinse it with running water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth, guaranteeing your health and hygiene.
  • Auto Shut-Off & Extremely Reliable: Rest easy knowing that Paris Rhône electric milk heater is equipped with auto shut-off and certified with ETL for unmatched safety and reliability. You can trust that your milk or foam will be ready at the perfect temperature, every time.

Paris Rhône Space Heater with WIFI Portable HE002

Enjoy quick warmth with fast heating, stay safe with overheat and tip-over protection, save on energy bills with ECO Mode, experience peace and quiet with noise-free operation, and effortlessly control it with the remote. It combines warmth, safety, energy efficiency, and convenience in one compact package.

  • Experience fast and efficient heating: 1500W PTC for quick warmth, advanced PTC technology quickly warms the room for cozy comfort in winter.
  • Safety protection with overheat & tip-over switch: Stay safe with built-in overheat and tip-over protection.
  • Save on energy bills with ECO Mode: Reducing power consumption while maintaining warmth.
  • Noise-free experience with <50dB: Enjoy a quiet and comfortable environment.
  • Simple operation with remote control: Control the heater effortlessly with its Wifi feature, allowing you to adjust settings remotely. The convenience of a remote control adds further simplicity to operation, enabling you to manage the heater from anywhere in the room.

PARIS RHÔNE 6L Smart Humidifiers with App, WiFi and Bluetooth AH038

Enjoy the convenience of remotely controlling it through a smartphone app, monitor humidity levels in real-time with the LED display screen, effortlessly clean and refill with the top-fill design, and experience a whisper-quiet sleep. It is the perfect gift for a healthier and cozier living space.

  • Convenient remote controls via smartphone app: Connect and control the humidifier through the app via WiFi or Bluetooth. Easily adjust settings like mist levels, timers, humidity, and ambient lighting from anywhere through this smart humidifier’s app. This humidifier with APP gives you the extra convenience you need when your hands are busy or when you are far from home.
  • LED display screen for real-time humidity monitoring: Monitor and adjust humidity levels in real-time with the LED display.
  • Top-fill design for easy cleaning and refilling: Easy cleaning with the large top-fill opening
  • Sleep-friendly features: With a noise level below 28 decibels and optional 7-color night light, enjoy peaceful sleep with low noise and cozy lighting

Stay tuned to catch the latest innovations and captivating designs from Paris Rhône, the brand that continues to redefine intelligent living.

About Paris Rhône

Paris Rhône, a household appliance brand established in 1915, has captivated the world with its innovative designs. With a global presence and a commitment to enhancing the lives of people worldwide, Paris Rhône continues to lead the industry with its sub-brands Evatronic, Aspiron, and Sympa. For more information, please visit Paris Rhône and Aspiron brand stores.

PR Contacts: For images or request a review sample, please contact us at:

Marketing team
marketing@parisrhone.com 

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Acer Ups Its Environmental Efforts with the Acer Aspire Vero 16 & A Commitment to Phase Out Carbon Credits

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As Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) is becoming an increasingly hot topic, Acer is looking to lead the tech industry with a renewed commitment to effectively reduce its carbon footprint. In fact, the company gunning for carbon neutrality with its upcoming Aspire Vero 16 (AV16-51P) laptop. The Aspire Vero has already broken new ground in the usage of recycled materials used in the laptop. However, Acer is looking to make the product a truly carbon-neutral one.

3840lifestyle 4

The Aspire Vero 16 (AV16-51P) will be leading the company’s charge into carbon neutrality. Starting from its manufacturing every step of the process will be optimised. Materials and partners for the laptop will be part of this effort. A top-to-toe audit and revamp of its processes to align with international standards for carbon footprint calculation and neutrality.

An En-Vero-mentally Conscious Approach from Top-to-Toe

Jerry Kao, Acer Inc.’s COO, emphasized the company’s focus on ‘conscious technology’ designed with a future-forward approach. The Aspire Vero series has been a pioneer in eco-conscious design from its inception. The Aspire Vero 16 continues this legacy by minimizing its carbon footprint throughout its lifecycle. This starts from manufacturing and even includes packaging and end-of-life recycling.

The laptop’s chassis has been a standout when it comes to sustainable design. From the get-go, recycled plastic has been used in manufacturing the Vero. With the Aspire Vero 16, the percentage of recycled plastic has increased to over 60% – a significant increase from the previous generation. It is free from volatile organic compounds, paint, or additives, contributing to a cleaner environment. The recycled materials are not only in the chassis either, the touchpad also incorporates ocean-bound plastic.

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It’s not just about materials either, Acer’s Aspire Vero is also designed to be easily taken apart for repairs and upgrades. This conscious design also allows the laptop to be recycled more effectively.

Working to Achieve Carbon Neutrality Even in Usage

On the technology side of things, Acer has integrated the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra processors into the Aspire Vero 16, ensuring better power efficiency compared to its predecessors. The addition of Intel AI Boost, an integrated neural processing unit (NPU), brings AI-powered capabilities with extreme energy efficiency, aligning with Acer’s green vision.

Even when it comes to power management, the laptop comes with AcerSense software. This software in the Aspire Vero 16 focuses on energy efficiency. It offers four performance modes: Eco+, Eco, Balanced, and Performance, allowing users to optimize power consumption based on their needs.

lifestyle 2

To address the environmental impact of packaging, Acer is adopting sustainable practices. The company recycles scrap materials created during production, and the laptop’s packaging is 100% recyclable. The thoughtful design also includes the 100% recycled FSC-certified paper box that can be easily repurposed.

In shipping, Acer has partnered with like-minded logistics providers. These providers are reducing carbon emissions from standard shipping of sea containers through the use of biofuel on various routes. After implementing these emission reduction measures, Acer will retire high-quality carbon credits to achieve carbon neutrality.

Acer’s renewed approach to sustainability and environmental stewardship comes amidst increasing criticism from watchdogs and environmentalists towards companies relying on carbon credits for sustainability efforts. Acer’s approach to ‘conscious technology’ is the first to date that aims to retire carbon credits and instead rely on impactful changes throughout the processes of manufacturing, transport and even disposal of products.

Computers, Contributed

New Life: Replacement Doesn’t Have To Be The End

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This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia

For years, consumer electronics have been viewed as replaceable rather than repairable. Quickly consumed and then easily considered disposable, devices are often discarded, sometimes well before what could be considered a standard end-of-life period.

While recycling has long been the go-to method for minimizing waste in various other sectors, it isn’t as widely embraced in technology. According to a report from Statista, more than 53 million metric tons of electronic waste was generated globally in 2019, up from 33 million in 2010. Only 17.4% of which was documented to be collected and properly recycled.

While efforts to improve recycling rates of e-waste should undoubtedly continue, as someone who has dedicated their life to innovation, the question I pose is, how can we extend the useful life of devices until they truly are ready to be recycled? To answer that question, we must first examine what drives people to dispose of their devices.

Our replacement ecosystem

Today, the lifecycle of devices is largely influenced by technology and user preferences. As new versions of products that meet new needs are introduced, there is a natural desire to replace what is owned with the new. This replacement ecosystem can in turn generate waste. As an example, consider the main motivation someone has for buying a new smartphone or laptop.

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Often, such an action is taken when the battery life deteriorates. Years ago, when PCs had batteries designed to be easily removed and replaced, the user could just pull it off and attach a new one. Now, it’s not that simple, largely due to user preferences that have shaped our technological landscape.

As devices have become exceptionally sleek to meet the needs and wants of consumers, they’ve become less easy to repair in the process. So, when a user’s experience with the device is negatively impacted by poor battery performance, the easiest available choice seems to be to replace the device with another, with many opting for something new.

In this lifecycle, an expectation to constantly produce is placed on manufacturers, leaving the user to desire what’s new rather than attempt to enjoy a long-term experience with the product.

Though many people choose to replace their old devices with something new, it isn’t inevitable that devices be scrapped once their initial useful life appears to be over. As we’ve become used to an ecosystem that’s less accommodating of device reparability over the past decade, I revisit the question I initially posed, how can we extend the useful life of devices?

The Cynic’s Response

When I’ve discussed the aforementioned question in forums, I’ve occasionally been met with cynicism.

The cynicism is underpinned by the belief that products are designed to be replaced after several years since they regenerate sales. Looking at how device usability can be extended isn’t seen as being commercially viable in this particular instance.

While I acknowledge there are always people who will want the latest devices, I want to put forward the idea that the “old device” has the potential to still be phenomenal. It has a lot of value in its ability to be reused either by family members or others in the community, for example.

A great example of a device is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon operating on Windows 11 Pro. Boost employee productivity with modern Windows 11 Pro devices for business. Focus, create, and collaborate with ease from any location with natural workflows and intelligent experiences.

Getting to circular

It’s obvious to me that people want to feel good about what they do. When given the choice, many people would prefer to purchase a sustainable alternative to be more eco-friendly.

The question, at least in my mind, is, to what extent are people willing to be inconvenienced for more sustainable features? Whether it’s a marginally higher price point, time spent waiting for a repair or embracing modularity instead of buying the hottest new device, there’s a lot to unpack. The question alone encapsulates a guiding mission for device manufacturers to do everything possible to make it easier for consumers to make sustainable choices. 

To act on this, I think we need to design in-feature capabilities that will make it easier to improve reusability and extend usability in general. This is why we’re designing our products to be more durable, where, as an example, we’re embedding longer lifespan batteries into our products. We must, however, ensure the user experience isn’t being compromised in the process.

Then, there’s the aspect of reparability. At its best, I think of reparability as Lenovo’s partnership with Kramden Institute, an organization that refurbishes machines and gives them to families who don’t have computers, extending the life of valuable technology and closing the digital divide. 

We’ve also made it easier for our customers to get more long-term use of their products through three-year standard warranties and five years of replacement parts for many of our products. By offering advanced support services, products can be quickly repaired to minimize interruption and hassle. For those who want to repair their own devices, we offer service and maintenance manuals, as well as part removal and replacement videos.

These are, of course, in addition to recycling the device and leveraging recycled materials in the manufacturing of products. As stated in our recent ESG report, this has been a key focus at Lenovo, where we’ve greatly increased the integration of new recycled materials (e.g. magnesium, aluminium and ocean-bound plastics).

Now, Lenovo manufactures 248 products that use closed-loop recycled plastic (an increase from 103 in 2021). As part of our product recycling approach, Lenovo offers product take-back programs and an Asset Recovery Services program that provides companies with a sustainable disposition strategy that will help mitigate the environmental and data security risks associated with end-of-life device disposal.

Ultimately, at Lenovo, we are working to increase the number of products, components, and materials that are reused, repaired, and recycled. In doing this, we extract the greatest amount of value from products while they’re in use. Keeping products in use for longer, recycling materials, and reusing products in new ways are the staples of transitioning from a replacement ecosystem to a circular one.

From an engineering standpoint, balancing the need to increase the deployment of more eco-friendly resources with the ability to engineer efficiency in manufacturing is how we will win on the road to doing better.

While I don’t see us moving back to the thick, heavy design that characterized yesterday’s devices, there’s definitely an opportunity where we can replicate the reusable functionalities while also having minimal impact on design. I’m excited to see how we can go a lot further with this than where we are today.

PR Newswire

TAILG’s New Brand TLG Makes Spectacular Debut at EICMA in Milan, Italy

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Inaugurating its Presence in Europe, TLG Unveils First Flagship Store in Switzerland

MILAN, Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — On November 8, TAILG showcased its new brand at EICMA, Italy’s premier exhibition for motorcycles. The company unveiled TLG to a global audience and simultaneously inked a deal to open its first European flagship store in Switzerland.


TAILG ‘s new TLG brand makes spectacular debut

TLG, drawing on TAILG’s over 20 years of R&D expertise in the two and three-wheeled electric vehicle sector, was created to meet the demands of urban commuting with electric bikes and scooters. Embodying the ethos of Try · Love · Go, the brand is dedicated to shaping a personalized, intelligent urban travel lifestyle.

The four founders of TAILG took to the stage to unveil the new brand at the launch event.

Sun Muchai, Senior Vice President of TAILG, highlighted that TLG, backed by TAILG ‘s extensive technological expertise and intelligent manufacturing infrastructure in the electric vehicle sector, embodies the group’s unwavering commitment to global markets.

TAILG has consistently been dedicated to exploring green, low-carbon and eco-friendly concepts, with a focus on the experience of riders worldwide using electric two-wheel transportation. As an electric mobility partner of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), TAILG has consistently collaborated with UNEP to actively champion the principles of low-carbon mobility and electric mobility solutions across the globe for many years.

“TAILG is committed to providing users with smart short-distance travel solutions that embody simplicity, elegance, intelligence, and agility. We also aspire to deliver a technologically sophisticated, resilient, and enduring brand and product experience while placing significant emphasis on community culture and engagement. We hope that consumers will fall in love it from the first ride,” added Mr. Sun.

Multiple new products make their worldwide debut

As a global trendsetter for two-wheelers, TAILG ‘s decision to launch the new TLG brand at EICMA holds great significance. In recent years, the global two-wheeled vehicle market has experienced rapid growth, especially in Europe, with France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands leading the way.

In a bid to offer European consumers superior low-carbon, eco-friendly short-distance travel solutions, TLG has strategically positioned itself in the mid-to-high-end markets and has been committed to providing customized products based on local regional characteristics, user habits and market segments, with a focus on E-Bikes and E-scooters.

During the launch event, several new products, including the GTS, CTS and TL6, were unveiled.


Simultaneously, a strategic cooperation agreement on TLG’s first European flagship store was formally signed by TAILG and the business partner. The 400-square-meter venue will soon open in Switzerland and be the first in Europe where local consumers can quickly experience new TLG products following their launch.

At the EICMA 2023, TAILG also unveiled several new TAILG offerings, including the S1, S2, and ETS, which are ideal for city dwellers, as well as the TY3 and TY3 PRO, two off-road racing models designed specifically for young enthusiasts. These releases provide consumers with a broad range of product options.

About TAILG

Founded in 2004 in Shenzhen, China, TAILG is a global technology group company which integrates the research and development, production, sales, sharing, and charging & swapping of electric vehicles, and other whole industry chain services. Relying on the high-standard R&D center, TAILG owns more than 1,000 national patents and operates nine production bases in China and has an annual production capacity of over 12 million vehicles. It also has more than 30,000 terminal experience stores and exports to more than 90 countries and regions worldwide.

For more information, please visit https://www.tailg.com/.

PR Newswire

BRI’s Ultra-Micro Holding Continues Sustainable Financing for 36 Million Customers

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JAKARTA, Indonesia, Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) Persero Tbk. (IDX: BBRI), PT Pegadaian and PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) have been jointly advancing sustainable financing practices in Indonesia’s ultra-micro segment through the Ultra-Micro (UMi) Holding. This initiative aligns with the core themes of the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) on 5-6 September 2023, in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a focus on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles.

BRI's Ultra-Micro Holding Continues Sustainable Financing for 36 Million Customers
BRI’s Ultra-Micro Holding Continues Sustainable Financing for 36 Million Customers

Sunarso, BRI’s President Director, highlighted that Ultra Micro Holding (UMi) integrated over 36 million loan customers and 162 million micro-savings customers into its network, supported by 1,013 SENYUM (Ultra-Micro Service Centers) in Q2 2023. “BRI’s focus is to uplift business actors, embarking on a structured and systematic journey in a unified ecosystem.”

BRI’s approach to integrating the ultra-micro ecosystem involves three phases. First, they implement the “Empowering People” strategy led by PNM to educate ‘unbankable’ businesses. The “Integration” phase provides loan options to ultra-micro entrepreneurs through BRI and Pegadaian. Lastly, BRI concentrates on “Scaling-up Businesses,” enabling ultra-micro segments to transition to micro, micro to small, and small enterprises to medium size.

The UMi Holding has empowered 76 thousand financial advisors, comprising of agents from BRI and PNM Mekaar, and Pegadaian’s marketing personnel. BRI’s micro and ultra-micro credit have grown by 11.4%, reaching IDR 578 trillion. “We are employing a “Go Smaller” strategy to target even smaller segments with shorter and more digitally streamlined processes to meet their needs for a faster and cost-efficient approach,” added Sunarso.

To enhance financial inclusion, the UMi Holding introduces the SenyuM Mobile application to accelerate customer acquisition and serve as a unified digital hub for BRI, Pegadaian, and PNM.  The app has been adopted by over 69,000 individuals from the three entities and utilized by more than 300,000 BRILink and Pegadaian agents. To simplify operations and ensure security, the UMi Holding is spearheading a cashless ecosystem.

BRI also offers a digital banking super app, BRImo, enriched with over 100 features. BRImo’s user growth has exceeded 1 million users monthly. As of June 2023, the user base reached more than 27.8 million, marking a 50.6% Year-on-Year (YoY) increase. Additionally, the transaction value soared to IDR 1,377.6 trillion, reflecting an 89.6% YoY surge.

More information about BRI at www.bri.co.id.

PR Newswire

IMDA Introduces Sustainability Standard for Data Centres operating in Tropical Climates

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  • Standard aims to optimise energy efficiency while operating DCs at higher temperature settings
  • IMDA forges new partnerships to drive global digital sustainability

SINGAPORE, June 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore has launched one of the world’s first standard for optimising energy efficiency for data centres (DCs) in tropical climate countries. Announced by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Communications and Information, Dr Janil Puthucheary at ATxEnterprise, the standard comes after a working group comprising domain and technical experts from both industry and academia, as well as government agencies worked on establishing a set of guidelines to enable the operation of DCs at higher temperature settings while optimising energy efficiency. 



DCs are important enablers of the digital economy

DCs are important enablers of the digital economy. However, DCs are also intensive users of resources like land, water, and energy, contributing to our carbon footprint. In a typical data centre, cooling systems account for up to 40% of total energy consumption with many operators choosing to operate their equipment at temperatures of 22°C and below.[1] The cooling of DCs in a warmer tropical climate environment presents additional challenges as more energy is used to operate the cooling systems.

Globally, there is a consensus amongst DC operators on the need to operate their DCs sustainably. There is also increased awareness that it is possible to operate DCs at higher temperatures while achieving optimal results. However, there is a lack of established industry guidelines on how to safely raise DCs’ operating temperatures in a tropical climate, and at higher humidity levels. Singapore’s new standard was developed against this background.

The new standard aims to help DCs develop a roadmap to support the gradual increase in the DC operating temperatures to 26°C and above. This could lead to DCs potentially benefiting from a 2% to 5% cooling energy savings, with every 1°C increase in the DC operating temperature.[2] 

Pushing the envelope of sustainability with green DCs

IMDA’s new standard forms part of the Digital Connectivity Blueprint which was launched on 5 June 2023 by Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information, Mrs Josephine Teo. The standard for tropical DCs complements other sustainability-related industry standards and best practices that are key in our push for sustainability in Singapore’s ICT ecosystem.

Green Mark Certification

To encourage greater adoption of the standards by the DCs operating in Singapore, IMDA is working with the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) to update the Green Mark scheme for DCs, which sets the energy efficiency and sustainability benchmarks for the DC industry, with this new standard for Tropical DCs.[3]

For more information and purchase of the standards, please visit https://www.singaporestandardseshop.sg/.

[1] https://www.nea.gov.sg/docs/default-source/our-services/energy-efficiency/nea-dc-energy-benchmarking-summary–final-report-(3).pdf

[2] http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~bianca/papers/temperature_cam.pdf

[3] The BCA Green Mark Certification Scheme is designed to evaluate a building’s environmental impact and performance. Buildings can be certified at one of four ratings – Certified, Gold, Gold Plus, Platinum.

For media queries:
CHOO Hong Xian (Mr)
Manager, Communications and Marketing, IMDA
DID: (65) 6955 0221
Email: choo_hong_xian@imda.gov.sg  

PR Newswire

BEST Inc. Publishes 2022 ESG Report, Driving Green Logistics through Digitalization

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HANGZHOU, China, May 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — BEST Inc. (NYSE: BEST) (“BEST” or the “Company”), a leading integrated smart supply chain solutions and logistics services provider in China and Southeast Asia, today released its “2022 ESG Report,” highlighting the company’s fulfillment of social responsibilities, global participation in social welfare initiatives, and promotion of green logistics through digitalization.

The report is divided into seven sections, showcasing BEST’s contributions to social welfare and green logistics. In 2022, it delivered goods to areas affected by the pandemic for free, reduced paper usage by 8.5 million A4 sheets annually through blockchain technology, and saved 70,000 liters of diesel by continuously replacing diesel forklifts with electric forklifts.

The Company also formed long-term strategic partnerships with over 100 colleges and universities, and participated in public welfare activities, such as helping underprivileged students and donating goods.

“Social support and trust are essential to corporate development,” said Johnny Chou, BEST Inc.’s Chairman and CEO. “As a logistics enterprise, BEST has always prioritized green practices, digitalization, and mutual benefit, in order to promote sustainable development and create greater value for our customers, employees, and society.”

BEST Inc. generated RMB 7.74 billion in total revenue in 2022, with service in eight countries. The Company achieved full coverage of its express network in four Southeast Asian countries and was listed in the “Top 500 Private Enterprises in China” in 2022.

For the full BEST Inc. ESG 2022 report, please visit:
https://www.best-inc.com/BEST-Inc.ESGReport2022.pdf

Source: BEST Inc.