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PXGEO wins two-year geophysical contract to support Malaysia Upstream Activities

First contract in Malaysia for seismic data acquisition and marine geophysical specialist PXGEO has secured its first contract in Malaysia to deliver offshore seismic data acquisition services under a two-year agreement. This includes a minimum commitment of 365 days of acquisition activity over the contract term utilizing the PXGEO 2 seismic vessel which mobilised in August. The campaign will play a key role in supporting Malaysia’s drive to unlock new hydrocarbon resources and accelerate upstream exploration aligning with the Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) aspiration. The contract highlights PXGEO’s growing portfolio of E&P organisations around the world. It also reflects the company’s proven track record in advancing exploration efforts and supporting strategies to boost production and ensure long-term energy resilience. Around 50 multi-disciplined PXGEO personnel will support the scope, delivering multiple surveys using 2D and 3D towed streamer technology, with the flexibility to incorporate ocean bottom node solutions if required. Charles ‘Chuck’ Davison Jnr, CEO and Executive Chairman of PXGEO, said: “Winning work in a new geography with a new client is an exciting development for our business. We’re proud to play a role in Malaysia’s latest exploration campaign, where reliable high-quality seismic data is essential for guiding drilling and development decisions. This operator’s continued investment in international expertise reflects its commitment to driving upstream efficiency and unlocking new resource potential. “This contract reflects the confidence major energy companies continue to place in our skilled people, performance and technology, further reinforcing our position as a partner of choice in high-resolution seismic acquisition. With a strong portfolio and growing momentum for advanced subsurface insight, we remain well positioned to support global exploration strategies.” PXGEO employs a 400-strong workforce across strategic global locations, including its Dubai headquarters and offices in Paris, Houston, Linköping, Oslo and Rio de Janeiro, along with a dedicated […]

Advanced tooling strategy drives emissions reduction for Indonesian manufacturer

Sandvik Coromant helps PT Kubota cut costs and emissions Thanks to a combination of advanced tooling technology, expert collaboration and a deep commitment to customer value, metal cutting and manufacturing solutions expert Sandvik Coromant has enabled PT. Kubota Indonesia to achieve new heights in sustainable manufacturing. The results demonstrate improved efficiency, reduced costs and a substantial shift towards the company’s long-term environmental goals. Kubota Indonesia is a pioneer in high-quality diesel engine manufacturing and is essential in supporting Indonesia’s national agricultural sector. Located in Semarang, Central Java, around 443 kilometres from Sandvik Coromant’s Indonesian office in Jakarta, PT. Kubota presented a unique opportunity for remote collaboration. Although the geographical distance and absence of a local representative initially limited the frequency of in-person visits, Sandvik Coromant embraced the challenge and successfully built a productive partnership, demonstrating its commitment and ability to deliver impactful solutions across distances. Overcoming distance and delivering value There were two core challenges: to establish credibility from a distance and to demonstrate that Sandvik Coromant’s tooling solutions could directly address PT. Kubota’s performance and cost-reduction targets. Specifically, PT. Kubota required a solution that could reduce cycle time, lower cost per part (CPP) and minimise machine requirements from three to two for finishing processes. To meet these demands, Sandvik Coromant deployed a full range of resources, including a selection of advanced tools such as CoroCut® 2, CoroTurn® TR and CoroThread® 266, concept tools like CoroTurn® Prime. The solution also included the latest insert grades and MasterCAM 2025 for programming support and expert insight from Sandvik Coromant’s Yellow Coat specialists. In total, Sandvik Coromant replaced 15 competitor tools, with the results demonstrating that each new solution significantly outperformed the existing setup. This comprehensive approach enabled Sandvik Coromant to improve chip control, enhancing process safety and eliminating the need for one […]

Black & Veatch contribute global, regional best practices in sustainable infrastructure at Enlit Asia 2025

As Southeast Asia continues to navigate the complexities of the energy transition, Black & Veatch, a global leader in human critical infrastructure, contributed its expertise in sustainable infrastructure at Enlit Asia 2025 to support the region’s low-carbon energy efforts. “Southeast Asia economies are increasingly collaborating to advance the deployment of lower-carbon power solutions,” said Jerin Raj, senior vice president and managing director for Asia Pacific at Black & Veatch. “Black & Veatch is committed to helping clients across the region improve energy security while reducing their carbon footprints to help economies grow.” During the event, held in Bangkok from September 9-11, Black & Veatch demonstrated its portfolio of projects and expertise in renewable energy, hydrogen and nuclear. Raj presented strategies for leveraging AI, digital technology and battery energy storage to enhance operational efficiency at the opening plenary session on September 9, with a focus on shaping Southeast Asia with the realistic energy transition. Black & Veatch executives presented on topics that are critical to the region’s energy transition targets: Navigating Thermal Transition – Balancing Cost, Opportunities and Challenges in Decarbonising Power Generation September 9 | Anil Addanky, director of services, APAC Advancing Power Plant Efficiency for a Realistic Energy Transition September 9 | Ayon Banerjee, managing director, APAC Client Segments Advancing Regional Collaboration for a Decarbonised Power Sector September 10 | Patrick Hogan, Chief Business Evolution Officer (CBEO) Decentralised Energy and Resilience – Balancing Grid Stability and Transition Goals September 10 | Yatin Premchand, managing director, Infrastructure Advisory Maximizing the Benefits of Ester-Fluid Filled Transformers: A Sustainable Innovation for the Power Generation Industry Narong Timthong, senior electrical & transformer specialist Grid Curtailment Studies: Managing Revenue Risks in Renewable Energy Integration Sansana Rattanasaengsakulthai, electrical engineer Black & Veatch has been working on infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia for more than 60 years. […]

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10th Belt & Road Summit celebrates business, investment and co-operation

The 10th edition of the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong (September 10-11) gathered about 6 200 high-profile participants from governments, international organisations, companies and the global media to celebrate a decade of achievements in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI). Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), this year’s flagship Summit adopted “Collaborate for Change – Shape a Shared Future” as its theme. In his welcoming speech, HKSAR’s Chief Executive John Lee said, “Over the past 10 years, more than 45 000 people from over 120 countries and regions have participated in the Summit.” HKSAR’s Chief Executive John Lee says that Hong Kong is the ideal Belt and Road hub. “Together, they have presented over 2 800 projects along the Belt and Road, shaping a shared vision through collaboration and connectivity, which are the fundamental values of the Belt and Road Initiative.” This year’s Summit yielded a record high of 45 government and enterprise memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and commercial agreements, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as the functional platform for the B&RI. The total value of these MOUs and agreements, together with new projects and deals finalised before the Summit, is close to US$1 billion. Hong Kong is also a leading fund-raising hub for Belt and Road economies. In fact, more than 100 Belt and Road companies are listed on the HKEX, with more to come. “Hong Kong is the ideal Belt and Road hub,” said Mr Lee. “As the only world city that converges both the China advantage and the global advantage, Hong Kong stands as the premier gateway for co-operation, bridging people, trade, business, education, culture and values across the region, connecting Asia and the world.” Mr Lee also introduced Hong Kong’s powerful […]

Preview of the 2025 CIFTIS: Key Highlights Revealed in Advance

BEIJING – The Shougang Park, a former industrial site transformed into an “urban showcase,” will welcome the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (2025 CIFTIS) this September. The annual theme of this year’s event is “Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services,” with over 800 companies already expressing interest in participating offline. The Shougang Park, photographed on August 11 by Zhang Chenlin, Xinhua News Agency. With less than a month remaining before the opening of CIFTIS, how are preparations progressing, and what new highlights can be expected from the exhibitions? Reporters conducted on-site visits for a closer look. More Open: New Entry Policies to Facilitate International Engagement It was learned that exhibitor recruitment for both the thematic and specialised exhibitions has been largely completed. Nearly 70 countries and international organisations have indicated their intention to participate by setting up booths or hosting events. The nine major specialised exhibitions have attracted interest from more than 800 companies to exhibit offline, including over 330 Fortune Global 500 companies and leading industry enterprises. The overall internationalisation rate of the exhibition exceeds 20%, covering 24 of the top 30 countries and regions in global service trade. Yang Huasen, Spokesperson of Beichen Group, stated that over 170 forums, conferences, and promotional events have already been scheduled. More than 70 companies, including Schneider Electric, have applied to release over 130 new products and achievements during the event. To further facilitate international engagement, this year’s CIFTIS continues to expand on entry facilitation measures initiated last year, such as setting up immigration service counters at the venue. This year, seven new convenience measures will be implemented, including: allowing foreign participants with official invitations to apply for port visas at Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport; offering online accommodation registration services for foreign visitors; […]

Global-local alliance powers a new era in Japan’s geothermal energy

Swedish company Baseload Capital has announced a strategic investment in Japanese geothermal energy developer Furusato Netsuden. The partnership aims to unlock Japan’s untapped geothermal potential and build a replicable model for sustainable energy development worldwide. Combining a global investment portfolio with a community-rooted business model, this strategic partnership aims to scale clean, renewable energy respectfully, revitalizing local economies while honoring cultural heritage. Furusato Netsuden brings deep local roots, trust, and operational expertise to the partnership, while Baseload Capital contributes international investment, global reach and the power of committed owners such as Google and Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Japan’s untapped geothermal power Japan has the third largest geothermal potential globally, with an estimated 23 GW, yet its current installed capacity is only 576 MW. This represents a major untapped opportunity for a country whose Green Transformation (GX) Strategy aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. Geothermal energy is clean, always-on, and space-efficient. That makes it an ideal solution for a mountainous, densely populated nation with high reliance on energy imports and growing clean-energy demand from AI and data centers. Japan’s geothermal development has been slow, in part, because there’s no common business model that enables communities to share in the benefits. However, Furusato Netsuden and its local partners have developed a system to ensure communities benefit directly from geothermal energy. The Waita model – a ground-breaking approach In 2011, residents of the Waita area in Oguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, formed the limited liability company Waita-kai, which is owned by the community. In partnership with Furusato Netsuden, they set out to develop geothermal power together in a way that would revitalize the community. The name Furusato Netsuden combines the words for “hometown”, “heat” and “electricity”. A respectful and collaborative business model This model protects local land rights, ensures development is carried out on […]

Alpha Group partners with Flight Digital and Impact PR to strengthen global presence

Major Investment in Biotech Manufacturing New Zealand biotech exporter Alpha Group has confirmed new strategic partnerships with digital specialists Flight Digital and public relations consultancy Impact PR, to accelerate its international expansion. The announcement comes on the back of Alpha’s NZ$115 million investment into a new 60,000m² biotech manufacturing facility in China. This advanced site will significantly increase production of Alpha’s patented plant and fungal fermentation compounds, with projected revenues expected to exceed NZ$225 million annually. Elevating Digital Infrastructure Flight Digital has been engaged to lead the redevelopment of Alpha’s international website. Built on the flexible Sanity CMS platform, the site will deliver faster publishing, multilingual regional content, and customised experiences for diverse markets. Managing director Victor Green said Alpha’s reputation deserved a digital presence equal to its global ambitions. “Alpha is one of those companies that has achieved world-class innovation quietly. This project will create the digital foundation needed to showcase that success globally and give international audiences the confidence to engage with them,” he said. Auckland PR Agency Impact PR to Drive International Storytelling Alongside its digital upgrade, Alpha has also appointed Impact PR (the PR agency New Zealand businesses trust) to manage its international communications programme. The Cannes Award-winning consultancy will highlight Alpha’s scientific breakthroughs, export growth, and leadership within New Zealand’s nutraceutical sector. Impact PR director Mark Devlin said Alpha Group exemplifies how Kiwi science can scale commercially. “Alpha represents a shift in how research and manufacturing in New Zealand can generate real commercial outcomes abroad. We are excited to help tell that story and support a company that continues to reinvest in local innovation,” he said. From Garage Startup to Global Player Founded in a West Auckland garage in 1998 by Professor Yihuai Gao, Alpha Group has evolved into a vertically integrated biotech manufacturer with a global […]

Topcast authorised distributor of Druck in China and the APAC region

Topcast, the world-leading aircraft parts distributor and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) service provider, is proud to announce its appointment as the authorised distributor for Druck Aerospace Pressure Sensors across China and the Asia-Pacific region. Under this new agreement, Druck — a Baker Hughes business — has designated Topcast Aviation Supplies Co., Ltd. as its primary distributor for aerospace pressure sensors. This partnership grants Topcast authorized aftermarket distribution rights to supply select Druck-manufactured products and spare parts to commercial airlines and other non-military customers throughout the region. “We are honored to welcome Druck to our distinguished portfolio of OEM partners,” said Orson Lo, Chief Commercial Officer of Topcast. “This collaboration underscores Druck’s confidence in our capabilities and reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service and support to airline customers across Asia Pacific.” This strategic alliance further strengthens Topcast’s position as a trusted partner in the aviation supply chain, enhancing its ability to provide innovative and reliable solutions to the aerospace industry. About Druck For over 40 years, Druck, a Baker Hughes business, has been a trusted provider of flight-qualified pressure sensors for the aerospace industry. With more than 400,000 sensors in operation worldwide, Druck technology powers critical systems on all major commercial airframes. Today, 70% of all widebody aircraft rely on Druck sensors for precision and reliability across a wide range of applications. About Topcast Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, Topcast is a world-leading trustworthy aircraft parts distributor and MRO service provider. We offer exceptional OEM and aftermarket aircraft parts, equipment and repair services for a broad range of aircraft types. With our strong global network, we have more than 20 offices across Asia-Pacific, Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, connecting suppliers with customers in all segments for over 90 countries. Please visit www.topcast.com

Accelerating Robotic Sensing: BLT and Haptron Scientific Co-Engineer Next-Gen Optical Force Sensors

As humanoid robotics and embodied intelligence technologies rapidly advance toward industrial-scale deployment, high-performance force sensing plays a critical role in enabling compliant control, precise manipulation, and robust mobility over complex terrains. Six-axis force/torque sensors have become essential components for safe and adaptive human-robot interaction. Since 2024, Haptron Scientific and Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) have collaborated to develop a new generation of optical six-axis force sensors. By integrating Haptron Scientific’s proprietary optical multimodal sensing technology with BLT’s expertise in metal additive manufacturing, the partnership has delivered a comprehensive sensor suite—including the Photon Finger, PhotonR40, Photon Ankle, and the latest industrial-grade Photon Finger Max—targeting force measurement needs at key robotic joints such as fingers, wrists, and ankles. By utilising BLT’s metal 3D printing technology, Haptron Scientific break traditional manufacturing limits, enabling complex miniaturized designs with fewer parts and simpler assembly. This innovation supports scalable production while delivering precise, durable, and lightweight force sensors for next-gen humanoid robots—enabling safer, more dexterous, and versatile robotic platforms. Photon Finger: World’s Smallest Six-Axis Force Sensor Designing dexterous hands for humanoid robots presents unique challenges—especially at the finger joints, where space is extremely constrained. These tight dimensions demand compact, high-performance sensors with seamless integration. To address the limitations of traditional machining—such as high cost, long lead times, and low yield—Haptron Scientific developed the world’s smallest six-axis force/torque sensor, the Photon Finger, using its proprietary optical multimodal sensing technology. With the support of BLT’s PBF-LB/M BLT-A100 machine and high-performance 18Ni350 maraging steel powder, the Photon Finger was structurally optimised for integration and part count reduction through one-piece metal 3D printing. This enabled: Miniaturised design tailored for tight finger joint integration 20-minute batch production cycle, with 15–30 units printed simultaneously 50–250% improvements in force range and overload tolerance Improved signal integrity, lower in-use power consumption, and faster communication—ideal for […]

Solving tapping challenges with smart tooling

In the world of precision manufacturing, the smallest of inefficiencies can create costly production roadblocks. For PT Sparta Guna Sentosa, an Indonesian automotive and industrial components manufacturer, one roadblock came in the form of persistent long chips during tapping operations — an issue that had long affected production efficiency and tool reliability. But through collaboration and the application of advanced solutions from metal cutting and manufacturing solutions manufacturer Sandvik Coromant, solving that challenge has unlocked new levels of productivity, cost savings and opportunity. Founded in 1986 in Bandung, Indonesia, PT Sparta Guna Sentosa started out servicing and manufacturing components for the textile industry. As of 2025, it manufactures a broad range of high-quality mechanical parts, such as pins, bushes and shafts for diverse industrial applications. Backed by advanced automation and machining capabilities, Sparta Guna Sentosa has positioned itself as quality-driven supplier. However, even the most well-equipped production lines can face technical challenges. Understanding the problem For years, the company struggled with long chip formation during tapping, a common but significant machining challenge. This issue led to several complications, including frequent machine downtime caused by chip jamming. As a result, scrap rates and rework increased, tool life became unpredictable and the risk of breakage rose. These problems compounded rather than occurred in isolation — worn tools accelerated chip buildup, requiring repeated spindle cleaning and further halting production. Despite multiple attempts to address the root cause, the company struggled to find a consistent and effective solution. Partnership that drives productivity Having already built a strong relationship with Sandvik Coromant through regular use of its drills and inserts, PT Sparta Guna Sentosa turned to the metal cutting expert for help resolving these tapping issues. Sandvik Coromant stepped in and proposed a live five-day trial using its CoroTap DT100-PM104DA-M8P1PL taps, featuring innovative chip-breaking geometry. […]

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