Business News

Discover key APAC nutraceutical trends at Vitafoods Asia

SINGAPORE – Vitafoods Asia, the nutraceutical event for the Asia Pacific region, brings together the three key ingredients required to develop and launch new innovations from lab to market: science, business, and government agencies. Nutraceuticals have positive physiological effects on the human body, but do not easily fall into the categories of food or pharmaceutical drugs. Research-based, nutraceuticals offer the benefits of medicine and health delivered through functional foods and beverages. Nutraceuticals deliver benefits for gut health, beauty-from-within, cognitive function and stress support. They can help to prevent and reduce issues such as obesity, healthy aging, or cancer, and may be used to boost immunity. They can also be used to improve mood, sleep quality and psychological performance. Key consumption trends in nutraceuticals in the Asia Pacific region for 2019 include: 1. ‘Feel the benefit’ Most food or beverages that carry a nutraceutical benefit do so over time and can’t be felt immediately, but one category of nutraceuticals offers an immediate ‘feel the benefit’ effect. These products are made with Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, and they help with pain relief or relaxation. The Asia Pacific region represents a growing market for CBD and is predicted to account for 23% of the worldwide spend by 2022.[i] At Vitafoods Asia 2019, CBD products will be featured for the first time with GenCanna Global Inc exhibiting. 2. Low Carb, High Protein Across the world, dieticians are recommending low carbohydrate, high protein diets to address diabetes, which, along with fad diet trends like keto and paleo, has increased demand for protein supplements. To minimise food waste and meet demand, protein is being harvested from the discards of cheese-making, Whey, and the discards of gelatine production, Collagen. Another result of the low carb diet is to substitute wheat flours with vegetable flours in baked […]

AOGC sets the tone for energy industry future

Kuala Lumpur -The 20th Asia Oil & Gas Conference (AOGC) came to a close, leaving industry players and policy makers with a clear view of the challenges, opportunities and the solutions required to address the new energy future. The final day of AOGC kicked off with Dr Fereidun Fesharaki sharing his views on both the short and medium term oil price outlook, together with the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, the growth of LNG and the geopolitical outlook. He also noted that current issues in the Middle East could impact both international LNG and crude supply. At a session on “A New World Order” on how disruptive drivers and forces continue to alter the global industrial landscape, Prof Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Senior Research Advisor at the Khazanah Research Institute, said: “Populism, protectionism and reverse globalisation are very much on the radar at the moment. The risk of cyber-attacks which could cripple global and political financial systems, are on the increase. How we deal with these issues will determine our business future”. Simon Flowers, Chairman (Energy) and Chief Analyst at Wood Mackenzie said: “There’s a lot of momentum behind protectionism at the moment and in some respects, this is quite good because I think it can lead to greater energy independence and a desire for self-sufficiency.” Sustainability was very much on the agenda throughout AOGC 2019 and Dr Ken Koyama, Chief Economist and Managing Director at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, addressed the structural changes that will be affecting the industry due to the changing energy mix and how energy companies should position themselves strategically in what will be a low-carbon future within a circular economy. Bringing AOGC 2019 to a close, the Chairman of the A0GC 2019 Organising Committee, Mohd Yusri Mohamed Yusof, said AOGC 2019 attracted […]

RA launches Connected Services Experience Centre

Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information solutions, has today announced the official opening of its new Connected Services Experience Centre (CSEC). The Centre is the first of its kind in Singapore to fully demonstrate the integration of key technology platforms for IT-OT convergence, enabling customers touring the Centre to understand the benefits of the Connected Enterprise and the positive impact that it can have on their business. The Centre also illustrates how solutions and services offered by Rockwell Automation are entirely scalable and can be tailored to the business needs of customers. Inbavanan Rathinam, Rockwell Automation Senior Director, Asia Pacific, Customer Support & Maintenance, Systems & Solutions Business commented: “The manufacturing sector is Singapore’s largest industry and is subject to external forces not only from across the region, but globally as well. “We believe that embarking on the journey of digitalisation and The Connected Enterprise is key for businesses to realise their full potential. It allows them to take control of their future and grow their capabilities to adapt to industry challenges and opportunities that may be coming their way. “Our new Connected Services Experience Centre enables us to show, rather than tell, how our technology can help to bridge the gap between traditional plant floor technologies (OT level) and enterprise level demands (IT level). Using our technical expertise and industry know-how, we can demonstrate how we can help our customers to maximise performance, advance innovation and crucially, drive growth.” Visitors to the Connected Services Experience Centre can experience first-hand the synergy of key technology platforms such as Network, Cybersecurity, Industrial Data Centre, Machine Learning as well as AR and VR. The Centre complements Rockwell Automation’s existing Factory Floor and Customer Experience Centre offerings, allowing visitors to experience The Connected Enterprise journey in its […]

Innovation through formulation

Azelis is excited to launch its new tagline: ‘Innovation through formulation’, which is a reinforcement of the company’s continuous investment in technical expertise. Over the years, the speciality chemicals and food ingredients distributor has been investing resources, both financial and non-financial, in strengthening its innovative services: adding new application laboratories in all regions, creating innovative and award-winning formulations, whilst offering formulation support to its customers. Azelis’ owner EQT fully supports the company’s direction and offers guidance and advice to further strengthen this role. Highlights & rationale – ‘Innovation through formulation’ is the company’s new tagline and reflects the new strategic direction. – Azelis has expanded its number of labs from 12 to 60 since 2012 and increased the number of its lab professionals, creating a talented pool with over 1.000 years of cumulative experience in application laboratories. – The company is proud to have won more than 20 innovation awards in the past three years, all given by independent industry organisations. – Strong application and formulation support is in line with Azelis’ ambition of becoming the benchmark for the industry and market leader in providing innovative solutions to its customers. Azelis creates value with and for its partners by turning ideas into market-leading solutions that drive growth. The company routinely provides its customers with innovative formulations that address the most stringent market requirements and consumer trends. This is made possible through its 60 application laboratories worldwide, along with its experienced, market-focused sales teams. Azelis has expanded its number of labs from 12 to 60 since 2012 and significantly increased the number of its lab professionals, creating a talent pool with over 1.000 years of cumulative expertise in application laboratories. The high number of application labs allows the company to serve the local market needs while at the same time helping […]

The four factors essential to building a quality production line

-Andrew Stackpole, Assembly Shop Manager at Facteon Developing an efficient and polished machine building process can take a manufacturing company decades. What’s most important is that throughout this process, the focus is on building a quality production line that allows for the manufacturing of best-in-class product. Since beginning my career as a Machine Builder in 1994 and working through to my current role as Assembly Shop Manager at Facteon, I’ve come to learn that there are four key factors involved in developing a quality production line. 1. Quality components produce quality product By keeping the production of machinery components in-house where practical and possible, you will play a more active role in quality control. It was for this very reason that Facteon established its own in-house Build Shop and Machine Shop to cater to internal and external customers. The team retains full control over every component produced and as it’s not heavily relying on delivery by third parties, it can be certain that the component will be available on site when required. To achieve the necessary levels of precision in component manufacturing, collaboration is key – both in the initial phase of producing your components and in the build phase of the production line. Looking at opportunities to integrate the latest technologies with more traditional machining methods, will allow you to fully harness the potential of the machinery while using the latest technology to improve precision and efficiencies. Partnering with reliable external suppliers For any components that can’t be produced in-house, consider looking beyond your own capabilities and using the services of thoroughly vetted external providers. For example, Facteon uses suppliers based in New Zealand, China and the United States and vets these suppliers through a tiered rating system to ensure that our standards are met. If you’ve outsourced the […]

Housing construction is becoming manufacturing

Manufacturing is usually associated with making parts and assembling them. Manufacturing complete houses is a relative new concept in the history of the industrial revolution. We are on the verge of the next step, making the complete structure for a house out of only one material, foam concrete. Recent developments have made it possible to make foam concrete to high specifications, good thermal and acoustic insulating properties and reasonable strength compared to “normal” concrete. We are talking here about foam concrete that is half the weight and has more than five times the thermal insulation factor. On top of that it is more flexible, so it can withstand earthquakes better. If you are in a war zone it can protect you from flying objects, as it has a high energy absorption rate. All this creates a comfortable, healthy and safe home for a reasonable cost. So why is everyone not using it? Mainly because the mortar mixes do have a few more ingredients in it, and the ratios of the components are critical, in addition you need a foam making machine to make the foam, and then mix it in with the mortar. All of this together puts people off using it as it is more complex than making “normal” mortar. In a factory environment it is easier to control the production process, including the curing. As with all concretes the “drying” time and conditions have an influence on the end result, the final strength and flexibility. On-site it can be difficult and costly to maintain the ideal conditions, keeping it wet and at the ideal temperature. Manufacturing foam concrete products in a special designed facility has many benefits, good control over the delivery and storage of the raw materials, use and maintenance of the equipment, labour input, less skilled […]

Boeing 787 Unified Livery In-flight over Clouds

HandySCAN 3D scanner meets Boeing’s requirements

Creaform, the worldwide leader in portable 3D measurement solutions and non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions, has announced that its HandySCAN 3D metrology-grade 3D laser scanner can now be used for recording physical attributes of aircraft dents and blends on all models of Boeing commercial airplanes. Boeing has released a service letter with guidance on the use of 3D scanners for measuring dents and blends on airplanes. The SmartDENT 3D solution and the flagship HandySCAN 3D scanner were used in the process of guiding Boeing’s quality requirements for the service letter. “Creaform is proud to see leaders such as Boeing, turn to 3D scanning solutions for surface defect inspection. With SmartDENT 3D, our goal is to provide the most accurate damage assessment to our customers, so they can make informed and safe decisions, while getting their aircraft back flying with minimal down time,” said Jérôme Beaumont, Global NDT Business Manager at Creaform. Overview of SmartDENT 3D benefits: Speed: 80 times faster than the pit gauge technique. It is the fastest and most reliable aircraft surface damage inspection tool available on the market. Metrology-grade measurements for aircraft maintenance: The scanner is accurate to 0.025 mm (0.0009 in.) and has a resolution of up to 0.100 mm (0.0039 in.) with high repeatability and traceable certificate. Intuitive pass/fail assessments: With its intuitive design and real-time software visualization, Creaform’s NDT solutions ensure short learning curves and minimal operator experience influence on the accuracy of results. Live visualisation and portability: Weighting less than a kilo, the handheld scanner is the perfect tool for work in hangars or directly outdoors. Users can easily perform 3D surface inspection of any part of an aircraft on which they would use manual techniques—including on and under wings. In addition to complying with Boeing’s service letter, Creaform HandySCAN 3D scanners are listed […]

Guangzhou and Beijing rank as two loudest cities in the world

China is home to two of the loudest cities in the world – Guangzhou and Beijing. According to a recent article in The Guardian, “Guangzhou, China, ranked as having the worst levels of noise pollution in the world, followed by Cairo, Paris, Beijing and Delhi.” New study Global Acoustic Insulation shows demand for acoustic insulation in China totaling $1.5 billion in 2018, making it the second largest national market in the world in value terms behind the US. Through 2023, demand for acoustic insulation in the Asia/Pacific region is expected to grow 6.3% per annum to $4.3 billion, representing 46% of value growth worldwide. Going forward, gains will be boosted by: rising standards of living, supporting increased access to air conditioning, associated HVAC equipment output, and higher quality building stocks rapid expansion of nonresidential building construction in China growth in industrial equipment and appliance production government efforts in some countries to improve noise pollution and worker safety regulation When we include all regions, Freedonia forecasts demand growth at 4.9% per year to reach $11.4 billion in 2023. Despite the popularity of fiberglass in North America and of mineral wool in Eastern Europe, foamed plastic is projected to account for the majority of value gains globally through 2023. Foamed plastic is the most used insulation material in the Asia/Pacific region which will strengthen the material’s leading position.

Mega solar power plant in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam

Large 49 MW-dc output enough to power 38,762 households(1) Completed Solar Power Plant TOKYO: Sharp Energy Solutions Corporation (SESJ)(2) announces the completion of a mega solar power plant in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The project was a collaboration with multiple partners, including Sermsang Power Corporation (SSP)(3) of Thailand, and SSP affiliate Truong Than Quang Ngai Power and High Technology Joint Stock Company(4). Operations at the new mega plant will start in early June. The new plant has an output of approximately 49 MW-dc, with annual power generation capacity estimated at 73,143 MWh/year. This is equivalent to the amount consumed in a year by 38,762 average Vietnamese households. Sharp has so far constructed three solar power plants in Vietnam, for a combined capacity of approximately 146 MW-dc. This new plant will raise the total capacity to approximately 195 MW-dc. The Vietnamese government has formulated a plan(5) to raise solar power generation capacity in the country to 12,000 MW by the year 2030. Sharp remains committed to spreading renewable energy in Vietnam. (1) Calculated at 1,887 kWh per household. (2) SESJ is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, specializing in energy solutions such as the sales of PV systems and the installation of electrical equipment. (3) SSP’s main business is constructing solar power plants in ASEAN countries. (4) This company will be in charge of operating the new plant. (5) Source: the Vietnamese government?s 7th Power Development Plan (PDP7).

Corteva Agriscience opens Singapore office

SINGAPORE:Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, today officially opened its Asia Pacific head office in Singapore and announced a series of investments geared towards building expertise and technical capability to support farmers across the region, as governments seek to strengthen food security. These investments include the establishment of a global analytics center of excellence and a new research and development (R&D) lab, as well as a collaboration strategy designed to encourage the further development of the Asia Pacific Ag-Tech start-up ecosystem. Corteva Agriscience represents the combined strengths of DuPont Crop Protection, DuPont Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences, which will spin-off on June 1, 2019 to publicly list on the New York Stock Exchange, creating a market-shaping, standalone, pure-play agriculture company with leading positions in Seed Technologies, Crop Protection and Digital Agriculture. Peter Ford, President, Asia Pacific, Corteva Agriscience, said, “Corteva Agriscience brings together three businesses with deep connections and dedication to generations of farmers. “With a balanced portfolio of agriculture solutions, 200 years of combined agronomic expertise and an unparalleled innovation engine, we aim to catalyse action with all stakeholders in the food system to champion inclusive agriculture and to help ensure a secure supply of healthy and sustainable food for the region. “With key collaborators like Singapore’s Economic Development Board and the Singapore Food Agency, we share a commitment to using new innovative approaches to make agriculture value chains more productive and sustainable. We will nurture talent, leverage our R&D capabilities and robust product pipeline, as well as build digital capabilities to secure the future of food for Asia Pacific from our strategic location in Singapore.” Damian Chan, Executive Director (Chemicals & Materials), Singapore Economic Development Board, said, “We are delighted that Corteva Agriscience has chosen to locate its Asia Pacific head office, Global Analytics Centre of Excellence and Asia […]

«‹ 44 45 46 47 ›»

News Ticker

Business News