Developments

Secutech Thailand spotlights key additions and solution categories set to define country’s safer, smarter cities

With safe, secure smart city initiatives central to Thailand’s economic ambitions, Secutech Thailand – the country’s leading platform for security and fire safety technologies – returns from 5 – 7 November 2025 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). Security and fire safety are inseparably paired with Thailand’s smart city ambitions. Safety enables the functionality of smarter urban systems, reinforcing the fair’s role as a catalyst for innovation and improved quality of life. Ms Regina Tsai, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd – Taiwan Branch, elaborated: “Our vision is simple: you cannot build a truly smart city without first building a safe city. Secutech Thailand 2025 will showcase critical security and fire safety solutions that ensure future cities are both intelligent and protected.” Backed by key public and private partners, Secutech Thailand 2025 will leverage the rapid growth of the nation’s smart city sector, which continues to receive strong support from the Thai government[1] as part of its Thailand 4.0 and Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) initiatives. The industry’s continued development is directly reflected in increased interest surrounding the upcoming fair, which is set to host over 400 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions including Australia, China, India, Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the UAE, alongside an anticipated 14,000 visitors – with both figures more than double last year’s totals. This year marks an exciting new collaboration with N.C.C. Management and Development, who not only manage the 11,600 sqm fairground, but also organise the co-located Thailand Smart City Expo. The synergy between both shows promises to enhance the visitor and exhibitor experience, delivering a business environment that brings the key players of both industries under one roof. In addition, the concurrent Fire & Safety Thailand and co-located EdTEX, allow for even deeper cross-sector synergies, opening up new business possibilities across all […]

Rio Tinto and China’s State Power Investment Corporation launch battery swap truck trial fleet at Oyu Tolgoi mine

Rio Tinto and China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) Qiyuan have launched a trial of battery swap electric haul truck technology at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia. The trial is Rio Tinto’s first use of battery swap electric haul trucks in surface mining operations. This is a major step towards developing the cost-effective technology and operational learnings required to reduce emissions from mining haulage fleets – one of the largest contributors to the company’s Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint. Over the last year Rio Tinto and SPIC Qiyuan have delivered and installed a fleet of eight 91-tonne Tonly trucks, together with 13 batteries (each 800 kWh), a battery swapping station, static charger, and supporting infrastructure. The trucks will now be used by Oyu Tolgoi for tailings dam construction and top soil transportation tasks, providing Rio Tinto with hands on experience operating and maintaining a complete battery electric truck and swap charging system. Battery swapping technology allows the battery of an electric mining truck to be replaced at a battery swap station in less than seven minutes, without the need to charge the vehicle at a fixed charging facility. This minimises downtime and improves equipment efficiency. Rio Tinto General Manager Global Equipment and Diesel Transition Ben Woffenden said: “The launch of this trial with SPIC Qiyuan is an important milestone, harnessing China’s widely used and leading battery swap technology in a partnership that supports Rio Tinto’s drive to accelerate low-carbon innovation. The rapid deployment and fast-tracked operational learnings have highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing low-emission haulage alternatives for our business. “By working with partners such as SPIC Qiyuan and Tonly, Rio Tinto is rapidly identifying and adopting cost-effective, proven innovations that can support operational excellence and advance decarbonisation goals.” General Manager of Qiyuan Green Power, Mr. […]

Vingroup establishes VinMetal steel manufacturing company, enters Metallurgy Industry

HANOI. Vingroup has established the VinMetal Joint Stock Company for Manufacturing and Trading, officially entering the metallurgy industry and expanding its existing Industrials & Technology pillar. The new company aims to meet the internal material needs of Vingroup’s ecosystem while contributing to the development of Vietnam’s heavy industry. VinMetal is launching with an initial investment of VND 10 trillion (approx. USD 380 million), with plans to build a high-tech industrial steel production complex in Vũng Áng, Hà Tĩnh. Phase 1 will have a capacity of around 5 million tons per year. The company will focus on producing steel products for civil construction, including hot-rolled steel, high-strength steel, and specialised alloy steels for electric vehicles and high-speed transportation infrastructure. Its flagship products will include high-quality sheet steel and stamped automotive body steel, as well as international-standard rails and structural steel for bridges, ports, and railways, targeting import substitution and future exports to regional markets. VinMetal will initially prioritise supplying materials for Vingroup’s core sectors such as Vinhomes real estate and VinFast electric vehicles. In addition, the company seeks to secure high-quality steel supply for major projects in industry, energy, and transportation currently under research and proposal, including the North-South high-speed railway, the HCMC-Cần Giờ line, and the Hà Nội-Quảng Ninh route. In the long term, VinMetal aspires to become a leader in green steel production in Vietnam, applying carbon-reducing technologies and reusing energy from renewable sources. This will not only advance the domestic metallurgy industry but also promote the growth of Vietnam’s heavy industry as a whole. Nguyễn Việt Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup and concurrently CEO of VinMetal, stated: “VinMetal is not just a steel plant. It represents a strategic preparation for a modern, green, and sustainable infrastructure future for Vietnam. At Vingroup, we believe that proactively developing foundational industries […]

Kaynes and DigiLens launch India’s first advanced waveguide manufacturing line

Launching India’s future in advanced optics and mobile computing. Kaynes Technology, a pioneer in next-generation electronics manufacturing, is advancing India’s position as a global hub for innovation with the launch of the country’s first advanced augmented reality (AR) waveguide manufacturing line, powered by DigiLens Inc.’s cutting-edge nanotechnology for Crystal waveguide displays used for smartglasses and various headworn devices. This launch adds India to the list of the select few nations able to master this critical technology for XR smartglasses and heads-up displays (HUDs), enabling them to power tomorrow’s connected world. Powered by DigiLens’ proprietary CrystalClear® photopolymer material and advanced inkjet printing with holographic contact-copy manufacturing, Crystal waveguides seamlessly overlay digital content onto the real world with unmatched transparency, efficiency, and minimal eye glow. Designed for scalability and cost-efficiency, they deliver superior image quality, clarity, and brightness—making them ideal for integration into headworn XR devices across consumer, enterprise, and defense markets. “India has the talent, scale, and ambition to lead the XR revolution,” said Brian Hamilton, VP of Sales and Marketing at DigiLens. “By uniting DigiLens’ optics expertise with Kaynes’ manufacturing excellence, we’re not only building an ecosystem that extends beyond individual components but also transferring critical optics knowledge to power the next generation of mobile compute—with India positioned to lead this category on the global stage.” With over 37 years of expertise, Kaynes has made significant investments to build global capabilities in India, starting from a small assembly business to a leader serving automotive, aerospace, defense, and medical electronics. Located in Mysore, the new facility features a 3,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art Class 1000 cleanroom. This milestone aligns with the “Make in India” initiative of establishing India as a manufacturing hub for the world, by creating jobs in domestic manufacturing and enhancing local technical skills. Together, Kaynes and DigiLens will revolutionise mobile computing by […]

Tapway partners with Thai firms to expand vision AI presence

Tapway Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia’s developer of Vision AI software, has announced the appointment of Advantech Co., Ltd., Appomax Co., Ltd., and S I Media Co., Ltd., as its official channel partners in Thailand. This announcement builds on Tapway’s recent expansion in Indonesia, highlighting the growing regional demand for Vision AI technology. With the addition of these Thai partners, Tapway now has a channel network spanning Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, reinforcing its position as an emerging Vision AI player in Southeast Asia. Lim Chee How, CEO of Tapway, said, “Following our successful partnerships in Indonesia, we are now expanding into Thailand to meet the increasing need for intelligent automation. These partnerships mark another important step toward making Vision AI accessible, scalable, and locally relevant for businesses across Southeast Asia.” Under these partnerships, the Thai companies will distribute Tapway’s SamurAI Vision AI licenses, provide localized technical expertise, and deliver implementation and support services to customers in key industries, including retail, manufacturing, logistics, and smart city infrastructure. Matrix Choong, General Manager, Advantech Corporation (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “We are committed to developing a strong partnership with Tapway to drive growth together through the development of applications for smart cities and smart factories. Tapway’s powerful platform enables us to create Vision AI solutions for inspection, analytics, and advanced business intelligence (BI), enhancing our capability to deliver targeted, problem-solving services for our VIP customers. With Tapway’s technology and close support from their developer team, as stated in our MOU, we are confident in our ability to grow together, address critical customer challenges, and build a smarter future.” Vikan Chirawatpongsa, CEO of Appomax, commented, “Our collaboration with Tapway delivers AI Vision that is truly accessible — quick to deploy, intuitive to operate, and flexible enough for customers to train additional models on their own. Combined with […]

Rust prevention in manufacturing

The shop floor and assembly line can be vulnerable places for in-process metal goods. Freshly machined metal is a magnet for flash corrosion—when going in and out of air-conditioned QC areas or enduring hot, humid days in parts of the shop that are not climate controlled. The key advantage of VpCI® packaging is that it is fast and easy to use with little mess—unlike the hassle and cleanup associated with greasy rust preventatives. It is also highly effective. VpCI® packaging comes in many shapes and sizes, all based on Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor chemistry, which only requires an enclosed space and a bare metal surface in order to be effective. Vapor phase corrosion Inhibitors emit out of their foundational VpCI® packaging material, diffuse throughout an enclosure, and adsorb (i.e., lightly adhere) on the metal, creating a protective molecular barrier that blocks corrosive reactions with moisture, oxygen, chlorides, or other harsh elements. When the enclosure is opened, VpCI® molecules begin to float away, typically requiring no further cleaning before the component can be used. Get Creative: Mix-and-Match packaging for rust defense VpCI® packaging comes in many forms, allowing manufacturers to create a tailored solution that best fits their corrosion protection needs. These materials include VpCI®-126 film and bags in many styles, CorShield® VpCI®-146 paper, and VpCI® emitting materials such as BioPad® and Cor-Pak® 8-MUL Pouches. Some examples of how parts can be protected between manufacturing stages are as follows: Line a production bin with a VpCI®-126 gusseted bag, fill with machined parts, and close the bag after each addition. Add a BioPad® if extra protection is needed. Sandwich layers of brake disks or flywheels between pieces of CorShield® VpCI®-146 Paper inside a bin Cover racks/carts of gears with CorrCap™ VpCI® Protective Covers (customized shower-cap style versions of VpCI®-126 for easy removal […]

Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata begins Second Term as APO’s 13th Secretary‑General

16 September 2025, marked the start of Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata’s second term as the 13th Secretary‑General of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO). He was reelected by the APO Governing Body at its 67th Session in May 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. His new term runs until 15 September 2028. APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata Dr. Singawinata says, “Productivity is not merely output, but it is quality growth, dignified work, and sustainable progress.” In his second term, he aims to invest deliberately in productivity as a driver of competitiveness, resilience, and long‑term sustainability, helping APO members keep pace with rapid global change. During his first term (2022–25), Dr. Singawinata strengthened institutional governance and transparency and sharpened the APO’s strategic focus across member economies, positioning the organisation to be more responsive, agile, and future ready. Building on that platform, his second‑term priorities include the following: Governance and performance: Continuously improving institutional effectiveness and accountability across the Secretariat and APO programs. Member value: Positioning the APO as the premier productivity partner for national productivity organisations. Green Productivity (GP) 2.0: Scaling the GP 2.0 journey to pursue inclusive, innovation‑led, sustainable growth. AI for productivity: Expanding AI‑enabled solutions and capacity building across sectors. Future industries and skills: Supporting member economies in anticipating and building capabilities for emerging industries and the future of work. Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata has served as the APO’s 13th Secretary‑General since 16 September 2022. Prior to joining the APO, he was Senior Vice President at the Indonesia Infrastructure Guarantee Fund (IIGF). He holds a PhD in philosophy from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), Japan; a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Indonesia; and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Trisakti University, Indonesia. The APO is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1961 to increase productivity in the Asia-Pacific region […]

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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