Smart Manufacturing

Intersec Shanghai 2026 to accelerate global safety technology innovation

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026 – 2030) has set a decisive course toward high quality, innovation-driven growth, calling for modern industrial systems powered by digital intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Aligned with this direction, Intersec Shanghai will return from 7 – 9 May 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Shanghai, bringing together domestic industry leaders and global exhibitors. A newly introduced International Zone will be a key highlight, featuring overseas brands presenting AI and tech-based security, fire prevention, and integrated safety solutions for industrial facilities, building premises, and public spaces. Empowering the safety market via digital intelligence China’s manufacturing sector has reached a critical turning point, where digitalisation and automation are enhancing overall efficiency and production line safety. In line with the new national plan for innovation-driven industrial upgrading, the government aims to build advanced manufacturing systems with closer integration between industry, services, and technology. The plan’s “AI Plus” initiative expands the use of artificial intelligence in operations, safety management, and emergency response.[1] Investment in fire-safety technology is rising in development zones as enterprises introduce loT and AI-based systems to strengthen detection, prevention, and response.[2] Together, these initiatives reflect the country’s continued approach in backing high-value and predictive and preventive operations. In light of these industry advances, Mr Edward Che, General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, revealed that the upcoming fair will demonstrate how AI and connected technologies are linking global expertise with local practice. “Intersec Shanghai 2026 highlights the growing confidence and international reach of China’s safety sector,” said Mr Che. “Leveraging Messe Frankfurt’s extensive global network, we are strengthening our collaboration with organisations such as the German Centre Taicang & Shanghai, which supports overseas companies in connecting with the local market, and VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH, one of the world’s most respected certification and safety‑training authorities whose […]

Evonik and Fuhua complete construction of specialty-grade H2O2 plant in Leshan, China

Evonik Fuhua New Materials has completed construction of its hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) facility in Leshan, Sichuan Province, China. The joint venture between Evonik and Fuhua Tongda Chemicals Company (Fuhua) will purify industrial-grade H2O2 into specialty grades to serve high-growth markets in the region. The plant is now preparing to enter trial production, with the first commercial volumes expected in Q2 2026. Based on technology licensed from Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line, the facility utilizes industrial-grade H2O2 produced by Fuhua as a feedstock. The resulting specialty grades will be offered to meet growing regional demand for high-end applications such as solar cell production, semiconductor manufacturing, food packaging, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The plant is designed with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons. Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Evonik Executive Board, emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration: “Evonik’s leading position in the global specialty chemicals industry is built on innovation, strong technology platforms, and a global network. This project showcases our exemplary cooperation model with important partners like Fuhua: By combining Evonik’s technological strengths with Fuhua’s industrial chain and local capabilities, we will jointly provide high-quality solutions for customers in the region and globally.” Dr. Claus Rettig, Interim CFO of Evonik and President of Evonik Asia Pacific, added: “This facility will strengthen Evonik’s supply capability and service efficiency in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in China. Through local cooperation, Evonik will be better positioned to meet the rapidly growing demand for high-purity specialty-grade hydrogen peroxide products, ensuring reliable and efficient support for our customers.” Fuhua Chairman Zhang Hua underscored the significance of the collaboration: “This partnership with Evonik marks an important milestone in Fuhua’s development toward higher-end and more international operations. The project will further enhance Fuhua’s competitiveness and support national development priorities in new energy, advanced manufacturing, and future-oriented chemical production.” Hydrogen peroxide is […]

Eight global climate tech start-ups shortlisted from 1,500 entries for The Liveability Challenge 2026

The Liveability Challenge 2026 drew over 1,500 submissions across 100 countries, with eight stand-out solutions shortlisted after a rigorous selection process. Image: Eco-Business. Eight high impact start-ups have been shortlisted in The Liveability Challenge (TLC) – a global crowdsourcing platform presented by Temasek Foundation and organised by Eco-Business. Chosen from a record 1,500 submissions across 100 countries, the finalists represent the cutting-edge innovations addressing urgent sustainable development challenges in the urban tropics. These disruptive and technology-driven solutions in the two chosen themes for the year – Decarbonisation and Cool Earth – range from closed-loop systems that reduce buildings’ cooling energy use to advanced textile recycling with significant reductions in energy, water and emissions, and next-generation carbon capture and hydrogen production systems. The 8 finalists for The Liveability Challenge 2026 are: Endo Enterprises (United Kingdom) Closed-loop hydronic additive for the built environment that reduces energy for cooling by up to 15%. FlueVault (Singapore) Low cost, low-purity industrial CO2 capture and storage with critical metal recovery. MacroCycleTechnologies (United States of America) Textile-to-textile polyester recycling technology with 80% lower energy usage, 80% lower CO2 emissions and 99% less water usage, all at price parity. Metha8 (Singapore) Methanol-to-power technology for 24/7 baseload generation with 60% efficiency and integrated CO₂ capture. Power To Hydrogen (United States of America) Low-cost hydrogen production system with five times greater durability, 65% lower capex and a pathway to US$2/kg of hydrogen. SPACECOOL (Japan) Passive radiative cooling that cuts energy use by up to 11% and reduces urban heat island effects. UP Catalyst (Estonia) Utilisation of flue gas to produce battery-grade carbon materials at 26% lower cost than conventional methods. YAMA (France) Electrified carbon capture technology for dilute gas-fired streams, delivering up to 50% lower costs than conventional methods while enabling flexible operation. Two finalists will each receive S$1 million in catalytic grant funding at The Liveability Challenge 2026 Grand Finale, which will be held on 20 May 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre – a flagship partner event of Ecosperity Week 2026 by Temasek. In addition, A*STAR has committed up to S$2 million annually over the next three years to support TLC, marking the platform’s largest funding injection to date, with […]

MHI completes transfer procedures for domestic onshore wind power business

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) as previously disclosed on November 7, 2025 announcement(1) and the February 10, 2026 announcement(2), MHI had entered into a legally binding agreement to transfer its domestic onshore wind power business (Target Business) to Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-Power). The transfer procedures have been completed as of April 1. This transfer of the Target Business—including engineering and after-sales services, but excluding certain continuing businesses, such a joint business with Vestas Wind A/S of Denmark—will strengthen and further expand J-Power’s foundation as a wind power developer by integrating MHI’s accumulated wind power expertise. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the future expansion of J-Power’s wind power development activities and the strengthening of its technical and maintenance capabilities, leading to further growth. MHI is convinced that this will not only provide customers with greater value but also offer new opportunities for growth and development to employees engaged in this business. (1) “MHI Reaches a Basic Agreement with J-POWER on the Transfer of its Domestic Onshore Wind Power Business” https://www.mhi.com/news/25110702.html (2) “(Update on Disclosed Matter) Notice Regarding the Conclusion of an Absorption-type Split Agreement for the Succession of Business to a Subsidiary via Company Split (Simplified Absorption-type Split) and a Share Transfer Agreement for Shares in the Said Subsidiary” https://www.mhi.com/notice/notice_260210.html

Nanbu Relay Center completed

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has successfully completed the construction of the Nanbu Relay Center for the Ken’ou-Kennan Clean Authority (comprising the municipalities of Shimabara City, Isahaya City, Unzen City, and Minamishimabara City) in Nagasaki Prefecture. This project is part of the waste transfer facility development and operation contract awarded to MHIEC in 2024. The project involved establishing a new Nanbu Relay Center in Minamishimabara City and managing a total of three relay centers, including the existing Tobu and Seibu Relay Centers. This initiative supports the efficient and stable transportation of combustible waste generated throughout the member municipalities to the second-phase waste treatment facility, the Ken’ou-Kennan Clean Center, newly constructed in Isahaya City and scheduled to commence operations in April 2026. A relay center(1) serves as a critical hub where waste collected by refuse collection vehicles is compressed using compactors and transferred to large transport vehicles for delivery to incineration plants or final disposal sites. At the Nanbu Relay Center, approximately 43 tons of combustible waste per day are compressed and volume-reduced by using a compactor-container system before being transported to the Ken’ou-Kennan Clean Center. The total contract value for construction and operation of the facility amounts to approximately 11.375 billion yen (excluding tax). MHIEC, in joint venture with MHI Group’s Jukan Operation Co., Ltd., has been entrusted with the 20-year operation and management of all three relay centers under a DBO(2) scheme. MHIEC took over the waste treatment plant business in 2008, acquiring MHI’s technological development capabilities in environmental systems and broad-ranging expertise in the construction and operation of waste management facilities both in Japan and overseas. Based on this robust track record, MHIEC is well positioned to propose comprehensive solutions encompassing all aspects from plant […]

UMOE Advanced Composites starts large-scale production in China

UMOE Advanced Composites (UAC), a global supplier of large Type IV glass fibre pressure gas storage and transportation modules, has reached a key operational milestone with the first composite cylinders rolling off the production line at its new manufacturing facility in Jiaxing, marking the start of industrial production at the company’s largest global production base. The Jiaxing facility will support the production of Multi-Element Gas Containers (MEGCs), including units delivered to Hiringa Sundown Joint Venture, for the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) Project, an integrated solar-powered hydrogen and ammonia project currently under construction in New South Wales, Australia, and designed to supply green ammonia and hydrogen for industrial and transport use. The project forms part of Hiringa’s broader hydrogen infrastructure development across Australia and New Zealand. The delivery comprises five MEGCs in total – two 20-foot and three 40-foot units – providing flexible, scalable storage capacity to support hydrogen transport and distribution within the project’s logistics infrastructure. The 12,000 m² facility represents a significant step toward UAC’s global growth strategy and will play a central role in supporting the expansion of hydrogen and clean gas logistics across Asia and international markets. The site has a potential annual capacity of up to 20,000 composite cylinders. In parallel, the company is pursuing a special permit to enable domestic market distribution, supporting future deliveries within China. The combination of glass fibre composite technology and manufacturing in China strengthens the commercial viability of hydrogen projects by reducing storage and transport costs, supporting faster scaling of zero-emission mobility, shipping and industrial applications. Located in the Yangtze River Delta, approximately 100 km from Shanghai, the plant sits within one of China’s most dynamic industrial and hydrogen development clusters. The region hosts a rapidly growing hydrogen ecosystem, including around 30 hydrogen refuelling stations along approximately 650 […]

Windhoek moves closer to becoming Africa’s next startup hub with Accelerate36 Initiative

Grindstone, the growth engineer co-owned by Knife Capital and Thinkroom, joined ecosystem partners in Windhoek last week in launching a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening Namibia’s startup ecosystem. This effort seeks to create a pathway for high-growth startups to access public capital markets. The event, held under the banner of Accelerate 36, brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, founders and ecosystem builders to explore how Namibia can unlock economic growth. This will be done by developing a pipeline of scalable startups and enabling their listing on the Development Capital Board (DevX) of the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX). “We have the influence, brainpower, and energy in this room to ensure that we transform the Namibian capital markets”, said Ben Bertolini, Namibian angel investor, at the opening of the event. Accelerate 36 aims to align stakeholders around a shared ambition: positioning Windhoek as a thriving startup hub whilst expanding Namibia’s investable universe and deepening its capital markets. The initiative proposes a structured pathway that supports startups from validation and growth through to listing and eventual graduation to the NSX main board. Whilst Namibia has strong entrepreneurial talent and a growing innovation ecosystem, relatively few Namibian startups successfully scale into governance-ready companies capable of attracting institutional investment. At the same time, Namibia’s domestic capital markets face a shrinking investable universe, whilst pension funds are required to allocate a portion of their portfolios to alternative investments. This initiative aims to bridge this gap by creating a disciplined system that prepares startups for public markets whilst strengthening governance, transparency and investor confidence. The proposed model focuses on a clear progression: validating promising startups, preparing them for listing on the NSX Development Capital Board, supporting their growth through structured capital raising, and ultimately enabling successful companies to graduate to the NSX Main Board. By building this pathway, […]

Grundfos unveils Intelligent Experience Centre in India: Setting new standard in smart water solutions

An experience and demo hub showcasing the journey of water and Grundfos’ intelligent solutions, to power a more sustainable India Grundfos, one of the world’s leading companies in energy-efficient water solutions, announced the launch of the Grundfos Intelligent Experience Centre (GIEC) in Chennai, India. The Centre marks a major milestone in the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric transformation across the entire water ecosystem. Designed as an immersive, state-of-the-art demonstration of technology enabled water solutions, the GIEC brings to life the complete journey of water, from intake and treatment to distribution, industrial processing, cooling, wastewater transfer and reuse. It showcases how Grundfos’ advanced pumps, digital solutions, smart controllers, and monitoring technologies drive efficiency, resilience and measurable sustainability impact across industries, buildings, utilities and homes. A Strategic Experience Hub for India and the Region GIEC is built to serve as a dynamic platform for live demonstrations, application optimisation, customer engagements, solution mapping and industrywide knowledge exchange. By emulating real-world water flows across Industry, Commercial Buildings, Domestic Buildings, and Water Utility, the Centre enables visitors to see firsthand how intelligent solutions translate into reliability, cost efficiency and operational excellence. Visitors can also engage in an immersive experience across a diverse range of applications and needs, with the opportunity to explore and understand the full depth and range of sustainable solutions offered by Grundfos. This empowers them to optimise their energy and water footprint effectively, helping drive smarter, more sustainable operations across sectors. Positioned as a flagship capability centre for India, GIEC will support a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including end-users, OEMs, policymakers, consultants, contractors, facility managers, and sustainability leaders, helping them make informed, future-aligned decisions based on transparent performance insights. “When innovation, sustainable design, and digital management converge, the impact is significant and meaningful. This approach is at the core of Grundfos’ business, […]

Every click has a cost: Singapore’s push to make digital use more sustainable

As AI and cloud use surge, the city-state explores new ways to cut the rising energy footprint of digital services. By Taejun Kang Your smartphone feels clean – no exhaust pipe, no smokestack. Yet streaming an hour of video uses about 0.037 kWh of electricity, equivalent to running a ceiling fan for about three to four hours. When scaled across billions of global searches, streams and artificial intelligence (AI) interactions each day, the energy demand behind routine digital activity is substantial. “The environmental impact of our digital consumption is far more significant than most people realise,” said Dr Lawrence Wee, director of business and ecosystems at Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). As part of IMDA’s BizTech Group, his team focuses on advancing the country’s digital innovation and sustainability across the tech ecosystem. “We are seeing a digital paradox: the very technologies that offer solutions for climate change are simultaneously driving up energy consumption.” Studies over the past several years have placed the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)’s share of global greenhouse gas emissions between 1.8 and 2.8 per cent, with a more recent analysis estimating it at around 3.4 per cent. Data centres – facilities that house servers and keep the internet, cloud services and digital applications running – are among the most energy-intensive components of this ecosystem because they require continuous power and cooling. Singapore is no exception to this trend. The city-state hosts one of the region’s densest clusters of data centres, with about 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of computing capacity from 70 data centres, which power everything from e-payments to food-delivery apps. By regional standards, this capacity is unusually concentrated. Unlike neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia or Thailand, where data centres are spread across vast land areas and multiple power grids, Singapore compresses a similar scale of digital infrastructure into just 734 square kilometres, intensifying pressure on electricity supply, land use and […]

SLB awarded integrated development contract for Mutriba Field in Kuwait

Global technology company SLB has been awarded by Kuwait Oil Company, a $1.5 billion, five-year integrated contract for the Mutriba field in Kuwait, including design, development and production management. The work builds on SLB’s subsurface understanding of the Mutriba field to support development planning and execution across deeper, technically demanding reservoir conditions. The contract covers development of high-pressure, high-temperature reservoirs with sour conditions, reflecting an expanded scope and responsibility for SLB as work on the Mutriba field progresses. “This award reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership with Kuwait Oil Company and the trust built over decades of working together,” said Steve Gassen, executive vice president, Geographies, SLB. “As development of the Mutriba field moves into its next stage, we are taking on end-to-end responsibility to support safe, reliable execution in complex reservoir conditions.” The project is designed to support faster development of technically challenging and remote resources, while prioritizing capital efficiency and environmental considerations. It reflects a broader shift toward end-to-end delivery models that reduce execution risk as fields move into more complex phases of development. Key points Kuwait Oil Company awarded SLB a $1.5 billion, five-year integrated development contract for the next stage of development of the Mutriba field in Kuwait, underscoring the scale and significance of the award. SLB will be responsible for the integrated design, development and production of the field. The contract advances work already underway and reflects a deepening of the long-standing partnership between SLB and Kuwait Oil Company as development progresses. The scope covers deeper, technically demanding reservoirs characterized by high pressure, high temperature and sour conditions, marking a more complex phase of field development. About SLB SLB is a global technology company that has driven energy innovation for 100 years. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing […]

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