Southwire Achieves Its First LEED Certification for a Manufacturing Plant

Southwire — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.

“We are proud to see the Bremen Industrial Plant lead the way as Southwire’s first manufacturing facility to be awarded LEED Silver,” said Jason Nine, Director of Process Technology Optimization at Southwire. “It is important to us to support Southwire’s commitment to generational sustainability by building new sites to the highest standard of quality, excellence and environmental and human health.”

The Bremen Industrial Plant achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

During the building’s design and construction phase, the team worked closely with contractors to implement improvements such as individualized HVAC and lighting for offices, using light-colored roofing to reduce the urban heat island effect, capturing rainwater and reducing light pollution in the parking lots.

“LEED certification is the ultimate recognition of global green building leadership, signaling that a space has undergone rigorous third-party verification and meets the highest green building standards,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO of the USGBC. “The success of LEED is due to the partnership and support of those committed to advancing green building and sustainability. Each new LEED certification brings us one step closer to revolutionizing the spaces where we live, learn, work and play.”

Certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability. More than 129,434 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 12 billion square feet of commercial space in all 50 states and more than 186 countries and territories.

"Southwire not only ‘talks the talk’ but actually ‘walks the walk.’ This is another example of Southwire doing well by doing good," said Casey Long, Vice President of Manufacturing. "I am proud of the Bremen team and our partners for delivering a result that strengthens our sustainability goals today and in the future."

For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/sustainability.

The Ray Publishes “State of The Ray 2025” Annual Report

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:40:00 -0400

ATLANTA, April 13, 2026 /3BL/ - The Ray has published its annual report—State of The Ray 2025—documenting a landmark year in which the organization achieved unprecedented national impact. Moving beyond its foundational roots in Georgia, The Ray spent 2025 mapping the geospatial data needed to develop the policy frameworks and on-the-ground implementations that will redefine American infrastructure.

The year’s hallmark achievement was the creation of a comprehensive national right-of-way (ROW) dataset in partnership with the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). By mapping the energy potential and suitability of the entire U.S. roadside, The Ray is providing the data-driven solutions required to transform thousands of miles of passive land into active corridors for energy security and grid stability. As we prepare to expand our partnerships with state Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies this year, the insights we now possess make us your right-of-way experts.

On the ecological front, the Natural Capital Program proved the fiscal value of living infrastructure through several 2025 milestones. The Ray secured a $10,000 grant from the UIC Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group for three native pollinator meadows in Charleston County, SC, while executing site-specific habitat projects with Goodyear in Michigan and Ryder in North Carolina. These initiatives, alongside a landmark agreement with the Georgia DOT (GDOT) for ten statewide installations, utilize deep-rooted native vegetation to provide mechanical slope stabilization. By effectively reducing pollution and atmospheric elements, these projects offer a pragmatic solution to decrease mowing frequency and lower maintenance costs for state agencies.

Operational safety and circularity also reached new heights before the end of the year. In partnership with ATLDOT and Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC, The Ray completed the first municipal application of Recycled Rubber-Modified Asphalt (RMA) in downtown Atlanta—upcycling 500 tires into a more durable, quieter road surface. Simultaneously, the expansion of the Pi-Lit® Impact Detection System with GDOT has modernized asset management by providing real-time alerts within 60 seconds of a vehicle impact, ensuring critical safety hardware is repaired immediately.

“2025 was the year we realized a high level of impact on a truly national scale. Our work is no longer just a blueprint for the future; it is the technical and operational standard that federal and state partners use to build a smarter, safer, and more resilient transportation system today.”

— Allie Kelly, Executive Director

At the heart of these successes is The Ray’s unique Public-Private-Philanthropic-Partnership (P4) model. By aligning the philanthropic community's resources with the private sector's technical ingenuity and the public sector's regulatory authority, we provide a neutral platform for rapid innovation. This collaborative framework is our essential tool for reimagining infrastructure—allowing us to prove that our transportation networks can be safer, cleaner, and more productive for the communities they serve.

Let’s drive the future.

Media Contact

Dallen McLemore, Communications Specialist, The Ray

229.449.6168 | dallen@theray.org | @TheRayHighway

Scaling Natural Infrastructure: The Ray and GDOT Expand Statewide Habitat Partnership

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 09:40:00 -0400

ATLANTA, April 2, 2026 /3BL/ - The Ray is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its long-standing partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Following the success of initial trials, a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed to implement dual-purpose habitat and slope stabilization projects across 10 strategic sites in Central, East Central, and West Central Georgia.

This statewide rollout represents a transition from localized research to a scalable infrastructure strategy. By integrating native pollinator habitats—specifically designed to support the Monarch butterfly—into the highway right-of-way, The Ray and GDOT are optimizing public land for both safety and high-performance land management.

Biological Engineering for Roadside Safety

At the core of this 10-site expansion is the use of living infrastructure to solve traditional engineering challenges. One of the primary sites, shared with Kia Georgia at Exit 6, serves as a model for how deep-rooted native vegetation can replace high-maintenance turf to provide:

Soil Stabilization: Native grasses and wildflowers develop complex root architectures that anchor the soil more effectively than shallow-rooted turf, reducing the risk of erosion and slope failure on steep embankments.
Maintenance Cost Savings: By establishing self-sustaining habitats, GDOT can reduce the frequency of mechanical mowing and chemical herbicide applications, resulting in significant long-term operational savings.
Pollution Filtration: These "working landscapes" act as natural buffers, capturing and filtering road runoff before it leaves the transportation corridor.

A Model for Inter-Agency Cooperation

The signing of this MOA is a testament to the collaborative vision of leadership of both The Ray and GDOT, namely Andrew Heath and the GDOT’s State Maintenance Office. This multi-district approach ensures that the benefits of natural capital are distributed statewide, creating a system of high-performance roadsides that strengthens and stabilizes our physical transportation network.

“The Ray is dedicated to proving that the roadside can do more than move vehicles, said Josh Weaver, Natural Capital Manager for The Ray. "By scaling these 10 sites with GDOT, we are demonstrating a sophisticated approach to asset management that prioritizes both the integrity of our infrastructure and the health of our local ecosystems.”

Planting for the Future

Work on these sites is already underway, with a focus on preparing the soil for native seed mixes calibrated to Georgia’s climate and soil types. These sites will not only serve as a refuge for endangered pollinators but also function as "living laboratories" where The Ray can continue to gather data on the economic and mechanical advantages of biological roadside management.

As these 10 sites take hold across the state, they will provide a roadmap for other DOTs nationwide to transform underutilized rights-of-way into high-value, resilient infrastructure assets.

Stay tuned as we track the progress of these sites from the initial seeding to full bloom. Let’s drive the future together.

Media Contact:

Dallen McLemore: dallen@theray.org 229-449-6168

The Ray and City of Doraville, Georgia Partner To Transform Urban Roadside Assets

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:40:00 -0400

ATLANTA, March 31, 2026 /3BL/ - The Ray installed a pollinator meadow in the City of Doraville, Georgia in late February. The project represents a strategic partnership to enhance the value of public land at one of the region's most active transportation hubs.

Located at the intersection of I-285, Buford Highway, and Oakcliff Road, the new meadow sits at a "height of greatness" for visibility. By converting this high-traffic roadside tract into a functional landscape, The Ray and the City of Doraville are demonstrating how underutilized transit corridors can be transitioned into productive, managed assets that benefit the local community and the regional economy.

Strategic Land Management

This installation is more than a beautification effort; it is a deployment of living infrastructure. By replacing traditional turf grass with deep-rooted native wildflowers and grasses, we are addressing several operational goals:

Maintenance Efficiency: Native meadows, once established, require significantly less mowing and chemical intervention than traditional grass, reducing long-term labor costs for local government.
Stormwater Control: The complex root systems of these native species improve soil quality and increase the land’s ability to manage heavy rainfall, mitigating runoff issues common in paved urban environments.
Pollution Mitigation: These plantings act as a natural biological filter, helping to capture particulates and runoff at a busy intersection before they impact local water systems.

A Collaborative Milestone

The project was made possible through the leadership of Austin Shelton and the City of Doraville’s Community Development team. This partnership highlights the growing demand from local governments for innovative land stewardship solutions that provide tangible returns on public investment.

“The strategic location of this meadow allows for prime visibility to the traveling public, said Josh Weaver, The Ray's Natural Capital Manager. "By demonstrating the functional value of these landscapes in high-traffic areas, we can build the stakeholder buy-in needed to scale these solutions across the region.”

Looking Ahead

While the physical seeding is complete, the meadow is now entering its most critical phase: establishment. Over the coming spring months, the carefully selected native seeds will germinate, eventually providing a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape that supports local biodiversity while protecting the roadside's integrity.

The Ray remains committed to scaling these natural capital solutions across Georgia. As this "living laboratory" in Doraville takes root, it will serve as a blueprint for other municipalities looking to optimize their transportation corridors for safety, beauty, and operational resilience.

Stay tuned for updates as we monitor the growth of the Doraville meadow.

Let’s drive the future, together.

Media Contact:

Dallen McLemore: dallen@theray.org 229-449-6168

Carnival Corporation Expands Shore Power Commitment

Carnival Corporation — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Investment reflects company’s shared commitment to reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions and noise in port communities

MIAMI, March 19, 2026 /3BL/ - Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, is advancing its commitment to shore power infrastructure as construction progresses on a major electrification project in Whittier, Alaska, roughly 90 minutes southeast of Anchorage.

Developed in partnership with the State of Alaska, Chugach Electric Association and Carnival Corporation, the Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal Electrification Project will enable ships from two of the company’s world-class cruise lines – Holland America Line and Princess Cruises – to shut down engines while in port and operate on electricity from the local grid. The project includes electrical system upgrades, the installation of voltage step-down equipment near the cruise dock, and shore power connections to support EV charging.

Construction on the Whittier project began in 2023 with $12 million in combined funding from the State of Alaska, Holland America Line and Chugach Electric Association. Key equipment, including transformers and capacitor banks, has been delivered, and infrastructure work is progressing toward completion in 2027.

“Shore power remains an essential part of our decarbonization strategy as we pursue net zero greenhouse gas emissions from our ship operations by 2050,” said Robert Morgenstern, senior vice president for Princess and Holland America’s Alaska operations. “Alaska's natural beauty is central to our guests' experience, and this infrastructure investment demonstrates our shared commitment to protecting the environments we visit. It also reaffirms a partnership that dates back more than two decades to when we pioneered the cruise industry's first shore power project with Juneau."

Building on Two Decades of Industry Leadership

Carnival Corporation first adopted shore power in the cruise industry over 20 years ago. In 2001, Princess Cruises partnered with the City and Borough of Juneau to electrify Franklin Dock, creating the world's first shore power-equipped cruise terminal.

Today, Carnival Corporation leads the industry with 74% of its fleet fully equipped to use shore power technology when available. In fact, nearly half of the company's cruise lines have 100% shore-power-capable fleets, with plans to install additional shore-power connections fleetwide over the next several years.

Pioneering Shore Power Expansion Across Markets and Brands

The Whittier project marks the latest in a series of shore power milestones as Carnival Corporation continues to work closely with port partners globally to prioritize the expansion of this technology worldwide. Most recently, the company’s AIDA Cruises brand became the first to plug into landside electrical power in Rotterdam and Copenhagen, which marked the 13^th and 14^th cruise ports in Europe where the company’s ships use shore power.

In the U.S., Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Conquest marked the first cruise ship to connect to new shore power infrastructure at PortMiami in 2024, which became the first major cruise port on the U.S. eastern seaboard offering shore power connections at five cruise berths. The company also recently celebrated 20 years of plugging into landside electrical power in Seattle where its Princess Cruises brand was the first to connect, underscoring its long-standing partnership with the Port of Seattle.

How Shore Power Works

Shore power allows cruise operators to switch off ship engines while in port and connect to the local electric grid to power onboard systems and equipment. Using shore power can reduce total emissions by up to 100%, depending on the energy source mix.

Carnival Corporation is committed to connecting to shoreside electricity in port when it is available and operationally feasible. It’s one of many emission-reduction technologies Carnival Corporation uses as part of its overall decarbonization strategy and pursuit of net-zero GHG emissions from ship operations by 2050. Thanks to the aggressive ongoing actions taken to date throughout the fleet, Carnival Corporation is producing approximately 15% less total greenhouse gas emissions today than its peak historical year (2011), despite increasing capacity by roughly 38% since then.

For more information on Carnival Corporation's long-term sustainability vision and progress, visit https://www.carnivalcorp.com/impact

This release may include claims related to our greenhouse gas emissions reductions, goals, initiatives, accomplishments, and progress reports. Supporting data for such greenhouse gas emissions claims, including data verification information, is published in our Sustainability Reports on carnivalcorp.com/impact on an annual basis.

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About Carnival Corporation & plc

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

For more information, please visit www.carnivalcorp.com, www.aida.de, www.carnival.com, www.costacruises.com, www.cunard.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.pocruises.com, www.princess.com, and www.seabourn.com.

To learn more about Carnival Corporation’s purpose and our positive impact worldwide on people and the planet, go to www.carnivalcorp.com/impact/.

Carnival Corporation Media Contacts:

Jody Venturoni, Carnival Corporation, jventuroni@carnival.com

Janna Rowell, Carnival Corporation, jrowell@carnival.com

The Ray Unveils Digital Transformation To Fuel National Expansion

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Mon, 9 Feb 2026 09:40:00 -0500

February 9, 2026 /3BL/ - The Ray is pleased to announce the official launch of its redesigned website—theray.org—marking a pivotal shift in the organization’s digital presence as it scales innovative infrastructure solutions across the United States. This online upgrade reflects The Ray’s rapid evolution over the past three years from a single testbed in Georgia to a nationally recognized nonprofit managing large-scale projects from coast to coast.

The year-long project was executed in partnership with expert UX-UI designer Max Brooks and The Ray’s in-house Marketing and Communications team. Grounded in market research and user testing, the new platform is designed to serve as a high-performance tool for national-scale engagement, streamlining how government and industry partners interact with The Ray’s core services.

A Modern Engine for Change

The new website serves as a bridge between complex infrastructure innovation and the partners who make it possible. Key enhancements include:

Strategic Content Architecture: Information is organized around core business objectives to facilitate connections among partners, industry leaders, and sponsors.

Intuitive UX-UI Design: A professional, modern aesthetic mirrors The Ray’s identity as a leader in safety, energy + mobility, geospatial solutions, natural capital, and waste.

Mobile Optimization: A fully responsive experience that ensures partners and stakeholders can access information seamlessly while working on the go.

Streamlined Navigation: A simplified user journey that allows visitors to quickly discover who we are, what we do, where we do it, and how to get on the map.

“Our mission has always been to demonstrate that highways can be safer, more productive, and better integrated with our natural surroundings, but it was time for our digital footprint to match our current impact. As we continue to advance colocation projects, aligning energy and mobility using geospatial solutions, all while implementing regenerative landscapes, a brand refresh was vital. The Ray is scaling proven, resilient technologies to a national standard. Our new website provides the visibility and tools needed to shape the next generation of infrastructure improvements and to invite world-class partners to build a more efficient future with us.”

— Allie Kelly, Executive Director of The Ray

Explore the Future of Infrastructure

The Ray invites the media, potential partners, and the public to explore the new site and discover how the organization is redefining American roadsides nationwide.

Click here to visit the new website.

This 18-Mile Stretch of Road Could Be the Future for Highways

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:40:00 -0500

The Ray's executive director, Allie Kelly, was recently interviewed by Derek Van Dam of CNN.

They were featured riding the 18-mile stretch of highway in Southwest Georgia, highlighting technologies that are currently being demonstrated along the southbound highway and at the Georgia Visitor Information Center on I-85 North just before Exit 1 in West Point, Georgia.

"The Ray is focused on creating a safer, cleaner and more efficient support of the economy and our communities," said Kelly. "Zero deaths, zero carbon emissions from vehicles, zero waste from the transportation sector."

Watch the video interview here.

How Milano Cortina 2026 Redefines the Concept of Olympic Living

International Olympic Committee — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:05:00 -0500

International Olympic Committee news

The Games’ organisers are making the best use of the world-class venues already woven into the landscape, across Northern Italy’s cities, valleys and Alpine towns. The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Villages follow the same mode, redefining the concept of Olympic living: from Milan’s city centre through to Cortina’s Dolomite valleys and Livigno’s high-altitude borderlands, the decentralised Games won’t have a single campus. Instead, six Olympic Villages will seamlessly adapt to their surroundings: some developed through new constructions, renovations or temporary structures; others hosted within existing hotels, transforming them into fully integrated Village environments. Together, the Villages form a network rooted in the character and unique needs of each host community.

Key facts:

Milano Cortina 2026 will have six Olympic Villages across Northern Italy – in Milan, Livigno, Bormio, Predazzo, Anterselva and Cortina – combining new, temporary and existing facilities tailored to local contexts.
Each location is designed to make the most of existing or temporary structures, minimising new construction and adapting to local needs, while ensuring all athletes can enjoy the full Olympic experience.
The newly built Milano Olympic Village, located in the Porta Romana district, will become a permanent student neighbourhood, while other sites will return to tourism or open space, reflecting a focus on reuse and lasting local value.

The geography of Northern Italy makes this approach both logical and necessary. Venues are spread between Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Alpine valleys of Lombardy, Trentino and South Tyrol, linked by a carefully planned network. With Olympic Villages in Milan, Cortina, Livigno, Bormio, Predazzo and Anterselva, no athlete is too far from their competition site.

At the same time, efforts have been made to ensure all athletes can enjoy the full Olympic experience. Milan Cortina 2026 will be the first edition of the Winter Games with a multi-centred model. The Opening Ceremony will also reflect the Games’ multi-centred model: thanks to an innovative and inclusive project, all athletes will be able to participate in a shared experience between Milan, Cortina, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme. As a result of this approach, more athletes than ever before will have the possibility to take part in the Opening Ceremony and be part of the parade of their delegation.

Olympic Villages have always reflected their time – from wooden huts in 1924 to lasting community neighbourhoods today. Each edition tells a story about the context and ambitions of its hosts. Milano Cortina 2026 continues this evolution, showing that housing athletes is about more than logistics – it’s about creating lasting value for local people.
Marie Sallois IOC Director for Sustainability

Milan – Porta Romana’s urban reinvention

In the southeast of the city, the abandoned Porta Romana railway yard is being reborn as the Milan Olympic and Paralympic Village. Once a tangle of sidings and warehouses, the site is now home to six new residential blocks with pale façades and clean, geometric lines, set around tree-lined courtyards, alongside two restored brick depots that preserve the site’s industrial character.

During the Games, it will accommodate about 1,500 residents. After the Games, it will be converted into a vibrant neighbourhood offering 1,700 student beds, including subsidised accommodation, interwoven with cafés, shops and green spaces.

The project is part of Milan’s long-term regeneration plan, stitching an industrial scar into the urban fabric. Sustainability is embedded throughout: the Village is targeting LEED Gold certification through rooftop solar panels, rainwater reuse systems, heat pumps and low-carbon materials. The Village Plaza, a wide, pedestrian square framed by the new buildings, will become a public space for markets and community life after the Games.

Cortina – A Temporary Solution in the Dolomites

Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “Queen of the Dolomites” and host of the 1956 Games, will once again welcome the world. Its 2026 Olympic Village, located in Fiames just north of the town, is purposefully temporary: a modular complex built from mobile, prefabricated units. About 377 of these compact wooden-clad homes, each about the size of a small apartment and equipped with modern climate control and ergonomic furnishings, will be arranged in orderly rows, connected by walkways and plazas. The result is a pop-up Alpine town for 1,400 residents, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pomagagnon and Tofane peaks.

During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Village will function as a compact community with dining halls and shared recreation spaces. Then, it will be dismantled, returning the land to open space.

Livigno – adapted Alpine lodges

High in the Alps near the Swiss border, Livigno is renowned worldwide as a hub for freestyle and snowboard sports. Instead of building a new facility, three traditional Alpine lodges with timber balconies and pitched roofs will be adapted to host athletes just steps from the slopes. After the Games, these lodges will return to Livigno’s vibrant hospitality sector, avoiding new construction while strengthening the town’s established tourism economy.

Bormio – historic ski resort welcomes Olympians

Further west, Bormio will welcome athletes in existing hotels, located close to the Alpine skiing venues. This approach allows the resort to make the most of its existing infrastructure while ensuring athletes stay close to their competition sites.

Anterselva – hotels accommodate athletes

In Anterselva, world-renowned for biathlon, athletes will be accommodated in existing hotels. After the Games, they will return to regular tourism, embodying the same principle of adaptation and reuse that defines Milano Cortina 2026.

Predazzo – existing facilities upgraded for the Games

In Predazzo, within the Val di Fiemme cluster, an existing facility is being renovated to accommodate athletes and officials, including those competing in Tesero. It combines modernisation with respect for the town’s character and heritage.

Southwire and Orange Charger Announce Strategic Partnership

Southwire — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Southwire Company LLC, North America’s leading wire and cable manufacturer and an essential provider of power infrastructure, has announced a strategic investment in Orange Charger, the fastest-growing provider of reliable, right-sized EV charging and emerging energy management solutions built specifically for multifamily housing.

By combining Southwire’s extensive expertise in power distribution and installation solutions with Orange’s purpose-built charging platform, the companies will jointly develop streamlined installation packages and material bundles that reduce complexity and lower total deployment costs for multifamily owners.

The collaboration will accelerate deployments nationwide and make it easier for properties to adopt reliable, right-sized EV charging without unnecessary infrastructure upgrades.

“This partnership brings more than capital; it brings a true strategic ally,” said Neil Joseph, CEO of Orange Charger. “Southwire’s scale and expertise will help us streamline installations, reduce deployment costs through integrated material packages and accelerate joint product development that will continue to simplify charging for multifamily owners and EV drivers. With Southwire also joining as a board observer, we’re gaining a partner aligned and committed to our long-term strategy. We’re excited to continue expanding access to reliable and affordable EV charging across communities nationwide.”

“Southwire is committed to supporting innovative technologies that advance electrification and grid modernization,” said Corky Whipple, Southwire’s VP of Engineered Solutions. “Orange Charger’s focus on scalable, cost-effective EV charging for multifamily properties aligns with our mission to power a more sustainable future.”

Orange is solving one of the most persistent barriers in EV adoption: affordable, dependable home charging for renters. The company’s hardware and software platform delivers smart, right-sized charging that can reduce installation costs by up to 70%, while giving property owners and residents a simple, reliable charging experience with no ongoing software or networking fees.

Powered by OrangeNet, the company’s proprietary mesh network and edge-compute platform, Orange delivers 98%+ successful charge sessions, even in challenging environments like underground garages without relying on managed Wi-Fi or LTE extenders. This same platform establishes the foundation for Orange’s next generation of energy products designed to help properties participate in the broader energy economy and unlock new revenue streams.

Together, Southwire and Orange Charger are building the infrastructure needed to deliver affordable, reliable EV charging and future-ready energy solutions to communities everywhere.

To learn more about Southwire's sustainability initiatives, visit https://southwire.com/sustainability.

SCS Global Services Supports Industry Launch of Common Materials Framework Implementation Toolkit To Accelerate Collaboration, Automation, and Digitization of Sustainable Materials Decisions

SCS Global Services — Wed, 5 Nov 2025 16:00:00 -0500

LOS ANGELES, November 5, 2025 /3BL/ - SCS Global Services, a leader in third-party certification, today announces its support and participation in the development of mindful MATERIALS’ Common Materials Framework (CMF) Implementation Toolkit—a practical, role-based resource designed to connect the building industry’s sustainability efforts by accelerating digitized, interoperable materials data.

Launched at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, the Toolkit helps every stakeholder—architects, designers, engineers, contractors, owners, manufacturers, ecolabels & standards, technology partners, and program partners—map what they’re already doing to the CMF, reduce duplication, and scale efficiency across the industry when it comes to sustainable materials vetting and reporting.

“As longtime contributors and content partners of mindful MATERIALS and most recently a member of the CMF Implementation working group, we are thrilled to see the alignment of industry data coming to fruition with the CMF toolkit,” says Karen Righthand, VP, Corporate Marketing of SCS Global Services. “With technology acceleration in recent years, SCS continues to prioritize high quality data and collaboration with the industry to connect data more efficiently for sustainable decision making.”

What’s In the CMF Implementation Toolkit

Audience-Specific Guidance for AEC/O firms, manufacturers, ecolabels & standards, technology partners, and program partners—each with clear steps to align programs, data, and workflows to CMF impact areas.
Common Give & Common Ask Templates that streamline requests and responses across the value chain, cutting duplicative outreach and conflicting formats.
Digitization Playbooks that outline how to integrate with approved Tech Partners and move from PDFs and spreadsheets to connected, machine-readable data.
Advocacy Tools that help stakeholders champion CMF-aligned, digitized endpoints with peers and partners.
Case Studies that show how alignment fuels credible reporting, project efficiency, and better decisions (e.g., Gensler GPS 2.0; Mecho; Cradle to Cradle; Acelab).

Co-Developed by Forum Members and Partners

The CMF Implementation Toolkit was co-developed through the mindful MATERIALS Forums—a coalition of more than 70 organizations spanning design, construction, manufacturing, technology, ecolabel/standards, rating system, and program partners. Forum members have collaborated with mindful MATERIALS since 2022 to further define the Common Materials Framework, align cross-industry priorities, and identify practical steps to operationalize it.

Recognizing that no single organization can drive this change alone, Forum members are leveraging the power of the collective—because only through shared alignment and collaboration can the industry truly scale the impact of its sustainable materials work.

“For years, we’ve all been trying to solve the same challenge from different angles," says Annie Bevan, President of mindful MATERIALS. "The CMF Implementation Toolkit finally brings those efforts together. It turns alignment into action—and action into measurable impact.”

Why It Matters Now

The building industry has invested heavily in designing and constructing high-performing, sustainable spaces—but without consistent, connected product data, it’s impossible to measure true impact. Aligning to the CMF allows every stakeholder to translate existing work into a shared digital structure that drives consistency, efficiency, and credible impact at scale.

Benefits for everyone involved:

Save time and money by reducing duplicative requests, manual entry, and one-off vetting.
Strengthen credibility and comparability across projects, programs, and tools.
Accelerate adoption and automation as data flows consistently through digital workflows.
Demonstrate leadership as clients and jurisdictions increasingly demand transparent, impact-aligned materials.

Get Started

The CMF Implementation Toolkit is available now. Access audience-specific guidance, templates, and resources at https://www.mindfulmaterials.com/cmf-implementation-toolkit.

Join the movement: A free webinar will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. ET to walk participants through the Toolkit and its applications.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AHGxQVtlQS-afbjPwfQz2w#/registration

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About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, and standards development, currently celebrating its 40th year of services. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a California-chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

Media Contact:

Nikki Senseman
Director of Client Marketing, SCS Global Services
nsenseman@scsglobalservices.com

About mindful MATERIALS

mindful MATERIALS (mM) is a nonprofit industry collaborative advancing healthier, more sustainable buildings by aligning the ecosystem around a Common Materials Framework and the connected data required to scale impact. Through the mM Forum, partnerships, and practical tools, mM helps manufacturers, AEC/O firms, ecolabels & standards, technology platforms, and program partners speak a shared language—so credible information flows where decisions are made.

Media Contact:

Jen Levisen
Director of Communications, mindful MATERIALS
jen.levisen@mindfulmaterials.com

Green Building Initiative and Global Electronics Council Align to Advance Whole Building Energy Efficiency

Global Electronics Council — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:35:00 -0400

PORTLAND, Ore., October 28, 2025 /3BL/ - The Green Building Initiative (GBI) has announced that the Global Electronics Council’s (GEC) EPEAT® ecolabel will serve as an additional pathway for evaluating the sustainability and efficiency of products within GBI Ascent^™ and Green Globes®certifications. This alignment strengthens the connection between product-level sustainability and building-level performance, enabling more holistic evaluation of energy efficiency across the built environment.

“We are pleased to promote EPEAT as a trusted resource for procurement professionals and manufacturers to support delivery and implementation of the most efficient products available,” said Vicki Worden, GBI CEO.

“Energy use in the built environment is exploding, led by rapid data center growth and increasing power demands to run the servers, networking equipment, and data storage equipment housed in them,” said Bob Mitchell, CEO of the Global Electronics Council. “Integrating EPEAT into the Green Globes and Ascent certifications ensures that energy use and all other sustainability impacts of ICT equipment used in data centers and all GBI certified buildings are minimized. We are thrilled with this exciting new collaboration and look forward to working with GBI to help their members adopt EPEAT registered ICT equipment.”

GBI’s Green Globes and Ascentcertifications are designed to align with industry standards and offer multiple compliance pathways, making sustainability certification more accessible to a broad range of building types. The integration of EPEAT adds both flexibility and accountability for Green Globes and Ascentusers, helping to reduce risk while achieving measurable outcomes. Together, GBI and GEC are equipping project teams to achieve deeper, measurable sustainability impacts.

To date, over 25 million square feet of data centers have been certified or are pursuing Green Globes or Ascent certification in 18 states and Canada, underscoring the scale and impact of sustainable choices in this rapidly growing sector. EPEAT registered office equipment, including computers and imaging equipment - can also now be used to meet GBI’s product level sustainability criteria in other built environments.

Today, data centers account for roughly 1.5% of global electricity consumption used to power data center ICT equipment and accompanying cooling strategies. This figure is predicted to double by 2030. GEC offers EPEAT registered Servers and Solar Panels and Inverters among its product categories, providing a method of standardization and comparison among the market, and EPEAT registered Network Equipment is expected soon. EPEAT registered data storage equipment is expected to be available in FY27. Recognizing EPEAT registered products in data centers will continue to improve data center performance. EPEAT registered products are also third party verified as meeting criteria which catalyze climate change mitigation in the ICT manufacturing process and advance circularity, use of safer chemicals, and responsible supply chains. EPEAT registered office products can now also be used to help meet GBI’s Green Globes and Ascent criteria requirements.

GBI and the GEC share a mission to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and improve performance. By aligning GBI Green Globes and Ascent certifications with GEC’s EPEAT® ecolabel, the organizations are advancing a more integrated approach to building sustainability—empowering owners, operators, and manufacturers to make informed choices that contribute to healthier, more efficient, and resilient buildings worldwide.

About GBI

GBI is an international nonprofit organization and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer dedicated to reducing climate impacts by improving the built environment. Founded in 2004, the organization is the global provider of the Green Globes®, Ascent^™, Journey to Net Zero^™ and federal Guiding Principles Compliance building assessment and certification programs. GBI also issues professional credentials, including the Green Globes Professional (GGP) and Guiding Principles Compliance Professional (GPCP). To learn more about opportunities to become involved with GBI, contact info@thegbi.org or visit the GBI website at www.thegbi.org.

About the Global Electronics Council

The Global Electronics Council (GEC) envisions a world with only sustainable electronic technology that enhances the well-being of people and the planet. Our mission is to accelerate the transformation of markets toward prioritizing the most sustainable electronic products and services.

As stewards of the EPEAT® ecolabel, we set global standards for electronics that empower brands, their value chains and their buyers to achieve ambitious sustainability goals. Through our thought leadership, advocacy, and EPEAT ecolabel, GEC is helping to reshape the electronics industry into a driving force for environmental preservation and global well-being. Visit gec.org to learn more.

Folmer, Official Case IH Dealer, Inaugurated Its New Headquarters in Entre Ríos

CNH — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0400

With an investment of USD 1,000,000, Folmer, an official CNH brand Case IH dealer with more than six decades of experience in the agro-industrial sector, has inaugurated its new headquarters in the city of Crespo, Entre Rios, Argentina.

The brand-new facility was built on a 20,000 m² site, designed to offer comprehensive, modern, and sustainable service to producers in Entre Ríos.

The building also incorporates sustainable practices. It was constructed using self-supporting panels, a full-core steel structure, and the innovative Steel Deck system. Additionally, it features solar panels that supply 100% of its energy needs, permeable cobblestones for rainwater filtration, and a spare parts locker available for withdrawals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—designed to provide convenience and speed for customers.

The Central House includes workshop areas, service bays, a spare parts warehouse, and a large exhibition yard. It also features a Connect Room, which allows real-time monitoring of machines to optimize their performance in the field. This space complements the existing Connect Room at the Villaguay branch, strengthening the brand’s service and connectivity offering.

With locations in Crespo and Villaguay, Folmer covers the north-central region of Entre Ríos, offering the full portfolio of Case IH machines, along with excellent technical service and genuine spare parts.

Read the full story here.

How the Electric Black Futures Project Is Driving Equity Forward: A Georgia Climate Digest Interview

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:40:00 -0400

Transportation profoundly influences every aspect of daily life in Georgia, from how we commute to work and school to how we access healthcare, food, and community resources. And when it is fossil-fueled, it’s the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in our state. But for too many Georgians, especially those in rural and underserved areas, transportation can be a barrier instead of a bridge.

As the clean energy transition accelerates, one question looms large: how can we ensure that electric transportation—and all the benefits it brings—are accessible to everyone?

That’s where the Electric Black Futures Project comes in. This community-centered initiative, made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to expand equitable access to e-mobility in Georgia. Recently, longtime climate justice advocate Eriqah Vincent sat down with Janet Miller, Electric Transportation Manager at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), to talk about how the project is engaging Black communities in Albany, Atlanta, and Savannah to shape the state’s clean transportation future.

Watch the video here.

Southwire Partners With Current/OS

Southwire — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Southwire Company, LLC, North America’s leading wire and cable manufacturer, has entered a partnership with Foundation Current/OS, a global non-profit partnership foundation promoting direct current (DC) safety, standards and advancement across the electrical industry.

This unique partnership positions Southwire at the forefront of advancing DC technologies, a critical piece of progressing the company’s strategic verticals in key fields.

“DC systems are key to unlocking the next generation of resilient, efficient infrastructure—from data centers to microgrids,” said Axel Schlumberger, Southwire’s Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Wire and Cable. “The partnership is a step forward in shaping future grids—advancing standards and scaling adoption of DC technologies across industries.”

Current/OS has united leaders in the electrical industry with the mission of amplifying safety, establishing standards and enhancing energy resilience in DC technologies. The organization gives manufacturers and stakeholders a seat at the table to learn and share ideas in emerging fields powered by DC.

“Direct current power is one of many tools we must leverage to achieve a successful energy transition and deliver greater resiliency when the grid is under strain,” said Yannick Neyret, Current/OS President. “Developing a shared standard for DC power distribution is a collective effort—and we’re grateful to partners like Southwire, whose expertise in wiring, cabling, and microgrid systems helps demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of DC in real-world projects."

In this partnership, Southwire is helping shape future grid standards while promoting innovation through its research and development (R&D) efforts. By joining Current/OS, Southwire will be able to use its expertise as an industry leader to accelerate scalable adoption of DC systems across in use cases like data centers, hybrid architectures and microgrids.

Thanks to the company’s deep knowledge and experience in electrification, industrial services and utility modernization, Southwire will have a place in the foundation’s technical, marketing, education and certification working groups.

“Our partnership with Current/OS is a powerful alignment with our Grid of the Future vision and a catalyst for Southwire R&D to drive innovation, impact and thought leadership across the energy ecosystem,” said Schlumberger.

To learn more about Current/OS, visit currentos.org. For the latest sustainability news and information from Southwire, visit southwire.com/sustainability.

From Design to Impact: MilliporeSigma’s First Climate-Neutral Manufacturing Facility

MilliporeSigma — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:30:00 -0400

MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, announces the opening of the company’s first manufacturing facility designed for climate-neutral operations in Blarney Business Park, Cork, Ireland. This milestone marks a significant step towards the company’s commitment to achieving a 50% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions and 52% per Euro value added in Scope 3 emissions by 2030 (compared to 2020 baselines) and climate neutrality by 2040.

The €150 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, dedicated to producing filtration devices, was built following the company’s Sustainable Building Guidelines – an internal program that outlines sustainability considerations to reduce the environmental impact for capital expenditures. The result is a facility that not only raises the bar for manufacturing sustainability but also aligns with the company’s long-term sustainability commitments.

Key sustainability highlights of the Blarney facility include:

100% renewable electricity: Sourced locally through a Power Purchase Agreement, covering all operations at the site.
Compressed air system: Expected to avoid an estimated 61 metric tons of CO₂e emissions annually through compression dryers and an energy recovery system.
Water efficiency: More than 95% of the purified water used in manufacturing will be reused, significantly improving water stewardship and operational efficiency.
Heat pump technology: Provides all the heating and cooling needs of the facility.

Beyond the company’s investments in new facilities, it is also investing in existing infrastructure to drive long-term impact. Through its EDISON program, the company plans to allocate approximately €125 million between 2022 and 2030 to fund high-impact energy and water efficiency opportunities across the company’s global footprint. In 2025, €11.7 million will support 50 projects across 30 sites globally.

Learn more about the sustainability efforts of MilliporeSigma by visiting its sustainability and social business innovation webpage.

Built for Resilience: How Cummins Supports the Wastewater Industry

Cummins Inc — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0400

Cummins

A backup power failure at a wastewater facility can lead to immediate and severe consequences. Pumps stop, tanks overflow, leaving contaminants easy access to our waterways. What started as a brief outage, then turns into a major public health and environmental emergency. Though rare, such failures can trigger a chain reaction: beach closures, boil water advisories, infrastructure damage, and loss of public trust.

When it comes to safeguarding critical infrastructure like wastewater facilities, reliability doesn’t start and stop with installation; it requires a trusted partner who understands the full lifecycle of standby power. That’s where Cummins stands apart.

Cummins provides top-quality generator systems along with the expert support that wastewater facilities rely on— like technical know-how, regular maintenance, and fast service. Brian Pumphrey, Director of Sales Application, has over 20 years of experience with power systems. He says Cummins builds trust by delivering reliable performance, staying proactive with service, and truly understanding the industry.

“Reliability is everything,” said Pumphrey. “It’s not just about having a generator, it’s about knowing it will work when you need it. That’s why planned maintenance, quality fuel and healthy batteries are so important.”

With decades of experience supporting municipalities and engineering teams, Cummins helps design systems that reflect how wastewater managers really operate: with high stakes, limited resources, and zero tolerance for failure. From remote pumping stations to major treatment plants, Cummins supports:

Customized system design to match infrastructure needs
Preventive maintenance plans tailored to usage and location
Fuel testing and polishing services to ensure performance
Portable power solutions for emergency response
24/7 service and support that prioritizes uptime and trust

“While many of these systems will be considered a NFPA 110 Level 2 application in the eyes of the code… in the eyes of the people running the wastewater treatment plant, they’re going to see it as a NFPA 110 Level 1 system,” Pumphrey said. “They don’t care what the code says, they care that it starts and runs when needed. They want it designed like it is a life safety application.”

Designing for resilience means thinking beyond codes and into real-world conditions. That’s why Cummins works closely with facility managers, consulting engineers and municipal leaders to ensure every system is engineered for performance, not just on paper but in practice. Whether it’s ensuring quiet operations near residential neighborhoods, preparing for wildlife-related outages in California or meeting strict emissions requirements, Cummins delivers solutions built for the environments they serve.

For a standby power solution built for your infrastructure, environment and peace of mind, visit cummins.com/customer-assistance to learn how Cummins can support your wastewater facility — from design to deployment and beyond.

New Thrive™ Program Helps Businesses Keep Waste Out of Landfills

Kimberly-Clark Corporation — Tue, 9 Sep 2025 13:15:00 -0400

To help customers meet their sustainability goals, Kimberly-Clark Professional can now collect qualifying used dispensers¹ to help make cement for building materials.

ROSWELL, Ga., Sept. 9, 2025 /3BL/ - Kimberly-Clark Professional™ today announced the launch of its Thrive™ sustainability service that helps businesses reduce waste, track lifecycle progress and make a measurable environmental impact.

Core to the service is a first-of-its-kind program² that helps customers in North America upgrade their restrooms while diverting used qualifying dispensers¹from landfills. Kimberly-Clark Professional set out to remove the barriers for customers who might have concerns about disposing of the old equipment they will no longer need.

Through the Thrive™ Dispenser Service, Kimberly-Clark Professional team members will collect qualifying used plastic dispensers¹directly at customer sites and prepare them for shipment. Once ready, customers simply send them to one of Kimberly-Clark Professional's trusted sustainability partner facilities for processing.

To further support waste diversion, customers can even leave dry, leftover paper products inside the dispensers. Once received, the dispensers are sorted, shredded and transformed into an alternative fuel source, a substitute for fossil fuel, used in the production of cement and building materials.

This streamlined process makes it easy for facilities to contribute to landfill diversion and sustainability goals without disrupting operations.

"Our customers are looking for practical, measurable ways to meet their sustainability goals," said Susan Gambardella, President of Kimberly-Clark Professional. "Thrive offers a solution that's easy to implement and makes a tangible, positive impact toward waste reduction."

The Thrive™ service is available to commercial customers in the U.S. and Canada that replace 100 or more eligible dispensers at a facility. Kimberly-Clark Professional coordinates the installation of new Scott^®, Kleenex^®, or ICON™ dispensers to replace the old units. Thrive offers a fully traceable service to help businesses quantify, track and report landfill diversion metrics. Customers even receive an Environmental Impact Achievement Certificate to showcase their sustainability efforts to employees and guests.

Facility managers interested in learning more can contact their Kimberly-Clark Professional sales representative or visit Thrive™ Sustainability Services | Kimberly-Clark Professional.

1: Qualified products are eligible for landfill diversion so long as after use they are non-hazardous as classified by federal, state and local regulations.
2: Based on publicly available information as of August 2025.

About Kimberly-Clark Professional
Kimberly-Clark Professional partners with business to achieve their goals while enhancing the well-being of their employees and guests with quality hygiene and personal care solutions. Key brands in this away-from-home segment include Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott and WypAll. To see how Kimberly-Clark Professional is helping businesses create a better clean, together, please visit the Kimberly-Clark Professional website.

SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Professional

View original content here.

MetLife: Creating Healthy Spaces for Colleagues to Thrive

MetLife — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Sustainability measures implemented across our offices and operations support the business by providing our colleagues with healthy spaces where they can thrive. Our approach to environment, health and safety is built on collaboration with colleagues and business partners. As MetLife grows globally, we have instituted green leasing guidelines for new spaces to align with our high-performance office strategy. We prioritize using sustainable materials in our buildings, providing high levels of indoor air quality and natural light and offering amenities such as bike storage, healthy dining options and sit-stand desks.

To support the health and well-being of our employees, we strive for 40% of our global offices’ square footage being certified to green or healthy building standards by 2030. These standards include LEED, ENERGY STAR®, Fitwel, Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and other sustainable building certification programs.

In addition to MetLife office spaces, properties managed by MetLife Investment Management, LLC and certain of its affiliates (MIM) strive for green and healthy building standards.

We aim to both minimize our consumption of water, plastics, paper and other natural resources and reduce the volume of waste, including e-waste, that is sent to landfills. In the U.S., our dining and catering services do not provide plastic bottles, cutlery or other containers.

We are actively addressing food waste by collaborating with local food pantries and food recovery organizations across seven U.S. cities to donate surplus food from our cafeterias. Eight offices compost food waste generated during food preparation, and three of these sites have introduced employee composting programs to collect food scraps, compostable cutlery and containers. MetLife's Global Event Operations team prioritizes waste reduction through paperless conferences, local sourcing and eco-friendly alternatives.

For more than a decade, MetLife has implemented a robust e-waste program focused on standard corporate assets such as laptops, servers, network equipment, peripherals, monitors and cellphones. Our first priority is to return these assets to their original suppliers. In instances where this is not feasible, we collaborate with specialized suppliers to refurbish, reuse and recycle these items responsibly.

Global Offices Showcase Healthy Workspaces in Action

MetLife is investing in the vitality of our offices, equipping facilities with the type of sustainability and well-being features that epitomize our purpose, and help us attract and retain the best talent.

Our recently renovated LEED–Gold¹ certified office in Tampa, Florida boasts several environmental and wellness features, including: electric vehicle charging capacity; energy efficient design such as LED lighting and motion sensors; a food donation program; an outdoor walking trail; quarterly indoor air quality testing; and wellness and reflection rooms.

In 2024, the Nagasaki, Japan facility became the fifth MetLife office to achieve Fitwel certification, which is a collaborative initiative by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the General Service Administration aimed at promoting health and well-being in buildings and communities.

In Jaipur and Noida, India, our offices demonstrate the effectiveness of our priority to work with landlords aligned with our purpose. The offices’ rainwater harvesting initiatives that treat and reuse water for flushing and garden watering are examples of environmental programs that contributed to their LEED Platinum and Gold certifications, respectively, for growing proportions of the sites’ footprints. Each location also features e-waste recycling, on-site solar panels and organic waste conversion.

Read more about how MetLife is maintaining high-performance offices through its sustainability efforts in our 2024 Sustainability Report.

¹Operations and Maintenance.

Samsung Electronics Successfully Qualifies Chemours’ Opteon™ Two-Phase Immersion Cooling Fluid

Chemours — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Global chemistry company Chemours today announced the successful qualification of its Opteon™ two-phase immersion cooling fluid by Samsung Electronics. This milestone marks a significant advancement in Opteon™ two-phase immersion cooling adoption, ensuring fluid compatibility and performance with current-generation Samsung Solid State Drive (SSD)—a high-performance storage device. Qualification of this critical server component provides increased certainty to server manufacturers, supporting market adoption and ultimately addressing the cooling and energy demands driven by AI and next generation chips.

After completing rigorous testing of Opteon™ two-phase immersion cooling fluid, Samsung successfully qualified the fluid with its generation four SSD. Opteon™ is the first two-phase immersion cooling fluid approved by Samsung; testing for subsequent generations will begin in the months ahead.

“Collaborating with Samsung has enabled us to get an even deeper understanding of the evolving digital infrastructure needs and unique value of our Opteon™ two-phase immersion cooling fluid,” said Denise Dignam, Chemours President and CEO. “Our innovative technology offers superior compatibility, enables higher IT loads, with fewer equipment failures, and dramatically less energy and water use—all of which translates to reduced costs for downstream users. We’re eager to continue working with Samsung and the broader industry to bring this breakthrough technology to market.”

To ensure swift qualification, Chemours and Samsung joined forces with Liquid Stack, a leading tank manufacturer, and PKI Corporation, a regional semiconductor and data center leader, to conduct performance testing using a commercial scale 48U immersion cooling tank. Samsung and PKI established a robust testing and qualification process to support current and future generation qualifications. The equipment met all compatibility targets, with no sign of degradation.

“As digital infrastructure continues to evolve to meet the demands of AI and high-performance computing, compatibility is king,” said Sungki Lee, Project Leader of SSD HW Reliability Engineering Team at Samsung Electronics. “Finding innovative solutions to effectively cool IT hardware, without creating compatibility or performance issues, is no simple task. After nearly a year of testing, the Opteon™ two-phase immersion cooling fluid met or exceeded all compatibility parameters. We look forward to our continued collaboration as we qualify our generation five and six SSDs.”

Samsung created its own high-reliability test standard—based on Open Compute Project (OCP) standards. The Opteon™ fluid is the first two-phase immersion cooling technology to pass Samsung’s test standard. Samsung has developed and implemented a method that achieves world-class heat transfer efficiency while maintaining high reliability in immersion cooling systems using the Opteon™ fluid. This will help accelerate future liquid cooling qualifications across the Samsung Electronics portfolio—including memory semiconductors, such as SSD and DDR modules, and also logic device packages.

Opteon™ two-phase immersion cooling fluid offers a power usage effectiveness (PUE) approaching 1 and superior performance capabilities compared to traditional or other liquid cooling technologies. Nearly eliminating water use, reducing space requirements by 60%, and lowering energy consumption by up to 40% and cooling energy use by up to 90%, this technology represents benefits for data center operators and communities alike.

For more information, visit Opteon.com.

About The Chemours Company
The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in providing industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including coatings, plastics, refrigeration and air conditioning, transportation, semiconductor and advanced electronics, general industrial, and oil and gas. Through our three businesses –Thermal & Specialized Solutions, Titanium Technologies, and Advanced Performance Materials – we deliver application expertise and chemistry-based innovations that solve customers’ biggest challenges. Our flagship products are sold under prominent brands such as Opteon™, Freon™, Ti-Pure™, Nafion™, Teflon™, Viton™, and Krytox™. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC, Chemours has approximately 6,000 employees and 28 manufacturing sites and serves approximately 2,500 customers in approximately 110 countries. For more information, visit chemours.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry, and LED solutions. Samsung is also pioneering advancements in AI, IoT, and 5G, driving the future of connected living.

Our commitment to quality and excellence is reflected in our products and services, which are designed to enhance the lives of our customers. With a presence in over 80 countries, Samsung Electronics is dedicated to creating a better world full of richer digital experiences through innovative technology.

T-Mobile Is Using 5G, Drones and AI to Help First Responders

T-Mobile International AG — Tue, 5 Aug 2025 10:15:00 -0400

Originally published on nextgov.com

By Edward Graham,
Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

Over the past year, mobile telecommunications provider T-Mobile has been working to deploy advanced capabilities to regions ravaged by natural disasters in order to help first responders maintain access to key services.

In an interview with Nextgov/FCW, Nicole Hudnet — emergency response team advisor for T-Mobile Business Group — said the provider has been working to deploy new technologies and provide enhanced network connectivity to areas devastated by wildfires and hurricanes, with the company further working to strengthen its partnerships with state and local authorities.

Last September, T-Mobile unveiled T-Priority, which Hudnet called “the nation's first 5G network slice to give our first responders more reliable data connectivity, the faster speeds and the lower latency, even during those times of congestion.”

Initially, New York City was announced as the “anchor customer” for T-Priority, but Hudnet said the service is designed to expand across networks, particularly during times of extreme congestion.

“Why is this so critical for our first responders is they're deploying more drones and AI-enabled technologies and data intensive communications — body worn cameras, traffic cameras, mapping tools — than ever before,” Hudnet said.

T-Mobile has also been working to provide the Department of Defense with 5G services to help the U.S. military maintain network reliability around the globe.

In response to a series of wildfires in Southern California earlier this year — including the devastating Palisades fire that burned more than 20,000 acres in Los Angeles County — T-Mobile activated more than 350 T-Priority hotspots and routers to help the Los Angeles Fire Department use the dedicated slice of the provider’s 5G network.

The company also deployed its emergency response teams to Los Angeles, which help to assist first responders with frontline connectivity services.

Beyond providing on-the-ground assistance to first responders, T-Mobile is part of emergency response working groups from the federal level down to the state and local levels. Hudnet said part of this work includes developing public-private partnerships ahead of disasters “so that when these events occur, you're aware of the resources that are available.”

“Our goal is to really connect with those [emergency operations centers] at especially the state and local level, because that is where a lot of the heartbeat of that response is,” she added. “And so we're coordinating with these emergency operations centers to prioritize and understand the priorities in the communities, and also the priorities serving their first responders.”

She said the provider has been conducting exercises with government agencies, such as FEMA, and that “it's really important that agencies bring in all of their providers — whether it's a tabletop exercise or a full-scale exercise — so that we go through these scenarios together.”

T-Mobile has also deployed other advanced tools to help frontline responders, including artificial intelligence-powered technologies and drones.

After Hurricane Helene led to widespread flooding across Asheville, North Carolina, last September, Hudnet said T-Mobile’s response teams worked with the town’s police department to provide recon and assessments through the use of its heavy-lift and search and rescue drones.

Hudnet also noted that the provider’s enhanced self-organizing network “uses real time data and AI to detect issues and adapt automatically to give first responders reliable connectivity before, during and after disasters.” The networks, which can reduce coverage gaps in regions where they are deployed, were used in response to both Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires.

T-Mobile is already working to expand its partnerships with local jurisdictions. After last year’s announcement that New York City would be its “anchor customer” for T-Priority, the provider announced in February that it signed a major agreement with the city “to be the single carrier for all its public safety network.”