本網站使用瀏覽器紀錄 (Cookies) 來提供您最好的使用體驗，我們使用的 Cookie 也包括了第三方 Cookie。相關資訊請訪問我們的隱私權與 Cookie 政策。如果您選擇繼續瀏覽或關閉這個提示，便表示您已接受我們的網站使用條款。 關閉
LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Azazie, a leading direct-to-consumer bridal and special occasion dress brand, is proud to announce its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. The brand is well-known for its high-quality, made-to-order bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses. This initiative reflects the company's dedication to responsible business practices and its promise to offer Australian brides eco-friendly and ethically sourced options for their special day. Azazie continues its partnership with the Green Education Foundation, the global non-profit recycling charity organization, to advance sustainability in the bridal industry. Over the past years, participation in the "Closed Loop Recycling Program" has achieved significant success in reducing the environmental footprint of Azazie's operations and furthering its sustainable practices in the industry. Since the start of the partnership, Azazie has diverted over 57,000 pounds of textiles from landfills, with 70% being reused, saving substantial amounts of cotton and water. "Azazie is committed to leading the way in sustainability within the bridal sector." said Jeff Cardoso, VP of Operations at Azazie. "Australian brides are increasingly looking for ways to celebrate their special day responsibly. Our commitment to ESG standards addresses this demand, allowing brides to say, 'I Do' to Azazie without sacrificing their values." In addition to its recycling efforts, Azazie reduces waste through a made-to-order business model, ensuring efficient use of fabrics, and minimizing carbon footprint by optimizing supply chain logistics. Azazie's commitment to social responsibility also shines through its inclusive sizing and diverse style range, ensuring that every bride, regardless of shape or size, has access to their dream wedding attire. This focus on sustainability is likely to appeal to Australian consumers who prioritize environmental impact in their purchasing decisions. Azazie's ESG commitment aligns with the values of brides seeking to positively influence the planet and their communities. ABOUT AZAZIE Azazie is the leading direct-to-consumer e-tailer, providing an array of bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, wedding guest dresses, and accessories. Designed in Los Angeles, Azazie disrupts the traditional wedding industry by presenting made-to-order gowns at an affordable price point. The brand is dedicated to promoting body-positive fashion, ensuring that all dresses are meticulously cut and sewn to order, and offering free customization for size. Explore our website to discover wide selection of styles, available in over 80 enticing color options. Visit the website at www.azazie.com. Media Contact: PR@azazie.com
HONG KONG, June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Organized by Exhibition Group, the largest public home exhibition "In-Home Expo 2024" (the "Expo") is being held from today until June 10 (Friday to Monday) at Hall 1 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Expo features six major zones: Building Materials/Equipment/Tools, Interior Design/Renovation/Custom Furniture, Bedroom Products/Furniture/Sofas, Home Appliances/Smart Home/Household Products/Kitchenware, Health Equipment/Home Purification/Cleaning, and Other Professional Home Services and Products with over 850 booths. The Expo caters to the diverse home needs of different groups. Attendees also have the chance to participate in a lucky draw and daily on-site quiz games to win more than 1,200 prizes, including round-trip air tickets to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan regions, large home appliances, gifts, and supermarket vouchers, with total prizes worth over HKD 200,000. In-Home Expo 2024 officially opens today with over 850 booths The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof. Eric Yim, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre, Mr. Alan Cheung, Chairman, FHKI's Design Council of Hong Kong, Ms. Helena Chen, Managing Director of Hong Kong & Macau, Mastercard Worldwide, Mr. Willy Liu, CEO of Ricacorp Properties Limited, Ms. May Leung, Chairman of Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association, Ms. Karen Chan, Chairman of FHKI Group 10: Hong Kong Furniture Council, Mr. Allen Kwong, Vice Chairman and Deputy Secretary-General of Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association, Mr. Gary Lui, Vice Chairman of FHKI Group 10 (Hong Kong Furniture Council), Mr. Chim Puiming, Founder and Chief Craftsman of Wing Tai Chinaware Enterprise Company, Mr. Carl Wong, Chairman of Exhibition Group; and Ms. Shirley Chu, General Manager of Exhibition Group. The local real estate market has significantly increased in transactions and regained its vibrancy since the "cooling measures" were lifted. According to data from the Land Registry, there were nearly 8,600 residential property sale and purchase agreements in April this year, representing a nearly 1.2 times increase from March and an over 80% increase year-on-year compared to April last year. The active property transactions have driven the demand for renovations and home decoration, especially during the peak renovation season when new properties are being moved into. In-Home Expo 2024 perfectly caters to this demand peak, providing a one-stop platform to showcase the latest and most comprehensive home products and services, serving as an important bridge between the industry and consumers. Mr. Carl Wong, Chairman of Exhibition Group, said, "With the robust recovery of the property market and the influx of new residential projects, there is a strong demand for home renovation and decoration. In-Home Expo 2024 has added a new pavilion to focus on the golden period of summer, offering a comprehensive range from building materials to renovation, from furniture to smart home products, and unique items from different regions to meet the various home needs of different groups, providing a comprehensive and diversified home shopping experience." The Expo features the largest appliance outlet ever by Tolam Commerce Company Ltd. (Booth Y65), offering significant discounts on appliances such as TVs, induction cookers, microwaves, and fans, with daily limited-time offers starting at just 10% of the original price. As the supplier of national porcelain, Wing Tai Chinaware Enterprise Company (Booth ZC35) is participating to showcase a variety of exquisite porcelains with historical and cultural significance, used in important national events. The century-old Japanese wooden cabinet brand Monmaya Hong Kong Ltd. (Booth S65-S68) will debut at the Expo, bringing a series of handmade solid wood furniture combining traditional techniques with modern design. For those who love Japanese furniture, Keinichi Living Store (Booth J01) offers a wide selection of popular Japanese furniture. Comfortable sleep is a key element of an ideal home; Sealy Asia (Hong Kong) Limited (Booth P01) provides a variety of high-quality mattresses at discounts as low as 50% with an additional 5% discount. Besides mattress discounts, AI Dream (HK) Limited (Booth R51, R52, R55-58) offers an exclusive deal on the "Magic Bean Pillow" at 10% of the original price, with a daily limit of 50 units. New homeowners will also find solutions for renovation and interior design from A Studio.vip Limited (Booth L66, L68), offering a one-stop design, renovation, and custom furniture service with a 24% discount on custom cabinet packages. With the advancement of technology, smart homes have become a pursuit for quality living. Alris Technology Limited (Booth X59) presents the Acalava electronic moisture-proof wardrobe, combining technology with home living, featuring electronic dehumidification that is environmentally friendly and energy-saving, revolutionizing traditional wardrobes. Aware & Trustful (HK) Co., Limited (Booth Z51, Z55) brings the Swiss brand Laurastar IGGI portable steam disinfection and ironing machine, combining aesthetics with technology for quick purification and ironing of textiles. During the Expo, there will be free professional consultation seminars, featuring experts like Feng Shui consultant Master Szeto, sharing tips on home of Feng Shui, renovation, or moving into a new home. Additionally, Wing Tai Chinaware Enterprise Company will host three Ceramic Handmade DIY Workshops daily during the expo (June 7 to 9). Various decal materials and tools will be provided, with on-site instructors guiding participants in creating personalized ceramic pieces. The first 20 participants to get a token for each session can join for free. Attendees can also participate in the daily on-site quiz game, answer questions within the time limit to win over 1,200 rich prizes. In addition, there will also be a "Mastercard Lucky Draw Spending Program" on-site. Customers can receive one lucky draw chance for every HK$500 spent using a Mastercard at designated booths at the expo, two chances for HK$1000, and so on, with a maximum of 10 chances per receipt. Prizes include round-trip air tickets for two to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan regions, home appliances, gifts, and supermarket vouchers. Exhibitors Introduction Wing Tai Chinaware Enterprise Company (Booth no. ZC35) Tableware for Leaders: As the official porcelain for the state, Stadigao Porcelain Art has crafted tableware for several significant national occasions, such as the welcome banquet for the 2022 Winter Olympics, the welcome banquet for French President Macron's visit to China in 2023, the Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum round table meeting, and the Golden Hall national banquet at the Great Hall of the People. These exquisite porcelain pieces showcase historical significance and cultural value. Monmaya Hong Kong Ltd. (Booth no. S65-S68) Japanese Century-old Wooden Cabinet Brand: Rarely participating in public exhibitions, MONMAYA is a company dedicated to making furniture from solid wood. Established in Sendai, Japan, in 1872, MONMAYA opened its first overseas store in Hong Kong in 2021. The company showcases a series of entirely handmade solid wood furniture that combines traditional techniques with modern design, bringing unique taste and style to homes with simple and natural designs. Keinichi Living Store (Booth no. J01) Japanese Furniture Specialty Store: Carefully selected a wide range of Japanese national furniture, the store will exhibit 100% Japan-made products such as the Luana Sofa and the Time expandable TV cabinet. These items combine the meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese design with high-quality materials, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship and unique style of Japanese furniture. Sealy Asia (Hong Kong) Limited (Booth no. P01) Sealy Mattress: Sealy Asia (Hong Kong) Limited brings products like the Smart Support Slim mattress and the 100% Australian-made Grace mattress, offering a variety of high-quality mattress options at discounts up to 50% off, plus an additional 5% discount, providing consumers with a comfortable sleep experience. AI Dream (HK) Limited (Booth no. R51, R52, R55-58) Serta not only offers a series of selected mattress discounts but also brings an exclusive on-site offer: the "Magic Bean Pillow" originally priced between HKD 680 and HKD 1,080, now available at 10% of the original price, limited to 50 units per day! A Studio.vip Limited (Booth no. L66, L68) Launches a custom cabinet package at a 24% discount, reduced from HKD 48,800 to HKD 36,880, with kitchen renovation completed in just 15 days. Enjoy an additional HKD 2,000 discount on interior design and renovation projects, providing one-stop design, renovation, and custom furniture services. Alris Technology Limited (Booth no. X59) Dedicated to creating smart living, their electronic moisture-proof wardrobe combines electronic dehumidification technology, being environmentally friendly and energy-saving. It offers storage, display, and safety, revolutionizing the concept of traditional wardrobes and bringing a new storage solution to home environments. On-site special offer HKD 12,888 with an additional 10% discount. Aware & Trustful (HK) Co., Limited (Booth no. Z51, Z55) The Swiss top ironing brand Laurastar, represented in Hong Kong and Macau, will present the IGGI handheld steam sterilizing iron and the LIFT portable 3-in-1 iron, combining aesthetics and technology for quick purification and ironing of textiles, with on-site special discounts as low as 50% off. Mastercard Lucky Draw Spending Program (Booth no. H72,N72,ZD01) Customers can receive one lucky draw chance for every HK$500 spent using a Mastercard at designated booths at the expo, two chances for HK$1000, and so on, with a maximum of 10 chances per receipt. Prizes include round-trip air tickets for two to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan regions, home appliances, gifts, and supermarket vouchers. Tolam Commerce Company Ltd. (Booth no. Y65) The Largest Appliance Outlet Ever: Offers a massive appliance sale with daily limited-time offers starting at just 10% of the original price. Daily ticket distribution starts at 11 a.m. Products include: June 7: Famous - Fan - HKD 19 (20 units) June 8: Tefal - Induction Cooker - HKD 199 (20 units) June 9: Whirlpool - Microwave Oven - HKD 299 (20 units) June 10: TCL - 32-inch Smart TV - HKD 999 (10 units) Ceramic Handmade DIY Workshop During the expo (June 7 to 9), Wing Tai Chinaware Enterprise Company will hold three Ceramic Handmade DIY Workshops daily, providing a variety of decal materials and tools. On-site instructors will guide participants in creating personalized ceramic pieces. The first 20 participants for each session can join for free with a token, while others can pay to participate. On June 10, the workshop will be open all day, and participants can pay to experience creating personalized ceramics. Free professional consultation seminars Featuring experts like Feng Shui consultant Master Szeto, who will share tips on home of Feng Shui, renovation, or moving into a new home during the expo. In-Home Expo 2024 Date 7 to 10 June 2024 Time 7 to 9 June: 1200-210010 June: 1200-2000 Location Hall 1, HKCEC (Exhibition Centre Station (Exit B3) or Wan Chai Station (Exit A5)) Website https://www.exhibitiongroup.com.hk/exhibitions/inhomeexpo2024 For Media Enquiry, Market Hubs Holdings Limited Lierence Li Debbie So +852 3998-4900 +852 3998-4900 lierence@markethubsgroup.com debbie@markethubsgroup.com
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 June 2024 - Hong Kong's fashion world is bursting with creativity and vitality! The much-awaited annual Poly U Fashion Show 2024, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 5 June 2024. Organised by the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Show featured 40 exceptionally talented students who captivated the audience and impressed the judges and industry professionals with a spectacular runway show. The distinctive styles, imaginative designs and modern fashion concepts of the young students look set to add powerful new momentum to the local fashion scene. PolyU Fashion Show 2024 This year, the Show attracted an impressive audience of nearly 1,500 in-person guests, while an extensive online audience of over 45,000 viewers from across the globe watched on YouTube, Wechat, and Weibo live streams. These numbers highlight the growing influence of the PolyU School of Fashion and Textile and further emphasise its position as a pioneer in fashion education. “Let it rot” by Lai Chu Yi, winner of the Consinee Grand Award. The Show unveiled 30 remarkable new collections by fresh graduates (Class of 2024) specialising in fashion design, knitwear design, intimate apparel and activewear design from the BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles - the flagship SFT programme. In addition, a cohort of the outstanding graduating students from the MA in Fashion and Textile Design, further impressed the guests with 10 cutting-edge masterpieces. The SFT is recognised worldwide as a leading fashion and textiles education institution, committed to establishing a thriving creative community that cultivates students with a global perspective and encourages innovative ways of thinking, that empower young talent to flourish as outstanding designers and visionary leaders in the contemporary fashion industry. Thanks to generous support from numerous industry partners and sponsors, the Show connected the students with many influential figures from across the fashion and technology sectors, facilitated their understanding of current industry trends and helped propel them further along their career path. Seven awards and scholarships were presented at the Show in recognition of students' outstanding work and to encourage the talented students to pursue their dreams in fashion while embracing their academic journey at SFT. The judging panel for the Consinee Grand Award, sponsored by the Consinee Group, comprised leading fashion industry professionals including Ms Florence TSUI, Consinee Group Marketing and Business Development Manager. In addition, four outstanding SFT alumni who served as fashion practitioners in their respective fields also joined the panel in selecting the winner. They were Ms CHAN Brun (BA, 2013), founder of röyksopp gakkai, a local brand that crafts enchanting collections inspired by mushroom-infused narratives and the transformative journey of youth; Mr Derek CHAN (MPhil, 2016), Design Director of DEMO, a fashion label that reimagines traditional masculinity in contemporary and gender-neutral designs; Mr Tak LEE (BA, 2014), founder of Tak L., whose design philosophy celebrates the beauty of impermanence and natural evolution; and Ms Katherine HO (BA, 2016), Editor-in-Chief of L'OFFICIEL HONG KONG, a renowned fashion magazine from France. The HKIAIA Overall Grand Award, sponsored by the Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries' Association, which was the event's Diamond sponsor, was another highlight of the night. Ms Karen NG, Secretary of the Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries' Association, was invited to be the judge for this prestigious award. Other members of the judging panel for the other various awards and scholarships were (in alphabetical order): Ms Janet CHEUNG, Vice Chairman and Project Director, Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association Mr Stafford LAU, Founding Chairman of SFAA Foundation Limited; Director of Stella Blu Textile Limited Ms Sherin TANG, Senior Manager - Admin and Operations, The Mills Fabrica Ms Brenda YANG, Technical Manager, Flinders Merino Group and The Woolmark Company Ms Dilys YIU, Design Director, Fenix Group Holdings Limited The winner of the Consinee Grand Award was Lai Chu Yi with her outstanding work themed "Let it rot". The collection showcases a "let it rot" lifestyle, utilizing textiles, volume, and silhouettes. It captures the pressure young people face under social labels, emphasizing fabric weight and recreating relaxed bed-like features for space and comfort. The HKIAIA Overall Grand Award winner was Peggy Poon Hei Man. Her exceptional collection created under the theme "Toxic Breath" embodies love as a beautiful yet painful experience, symbolising its suffocating nature and its ability to strip away freedom. Red and black dominate the collection, with red lycoris representing the sorrow within this intense love. For a full list of awardees, please refer to the appendix. Prof. Erin CHO, Dean of SFT said, "The annual PolyU fashion show serves as an extraordinary platform that highlights the exceptional talent, unwavering dedication and profound passion displayed by our gifted students. It is truly inspiring to witness these aspiring individuals present their innovative ideas to the world, captivate the attention of industry professionals and ignite inspiration for their future careers. This year, we took immense pride in observing a multitude of breathtaking designs, as our students brought their unique fashion perspectives to life on the runway". Appendix 1: Award List Award Awardees Consinee Grand Award Lai Chu Yi HKIAIA Overall Grand Award Poon Hei Man, Peggy Fenix Young Talent Award Pang Wing Yan, Joyce The Mills Fabrica Future - Maker Award Lai Chu Yi Go Green Award Lo Chi Ho, Steven Best Use of Australian Merino Wool Award Cheung Wai Yee HKFDA Scholarship of Creativity 2024 Hui Hei Yan Hashtag: #PolyUFashion #PolyUSFT #HKFashionSchool #HongKongFashion #polyufashionshow2024https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sft/https://www.facebook.com/PolyUFashion/https://www.instagram.com/polyusft/The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.School of Fashion and Textiles of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Over the past 65 years, the PolyU Institute of Textiles and Clothing has nurtured many talented and distinguished professionals for the fashion and manufacturing industries. On 1 July 2022, the Institute was renamed and upgraded to the School of Fashion and Textiles, to serve as another flagship and independent school within PolyU.
HONG KONG, June 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DETERMINANT— a men's shirt brand focused on functional technology, exceptional quality and modern style — is proud to announce its latest product innovation: the "TerraTones" Natural Dye Collection, centered on upcycling agricultural waste into natural dyes. By bringing nature and technology closer together, the brand has developed a way to make natural dye garments more accessible to consumers. DETERMINANT uses proprietary technology to improve both the color fastness and color depth of natural dye products, allowing garments to retain their color better and longer. Click Here to Download High-Res Images DETERMINANT uses a proprietary technology that improves both the color fastness and color depth of natural dye, helping the "TerraTones" Natural Dye T-shirts retain their color better and longer than traditional natural dye products – even through washing, drying and light exposure. This dyeing technology allows the brand to take unwanted agricultural waste such as husks, skins and plant parts, and upcycle them into natural dyes. The use of agricultural waste helps eliminate the need for cultivating new land to grow fresh plants for dye production. In addition, by utilizing unwanted plant materials that would otherwise be discarded, the brand is providing an additional revenue stream for their farm partners. The "TerraTones" collection is inspired by vintage wash tees–an homage to the past, present and future of garment transformation. By extracting the pigments of pomegranate rind, indigo, gallnut and chlorophyll, the brand introduces one-of-a-kind natural dye colors: Khaki, Blue, Stone Grey and Light Mint. Through "TerraTones," DETERMINANT takes naturally dyed tees and elevates them to daily essentials: 100% cotton, comfortable, versatile and most importantly, responsibly made. DETERMINANT's "TerraTones" Natural Dye Collection is available for sale online and in select retail stores in Hong Kong. About DETERMINANT DETERMINANT is Asia's leading shirt expert. Our mission is simple: we empower modern professionals to make a confident statement in every aspect of their lives. DETERMINANT was created for men with goals, interests, and ambitions beyond worrying about what to wear. We solve their most common shirting problems by engineering dress shirts with great fit, premium quality, and clean styling, all at an accessible price. Our products provide a simple solution to looking and feeling good, allowing them to focus on what matters most. The brand's journey began with a single white dress shirt available in 61 sizes. By harnessing 1,947 patented technologies, such as DP3.5 wrinkle-free on 100% cotton, VISDRY™, and ECOHUES™ waterless dye, our shirts are designed with cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and quality materials at the core. We are dedicated to creating value for our community and the planet. This drives us to continually innovate and redefine what it means to make and wear better clothing. DETERMINANT "TerraTones" Natural Dye Collection Store DetailsOnlineshop.detshirts.com/collections/natural-dye AIRSIDEShop G006, G/F, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, San Po Kong (9834 8001) LAB Concept (Queensway)Shop B02, LAB Concept, Queensway Plaza, 93 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong (9829 7917) New Town PlazaShop 413A, 4/F, New Town Plaza 1, Sha Tin, New Territories (6507 9324)
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 June 2024 - The Asia Corporate Payment Survey, conducted by Coface between December 2023 and March 2024, provides insights into the evolution of payment behaviour and credit management practices of about 2,400 companies across the Asia Pacific region. Respondents are active in nine markets (Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand) and 13 sectors. Overall, credit conditions are tightening, with payment terms decreasing to 64 days from 66 in 2022. In the meantime, the duration of payment delays decreased from 67 to 65 days Late payments were more frequent, with 60% of companies experiencing them compared with 57% in 2022, but their average duration fell from 67 to 65 days. Ultra-long payment delays have increased. Textiles and construction are the most affected sectors by these delays. 56% of companies expect the economic outlook to improve in 2024, although slowing demand and intense competition are major risks. 'The year 2023 was one of normalisation from the pandemic, but the economic landscape continued to offer its share of challenges in the form of an elevated inflationary and interest rate environment amid persistent geopolitical risks. The surveyed companies expressed the same concerns with about half of respondents citing slowing demand and over-competitive pressures as the two main risks to their company's operations in 2024. Coface forecasts economic growth in Asia Pacific to maintain at over 4% in 2024, with the region still the fastest growing in the world.' said Bernard Aw, Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at Coface. Payment delays: Significant late payment rise in textile and construction The share of companies surveyed reporting payment delays rose from 57% in 2022 to 60% in 2023, with only China and Japan driving the rise, largely due to their tighter payment terms. Meanwhile, all other markets covered witnessed a reduction in payment delays reported, suggesting improved financial stability after the pandemic. Excessive competition, slowing demand, slowdown in cash flow, and customers' payment defaults are the main cited reasons for payment delays in the region. Textile and Construction saw a significant increase in late payments reported. Textile faced higher production costs and rampant demand, and Construction suffered sluggish China property sector and a high interest rates environment in most markets. While the average payment delay duration dropped from 67 days in 2022 to 65 days in 2023, most markets covered saw a rise. Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia saw the highest increase, while only China, Taiwan and Thailand saw a decline. Japan had the shortest average payment delay at 50 days, and Australia had the highest at 83 days. The duration of payment delays increased the most in the textile and agri-food sectors, both by 11 days. Energy and pharmaceuticals saw the biggest falls, of 11 and 10 days respectively. The construction sector still has the longest payment delay (76 days), and the pharmaceutical has become the one with the shortest (57 days). The proportion of respondents experiencing ultra-long payment delays (ULPD) over 2% of their annual sales has risen from 26% in 2022 to 29% in 2023. This 2% threshold represents a very high risk of non-payment, given that 80% of these delays have never been paid, according to Coface's experience. Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong lead the increase in the proportion of ULPDs. Textile is the sector with the highest share of respondents reporting ULPDs, with an increase from 14% in 2022 to 40% in 2023, while Construction and Metals both stand at a substantial 35%. Companies are generally optimistic about future payment behaviours, with 30% expecting improvement in late payment trends while the 18% expecting deterioration are mainly textile and retail companies. Economic Expectations: Growing optimism despite demand risks Asia Pacific (APAC) saw an improvement in economic conditions in 2023, thanks to the reopening of China's borders and its abandonment of zero-covid policies, as well as lower inflation and a slower rate of restriction of monetary policies globally. Consequently, almost half of our respondents (49%) signaled improved business activity compared to 2022, while only 20% signaled a deterioration. Looking forward, we forecast economic growth in APAC to maintain at over 4% in 2024. This is consistent with our respondents' anticipations, as 56% expect their business activity to improve in 2024 with India and Thailand the most optimistic economies. Sector-wise, Retail, and textile had the highest share of respondents anticipating a worsening of business activity, while confidence in the year's business activity was the greatest for wood, automotive, pharmaceutical, and agrifood. Companies still reported several risks that could hurt their operations in 2024. Nearly half of respondents cited slowing demand and over-competitive pressures, and nearly a third highlighted higher prices for inputs and raw materials and higher labour costs as a key operational risk. Hashtag: #Cofacehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/cofaceThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.COFACE: FOR TRADEWith over 75 years of experience and the most extensive international network, Coface is a leader in trade credit insurance & risk management, and a recognized provider of Factoring, Debt Collection, Single Risk insurance, Bonding, and Information Services. Coface's experts work to the beat of the global economy, helping ~50,000 clients in 100 countries build successful, growing, and dynamic businesses. With Coface's insight and advice, these companies can make informed decisions. The Group' solutions strengthen their ability to sell by providing them with reliable information on their commercial partners and protecting them against non-payment risks, both domestically and for export. In 2022, Coface employed ~4,720 people and registered a turnover of €1.81 billion. For more information, visit coface.com.hk
Two new studies demonstrate how aerogels could provide cooling to buildings and protection from harmful electromagnetic waves emitted by electronic devices SINGAPORE, June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerogels, known for their porosity and low density, are solid materials that offer versatile functionality — from gobbling up fat globules in weight-management supplements to facilitating more sustainable metal-recycling processes. Traditionally used to provide thermal insulation in the aerospace industry, scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have taken the material to the next level — harnessing its unique properties to provide value to numerous applications in building and construction, environmental remediation, drug delivery, and even clothing and textiles. In a pioneering effort, a research team led by Associate Professor DUONG Hai-Minh from the Department of Mechanical Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering, has developed aerogels for two new applications: radiative cooling and electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption. Utilising plastic waste, the team engineered thin-film aerogels that function as thermal insulators and radiative coolers. These aerogels can be applied to any surface, such as building roofs, to reduce internal temperatures, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for energy-free thermal management. The team's findings were published in the journal Solar Energy on 15 May 2024. In another study, published in the journal Carbon on 10 January 2024, the NUS researchers devised a simple, scalable method to produce aerogels that absorb EMWs in the X-band, characteristic of those used in weather monitoring and air traffic control. These lightweight, durable aerogels protect against electromagnetic pollution, shielding both humans and sensitive equipment in our increasingly digital world. The researchers' work builds on their prior successes in developing aerogels from a variety of waste materials, from plastics and paper to agricultural by-products such as pineapple leaves. Aerogels for radiative cooling Traditional cooling systems, such as air conditioners, have a ravenous appetite for energy, accounting for approximately 20% of electricity used in buildings worldwide. The new aerogels developed by the NUS team present a passive cooling alternative, leveraging the natural process of radiative cooling to dissipate heat into space without consuming energy. "This process involves using specially engineered aerogels to emit infrared radiation through the atmospheric 'sky window', effectively cooling surface temperatures below ambient levels," said Assoc Prof Duong. "We are excited to be able to upcycle fibres from disposable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles for the new aerogels designed for this purpose, to help address the global plastic waste crisis." Previously the team had worked with PET fibres to produce aerogels, but this latest method is significantly more energy-efficient, consuming about 97 per cent less energy and reducing production time by 96 per cent. When tested in Singapore's warm climate, conducted in collaboration with Dr Jaesuk HWANG from the Centre for Quantum Technologies at NUS, 0.5 centimetres of the material produced a cooling effect of 2 degrees Celcius, achieved by emitting infrared heat into the surroundings while exhibiting good heat insulation, preventing heat absorption from the surrounding environment. "These aerogels could reduce energy consumption in both residential and commercial buildings, especially in tropical climates where cooling is now a necessity," added Assoc Prof Duong. Future research will focus on adapting these aerogels for diverse climatic conditions and expanding their applications beyond building insulation, such as in industrial processes where the efficient thermal management of liquid circulation pipes is crucial. Aerogels for electromagnetic wave absorption Modern electronic devices emit EMWs that can disrupt nearby equipment and pose health risks, including DNA damage and cancer. It is critical, therefore, to develop materials that can effectively absorb EMWs to shield both humans and infrastructure from these adverse effects. Applications include enhancing the privacy and security of buildings as well as protecting sensitive medical equipment. To address this need, Assoc Prof Duong's team has developed a scalable and eco-friendly procedure to produce novel aerogels that are effective at EMW absorption. The process involves blending three main components — carbon nanotubes, polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose — followed by freeze-drying. The aerogel, with a thickness of about 3 millimetres — roughly the width of 40 strands of human hair — demonstrated an impressive performance of absorbing 99.99 per cent of EMW energy. Across the entire X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) of the electromagnetic spectrum, used primarily for radar systems, weather monitoring and air traffic control, the aerogel consistently showed its ability to absorb 90 per cent of EMW energy. "In addition to offering a wide absorption bandwidth of 1.2–2.2 GHz in the X-band, our aerogel is also about 10 times lighter than existing composites used for EMW absorption," added Assoc Prof Duong. "Unlike other composites, our aerogel requires no mixing with heavy polymer fillers before use." The researchers have estimated that producing one square metre of the aerogel, with a thickness of one centimetre, costs less than US$74. This cost is substantially lower than the price of other similar commercial materials, which could range from US$133 to above US$738. Looking ahead, the team plans to refine the aerogel's mechanical properties, such as flexibility, to broaden their applicability across various building and infrastructure projects. The researchers also aim to conduct real-world tests to fully assess the EMW absorption capabilities of the aerogels in practical scenarios. Read more at: https://news.nus.edu.sg/new-aerogels-for-radiative-cooling-and-the-absorption-of-electromagnetic-waves/
A12 藝術空間
Textiles
請先登入後才能發佈新聞。
還不是會員嗎？立即 加入台灣產經新聞網會員 ，使用免費新聞發佈服務。 （服務項目） （投稿規範）
