Supply Chain

Berlin – September 16, 2026 -- Rokid unveiled AIUI Studio at IFA Berlin 2026, a browser-based development platform that lets creators build and publish spatial AI applications for its AI Glasses without writing code.

Platform cuts development barriers for smart-glasses agents

AIUI Studio integrates the AIUI Skills Library framework and AIUI Code assistance, letting developers optimize latency, memory use and power consumption on Rokid hardware. Built-in hardware simulation allows app creation and testing without owning a physical device, while users can dictate ideas in plain language and have the platform generate the application automatically.

Ben Liu, head of global communications and branding at Rokid, said an open AI ecosystem must let people implement their own ideas, not just access existing models and apps.

Johannesburg – September 16, 2026 -- Tongxin Microelectronics (TMC TONGXIN MICRO) unveiled its THD89 payment chip series and E450R open-architecture security chip at Seamless Africa 2026, held September 8-9 in Johannesburg, positioning the Chinese semiconductor firm deeper into Africa's digital finance and identity infrastructure market.

THD89 becomes first China-developed chip to secure CC EAL6+ certification

The THD89 payment product line is used in smart payment cards compatible with UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard and JCB networks, protecting transactions for hundreds of millions of cardholders globally.

Stokke, Norway – September 16, 2026 -- Yutong Bus opened its first comprehensive service center in Europe on September 8 in Stokke, Norway, a 38,941-square-meter facility designed to support battery-electric bus fleets across the full vehicle lifecycle.

Facility integrates 6,074 square meters of service infrastructure including a 2,300-square-meter parts warehouse

The Center combines vehicle delivery, after-sales service, spare parts supply, and technical training under one roof. It houses seven standardized maintenance bays plus dedicated bays for powertrain and large-component repairs, equipped with four-post lifts, an electronic laser wheel alignment system, a brake tester, and a heavy-duty tire balancer. The facility can service chassis, electrical and high-voltage systems, powertrains, air conditioning, and interiors, and also handles non-severe accident repairs, alcohol interlocks, and tachographs.

Tokyo – September 16, 2026 -- Mercuria Energy Group Limited has closed a new JPY 145.3 billion three-year Samurai term loan facility, refinancing a JPY 130.9 billion facility signed in 2024 and increasing the total commitment by roughly JPY 14.4 billion.

Facility size ranks among largest Samurai loans in market

The JPY 145.3 billion facility will fund general corporate and working capital needs, extending a financing relationship Mercuria has maintained with Japanese lenders since its first Samurai loan in 2014.

Four banks arrange syndication as bookrunning mandated lead arrangers

Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation structured the deal.

Sydney – September 16, 2026 -- First Graphene Limited (ASX: FGR, FRA: M11, OTCQB: FGPHF) has secured its first production purchase order for PureGRAPH® from Australian polyurethane manufacturer Pacific Urethanes Pty Ltd, marking a new customer and a new commercial application for the graphene material.

Pacific Urethanes will incorporate PureGRAPH® into polyurethane formulations to boost fire-retardant performance

The order targets applications for the Australian mining and resources sector, where polyurethane is widely used for screening media, wear liners, slurry systems, conveyor components, pumps, piping, and chute liners due to its abrasion resistance and impact performance. Fire performance has been a recognised limitation of polyurethane, particularly in underground mining environments where fire, smoke and hazardous gases pose safety risks.

London – September 16, 2026 -- KraftPal Holdings Ltd has completed construction of the KP25039, a new semi-automatic paper pallet production machine capable of producing up to 100 pallets per hour, as the company accelerates its licensing-based manufacturing network.

KraftPal cuts entry costs to speed licensing partner adoption

The KP25039 is designed as a lower-cost, entry-level alternative to KraftPal's existing production lines, aimed at lowering the barrier for businesses to become licensing partners and manufacture lightweight corrugated pallets locally. The machine requires greater manual labor to operate than KraftPal's fully automated systems, but its faster engineering build cycle allows the company to produce more units and enable quicker in-country production start-ups.

Milford, Utah – September 16, 2026 -- Milford Mining Company Utah (MMCU) has received a conditional commitment for $25 million in financing under the USDA Rural Development Business & Industry Loan Guarantee Program, funds it will use to double copper throughput and valuation by the end of next year.

USDA-backed loan targets facility expansion and job creation

The 16.5-year financing arrangement will be privately funded through Magnolia Guaranteed Lending, a division of Kentucky-based Magnolia Bank and a USDA-approved lender. MMCU plans to use the capital to modernize processing equipment, remove operational bottlenecks and double production capacity at its Milford, Utah facility. The expansion is expected to create approximately 100 new jobs, adding to the company's current 180-person workforce.

Moriarty, New Mexico – September 16, 2026 -- Sceye's ST1 high-altitude platform station (HAPS) completed a nearly 30,000-km round trip between New Mexico and Japan, returning to continental US airspace on September 16, 2026, and reaching its Moriarty headquarters airspace on September 16, 2026, for additional testing and a planned descent.

Moriarty, New Mexico – September 16, 2026 -- Sceye's stratospheric platform ST1 has completed a nearly 30,000-kilometer round trip between New Mexico and Japan, re-entering continental U.S. airspace on September 16, 2026, and reaching the company's Moriarty headquarters the following day for final testing and controlled descent.

ST1 logged over seven days in Japanese controlled airspace during a month-long mission

The high-altitude platform station (HAPS), developed with SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), marked Sceye's first flight into Asia and a key step toward commercial HAPS deployment. ST1 maintained a station-keeping radius of just 5 kilometers off the Japanese coast while operating continuously at 16.5 to 17 kilometers altitude.

Brookings, S.D. – September 16, 2026 -- Northern Tool + Equipment has launched its fourth annual student vehicle build program at Flandreau Indian School, tasking 14 career and technical education (CTE) students with transforming a 1976 Ford F-350 utility truck into a rolling showcase of skilled-trades careers for display at the 2027 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Build IV marks the program's first placement at a tribal school and its first gender-balanced student team

Half of the Flandreau Indian School Build Team is female, a program first for Northern Tool's four-year-old initiative. Students will handle welding, fabrication, automotive repair, paint, bodywork and design work on the truck throughout the 2026-2027 school year, working directly alongside industry professionals rather than watching contractors complete the work.