Sustainability

Los Angeles – September 16, 2026 -- Two immersive media projects supported by Agog: The Immersive Media Institute captured two of the three prizes awarded in the Venice Immersive competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Out of the Ashes, co-directed by Rory Mitchell and Nonny de la Peña, received the Venice Immersive Special Jury Prize, while Empire at Sea, created and directed by Peter Flaherty, earned the Venice Immersive Achievement Prize.

Berlin – September 15, 2026 -- Midea has sold more than 10 million R290-based air conditioning units globally since 2018, cutting an estimated 5.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, the company announced at IFA 2026 in Berlin.

Midea claims 16 straight years as the world's top producer of R290-refrigerant air conditioners

The natural refrigerant carries near-zero global warming potential, contains no PFAS compounds, and delivers roughly 10% higher energy efficiency than conventional alternatives, according to the company. Midea says the carbon reduction achieved through R290 unit sales matches the absorption capacity of 6.2 million hectares of Amazon rainforest.

Taipei – September 16, 2026 -- The 2026 Taiwan Innotech Expo (TIE) will open its doors September 17-19 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1, gathering 435 exhibitors from 18 countries to present 1,039 technologies under the theme "AI-Powered Innovation | Driving a Sustainable Future."

Twelve government agencies co-organize the three-day event

The expo is jointly organized by 12 government bodies, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs, National Science and Technology Council, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Digital Affairs, National Development Council, Academia Sinica, and Ministry of Sports.

Montepulciano, Italy – September 16, 2026 -- Avignonesi, Italy's largest fully biodynamically certified wine estate, has been nominated for European Winery of the Year in Wine Enthusiast's 2026 Wine Star Awards, marking the estate as the sole Italian producer selected in the category.

Avignonesi stands as the only Italian nominee among European contenders

The nomination recognizes the historic Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G. producer for its scale of responsible viticulture and long-term land stewardship. Winners for the 27th annual Wine Star Awards will be announced at a black-tie gala in January 2027.

Paris – September 16, 2026 -- Cuprum Metals has won the Grand Prix Scale-Up Award at the World Materials Forum, recognizing technology designed to unlock copper from chalcopyrite ores that have historically constrained global supply.

Cuprum's technology targets copper locked in hard-to-process sulfide ores

The award, presented September 4 in Paris, singles out Cuprum's approach to copper recovery from primary and secondary sulfides, including chalcopyrite, a mineral form that has long limited extraction efficiency across the mining industry.

NEW YORK – September 16, 2026 -- Intrinsic Advanced Materials is widening commercial deployment of its CiCLO® fiber technology into home and hospitality textiles through new collaborations with ADVANSA and HeiQ Materials AG, ahead of a joint activation with Lonely Whale during NYC Climate Week on Sept. 21-22.

ADVANSA integrates CiCLO into its premium Suprelle fiberfill line

ADVANSA is launching Suprelle® fiberfill made with CiCLO fibers for bedding, home and hospitality applications, embedding the microplastic-persistence-reduction technology into an established fiberfill portfolio built around comfort attributes such as cooling, down-like feel, loft retention and moisture management. Jean-Christophe Rouyer, head of global business development at ADVANSA, said the addition lets customers differentiate Suprelle products without altering core fiberfill performance.

New York – September 15, 2026 -- Karas Wines, an Armenian winery founded in 2004, has been nominated for 'New World Winery of the Year' in the 2026 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards, marking a milestone for the country's wine sector on the international stage.

Karas cultivates over 400 hectares at elevations above 1,300 meters in Armenia's Ararat Valley

The estate, located in the Armavir region, grows both indigenous Armenian grapes and international varieties in mineral-rich volcanic soils. Karas has supported ampelographic research identifying more than 120 indigenous Armenian grape varieties, including Areni and Sireni, combining traditional clay vessel fermentation with modern viticulture.

Winery became first in Armenia to certify an organic vineyard

Karas has invested in solar energy, advanced drip irrigation and digitally managed water systems to address vineyard management challenges in the semi-arid Ararat Valley climate.

Lehigh Valley, Pa. – September 15, 2026 -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) will donate up to $15,000 to the Ceramic & Glass Industry Foundation and the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council through a donation tied to attendance at the 87th Conference on Glass Problems in Toledo, Ohio, running Sept. 14-17.

Air Products Foundation Ties Donation to Booth Visits

For each visitor to its exhibit and hospitality event, the Air Products Foundation will contribute $100, capped at a total of $15,000, to support the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals. The event runs 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on Sept. 14 and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on Sept. 15 in Salon 2 of the Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel.

Madison, Wis. – September 15, 2026 -- Everlight Solar has been named a 2026 1-Star Champion in the Fleet category by Dane County's Climate Champions Program, marking its fourth recognition under the initiative since 2021.

Everlight Solar now operates 14 electric vehicles across its regional operations

The fleet supports company teams traveling to job sites and community events throughout the Dane County area. The 2026 designation builds on a 2025 Climate Champion recognition earned after the company converted 25-50% of its vehicles to clean energy.

Company's climate track record spans five years of escalating recognition

Dane County first named Everlight Solar an Emerging Climate Champion in Fleet Operations in 2023. In 2021, the company received Climate Champion Catalyst status for helping other local organizations take climate action.

Shenzhen – September 15, 2026 -- TCL has been named to TIME's World's Best Companies for 2026, a ranking compiled with Statista from an independent survey of 200,000 employees across more than 50 countries.

TCL Technology and TCL Industries post double-digit revenue growth in 2025

TCL Technology recorded revenue of approximately US$27 billion in 2025, up 11.7% year on year, while TCL Industries reported revenue of roughly US$24.9 billion, an increase of 13.8%. Overseas revenue exceeded US$24.93 billion, with average annual growth of more than 18.3% over the past five years.

Global footprint spans manufacturing hubs in five countries and 160-plus markets

TCL operates manufacturing and R&D facilities across China, Vietnam, Poland, Mexico and Brazil, serving customers in more than 160 countries and regions.