Tag: 3BL

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

U.S. Bank is supporting the FireAid benefit concert on Thursday, Jan. 30 to be held at both Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The event features some of the top names in music and entertainment to raise donations for rebuilding communities devastated by wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.

Contributions made to FireAid in connection with the FireAid benefit concert, and other direct donations, will be distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation. The Annenberg Foundation, with decades of philanthropic leadership in the Los Angeles community, including rapid response, will help coordinate a team to direct funds for the greatest impact. All proceeds from ticket purchases will go to benefit FireAid relief efforts, with all venue and ticketing service fees waived for this event.

This one-night-only event will start at 6 p.m. PT at the Kia Forum and at 7:30 p.m. PT at the Intuit Dome. It will feature performances by Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Tate McRae playing at Intuit Dome. Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks, and The Black Crowes will be performing at the Kia Forum. U.S. Bank donated tickets to members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, city of Los Angeles, and impacted U.S. Bank employees and small business clients.

“The California community needs our collective support now more than ever,” said Carl Jordan, executive vice president and California regional leader for U.S. Bank. “U.S. Bank has been a part of the Los Angeles community for nearly three decades, and we stand in strong support amidst these very challenging times. As part of our efforts to help support the recovery and rebuilding of the regions impacted by the Los Angeles fires, we are proudly partnering with FireAid for a night of music and solidarity. It also allows U.S. Bank to provide tickets, and help open this experience, to those directly impacted by the fires – including members of the LAFD, small business customers and clients, and our own employees.”

FireAid will be broadcast and streamed live across a range of platforms, including Amazon Music/Prime Video, Apple Music, the AppleTV app, Disney+/Hulu, Facebook/Instagram, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Max, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Peacock/NBC News Now, SiriusXM’s exclusive “LIFE with John Mayer” channel, SoundCloud, TikTok, Veeps and YouTube. Additionally, select AMC Theatre locations will host screenings of the event. Also, iHeartRadio will air it on over 860 radio stations, digital platforms and the iHeartRadio app.

This investment is in addition to U.S. Bank and four other major financial institutions offering mortgage relief for property owners in designated fire areas as a result of the devastation in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The institutions have committed to offering impacted homeowners a 90-day forbearance of their mortgage payments, without reporting these payments to credit reporting agencies, and the opportunity for additional relief.

Additionally, U.S. Bank donated $100,000 to the United Way of Los Angeles earlier this month to support relief and recovery efforts, and the U.S. Bank Foundation is providing a 2:1 employee matching gift to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region or United Way of Los Angeles in support of the relief efforts. The U.S. Bank ATM network also continues to accept donations to fund American Red Cross disaster relief efforts.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the devastating wildfires in California, including our employees and their loved ones who live and work in these communities. To support relief efforts in impacted areas, Kimberly-Clark is donating more than one million of our Huggies® diapers and wipes and U by Kotex® products to our partners at Baby2Baby and Alliance for Period Supplies. These items are being distributed to hundreds of local community-based organizations to provide immediate assistance to families and individuals facing this challenging time.

As a longstanding member of the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, our annual monetary donation supports the organization with strong infrastructure and critical resources necessary to provide relief and support to those in need when disaster strikes.

We are deeply grateful for all the first responders for their courage and dedication as they work tirelessly to keep everyone safe.

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SLB (NYSE: SLB) today announced that SLB Capturi, in collaboration with Aker Solutions, has been awarded an engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) contract from Hafslund Celsio AS to deliver a carbon capture solution at its waste-to-energy facility in Klemetsrud, Oslo. Hafslund Celsio is Norway’s largest district heating supplier and the owner and operator of Norway’s largest waste-to-energy plant. Hafslund Celsio’s carbon capture project is part of Longship, the Norwegian Government’s full value-chain carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.

The contract award includes delivery of a carbon capture plant, liquefaction system, temporary storage, and a loading facility at the waste incineration site. It also includes an intermediate CO2 storage and ship loading system at Oslo harbor, from where the CO2 will be transported to the Northern Lights permanent storage facility on the Norwegian continental shelf. When operational, the carbon capture plant is expected to capture 350,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.

The EPCIC award follows a cost reduction phase for Hafslund Celsio’s project, which identified opportunities for efficiencies, including layout optimization. The project will now be delivered based on SLB Capturi’s modularized Just Catch™ 400 unit. The space-efficient Just Catch design has been fundamental to enabling a viable, cost-effective solution by reducing onsite footprint, installation, and outfitting work.

“Standardization and modularization play a key role in shifting the economics of carbon capture projects,” said Egil Fagerland, chief executive officer, SLB Capturi. “We are extremely proud of our collaboration with Hafslund Celsio and Aker Solutions to align our Just Catch plant design with the techno-economic requirements of this project to help make it a reality. We look forward to delivering this flagship project as a successful blueprint for industrial decarbonization projects in Norway and across the globe.”

Hafslund Celsio’s project is the second carbon capture plant in Longship, where SLB Capturi is already delivering the carbon capture plant at Heidelberg Materials’ cement facility in Brevik in collaboration with Aker Solutions.

“Today marks a significant milestone for Aker Solutions and the CCS industry in Norway. We are proud to be part of this key project and look forward to contributing with our effective project execution, based on three decades of experience in the CCS market. This project is a testament to important public and private collaboration to build an industrial value chain for carbon capture and storage. The project will also significantly contribute to reducing emissions and will create value for both industry and society,” said Kjetel Digre, CEO for Aker Solutions. 

“We are pleased to have Aker Solutions and SLB Capturi collaborating with us on this significant industrial project,” stated Martin S. Lundby, chief executive officer at Hafslund Celsio. “Working with reputable partners who possess extensive experience in carbon capture and storage from the Longship project provides us with security and strength. Our partners bring valuable expertise from large industrial developments both in Norway and internationally. Together, we will construct a carbon capture solution that is expected to be operational by third quarter 2029.”

About SLB 
SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company that drives energy innovation for a balanced planet. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, we work each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com.

About SLB Capturi 
SLB Capturi is a joint venture between SLB and Aker Carbon Capture, dedicated to carbon removal and reduction solutions. The company’s proven modular technologies enable industries to deploy capture technology at speed and scale, meeting the requirements of tomorrow and the opportunities of today. The company is currently delivering seven carbon capture plants to bioenergy, waste to energy, and cement facilities. Find out more at capturi.slb.com

About Aker Solutions 
Aker Solutions delivers integrated solutions, products and services to the global energy industry. The company enables low-carbon oil and gas production and develops renewable solutions to meet future energy needs. By combining innovative digital solutions and predictable project execution Aker Solutions aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy production. Find out more at akersolutions.com

About Hafslund Celsio 
Hafslund Celsio AS is the largest producer and supplier of district heating in Norway and supplied 25 % of the district heating generated in Norway in 2023. In 2024, the company produced 1.9 TWh of district heating. Hafslund Celsio’s waste-to-energy plant at Klemetsrud, Oslo, is Norway’s largest with a capacity to end-treat 350,000 tonnes of waste per year. The company is also expanding its activities to district cooling. The company employs approximately 232 people. Hafslund Celsio is owned by a Norwegian investor consortium comprising Hafslund (60%), Infranode (20%) and HitecVision (20%).

Media 
Josh Byerly – SVP of Communications 
Moira Duff – Director of External Communications 
SLB 
Tel: +1 (713) 375-3407 
Email: media@slb.com

Hanne Rolén – Head of Sustainability & Communications 
SLB Capturi 
Tel: +47 990 02 571 
Email: Hrolen@capturi.slb.com

Investors 
James R. McDonald – SVP of Investor Relations & Industry Affairs 
Joy V. Domingo – Director of Investor Relations 
SLB 
Tel: +1 (713) 375-3535 
Email: investor-relations@slb.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws — that is, statements about the future, not about past events. Such statements often contain words such as “expect,” “may,” “can,” “estimate,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “will,” “potential,” “projected” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain, such as forecasts or expectations regarding the deployment of, or anticipated benefits of, SLB’s new technologies and partnerships; statements about goals, plans and projections with respect to sustainability and environmental matters; forecasts or expectations regarding energy transition and global climate change; and improvements in operating procedures and technology. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the inability to achieve net-negative carbon emissions goals; the inability to recognize intended benefits of SLB’s strategies, initiatives or partnerships; legislative and regulatory initiatives addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change; the timing or receipt of regulatory approvals and permits; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in SLB’s most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and SLB disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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During December’s Season of Giving, CUNY learners and professionals came together for two virtual mentorship sessions hosted by Paramount and The City Tutors. Supported by Paramount’s senior leadership, including Naveen Chopra, EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Paramount Global, and their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team, the event showcased a commitment to fostering meaningful connections and elevating NYC’s diverse talent in media, tech, and finance.

Nearly 130 participants joined during finals season and the busy holiday period. For many learners, it was a rare opportunity to engage directly with professionals at Paramount—people who actively shape the media giant. The event exemplified Paramount’s dedication to creating opportunities for professionals to give back while building bridges for learners into industries that have long felt out of reach.

A Partnership Built Over Four Years

City Tutors and Paramount have worked together for four years, creating pathways into careers in marketing, HR, tech, finance, media, and more. This partnership has grown increasingly impactful by involving specific teams and engaging senior leadership to make these sessions deeply meaningful.

Naveen Chopra’s participation alongside his team reflected Paramount’s understanding of the importance of marshalling resources to support nonprofits doing impactful groundwork—not just through manpower but by fully integrating their organization. Naveen shared: “Every time our Finance and Technology teams work with The City Tutors, it is a privilege for all of us. There are so many avenues you can take in media, so our goal is always to help students leave mentoring sessions with new ideas about professional paths they may not have known existed and give insight into how to jump start their own careers. I am continually impressed by the informed questions and viewpoints students bring to the table”.

Adam Robinson, VP of Global Social Impact, shared: “Partnerships are central to Paramount’s strategy for driving change in communities. By collaborating with local organizations like City Tutors, which identified a clear community need for more

“entertainment-based” mentors, we create meaningful opportunities for engagement on both sides of the value exchange. This collaboration allows Paramount employees—many from New York City—to mentor CUNY students, helping to empower the next generation of storytellers and beyond.”

Learners Reflect on the Experience

For CUNY students, who are often navigating careers without traditional pipelines, the event offered a critical opportunity to access mentorship and professional guidance. One participant shared: “This event gave me access to professionals I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Hearing directly from people in tech and media helped me see how my skills can transfer and where I need to grow. It’s inspired me to take the next steps in my career.”

Mentors on the Power of Mentorship

Paramount mentors offered a wide range of insights during breakout sessions. Key takeaways included the importance of building transferable skills, adapting to career pivots, and leveraging resilience in job searching.

“Many students feel overlooked because they’re not coming from traditional ‘target schools.’ But attending events like this shows they have the drive and ambition to succeed—they are [qualified candidates]. It’s only a matter of time before they achieve their goals. [I noted to the students] ‘Don’t focus on companies prioritizing certain schools; focus on what you bring to the table and the opportunities ahead.’” –Oliver Delgado, Senior Director, Global Strategic Sourcing, Paramount.

Building Pathways to Careers

By partnering with nonprofits like The City Tutors, Paramount isn’t just providing mentorship; they’re helping build a more inclusive workforce that reflects the diverse fabric of NYC. Each mentorship event adds to a growing pipeline of opportunities, where learners can connect, grow, and envision careers they may not have thought possible.

As The City Tutors Executive Director, Garri Rivkin, shared: “What stands out about Paramount is their intentionality. They don’t just host events; they bring in leaders who can truly make a difference, offering learners actionable guidance and a real window into the industry. This is how you build meaningful access and lasting impact.”

Paramount’s efforts continue to elevate NYC’s diverse talent while creating a positive ripple effect across the industry. By fostering connections that drive career growth, this partnership sets the standard for what meaningful corporate social responsibility can achieve.

As the wildfires in California continue, our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.

We remain committed to supporting our employees who have been impacted during this incredibly difficult time. And across our entire company, we are looking at various ways to support the local community and industry at large as they look to recover and rebuild. Paramount has made an initial donation of $1 Million to organizations on the ground that are actively assisting with continuous firefighting and relief efforts, including:

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation – SUPPORT HEREUnited Way – SUPPORT HERECalifornia Fire Foundation – SUPPORT HEREAmerican Red Cross – SUPPORT HEREDirect Relief – SUPPORT HEREWorld Central Kitchen – SUPPORT HEREBest Friends Animal Society – SUPPORT HEREAnti Recidivism Coalition – SUPPORT HERE

Our brands are also taking the initiative to engage in relief efforts:

As of Jan. 15, CBS helped raised over $1.3 Million for the Red Cross, while also donating over 600 boxed meals and water to first responders.Paramount Pictures donated catering from Better Man premiere to the Arcadia Police Department.At Comedy Central, The Daily Show drove viewers to donate to the California Fire Foundation via in-show and social promotion.On the streaming front, P+ and Pluto TV are driving donations to the American Red Cross via PSAs and social promotion.

Additionally, Paramount’s Employee Matching Gifts Program will double contributions from employees made to organizations providing urgent rescue and relief efforts.

For employees directly impacted by the wildfires, they can receive cash grants through Paramount’s Employee Assistance Fund to help cover the costs of emergency evacuation or disaster recovery. And we’re offering lodging and temporary housing assistance to employees affected, as well as emotional support through our Employee Assistance Program.

A $500,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation will help launch the Key2Employment program at SUNY Cobleskill, empowering individuals with neurodiversity to gain fulfilling, meaningful employment and careers, and helping to bridge the gap between the unique needs of learners and the demands of the job market. The program will provide valuable skills training, work experience, and job placement assistance to young adults, increasing their employability and enhancing their quality of life. It will also serve as a valuable resource for businesses and potential employers seeking to hire individuals with neurodiversity.

Watch the full grant announcement here. 

Dr. Marion Terenzio, President of SUNY Cobleskill, said, “Key2Employment aligns with the College’s mission to call all learners to experience hands-on, transformative education that prepares them for fulfilling careers. The program seeks to build a more inclusive workforce by creating these new pathways to success for gifted learners, and by realizing this goal, entire communities can benefit. We are deeply grateful to the KeyBank Foundation for their support and shared commitment to enabling all learners to flourish.”

Fran O’Rourke, KeyBank Capital Region Market President, said, “The unique opportunities that Key2Employment Program will provide to individuals with neurodiversity represent an innovative approach to education and workforce development. We are proud to fund and support this program, and look forward to seeing results and hearing stories about the lives it will transform and the difference it will make in our community.”

The funding will enable the development of three specialized career tracks, with focus areas identified in Web Design and Coding, Business Management, and Animal Care Assistant.

These career areas are in high demand among employers, growing faster than the average compared to other job sectors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This leads to viable job placement prospects once a participant completes their enrolled job-ready training program.

Each career track will provide program participants with job-ready technical skills, soft skills, and social skills over 12 months, resulting in participants being strong candidates for employment placement in their respective career track. By year three of the program, the goal is to train, graduate, and secure job placement for 90 program participants (30 from each career track), demonstrating a “proof of concept” and providing evidence that this program model is successful, sustainable, and ready for expansion. The ultimate goal is for this program to become a model that others across the nation will emulate.

Tamika Otis, KeyBank Capital Region Corporate Responsibility Officer, said, “The training and development the Key2Employment Program provides will help participants have fulfilling careers and lives. It is central to our purpose of helping the communities we serve thrive and is a big step forward for inclusive employment in our region.”

Penny Rivenburg, Division Director of Transitions, a program of The Arc Lexington, said, “We are thrilled that KeyBank recognizes the significant challenges young adults with autism face in finding employment and have provided this $500,000 grant to our partner SUNY Cobleskill to help us expand the Transitions career program. Students with learning differences benefit from specialized training programs that can help them acquire the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in the workforce. We are so grateful the Key2Employment program will also us to offer our Transitions curriculum and training to even more students and to SUNY Cobleskill for stepping up to offer the necessary courses and experiences so they can achieve career success. Thank you to KeyBank for this grant and investing in the future of young adults who are neurodivergent.”

Senator Peter Oberacker, 51st District, said, “The Key2Employment Program at SUNY Cobleskill is more than just an investment in education—it’s a powerful step forward in empowering neurodiverse individuals to build successful, fulfilling careers. A heartfelt thank you to KeyBank and SUNY Cobleskill for their continued commitment to our community. Together, we’re creating positive, lasting change and opening new doors for families right here in New York.” 

Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C-Schoharie) says, “I’m overwhelmed with joy at the generosity and partnership that’s taken place here. The KeyBank Foundation, thanks to their donation, has provided SUNY Cobleskill with more tools to ensure greater opportunities for neurodiverse students arriving to the Cobleskill campus, which then helps them prepare those students for the world after. The opportunity for growth and excellence has just increased for students at SUNY Cobleskill, and I’m thrilled for them. Thank you, KeyBank, for your commitment to the community and to future generations!”

ABOUT KEYCORP

KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at December 31, 2024. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. 

ABOUT SUNY COBLESKILL

The power of hands-on learning and personal development is our guiding principle, empowering our students to grow purpose on their lives and influence the creation of a more sustainable and equitable world. As SUNY’s leading institution of Agriculture and Technology, we explore and innovate at the interchange of these fields, recognizing the roles they play in shaping our future. Our commitment extends globally, achieved through personal, collaborative learning experiences designed for an ideal progression from classroom knowledge to career application. Learn more at www.cobleskill.edu.

Originally published on GoDaddy Newsroom

TEMPE, Ariz., January 24, 2025 /3BL/ — GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) just invested a half-million dollars in the WordPress community through a donation to The WP Community Collective, an initiative focused on funding and empowering WordPress contributors. This monetary support will be directed towards providing financial, operational and promotional support within the greater WordPress community. GoDaddy also recently launched a redesigned Managed WordPress Hosting platform, built with developers in mind.

The WP Community Collective contribution by GoDaddy, the company that helps small businesses thrive, aims to strengthen open source communities by providing resources for designers, developers and other contributors who make the internet work.

These efforts help to build the WordPress platform and provide individuals with the freedom to adapt and improve this open source software to suit their needs without limitations.

“GoDaddy and its employees care deeply about the WordPress community and show it year in, year out in many ways, including contributions of time and funding,” said GoDaddy President of Partners Paul Bindel. “We’re focused on continuing to enhance our industry-leading WordPress platform and hope our investment of $520,000 helps other valued members of the community sustain their contributions throughout 2025 and beyond.”

GoDaddy Supports Many Critical WordPress Community Projects 

In addition to the December 2024 investment in The WP Community Collective announced today, GoDaddy is sponsoring a handful of open source projects that will elevate WordPress while empowering contributors.

The open source projects receiving funding, mentorship, and other opportunities from GoDaddy include:

PHP Coding Standards – GoDaddy gave $12,000 in total in 2024 to support PHP code quality tools (Open Collective).PHP Foundation – GoDaddy donated $24,000 in December 2024 to help sustain PHP, the language powering much of the internet.World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) – GoDaddy donated $40,000 in December 2024 to champion open web standards through the W3C.WP Accessibility Meetup – GoDaddy sponsors live captions for the group’s monthly meetings.Five for the Future – Currently, GoDaddy sponsors 46 contributors, across 17 teams, through this program. The company ranks as the second-largest contributor of people and is ranked third in number of pledged hours per week at 255 hours.

“These monetary contributions to the WordPress community, alongside our team’s involvement through contributions, showcase how vital we believe WordPress is to the web,” continued Bindel. “We believe that anyone should be able to participate, contribute and be involved in propelling the WordPress project forward.”

GoDaddy Redesigns Managed WordPress Product with Developers in Mind 

In tandem with its open source investments and goals to provide resources, GoDaddy has enhanced the WordPress experience by launching a newly optimized Managed WordPress Hosting platform. It serves over 80 billion requests per month with more than three petabytes of data and gives customers up to two times faster performance than other WordPress hosting providers* and more control of their WordPress site, with advanced security and isolation at every level.

Built with WordPress developers in mind, the platform now delivers the power of a virtual private server (VPS) with the simplicity and reliability of Managed WordPress.

Benefits of the updated platform include:

Seamless scaling – Handle traffic surges with vertical scaling up to 12 cores.Strong isolation – Help protect a site with containerized services and nano-segmentation.Multi-layer security - Stay ahead of threats with hardened containers and immutable code.Real-time observability – Monitor site health and performance through upcoming per-site dashboards.

From continually enhancing its own Managed WordPress Hosting platform to providing crucial support to the community, GoDaddy is fully invested in the success and future of WordPress.

To learn more about GoDaddy and its products, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo™, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

*Disclaimer: Page load times compared to leading WordPress hosting providers Flywheel, Siteground, Hostgator, Dreamhost, Namecheap, Hostinger, and Bluehost for page load times between September and October, 2024. Actual performance may vary by region. 

SOURCE GoDaddy Inc.

Originally published on Essity News Features

Hygiene and health company Essity has once again been recognized as one of the world’s most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights. The prestigious Global 100 list, which was announced during the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, represents the top 1% of companies worldwide in terms of sustainability performance.

The ranking consists of 8,359 companies with more than USD 1 billion in revenue. The companies are assessed using 25 quantitative key performance indicators, including sustainable revenue, sustainable investment, taxes paid, carbon productivity, and racial and gender diversity.

“We are pleased to once again be recognized as one of the world’s most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights. Essity’s commitment to improving hygiene and health while responsibly managing our climate and environmental footprint continues, we strive for continuous improvement and never settle for less”, says Sahil Tesfu, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Essity.

Corporate Knights is a publishing and research firm that focuses on sustainability and responsible business. Its research division produces rankings and financial product ratings based on corporate sustainability performance.

The full ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights is available on their website: https://www.corporateknights.com/ 

For additional information please contact: 
Karl Stoltz, Public Relations Director, +46 (0) 709 426 338, karl.stoltz@essity.com

About Essity

Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2023, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 147bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

2025 is the Year of the Snake – the Wood Snake, to be precise. This year the two-week-long Chinese New Year holiday begins on January 29 and U.S. Bank is celebrating across its footprint with employees, clients and communities.

“The Year of the Snake is associated with traits of wisdom, mystery, introspection and elegance, and we are proud to continue our tradition of offering red envelopes and customized calendars in our branches as a small way to support our clients and local communities in celebrating such a culturally significant time of year,” said Sekou Kaalund, EVP, head of Branch and Small Business Banking for U.S. Bank. “We will also be active in community celebrations throughout Chicago, Seattle and cities across California, and look forward to celebrating Lunar New Year with our clients, employees and communities throughout January and February.”

U.S. Bank is once again excited to share its 2025 calendars and red envelopes. Visit select local branches to pick up an exclusive 2025 Year of the Snake wall calendar and red envelopes with the theme “Journey of the Snake.” Supplies are limited and available at select locations. A printable PDF of the wall calendar can be downloaded at usbank.com/yearofthesnake. In addition, here are links to download wallpapers for the January and February artwork.

January art for desktopJanuary art for mobile deviceFebruary art for desktopFebruary art for mobile device

This year, the calendar art was designed by Hongly Nguyen from San Jose, California. Nguyen is a Vietnamese American, born into a family of seven. She is proud to be chosen to create the art for the year of the snake calendar.

This year, the calendar art was designed by Hongly Nguyen from San Jose, California. Nguyen is a Vietnamese American, born into a family of seven. She is proud to be chosen to create the art for the year of the snake calendar.

“I hope the art in the calendar gives the vibe of wrapping things together – creating a feeling of warmth for the new year,” Nguyen said. “I want people to have a celebratory vibe. Lunar New Year is about bringing people together – it’s about unity. I want people to feel that all year long through my art and the calendar.”

U.S. Bank has created several opportunities for everyone to celebrate the Year of the Snake, including:  

Digital Red Envelopes: Gifting a red envelope with lucky money is a hallmark of Lunar New Year. Whether family and friends are across the street or across the country, Zelle® in the U.S. Bank Mobile App makes it safe and easy to continue this tradition with those you know and trust by sending one of our exclusive Lunar New Year e-card designs. Best of all, Zelle® is free for U.S. Bank clients.

Financial Guidance: To help everyone plan for a prosperous year, U.S. Bank offers in-person and digital services including learning modules powered by Zogo (in English) and appointment scheduling with a banker (in English).

Community Partnerships: In addition to celebrating with clients, U.S. Bank partners with community organizations across the country and is proud to support community events, festivals and parades celebrating Lunar New Year, including:

Jan. 18-19 – Lunar New Year Festival (Monterey Park, California)Feb. 8 – Lunar New Year Festival (Alhambra, California)Feb. 9 – Chinese New Year Parade (Chicago)Feb. 15-16 – Asian American Expo (La Verne, California)Feb. 15-16 – Chinese New Year Festival & Parade (San Francisco)Feb. 22 – CIDBIA Lunar New Year Festival (Seattle)

U.S. Bank will also be giving away pastries at designated branch locations in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and Chicago on Jan. 24, 2025, while supplies last. Those locations include:

Arcadia (1400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, California)Alhambra (2400 W. Commonwealth Ave., Alhambra, California)City of Industry (17501 Colima Rd. STE A, City of Industry, California)Hacienda Heights (2040 S. Hacienda Blvd., Hacienda Heights, California)San Gabriel (401 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel, California)San Marino (2300 Huntington Dr., San Marino, California)Irvine (13070 Yale Ave., Irvine, California)San Francisco (1850 Irving St., San Francisco)San Francisco (1435 Stockton St., San Francisco)Fremont (39390 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, California)Factoria (4040 Factoria Blvd. SE, Bellevue, Washington)Chicago (2131 S. China Pl., Chicago)

U.S. Bank has a long history of supporting Asian clients and communities through partnerships and grant efforts with the Chinatown Community Development Corporation in San Francisco, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment in Los Angeles, Asian Business Association Inland Empire and San Diego chapters, Chinese American Service League in Chicago and the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce. 
Visit usbank.com/yearofthesnake for more information.

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bancorp, with more than 70,000 employees and $686 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. Learn more at usbank.com/about.

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Originally published by Investment Reports

Could you provide an overview of what’s currently happening at Chemours, especially regarding your transition to the CEO role?

Things are going very well at Chemours, especially from a cultural standpoint. The disruptions we faced were isolated incidents involving a few people and did not affect the entire company. My transition has been overwhelmingly supported by the organization, as I have been with Chemours and its predecessor for 36 years. Being a chemical engineer by training, my background brought comfort to the company during this leadership change. Upon my arrival, we took the opportunity to reset our values and engaged the entire organization, with 2,400 employees participating in shaping our new values, focusing on safety, integrity, partnership, ownership, and respect.

How has the demand for performance materials shifted, particularly within the semiconductor industry, and what role does Chemours play in this?

We recognize the growing trend of bringing manufacturing capabilities back to the U.S., especially in the semiconductor industry – we’re the only domestic manufacturer of a critical material, PFA resin. This shift presents a major opportunity for us due to our expertise in producing products with the highest levels of purity, which is critical for semiconductor manufacturing. Whether it’s in lithography tools or the chemical distribution systems used in chip fabrication, the quality of our materials plays a vital role in ensuring chip production efficiency and improving yields for our downstream customers.

We’ve also invested heavily in understanding our customers’ evolving needs. The semiconductor industry is incredibly precise, with even the smallest impurity having the potential to disrupt production. That’s why we’ve focused on innovation to ensure our materials meet the highest standards of purity. Our goal is to continue driving productivity improvements for our customers by closely listening to their requirements and pushing forward in our research and development efforts.

Do you anticipate the chemical industry’s R&D investment increasing as companies target high-value segments like semiconductors?

While some segments of our business, such as the titanium dioxide (TiO2) division, don’t require significant product innovation, we are investing heavily in the areas where we see growth potential. For example, we built a state-of-the-art facility on the University of Delaware’s STAR campus, focusing on clean energy technologies like hydrogen, fuel cells, and flow batteries. Most recently we invested millions into a new battery lab to enable more sustainable, cost-effective, energy-efficient, and high-performing batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. This focus on innovation is crucial for staying competitive in high-growth sectors. While it might seem like a smaller percentage when compared to some other industries, our investments in advanced electronics and energy solutions are substantial and reflect our commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry.

Can you tell us more about some of the next-generation technologies Chemours is developing, such as for advanced lithography processes and liquid cooling for data centers?

One of the most exciting areas we are working on is two-phase immersion cooling for data centers, which is quickly becoming viewed as the future of cooling. Today, most data centers rely on air cooling, but we’ve developed a fluid in which entire servers are immersed. Our immersion cooling lab has been running tests with our Opteon™ 2P50 developmental fluid for over two years now without experiencing the degradation or hardware corrosion current liquid cooling solutions face. We’ve tested our fluid rigorously to ensure its reliability, even under challenging conditions. Beyond liquid cooling, we’re also innovating in our technologies that serve the semiconductor industry. For example, we’ve expanded our manufacturing capabilities at our Washington Works site to further support domestic semiconductor production. Our team recently launched a new production line for high-quality Teflon™ PFA materials used in semiconductors, and the results have been fantastic. We’re also working on advancing cable materials that can handle the demands of transmitting data quickly while withstanding heat and corrosive environments, making us a critical player in the high-speed data center and high-performance computing supply chain.

What is the role of chemistry in today’s world, and how important is it for people to understand its impact?

Chemistry is fundamental to nearly everything we have in our society today. Many people don’t realize that their everyday conveniences, such as smartphones and air travel, are made possible through advancements in chemistry. It is the foundation of countless innovations, and that connection between modern technology and chemical science needs to be better understood. I often find myself talking about chemistry at social events because I believe in spreading that awareness.

The chemicals industry is often two steps removed from the consumer, but its impact is far-reaching. Companies like INEOS in the UK have done a great job educating the public on this, and we should continue that effort globally. By emphasizing how chemistry drives progress, we can foster greater appreciation and understanding of its role in modern life.

How does Chemours stay ahead of its clients’ future needs, particularly in industries like semiconductors?

It is crucial to not only respond to current needs but also to anticipate future trends. At Chemours, we connect with a wide range of stakeholders, including not just our direct and downstream customers, but industry groups, universities, startups, and national laboratories, to stay ahead of industry shifts. We have dedicated roles within the company that focus on understanding trends and aligning our innovation strategy with future demands, particularly in sectors like semiconductors, where technology is constantly evolving. In addition to short-term planning, we also engage in long-term forecasting, looking 10 years ahead to ensure we remain competitive. This requires balancing the immediate pressures of being a public company with the need to invest in long-term strategies, such as our corporate responsibility commitments set in 2018. These commitments, aimed at addressing sustainability and innovation, have proven to be incredibly forward-thinking, reinforcing the importance of having a clear, long-term vision.

What is currently keeping you up at night regarding Chemours’ operations?

One of the biggest concerns is regulatory overreach, particularly the lack of alignment between different regulatory bodies. It’s not just a U.S. issue; we see it globally, especially in Europe. There’s often a disconnect between government policies aimed at fostering growth, such as the CHIPS Act or the Inflation Reduction Act, and the actual execution of these policies by regulatory agencies. This misalignment creates hurdles for companies like ours, making it difficult to secure permits and move forward with projects that are critical for supply chain resilience. This lack of coherence between economic development and regulatory frameworks introduces uncertainty, which can hinder long-term investments. For manufacturers, it is challenging to commit to projects when policies could drastically change with new political leadership.

How important is supply chain resilience to Chemours’ partners, particularly in the semiconductor industry?

Supply chain resilience is one of the top concerns for our partners, particularly in high-tech industries like semiconductors. It is critical to ensure that materials are available locally and that we can provide the certainty and quality needed to keep production on track. The President and CEO of industry group SEMI recently highlighted supply chain resilience as one of the top four issues facing the industry, and we agree wholeheartedly. The regionalization of supply chains and the uncertainty caused by global disruptions make it essential for companies like Chemours to establish reliable, local supply networks.

What are some of the key milestones Chemours is aiming for in the coming year, particularly regarding innovation?

We are expecting significant progress on our strategic initiatives, particularly in the area of advanced cooling technologies for data centers. One of our exciting innovations is two-phase immersion cooling developmental fluid that not only reduces cooling energy use by more than 90% when compared to conventional air cooling, but also nearly eliminates water usage and cuts footprint size significantly. This technology addresses key challenges in data center management and we’re moving toward a commercial production plan. In addition to that, we are continuing to focus on other key areas, including next-generation refrigerants, advanced electronics, and clean energy solutions.

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