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Lafarge and Geocycle Canada inaugurate first company-owned Low-carbon Fuel Plant in the country

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The over $10-million investment will reduce carbon emissions at the Lafarge Canada Brookfield Cement Plant by 12,000 tonnes per year

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2024 /CNW/ – Lafarge Canada and Geocycle Canada, members of Holcim Group, and the Department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Office of Energy Research and Development (OERD), today announced the opening of Geocycle’s first low-carbon1 fuel plant in Canada – a more than $10-million facility located at the Lafarge Canada Brookfield Cement Plant (NS). The investment represents one of the most transformative initiatives in the 50-year history of the cement plant. The project received $3.53 million from the federal government’s Energy Innovation Program (EIP), created to advance clean energy technologies to support Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

“Cement is a vital component of infrastructure projects that contribute to economic growth. By implementing sustainable and innovative solutions to reduce our environmental impact, we’re serving the needs of our customers and the communities in which we operate both now and in the future,” says David Redfern, president and CEO, Lafarge Canada (East). “Our continued collaboration with Geocycle Canada reinforces our commitment to invest and advance circular construction in Canada.”

When in full production, the new plant will divert approximately 14,000 tonnes of waste away from landfills annually to be pre-processed into low-carbon fuel, minimizing the Brookfield Cement Plant’s reliance on traditional fossil fuels. It is expected that this will reduce carbon emissions at the plant by more than 12,000 tonnes per year2; equivalent to taking 13,480 passenger vehicles off the road.3 

As Geocycle’s first-of-its-kind in the country, the low-carbon fuel plant will take waste products like nonrecyclable plastics, and soon, construction and demolition waste materials, from local sources, turning it into low carbon fuels to make cement, and ultimately the concrete used in construction projects in the area and beyond. The new facility is also expected to create jobs in the local Nova Scotia community.

“At Geocycle, our solutions are circular by design,” says Sophie Wu, Head of Geocycle North America. “We are happy to take another significant step in our ongoing partnership with Lafarge Canada. This is a great example of our work toward the decarbonization of the construction industry in Canada.”

“By taking waste from the local community and turning it into low-carbon energy, Lafarge Canada and Geocycle Canada are reducing Canada’s reliance on traditional fossil fuels, and paving the way for additional lower carbon energy projects in the construction industry,” says The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

The Plant commissioning started in June 2024 when the Lafarge and Geocycle teams initiated their work with local manufacturers and materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to collect their waste to be pre-processed at the new facility. Together, both organizations are working toward finding solutions to decarbonize the construction industry. In May, the companies announced the completion of a pilot project to produce high-quality clinker made of recycled materials recovered from waste sources. Clinker is the main ingredient in cement – the active ingredient in concrete.

___________________________

1 Low (or lower or alternative low) carbon fuels are defined here and in some Canadian jurisdictions as fuels with lower carbon emissions than the fossil fuels they replace, which in the case of the Brookfield plant is coal.

2 Applicable to Scope 1 plant emissions with reductions determined using WBCSD/WCI methodology

3 Figure calculated using Natural Resources Canada Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

About Lafarge Canada Inc.

Lafarge Canada is the largest provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions in Canada, including aggregates, cement, ready mix and precast concrete, asphalt and paving, road and civil construction. We have over 6,900 employees and 400 sites across the country, and as an affiliate of Holcim, Lafarge Canada is driven by the Group’s purpose to build progress for people and the planet. 

Holcim’s 63,448 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building while improving living standards for all. We empower our customers to build better with less, with a broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact® to ECOPlanet®. Through innovative systems, from Elevate’s roofing to PRB’s insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of our strategy, we are on the way to becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C targets validated by SBTi.

www.lafarge.ca

About Geocycle

In a world of increasing population and rising urbanization, Geocycle provides sustainable solutions to municipalities and industries by transforming waste into resources: recycling, when possible, while valorizing non-recyclable materials. As a dedicated part of Holcim Group, we operate globally and offer large-scale and scientifically proven recovery and recycling solutions. We set industry leading standards, foster industrial symbiosis and provide peace of mind to our partners for achieving their own sustainability targets. We strive to achieve zero waste of resources, which leads to decarbonization, circular economy and building progress for people and the planet.

www.geocycle.com

About Holcim

Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions with net sales of CHF 27.0 billion in 2023. Driven by our purpose to build progress for people and the planet, our 63,448 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. We empower our customers across all regions to build better with less, with a broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact and ECOPlanet to our circular technology platform ECOCycle®. Through innovative systems, from Elevate roofing to PRB insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of our strategy, we are on the way to becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C targets validated by SBTi.

Learn more about Holcim on www.holcim.com, and by following us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Lafarge Canada Inc.

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Air Products to Expand Integrated Gas Supply Network for Semiconductor Manufacturer in Taiwan

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New investment to support next-generation facility expansion

TAIPEI, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Air Products (NYSE:APD), a world-leading industrial gases company, today announced Air Products San Fu has been awarded a long-term agreement to support a semiconductor manufacturer’s expansion in Taiwan. The project will supply multiple new semiconductor fabs and back-end packaging facilities, supporting growing demand driven by artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

Air Products San Fu will build, own, and operate four large state-of-the-art air separation units and bulk gas supply systems with new underground pipeline systems. The company will supply a range of industrial gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and helium to support the customer’s semiconductor operations.

The new underground pipeline systems will be connected to Air Products’ existing pipeline network in Taiwan, further enhancing supply reliability, operational efficiency, and resilience.  

“Air Products is honored to be selected by our strategic customer to support their continued growth, building on our proven track record and strong long-term partnership,” said Paul Yang, President, Air Products San Fu. “This project further reinforces our role as a trusted supplier in Taiwan and reflects our long-term commitment to grow with our customers. It also underscores our world-class performance in safety, reliability and operational excellence, which are critical to meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of the electronics industry.”

Air Products has been serving the Taiwan market through Air Products San Fu for more than 70 years and has established leading supply positions across key science parks with extensive pipeline networks. The company operates one of the world’s largest ultra-high purity nitrogen pipeline systems in Southern Taiwan and is the first gas company in Taiwan awarded ISO9002 and ISO14000 certifications. 

This latest project further strengthens Air Products’ integrated supply footprint across both front-end semiconductor manufacturing and back-end advanced packaging, reinforcing its position as a key supplier to the electronics industry in Taiwan.

Air Products has served the global electronics industry for more than 40 years, supplying industrial gases safely and reliably to many of the world’s leading technology companies.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 85 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets and generating a cleaner future. The Company supplies essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, medical and food. As the leading global hydrogen supplier, Air Products develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world’s largest hydrogen projects. Through its sale of equipment businesses, the Company also provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally.

Air Products had fiscal 2025 sales of $12 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries. For more information, visit airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedInXFacebook or Instagram.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/air-products-to-expand-integrated-gas-supply-network-for-semiconductor-manufacturer-in-taiwan-302831489.html

SOURCE Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

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Air Products to Expand Integrated Gas Supply Network for Semiconductor Manufacturer in Taiwan

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New investment to support next-generation facility expansion

TAIPEI, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Air Products (NYSE:APD), a world-leading industrial gases company, today announced Air Products San Fu has been awarded a long-term agreement to support a semiconductor manufacturer’s expansion in Taiwan. The project will supply multiple new semiconductor fabs and back-end packaging facilities, supporting growing demand driven by artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

Air Products San Fu will build, own, and operate four large state-of-the-art air separation units and bulk gas supply systems with new underground pipeline systems. The company will supply a range of industrial gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and helium to support the customer’s semiconductor operations.

The new underground pipeline systems will be connected to Air Products’ existing pipeline network in Taiwan, further enhancing supply reliability, operational efficiency, and resilience.  

“Air Products is honored to be selected by our strategic customer to support their continued growth, building on our proven track record and strong long-term partnership,” said Paul Yang, President, Air Products San Fu. “This project further reinforces our role as a trusted supplier in Taiwan and reflects our long-term commitment to grow with our customers. It also underscores our world-class performance in safety, reliability and operational excellence, which are critical to meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of the electronics industry.”

Air Products has been serving the Taiwan market through Air Products San Fu for more than 70 years and has established leading supply positions across key science parks with extensive pipeline networks. The company operates one of the world’s largest ultra-high purity nitrogen pipeline systems in Southern Taiwan and is the first gas company in Taiwan awarded ISO9002 and ISO14000 certifications. 

This latest project further strengthens Air Products’ integrated supply footprint across both front-end semiconductor manufacturing and back-end advanced packaging, reinforcing its position as a key supplier to the electronics industry in Taiwan.

Air Products has served the global electronics industry for more than 40 years, supplying industrial gases safely and reliably to many of the world’s leading technology companies.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 85 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets and generating a cleaner future. The Company supplies essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, medical and food. As the leading global hydrogen supplier, Air Products develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world’s largest hydrogen projects. Through its sale of equipment businesses, the Company also provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally.

Air Products had fiscal 2025 sales of $12 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries. For more information, visit airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedInXFacebook or Instagram.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/air-products-to-expand-integrated-gas-supply-network-for-semiconductor-manufacturer-in-taiwan-302831489.html

SOURCE Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

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UOB partners Visa to launch new Visa Infinite tiers across ASEAN in landmark multi-market launch of such scale

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More than 300,000 cardholders will enjoy expanded suite of premium benefits as UOB strengthens its regional leadership in premium payment solutions.

SINGAPORE, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UOB has partnered with Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to relaunch several card products across its five key markets (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam) under Visa’s newly introduced premium card tiers, Visa Infinite Privilege and Visa Infinite Private.

UOB is progressively upgrading its suite of affluent and high-net-worth (HNW) card solutions to the new Visa Infinite tiers, reinforcing the Bank’s leadership in premium card innovation. With the relaunch, more than 300,000 UOB Visa Infinite cardholders across ASEAN will be upgraded to higher card tiers, giving them access to an expanded suite of premium benefits. All other cardholders will continue to enjoy their existing privileges, with no downgrades across the portfolio. Eligible UOB Visa Infinite cardholders will be notified of their new card tiers via UOB’s official channels from September onwards, with no action required from them.

UOB is currently Visa’s largest card issuer in ASEAN[1] and brings an unparalleled regional footprint and customer base, serving over 8.5 million customers across the region. As the first Visa issuer across ASEAN to execute a launch of this scale across multiple markets, UOB and Visa are setting a new benchmark for regional card offerings, delivering elevated privileges and experiences to affluent cardmembers in the region. This collaboration is timely as affluent spending in ASEAN experiences strong growth. The number of new UOB affluent cardholders[2] grew over 10 per cent year-on-year in 2025, while card billings for this segment surged more than 25 per cent in the same year.

Visa unveiled its refreshed Visa Infinite offering in Asia Pacific on 16 July 2026, reimagined for the evolving needs of today’s affluent consumers. Anchored in a three-tier card suite, the enhanced platform introduces greater flexibility, personalisation and differentiated benefits across the affluent spectrum. In addition to Visa Infinite, the portfolio now includes the newly launched Visa Infinite Privilege and Visa Infinite Private, enabling issuers to deliver more tailored value propositions, experiences and rewards to distinct customer segments within a unified premium framework.

Selected top-tier UOB cardholders across the region will enjoy access to enhanced platform privileges and UOB-exclusive curated experiences, tailored to their respective Visa Infinite tiers. This aligns with UOB’s sharpened customer segmentation approach and enhanced card value propositions, aimed at serving the unique needs of customers by offering exclusive privileges tailored to their lifestyle preferences.

Mr Pratik Bhattacharjee, Head of Group Cards and Payment Products, UOB, said, “As UOB continues to sharpen our customer-centric operating model, we are focused on serving our customers more holistically across the wealth spectrum. Our partnership with Visa marks a significant milestone in this journey, allowing us to deepen our engagement with affluent customers by curating exclusive experiences that money cannot buy. As we continue strengthening our offerings to cater to each customer’s aspirations and lifestyle, our goal is to connect with them through life moments and opportunities that truly matter.”

Mr. T.R. Ramachandran, Head of Products & Solutions for Asia Pacific, Visa, said, “The affluent segment is one of the fastest-growing consumer segments in Asia Pacific, with expectations evolving alongside it. Today’s affluent consumers are seeking experiences that are more personalised, seamless and relevant to their lifestyles. The refreshed Visa Infinite portfolio is designed to meet these changing expectations, and through our partnership with UOB, we are extending these enhanced experiences to affluent customers across Southeast Asia.”

Greater personalisation through tiered privileges

With Visa’s enhanced Infinite tier segmentation, selected cardholders will benefit from more tailored services, differentiated privileges and elevated experiences that reflect their evolving lifestyle needs. This includes access to curated regional and global lifestyle offers as well as premium destination-based travel and dining privileges worldwide as part of the base membership. In addition, selected cardholders will get exclusive access to top-tier concerts and global sporting events like FIFA World Cup™, and reserved entitlements to key lifestyle offerings under Visa Infinite Privilege. At the highest tier, Visa Infinite Private offers bespoke invitation-only experiences highly personalised for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

Leveraging its deep understanding of affluent customers across the region, UOB will complement Visa’s refreshed benefits with exclusive privileges, curated experiences and value-added offerings tailored to the unique preferences of its cardmembers. For example, selected cardholders will be able to enjoy specially-customised luxury travel experiences and privileged access to curated series of rare timepieces.

Paired with the Bank’s unparalleled regional connectivity, advisory excellence and One Bank ecosystem, this partnership with Visa aligns with UOB’s aim to bring together banking, wealth and lifestyle holistically to all customers. This also furthers the Bank’s ambition to become the Bank of Choice for aspiring customers across ASEAN.

-END-

About UOB

UOB is a leading Asian bank with a global network in Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Operating through our head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, we have a global network of more than 470 branches and offices in 19 markets. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For more than nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.

The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at www.visa.com.sg 

[1] Largest card issuer by total billings

[2] Includes UOB Reserve Card, UOB Zenith Card and UOB Visa Infinite cards

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/uob-partners-visa-to-launch-new-visa-infinite-tiers-across-asean-in-landmark-multi-market-launch-of-such-scale-302830578.html

SOURCE UOB

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