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AudioCodes Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results and Declares Semi-Annual Dividend of 18 cents per share

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OR YEHUDA, Israel, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Highlights

Quarterly revenues decreased by 3.2% year-over-year to $61.6 million;
full year 2024 revenues decreased by 0.9% to $242.2 million.Quarterly service revenues increased by 10.9% year-over-year to $34.2 million;
full year 2024 service revenues increased by 8.2% to $130.2 million.GAAP results:
– Quarterly GAAP gross margin was 66.2%;
– Quarterly GAAP operating margin was 6.7%;
– Quarterly GAAP EBITDA was $5.2 million;
– Quarterly GAAP net income was $6.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share; and
– Full year 2024 GAAP net income was $15.3 million, or $0.50 per diluted share.Non-GAAP results:
– Quarterly Non-GAAP gross margin was 66.5%;
– Quarterly Non-GAAP operating margin was 12.2%;
– Quarterly Non-GAAP EBITDA was $8.5 million;
– Quarterly Non-GAAP net income was $11.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted share; and
– Full year 2024 Non-GAAP net income was $27.3 million, or $0.87 per diluted share.Net cash provided by operating activities was $15.3 million for the quarter and $35.3 million for the full year 2024.AudioCodes repurchased 634,533 of its ordinary shares during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2024 at an aggregate cost of $6.0 million.

Details

AudioCodes (NASDAQ: AUDC), a leading provider of unified communications voice, contact center and conversational AI applications and services for enterprises, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year period ended December 31, 2024.

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $61.6 million compared to $60.2 million for the third quarter of 2024 and compared to $63.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Revenues were $242.2 million in 2024 compared to $244.4 million in 2023.

EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $5.2 million compared to $7.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. EBITDA was $21.1 million in 2024 compared to $17.0 million in 2023.

On a Non-GAAP basis, EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $8.5 million compared to $11.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. EBITDA was $31.4 million in 2024 compared to $31.0 million in 2023.

Net income was $6.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net income was $15.3 million, or $0.50 per diluted share in 2024, compared to $8.8 million, or $0.28 per diluted share in 2023.

On a Non-GAAP basis, net income was $11.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $8.9 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net income was $27.3 million, or $0.87 per diluted share in 2024 compared to $25.0 million, or $0.77 per diluted share in 2023.

Non-GAAP net income excludes: (i) share-based compensation expenses; (ii) amortization expenses related to intangible assets; (iii) expenses related to deferred payments in connection with the acquisition of Callverso Ltd; (iv) financial income (expenses) related to exchange rate differences in connection with revaluation of assets and liabilities in non-dollar denominated currencies; (v) tax impact which relates to our Non-GAAP adjustments; (vi) with respect to Q1 2024, non-cash lease expense which is required to be recorded during the quarter even though this is a free rent period under the lease for the Company’s new headquarters; and (vii) a one-time, non-recurring settlement expense attributable to the Settlement Agreement (as defined below). A reconciliation of net income on a GAAP basis to a non-GAAP basis is provided in the tables that accompany the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this press release.

On December 25, 2024, we entered into a settlement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with the landlord of our prior headquarters in connection with the termination of the related lease agreement. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, we incurred a one-time, non-recurring settlement expense of approximately $1.4 million during the quarterly period in the form of a cash payment made to the landlord.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $15.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $35.3 million for 2024.

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits, long and short-term marketable securities and long-term financial investments were $93.9 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $106.7 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits, long and short-term marketable securities and long-term financial investments was the result of the use of cash for the continued repurchasing of the Company’s ordinary shares pursuant to its share repurchase program, payment of a cash dividend during each of the first and third quarters of 2024, and the purchase of property and equipment related to leasehold improvements of our new corporate headquarters in Israel, offset, in part, by cash generated from operating activities.

“I am pleased to report solid fourth quarter performance, with healthy growth in key business lines, taking us further on our transformative evolution to a cloud software and services company,” said Shabtai Adlersberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of AudioCodes.

Enterprise UCaaS and CX business accounted for 92% of revenues in the fourth quarter, within which our UCaaS business performed well, highlighted by Microsoft business up 13% in the quarter, representing the highest quarterly growth rate this year.  Full year Microsoft business increased 6%, driven mainly by the ongoing transition of our revenue model from perpetual sales to recurrent revenue sales.  Live managed services mix within Microsoft business increased 30% year-over-year, and reached a level of 47% of business, compared to 40% in the year ago quarter.  This growth, coupled with 30% growth in Voice.ai business for the full year 2024, contributed to us ending 2024 with ARR at $65 million, representing 35% year-over-year growth.  We expect the recurring revenue business momentum to continue driving our sales for the UCaaS and CX markets in 2025 and beyond.  With the shift in focus for end customers towards Value-Added Services, we expect to see a rise in demand for our Voice.ai application solutions, and an increased interest in our Live Platform, which consolidates connectivity, management, and Value-Added Services through one integrated AudioCodes’ platform.

The significant investments we have in our Voice.ai and conversational AI portfolio over the last several years are paying off. Individual business units have emerged as leaders in their respective categories.  Additionally, with growing customer demand for AI and Gen AI driven business voice applications and Value-added Services, we have seen a surge in our pipeline of created opportunities in Voice.ai connect, Voca CIC and Meeting Insights applications.  The growth in AI business applications is solid and we expect this segment to grow 40% to 50% in 2025.  

Overall, we exited 2024 with good operational momentum, particularly with the continued strong growth in our two primary engines, namely our Live family of managed services and Voice.ai. With the progress we are making in increasing our recurring revenues and the robust pipeline of opportunities, we expect to see improved top-line growth in 2025 and beyond,” concluded Mr. Adlersberg.

Share Buy Back Program

During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the Company acquired 634,533 of its ordinary shares under its share repurchase program for a total consideration of $6.0 million.

In December 2024, the Company received court approval in Israel to purchase up to an aggregate amount of $20 million of additional ordinary shares. The court approval also permits AudioCodes to declare a dividend out of any part of this amount. The approval is valid through June 14, 2025.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $19 million available under this approval for the repurchase of shares and/or declaration of cash dividends.

Cash Dividend

AudioCodes also announced today that the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend in the amount of 18 cents per share. The aggregate amount of the dividend is approximately $5.3 million. The dividend is payable on March 6, 2025, to all of the Company’s shareholders of record at the close of trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on February 20, 2025.

In accordance with Israeli tax law, the dividend is subject to withholding tax at source at the rate of 25% of the dividend amount payable to each shareholder of record, subject to applicable exemptions. If the recipient of the dividend is at the time of distribution or was at any time during the preceding 12-month period the holder of 10% or more of the Company’s share capital, the withholding rate is 30%.

The dividend will be paid in U.S. dollars on the ordinary shares of AudioCodes Ltd. that are traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange. The amount and timing of any other dividends will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Conference Call & Web Cast Information

AudioCodes will conduct a conference call at 8:30 A.M., Eastern Time today to discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and full year of 2024 operating performance, financial results and outlook. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing one of the following numbers:

United States Participants: 888-506-0062

International Participants: +1 (973) 528-0011

The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast. Investors are invited to listen to the call live via webcast at the AudioCodes investor website at http://www.audiocodes.com/investors-lobby.

About AudioCodes

AudioCodes (NASDAQ, TASE: AUDC) is a leading innovator of intelligent cloud communications solutions. AudioCodes empowers enterprises and service providers to build and operate state-of-the-art voice networks, unified communications platforms, and AI-driven productivity tools. The cutting-edge portfolio includes cloud-native applications, advanced Voice.ai technologies, and comprehensive communication solutions tailored for the modern digital workplace. Trusted by global Fortune 500 companies and tier-1 operators worldwide, AudioCodes drives digital transformation through seamless integration, enhanced collaboration, and unparalleled communication experiences.

For more information, visit http://www.audiocodes.com.

Follow AudioCodes’ social media channels:

AudioCodes invites you to join our online community and follow us on: AudioCodes Voice Blog, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Statements concerning AudioCodes’ business outlook or future economic performance; product introductions and plans and objectives related thereto; and statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under U.S. Federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of global economic conditions in general and conditions in AudioCodes’ industry and target markets in particular; shifts in supply and demand; market acceptance of new products and the demand for existing products; the impact of competitive products and pricing on AudioCodes’ and its customers’ products and markets; timely product and technology development, upgrades and the ability to manage changes in market conditions as needed; possible need for additional financing; the ability to satisfy covenants in the Company’s loan agreements; possible disruptions from acquisitions; the ability of AudioCodes to successfully integrate the products and operations of acquired companies into AudioCodes’ business; possible adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operations; the effects of the current terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel, and the war and hostilities between Israel and Hamas, and Israel and Hezbollah as well as the possibility that this could develop into a broader regional conflict involving Israel with other parties, may affect our operations and may limit our ability to produce and sell our solutions; any disruption in our operations by the obligations of our personnel to perform military service as a result of current or future military actions involving Israel; and other factors detailed in AudioCodes’ filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. AudioCodes assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.

©2025 AudioCodes Ltd. All rights reserved. AudioCodes, AC, HD VoIP, HD VoIP Sounds Better, IPmedia, Mediant, MediaPack, What’s Inside Matters, OSN, SmartTAP, User Management Pack, VMAS, VoIPerfect, VoIPerfectHD, Your Gateway To VoIP, 3GX, VocaNom, AudioCodes One Voice, AudioCodes Meeting Insights, AudioCodes Room Experience are trademarks or registered trademarks of AudioCodes Limited. All other products or trademarks are property of their respective owners. Product specifications are subject to change without notice.

Summary financial data follows

 

AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

U.S. dollars in thousands  

December 31,

December 31,

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 58,749

$ 30,546

Short-term and restricted bank deposits

210

212

Short-term marketable securities

3,426

7,438

Trade receivables, net

56,016

51,125

Other receivables and prepaid expenses

13,012

9,381

Inventories

31,463

43,959

Total current assets

162,876

142,661

LONG-TERM ASSETS:

Long-term Trade receivables

$ 15,753

$ 16,798

Long-term marketable securities

28,518

65,732

Long-term financial investments

3,008

2,730

Deferred tax assets

9,838

6,208

Operating lease right-of-use assets

32,534

36,712

Severance pay funds

18,004

17,202

Total long-term assets

107,655

145,382

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

27,321

10,893

GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER, NET

38,049

38,581

Total assets

$ 335,901

$ 337,517

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Trade payables

7,543

7,556

Other payables and accrued expenses

25,823

29,943

Deferred revenues

38,438

38,820

Short-term operating lease liabilities

5,954

7,878

Total current liabilities

77,758

84,197

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

Accrued severance pay

$ 16,387

$ 16,662

Deferred revenues and other liabilities

19,434

17,142

Long-term operating lease liabilities

30,508

31,404

Total long-term liabilities

66,329

65,208

Total shareholders’ equity

191,814

188,112

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$ 335,901

 

$ 337,517

 

 

AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data

Year ended

Three months ended

December 31,

December 31,

2024

2023

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Revenues:

Products

$ 111,966

$ 123,991

$  27,319

$  32,692

Services

130,210

120,392

34,235

30,867

Total Revenues

242,176

244,383

61,554

63,559

Cost of revenues:

Products

44,448

47,964

10,325

11,396

Services

39,567

38,070

10,510

9,771

Total Cost of revenues

84,015

86,034

20,835

21,167

Gross profit

158,161

158,349

40,719

42,392

Operating expenses:

Research and development, net

52,125

57,169

12,345

13,806

Selling and marketing

71,167

70,243

18,740

17,496

General and administrative

17,678

16,513

5,532

3,856

Total operating expenses

140,970

143,925

36,617

35,158

Operating income

17,191

14,424

4,102

7,234

Financial income (expenses), net

(2,095)

(52)

(1,900)

(1,740)

Income before taxes on income

15,096

14,372

2,202

5,494

Taxes on income, net

215

(5,592)

4,573

(1,839)

Net income

$ 15,311

$ 8,780

$ 6,775

$ 3,655

Basic net earnings per share

$ 0.51

$ 0.28

$ 0.23

$ 0.12

Diluted net earnings per share

$ 0.50

$ 0.28

$ 0.22

$ 0.12

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic net earnings per share (in thousands)

30,162

31,401

29,932

30,678

Weighted average number of shares used in computing diluted net earnings per share (in thousands)

30,642

31,579

30,260

30,893

 

 

AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME 

U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data

Year ended

Three months ended

December 31,

December 31,

2024

2023

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

GAAP net income

$ 15,311

$ 8,780

$ 6,775

$ 3,655

GAAP net earnings per share

$ 0.50

$ 0.28

$ 0.22

$ 0.12

Cost of revenues:

Share-based compensation (1)

369

388

95

84

Amortization expenses (2)

488

501

122

122

Lease expenses (6)

304

685

–

363

1,161

1,574

217

569

Research and development, net:

Share-based compensation (1)

2,108

2,685

466

595

Deferred payments expenses (3)

–

770

–

408

Lease expenses (6)

342

430

–

55

2,450

3,885

466

1,058

Selling and marketing:

Share-based compensation (1)

2,959

4,297

704

917

Amortization expenses (2)

44

44

11

11

Deferred payments expenses (3)

–

86

–

46

Lease expenses (6)

38

430

–

55

3,041

4,857

715

1,029

General and administrative:

Share-based compensation (1)

2,792

4,010

679

768

Settlement with former headquarter office landlord (7)

1,355

–

1,355

–

Lease expenses (6)

76

171

–

91

4,223

4,181

2,034

859

Financial expenses (income):

Exchange rate differences (4)

507

205

1,261

1,442

Income taxes:

Taxes on income, net (5)

585

1,549

163

302

Non-GAAP net income

$ 27,278

$ 25,031

$ 11,631

$ 8,914

Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share

$ 0.87

$ 0.77

$ 0.37

$ 0.28

Weighted average number of shares used in computing

Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share (in thousands)

31,449

32,637

31,192

31,937

 

(1)  Share-based compensation expenses related to options and restricted share units granted to employees and others.

(2)  Amortization expenses related to intangible assets.

(3)  Expenses related to deferred payments in connection with the acquisition of Callverso Ltd.

(4)  Financial income (expenses) related to exchange rate differences in connection with revaluation of assets and liabilities in non-dollar denominated currencies.

(5)  Tax impact which relates to our non-GAAP adjustments.

(6)  With respect to Q1 2024, non-cash lease expense which is required to be recorded during the quarter even though this is a free rent period under the lease for the Company’s new headquarters.

(7)  A one-time, non-recurring expense attributable to the Settlement Agreement.

 

Note:  Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the results prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The Company believes that non-GAAP information is useful because it can enhance the understanding of its ongoing economic performance and therefore uses internally this non-GAAP information to evaluate and manage its operations. The Company has chosen to provide this information to investors to enable them to perform comparisons of operating results in a manner similar to how the Company analyzes its operating results and because many comparable companies report this type of information. 

 

 

AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

U.S. dollars in thousands

Year ended

Three months ended 

December 31,

December 31,

2024

2023

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$ 15,311

$ 8,780

$ 6,775

$ 3,655

Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net

cash provided by operating activities:

 

Depreciation and amortization

3,883

2,596

1,095

624

Net loss from sale of marketable securities

882

218

608

–

Amortization of marketable securities premiums and

accretion of discounts, net

1,120

1,130

509

321

Decrease (increase) in accrued severance pay, net

(1,077)

(362)

(378)

131

Share-based compensation expenses

8,228

11,380

1,944

2,364

Decrease (increase) in deferred tax assets, net

(4,548)

1,437

(5,374)

273

Cash financial loss (income), net

313

(218)

176

179

Decrease in operating lease right-of-use assets

6,009

9,281

1,254

2,593

Decrease (increase) in operating lease liabilities

(4,651)

(6,914)

(720)

1,497

Decrease (increase) in trade receivables, net

(3,846)

1,600

2,168

(3,045)

Decrease (increase) in other receivables and prepaid

expenses

(3,631)

625

(927)

(947)

Decrease (increase) in inventories

12,283

(7,791)

2,164

814

Increase (decrease in trade payables

(13)

(3,782)

2,064

918

Increase (decrease) in other payables and accrued

expenses

3,223

(6,233)

3,817

181

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues

1,767

3,144

136

(279)

Net cash provided by operating activities

35,253

14,891

15,311

9,279

Cash flows from investing activities:

Proceeds from short-term deposits

2

4,998

(8)

(10)

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

35,177

3,846

25,186

–

Proceeds from financial investment

132

–

56

–

Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities

7,450

3,084

4,000

–

Proceeds from redemption of financial investments

–

14,094

–

–

Purchase of financial investments

(675)

(81)

–

–

Purchase of property and equipment

(24,280)

(5,965)

(3,512)

(664)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

17,806

19,976

25,722

(674)

 

 

 

AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

U.S. dollars in thousands

Year ended

Three months ended

December 31,

December 31,

2024

2023

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Purchase of treasury shares

(14,328)

(18,259)

(5,988)

(6,286)

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

(10,896)

(11,399)

–

–

Proceeds from issuance of shares upon exercise of options

368

802

182

548

Net cash used in financing activities

(24,856)

(28,856)

(5,806)

(5,738)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted

  cash

28,203

6,011

35,227

2,867

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning

  of period

30,546

24,535

23,522

27,679

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of

  period

$ 58,749

$ 30,546

$ 58,749

$ 30,546

 

 

Company Contacts

Niran Baruch,
Chief Financial Officer

AudioCodes

Tel: +972-3-976-4000
niran.baruch@audiocodes.com

Roger L. Chuchen,

VP, Investor Relations
AudioCodes

Tel:  732-764-2552

roger.chuchen@audiocodes.com

 

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SOURCE AudioCodes

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Crab2B Makes AsiaWorld-Expo Debut, Connecting Hong Kong’s Mobile Wholesalers with Global Buyers

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HONG KONG, Oct. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Crab2B, a pioneering B2B trading platform dedicated to mobile devices and digital products, will make its debut at the HKICEC Global Mobile Exchange Pavilion during the Global Sources Hong Kong Shows, opening at AsiaWorld-Expo on October 18, 2026.

Hong Kong has long been a major hub for electronics wholesale trade, but buyers still often rely on fragmented channels to identify suppliers. Crab2B was created to bridge this gap, bringing Hong Kong-based mobile and digital product wholesalers together on one dedicated B2B platform. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Crab2B combines the manufacturing strength of mainland China and the Greater Bay Area’s extensive supply chain capabilities with Hong Kong’s established global trading network. Together, these strengths enable Crab2B to simplify cross-border sourcing, connect buyers directly with suppliers and make international trade more accessible and efficient.

For its first appearance at a major industry trade show, Crab2B is bringing together more than 200 merchants already registered on the platform, marking a significant milestone in its development. The Crab2B booth is expected to attract electronics traders from Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Visitors will be able to discover the app’s capabilities through live demonstrations, register on the platform and connect directly with participating merchants to explore business opportunities.

A buyer who experienced the Crab2B app shared: “With Crab2B, we no longer have to search far and wide for reliable suppliers. The platform brings Hong Kong’s mobile phone wholesalers together in one place, giving us greater visibility into available products and sourcing opportunities. Whether I’m at my desk or on the move, I can find products and connect with suppliers whenever I need to. For businesses like ours that source across borders, that kind of access makes a real difference. It saves time, reduces transaction costs and helps us do business more efficiently.”

Crab2B CEO Luo Yaohong said, “We want to be pioneers in cross-border B2B trading for digital products, creating new opportunities for Hong Kong’s wholesale industry. As Hong Kong places greater emphasis on developing digital trade, we’re addressing a longstanding gap in the market with a dedicated digital platform that connects Hong Kong’s electronics suppliers directly with buyers around the world. Our ambition is to make cross-border trading easier, faster and more accessible, while helping Hong Kong businesses reach new markets.”

The platform’s trade show debut is also attracting attention from international merchants, with exhibitors expressing interest in joining Crab2B to expand their reach into overseas markets. Meanwhile, merchants already registered on the platform are looking forward to the launch of its planned online marketplace, which will create further opportunities for sustained collaboration and business growth.

Building on this debut, Crab2B will remain firmly rooted in Hong Kong while expanding its connections with businesses around the world. The company will continue to enhance its platform with smarter sourcing tools, more comprehensive trading capabilities and an increasingly connected network of suppliers and buyers. By making it easier to discover products, establish business relationships and conduct cross-border transactions, Crab2B aims to open new opportunities for merchants of all sizes and help shape the next chapter of Hong Kong’s digital trade industry.

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Canton Fair Buyers Alliance Launched as the 140th Edition Opens

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On October 15, the Canton Fair Buyers Alliance was officially launched at the Canton Fair Complex, marking a significant milestone as the fair celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding.

More than 140 overseas buyers attended the launch ceremony, highlighting the fair’s enduring role as a bridge connecting global commerce with China’s export sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Luís Vilariça, CEO of Joinco, Import & Export, Ltd., discussed his company’s long-standing relationship with the Canton Fair. Drawing on years of participation, he reflected on the growth opportunities created through cooperation with Chinese suppliers and highlighted the fair’s role in supporting international business development and global trade exchanges.

The ceremony also featured a joint declaration by alliance members. Representatives from five member companies read the statement in their respective native languages, underscoring the international character of the new organization. Additional members sent video congratulatory messages, joining the celebration and witnessing the official launch of the alliance.

The Canton Fair Buyers Alliance represents one of the fair’s key service innovations. Designed primarily for Fortune Global 500 companies, buyers from the world’s top 250 retailers and leading sourcing enterprises across a diverse range of markets, the alliance aims to offer members a platform for information sharing and resource coordination. The first cohort of alliance members includes 58 companies from 32 countries and regions across 5 continents. Through the alliance, members will gain access to a range of priority benefits spanning four major areas: services, events, resources and information.

 For more convenient attendance, please click here for pre-registration:

https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

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SOURCE Canton Fair

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Bioethanol from human hair – Indian start-up’s solution to rising prices of grains and sugar

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GUJARAT, India, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In what could be called the beginning of the 5G (fifth-generation) of bioethanol or non-cellulosic bioethanol or non-sugar-based biofuels, an Indian start-up, Techofest Global, based out of Gujarat, has developed its own, indigenous, and patented technology for the production of bioethanol from waste human hair. Such processes would significantly reduce the employment of sugars, grains, and agricultural residues, which form the classical first- and second-generation bioethanol feedstocks. As a result, the rising fuel-vs.-food/fodder debate is anticipated to reduce, and instead, ethanol produced from municipal/industrial waste, after trials, can supplement the current supply being used as blends with presently retailed fossil fuels (E20, E27, etc.). 

As stated by Dr. Ravi, the founder-CEO of Techofest Global, the strategic priority and the USP of the start-up is industrial symbiosis, which, typically, involves an ecosystem of up-cycling/valorising the effluents of an industry, thereby creating a value-chain for residues often lacking an end-of-life. With more than three decades of experience in designing customized nuclear fusion reactors for international programmes, such as ITER, JET/UKAEA and SST-1, Dr. Ravi, a seasoned mechanical engineer, spearheads the start-up’s patented technologies’ scale-up and commercialization.

Two biochemical engineers, Dr. Navnit – the former CTO, and Dr. Kabilan – the former CEO of Biomakerz, Chennai, are the brains behind the current technology/process portfolio of the joint-venture between Techofest Global and Biomakerz. They have been working on biorefineries’ process intensification for more than a decade. “Having foreseen the fuel-vs-fodder/food competition as early as the year 2015, we began developing techno-economically feasible and viable in-vitro metabolically-engineered bioprocesses for scaling-up ethanol production from municipal waste streams between 2019–2021”, says Navnit. After developing operational technologies for international biofuel organizations, serving process engineer roles with certain biorefineries-related OMC R&D’s of India, Dr. Navnit, presently works for a premier academic institution.

An on-going fermentation trial at the Techofest Global-Biomakerz JV’s R&D facility

Techofest Global has developed and tested, in its R&D JV’s pilot-facility of ~100-L, 3 innovative and cost-effective technologies, such as 5G ethanol production using human hair, used cooking oil (UCO), and enriched bio-methane production from disposed sanitary napkins.

“With massive CapEx and OpEx, 2G ethanol technology is facing a major commercialization bottleneck, owing to competition with food/livestock fodder, requirement of a cost-intensive pre-treatment procedure, and the requirement of cellulolytic cocktails, which have a poor recycle efficiency. The proprietary 5G SAFE process developed for the start-up circumvents the mentioned constraints, and instead, utilizes a single-stage saccharification followed by fermentation, and records over 85–90% biocatalyst recovery. Likewise, the proprietary SIM process for bio-methane production, exclusively developed for the start-up, is 2x faster with improved intermittent feeding cycles and continuous gas harvest”, says Navnit.

“With on-going pre-commercialization trials, the proprietary ethanol and bio-methane processes of ours are soon being commercialized”, says Ms. Bhumika, the co-founder and the corporate advisor of the start-up. Furthermore, Mr. Ronak pilots the organization’s global market entry and commercialization frontier.

Techofest Global’s veteran Principal Technology Advisors include: Dr VS Tripathi, former Joint Director, DRDE Gwalior, Dr B S Munjal, former Director, Structures and Thermal group, SAC/ISRO, Academician and Advisor CIKS-Dharohar, GTU, and Dr AV Santhanababu, former Scientist at Satish Dhawan Space Centre. With on-going R&D activities, Dr. Munjal says, “the start-up is striving to provide a unique solution along the lines of the Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat Vision 2047”.

Media Contact: www.techofestglobal.com; e-mail: info@techofestglobal.com; contact person: The PR team of Techofest Global.

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