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Sicona lands $45M ARENA grant to open battery materials production facility in Wollongong

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SYDNEY, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Australian battery technology company Sicona Battery Technologies has secured $45 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to build and operate its first commercial-scale silicon-carbon battery anode material production facility in the Illawarra region.

As part of this, Sicona and BlueScope Steel Limited have entered into an exclusivity agreement to assess the potential development of the facility within BlueScope’s Port Kembla precinct.

The new facility will scale production of Sicona’s advanced silicon-carbon battery anode material, SiCx®, to produce up to 230 tonnes per annum for advanced customer qualification and commercial sales.

The SiCx® technology improves lithium ion battery performance by increasing energy density by over 20 percent and enabling charging speeds over 40 percent faster than conventional graphite.

It is also compatible with existing lithium-ion battery production lines, giving Sicona a clearer pathway to customer qualification, offtake agreements, and commercial-scale supply with global battery and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The ARENA grant will be delivered under the Australian Government’s Battery Breakthrough Initiative, which supports the growth of domestic battery manufacturing capability and strengthens Australia’s position in the global battery supply chain.

It marks a major validation point for Sicona as it moves from technology development into commercial scale-up, with its materials also being developed for applications across AI data centres, power tools, defence, robotics, and other high-performance battery markets in addition to electric vehicles.

The capital injection will help Sicona meet its ambition to build sovereign battery materials manufacturing capability in Australia, while proving the country can compete in higher-value global battery supply chains.

Christiaan Jordaan, Founder and CEO of Sicona Battery Technologies, said: “ARENA’s support is a major endorsement of Sicona’s technology, our team, and Australia’s ability to build globally relevant battery materials manufacturing capability.

“Battery-powered industries need higher performance at lower cost. Our silicon-carbon anode technology is designed to deliver faster charging, greater energy density and a scalable pathway into existing lithium-ion battery supply chains.

“While EVs remain a major opportunity, some of the fastest-growing demand is coming from AI data centres, robotics, drones and power tools. These applications need high energy and power density today, and SiCx® is designed to help meet that demand. The Wollongong facility will allow us to validate our process at commercial scale, deliver SiCx® to customers, and accelerate our entry to multiple markets.

“It also shows Australia can do more than export unprocessed critical minerals. We can manufacture advanced materials, create skilled jobs, and compete in the high-value battery supply chains that will power the global energy transition.”

Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA, said: “Sicona is developing the kind of next-generation battery technology that can help Australia move further up the global battery supply chain.

“Improving battery performance is critical to accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles and supporting the transition to a net zero economy.

“Sicona’s technology has the potential to deliver faster charging, longer driving range and lower-cost batteries. The technology has undergone independent testing and is already being evaluated by global battery manufacturers and electric vehicle companies, highlighting its strong commercial potential.

“By supporting Sicona’s Wollongong facility, ARENA is helping build the domestic manufacturing capability Australia needs to turn battery innovation into commercial supply.”

The development of the Wollongong facility is expected to create up to 36 skilled manufacturing jobs and support workforce development, training, and local industry partnerships.

It follows a May 2025 licensing and strategic partnership with Himadri in India, including an AU$17.5 million follow on investment, and comes as Sicona is also planning a 6,500 tonne per annum commercial facility, with longer-term expansion potential to 26,500 tonnes per annum.

Sicona Battery Technologies (www.siconabattery.com) is an Australian battery technology company improving lithium-ion battery performance through silicon-carbon anode technology designed to increase energy density and improve charge and discharge rate. Its SiCx® technology is designed for compatibility with existing battery manufacturing lines, supporting battery manufacturers and supply chain partners seeking higher-performance anode materials for electric vehicles, defence, power tools, and other lithium-ion battery applications.

Contact: 
Sicona Battery Technologies
media@siconabattery.com

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SOURCE Sicona Battery Technologies

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Port Dickson, Kuala Terengganu and Cameron Highlands see rising family travel interest this school holiday, according to Agoda

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SINGAPORE, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Malaysian families are approaching the mid-year school holidays with a more flexible travel mindset, balancing convenient domestic breaks with growing interest in regional destinations across Asia, according to Agoda accommodation searches.

Based on Agoda accommodation searches that included at least one child, made between 1 January and 30 April 2026 for stays between 22 May and 7 June 2026, Malaysia ranked first among the top destination countries searched by Malaysian travellers, recording a 60% year-on-year increase. Regional destinations also saw search growth, with Vietnam up 85%, China up 51%, Singapore up 43% and Japan up 43%.

Regional city destinations also remained part of Malaysian families’ school holiday plans. Tokyo recorded a 53% year-on-year increase in family travel search interest, while Phuket grew 44%, Singapore 43%, Bangkok 33% and Osaka 19%. The data suggests that while domestic destinations continue to lead school holiday travel interest, Malaysian families are also considering familiar regional destinations across Asia for the mid-year break.

At city level, however, the domestic travel story remains prominent, with Malaysian destinations appearing across Agoda’s top searched city list for the school holiday travel period.

Domestic destinations that demonstrated strong interest growth were Port Dickson, which saw a 172% year-on-year increase in family travel search interest, followed by Kuala Terengganu at 149%, Kuantan at 105%, Cameron Highlands at 100% and Genting Highlands at 85%. Other destinations including Malacca, Ipoh, Penang and Johor Bahru also continued to see strong family travel search growth during the school holiday period.

The increase in interest across these destinations points to the variety of school holiday breaks Malaysian families are considering. Coastal destinations such as Port Dickson, Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan offer beachside escapes without the need for long-haul travel, while Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands continue to appeal to families looking for cooler weather and short-break convenience. Food and heritage destinations such as Penang, Malacca and Ipoh also remained popular among family travellers.

“School holidays are no longer just about one big family trip. What we are seeing is Malaysian families searching across a wider range of travel options, from quick domestic breaks to regional destinations that are familiar, accessible and family-friendly,” said Fabian Teja, Country Director Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda. “The strong interest in both local getaways and regional destinations suggests that families are becoming more flexible in how they plan their holidays, whether that means a beach break in Port Dickson, cooler weather in Cameron Highlands or a city escape elsewhere in Asia.”

With access to over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes and over 300,000 activities, Agoda makes it simple for travellers to compare prices and plan trips, whether they are looking for a quick domestic break or a family holiday further afield. For a wide range of family-friendly accommodation options, visit Agoda’s website or download the Agoda mobile app.

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SOURCE Agoda

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Digital Intelligence Powering Energy Storage, Driving a Greener Future: Sermatec Showcases Full-Scenario Energy Storage Solutions at Intersolar Europe 2026

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MUNICH, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sermatec made a strong appearance at Intersolar Europe 2026, presenting its comprehensive portfolio of energy storage products and intelligent energy management solutions. Demonstrating capabilities spanning core hardware, integrated systems, cloud-based energy management, utility-scale storage, and commercial & industrial (C&I) applications, the company reinforced its commitment to accelerating the global energy transition. During the exhibition, Sermatec also signed multiple cooperation agreements with international partners, further expanding its global business footprint.

Comprehensive Product Portfolio Covering the Entire Energy Storage Value Chain

At this year’s exhibition, Sermatec showcased a complete portfolio of energy storage solutions, highlighting its vertically integrated capabilities from core components and system integration to intelligent operation and maintenance.

For utility-scale applications, the SERLATTICE 7.04MWh Liquid-Cooled Energy Storage System delivers an industry-leading energy density of 477kWh/m², significantly reducing land occupancy while achieving a DC-side round-trip efficiency (RTE) of ≥95% for superior energy conversion performance.

Also on display, the SERLATTICE 6.26MWh Energy Storage System features an integrated AC/DC architecture that improves overall system efficiency by 2%. Supporting four-unit parallel configuration, the system incorporates intelligent thermal management technology that reduces auxiliary power consumption by 25%, substantially lowering lifecycle energy costs.

For commercial and industrial customers, the EASYCUBE 261kWh All-in-One Energy Storage Cabinet offers plug-and-play deployment and flexible parallel expansion, enabling efficient peak-valley arbitrage, renewable energy integration, and enhanced energy resilience.

Intelligent Energy Management Enhancing Operational Value

Beyond hardware innovation, Sermatec demonstrated its intelligent digital energy management ecosystem.

The Nebulos Intelligent Operation Platform seamlessly integrates hardware and software, enabling electricity trading participation and virtual power plant (VPP) aggregation to maximize asset value.

Complementing the platform, the MOFS Intelligent Early Warning Box provides non-destructive thermal runaway prediction 2–3 hours in advance, significantly enhancing battery safety through proactive risk prevention.

The exhibition also featured Sermatec’s key self-developed components, including the 430kW String Liquid-Cooled PCS, 104-String Active Balancing BMU, Battery Cluster Controller (BCC), and Battery Stack Management Unit (BSMU), demonstrating the company’s comprehensive in-house integration capabilities.

Proven Performance Across Diverse Global Applications

Reliable operation under diverse environmental conditions remains the ultimate benchmark for energy storage systems. From continental Europe to Mediterranean climates, Sermatec continues to validate its technology through an expanding portfolio of overseas projects.

In Bulgaria, Sermatec’s energy storage project optimizes investment returns through coordinated participation in electricity spot markets and ancillary services, demonstrating strong economic performance and fast grid response capabilities.

In Croatia and the Czech Republic, the company’s C&I storage solutions effectively address harsh winter temperatures and fluctuating industrial loads, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for critical manufacturing operations.

Meanwhile, projects in Spain have successfully withstood high humidity and salt-laden coastal environments, validating the long-term reliability of Sermatec’s advanced protection design and intelligent thermal management technologies.

Localized Service Delivering Long-Term Customer Value

Sermatec believes localized service is more than the final step in customer engagement — it is a cornerstone of long-term competitiveness.

Leveraging its well-established service network across Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, the company delivers comprehensive lifecycle support through a single accountable service framework, integrating extended warranties, performance guarantees, preventive maintenance, corrective repairs, and operational reporting.

This service model provides customers with transparent lifecycle costs, predictable financial performance, and dependable long-term operational support.

Partner Night Strengthens European Collaboration

On the evening of June 24, Sermatec hosted its annual Partner Night, bringing together key partners from across the European energy sector.

The event featured executive speeches, product presentations, solution sharing, and after-sales service discussions, creating an open platform for industry dialogue on energy storage innovation and emerging regional opportunities while strengthening long-term strategic partnerships.

Driving the Future of Intelligent Energy

From continuous technological innovation and diversified application scenarios to localized services and ecosystem development, Sermatec presented a comprehensive demonstration of its integrated capabilities at Intersolar Europe 2026.

Looking ahead, Sermatec will continue advancing its vision of becoming a leading intelligent energy operator, working together with global partners to accelerate the transition toward a smarter, more sustainable, and carbon-neutral energy future.

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5G-A Experience Monetization Forum Debuts Milestone Results to Accelerate Terminal-Network-Business Synergy

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SHANGHAI, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The industry forum “5G-A Experience Monetization: Terminal-Network-Business Synergy” concluded in Shanghai. Industry leaders from CAICT, GSMA, China Mobile, Huawei, 3GPP, GSMA Intelligence, and ecosystem partners gathered to discuss 5G-A commercialization, technology evolution, and ecosystem collaboration. The forum showcased several milestone achievements, strengthened industry consensus, and laid the groundwork for large-scale 5G-A deployment and the evolution toward the next-generation network.

High-Speed Rail Gets a 5G-A Upgrade

GSMA, China Mobile, and Huawei jointly unveiled the 5G-A High-Speed Railway Network Acceleration Service, redefining mobile connectivity services for railway passengers. Scheduled for commercial launch in China in August 2026, the package is built on a “1+3+5” framework:

One exclusive identity: A dynamic high-speed rail VIP logo displayed on smartphone screens through the UE Logo solution.

Three cutting-edge technologies: 5G-A high bandwidth and high-speed rail private network, AI-native core network, and wireless universal intelligent service processing units.

Five key service scenarios: Seamless support for live streaming, video conferencing, online gaming, AI calling, and AI office.

New Frameworks for Experience-Centric Operations

The forum also saw the release of two industry white papers:

UE Logo 2.0 White Paper: Co-published by China Mobile Research Institute and Huawei, this paper focuses on terminal-network-business synergy, intelligent analytics, scenario-based engagement, and precision marketing. It proposes an end-to-end service framework that connects user engagement with closed-loop marketing, creating a new paradigm of network awareness, service accessibility, and experience-centric operations.

Agentic Core White Paper: Released by GSMA Intelligence, the paper outlines an AI-native intelligent core network architecture. The framework unlocks four key monetization capabilities: superior user experiences, advanced services, network capability openness, and agent service assurance. It also supports the development of new agent-centric communications services and expands innovation opportunities.

Unveiling the “Connection Agent”

China Mobile Research Institute, Huawei, and GSMA Intelligence jointly introduced the Connection Agent and a “China Mobile Bixing Agent Platform” Intent Openness Gateway. Built on a scalable modular architecture, the gateway enables seamless interoperability among AI agents while providing dedicated network services for each connected agent, setting a new benchmark for intelligent connectivity.

The launch marks a transition from traditional rule-based service delivery to agentic service orchestration, paving the way for next-generation intelligent connectivity. The solution has already been deployed in selected regions across China to support the incubation of innovative services.

Driving Cross-Industry Collaboration

To further strengthen industry collaboration, the forum officially launched the Terminal-Network-Industry Collaboration Initiative, promoting coordinated development across technology, business, and ecosystem dimensions.

Technology: Accelerate terminal ecosystem adaptation and standards certification for broad interoperability.

Business: Focus on high-value application scenarios and explore diversified monetization models

Ecosystem: Bring together partners across vertical industries to build a collaborative community based on pooled resources, co-developed capabilities, and shared risks and rewards.

Looking ahead, industry stakeholders will continue advancing mobile AI collaboration technologies and strengthening the foundation for next-generation digital productivity. Together, they will drive the evolution of communications infrastructure into an intelligent platform for ubiquitous connectivity and cross-domain collaboration, opening new opportunities in the mobile AI era.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/5g-a-experience-monetization-forum-debuts-milestone-results-to-accelerate-terminal-network-business-synergy-302813004.html

SOURCE Huawei

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