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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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ISO 9001:2026 Release Is Approaching: What Organizations Need to Know and How Omnex Can Help

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ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organizations around the world are preparing for the release of ISO 9001:2026, the next revision of the world’s most widely adopted Quality Management System (QMS) standard. According to information discussed during Omnex’s recent webinar on the upcoming revision, the new standard is expected to be published by the end of September 2026.

While organizations should wait for the officially published standard before making final implementation decisions, quality professionals are already evaluating the anticipated updates and planning their transition strategies.

Key Themes Expected in ISO 9001:2026

Based on the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) and industry discussions, organizations can expect increased emphasis in several areas, including:

Quality culture and ethical behaviorRisk and opportunity managementEnhanced change managementOrganizational knowledge sharingClimate change considerations within organizational contextGreater alignment with ISO’s Harmonized Structure used across management system standards

These updates are intended to help organizations strengthen the effectiveness of their quality management systems while improving alignment with modern business practices.

What Organizations Should Do Now

Organizations currently certified to ISO 9001 should begin preparing for the transition by:

Conducting a GAP assessment against the new requirements.Reviewing existing quality management processes and documentation.Evaluating leadership responsibilities, quality culture initiatives, and risk and opportunity management practices.Training key personnel on the expected changes.Planning internal audits and implementation activities well ahead of certification body transition deadlines.

Industry experts generally encourage organizations to start planning early rather than waiting until the end of the transition period.

Omnex ISO 9001:2026 Transition Training

To help organizations understand and prepare for the upcoming revision, Omnex offers ISO 9001:2026 Transition Training, providing practical guidance for quality professionals, management teams, auditors, and implementation leaders. Participants who have already completed Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor training can efficiently upgrade their certification through this 1-day transition course, eliminating the need to repeat the full training.

Participants will learn:

1. Overview of the New Standard

Structure and intent of ISO 9001:2026Key themes and focus areasAlignment with other ISO management system standards

2. Understanding the Changes

Significant revisions compared to ISO 9001:2015New expectations regarding risk and opportunity managementUpdates related to leadership, quality culture, organizational knowledge, and change managementClimate change considerations and stakeholder expectations

3. What Organizations Need to Do

Conducting a GAP analysisUpdating processes and documented informationTraining employees and leadership teamsPreparing for internal and certification auditsBuilding an effective implementation roadmap

How Omnex Can Help Your Organization Transition to the ISO 9001:2026 Standard

Omnex supports organizations throughout the transition process through:

ISO 9001:2026 Transition TrainingExecutive awareness sessionsGAP analysis servicesQMS implementation and improvement consultingInternal auditor and lead auditor trainingIntegrated management system expertiseDigital quality and quality management solutions

With more than four decades of experience in consulting, training, and management systems, Omnex has helped organizations across industries improve operational performance and quality management capabilities worldwide.

Learn More

Organizations interested in preparing for ISO 9001:2026 can learn more about Omnex training and transition support services at:

Transitioning to ISO 9001:2026

About Omnex
Omnex is an international consulting, training, and software solutions organization specializing in quality, environmental, health and safety, and operational excellence systems. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Omnex supports organizations worldwide through training, consulting, auditing, and digital solutions.

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SOURCE Omnex

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CME Group Inc. Announces Third-Quarter 2026 Earnings Release, Conference Call

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CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CME Group Inc. will announce earnings for the third quarter of 2026 before the markets open on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Written highlights for the quarter will be posted on the company’s website at 6:00 a.m. Central Time, the same time it provides its earnings press release. The company will also hold an investor conference call that day at 7:30 a.m. Central Time, at which time company executives will take analysts’ questions.  

A live audio Webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the company’s website. Following the conference call, an archived recording will be available at the same site. Those wishing to listen to the live conference via telephone should dial 877-918-3040 if calling from within the United States, or +1 312-470-7282 if calling from outside the United States, at least 10 minutes before the call begins. The participant passcode for both telephone numbers is 1944793.

As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data – empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest ratesequity indexesforeign exchangecryptocurrencies, energy, agricultural products and metals.  The company offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform.  In addition, it operates one of the world’s leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing. 

CME Group, the Globe logo, CME, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Globex, and E-mini are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.  CBOT and Chicago Board of Trade are trademarks of Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc.  NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.  COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. BrokerTec is a trademark of BrokerTec Americas LLC and EBS is a trademark of EBS Group LTD. The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”). “S&P®”, “S&P 500®”, “SPY®”, “SPX®”, US 500 and The 500 are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC; Dow Jones®, DJIA® and Dow Jones Industrial Average are service and/or trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. These trademarks have been licensed for use by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. Futures contracts based on the S&P 500 Index are not sponsored, endorsed, marketed, or promoted by S&P DJI, and S&P DJI makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such products. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

CME-G

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SOURCE CME Group

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ISO 14001:2026 Is Here: What Organizations Need to Know and How Omnex Can Help with the Transition

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ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The release of ISO 14001:2026 marks an important milestone for organizations seeking to strengthen their Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and address evolving environmental, sustainability, and stakeholder expectations. The new standard was officially released on April 15, 2026, replacing ISO 14001:2015 and incorporating the climate change amendment issued in 2024. Organizations have until April 15, 2029, to complete their transition.

As organizations begin evaluating the impact of the revision, early planning and training can help ensure a smooth transition while also identifying opportunities to improve environmental performance and business resilience.

Key Themes in ISO 14001:2026

The revised standard includes several notable areas of focus, including:

Greater alignment with ISO’s Harmonized Structure to support integrated management systems.Climate change considerations incorporated directly into the standard.Expanded requirements around planning and managing change.Increased emphasis on environmental context, interested parties, and life cycle considerations.Additional guidance throughout the standard and a revised Annex A designed to improve understanding and implementation.

These updates are intended to help organizations integrate environmental management more effectively into business strategy and operational decision-making.

What Organizations Should Do Now

Organizations certified to ISO 14001:2015 should begin preparing for the transition by:

Conducting a GAP analysis of their current EMS against ISO 14001:2026 requirements.Reviewing environmental aspects, risks, opportunities, and life cycle considerations.Assessing how climate change may impact organizational context and stakeholder expectations.Updating procedures, processes, and documented information where needed.Training leadership, EMS professionals, and internal auditors on the new requirements.Planning internal audits and transition activities well ahead of certification deadlines.

Organizations that begin their transition early are often better positioned to manage resources, implement changes effectively, and avoid last-minute scheduling challenges.

Omnex ISO 14001:2026 Transition Training

To help environmental professionals, management teams, and auditors understand and prepare for the upcoming revision, Omnex offers ISO 14001:2026 Transition Training and related learning programs. This 1-day transition course enables currently certified Internal Auditors and Lead Auditors to upgrade their training certification to the new standard without retaking the full auditor training program.

1. Understand the New Standard

Participants gain an overview of:

The structure and intent of ISO 14001:2026The evolution of the standard from ISO 14001:2015Climate change considerations within environmental management systemsThe role of Annex A guidance in supporting implementation

2. Learn the Key Changes

Training covers:

New and revised requirements across major clausesPlanning of changes within the EMSExpanded life cycle considerationsUpdates related to interested parties and environmental contextInternal audit and management review changesClimate-related considerations and environmental performance expectations

3. Develop a Practical Transition Plan

Organizations learn how to:

Conduct an EMS gap analysisPrioritize implementation activitiesUpdate documentation and processesTrain relevant personnelPrepare for transition auditsIntegrate changes into existing management systems

How Omnex Can Help Your Organization Transition to the ISO 14001:2026 Standard

Omnex supports organizations through:

ISO 14001:2026 Transition TrainingUnderstanding Requirements CoursesInternal Auditor TrainingLead Auditor TrainingExecutive Overview WorkshopsGAP Analysis ServicesEMS Consulting and Implementation SupportIntegrated Management System Solutions

With more than 40 years of experience in management systems consulting and training, Omnex helps organizations navigate evolving standards while improving operational and environmental performance.

Learn More

Organizations interested in preparing for ISO 14001:2026 can learn more about Omnex environmental management training and transition support at:

Transitioning to ISO 14001:2026

About Omnex

Omnex is an international consulting, training, and software solutions organization specializing in quality, environmental, health and safety, cybersecurity, sustainability, and operational excellence systems. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Omnex has supported organizations worldwide since 1985 through consulting, training, audits, and digital solutions.  

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iso-140012026-is-here-what-organizations-need-to-know-and-how-omnex-can-help-with-the-transition-302870353.html

SOURCE Omnex

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