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Charter Next Generation Expands Recycle-Ready Platform with Gen 2 MDO-PE Solutions

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CNG’s latest heat-resistant, high-barrier, and matte MDO-PE films deliver enhanced functionality for demanding recycle-ready packaging applications.

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Charter Next Generation (CNG), a leading provider of specialty films and material science solutions, today launched its next generation of machine-direction-oriented polyethylene (MDO-PE) solutions. A cornerstone of CNG’s recycle-ready1 platform, the expanded MDO-PE lineup introduces a range of materials with enhanced functionality, including improved heat resistance, high-barrier performance, and matte-finish aesthetics.

“CNG invested early in MDO-PE capabilities and, over the past five years, has built one of North America’s most comprehensive portfolios,” said James Rosenberger, Product Manager, Sustainable Solutions at CNG. “Our focus is on giving customers the functionality they need to convert efficiently, protect their products, and differentiate on shelf, backed by a modern manufacturing footprint designed to provide supply chain redundancy.”

Enhanced Heat Resistance for High-Speed Converting

CNG’s new higher heat-resistance MDO-PE solutions address a critical challenge brands and converters face when moving to mono-material PE solutions: maintaining reliable high-speed converting and filling on legacy equipment. Through its material science expertise and MDO capabilities, CNG increased heat resistance in its latest film structures to expand the heat seal window by 50%, creating a wider, more forgiving operating window. The expanded heat seal window also supports easier conversion to Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR)-compliant, recycle-ready formats, which may qualify for lower fees than mixed-material structures under initial EPR fee frameworks and help support film recycling targets set by various state regulations. The new heat-resistant film will be on display during live demonstrations at the Totani America, Inc. booth (LU-7918) at PACK EXPO International 2026 in Chicago from October 18-21, 2026.

High Barrier Protection in Recycle-Ready PE Structures

CNG’s new high-barrier MDO-PE films leverage orientation technology to deliver oxygen barrier performance in thin-gauge structures, achieving barrier values previously unattainable with earlier solutions. The films provide an excellent alternative to mixed-material laminations for applications where barrier performance is critical to maintaining product freshness and extending shelf life.

Matte Finish for Premium Shelf Appeal, Built into the Film

As demand for premium and better-for-you products grows, matte-finish materials have become increasingly popular. Today, in mono-PE formats, most converters apply a varnish to achieve a matte aesthetic, adding additional steps and longer production time. CNG’s new matte-finish MDO-PE print film leverages our material science expertise to build the matte finish directly into the film during extrusion without requiring secondary processes. The result is a film that combines premium shelf appeal with the performance advantages of a PE-based structure designed for recyclability2.

“The objective behind our new line of MDO-PE films is to respond directly to growing market demand for higher-performing recycle-ready solutions while leveraging the momentum created by extended producer responsibility (EPR) policy, which is reshaping the packaging materials landscape,” said Joe Glaser, Manager, Sustainability & Regulatory at CNG. “These new solutions, combined with CNG’s material science capabilities and deep regulatory expertise, give brands more options to potentially reduce EPR fees.”

Those attending PACK EXPO International 2026 are invited to meet the product team, view samples of the latest innovations, and explore CNG’s broader portfolio of material science solutions at booth N-4948. For more information or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with an MDO product specialist, contact media@cnginc.com.

1 ‘Recycle-ready’ indicates design for recyclability against current technical guidelines (e.g., APR/CEFLEX). It does not represent recycling availability in all communities or actual recycling rates. Final recyclability depends on the complete package structure, local program acceptance, and consumer behavior.

2 All Gen 2 MDO-PE films are designed with applicable Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) guidance in mind and to support How2Recycle® Store Drop-off eligibility in qualifying package structures. Final package recyclability and How2Recycle label eligibility depend on the complete package design, including components, inks, adhesives, barriers, product application, processing, and applicable testing or assessment. Store Drop-off collection is available only at participating locations.

About Charter Next Generation

Charter Next Generation (CNG) is a recognized leader in material science solutions in North America, delivering high-performance specialty films and advanced materials for flexible packaging and other critical applications across the food, consumer goods, industrial, and healthcare markets. With 18 facilities across the U.S. and more than 2,600 employee-owners, we bring together manufacturing excellence and innovation to help address global challenges—from reducing waste and preserving food to advancing equity and promoting climate resilience. As a company with broad-based employee ownership and a proud partner of Ownership Works™, we’re committed to creating long-term, sustainable value through shared success. Visit cnginc.com, follow us on LinkedIn, or contact media@cnginc.com.

Media Contact:
Ryan Gartman
(872) 870-1077
424167@email4pr.com 

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SOURCE Charter Next Generation, Inc.

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Killam Apartment REIT Announces 2026 GRESB Score

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HALIFAX, NS, Oct. 6, 2026 /CNW/ — Killam Apartment REIT (TSX: KMP.UN) (“Killam”) today announced its 2026 GRESB score, based on the 2025 reporting year. Killam achieved a score of 83.9 out of a maximum possible 100 for its standing investments, representing a 2.2-point year-over-year improvement in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

“Sustainability has long been embedded in how we operate, invest capital, and plan for the future,” said Philip Fraser, President and CEO. “We approach ESG the same way we approach all our business decisions, with a focus on long-term performance, accountability, and doing the right thing.”

Killam’s key initiatives contributing to this achievement include:

Energy and Emissions Reductions: Achieved year-over-year reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions across the portfolio.Renewable Energy Installations: Installed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at 13 additional buildings during the year, increasing on-site renewable energy generation capacity.Waste Management Improvements: Improved recycling practices through participation in a voluntary recycling program in New Brunswick.

For more information about Killam’s ESG initiatives, visit https://www.killamreit.com/esg-overview.

About Killam

Killam Apartment REIT, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is one of Canada’s largest residential real estate investment trusts, owning, operating, managing and developing a $5.6 billion portfolio of apartments and manufactured home communities. Killam’s long-term strategy to enhance value and profitability focuses on three priorities: 1) increasing earnings from existing operations, 2) expanding the portfolio and diversifying geographically through accretive acquisitions that target newer properties and through the disposition of non-core assets, and 3) developing high-quality properties in its core markets.

About GRESB

GRESB is an industry-driven organization that assesses ESG performance of real assets globally. Its annual benchmark provides standardized and validated data to investors and stakeholders, enabling transparency and accountability in sustainability practices.

Note: The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained herein. Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements, including statements regarding embedding sustainability into Killam’s operations, investment and future planning; Killam’s focus on long-term performance, accountability and doing the right thing; and Killam’s priorities.

Readers should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied, or those suggested by any forward-looking statements, including: the effects and duration of local, international and global events, any government responses thereto and the effectiveness of measures intended to mitigate any impacts thereof; competition; government legislation and the interpretation and enforcement thereof; litigation to which Killam may be subject; global, national and regional economic conditions (including interest rates and inflation); the availability of capital to fund further investments in Killam’s business; and other factors identified under the “Risk Factors” section of Killam’s most recently filed annual information form, under the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of Killam’s most recently filed MD&A, and in other documents Killam files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities in Canada, each of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Killam does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances, or otherwise, except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

For information, please contact:
Claire Hawksworth, CPA
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
chawksworth@killamreit.com
(902) 442-5322

SOURCE Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust

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ChatIQ Leads S&P Global’s Latest Capital IQ Pro Update with Expanded AI-Powered Research Capabilities

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New platform capabilities bring AI deeper into research and modeling workflows while expanding analytics across valuation, credit and global markets.

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) today announced the latest updates to S&P Capital IQ Pro, led by an expanded ChatIQ experience that brings conversational AI deeper into the platform. The enhanced ChatIQ helps financial professionals ask natural-language questions and quickly access S&P Global data and insights in one place.

ChatIQ brings multi-source analysis, screening and charting into a single conversational experience. Users can ask questions across company, market, credit and economic data, alongside financial documents, news and research, helping them spend less time moving between tools and more time analyzing reliable information.

“S&P Global continues to evolve around the ways clients research, analyze and collaborate,” said Whit McGraw, Head of Platforms at S&P Global Market Intelligence. “With the expanded ChatIQ experience, we are making AI a more natural part of the Capital IQ Pro workflow by combining conversational access with the depth, quality and transparency clients expect from S&P Global.”

Key Capital IQ Pro Updates

The latest Capital IQ Pro release brings AI-powered research, modeling and presentation tools together with expanded data and analytics across valuation, private markets, fixed income, credit and broader market use cases.

AI-powered workflows: ChatIQ Spreadsheets introduces an AI-powered Excel modeling assistant for model building, review and analysis with refreshable Capital IQ Pro formulas, while ChatIQ Presentations, now available in Labs, helps users create data-driven PowerPoint slides using Capital IQ Pro data.Valuation and financial analysis: New Discounted Cash Flow analysis, customizable Total Enterprise Value calculations, point-in-time trading comparables and improved export capabilities support more flexible company valuation workflows.Private markets: A new custom benchmarking tool from With Intelligence helps users create tailored private market benchmarks and compare fund performance using key metrics.Fixed income: Integration of Markit’s Global Sector Curves and a new Rate Profile page provide deeper visibility into global bond markets, pricing trends and tenor-level analysis.Credit analysis: Redesigned RatingsDirect corporate and sector profiles, expanded insurance analytics and Credit Memo Builder enhancements improve access to relevant credit information, source transparency and consistency across the credit review process.Data coverage: Additional enhancements across banking, energy, insurance, macroeconomic data, private companies, sustainability, news and alerts expand the platform’s content coverage and usability.Portfolio insights: AI-powered Portfolio Insights, now in beta, helps users identify drivers of portfolio return and connect performance with relevant market developments, news, events and earnings context.

The updates are part of S&P Global Market Intelligence’s broader strategy for Capital IQ Pro, which brings together reliable data, AI-powered tools and connected experiences to support financial professionals across research, analysis and decision-making and help them uncover value across global markets.

For more information on S&P Capital IQ Pro, please see here.

To learn more about Artificial Intelligence at S&P Global, please visit here.

Media Contacts:

Orla O’Brien
S&P Global
+1 857-407-8559
orla.obrien@spglobal.com   

Florence Bogitsh
S&P Global Market Intelligence
+1 646 460-7204
florence.bogitsh@spglobal.com 
press.mi@spglobal.com  

About S&P Global
S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) enables businesses, governments, and individuals with trusted data, expertise and technology to make decisions with conviction. We are Advancing Essential Intelligence through world-leading benchmarks, data, and insights that customers need in order to plan confidently, act decisively and thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape.

From helping our customers assess new investments across the capital and commodities markets to navigating the energy expansion, acceleration of artificial intelligence, and evolution of public and private markets, we enable the world’s leading organizations to unlock opportunities, solve challenges and plan for tomorrow – today. Learn more at www.spglobal.com.

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SOURCE S&P Global

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Strategic Buyer Acquires Florida MSP as Demand Rises for Managed IT Services

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Deal Facilitated by Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A managed IT and cybersecurity services provider serving small and mid-sized businesses in Florida has been acquired by a strategic buyer, bringing together complementary IT industry expertise and further building upon a platform for continued growth.

“Delivering outcomes like this for business owners is what drives our Florida team,” said Larry Lawson II, President, Viking Florida Division. “Tripp, Jacob, and Dylan guided every step of this process and brought together a seller and buyer well-positioned for long-term success.”

For over 15 years, the company has grown from a traditional Managed Services Provider (MSP) into a full Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP). Built as a business known for responsiveness, personalized service, and security solutions tailored to each client, much of the company’s growth came through referrals and long-term client relationships, supported by an experienced team that manages day-to-day service delivery. The company’s clients include non-profit organizations, law firms, and family-owned medical practices that rely on responsive, security-focused IT support.

The buyer is an established managed IT services provider with a multi-state footprint, already serving nonprofit, financial, and healthcare clients. Together, the shared focus on IT services and preserving the legacy of the companies they acquire created a strong strategic fit, positioning the business for continued growth in Florida and nationwide.

The transaction was facilitated by the Viking Mergers & Acquisitions team: Larry “Tripp” Lawson III, Partner, Jacob Middleton, Associate Partner, and Dylan Bradley, Associate Advisor, who represented the seller throughout the sale process. From engagement to close, the transaction took approximately six months, reflecting growing buyer demand for IT solutions companies in the lower-middle market.

“We ran a disciplined process, kept the right buyers at the table, and gave our client real choices. That’s what made the difference here,” said Tripp Lawson. “We’re proud to have delivered a smooth transition for the seller, their team, and the company’s clients.”

About Viking Mergers and Acquisitions Florida Division
Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, with offices strategically located throughout Florida, supports business owners with annual revenues ranging from $2M to $250M. Viking offers complimentary business valuation services, ongoing valuation updates, and comprehensive exit planning and strategy for small and middle-market business owners.

As one of the largest and most successful mergers and acquisitions firms in the United States, Viking is headquartered in Tampa, FL, and Charlotte, NC. The firm has offices strategically positioned across the U.S., providing exceptional brokerage services as well as mergers & acquisitions advisory work. Over the past three decades, Viking has successfully sold over 950 businesses, achieving a closing ratio of nearly four times the industry average. Viking consistently maintains an impressive 85% closing rate, securing sellers an average of 96% of their asking price.

Visit https://www.vikingmerger.com to request a confidential, complimentary business valuation or to access more information regarding selling or buying a business. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/strategic-buyer-acquires-florida-msp-as-demand-rises-for-managed-it-services-302900302.html

SOURCE Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

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