Univar Solutions Unveils 2030 Sustainability Strategy

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Univar Solutions LLC (Univar Solutions) has launched its 2030 sustainability strategy, "Growth Through Purpose", alongside the release of its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining new environmental, social, and commercial targets aimed at driving long-term business value, managing risk, and meeting evolving stakeholder expectations.

In a statement, its President and Chief Executive Officer, David Jukes said the company's next phase of sustainability commitments is designed to build on nearly two decades of progress while strengthening operational resilience and supporting stakeholder needs.

The speciality ingredients and chemical solutions provider said the report marks a decade of sustainability reporting and highlights progress toward its 2025 goals, including a 32 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, exceeding its target of 20 per cent.

The company also reduced water waste by 30 per cent from its baseline level and assessed more than 89 per cent of direct supplier spending through sustainability-related evaluations.

The report also highlighted employee engagement of 81 per cent and a Corporate Equality Index score of 100, reflecting a continued focus on workforce inclusion and engagement across its global operations.

Under its new 2030 strategy, Univar Solutions aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 43 per cent from 2019 levels, lower hazardous waste intensity by 20 per cent and strengthen water management and environmental stewardship practices across its operations.

The strategy also focuses on expanding sustainable products and services, enhancing supplier due diligence and engagement, and further integrating sustainability into its commercial operations to support customers' sustainability objectives.

On the social front, the company plans to advance inclusion and belonging initiatives, improve workplace safety by targeting a Total Case Incident Rate of 0.38 or lower, and contribute 45,000 employee volunteer hours globally by 2030.

Univar Solutions said it will continue operating under a unified global sustainability framework while enhancing reporting practices, data quality, transparency and accountability as it works toward its 2030 objectives.

-- BERNAMA

World Finance Awards 2026 Affirm Trusted, Reliable FX and CFD Trading for Clients Worldwide

EBC Financial Group secures two global honours at the World Finance Forex Awards, part of the World Finance Awards 2026, recognising the transparency, secure market access, and consistent service its clients rely on across FX and CFD trading. 

LONDON, June 23 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EBC Financial Group (EBC) has been named Most Trusted FX Broker and Best CFD Broker on a global basis at the World Finance Awards 2026, taking two honours within the World Finance Forex Awards. For traders, the recognition is an independent signal that the conditions they depend on have been judged among the strongest in the market: transparent pricing, secure access, and dependable execution. 

What the recognition reflects 

The Most Trusted FX Broker award recognises the confidence EBC builds through secure market access, responsive service, and consistent operational standards across its global network. For clients, that consistency is what makes a platform dependable through changing market conditions, rather than only in calm ones.

The Best CFD Broker award reflects the strength of EBC's CFD offering across major markets, with robust execution, professional trading conditions, and an environment built for retail, professional, and institutional clients alike. Interbank-level pricing from 0.0 pips and order execution averaging under 20 milliseconds mean lower trading costs and fewer missed fills, helping clients act on opportunities as they arise rather than after the moment has passed.

“EBC has built a reputation in this market that's hard to ignore. Consistently transparent, consistently reliable, and clearly trusted by the clients who matter most. Both wins are thoroughly deserved, and it's been a pleasure watching EBC's progress this year. 

Congratulations to the whole team,” said Cyril Jones, Awards Director, World Finance.

Global access, backed by local support 

For clients, the value of these awards lies in what they make possible. EBC provides access to currencies, commodities, indices, shares, and CFDs across more than 100 countries, supported by local teams that share market insight and respond in real time. Whether starting from a low-capital position or managing professional volume, clients reach global markets through a single regulated environment, with support close to where they are.

Raising the standard for clients worldwide

“Receiving these two global honours from the World Finance Awards is a meaningful recognition of the trust our clients place in us. Our focus remains on delivering transparent, secure, and reliable access to global FX and CFD markets, while continuing to raise the standard of service for traders worldwide,” said Christopher Stiegeler, Executive Director, EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited.

That focus runs through how the wider Group operates: a commitment to integrity, high-standard trading conditions, and a safer, more transparent environment in which clients can pursue global opportunities with confidence. 

Building on a record of trust 

Founded in London, EBC has expanded its international presence through regulated entities operating across major financial jurisdictions, including the UK, Australia, the Cayman Islands, and South Africa, among others. The Group now serves clients in over 100 countries, with more than 5 million registered users and over USD 390 billion in average monthly trading volume. 

The 2026 honours extend a multi-year run of World Finance recognition and reinforce EBC's standing as a brokerage measured by the trust, transparency, and long-term value it delivers to the clients it serves. 

For more information, visit the EBC Financial Group website at www.ebc.com. 

Risk Disclaimer 

Trading foreign exchange (FX) and contracts for differences (CFDs) on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Losses can exceed deposits. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance carefully before trading.

About EBC Financial Group  

Founded in London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is a global brand known for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. Through its regulated entities operating across major financial jurisdictions—including the UK, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, and others—EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, CFDs and more.

Trusted by investors in over 100 countries and honoured with global awards including multiple year recognition from World Finance, EBC is widely regarded as one of the world’s best brokers with titles including Best Trading Platform and Most Trusted Broker. With its strong regulatory standing and commitment to transparency, EBC has also been consistently ranked among the top brokers—trusted for its ability to deliver secure, innovative, and client-first trading solutions across competitive international markets.

EBC’s subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia's Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC).

At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

EBC is a proud official foreign exchange partner of FC Barcelona and continues to drive impactful partnerships to empower communities – namely through the UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria initiative, Oxford University’s Department of Economics, and a diverse range of partners to champion initiatives in global health, economics, education, and sustainability.

https://www.ebc.com/  

Media Contact: 
Aldric Tinker Toyad
Global PR Lead
aldric.tinker@ebc.com

Faiz Alavi Sulaiman
Senior PR Executive
faiz.sulaiman@ebc.com 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/62f7e438-9268-4fdd-902a-d7b09dbf0a5b 

SOURCE: EBC Tech Limited

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA 

ABAXX EXCHANGE ADDS YONGAN INTERNATIONAL SG AS CLEARING, TRADING MEMBER

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Abaxx Technologies Inc (Abaxx) announced that Yongan International Financial (Singapore) Pte Ltd (Yongan International SG) will begin offering trading and clearing access to clients on Abaxx Exchange from June 29.

In a statement, the company said Yongan International SG, a Singapore-based futures brokerage, has been approved as a clearing member of Abaxx Clearing and a trading member of Abaxx Exchange.

Abaxx Exchange Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nancy Seah said Yongan International SG's participation strengthens the exchange's clearing network and supports broader access to risk management tools for regional commodities markets.

Meanwhile, Yongan International SG CEO, Josh Qiao said the membership will provide clients with access to contracts designed to support risk management and price discovery across energy, metals and industrial supply chains.

According to Abaxx, the membership enables Yongan International SG to provide commercial hedgers and institutional clients across Hong Kong and Asia with direct access to the exchange's energy, environmental, battery materials and precious metals markets.

Abaxx said the approval makes Yongan International SG the first Chinese-backed futures firm able to both trade and clear products listed on Abaxx Exchange.

Yongan International SG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xin Yongan International Financial Holdings Ltd in Hong Kong, which is a subsidiary of Yongan Futures Co Ltd.

Abaxx Technologies is a financial software and market infrastructure company and the majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd, which operates Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing in Singapore.

-- BERNAMA

MARY KAY RETAINS TOP GLOBAL DIRECT SELLING BEAUTY BRAND RANKING

Mary Kay Inc., the iconic beauty and entrepreneurship company, for the fourth year in a row has been named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World by Euromonitor International. (Image Credit: Mary Kay Inc.

 
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Mary Kay Inc, the iconic beauty and entrepreneurship company, has been named the world's No. 1 direct selling brand for skin care and colour cosmetics by Euromonitor International for the fourth consecutive year.

“Earning the No. 1 global ranking from Euromonitor for the fourth consecutive year comes as a powerful endorsement of the impact of our Independent Beauty Consultants around the world who drive our success every day.

“Their entrepreneurial spirit, combined with our transformational investments in research and development (R&D) and cutting-edge technology, enables us to deliver high-performance skin and beauty solutions,” said Mary Kay Inc chief executive officer, Ryan Rogers in a statement.

Meanwhile, Euromonitor International senior vice president of research, Anthony Irwin said Mary Kay’s continued leadership in direct selling beauty highlights its ability to deliver consistent value, quality, and relevance in a highly competitive global marketplace.

Apart from the Euromonitor recognition, Mary Kay received 41 beauty and industry awards worldwide in 2025 and was ranked among Women’s Wear Daily Beauty Inc’s 2025 Top 100 Beauty Companies and Forbes’ 2026 Best Customer Service list.

The company said it continues to deliver skincare and colour cosmetics through a combination of scientific innovation, consumer insights and personalised service.

Mary Kay has been issued more than 1,600 patents worldwide covering products, technologies and packaging, while its manufacturing and R&D centre in Texas is capable of producing up to one million products per day.

Women account for 64 per cent of Mary Kay’s R&D scientists and 79 per cent of its Global Brand and Global Creative teams.

Mary Kay products are sold through Independent Beauty Consultants across 40 markets worldwide, who provide personalised service to customers in person, via online and on social and digital media channels.

-- BERNAMA

MIDA-GreatASIC Value Chain Programme Strengthens Malaysia’s Semiconductor Ecosystem Through Strategic Industry Collaboration

(From left to right):

1. Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of MIDA
2. Mr. William Liang, Director Xenith Technology (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
3. Mr. Ong Chin Hu, Founder and CEO of GreatAsicTechnology Sdn. Bhd.
4. Ms. Zaiton Yahya, Director of Manufacturing Industry, Science and Technology Section Division, Ministry of Economy

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) today hosted the MIDA-GreatAsic Value Chain Programme, bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry and ecosystem partners to witness the exchange of a strategic collaboration between homegrown local company, GreatAsic Technology Sdn. Bhd. and Xenith Technology Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., the Malaysian unit of China-based Xenith Technology.

The programme highlights the tangible outcomes that emerge when investments, talent development initiatives and ecosystem-building efforts converge to create meaningful opportunities for Malaysian companies and engineering talent. While centred on a single project, the collaboration reflects Malaysia’s broader aspirations to strengthen domestic capabilities, deepen industry linkages and move further up the semiconductor value chain — consistent with the objectives of the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).

Speaking at the event, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, stated, "The collaboration between GreatAsic and Xenith represents more than a commercial agreement. It reflects growing confidence in Malaysian capabilities, trust in our engineering talent, and the increasing ability of local technology companies to participate in high-value segments of the global semiconductor industry.”

“Integrated circuit design is one of the highest-value segments of the semiconductor value chain, requiring specialised expertise, advanced engineering capabilities and continuous innovation. Through collaborations such as this, Malaysia is strengthening its position within the global semiconductor ecosystem while creating meaningful opportunities for our engineers and industry players to move up the value chain, supporting the objectives of the NIMP 2030 and the NSS.”

Mr. Ong Chin Hu, Founder and CEO, GreatAsic Technology Sdn. Bhd. said,“Through this collaboration with Xenith, we are not only advancing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and next-generation semiconductor design capabilities, but also opening up new technical horizons for GreatAsic and for Malaysia’s IC design landscape as a whole. This partnership reflects the growing strength and confidence in Malaysia’s engineering talent and ecosystem.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Malaysian Government, especially MIDA, for their continuous support in enabling such high-value collaborations. Initiatives like this are creating real opportunities for Malaysian companies to move up the value chain, particularly in advanced areas such as ADAS and intelligent mobility technologies.

In many ways, this is a clear example of how Malaysia is capturing the opportunities from the global semiconductor shift, while building stronger local capabilities for the future.”

Mr. William Liang Weiqiang, Director of Xenith Technology (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. said, “This collaboration with GreatAsic represents an important milestone in advancing Malaysia's semiconductor design capabilities. By combining our expertise in advanced SoC development with GreatAsic's strong local engineering talent, we aim to develop next-generation ADAS sensor processing solutions that address the growing demands of intelligent mobility.

Beyond technology development, we see this partnership as an opportunity to strengthen Malaysia's domestic semiconductor ecosystem through knowledge transfer, talent development, and the creation of high-value design capabilities. We look forward to working closely with GreatAsic to deliver innovative semiconductor solutions while contributing to the long-term growth of the industry in Malaysia."

A key highlight of the event was the "CEO Fireside Chat #BorakBersamaCEOMIDA: Developing Malaysia's Future Semiconductor Workforce". This interactive session featured 20 newly recruited Malaysian engineers onboarded by GreatAsic. The session highlighted the direct impact of this collaboration on local human capital development, offering these engineers hands-on experience in world-class technical design and global technology trends.

Beyond its immediate impact on semiconductor design capabilities, the collaboration is also expected to support GreatAsic’s expansion into emerging technology segments such as ADAS and EVs. These sectors represent some of the fastest-growing areas of the global technology industry and are driving increasing demand for advanced semiconductor solutions.

By participating in projects within these high-growth sectors, Malaysian companies and engineers are building the expertise required to compete in the industries of tomorrow. This aligns with Malaysia’s efforts to create a highly skilled workforce and develop indigenous technological capabilities that support long-term economic competitiveness.

The programme also underscores the importance of strong collaboration among government ministries and agencies, multinational corporations, local technology companies and ecosystem partners in achieving Malaysia’s semiconductor ambitions. The presence of representatives from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Ministry of Economy, Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS), Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), and Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC), reflects a shared commitment towards advancing Malaysia’s technology ecosystem.

As Malaysia advances the implementation of the NIMP 2030 and NSS, MIDA continues to assume a key role in facilitating strategic collaborations that strengthen local supply chains, expand industry participation, and create pathways into emerging technology domains.

Through initiatives such as the Xenith-GreatAsic collaboration, Malaysia continues to reinforce its position as a leading semiconductor hub in the region and a key player within the global semiconductor value chain.

For media enquiries, please refer to this link: https://shorturl.at/Kpv6x

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MIDA
Name: Mr. Mohd Mazlan Mokhtar
Director, Electrical & Electronics Division
Tel: +603-2267 6655
Email: mazlan@mida.gov.my

GreatAsic Technology Sdn. Bhd.
Mr. Ong Chin Hu
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Tel : +603 8066 6637
Email : contact@greatasic.com

--BERNAMA
 

DENODO EARNS SNOWFLAKE “ONE TO WATCH” RECOGNITION FOR AGENTIC AI SOLUTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Denodo has been recognised by Snowflake as a Data Integration and Data Modeling "One to Watch" in The Modern Marketing Data Stack 2026 report for enabling agentic artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for marketing leaders.

The recognition highlights Denodo’s growing role within the Snowflake ecosystem in helping marketing organisations unify and govern distributed data to support AI-driven insights and autonomous agentic workflows.

According to a statement, vendors recognised as "One to Watch" were selected based on their innovation, market momentum and ability to deliver differentiated capabilities that extend the value of the Snowflake AI Data Cloud.

“We are honoured to be recognised by Snowflake for our innovation that seamlessly extends the value of the AI Data Cloud across the broader enterprise landscape and enables agentic insights and workflows for customers,” said Denodo executive vice president, Suresh Chandrasekaran.

Meanwhile, Snowflake chief marketing officer, Denise Persson said the combination of Denodo’s logically centralised data foundation and Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud enables enterprise customers to unify data across complex environments, delivering trusted real-time insights and governance needed to support agentic AI use cases and accelerate business outcomes.

Through Denodo’s governed active data and context layer, marketers gain live, unified access to data across on-premises, multi-cloud and software-as-a-service (SaaS) environments without having to duplicate data across distributed sources.

Together, Denodo and Snowflake enable marketing leaders to leverage trusted data to power real-time customer 360 views, optimise campaigns through autonomous actions, integrate data across platforms and deliver more personalised customer engagement.

Currently in its fifth year, Snowflake’s Modern Marketing Data Stack report reflects a major shift towards AI-driven marketing operations and draws on insights from over 11,500 Snowflake customers and ecosystem partners across 13 categories.

-- BERNAMA

ATEIOS SYSTEMS ACHIEVES INTERTEK PFAS-FREE CERTIFICATION FOR RAICORE PORTFOLIO

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Ateios Systems, a United States (US)-based advanced battery electrode manufacturer, announced that its full RaiCore composite portfolio has been certified per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-Free by Intertek Sustainability.

Spanning LCO, NMC and LFP cathodes as well as graphite anodes, the certification marks a significant milestone for the battery industry, according to Ateios Systems in a statement.

Issued under Intertek certificate PF-10025-2026a and valid through April 29, 2027, the certification requires Total Organic Fluorine to remain below 20 milligrammes per kilogramme (mg/kg), as measured under ASTM D7359-23.

The certified products are listed in the public Intertek Sustainability Certification Directory, providing customers with a verifiable reference. Samples for testing and certification were supported by NSF Energy Storage Engine funding.

“Battery manufacturers no longer must choose between performance and compliance. Our pilots with leading OEMs confirm RaiCore electrodes exceed PVDF-based materials across every key metric.

“This certification provides procurement and sustainability teams with the independent verification,” said Ateios Systems Chief Executive Officer, Rajan Kumar.

For decades, lithium-ion manufacturers have relied on fluorinated binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for their chemical stability. However, PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals”, persist in the environment and have been linked by health authorities to a range of health concerns.

As PFAS regulations tighten globally, fluorinated materials are expected to increase costs related to regulatory testing, restricted-substance reporting, emissions controls, supplier audits and liability management. These risks are particularly significant in the battery sector, where product lifecycles are long and requalification processes can be costly.

The company said PFAS-free status is increasingly becoming a condition of sale, with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) incorporating restricted-substance requirements into supplier qualifications, while ecolabels such as EPEAT recognise PFAS as chemicals of concern. In addition, government purchasers in the US and the European Union are linking procurement eligibility to similar standards.

-- BERNAMA