Ingredion Ends 2023 With Strong Operating Income Growth

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- Ingredion Incorporated, a global provider of ingredient solutions to the food and beverage manufacturing industry, has announced a strong financial performance for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2023, with notable increases in reported and adjusted operating income.

Fourth quarter reported and adjusted operating income rose by 29 per cent and 21 per cent respectively, with full-year increases of 26 per cent and 23 per cent.

The company has also reported significant growth in its earnings, with an increase in both reported and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) with full-year 2023 reported EPS grew by 31 per cent to US$9.60, and adjusted EPS increased by 26 per cent to US$9.42. (US$1=RM4.75)

“Our business performed exceptionally well and remained resilient throughout 2023, delivering more than 20 per cent operating income growth for both the fourth quarter and full year.

“Our targeted pricing actions and proactive cost savings initiatives helped overcome inflation and raw material volatility, leading to a sixth consecutive, quarter-over-quarter expansion of gross margin,” said its president and chief executive officer, Jim Zallie in a statement.

Ingredion's balance sheet remains strong, with total debt decreasing and cash reserves increasing compared to the previous year. As at Dec 31, 2023, total debt and cash, including short-term investments, were US$2.2 billion and US$409 million, respectively, versus US$2.5 billion and US$239 million, respectively. 

Cash from operations was US$1,057 million, up from US$152 million in 2022, reflecting changes in working capital and current period net income, while reported net financing costs for the fourth quarter were US$26 million versus US$34 million for the year-ago period.

Full-year net sales increased by three per cent, despite a three per cent decline in the fourth quarter. The decrease was led by volume declines, partially offset by price mix and foreign exchange impacts, while the increase was driven by price mix, partially offset by volume declines and foreign exchange impacts.

For full-year 2023, the company paid US$194 million in dividends to shareholders, and in the fourth quarter declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.78 per share that was paid in the first quarter of 2024.

“As we look ahead to 2024, we are confident that the reorganisation of our business operations will better align our resources and capabilities with customers’ needs to better target growth opportunities,” concluded Zallie.

-- BERNAMA

B. BRAUN REDEFINES WORKFORCE EMPOWERMENT WITH PIONEERING BMI PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

BMI Professional Diploma in Industrial Technology & Management Graduates

Public-Private partnership to holistically upskill local talents and move them up the value-chain towards establishing a highly skilled, knowledge-based economy


BAYAN LEPAS, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- One of the world’s leading medical technology companies, B. Braun Medical Industries Sdn. Bhd. (BMI), saw the fruition of its pioneering BMI People Development Programme (PDP), with its inaugural graduation ceremony recently.

A total of 105 students successfully graduated from various courses under the programme and are now actively serving both in BMI and the broader industry. The PDP is designed to cultivate a high-performing culture by empowering B. Braun employees to take charge of their own career development. It covers both the technical and managerial development paths and is aligned with B. Braun’s promise of Sharing Expertise. It also supports the Malaysian government’s aim of creating a high-value workforce dedicated to excellence through the holistic upskilling of talents.

Via various public-private partnerships, five pivotal courses have been created specifically for the PDP. These courses are:

1. Industriemeister (Bachelor Professional in Mechatronics), in collaboration with the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC), IHK Kassel-Marburg and the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC);
2. German Dual Vocational Training – GDVT (Advanced Diploma in Mechatronics), in collaboration with the Malaysian Department of Skills Development (Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran -JPK), MGCC and PSDC;
3. Professional Diploma in Industrial Technology & Management, in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP);
4. Professional Certificate in Applied Operations & Management, in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM); and
5. Professional Advanced Certificate in Applied Operations & Management, in collaboration with USM.

Industriemeister and GDVT directly support Malaysia's strategic focus on elevating the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem, targeting those who are highly interested in pursuing a career in the technical stream. Meanwhile, the Professional Diploma, Certificate and Advanced Certificate courses provide an opportunity for employees to expand their development journey into managerial and leadership roles.

The five courses culminated in a celebration of excellence at a special graduation ceremony that was held at two separate locations, BMI and USM. Mr. Christian Kapischke, Senior Vice President, Operations & Head of Centre of Excellence, Intravenous Access (CoE IVA), B. Braun Asia Pacific was on site to present the respective certifications.

Mr. Kapischke said, “The BMI People Development Programme signifies B. Braun’s commitment to our people and the community we operate in. By investing in our people and equipping them with essential technical expertise and leadership skills, we are developing talents that will not only thrive in the changing world of work but redefine the economic landscape of the country. Our successful public-private partnerships will create opportunities for a better quality of life and brighter future, as we strive to protect and improve the health of people around the world.”

The programme is a key component of B. Braun’s efforts to re-design its workplace to adapt to an environment undergoing continuous change, particularly with the disruption brought about by digitalisation and innovations. The majority of employees in BMI, Penang work on the frontlines of manufacturing, and this initiative provides them the opportunity to progress and advance their careers through a non-mainstream approach.

BMI employee Prashantraj A/L Selvaraj, who was named Best Student, Professional Diploma in Industrial Technology & Management, said, “The programme offers a valuable learning experience for participants. The combination of 50% technical module and 50% management module, is a good balance of knowledge and skills to help broaden our exposure and equip us with the ability to solve real-time challenges in our jobs. Studying while working is never easy, so, I am grateful that in B. Braun, I received a lot of guidance, support, and encouragement from my colleagues and supervisors, to not just complete my course, but to excel in it. I look forward to contributing all that I have learnt and add value to my team.”

Also present at the graduation ceremonies were Mr. Daniel Bernbeck, Member of the Board and CEO, Malaysian German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC); Dr. Hari Narayanan, Chief Executive Officer of the Penang Skills Development Center (PSDC); Prof. Ir. Dr. Rizalafande Che Ismail, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, UniMAP; Prof. Dr. Azlan Amran and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Industry and Community Network, USM.

About B. Braun
B. Braun is one of the world's leading medical technology companies. With over 65,000 employees, the family-owned company is a true partner, developing smart solutions and setting standards to drive advancements in health care. In 2022, the B. Braun Group generated sales of € 8.5 billion.

B. Braun Medical Industries Sdn. Bhd. (BMI) in Penang, Malaysia is one of the Group’s largest production sites with over 7,500 employees. Here, we produce healthcare solutions for world markets and advance education for medical practitioners through its world-renowned Aesculap Academy. B. Braun’s Regional Asia Pacific Headquarters is also based in Penang. In Petaling Jaya, B. Braun Medical Supplies (BMS) serves Malaysian healthcare professionals.

Associated images can be found at the following link:
https://files.fileexchange.aesculap.extranet.bbraun.com/thirtydays/f7799a54-a36f-466d-85e2-384d08ade766/Photos.zip

SOURCE: B. Braun Medical Industries Sdn. Bhd.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Juanita Johari
Director, Head of Corporate Communications, Asia Pacific
Email: press.ap@bbraun.com

--BERNAMA

BRIDGING THE SKILLS GAP: YAYASAN HASANAH AND CENTEXS JOIN FORCES TO STRENGTHEN MALAYSIA'S TEXTILE PRESERVATION

A historic MoU for Yayasan Hasanah and CENTEXS; bridging the skills gap in preserving Malaysia’s textile heritage. (From L to R): YBhg. Dato’ Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Trustee and Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah, YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani, Chairman of CENTEXS, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak and YBhg. Dato Haji Syeed Mohd Hussien Bin Wan Abdul Rahman, CEO of CENTEXS

Historic MoU kickstarts skill-training programmes for Malaysia’s traditional artisans, facilitating collaborations with contemporary designers

KUCHING, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- On February 5th, 2024 marks a significant milestone as Malaysia’s leading impact-based foundation Yayasan Hasanah (“Hasanah”) and CENTEXS officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), solidifying their commitment to advancing the preservation and conservation of Malaysia's rich textile heritage. The MoU outlines a strategic partnership focused on capacity development, cross-fertilisation of skills, and the promotion of excellence in heritage textile preservation.

The MoU exchange was organised in conjunction with CENTEXS Convocation Ceremony, in which the event was graced by The Honourable YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak.

The collaboration includes targeted initiatives such as skill development workshops, training programs, and master classes aimed at enhancing the proficiency of traditional textile artisans. The partnership also seeks to facilitate collaborations between traditional artisans and contemporary designers, fostering the creation of modern interpretations of traditional textiles through innovation and product development. Furthermore, key aspects of the collaboration also include fostering sustainable practices in capacity-building, product design, development, and entrepreneurship.

"In the realm of arts, culture, and heritage (AHC) preservation, the work must extend far beyond mere static displays within museum walls. Today, sustainable preservation requires more than conveying historical value; it demands an ability to resonate with the hearts and minds of contemporary consumers, staying relevant in the ever-evolving market. Thus, over the next two years under its heritage textile preservation efforts, Yayasan Hasanah is focusing on amplifying research and development (R&D) and the commercialisation of artisanal products. In doing so, we recognise that this translates to a crucial need for a skills upgrade among our exceptionally talented traditional practitioners. In this spirit, we’re excited to collaborate with CENTEXS in curating impactful skill-training programmes, to preserve excellence in these art forms, while strengthening heritage textile as a thriving economic space for our local artisans in Malaysia," shared Dato’ Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Trustee and Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah.

The historic MoU builds upon Hasanah’s tireless efforts in Malaysia's heritage textile preservation in collaboration with various expert partners. Initiatives include preserving original Malaysian legacy motifs through digital documentation and intellectual property (IP) protection, the development of an experiential centre for heritage textiles, masterclasses for royal textile art forms like Telepuk with Adigurus (master artisans), as well as training for youths in heritage textile arts like Kelingkan, Keringkam, Songket, and Telepuk – such as the ASPIRE Programme that trains the young trainees of Puncak Borneo complex in the art of Keringkam embroidery.

In its most recent initiative, Yayasan Hasanah established the annual Hasanah Gold Threads Awards to celebrate excellence and innovation in local heritage textiles. These awards acknowledge outstanding work around the country in various categories, in which eighteen exceptional textile artisans - including the 91-year-old Sarawakian Ngot Bi, a practitioner in traditional plaiting - were recognised for their extraordinary craftsmanship.

Dato Haji Syeed Mohd Hussien Bin Wan Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of CENTEXS emphasised, “At CENTEXS, our mission is to be the Best in its Class Technology Training Institute in the Region by 2030. As we strive towards this goal, our responsibility is to equip the state’s workforce for various economic sectors, and this includes the lifestyle and heritage scene. This partnership with Hasanah adds immense value in co-designing an impactful training programme for our traditional artisans, to ensure they are not left behind in technological advances and innovations relevant to their craft, thus nurturing a strong workforce in this sector.”

The MoU is in line with Yayasan Hasanah's aim to become a leading foundation that promotes Malaysia’s global sustainability through solutions encouraging human capital development, empowering communities, promoting social inclusivity, and improving the local environment.

ABOUT YAYASAN HASANAH
Yayasan Hasanah (“Hasanah”) is the impact-based foundation of Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”), the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia. Hasanah was set up as an independent entity on 1 July 2015, building on nine years of Corporate Responsibility (CR) efforts previously driven by Khazanah. As a grant-giving organisation, Hasanah goes beyond ringgit and sen to facilitate an ecosystem of transformation, working in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, infusing a spirit of advocacy and building capacity in five key focus areas: Education; Community Development; Environment; Arts and Public Spaces; and Knowledge. Collectively and collaboratively, Hasanah hopes to shift the needle of social and community reform for Malaysians, towards Advancing Malaysia. For further information, please visit www.yayasanhasanah.org.

Source : Strategic Communications, Yayasan Hasanah

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Hannis Hisham
Manager, Strategic COmmunications
Tel: +60 19-243 3121
Email: hannis.hisham@hasanah.org.my

--BERNAMA

KFSH&RC, KAUST RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY GENE ESSENTIAL IN COMBATING MALARIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Research team from King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), has discovered a vital gene instrumental in combating malaria, in a major scientific breakthrough.

The research was in collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), working alongside researchers from the United Kingdom, the United States and India.

KFSH&RC in a statement said this gene, termed PfAP2-MRP, is essential in the replication process of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes the most lethal strain of malaria.

Advanced laboratory techniques enabled the researchers to inhibit the PfAP2-MRP gene, revealing its critical role in the malaria parasite’s life cycle within red blood cells.

This inhibition significantly disrupts the parasite’s ability to reproduce, reducing the severity of the disease’s symptoms and curbing its spread, whereby this discovery is particularly impactful as it addresses Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which claims over half a million lives annually.

KFSH&RC-Jeddah Chairman of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the lead researcher, Dr Ashraf Dada said: "This discovery paves the way for the development of more effective treatments for the deadliest malaria strain, Plasmodium falciparum."

In addition, this study enhances the scientific community’s understanding of the disease’s progression and its interaction with the human immune system, thereby strengthening efforts to combat this widespread malaria parasite prevalent in Africa.

The research demonstrated that the PfAP2-MRP gene regulates the production of genetically diverse protein receptors, allowing the parasite to evade the host’s immune system.

Published in the prestigious journal "Nature", this study is part of a close collaboration between KFSH&RC and KAUST to engage in innovative research activities aimed at improving the diagnosis of microbes, bacteria, and parasites, while also underscores a global effort to combat pathogens and improve human health.

-- BERNAMA

MUNDO VERDE CLIMATE PIONEERS GLOBAL VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKET TRANSACTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Mundo Verde Climate, a global player in climate finance and climate change risk management advisory, has announced its pivotal role in one of the most significant transactions of 2023 within the global voluntary carbon market.

In a significant stride towards achieving this goal, the company has entered into a strategic arrangement with Biotrend Enerji, the most prominent player in the Turkish integrated waste management, waste-to-energy and circular plastics market.

Mundo Verde Climate Managing Partner, Gediz Kaya said this collaboration exemplifies its dedication to fostering international cooperation and collaboration of key industries in pricing carbon so that it can mobilise finance in the fight against climate change.

“By joining forces with Biotrend, we aim to catalyse transformative change and encourage companies in the energy sector, and other industries, to adopt a sustainable approach to managing their emissions," she said in a statement.

Hence, this collaboration marks a milestone in the pursuit of mobilising finance towards new climate change mitigation technologies and the deal promises to impact the global voluntary carbon market substantially.

Mundo Verde Climate took an instrumental role in developing the voluntary carbon units from Biotrend’s waste to energy activities through a certification and verification process under VERRA, the world's biggest certifier of voluntary carbon offsets.

The transaction, covering over 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in total, refers to voluntary carbon credits for release on the international market. Companies can acquire the credits to offset their emissions from unrelated activities.

In addition, both companies also hope that the initiative will provide much-needed carbon credits to satisfy demand in the voluntary offsetting market and inspire others to advance their projects and stimulate the market.

Mundo Verde Climate, dedicated to forging a sustainable future for generations, continues to champion green technologies and nature-based solutions in the race to Net Zero.

-- BERNAMA

Cargill Edible Oils Meet WHO Policy On Eliminating Industrially Produced Trans Fats

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- Cargill has announced that the company’s fats and oils comply with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended maximum tolerance level for industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) in fats and oils.

According to Cargill in a statement, it is the first global supplier whose entire worldwide edible oils portfolio meets the WHO’s best practice standard on iTFAs, limiting iTFA content to no more than two grammes (g) per 100 g of fats/oils, including in countries where there is currently no legislative mandate.

While Cargill announced its commitment to removing iTFAs from its fats and oils portfolio in December 2021, the milestone reflects decades of work.

Cargill vice president for edible oils and managing director for North America, Natasha Orlova said the company has met its commitment and helped fulfil its purpose by nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.

“Taking this industry-leading step, even in countries without current iTFA legislation, helps ensure consistency in their supply chain for larger food manufacturers, while offering Cargill’s breadth of innovation and experience to smaller manufacturers.

“We have proven it is not only feasible to meet the iTFA recommendations while being mindful of saturated fat levels, but it can also be done without discernibly changing the taste or texture of consumers’ favourite foods. We call upon other industry players to follow our lead and remove iTFAs from all their products, too,” she said.

In the past two years, Cargill has invested an additional US$8.5 million to upgrade facilities to reduce the amount of transfat produced during oil processing, while working closely with more than 100 additional customers in two dozen countries to reformulate new product solutions that meet their needs. (US$1=RM4.72)

To ensure compliance, Cargill has added iTFAs to its larger food safety and quality assurance programme, in which this includes multiple layers of monitoring, compliance and auditing.

Cargill has also taken steps to help advance industry-wide reformulation during the past two years, and among its actions, in Malaysia and Mexico, the company interacted with industry, academic and government stakeholders to raise awareness of WHO best practices, while sharing experiences and expertise in iTFA reformulation.

-- BERNAMA

Tsuno Group Awaits Patent Approval For New Sunscreen Formulation

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Tsuno Group Co Ltd and Matsumoto Trading Co Ltd have successfully developed a new sunscreen formulation with Ferulic Acid, a rare natural plant-derived Ultraviolet (UV) absorber that has been difficult in stability and solubility at the high concentrations of ferulic acid.

In a statement, Tsuno Group said the group was the first in the world to successfully produce large amounts of ferulic acid, a polyphenol, from rice bran, as the acid possesses strong antioxidant properties and has been recognised for its potential to prevent Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus, and high cholesterol.

The group President, Fumi Tsuno said: “Now we have launched a technology of using ferulic acid from rice bran as a natural antioxidant and UV absorber, which is the first innovation ever in the world.

“We are confident that you shall discover this product as unique and impactful to contribute not only to human health and beauty but the circular economy for the world.”

Ferulic acid, a naturally derived sunscreen ingredient from rice, absorbs UV rays in a similar range of the spectrum as octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), in which this promising characteristic makes it a potential eco-friendly alternative to ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), a petrochemical UV filter.

Amidst growing global concerns about environmental sustainability, ferulic acid's potential as a natural and effective sunscreen ingredient is likely to gain increased recognition. It holds significant potential for application in a wide range of cosmetic products throughout Japan.

Gaining recognition for its UV-absorbing properties, ferulic acid, a rare natural plant-derived ingredient, presents challenges in solubility and stability at the high concentrations for sunscreen formulations.

To overcome these hurdles, Matsumoto Trading has dedicated research and development, pioneering an innovative technology utilising a high concentration of ferulic acid in a solid stick formulation, whereby this novel formulation has been developed with SPF50+ and PA++ (in vitro).

This unique formulation eliminates the need for other commonly used UV protective ingredients, while maintaining high sun protection effectiveness, with its patent application pending for approval.

-- BERNAMA