Day: June 23, 2022

MISSION, Texas, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — COSTEP understands that moving products and people from Point A to Point B is essential for trade. Goods need to move from the production facilities to customers quickly, and out-of-area executives need to fly in and out with ease. Located at the heart of the North American supply chain, Rio South Texas offers manufacturing companies an air transportation infrastructure to quickly reach customers on the continent and beyond.

When moving products and people quickly is vital, quick access to major international air transportation hubs is crucial. For this reason, Rio South Texas utilizes a robust and localized passenger and cargo air transportation infrastructure.

There are 7 regional airports in Rio South Texas:

 

• Brownsville (BRO)
• Harlingen (HRL)
• McAllen (MFE)
• Laredo (LRD)
• Matamoros (MAM)
• Reynosa (REX)
• Nuevo Laredo (NLD)

These regional airports have regular and direct access to major international hubs, including:

• Houston (IAH)
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
• Mexico City (MEX)
• Chicago (ORD)

They also have regular and direct access to secondary hubs, including:

• Denver (DEN)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Orlando (MCO)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Monterrey (MTY)

The airports in Rio South Texas provide over 35 daily flights to major hubs and an additional 15 flights to secondary hubs. This is key for companies requiring regular travel to production facilities and last-minute flight options in case of emergencies. This also allows for convenient transcontinental travel for executives as these hubs provide direct flights to a multiplicity of countries the world over, meaning major global destinations like Frankfurt, London, Dubai, Tokyo, Seoul, and São Paulo are only one layover from Rio South Texas.

Rio South Texas also has a strong presence of second and third-party logistic companies including:

• FedEx
• UPS
• DHL

This provides an advantage to manufacturers critically dependent on their ability to deliver on time and/or on quick turnaround.

If you or your products need to fly somewhere in the world quickly, you can have confidence that you’ll be able to do so from Rio South Texas with ease. With 7 regional airports providing regular flights to major hubs, the Rio South Texas region is equipped to support your manufacturing operation.

If you are looking to manufacture in North America for North America, look at what Rio South Texas has to offer. Our team at COSTEP would be glad to assist you, so please visit us at www.costep.org or follow us at @COSTEP to learn more.

Contact: Matt Ruszczak, +1.956.682.6371, info@costep.org

NINGDE, China, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — On June 23, CATL launched Qilin, the third generation of its CTP (cell-to-pack) technology. With a record-breaking volume utilization efficiency of 72% and an energy density of up to 255 Wh/kg, it achieves the highest integration level worldwide so far, capable of delivering a range of over 1,000 km in a breeze.

Focusing on the very nature of electrochemistry, CATL continues its endeavor to push beyond the boundaries of innovations in system structure. In 2019, CATL launched the world’s first module-less battery pack CTP, taking the lead in achieving a volume utilization efficiency of over 50%. Together with overall breakthroughs in the core process, algorithm and materials, CATL redefines battery structure design with “Qilin,” which is named after a legendary creature in Chinese mythology.

Function Integration. In the CTP 3.0 battery, the internal crossbeam, liquid-cooling plate and thermal pad have been integrated into a multifunctional elastic interlayer. It also features built-in micron bridges inside the interlayer, which flexibly accommodate the changes inside the cell, improving the battery reliability throughout its full life cycle. The integrated energy unit, which is composed of the cell and the multifunctional elastic interlayer, builds a more stable load bearing structure perpendicular to the driving direction, thus enhancing the shock and vibration resistance of the battery pack.

Reshaping system structure. Powered by its precise computing and AI simulation capabilities, CATL explores the boundaries of battery design involving the battery’s full life cycle application scenarios. The ingenious bottom sharing design allows the smart arrangement of various components including structural protection, high-voltage connection and a protective vent for thermal runaway, further increasing the battery capacity by 6%. Meanwhile, the CTP 3.0 battery satisfies the criteria of the battery safety tests required by national standards such as the bollard test.

Disruptive Water Cooling Design . By placing liquid cooling functional parts between adjacent cells, the trailblazing large-surface cell cooling technology increases the heat transfer area by four times, cuts thermal control time in half, and supports a hot start in 5 minutes and fast charging in 10 minutes. It enables the cell to cool down rapidly in extreme circumstances, effectively preventing abnormal thermal conduction among cells. Moreover, it has achieved thermal stability and thermal safety for all chemical systems, making it compatible with materials with higher energy density.

From the material, cell to system structure, the systematic engineering mindset runs through the whole chain of research and development in CATL. Supported by the above-mentioned technological innovations, the CTP 3.0 battery can increase the energy density to 255Wh/kg for ternary battery systems, and 160Wh/kg for LFP battery systems. With the same chemical system and the same pack size, it can deliver 13% more power than the 4680 battery, accomplishing an all-round improvement in range, fast-charging, safety, service life, efficiency and low-temperature performance.

The CTP 3.0 batteries, or Qilin, are expected to be mass produced and come on the market in 2023. From simulated computing in the micro world to artful streamlining inside the battery structure, CATL remains focused on technological ingenuity and independent innovation, aiming to promote the overtaking of fossil fuel vehicles by electric ones.

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The global logistics and delivery giant is deploying the Rand connected vehicle platform to optimize performance of its fleet

CHICAGO and DUBAI, UAE, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Rand McNally, a leader in commercial transportation technology solutions, today announced that its connected vehicle platform, Rand Platform, has been chosen by Aramex to help optimize the organization’s fleet performance. The global logistics and delivery company is rolling out the solution to 11 locations in the Middle East and North Africa region, with plans to expand the program in coming months.

Focused on saving fuel and improving vehicle and driver performance, Aramex chose the Rand McNally Fleet platform due to the solution’s “API-first” architecture that makes integrations easy and flexible. The platform is device-agnostic and seamlessly supports multiple asset types —  just what Aramex needed with its varied vehicle fleet that includes vans, motorcycles, trucks, and warehouse vehicles, among others.

“Aramex’s requirements are a prime example of why our platform works for diverse customers across the globe and across the supply chain,” said Jakub Felinski, Rand McNally Fleet’s Chief Technology Officer. “The connected vehicle solution we offer enables a single platform for fleets from long-haul and local trucking to government and rental fleets, to OEMs. And it doesn’t matter if a fleet’s vehicles are fuel-based, EV, or mixed.”

The deal with Aramex includes Rand McNally supplied hardware, a driver app and manager app, and a customized web portal from which managers can track vehicles and driver metrics. The hardware is a mixture of OBDII plug-in devices as well as hard-wired equipment for two-wheeled and older vehicles that don’t have OBDII ports.

“Aramex continues to leverage the latest innovative technologies and solutions to further enhance our operational efficiencies and deliver exceptional service to our customers,” said Alaa Saoudi, Chief Operating Officer – Express at Aramex. “By implementing the Rand McNally fleet management solution, we gain valuable insights that we can use to make our fleet safer and more productive. The streamlined data collection and management also enables us to further optimize our fuel costs, boost efficiencies, and enhance customer experience.”

The Rand Platform

Last month, Rand McNally announced that it had acquired Australia-based Fleetsu and its innovative vehicle platform through the Chicago company’s owner, TELEO Capital. The platform, now integrated into Rand McNally’s fleet business, has elevated Rand McNally’s place in the connected vehicle space and expanded its footprint as a global provider.

The platform, founded and originally built by Felinski and the Australia team, has attracted global customers including several major truck and automotive OEM contracts. Combined with Rand McNally’s Fleet business and hardware product, the new Rand McNally Fleet platform offers vehicle and asset tracking, video telematics, navigation and routing, and compliance solutions.

Aramex is a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions, recognized for its customized and innovative services for businesses and consumers. Aramex currently has business operations in 600+ cities across more than 60 countries worldwide and employ over 16,000 professionals. It offers innovative services and solutions, including international and domestic express delivery, freight-forwarding, integrated logistics and supply chain management, and e-commerce solutions. Earlier this month, Aramex announced an agreement to acquire U.S.-based, cross-border e-commerce platform, MyUS.

To learn more about the Rand Platform, please contact Rand McNally at +1-800-789-6277.

About Rand McNally – Chicago-based Rand McNally makes journeys better through innovative solutions that improve the movement of people and goods.

About Aramex: Since its foundation in 1982, Aramex has grown to become a global leader in the logistics and transportation industry, recognized for its customized and innovative services for businesses and consumers. Listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and headquartered in the UAE, Aramex’s location bridges the path between East and West, enabling its reach to more customers with the provision of effective logistics solutions worldwide. Aramex currently has business operations in 600+ cities across more than 60 countries worldwide and employs over 16,000 professionals. Aramex offers innovative services and solutions, including international and domestic express delivery, freight-forwarding, integrated logistics and supply chain management and e-Commerce solutions. Aramex is strategically leveraging technology for better and more efficient last-mile delivery solutions. This approach has significant benefits, and that’s why Aramex considers itself to be a technology-driven enterprise, selling transportation and logistics solutions without owning heavy assets. For more information, please visit us: www.aramex.com

Rand McNally is a trademark of RM Acquisition LLC, d/b/a Rand McNally.

Aramex (DFM: ARMX) is a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions, and innovative geolocation technology.

©2022 RM Acquisition LLC, d/b/a Rand McNally. All rights reserved.

Contact:

Rand McNally
mediarelations@randmcnally.com

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• Cigna 360 Global Well-Being Survey of 11,922 people worldwide reveals expat stress has reached an all-time high, with almost all respondents feeling symptoms of burnout
• Lifestyle is now more important than finances for those planning to move overseas, a quarter plan to move to access better healthcare
• Top destination for existing expats to relocate to is Canada, with Australia and the U.S. tied second

HONG KONG, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The vast majority of expats are burned out, stressed and reevaluating life and work priorities for more flexibility or to be closer to family and friends, according to a report based on the eighth edition of the Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey.

The report released today, Burned Out Overseas – The State of Expat Life 2022, found 90% of expats are stressed and 98% have experienced symptoms of burnout – likely driven by feeling unable to switch off from work. Expats are experiencing an overwhelming sense of isolation, with 87% reporting feeling helpless, trapped or defeated and 86% feeling detached or alone. Meanwhile, more than a third (38%) are also concerned or uncertain about their financial situation. Contributing to these findings is a mix of lifestyle, opportunity and work culture factors. The study found 73% of current expats, and 75% of those who plan to move overseas in the next two years, have spent more time reevaluating their life priorities since the pandemic. Lifestyle now replaces finances as the top priority for those planning to move overseas.

Jason Sadler, President, Cigna International Markets, said employers face a real challenge in meeting this lifestyle shift and rethinking the expat value proposition. “Employers may face huge challenges in filling overseas assignments in the future. The exciting, rewarding, globally mobile lifestyle that used to sum-up the ‘expat dream’ has changed and more people are now prioritizing lifestyle, family and friends when planning moves.”

Healthcare has become a priority for all groups, with 23% of existing expats considering moving to gain access to better healthcare. Work life balance is also critical, with more than a quarter of aspiring expats saying flexible hours are critical and 16% saying they want the ability to work from any location in the world.

“From now on, it’s likely that organizations will need to reevaluate how they structure expat assignments. Personal and family needs are now at the forefront of decision-making, and this may impact the benefits expats prioritize when selecting roles,” added Sadler.

The survey also found Canada is the top destination for existing expats to move to, with 11% wanting to relocate there. Australia and the U.S. tied in second place. The significant majority of those living in Europe and Australia are confident they will remain living overseas, but the same cannot be said for Asia, with only 5% of those in India and 16% of those in Mainland China confident they will stay.

Expat age profiles are also changing, with senior employees now more likely to want to return or remain in their home countries while younger staff seek out overseas moves. Only 13% of those over the age of 50 say they want to move overseas, compared to 37% of those aged 18 to 24, and 34% of those aged 25 to 34.

Looking ahead, Dr. Stella George, Chief Medical Officer, Cigna International Markets, said the expat age demographic is expected to change.

“The past couple of years during the pandemic have been especially challenging for existing and long-term expats,” said Dr. George. “So, while many will be moving closer to home, many ambitious younger professionals will also start taking advantage of the opportunities that overseas postings offer, such as quick promotion, flexible working and other incentives. These benefits are especially attractive to people earlier in their careers.”

About the Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey

The eight edition of the Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey was conducted by Cigna International Markets, in partnership with Kantar, a leading data, insights, and consulting company. More than 11,900 people from Australia, Belgium, Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UAE, UK and USA were surveyed for the research in May this year. It examined five key components – family, financial, physical, social, and work – to uncover the latest trends and challenges for the health and well-being of expats.

Online sampling used respondents recruited from panels that undergo rigorous quality control and the panel composition is representative of the adult population in each of the surveyed markets.

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of those we serve. Cigna delivers choice, predictability, affordability and access to quality care through integrated capabilities and connected, personalized solutions that advance whole person health. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, Evernorth companies or their affiliates, and Express Scripts companies or their affiliates. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products. Cigna maintains sales capability in over 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 175 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com

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• The cement industry contributes 8% of global CO₂ emissions
• PENETRON report finds that the carbon footprint of concrete structures can be reduced by up to 65% by using an advanced crystalline admixture that reduces concrete permeability
• Advanced crystalline admixtures allow for greater concrete durability with less cement
• High durability concrete reduces approximately 90% of the carbon footprint related to the maintenance of concrete structures
• High CO₂ emission membrane products continue to dominate the concrete waterproofing industry

NEW YORK, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Construction stakeholders can reduce up to 65% of the carbon footprint of concrete by adopting a long-term view and extending the durability of the material, according to the 2022 Towards Zero Carbon Concrete report by PENETRON, a leading provider of crystalline waterproofing solutions. Reducing the usage of cement, one of the most carbon-intensive industrial materials accounting for 8% of global carbon emissions, is critical to achieving the world’s CO₂ reduction targets.

The report finds that the durability of concrete poses the largest sustainability challenge in construction. Water is the main cause of concrete deterioration, with corrosion accounting for 80% of all damage. This leads to frequent and costly repairs or replacements, increasing the use of cement, other materials, and energy.

The annual cost of repairing reinforced concrete structures near coastal areas is estimated to be $300 billion per year in the US and £755m in the UK.

The report evaluates how integral waterproofing protection alone can cut up to 90% of the carbon footprint that comes from the maintenance and repair of concrete structures. Additionally, PENETRON estimates that using durable, waterproof concrete reduces a structure’s carbon footprint by 50% or more by extending its service life.

These findings are consistent with the ICRI Committee 160 that states the most effective sustainability strategy for concrete structures is to avoid the need for repairs. Eliminating high-emission liners and membranes, extending the life of concrete structures, avoiding costly repairs, and utilizing non-toxic products contribute to more sustainable construction projects.

Jozef Van Beeck, Director at PENETRON International, commented, “Our report confirms how enhancing the durability of concrete is the most effective way to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of projects, which is very significant both at the construction stage and throughout the service life. Using permanent integral waterproofing solutions further reduces the need for maintenance while also accelerating construction schedules, again dramatically reducing the carbon footprint.

“We encourage our industry to continue to strive for innovation and be more sustainable. However, we estimate that about 80% of global concrete protection is still dominated by unsustainable and inefficient solutions, such as membrane-type products or topical treatments, which are not only inefficient but actually increase a structure’s carbon footprint.

“There is an urgent need for the construction sector to further embrace advanced crystalline admixture technology that can effectively waterproof concrete and massively reduce the carbon footprint of projects.”

Major economies have pledged to achieve net zero in the public construction use of concrete and steel by 2050. The report highlights how the industry must now incorporate low carbon products and sustainable solutions into their projects, such as:

• Enabling smart designs to build more with less
• Building more durable structures to extend service life
• Driving the circular economy and recycling of building materials
• Specifying low carbon footprint solutions
• Incorporating cement alternatives (SCMs) in concrete mixes

The report also urges the industry to reconsider the materials used in building downwards, which has grown highly popular in land-scarce cities. Conventional waterproofing membranes for underground structures have a heavy carbon footprint, with some reaching as much as 23 kilograms of CO₂ per meter square, equivalent to almost three times the emissions from a gallon of gasoline^[1]. PENETRON estimates the removal of unsustainable membranes from these structures could cut sub-structure carbon footprints by up to 20%.

For more information on the report, visit: https://www.penetron.com/sustainable-concrete

About PENETRON

PENETRON provides an advanced crystalline technology that represents the industry’s gold standard for permanent concrete protection. Active in 105 countries and with production facilities around the world, PENETRON offers products and technical support through a comprehensive network of distributors and subsidiaries.

PENETRON is certified for the ISO 14001 environmental standard in the United States, while its products play a central role in helping projects around the world to achieve internationally recognized standards such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

PENETRON products conform to international green building standards such as GREENGUARD Gold, Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), CDPH and Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS). They are completely free of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and non-toxic, making them ideal for potable water applications.

PENETRON has proven track record on a number of landmark projects, such as Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay and Jewel at Changi Airport; Vietnam’s Sun Marina Town; China’s Universal Beijing Resort; Australia’s Gold Coast Desalination Plant; Indonesia’s Menara Jakarta; US’ Davisboro Water Pollution Control Plant; Mexico’s Riviera Maya Nickelodeon Resort; Brazil’s FIFA World Cup stadiums.