BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions sets the standard for 100% recycled platinum group metal (PGM) offering with Verdium™

  • With Verdium, customers can verify carbon reduction for recycled PGM purchases, including PGMs attributed to select end products
  • One kilogram of Verdium recycled metal saves over thirty metric tons of carbon1
  • UL Solutions provides independent, third-party validation of the physical chain of custody and mass balance accounting

ISELIN, N.J., Dec. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS), a global leader in precious metal services and catalysis, today launched Verdium™, a new approach to recycled metal based on mass balance. Recycled (secondary) PGMs are essential to the supply of platinum, palladium and rhodium, critical minerals used in catalysts, and can lower carbon emissions by up to 97 percent in comparison to mined (primary) materials. One kilogram of Verdium saves over thirty metric tons of carbon, enabling customers to verify their carbon reduction, track progress to their sustainability goals and help lower their Scope 3 emissions.

Verdium has been independently validated by UL Solutions, a leading global safety science company acting as an independent third party, to its mass balance chain of custody (CoC) standard UL 2809-1, the Environmental Claim Validation Procedure for Defined Source Content, which is in accordance with CoC design and models specified in ISO 22095. The validation process includes annual CoC audits and site visits by UL Solutions.

“Independent validation by UL Solutions is a testament to our recycled metal approach that sets the standard in the PGM space,” said Tim Ingle, Senior Vice President, Precious Metal Services and Recycling, ECMS. “It also brings transparency to the PGM value chain, enabling customers to track carbon reduction with accuracy and confidence.”

Verdium will be available to Europe and U.S.-based PGM customers starting in January 2024. Customers will receive the same quality recycled metal from ECMS, but with Verdium, they can verify their carbon reduction. Documented verification will confirm the amount of recycled metals purchased and applied to select end products, which can be traced to a concrete carbon metric.

“We have long been a leader in advancing circularity and sustainability through our metals expertise,” said Dirk Bremm, President and CEO, ECMS. “Recognizing the pressing demand for tangible sustainability progress, we worked in close consultation with our customers to design Verdium as a traceable, audited solution that helps customers make measurable strides toward their goals.”

“We commend ECMS for their carbon reduction efforts. We hope the UL certification of Verdium will help pave the way for ECMS and its customers to achieve their environmental goals and a more sustainable future for all,” said Josh Warren, Vice President and General Manager of the Retail and Consumer Product group at UL Solutions.

1Sphera Solutions GmbH (2022): GaBi Database Edition 2022, SP37

About BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions
Leveraging its deep expertise as a global leader in catalysis and precious metals, BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) serves customers in many industries including automotive, aerospace, indoor air quality, semiconductors and hydrogen economy, and provides full loop services with its precious metals trading and recycling offering. With a focus on circular solutions and sustainability, ECMS is committed to helping our customers create a cleaner, more sustainable world. Protecting the elements of life is our purpose and this inspires us to ever-new solutions. ECMS operates globally in 15 countries with over 4,500 employees and 20 production sites.

Media Relations contact
Betsy Arnone
Phone: 973-519-9808
Betsy.arnone@basf-catalystsmetals.com
BASF ECMS
25 Middlesex Essex Turnpike
Iselin, NJ 08830
www.basf.com/ecms

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9006577

Deriv, an award-winning online broker’s eco pledge: Planting 2,000 saplings for a greener Cyprus

Elevating corporate social responsibility through the ‘You Reforest Cyprus’

Derivians and their family members come together to participate in the planting of trees.

Derivians planting 2,000 Saplings for a Greener Cyprus.

LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Dec. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On 19 November, Deriv took the lead in donating and contributing to the planting of over 2,000 saplings at Palodia region, Limassol, through the ‘You Reforest Cyprus’ initiative, powered by Green Shield. Participating in this initiative represents a pivotal moment in Deriv’s CSR efforts.

Deriv, a leading online trading company with a global presence spanning 20 offices, announces its intensified commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from its Cyprus office. This commitment is a testament to the company’s dedication to making a tangible impact on society and the environment.

Geo Nicolaidis, Director at Deriv Cyprus, stated, “Tree planting transcends mere conservation; it is a significant investment in the future of our planet and a reflection of our dedication to sustainable growth for the world we all share. I am deeply inspired by the passion of my team and community, who have volunteered their time and efforts. In laying down these roots, we are restoring our forests and sowing hope for generations to come.”

Geo Nicolaidis receiving a plaque in recognition of Deriv’s eco pledge.

Geo Nicolaidis, Director, Deriv Cyprus, receives a commemorative plaque in acknowledgement of Deriv’s eco pledge.

Deriv’s CSR efforts are a continuous commitment. Following the initial success of planting 2,000 saplings, the company aims to plant an additional 3,000, reaffirming its environmental stewardship. Talent Acquisition Executive Anna Themistokleous remarked, “Each sapling we plant is a step towards a greener future, reflecting our commitment to environmental care and community well-being.”

The company is also personalising its environmental efforts by adopting a tree to celebrate its employees’ special life events, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Jean-Yves Sireau, CEO of Deriv, comments, “Our environmental efforts are intertwined with our team’s milestones. By combining ecological responsibility with employee recognition, we’re nurturing a culture of sustainability that extends beyond our company.”

Over the past year, Deriv’s CSR programme, ‘Deriv Life’, has been responsible for several significant initiatives, including sponsoring a prosthetic limb for Malaysia’s youngest elephant amputee. These actions reinforce Deriv’s dedication to CSR as a core aspect of its identity and mission.

To learn more, visit Deriv Life and the company website.

About Deriv

For over two decades, Deriv has been committed to making online trading accessible to anyone, anywhere. Trusted by over 2.5 million traders worldwide, the company offers an expansive range of trade types and boasts over 200 assets across popular markets on its award-winning, intuitive trading platforms. With a workforce of more than 1,300 people globally, Deriv has cultivated an environment that celebrates achievements, encourages professional growth, and fosters talent development.

PRESS CONTACT
Aleksandra Zuzic
[email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/28c41767-86ee-4bbd-967b-e7f203b9d7ab/en
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9c0244fd-7f7e-4bd1-9413-0f88d4f3fb44/en

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000904603

IdentiFlight Enters French Energy Market as e3 IDF GmbH Announces New Office in Nantes

Yoann Payelleville

Yoann Payelleville, General Manager of e3 IdentiFlight France

NANTES, France, Dec. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — e3 IDF GmbH and IdentiFlight announce the launch of e3 IdentiFlight France in the Nantes area, reinforcing IdentiFlight’s global presence and commitment to the French market. The French office offers expertise in renewable energy project development and the IdentiFlight product – the industry leader in avian species detection technology for wind farm applications.

Recognized in 2023 by French Authorities for its effectiveness in reducing red kite fatalities in wind farms, IdentiFlight combines AI and high-precision optics to identify bird species and prevent collisions with wind turbine blades.

Jens Schoettler, CEO of e3 IDF GmbH, emphasized, “The demand for wind energy is continuously rising. The expansion of e3 offices into France will enable us to meet the increasing need for avian detection and protection across Europe.”

Leading the e3 IdentiFlight France office is Yoann Payelleville, a 20-year veteran in the wind energy sector. His extensive experience in engineering and sales at Enercon equips him with a deep understanding of the French wind energy market.

Don Mills, President and Chief Operating Officer of IdentiFlight, expressed his excitement about the expansion, stating, “We are thrilled that the e3 IdentiFlight France office will provide greater accessibility to technology that offers maximum avian protection while maximizing wind energy generation. This partnership expansion with e3 will enhance our ability to serve the French market.”

The e3 IdentiFlight France office will be recruiting new positions to help meet the growing French market demand for IdentiFlight technology. To learn more about employment opportunities, please visit the e3 website or email [email protected].

About IdentiFlight and How it Works

Developed by Boulder Imaging, Inc., IdentiFlight utilizes cutting-edge machine vision and AI technology to achieve a 99% accuracy rate in identifying avian species within a one-kilometer range in wind farms. Specialized software and neural networks swiftly analyze images, determining 3D position, speed, trajectory, and specific species.

IdentiFlight safeguards birds in operational wind farms by preventing collisions with turbine blades and reduces energy loss through informed curtailment. Additionally, it supports wind energy projects by quantifying bird activity at potential sites. Deployed globally since 2016 and independently validated over multiple years, the IdentiFlight system now protects hundreds of wind turbines worldwide. Independent research underscores its effectiveness, showcasing an over 85% reduction in avian fatalities over previous mitigation methods.

Explore further at www.IdentiFlight.com.

About e3 IdentiFlight France

e3 IdentiFlight France is a subsidiary of e3, a wind energy company, focused on project development in Germany. Situated in the Nantes area in Vertou, e3 IdentiFlight France promotes wind development and wildlife conservation using the IdentiFlight product. Collaborating with its parent company, e3 IDF GmbH, the French office brings over 15 years of expertise in renewable energy project development to address the growing demand for green energy. From project inception to wind farm commissioning, the e3 offices support projects throughout their lifecycle, offering industry insights from site selection to repowering initiatives.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b6ae4509-b529-4c77-a8d0-357257ed9cf8

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd44536f-dfea-48f2-a673-92550afa1315

CONTACT INFORMATION
Tawney Eisenbraun
Marketing and Communications Manager
+1.605.863.1232
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9005801

NODWIN Gaming and Trans Group Announce Key Partnership to Elevate Esports in Pakistan

South Asia’s leading gaming and esports media company, NODWIN Gaming, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking strategic partnership with Trans Group, Pakistan’s largest Sports Management and Business group. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the esports landscape in Pakistan by leveraging both organizations’ extensive experience in event management, sports sponsorship rights, content creation, and production on a global scale. The collaboration between NODWIN Gaming and Trans Group aims to enhance engagement, expand the audience base, and elevate the overall esports landscape in Pakistan. This represents a significant achievement in the evolution of gaming culture in the region, as the partnership harnesses the distinctive brand strengths of both organizations to create and introduce new gaming Intellectual Properties (IPs) and events to the rapidly expanding Pakistani ecosystem. This dynamic collaboration is poised to create immersive and thrilling experiences that resonate with the gaming community, solidifying Pakistan’s position as a key player in the global esports arena. Speaking on the collaboration, Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said: ‘We are thrilled to embark on this collaboration with Trans Group. This partnership symbolizes NODWIN Gaming’s commitment to advancing the esports landscape in emerging markets across the world. Together with Trans Group, we aim to create an unparalleled fusion of expertise and innovation, elevating gaming experiences and introducing exciting new dimensions to the ever-growing gaming community in the subcontinent. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of not just shaping the future of esports but also fostering a vibrant gaming culture that resonates with fans and brands alike across the region.’ Rao Usman Hashim, COO of Trans Group, said: ‘Trans Group is proud to be a pioneer in the sports industry of Pakistan. TransGroup cherishes its sports partnerships across the globe and we are thrilled to start the Esports revolution in the region with NODWIN. We are determined to bring the best events, players and IPs closer to the local fanbase and will strive to establish and strongly promote a robust Esports landscape in Pakistan in the coming years.’ As the collaboration unfolds, NODWIN Gaming and Trans Group are set to embark on an exciting journey to redefine the esports landscape in Pakistan. Unearthing and providing a platform for emerging gaming talents, nurturing the growth of the esports ecosystem while simultaneously fostering partnership endeavours to bring world-class esports events to Pakistani shores, offering audiences the chance to experience and participate in tournaments of the highest caliber.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan’s Real Effective Exchange Rate Falls Marginally in November 2023

Pakistan’s Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) declined by 0.3 percentage points to 98.2 in November 2023. According to the latest monthly data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the trend indicates a marginal decrease from 98.5 recorded in October 2023. A REER above 100 indicates a loss in trade competitiveness with exports becoming more expensive and imports getting cheaper, while a REER below 100 means the country’s exports are competitive. Pakistan’s current REER value of 98.2 suggests that exports offer good returns. REER also shows that the Pakistani Rupee is still greatly undervalued. This suggests that while exports are more competitive at the current level of REER, the returns would still be marginal unless the currency market shows recovery in later reviews.

Source: Pro Pakistani