Author: Neel Achary

New Study Sheds Light on Awareness and Preferences for Bioplastics in Japan

Despite complex consumer preferences for bioplastics in Japan, adoption of these materials could be enhanced through educational interventions

To facilitate the transition to a bioeconomy, understanding consumer behavior and preferences regarding bioplastics is crucial. Researchers conducted a comprehensive study on the factors influencing consumer choices in Japan. Their findings show that Japanese consumers have limited comprehension of bioplastics and do not exhibit unconditional preference towards them. These findings could guide the development of acceptable bioplastics and targeted strategies aimed at improving consumer awareness, ultimately driving the adoption of bio-based and biodegradable plastics.

Non-biodegradable plastics are major contributors to land and marine pollution, destroying habitats and causing harm to both flora and fauna. Hence, the switch to bioplastics is imperative to ensure sustainability. The success of environmental initiatives aimed at increasing bioplastic adoption critically hinges on understanding consumer behavior. However, consumer preferences and perceptions around bioplastics, particularly in Japan and other Asian countries, are not well understood.

A recent study published online on July 10, 2023 in the Journal of Cleaner Production attempted to find answers to questions surrounding Japanese consumers’ preferences for bioplastics. “So far, attempts to improve bioplastic adoption in Japan have been hindered by a lack of clarity on the factors influencing consumer preferences. We attempted to shed light on these factors in our comprehensive large-scale study,” explains Professor Takuro Uehara from the College of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University, who led the study.

The goal of the study was three-fold: understanding how familiar consumers in Japan are with bioplastics, revealing their preferences for bioplastics based on different factors, and examining how educational interventions affect their choices. To achieve this, the researchers surveyed over 12,000 respondents using questions focused on three products — 500 mL PET water bottles, three-color ballpoint pens, and 500 mL shampoo bottles. The respondents were divided into two groups: the treatment group, who were educated on the basic distinctions between bio-based and biodegradable plastics, and the control group, who did not receive educational interventions. Then, the researchers performed discrete choice experiments and text mining based on responses from these 12,000 participants.

Their findings yielded interesting insights, particularly highlighting a common trend among Japanese consumers and their European counterparts, which is a limited comprehension of the distinctions between bio-based, biodegradable, and bioplastics. Surprisingly, most respondents were unaware of the fact that not all bioplastics are biodegradable and bio-based. This demonstrated the need to improve consumer awareness regarding the characteristics and environmental impact of bioplastics.

Another important finding was the complexity of consumer preferences for bioplastics in Japan and the influence of general perceptions and personal values on these preferences. Notably, the preference for bioplastics among these consumers was not unconditional. In fact, most consumers were not in favor of using biomass in any of the three products. Among the different types of feedstock, they preferred sugarcane over wood chips, and favored waste cooking oil the least. This was likely owing to their greater emphasis on quality than on the trade-offs of biomass feedstock.

Nevertheless, there were several key factors the respondents considered valuable in their preference for bioplastics. These included the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, which was the most valued attribute across all three products in both the control and treatment groups. Another key factor was biodegradability, which was associated with positive responses from participants. Significantly, the respondents expressed a preference for domestic products, although the reasons were generally related to safety, quality, and reliability rather than environmental considerations.

Finally, the findings showed that educational interventions can influence consumer decisions, increasing their willingness to pay for more environmentally friendly products, including those with better feedstock incorporation and those enabling reductions in CO2 emissions. For example, after learning that bioplastics can be fossil-based, respondents gave greater value to products with reduced CO2 emissions. Interestingly, this preference was only significant for water bottles, suggesting that consumers were more sensitive to water bottles — that tend to be less durable — than to the other two products.

Overall, the findings provide a picture of the kinds of products Japanese consumers prefer and the attributes they focus on while making choices surrounding bioplastics. Prof. Uehara comments, “Our results will help Japanese industries and governments understand the type of bioplastics that would be preferred and accepted by consumers, giving them an impetus to develop more such products and improve bioplastic use.” He adds, “Information dissemination can influence consumer preference for bioplastic products, which highlights the importance of awareness campaigns.”

The findings from Prof. Uehara and his group could serve as a foundational roadmap for increasing bioplastic use in Japan and mark a significant step in Japan’s transformation into a bioeconomy.

Valley Insurance Agency Alliance Receives National Partnership Upgrade

Growing insurance alliance qualifies for platinum tier level in insurance carrier’s signature program.

(St. Louis, Mo., July 24, 2023) Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois, was recently named a platinum tier member in Previsor Insurance and Missouri Employees Mutual signature partner program. Criteria includes achieving $10 million in written premium business with the two insurance carriers.

Missouri Employees Mutual (MEM) is Missouri’s number-one provider of workers compensation insurance. Combined with Previsor Insurance, MEM helps policyholders with injury-free workplaces by delivering value-added services that save lives and money. Previsor Insurance has workers compensation policies in six states including Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

The platinum level program rewards VIAA members with additional commissions on new business and renewal. An existing independent insurance agency that is not a VIAA member can join the alliance and instantly receive this revenue increase.

“Our alliance members truly benefit from this recent collective upgrade to platinum level status,” said VIAA’s Director of Enterprise Development Bill Kaatman. “We are proud to partner with Missouri Employees Mutual and Previsor Insurance because everyone in our alliance reaps the gains of our partnership.”

Founded in 2006, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance generates more than $600 million in written premium and is the regional founding member SIAA – The Agent Alliance, a $12.5 billion national insurance network. Founded in 1991, sister company Powers Insurance & Risk Management provides personal and business insurance, surety, risk management, and employee benefits. The companies are headquartered at 6825 Clayton Ave. For more information, call (314) 725-1414 or visit www.viaa4u.com.

GlossAi Digitizes Conference Promotions Using Generative Video-AI

AI-edited videos are allowing event organizers to share social media teasers of speakers in near-real time. “The rapid availability of highlights and social-ready content using AI amplifies excitement and reduces the burden on our marketing team during our event,” Said Cathy McPhillips at the Marketing AI Institute.

Tel Aviv, Israel, July 24, 2023– GlossAi, creators of a suite of generative AI services, including near real-time video editing, is spearheading a new initiative into the Conference & Event Industry, turning rapidly-edited video using AI to produce dozens of highlight reels for each speaker quickly following their presentations. As tech partners at MAICON, speakers will receive personalized highlight and teaser reels to share across social media, scaling conference promotions.

Conference and event marketers are able to garner registrations based on marketing promotions and past event lists, however, they lack the ability to attract last-minute interest in real-time. Creating a video that shows why the conference is important for their audience is a multi-week process that is as time-consuming as it is expensive. In addition, a third-party video company may create a visually-appealing video but often lacks the most important moments or key statements made by speakers. In response, GlossAI is working with MAICON to leverage Video AI (V-AI) to turn speaker sessions into active promotions. Within minutes of walking off stage, promoters will be given teaser and highlight clips that are specifically designed for various social channels. This rapid turnaround allows event marketing teams and speakers to boost their online presence while boosting the number of new audience members, potential attendees, and more.

“Using V-AI, each speaker will receive personalized highlight reels and edited videos that boost brand perceptions and turn speakers into targeted promoters,” said Ofer Familier, Co-Founder & CEO of GlossAI. “Organizers are seeing the benefits of the AI revolution, turning what was once a costly and cumbersome promotional video into dozens of modern clips that are then shared across the speaker’s networks.” MAICON will have their videographers record relevant moments, then send them to GlossAI for editing. Within a few minutes, conference organizers will have personalized videos without the drain on resources that this kind of work demands when done manually.

Beyond videos, speakers can also receive other generated AI content, such as ebooks, white papers, and more, all from a single speaking engagement. “With a single presentation, they were able to create dozens of outputs for various platforms,” said Cathy McPhillips, Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute. “The rapid availability of highlights, post carousels, and other social-ready content reduces the stress on our marketing team onsite, while also adding content for our strategic promotions of future events.”

COP28 and IEA Convene Global Energy Decision Makers to Accelerate a Just, Orderly Energy Transition

New Delhi: The COP28 UAE Presidency and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have convened the first in a landmark series of high-level dialogues through to COP28 around building a 1.5C degree-aligned energy transition. The initiative is being conducted in conjunction with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and will be supported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The dialogues are intended to build consensus on 1.5C degree-compatible energy transition pathways and the enabling conditions needed to achieve them, as well as momentum around the target energy outcomes for COP28.

The meetings are being co-chaired by COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA. The aim is to engage public- and private-sector decision-makers in the energy industry to produce a holistic, global view of the energy system. The dialogues will prepare the ground for specific commitments and calls to action at the World Climate Action Summit being held at COP28.

The session was held on Friday, 21 July on the sidelines of the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial, alongside the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in Goa, India.  Delegates at the meeting included various country delegates and private sector representatives.

COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said of the initiative: “COP28 represents a milestone opportunity for the world to come together, unite around decisive action, and drive progress towards keeping the goals of then Paris Agreement alive and 1.5C within reach. This will require a collective effort and so we need everyone at the table – and that includes the energy industry.

“Building a new energy system can only happen at speed and scale with united action on the supply and the demand side together. These high-level dialogues are bringing public- and private- ector energy decision-makers together under the framework of a COP for the first time. They will help redesign the relationship between policymakers, the biggest energy producers, and the biggest industrial consumers. This is one of my Presidency’s key priorities and will be a crucial step in building consensus on how best to deliver the energy system of the future.”

IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol said: “The IEA has put forward a comprehensive energy package that can help make COP28 a success. This includes tripling global renewables capacity, doubling energy efficiency progress, slashing emissions from the oil and gas industry, boosting clean energy finance for developing economies, redirecting fossil fuel investment into clean energy, and putting fossil fuel demand into sharp decline.

“The IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario is widely recognized as the global benchmark for efforts to keep the 1.5C goal within reach, so we are pleased to be working with the COP28 Presidency to lead these important international dialogues to drive stronger ambition and implementation, which is what is urgently needed. Every stakeholder must play their part – including oil and gas producers, which need to set out and deliver on aggressive targets to cut their emissions by 2030.”

Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA, said: “Our collective promise was to secure a climate-safe existence for current and future generations. We simply cannot continue with incremental changes. There is no time for a new energy system to evolve gradually over centuries, as was the case for the fossil fuel-based system. IRENA centres the renewables-based energy transition as the most realistic climate solution and calls for a tripling of annual renewable energy additions to keep global warming within 1.5C.

“Achieving this requires overcoming systemic barriers across infrastructure, policy, and institutional settings in the coming years. The high-level dialogues will play an important role in galvanizing momentum towards the energy objectives of COP28, driving actionable policies and investment decisions through a shared understanding.”

The IEA and IRENA will provide data and technical analysis to set the stage for informed discussions, inviting others as appropriate. This will include the current state of the global energy landscape, and potential pathways, solutions and actions required to accelerate the transition in a just and equitable manner.

Simon Steill, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, “These high-level dialogues convened by the COP28 Presidency and the IEA, with the collaborative efforts of IRENA and support of the UNFCCC, should act as a catalyst to drive momentum towards a just and inclusive 1.5 degree-aligned energy transition. It is my hope that these dialogues will pave the way for specific commitments and actions by Parties at COP 28, bringing us all closer to the sustainable and climate-resilient future that is called for in the Paris Agreement. It’s time for decisive action from all stakeholders.”

G20 Energy Ministerial lacks clear step forwards, attention turns to Leaders’ Summit

Amid a year of ongoing geopolitical tensions with energy and supply chains at the heart, record growth in renewable energy and a marked slowdown of fossil fuel demand growth, the G20 energy ministerial was an important temperature take over how the geopolitics of the energy transition are playing out.

Despite the best efforts of the Indian presidency, G20 energy ministers were unable to make the progress needed on setting an unambiguous global goal of at least tripling renewable energy capacity to 11GW by 2030, together with implementation strategies to achieve that goal.

They also failed to acknowledge the necessity of phasing down the production and use of fossil fuels — the main driver of the climate impacts ravishing the planet. Ministers did not even reiterate last year’s recognition of the need to accelerate the phasedown of unabated coal generation.

Progress was made on stepping up energy efficiency and deployment of distributed renewable energy technologies, and ministers recognised the need to increase basic energy access and provide low-cost finance for the clean energy transition in developing countries.

The Indian presidency should push for a stronger outcome at the G20 leaders’ summit in Delhi in September. This also clearly shows the hard work ahead for the United Arab Emirates in building support for its recently set-out vision for COP28 in Dubai.

DP World ILT20 Season 2 to air LIVE on ZEE’s linear channels & OTT platform ZEE5 from Jan 2024

Star players retained include – Joe Root, Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, James Vince, Trent Boult, Andre Russell, ShimronHetmyer, Kieron Pollard, Chris Jordan, Dwayne Bravo, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chris Woakes

21 July 2023: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) announced that the second season of the world’s second most-watched T20 cricket league – DP World ILT20, sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board., The action-packed tournament will air LIVE across the Company’s linear channels and OTT platform ZEE5 from Jan 2024.

Synonymous for its ground-breaking content, ZEE is committed to providing an even grander presentation of the 34-match format DP World ILT20. The second season promises enthralling cricket action in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah in January and February 2024 with the finest players from the cricketing world being retained by the six franchises- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriors.

Rahul Johri, President – Business, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said, “We are delighted with the overwhelming response DP World ILT20 received in its first season, generating a massive 367 million worldwide reach across TV and Digital platforms. The second season comes with an even bigger promise of an unparalleled cricketing action with the world’s top T20 cricketers retained by the six teams. DP World ILT20 Season 2 will continue to entertain viewers not just in India but across the world and build our sports business.”

General Secretary ECB MubashshirUsmani, commented, “DP World ILT20’s inaugural season was a roaring success. The tournament made waves worldwide through the presence of T20 superstars, quality cricket, world class production and a broadcast partnership which generated a reach of more than 367 million across TV and digital platforms. We are once again delighted to partner with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited for Season 2 and our aim is to even better the outstanding broadcast numbers from India and around the world that we gathered from the inaugural season.”

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have retained the T20 mega star Andre Russell and last year’s captain, and the prolific spinner Sunil Narine. Other retained players include Joe Clarke, CharithAsalanka, Marchant De Lange, Ali Khan, Sabir Ali, and Matiullah Khan.

Desert Vipers, the finalists of Season 1, have retained the inaugural season’s top-scorer, Alex Hales and Captain Colin Munro. Other retained players from the previous season areWaninduHasaranga,Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Curran, Luke Wood, MatheeshaPathirana, Rohan Mustafa, Sheldon Cottrell, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson and Ali Nasser.

Dubai Capitals have retained the ace West Indian player, Rovman Powell, and England’s stalwart Joe Root. The franchise has also retained DushmanthaChameera, Sikandar Raza, and Raja Akifullah Khan.

Champions, Gulf Giants have retained the captain James Vince, and Best Bowler of the Tournament Chris Jordan. Chris Lynn, ShimronHetmyer, Carlos Brathwaite, Jamie Overton, Richard Gleeson, Rehan Ahmed, Gerhard Erasmus, Aayan Afzal Khan and Sanchit Sharma have also been retained by the franchise.

MI Emirates retention list is led by Kieron Pollard and highest T20 wicket taker Dwayne Bravo. The other retained players from Season 1 include Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Muhammad Waseem, Zahoor Khan, Daniel Mousley, FazalhaqFarooqi, Jordan Thompson, Will Smeed, Mckenny Clarke, and Andre Fletcher.

Sharjah Warriors have retained bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes and batsman Joe Denly. Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mark Deyal, Junaid Siddique, and Muhammad Jawadullahare the players who have also been retained.

Official social media handles of DP World ILT20
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ilt20onzee
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ilt20onzee/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ilt20onzee

Compugra draws growth plans, plans to expand its operations, double its size in India and aims for INR 5.5 crore turnover

Signs contracts with Akkodis India, GE USA and others

Hyderabad, July 21, 2023: Compugra is in an expansion mode, to increase its resource base to 100 in India. Compugra Software India Pvt Ltd the Indian subsidiary of Compugra Systems Inc. (CSI), a New Jersey, America headquartered with an Indian base at Hyderabad chalked out its growth plans.

Disclosing this in a press note issued today CEO – Rammohan Vedantham, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and formerly associated with TCS, IBM, iGate, and Genisys, who has over 30 years of Indian experience said his Vision to build a $100 million IT Group.

The group is currently offering IT services, Software development, Cyber Security, Design and development, Microcircuits and components, Module subsystems, Electronic Board Manufacturing and System Integration.

The group currently has over INR 80 crore turnover. The Indian operation records INR 3 crores

The company has presently a resource base of 150, out of which 50 are in India rest in New Jersey USA. Soon we will increase our resource base in India to 100, informed Rammohan Vedantham. We have also forayed into Electronics and allied Engineering sectors, added Rammohan Vedantham.

The pandemic has posed a myriad of challenges and new prospects for ITeS. We expect the slowdown of ITes, so we are eying on sunrise sectors such as Electronics, Engineering, etc.

Compugra Systems, Inc. is an ERP solutions company ‘Practicing” SAP consulting; Business Intelligence, Oracle, SalesForce, Microsoft, and Java Technologies. We offer comprehensive IT solutions ranging from IT consulting and technology deployment to product development. We specialize in providing enterprise—wide software solutions to diverse business sectors worldwide, informed Rammohan Vedantham.

Compugra Software India Pvt Ltd Hyderabad is growing. Our India centre offers IT Professional services, Electronic parts, Electronics professionals, and software development.

We developed two platforms hireandrecruit.com, an effective and efficient interface for USA Staffing. mason4us.com, construction management software, he added

We also signed contracts with Akkodis India and GE USA. We are also happy to appoint Mrs. Rajitha Kompally as Legal Counsel and Advisor. Mr. Srinivas, Director, Compugra India added that Mrs. Kompally will advise and formulate contract and business processes in India and USA.

Ceat Indian Supercross Racing League Opens Rider Registration for the Mega Pool Auction

Pune, July 20, 2023: The CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League, the world’s first franchise-based Supercross league, is thrilled to announce the opening of the rider registration pool for the highly anticipated supercross league in India. In collaboration with the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the league invites riders from around the world to participate and display their skills on the exhilarating supercross tracks, redefining motorsports in India with a captivating blend of action, entertainment, and fierce competition.

The inaugural season of the Racing League, scheduled from October to December 2023, will feature multiple rounds across various cities in India. With four exciting racing categories, including the 450cc international riders only, 250cc international riders only, 250cc India-Asia mix, and 85cc junior class, the Racing League promises heart-pounding action and intense competition.

Athletes of all nationalities are welcome to participate in Season 1 of the ISRL, and the organizers are committed to creating a level playing field that highlights talent from around the globe. To ensure fair participation, riders from countries other than India will need to provide a No Objection Letter/Certificates from their respective National Sporting Authorities (ASN)/National Federations for motorsport, in favour of the FMSCI and SXI.

Eeshan Lokhande, Co-Founder and Director of Supercross India Pvt. Ltd., said,” We have reached out to all the Federations worldwide to ensure that Supercross Racers from across the globe have a chance to register for the rider pool and seize the opportunity to be a part of this historic rider’s auction. The Supercross Racing League is revolutionizing the sport and we hope to attract a league of extraordinary riders who are ready to dominate the world of Supercross. This is your chance to showcase your talent, ignite the track, and propel India to the forefront of the motorsport’s world. Don’t miss out on this exhilarating opportunity!”

Interested riders can register by completing the Rider Registration form, available on the official SXI website www.indiansupercrossleague.com. The form requires riders to provide essential details such as personal information, racing experience, social media handles, endorsement and contract status, and relevant documentation.

By registering, riders express their interest in participating in the Player Auction, where Franchises will select riders to represent their teams in the Racing League. Successful riders will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level and showcase their skills on a national stage.

Mr. Sujith Kumar, Chairman of the Supercross Racing Commission of FMSCI, said, “We are delighted to announce the commencement of rider registration for the CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League. This exciting opportunity not only offers a platform for talented riders from India but also welcomes international riders, thereby elevating the sport to new heights in our country. The participation of international riders will bring a global perspective and enhance the competitiveness of Supercross racing in India. We look forward to witnessing the fusion of diverse talents and the thrilling racing action that awaits us in the upcoming season.”

Rider Registration does not guarantee participation in Season 1 of the Racing League. It is a necessary step to enter the rider pool and to be considered for selection by Franchises during the player auction. For additional information and to access the Rider Registration Form, visit the official SXI website www.indiansupercrossleague.com.