Weichai Celebrates 40 Years in Vietnam, Pioneering Green Transformation i2Cool Innovates Climate Action with School Projects and UNESCO Partnerships ITF Marks 20th Anniversary, Strengthening Global Supply Chain Resilience
7/29/2026 2:05:40 PM

1. AI is increasingly seen as a critical tool for addressing global challenges, particularly in underserved regions. 2. Cross-sector partnerships between international organizations and tech entities are vital for scalable impact. 3. The focus on digital inclusion highlights the need to prioritize equitable access to technology in developing economies.

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Extreme Heat and Wildfires Test Europe's Resilience as Climate Crisis Intensifies

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These former industrialized sites have found a greener new life

From a coal mine in India to a former quarry in Montreal, revitalized gems are showcasing green reinvention The post These former industrialized sites have found a greener new life appeared first on Corporate Knights.

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World's First Coal-to-Premium Carbon Materials Technology Promoted at Industry Conference in Taiyuan

Novel coal liquefaction process enables production of premium carbon materials with significant environmental and economic benefits

TAIYUAN, China, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A novel technology that converts ordinary coal into premium carbon materials took center stage at an industry conference held in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, this May. Developed by Zhaoqing Shunxin Coal Chemical Industry Technology Co., Ltd. and Guangdong Coal-based Carbon Materials Research Co., Ltd., the coal liquefaction-to-premium carbon materials process was reviewed by an expert panel in October 2025. A panel organized by the China International Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology, comprising specialists from the coal, energy, and materials sectors, assessed the technology as having achieved an internationally leading level, citing its innovative concept, advanced technology and feasible process. The panel further recommended accelerating commercialization and industrial application.

The technological edge of the coal-to-premium carbon materials process rests on three core pillars:

1. Precision Molecular Conversion Based on Quantum Chemistry
Based on modern quantum chemistry, the process classifies and utilizes 11 structural types and 6 functional groups in coal across two conversion pathways. Specifically, molecular structures with bond energies below 500 kJ/mol are converted into oil and gas, while aromatic hydrocarbons with bond energies exceeding 2,000 kJ/mol are transformed into condensed-ring pitch. This pitch comprises 80% aromatic ring structures and contains just 0.01% ash, making it an ideal feedstock for premium carbon materials. The liquefaction process operates under mild conditions, enabling precise and controllable conversion.

2. Superior Performance of End Products Derived from Condensed-Ring Pitch
Premium carbon materials produced from this pitch, including carbon foams, carbon fibers, 3D graphene, super-activated carbons, and supercapacitor-grade activated carbons, offer performance that significantly exceeds that of conventional porous carbons and activated carbons used in capacitors. The carbon foam's flame retardancy significantly exceeds China's national Class A standard and meets the requirements for military and aerospace applications.

3. Substantial Environmental and Economic Gains
From an environmental standpoint, the process converts approximately 60% of the carbon in coal into carbon materials, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 2 tons per ton of coal processed, while generating virtually no waste gas, wastewater, or solid residue. Economically, the technology transforms coal from a commodity priced at hundreds to thousands of yuan per ton into carbon materials valued at tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan per ton.

China has abundant coal resources but relatively limited oil and natural gas reserves. Clean and efficient coal utilization has remained a government priority for years, and the country has already established global leadership in coal-to-liquids and coal-to-olefins technologies. Now, it is advancing into a new domain: premium functional carbon materials derived from coal. This marks a fundamental shift—a generational transformation in traditional coal chemical engineering. At its core, the technology works by rearranging electron distributions and precisely regulating crystal lattice structures within coal-based carbon sources, enabling the production of a spectrum of premium carbon materials previously difficult or impossible to manufacture. For the first time, this approach allows scientists and engineers to redefine the value of coal at the atomic scale, reshaping what has long been perceived as a low-cost, polluting fuel into a precision feedstock for cutting-edge materials.

The technology has already secured its first industrial partnership. Zhaoqing Shunxin Coal Chemical Industry Technology has entered into a technology cooperation agreement with China Pingmei Shenma, a state-owned energy and chemical conglomerate, to build a 6,000-ton-per-year coal-based carbon materials project in Henan province. On the commercial front, various carbon products derived from this process have completed user testing with multiple downstream manufacturers. With positive results in hand, the technology is now ready for full-scale industrial deployment, supported by mature and proven commercialization conditions.

Contact:
Zhaoqing Shunxin Coal Chemical Industry Technology Co., Ltd.
shunxinfzb@163.com

The ITU's AI for Good Lab launches to help developing economies scale responsible AI

New global lab turns AI ambition into action through policy support, skills development and public AI infrastructure

GENEVA, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The ITU's AI for Good Lab forms part of the implementation agenda of the United Nations AI for Good Impact Initiative, helping developing and emerging economies move beyond isolated AI pilot projects and build the policy, skills and public infrastructure needed to deploy locally relevant AI solutions responsibly and at scale.

Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Chairperson of the AI for Good Impact Initiative, together with members of the distinguished jury and the finalists of the AI for Good Innovation Factory 2026 Grand Finale, including the winning startup, Nearpays. A flagship programme of the AI for Good Lab under the AI for Good Impact Initiative, the Innovation Factory has engaged more than 1,000 AI startups from over 80 countries, accelerating AI solutions through mentorship, investment and strategic partnerships.

Announced during the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva, the Lab brings together three interconnected areas of support: national AI readiness and policy, skills development and public AI infrastructure.

Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Chairperson of the United Nations AI for Good Impact Initiative, said:

"Artificial intelligence is entering its implementation decade. Countries are no longer asking whether AI can transform society; they are asking how it can be implemented responsibly, inclusively and at scale. The ITU's AI for Good Lab will help turn proven ideas into national capabilities and measurable outcomes."

Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, said:

"Every country deserves the chance to shape its own AI future. Our AI for Good Lab reflects ITU's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of AI reach everyone, everywhere."

Through AI readiness assessments and policy guidance, the Lab will help governments identify national priorities. Its skills-development programmes will build inclusive local talent pipelines for policymakers, entrepreneurs, students and innovators, including through the AI for Good Innovation Factory, which has engaged over 200 startups from 88 countries.

The Lab will also support public AI infrastructure, giving countries access to open datasets, compute resources, reusable AI models and open-source tools for priority sectors such as health, agriculture, education and mobility.

The Lab builds on AI for Good Sandbox activities in ten pilot countries: Cameroon, India, Mozambique, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also works with the African Telecommunications Union, national governments and ITU regional offices to establish local hubs and scale successful projects.

Notes to Editors

About AI for Good: The UN's leading platform on artificial intelligence, established in 2017 and organized by ITU with more than 50 UN agencies, spanning over 180 countries advancing responsible AI solutions, skills and standards.

Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei is a globally recognized AI and advanced technology executive, Chairperson of the United Nations AI for Good Impact Initiative, and a member of Kazakhstan's Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence, chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. She developed foundation models such as Falcon 180B, ranked the world's most powerful open AI model at its 2023 release. Her career spans telecommunications, robotics, and AI, advancing national AI strategies and building the full AI value chain. She holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Communication Engineering and Computer Science and serves as a Trustee of the American University of Sharjah.

i2Cool Advances Electricity-Free Cooling Through UNESCO-Endorsed FIRST Programme at Global Conference in Paris

Hong Kong climate-tech company highlights school-based cooling projects that connect passive radiative cooling, climate education and community action.

HONG KONG, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- i2Cool, a climate-tech company specialising in electricity-free cooling solutions, participated in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, held from July 15 to 17 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Ir Prof. Edwin Chi-Yan Tso, Co-founder of i2Cool, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) and Chair Professor of Energy and Sustainability at the School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), attended the ceremony alongside Prof. Martin Y.H. Zhu, Co-founder and CEO of i2Cool.

The conference brought together representatives from governments, research institutions, businesses and civil society to examine how scientific knowledge and innovation can be translated into inclusive, practical and scalable solutions for sustainable development.

FIRST Programme Connects Scientific Innovation with Community Needs

A key focus of i2Cool's participation was the Fostering Innovation for Resilience and Sustainable Transformation Programme, known as FIRST.

Led by CityUHK, the FIRST Programme has been endorsed by UNESCO as an initiative under the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033). Ir Prof. Tso serves as Programme Director, coordinating collaboration among academic institutions, technology companies, non-governmental organisations and local communities.

i2Cool participates as one of the Programme's core technology partners, supporting the deployment of passive radiative cooling technologies in schools and communities affected by high temperatures, limited energy access and inadequate cooling infrastructure.

The Programme brings together four areas of innovation:

Passive radiative cooling materials

Low-cost printed solar films

Waste-biomass conversion

Human-powered water purification.

These technologies support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

FIRST has established a growing international network involving more than 45 partner organisations across 25 countries, with pilot activities conducted or planned in Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Hong Kong School Project Presented at UNESCO Conference

During the opening ceremony in Paris, a campus climate-action project conducted at Chong Gene Hang College in Hong Kong was presented as part of the FIRST Programme's work.

Supported by i2Cool, the project involved the application of i2Film electricity-free cooling window film to help reduce solar heat entering indoor spaces and improve the thermal environment of the campus.

The project also included STEM and ESG-focused climate workshops, enabling students to explore the science behind passive cooling and its potential role in addressing rising temperatures and reducing energy demand.

By combining a physical technology installation with climate education and student engagement, the project demonstrates how schools can serve as testing grounds and learning platforms for practical sustainability solutions.

Electricity-Free Cooling Pilots Expand Across Schools

Beyond Hong Kong, i2Cool has supported a series of FIRST-related school projects that bring passive cooling technologies to communities facing extreme heat and limited infrastructure.

Kuzhi Yucai Public Welfare School (Chenzhou, Hunan): Approximately 830 square metres of electricity-free cooling membranes were installed on teaching building roofs. Field measurements recorded a maximum roof-surface temperature drop of 21.6°C and an indoor temperature reduction of 8.3°C.

Ren Bishi Red Army School (Miluo, Hunan): Over 668 square metres of cooling membranes were applied, achieving a maximum roof-surface temperature reduction of 32.8°C.

Beima Primary School (Longkou, Shandong): In partnership with a Towngas volunteer team, i2Cool applied 960 square metres of cooling coatings, recording a maximum temperature difference of 20.1°C between coated and uncoated roof areas.

The initiative combined improvements to the school's thermal environment with science education and community engagement, exploring how climate technology can be integrated into educational and public-welfare programmes.

At Beima Primary School in Longkou, Shandong Province, China, i2Cool worked with a volunteer team from Towngas to apply approximately 960 square metres of electricity-free cooling coating to the school roof.

On-site testing found a maximum temperature difference of 20.1°C between coated and uncoated roof areas. The project formed part of a broader charitable initiative involving campus improvement, climate education and green-technology outreach.

Developing Replicable Models for Climate Action

Although the pilot schools differ in location, climate conditions and infrastructure, the projects follow a common approach: applying science to improve physical environments, using education to strengthen climate awareness and building cross-sector partnerships to extend the reach of sustainable technologies.

Passive radiative cooling materials work by reflecting a high proportion of incoming sunlight while releasing heat through mid-infrared radiation. Unlike conventional mechanical cooling systems, the materials can provide a cooling effect without consuming electricity or using refrigerants.

This approach may be particularly relevant for schools, community buildings and other public facilities in regions where air-conditioning is unavailable, insufficient or expensive to operate.

Through the FIRST Programme, i2Cool plans to continue working with academic institutions, non-profit organisations, businesses and local communities to evaluate how electricity-free cooling can be adapted for different climates, buildings and social needs.

Featured in UNESCO's Global Report

The FIRST Programme and its related applications are also featured in UNESCO's 2026 global report, Science at a Turning Point: International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development.

Published in connection with the International Decade, the report examines how scientific collaboration can help close gaps in access to knowledge, infrastructure and innovation while advancing progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.

The inclusion of FIRST illustrates how partnerships among universities, companies and communities can move scientific innovation beyond laboratories and into environments where practical solutions are most urgently needed.

About i2Cool

i2Cool is a climate-tech company specialising in electricity-free cooling technologies based on passive radiative cooling. Founded by researchers from the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, the company develops cooling coatings, membranes, window films, textiles, ceramics and functional materials for applications across buildings, industrial facilities, power infrastructure, logistics, mobility and consumer products.

By reflecting solar radiation and releasing heat through mid-infrared emission, i2Cool's technologies are designed to reduce surface and indoor temperatures without additional electricity consumption or refrigerants.

For more information, visit i2cool.com.

Media Contact
i2Cool Limited
Email: pr@i2cool.com

Business and Partnership Enquiries
Email: info@i2cool.com

40 Years in Vietnam: Weichai and Partners Reap the Rewards, Ready for More

HANOI, Vietnam, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 22, the Weichai Group 2026 Global Partners Conference was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Weichai and the 40th anniversary of its presence in the Vietnam market. Over 40 years in Southeast Asia, Weichai has deeply integrated into the local industry, supporting Vietnamese customers throughout their growth journey. At this new starting point, Weichai will work with partners to advance comprehensively toward green and intelligent transformation and embark on a new journey of high-quality development.

For 40 years, Weichai has localized and adapted products to Vietnam's hot, humid, and complex operating conditions, earning market trust through quality. It has also expanded its local ecosystem: Baudouin high-end power entered marine and generation markets; it secured Vietnam Register certification as the first overseas power firm; and its products comply with Euro II to V emissions standards. Weichai has thus evolved from product exports to integrated offerings of products, service, technology, and brands, becoming a reliable long-term partner for Vietnamese customers.

With reliable quality and attentive service, Weichai has established a full-category, full-scenario presence in Vietnam across buses, truck, marine, Construction Machinery, and power and energy, while steadily building its brand leadership and maintaining market performance among the industry's best. To date, the cumulative sales of Weichai's full range of power products in Vietnam have exceeded 160,000 units, with market share in the buses and marine engines segments remaining firmly in first place. In the first half of 2026, engine sales rose 19% year on year, continuing to lead the Vietnam power market.

These results are built on stable local partnerships. Weichai has long cooperated with THACO, a leading Vietnamese firm, as the core powertrain supplier for buses and light trucks. The partnership has expanded from engine supply to the full vehicle chain, shifting from trade to deeper localization, and building a solid bridge for China‑Vietnam economic cooperation through technology and strength.

At a new milestone after 40 years of partnership, Weichai will follow global new‑energy and smart trends, deepen Vietnam presence, focus on green and smart upgrades, upgrade tech, products, services, and explore green growth with partners and pursue high‑quality development.

Weichai Celebrates 40 Years in Vietnam, Pioneering Green Transformation i2Cool Innovates Climate Action with School Projects and UNESCO Partnerships ITF Marks 20th Anniversary, Strengthening Global Supply Chain Resilience
7/29/2026 2:05:40 PM

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Weichai Celebrates 40 Years in Vietnam, Pioneering Green Transformation i2Cool Innovates Climate Action with School Projects and UNESCO Partnerships ITF Marks 20th Anniversary, Strengthening Global Supply Chain Resilience 7/29/2026 2:05:40 PM

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Weichai Celebrates 40 Years in Vietnam, Pioneering Green Transformation i2Cool Innovates Climate Action with School Projects and UNESCO Partnerships ITF Marks 20th Anniversary, Strengthening Global Supply Chain Resilience
7/29/2026 2:05:40 PM