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Teen Innovators Win Top Prize for Plastic Alternative in Hang Seng x HKFYG’s Seek Our Ways Social Ideation Programme

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 May 2025 – A team of four Form Three students from Good Hope School has developed a revolutionary plastic alternative, earning them the Junior Division Grand Award in the inaugural Seek Our Ways Social Ideation Programme. Their invention, the “Fully Biodegradable Gel”, offers an edible, dissolvable and eco-friendly solution to single-use plastic.

Eric Chan Sui-wai, Commissioner for Youth officiates at the Seek Our Ways Ideation Programme Awards Presentation Ceremony, alongside Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, Hsu Siu-man, Executive Director of the HKFYG, Grace Chan Man-yee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, distinguished guests and over 400 students.

Supported by Hang Seng Bank and organised by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) Leadership Institute, the Programme themed “Future Exploration is in the Hands of Youths”, focused on three key social areas: “Environment and Sustainable Development,” “Promoting Sports for All,” and “Elderly and Wellness.” It encourages young people to tackle social issues through creative solutions. The debut edition attracted an overwhelming response, receiving nearly 1,000 applications from students. After over 10,000 hours of diverse learning and mentorship over six months, more than 400 participants developed nearly 90 innovative solutions to drive social progress.

Following rigorous rounds of competition, nine teams advanced to the finals held recently, where they presented their ideas to a panel of judges. Three winning teams were selected based on their solutions’ effectiveness, innovation, scalability and their presentation skills.

The Final Pitching Competition and Award Presentation Ceremony took place at Hang Seng Headquarters, with Eric Chan Sui-wai, Commissioner for Youth officiating as the Guest of Honor. He was joined by Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, Hsu Siu-man, Executive Director of the HKFYG and Grace Chan Man-yee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. The event also brought together school representatives, mentors and over 400 students to witness the emergence of winning teams.

Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, said, “As Hong Kong’s largest local bank, Hang Seng Bank is very pleased to leverage our connections and the expertise of our colleagues to empower youth in driving social innovation through this Programme, alongside our financial support. We hope this Programme encourages young people to engage with societal issues, broaden their horizons and ignite their interests in social innovation.”

Hsu Siu-man, Executive Director of the HKFYG, remarked, “Social innovation requires keen insight and the courage to change; every change begins with attention to issues and imagination for the future. I am delighted to see participants actively engage in the Programme, injecting new hope and possibility into society.” She also expressed her gratitude to Hang Seng Bank and other partnering organisations for their support in nurturing future leaders.”

Fifteen-year-old students Ho Lok Ting, Law Hau Wing, Lo Sin Sum and Tsang Lok Yu, the Grand Award winners in the Junior Secondary Division, designed their “Fully Biodegradable Gel” after learning about sea turtles harmed by plastic waste. The material, made from gelatin and agar, can package dry foods or even serve as shopping bags while decomposing harmlessly.” Law Hau Wing said, “Traditional plastic linger for centuries as it is non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment. Our ‘Fully Biodegradable Gel’ disappears without a trace. We hope to collaborate with food manufacturers to bring the product to market.”

The Senior Secondary Division Grand Award went to Fanling Kau Yan College, where five Form Four and Form Five students, Chen Tin Oi, Lee Yan Ue, Liang Ka Ki, Ng Ka Yin and Zou Tsz Ham designed a “One School, One Elderly Centre” proposal to pair schools with elderly centres, fostering mutual learning and companionship. Inspired by an initiative in their sister school in Mainland China, the team developed a sustainable model including curricula, activities, and a B2B framework to scale the project in Hong Kong.

A cross-university team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong College of Technology, won the Tertiary Division Grand Award for “Fruitful”, a project repurposing apple pulp into leather-like material. Over the past six months, team members Cheng Hoi Kei, Ho Ka Hei, Lai In Ha, Wong Ngai Fung and Yau Ho Lun conducted in-depth research on this technology and overcame technical challenges. They aim to produce wallets, coasters and other accessories, reducing reliance on synthetic fabrics to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong.

Each winning team will receive HK$20,000 and an opportunity for valuable career immersion experience at Hang Seng Bank. Audience-voted “My Favourite Team” Awards were also presented, with each winning team receiving HK$5,000. For further details about the winning teams, please refer to the appendix. The second edition of the Programme will open for applications by the end of this year, encouraging more youngsters to drive social progress.

Winning teams of Grand Award

Grand Award – Junior Secondary Division
School and
Name of Students
Good Hope School
Lo Sin Sum, Ho Lok Ting, Law Hau Wing, and Tsang Lok Yu
Theme Environment and Sustainable Development
Proposal Byebye Traditional Plastic
Description “Fully Biodegradable Gel” is a new material designed to support heavy items, similar to conventional plastic. It is available in two types:

  • Type 1: Crafted from gelatin, this variant offers a firmer texture, making it ideal for packaging noodles and dry foods. It comes in red, green, orange, and transparent colours, dyed using vegetable and plant powders.

  • Type 2: Made from agar powder, this type provides a softer, a more flexible texture with strong water resistance. Distinguished by its blue colour, its texture is similar to traditional plastic, making it ideal for shopping bags.

Teen Innovators Win Top Prize for Plastic Alternative in Hang Seng x HKFYG’s Seek Our Ways Social Ideation Programme / Page 7

Grand Award – Senior Secondary Division
School and
Name of
Students
Fanling Kau Yan College
Chen Tin Oi, Lee Yan Ue, Zou Tsz Ham, Liang Ka Ki and Ng Ka Yin

Theme Elderly and Wellness
Proposal One School, One Elderly Centre
Description Through interviews with frontline elderly service social workers, elderly policy researchers and secondary school management, the team discovered that current intergenerational integration programmes are often one-time services lacking continuity and depth, failing to fully address the needs of the elderly and wasting school resources. The “One School, One Elderly Centre” initiative aims to:

1. Match elderly centres with secondary schools

2. Equip members of elderly centre and secondary school students with knowledge

3. Facilitate communication between the two groups

4. Document their interactions for improved communication

The programme offers sustained, face-to-face exchange activities over one year, along with matching support, lesson plans, teaching materials and suggested activities for participating organisations through an online platform to facilitate collaboration between schools and elderly centres.

Grand Award – Tertiary Division
School and
Name of
Students
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong College of Technology
Lai In Ha, Cheng Hoi Kei, Wong Ngai Fung, Yau Ho Lun and Ho Ka Hei

Theme Environment and Sustainable Development
Proposal Fruitful
Description The team proposed an innovative biomaterial solution that converts waste pulp from the juice industry into high-performance eco-friendly materials. This technology can increase the bio-based content of the pulp to over 85%, reducing carbon emissions by 95% compared to traditional materials. Additionally, it boasts excellent physical properties, effectively addressing the challenges posed by limited food waste recycling facilities.

Winning teams of “My Favourite Team” Award voted by the event’s audience

Divison Theme School Name of
Students
Proposal
Junior Secondary Environment and Sustainable Development Good Hope School Ho Lok Ting, Law Hau Wing, Lo Sin Sum and Tsang Lok Yu Byebye Traditional Plastic
Senior Secondary Promoting Sports for All St. Paul’s Convent School Chan Hoi Yau, Jiang Ka Yi, Kwok Hiu Ching, Tai Cheuk Wing and Yung Chi Kay

City of Maze Runners
Tertiary Environment and Sustainable Development The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong College of Technology Cheng Hoi Kei, Ho Ka Hei, Lai In Ha, Wong Ngai Fung and Yau Ho Lun

Fruitful

Hashtag: #TheHongKongFederationofYouthGroups

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MET Group’s Climate Impact Report Confirms The Company’s Contribution to Profitable Decarbonisation

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2026 – MET Group has published its Climate Impact Report 2025, highlighting how the company continues to balance decarbonisation, security of supply, and affordability through an integrated portfolio of gas, LNG, renewables, and energy storage solutions.

Executive Summary of MET Group Climate Impact Report 2025

The report comes amid European debates about how to preserve climate ambition while also maintaining industrial competitiveness and investment attractiveness. It describes the way MET Group’s integrated gas, LNG, power, renewables, and battery storage portfolio supports Europe’s efforts to address the energy trilemma.

The Climate Impact Report reflects a year of continued progress in MET Group’s climate journey, including growth in green electricity generation, an increased share of energy transition investments in the company’s capital allocation, and the first GHG inventory subject to third-party limited assurance.

  • In 2025, the Group increased the proportion of its CAPEX directed toward renewable energy and BESS projects to 39%. Renewable generation reached 625 GWh, supported by new solar parks in Germany and Italy, including the Group’s first Agri-PV project. MET also inaugurated one of Hungary’s largest BESS facilities at Dunamenti Power Station, supporting grid flexibility and renewable integration.

  • MET Group’s average grid emission factor across its retail power markets improved from 279 to 255gCO₂e/kWh, which was primarily driven by significant portfolio growth in cleaner markets such as Spain.

  • For the first time, MET Group’s greenhouse gas inventory has been subject to limited assurance by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Zurich.

  • MET Group’s climate approach strives to achieve alignment with the EU Fit for 55 framework and integrates climate-related risk management into long-term strategic planning and investment decisions. The report outlines MET’s approach to managing both physical and transition risks, while reinforcing the role of diversified assets, flexible infrastructure, and integrated trading operations in supporting resilience across evolving energy markets.
In his first Climate Impact Report statement as Group CEO, Huibert Vigeveno emphasised: “Our ambition to be a European energy champion, able to provide our customers with cleaner energy, positions us to support Europe in addressing the energy transition trilemma of decarbonisation, security of supply, and affordability – advancing the transition in a way that is commercially sustainable, operationally reliable, and affordable for the customers and stakeholders we serve.”

Huibert Vigeveno added: “Europe should move beyond framing the energy transition primarily as a climate obligation and instead position it as an industrial and technological opportunity. Sustained leadership in climate action will ultimately depend on Europe’s ability to remain an attractive hub for investment, foster innovation, and enable the large-scale industrial deployment of new solutions.”

Hashtag: #METGroup #ESG #ClimateImpactReport


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MET Group

MET Group is an integrated European energy company, headquartered in Switzerland, with activities and assets in natural gas, LNG, power, and renewables. MET serves customers in 24 countries through subsidiaries, and is present in 33 national energy markets as well as 51 international trading hubs. The company’s 1,400+ employees represent close to 60 nationalities. MET has extensive experience operating renewable and flexible assets, thus providing the widest possible support to energy transition. In 2025, MET Group’s consolidated sales revenue amounted to EUR 28.5 billion, with a total transacted volume of natural gas amounting to 241 BCM and total traded electricity of 160 TWh.

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SCG Showcases Green Innovations and Low-Carbon Cement at Cemtech Asia 2026, Reinforcing ASEAN Leadership and Commitment to the Net Zero Pathway

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2026 – SCG, ASEAN’s leading low-carbon cement manufacturer, co-hosted Cemtech ASIA 2026, a world-class conference and exhibition for the global cement sector held from June 14 to 17, 2026. Driven by a shared commitment to accelerating low-carbon transition and achieving Net Zero goals, industry executives and experts from across the world gathered to explore breakthrough innovations, expand business networks amidst global challenges, and navigate sustainable business transformations in response to tightening environmental regulations and resource conservation demands.

Mr. Surachai Nimlaor, President of SCG Cement and Green Solutions

At Cemtech Asia 2026, SCG demonstrated its commitment to advancing the cement industry through tangible low-carbon cement innovations. Mr. Surachai Nimlaor, President of SCG Cement and Green Solutions, stated:

“As the region’s leader in the low-carbon cement industry, SCG is dedicated to developing breakthrough innovations that minimize resource consumption and maximize eco-friendliness. By steadily reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we directly address the evolving demands and adaptation challenges of the construction industry across ASEAN and global markets.”

Alongside showcasing its cutting-edge LC3 low-carbon cement prototype at the exhibition, SCG hosted an exclusive site visit to its Ta Luang Cement Plant in Saraburi Province for global delegates. Key highlights of the showcase and tour included:

  • SCG LC3 Structural Cement: Developed from limestone, calcined clay, and specialized additives, this next-generation low-carbon cement reduces CO2 emissions by up to 30–40%. Its production process incorporates up to 40% biomass alternative fuels (such as rice husks and straw) and over 35% renewable energy. This is achieved without compromising any product performance or structural integrity, with its environmental performance independently verified through an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
  • Rondo Heat Battery: SCG has pioneered ASEAN’s first installation of the Rondo Heat Battery at the Ta Luang Cement Plant. Developed in collaboration with Rondo Energy, this breakthrough thermal energy storage solution converts intermittent renewable power into high-temperature thermal energy, storing it at up to 1,500°C in thermal media. With an exceptional energy recovery efficiency of up to 97% and a lifespan exceeding 40 years, the system provides a continuous 24/7 supply of clean heat, supporting the decarbonization of industrial manufacturing processes.
  • Refractory Solutions by The Siam Refractory Industry Co., Ltd. (SRIC): As a leading global refractory solutions provider, SRIC showcased its advanced technologies and innovative solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, including:
    1. Anti-Hydration Brick: The world’s first Anti-Hydration brick, extending shelf life from 6 to 24 months. This breakthrough innovation helps minimize material degradation, reduce production downtime, and improve overall operational efficiency.
    2. Thermal Media for Heat Battery: Co-developed with Rondo Energy, these high-performance heat storage blocks deliver up to 97% thermal efficiency, enabling reliable 24-hour energy availability and supporting the transition toward cleaner industrial energy solutions.
      • Solar Floating: Installed at the Ta Luang Cement Plant, this floating solar array generates 16.6 million kWh of clean electricity annually, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by over 8,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year. By repurposing the plant’s industrial reservoirs, the system optimizes resource efficiency and highlights SCG’s integration of green energy into heavy industry.

As co-host of Cemtech ASIA 2026, SCG reaffirmed its role as a trusted industry leader on the global stage. The event served as a major catalyst for expanding business networks and facilitating high-level technology and knowledge exchanges with world-class industry players. Moving forward, SCG is dedicated to cultivating global alliances to propel Thailand’s cement industry toward a Net Zero pathway, solidifying its position as ASEAN’s cement leader.

Watch the video:

CEMTECH ASIA 2026 | SCG Driving ASEAN’s Cement Industry Towards Net Zero

https://youtu.be/wCvSYeumGLY?si=nFle1kClP8sYR9z3

Hashtag: #SCG

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Mannings Continues “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme” for the Fourth Year Partnering with Community Organisations to Expand Network to 75 Collection Points

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Free Medication Counselling Service to Prevent Misuse of Medicines and Protect Public Health

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 June 2026 – Mannings is launching its “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme” for the fourth consecutive year. This year, the programme further expands its collection network through collaboration with six community organisations, increasing the number of collection points across Hong Kong to 75. From 26 June to 23 July 2026, citizens can visit any of the 62 Mannings stores with pharmacies (except Elements, Landmark, Uptown Plaza, and Airport branches) or 13 designated community organisation collection points to dispose of leftover or expired medications (pills only, excluding dangerous drugs, liquid medications, and Chinese medicines) in the “Unused Medicines Collection Box.”

Mannings’ Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme 2026

The participating community organisations this year include the Christian Family Service Centre, Hong Kong Christian Service, St. James’ Settlement, The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Hong Kong Family Community Pharmacy, and HKUMed Community Pharmacy. These organisations will set up “Unused Medicines Collection Boxes” at 13 designated service centres to facilitate proper disposal. Hong Kong Christian Service will also continue to collect the unused medicines and provide pharmaceutical knowledge directly to the elderly through its home care outreach services, promoting safe medication use.

All collected medicines will be handed over to a chemical waste collector licensed by the Environmental Protection Department and then properly destroyed at a chemical waste treatment centre. The programme encourages citizens to join hands with Mannings in safely disposing of unused medicines, enhancing medication knowledge, and safeguarding both the environment and community health. Please note that the disposal service is available only during the hours when Mannings pharmacists or healthcare professionals at community organisations are on duty. For more details, you can visit any Mannings pharmacy branch or consult a pharmacist on duty via WhatsApp (https://bit.ly/400s4sc).

Complimentary Medication Counselling Service to Educate the Public on Reducing Pharmaceutical Waste at Source
Mannings aims to address the issue at its source by encouraging citizens to develop the habit of regularly checking their home medicine cabinets. This helps prevent excessive storage of medicines, reduces waste, and minimises environmental pollution, while ensuring safe medication use. In addition to the Collection Boxes, Mannings registered pharmacists will enhance support in providing free medication counselling services to assist citizens with any medication-related questions. Citizens who have medication-related enquiries can bring their medicines to any Mannings pharmacy or consult a pharmacist via WhatsApp (https://bit.ly/400s4sc). Pharmacists will explain in detail whether medications overlap or interact, and guide proper usage to reduce accumulation and waste. The service requires no appointment and is completely free of charge.

Over 15 Million Tablets Collected since Programme Launched in 2023

As the first major community pharmacy chain in Hong Kong to pioneer unused medicine disposal services, Mannings has successfully collected and properly disposed of over 15 million tablets between 2023 and 2025. Mannings’ registered pharmacists also sort, tally, and analyse the collected medicines, helping to reduce environmental impact while gaining insights into and educating the public on proper medication practices. This reflects Mannings’ commitment to fulfilling its social responsibility as a community pharmacy and safeguarding public health.

Philip Chiu, Chief Pharmacist of Mannings
says, “From the past few years of the programme, we observed that many households accumulate significant amounts of unused medicines, including those requiring completion of the entire course, such as antibiotics or chronic disease medications. When citizens fail to follow doctors’ instructions and complete the course, it not only delays recovery but may also increase healthcare costs in the long run. This year, we would like to further promote the idea of ‘home pharmacy checks,’ reminding citizens to regularly review their medicine cabinets to avoid expired or misused medicines, and to feel more reassured in medication use. ”

Chiu further states, “Community pharmacists play a vital role in this process. Beyond providing disposal services, they also educate and counsel citizens to establish correct medication habits. Through this programme, Mannings hopes to help the public understand that medication management and environmental protection are equally important, and that both can progress hand in hand to contribute to community health and sustainable development.”

For details on participating Mannings pharmacies and other designated community collection points for the “Mannings Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines Programme,” please visit
https://bit.ly/3UuWGy5.

Hashtag: #Mannings #TrustedAdvisorForWellness #HealthandBeauty #SafeDisposalofUnusedMedicines #DFIRetailGroup

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About Mannings

Mannings is Hong Kong’s largest health and beauty products chain store with over 320 outlets and over 60 in-store pharmacies operating in Hong Kong and Macau, providing a wide range of quality health care, personal care, skin care and baby products to customers. Our team of Community Health Professionals is available at many of our stores, offering expert advice and free consultations from registered Pharmacists, Dieticians, Beauty and Health Advisors. Mannings has been named by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA) as “Quality Service Retailer of the Year – Personal Care Products Category” for 15 consecutive years (2011 to 2025). Mannings has also been recognised as the “No.1 Most Preferred Brand” in online surveys conducted by global market research company Ipsos (2021-2024) and Nielsen (2025-2026) in Hong Kong for six consecutive years.

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