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Allianz Commercial: AI and cloud computing drive global construction boom for data centers
- Global spending on data centers is expected to reach several trillion US dollars by 2030 with the US and China as main drivers of growth.
- The surging demand for data centers has created a building boom, with costs for some construction projects exceeding $20 billion, say Allianz Commercial experts.
- Rapid expansion is heightening exposures and introducing new risks for companies and insurers.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 November 2025 – The unseen forces of AI and cloud computing are never out of the news, yet behind the headlines lies a story of growth and innovation as tangible as bricks and mortar. The heavy computing power required by AI workloads, and the growing global demand for AI technologies, has seen a building boom take place around the world as developers scramble to build the facilities required to meet these needs. According to market research, up to $7 trillion will be spent on data centers by 2030 – a huge sum driven largely by technology companies in the US and China, while Europe lags a few paces behind. The tech industry’s big three, Amazon, Microsoft and Google Cloud, accounted for almost two-thirds of global cloud revenue in Q2 2025. Combined with Chinese companies such as Alibaba and Tencent, their capital expenditure budgets for 2025 reach hundreds of billions of US dollars, much of it geared towards the industrial scale infrastructure and dependable energy sources that high-performance AI and cloud computing now demands.
The latest Allianz Commercial report, The Data Center Construction Boom, explores the extent of this global buildout and also questions whether the building bonanza can last. Despite the ongoing expansion, several factors could limit future growth, including the surging costs of construction. These have escalated dramatically from $200-$300 million, to projects exceeding $20 billion. According to Allianz Commercial construction experts, average-sized facilities now cost between $500 million and $2 billion. Along with higher construction prices, the complex nature of data center construction and operation requires specialized insurance coverage for risks such as power supply concerns, faulty workmanship, fire or natural catastrophes.
“Construction projects as complex and extensive as data centers require significant time and resources. Typically, they require project-specific policies given their size and their unique risk profile that demands specialized insurance,” says Darren Tasker, Head of Construction, Americas, at Allianz Commercial.
Data centers are fueling the construction industry
A global buildout is underway to construct the infrastructure needed to support the digital economy. The US will be the largest market for data centers, covering about two thirds of the total global data center power demand with 81 gigawatts (GW) by 2028, while China’s data center market is building out equally aggressively. Greater Beijing alone now accounts for roughly 10% of global hyperscale capacity. Europe is trailing behind the two superpowers but is experiencing a 43% annual increase in pipeline activity, with London and Dublin as the largest markets (each with over 1GW capacity), followed by Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, and Milan.
“The bigger data centers have a huge footprint. The scale of a $20bn+ facility can involve tens of thousands of workers on site at peak times, with significant equipment and building supplies moving in and out,” says Chris Fancher, US Head of Construction Property at Allianz Commercial. “Timings can be tight. This requires expert coordination, as any missteps or faulty workmanship can lead to potential losses or costly delays.”
Data centers combine great processing power with unique risk profile
Building a data center is a complex, multi-disciplinary undertaking, which presents a multitude of risks. One of the main issues is the soaring power demand that threatens to outpace grid capacity and infrastructure. The electricity demand from data centers worldwide is set to more than double by 2030, to around 945Twh. This is slightly more than the consumption of the whole of Japan today, with its population of 124 million. To avoid power issues, which are the main source of impactful outages with 45%, data center operators are increasingly seeking to reduce their reliance on the grid by generating their own power on site, including renewables, gas, and even potentially small nuclear reactors.
Fire, heat and water are also significant risks for data centers, potentially leading to severe property damage or business interruption losses. Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly being used in server racks in data halls. The fire risk associated with these batteries is well documented, particularly in relation to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Large data centers can consume up to 19 million liters of water a day, equivalent to the water use of a town with a population of up to 50,000. Increasing cooling requirements will drive up water and electricity demand, while rising global temperatures pose a growing risk to the resilience of over half the world’s top data center hubs. This has altered the risk profile of data centers and contributed to the increase in construction and insurance costs.
Risk management crucial with strong growth expected in Asia
The Asia Pacific region accounts for approximately 30% of global data center capacity and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 21% from 2024 to 2028, a faster pace compared to more developed markets. The region consists of multiple markets, each with distinct drivers and market conditions. China, Japan, and India account for 60% of the total installed capacity in the region, while markets like India, Malaysia, and Indonesia are expected to lead the next wave of growth.
Christian Sandric, Regional Managing Director of Allianz Commercial Asia, says, “As the demand for data centers in the region surges, it is crucial that parties fully understand the risks involved during construction and operation. Beyond the main risks such as power supply, rising construction costs and supply constraints, fire, and cooling requirements, parties also need to consider aspects such as cyberattacks, and impact on the surrounding environment, ecosystem, and infrastructure. For example, cooling systems may discharge heated water back into local water bodies, and this can raise temperatures and affect aquatic ecosystems.
“These complex and extensive risks call for specialist insurance and expert risk-management guidance, and clients need to work with an experienced team of underwriters who knows the business and can support the project from beginning to end, including multi-year coverage and policy extensions as needed.”
Hashtag: #Allianz #AllianzCommercial
https://commercial.allianz.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/allianz-commercial
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Allianz Commercial
Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or film productions. Powered by the employees, financial strength, and network of the world’s #1 insurance brand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what’s ahead: They trust us in providing a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and Multinational services as well as seamless claims handling. Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either through our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2024, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated around €18 billion in gross premium globally. https://commercial.allianz.com/
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Marriott’s 2025 Cage-Free Pledge in the Spotlight as Field Visit Raises Animal Welfare and Hygiene Concerns
Field visit finds dead birds, eggs surrounded by faeces and fly infestations at egg farm whose operators claim to supply Marriott properties
- Eggs stored directly on the floor, surrounded by dirt, feathers and excrement
- Swarms of flies around birds and their food
- Accumulated faeces on and underneath cages
- Dead birds discarded around the facility
- Birds with severe eye injuries or blindness
- Birds crammed into dirty wire cages
- Poor access to water
Hashtag: #HelpMarriottFindAsia #AnimalWelfare #CorporateAccountability #EthicalSourcing #FoodSafety
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About INCAF
The Indonesia Network for Compassionate Animal Farming works to advance corporate accountability for animal welfare in Indonesia, driving transparency and progress toward cage-free supply chains. Visit 
https://incaf.org
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Linklogis Releases 2025 Annual Results: Total Volume of Processed Supply Chain Assets Exceeds RMB500 Billion, Unveiling the “SC+ Platform”
In addition, Linklogis has always placed shareholder interests at the core of its corporate governance, rewarding investors’ trust through sustained and tangible actions. In August 2025, the Board approved a new share repurchase program of no less than US$80 million to be implemented over a one-year period. Under this repurchase program, the company has cumulatively repurchased shares totaling HK$365 million (approximately US$47 million), demonstrating its confidence in its long-term value through concrete actions.
Focusing on Core Business, Accelerating Business Structure Optimization
In 2025, Linklogis remained focused on its core business and accelerated the optimization of its business structure. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by its technology solutions reached RMB508.1 billion, up 27% year-on-year. With a market share of 22%, the company ranked first in the industry for the sixth consecutive year. The number of anchor enterprises served increased to 3,145, including 54 of China’s Top 100 enterprises and 151 of China’s Top 500 enterprises, while the number of financial institution partners reached 428, further improving the efficiency of industry-finance collaboration.
Linklogis’ supply chain finance technology solutions include Anchor Cloud, which consists of Multi-tier Transfer Cloud, AMS Cloud and Treasury Cloud, as well as FI Cloud, which consists of ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud. In 2025, the total volume of supply chain assets processed by Anchor Cloud reached RMB369.6 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 31%. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by Multi-tier Transfer Cloud reached RMB304.2 billion, surging 47% year-on-year, with its contribution to the group’s total asset volume rising from 52% in 2024 to 60% in 2025. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by AMS Cloud, however, was RMB65.4 billion, down 13% year-on-year due to the continued decline in issuance volume in the supply chain asset securitization market.
The total volume of supply chain assets processed by FI Cloud reached RMB128.9 billion, up 20% year-on-year. Both ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud recorded solid double-digit growth in transaction volume, contributing to a 25% year-on-year increase in FI Cloud revenue. In the ABS Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets processed reached RMB69.1 billion, rising 28% year-on-year. In the eChain Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets processed reached RMB59.7 billion, increasing 13% year-on-year.
Linklogis focused on six key industries, including infrastructure and construction, new energy and advanced manufacturing, and worked with its subsidiary Bytter Technology to deepen targeted cross-selling, achieving breakthroughs in high-quality customer acquisition. Leveraging its one-stop comprehensive industrial-finance solutions and innovative scenario-based applications, Linklogis worked with a number of central and state-owned enterprises and leading private enterprises, including Shougang Group, China Coal Mine Construction Group Corporation and JA Solar Technology, to launch integrated industrial-finance platform projects. At the same time, it provided targeted support to 17 high-quality enterprises, including Shanghai Construction Group, Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group and Luzhou Laojiao, covering scenarios such as order financing, bill collateral, and supply chain bill transfer, supporting coordinated growth in both scale and value creation.
Building the “Second Growth Curve”, Unlocking Global Trade Finance Potential
2025 marked a pivotal year for Linklogis’ international business as the company embarked on a new chapter and accelerated the development of its “second growth curve.” During the year, Linklogis officially launched a comprehensive rebranding of its international business, introducing “Unloq” as its new identity for the global market, reflecting its vision of unlocking the potential and efficiency of global trade finance. Guided by a core strategy centered on cross-border trade corridors, scenario-based finance and technology-driven risk management, Unloq is committed to building a globally connected digital supply chain finance platform with strong local execution capabilities.
In line with its core strategy, the company has leveraged its cloud-native technology to launch the innovative “SC+ Platform”, designed to connect global real-world trade with digital finance. The “SC+” signifies its core function of connecting smart contracts with compliant digital payment instruments, forming a technology-enabled solution for global trade finance. The platform is dedicated to building the next-generation digital infrastructure for global trade finance and addressing systemic challenges in cross-border trade, including credit verification, fund turnover, and clearing and settlement efficiency. Through the platform, funders can utilize various compliant payment methods to purchase trade receivables.
To date, Unloq has completed the deployment of the core architecture of the SC+ Platform. Working with multiple commercial partners, Unloq has advanced the rollout of innovative applications leveraging compliant digital payment methods. In 2025, Linklogis successfully secured the bid for a Web3.0-based supply chain finance platform project for a leading central state-owned enterprise, marking a new milestone in its technological capabilities and industry recognition in the field of digital trade infrastructure.
In its international business, Unloq accelerated the expansion of cross-border trade services. In addition to traditional B2B goods trade, cross-border e-commerce and online travel agencies, it also expanded into cross-border logistics, bringing the total number of platform customers to 1,550, representing a net year-on-year increase of 451. With the deeper penetration of the SC+ Platform in cross-border trade finance, the continued expansion of its global localized service network, and the accelerated integration of solutions supporting Chinese enterprises’ overseas expansion, Linklogis’ cross-border and international business is expected to enter a phase of exponential growth in both asset volume and revenue in 2026, embarking on a new chapter of high-quality and sustainable development.
Advancing the “AI-powered Industrial Finance” Strategy: From Internal Empowerment to Industry Value Co-Creation
Linklogis remains committed to its “AI-powered Industrial Finance” strategy and continues to promote the deep integration of AI with supply chain finance across the entire value chain. Built on years of technological expertise and scenario-based refinement, its AI capabilities have evolved from internal productivity tools into a sophisticated intelligence engine that empowers the entire industrial ecosystem. By deeply integrating leading domestic large language models with its proprietary supply chain finance scenario knowledge graph and multimodal business elements, the company has systematically advanced the ongoing iteration and capability enhancement of its self-developed vertical model, LDP-GPT. Building on this foundation, Linklogis has developed the “BeeLink AI Agent” product matrix, covering more than ten core scenarios including intelligent trade document checking, intelligent PBOC registration, intelligent KYC, and intelligent risk management.
In 2025, BeeLink AI Agent continued to deliver breakthroughs in market penetration and commercialization. The number of customers served rose to 42, including domestic and overseas financial institutions and industry leaders such as Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of Hangzhou, and China Electrical Equipment Finance. Processing efficiency improved by 20 times, while accuracy in key processes reached 99%. As AI continues to evolve toward an agent-based paradigm, Linklogis will take “AI Agent+” as a strategic lever to comprehensively upgrade BeeLink AI Agent from functional tools to intelligent collaboration. It will prioritize breakthroughs in advanced capabilities such as cross-system task coordination, natural-language interactive decision-making, and adaptive workflow optimization, enabling customers to move from point intelligence to enterprise-wide intelligence, and from business insights to intelligent decision-making, thereby delivering end-to-end value across the entire value chain.
Linklogis actively responded to China’s “dual carbon” strategy and high-quality development agenda by embedding ESG principles into product innovation and the entire service lifecycle, leveraging technology to advance green finance, inclusive finance, and sustainable development. In 2025, the volume of sustainable supply chain assets served by the company exceeded RMB66.8 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 80%, with its share of total serviced assets rising from 9% in 2024 to 13% in 2025. During the year, SMEs that obtained financing through Linklogis Supply Chain Multi-tier AR Transfer Platform benefited from an average financing cost of only 2.85%. The company continued to deepen its presence in four key sectors—renewable energy, rural revitalization, environmental protection, and public health—while further expanding into sustainable sectors such as the new energy vehicle supply chain, green buildings, and the circular economy. Through these initiatives, it directed financial resources more precisely to key segments that generate both green and low-carbon benefits and strong social impact, gradually building a broader and more influential sustainable development ecosystem that integrates industry and finance.
Expanding Full-scenario Deployment, Enhancing the Smart Industrial Finance Treasury Product Matrix
Through the acquisition of Bytter Technology, Linklogis made a strategic entry into the corporate treasury management sector. By synergizing management teams and business operations, the company successfully established the Treasury Cloud product line, providing diverse customers with end-to-end treasury management services covering settlement operations, cash planning, financing management, risk monitoring, and intelligent decision-making. As a key component of Linklogis’ “Smart Industrial Finance Treasury” strategy, Treasury Cloud is anchored by a dual-engine approach powered by AI and data, and has established a comprehensive product matrix, including the F1 treasury management system and T6 cash management system for anchor enterprises, the bank treasury system for financial institutions, and the Yingzilian SaaS platform for SMEs.
Since September 11, 2025, Bytter Technology has been consolidated into the group’s financial statements. The integration of the Treasury Cloud business has been fully completed. Linklogis will continue to deepen resources integration and business collaboration between Treasury Cloud and the group’s other supply chain finance technology businesses in areas such as product R&D, channel expansion and customer service. The company will accelerate the development of an integrated, intelligent and scalable Smart Industrial Finance Treasury platform, providing customers with one-stop digital solutions covering treasury management and industrial-finance collaboration.
Charles Song, founder, Chairman and CEO of Linklogis, said: “The year 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of Linklogis. As we stand at the threshold of a new decade, we will remain firmly committed to a core strategy of being technology-driven and globally connected, while steadfastly advancing our dual-engine approach of deepening domestic industrial finance and expanding global digital trade. We will seize opportunities amid transformation and strengthen our competitive advantages through innovation. In the domestic market, we will continue to advance the “AI-powered Industrial Finance” strategy. Anchored by the comprehensive upgrade of BeeLink AI Agent, we will accelerate AI’s evolution from scenario-based enablement to ecosystem-level collaboration. At the same time, leveraging our full-stack capabilities in Smart Industrial Finance Treasury solutions, we will continue to refine our integrated one-stop solutions, consolidate our market leadership, and ensure the steady growth of our core business. In international markets, we will accelerate the expansion of global cross-border digital trade networks through Unloq and roll out the SC+ Platform along key global trade corridors. We aim to become a key builder and connector in the ongoing digital and intelligent transformation of global trade finance. The future is already unfolding. Only the adaptable can prevail, and only the persistent can go the distance. With technology as our oar and industry as our vessel, Linklogis will continue to join forces with our partners, embarking together on the magnificent journey toward a digital and intelligent future for global industrial finance.”
Hashtag: #Linklogis
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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CK Life Sciences’ Sequencio Therapeutics Presents the Latest Vaccine Research Advancements at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting
These presentations mark Sequencio’s first major scientific unveiling since its formation and showcase significant advancements in next‑generation cancer vaccine technologies based on Sequencio’s proprietary TrueHLA™ Epitope‑to‑Efficacy™ translational design framework, which enables rational, data‑driven vaccine development across circRNA, mRNA, peptide, and protein‑based platforms.
Collectively, Sequencio’s five AACR 2026 presentations highlight a consistent theme: rationally designed cancer vaccines that demonstrate robust immunogenicity and compelling anti‑tumour activity across multiple targets and modalities in preclinical models. These data underscore the strength of Sequencio’s approach to translating antigen selection into functional immune responses and tumour control. Building on this foundation, Sequencio is prioritizing its most promising programs for IND‑enabling studies, with the goal of accelerating select vaccine candidates into early‑stage clinical development through strategic partnerships and global collaboration.
Dr Melvin Toh, Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer of CK Life Sciences, expressed, “Sequencio’s cancer vaccine pipeline continues to advance with strong momentum. Our AACR 2026 presentations underscore both the scientific promise of our vaccines and the disciplined execution driving their progress. We look forward to building on this foundation as we advance next‑generation immunotherapies for patients.”
The AACR Annual Meeting is a gathering central to the global cancer research community, bringing together scientists, clinicians, other healthcare professionals, survivors, patients and advocates every year to share the latest breakthroughs and developments in cancer science and medicine. Last year, the 2025 Annual Meeting attracted 22,100 in-person participants from 85 countries.
Scientific Poster Presentations by Sequencio Therapeutics at AACR 2026
All five posters will be presented on 21 April 2026.
1. p53 Modified Shared Neoantigen Vaccine (Poster Number: 4361)
Title: Single amino acid residue substitution to improve immunogenicity of HLA peptides targeting p53 neoantigen
Authors: Chi Han Samson Li, Hong Wang, Kin Tak Chan, Genwei Zhang, Zhenghui Wang, Lipeng Lai, Melvin Toh
2. IGF1R Cancer Vaccine (Poster Number: 4368)
Title: Vaccine targeting IGF1R induces neutralizing antibody and robust anti‑tumor activity in a syngeneic mouse colon cancer model
Authors: Kenneth Nansheng Lin, Melvin Toh, Hong Wang
3. B7‑H3 Cancer Vaccine (Poster Number: 4369)
Title: B7-H3 vaccine induces robust humoral and cellular immunity and inhibits tumor growth in mice
Authors: Kenneth Nansheng Lin, Melvin Toh, Hong Wang
4. TROP2 circRNA + IL‑7 Combination Vaccine (Poster Number: 4370)
Title: TROP2‑circular RNA vaccine and IL7 synergistically inhibit TROP2+ tumor growth in mouse models
Authors: Zirong He, Yanan Li, Antong Li, Xiaoxuan Liu, Kenneth Nansheng Lin, Fan Yan Meng, Melvin Toh, Hong Wang
5. Claudin‑6 Cancer Vaccine (Poster Number: 4375)
Title: Claudin 6 vaccines effectively inhibit tumor growth in a syngeneic mouse colon cancer model
Authors: Na Wang, Lam Chow, Melvin Toh, Hong Wang
Hashtag: #CKLifeSciences #Sequencio #CancerVaccines #R&D #Pharmaceutical #AACR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc.
CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc. (stock code: 0775) is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. With a mission of improving the quality of life, CK Life Sciences is engaged in healthcare research and development, with operating businesses that enable its R&D sustainability. Regarding pharmaceutical research and development, CK Life Sciences’ operations are focused on conducting research and development into cancer vaccines, RNA therapeutics and pain management solutions. CK Life Sciences is a member of the CK Hutchison Group. For additional information, please visit www.ck-lifesciences.com.
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