Geovanny Vicente – Página 294

Univision anuncia PrendeTV, el primer servicio premium y gratuito de streaming con publicidad de Estados Unidos, creado exclusivamente para los hispanos del país

MIAMI, 12 de enero de 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Univision Communications Inc., la principal empresa de contenido dirigido a los hispanos en Estados Unidos, anunció hoy planes de lanzar PrendeTV, el único servicio de streaming creado exclusivamente para la audiencia hispana en Estados Unidos con programación gratuita 100% en español. PrendeTV, cuyo estreno está programado para el primer trimestre de 2021, será el producto más integral de contenido premium ilimitado y exclusivo que jamás se ha seleccionado para los consumidores hispanos en Estados Unidos, e incluirá una colección selecta y sin precedente de series y películas de alta calidad y más, con las más destacadas celebridades del mundo.

PrendeTV les dará más opciones y acceso a una mayor variedad de géneros, desde películas taquilleras de Hollywood y aclamadas series, novelas, comedias, clásicos del deporte, documentales, programas de estilo de vida y programación infantil de la televisión internacional, hasta las exclusivas y surtidas videotecas de Univision y Televisa con programación popular, la favorita de los fans, que no se encuentra en ninguna otra plataforma de streaming, todo en un solo destino digital.

«PrendeTV es un importante paso inicial en los esfuerzos más extensos por Univision de forjar la misma posición de liderazgo que tenemos en la televisión en español en el emergente entorno de streaming en español», dijo Wade Davis, director general de Univision. «El anuncio sobre PrendeTV dos semanas después del cierre de nuestra adquisición de Univision destaca nuestro enfoque y compromiso con impulsar rápidamente la transformación y el crecimiento de la empresa. Nuestra audiencia no tiene acceso a nada como PrendeTV hoy en día, y este cambiará del todo el entorno del streaming de video en los medios en español de Estados Unidos».

Continuó Davis, «Con el lanzamiento de PrendeTV nos enfocamos en ofrecer nuevas maneras de que nuestros anunciantes lleguen a la audiencia hispana en Estados Unidos y, lo más importante, PrendeTV será un aspecto crucial de nuestra estrategia para aumentar el alcance de nuestras alianzas comerciales con nuestros principales distribuidores».

PrendeTV será el único servicio premium y gratuito con publicidad que se ha concebido y seleccionado exclusivamente para los hispanos en Estados Unidos, una audiencia que según Nielsen es dueña de más dispositivos conectados al internet y televisores inteligentes que el público en general, y consume más contenido de streaming que las personas no hispanas. Se lanzará el nuevo servicio con más de 30 canales y 10,000 horas de programación de video on demand en español de socios internacionales de contenido para brindar un servicio a consumidores deseosos de más contenido con acceso fácil, en su idioma y cultura. PrendeTV continuará creciendo y ampliará considerablemente su contenido premium en meses próximos.

PrendeTV permitirá que los televidentes vean contenido en cualquier pantalla, momento y lugar. Tras su lanzamiento, el servicio estará disponible vía Prende.TV en computadoras e internet móvil, además de aplicaciones gratuitas para móviles y televisores conectados. Se anunciarán detalles adicionales sobre los socios de distribución posteriormente. La plataforma de streaming les dará acceso a contenido a los televidentes por medio de una guía de programas sencilla en base a canales o el menú de la videoteca on demand con todo en español, sin necesidad de iniciar sesiones y con pausas comerciales limitadas durante los programas. Se anunciarán los socios publicitarios del lanzamiento en semanas próximas.

PrendeTV es una expansión de la destacada cartera mediática de Univision, que incluye cadenas nacionales de señal abierta y cable, estaciones locales de radio y televisión, y un conjunto de destacados productos digitales. Los consumidores que estén viendo por televisión o por internet la programación de la actual temporada de Univision seguirán teniendo acceso exclusivo por medio de sus suscripciones de cable y satélite, además de plataformas selectas de distribución de programación de video en canales múltiples (MVPD por su sigla en inglés).

Acerca de PrendeTV
PrendeTV es el primer y único servicio de streaming premium apoyado por publicidad de Estados Unidos que ofrece una guía de programas sencilla en base a canales y programación on demand totalmente gratis y en español, concebido exclusivamente para los hispanos en Estados Unidos. Ofrece una extensa selección de contenido, desde éxitos comprobados de televisión y películas taquilleras de Hollywood hasta deportes clásicos, comedias y mucho más. El servicio de streaming de propiedad de Univision, que se lanzará durante el primer trimestre de 2021, se podrá usar en todas las pantallas y ofrecerá al momento del lanzamiento un grupo sin precedente de 30 canales tradicionales y miles de horas de películas de todos los géneros, a pedido. Para obtener todos los materiales de prensa y recursos, por favor, visiten prende.tv/press

Acerca de Univision Communications Inc.
Como la principal empresa de medios de comunicación dirigidos a los hispanos en Estados Unidos, Univision Communications Inc. Los entretiene, informa y empodera con contenido de noticias, deportes y entretenimiento en televisión de señal abierta y cable, además de audio y plataformas digitales. La destacada cartera de propiedades de la compañ ía incluye las cadenas de señal abierta Univision y UniMás, y 10 cadenas de cable Galavisión y TUDN, el canal deportivo No. 1 en español del país. A nivel local, Univision es propietaria u opera 61 estaciones en los principales mercados hispanos en los Estados Unidos. Además, Uforia, the Home of Latin Music, es propietaria u opera 58 estaciones de radio, presenta una serie de eventos en vivo y tiene una robusta presencia de audio digital. La prominente cartera digital de la empresa incluye Univision.com, el servicio de streaming Univision Now, la mayor cadena de influencers hispanos y varias de las aplicaciones más populares. Para mayor información, visiten corporate.univision.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/883440/UCI_Vt_Pos_rgb.jpg

FUENTE Univision Communications Inc.

Ford Foundation Appoints Anthony Bebbington as Director of Natural Resources and Climate Change

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Ford Foundation today announced Anthony Bebbington as International Director of its Natural Resources and Climate Change program based in New York. In this role, he will lead the team that oversees Ford’s global work supporting rural, low-income, indigenous, traditional, and Afrodescendant communities in the Global South who play a key role in mitigating climate change, work toward better governance over natural resources in their territories, and fight for their land rights. Bebbington began his position in January 2021 at the start of the new year, succeeding former International Director Penny Davies.

Bebbington joined the foundation from Clark University where he taught as the Milton P. and Alice C. Higgins Professor of Environment and Society. Concurrent to his position at Clark, he served on the board of directors at Oxfam America and chaired the Programs Committee. An internationally recognized leader and scholar on extractive industries and natural resource governance, Bebbington brings more than 35 years of experience working with indigenous and rural communities, civil society, the private sector, and policymakers. His work has analyzed how extractive industries have transformed rural territories and how social conflicts have driven changes in environmental governance.

«We are thrilled to welcome Anthony to the foundation. He has been an extraordinary partner, helping to inform our work on natural resources and climate change over the years,» said Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation. «Inequality and climate change are inextricably linked. The same economic forces that worsen climate change also deepen inequality for low-income, indigenous, traditional, and Afrodescendant communities worldwide. It’s time for all of us to support these communities who are fighting for their rights and to see the connections between how we treat people and how we treat the planet. I look forward to Anthony’s leadership in deepening our work on this front.»

Bebbington’s focus on natural resource extraction, rights, and the environment grew out of his earlier research on small-scale agriculture, rural livelihoods, social and indigenous movements, and the changing role of nongovernmental organizations. In the course of this research, he became increasingly aware that the growth of the mineral and hydrocarbons economies was transforming patterns of resource access, livelihood options, and subnational political dynamics. Since then, he has collaborated with groups including Global Greengrants Fund, Rimisp, the Peruvian Center for Social Studies, and Oxfam to address the drivers of conflict surrounding resource extraction, the conditions under which conflict leads to change in the governance of extractives, and the relationships between extractives, infrastructure, human rights, and local development.

«Working on issues facing rural and indigenous communities confronted by compounding forms of inequality has been central to my life’s work. I’m honored that the foundation has entrusted me to help carry forward its mission to reduce inequality in all its forms and ensure that communities closest to today’s pressing issues can shape decisions that affect their lives,» said Bebbington. «I’m truly excited to join a talented and committed team and share the lessons I’ve learned throughout my career.»

Bebbington has had a distinguished career as a scholar, a researcher, teacher, policy analyst, and advocate. He was Director of the Graduate School of Geography at Clark University from 2010 to 2017, and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2009 and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2014. In addition to a long career in academia at Clark University, University of Melbourne, University of Manchester, and University of Colorado, he also held leadership positions at the World Bank and at non-profit think tanks focused on natural resources and development, including the International Institute for Environment and Development and Overseas Development Institute, both in London. Over the last ten years, Bebbington has served as an advisor to Ford in numerous capacities which helped inform our work on resource extraction and governance.

«With renewed efforts around the world to mitigate the climate crisis, jumpstart equitable recovery, and build a path to energy transition, Anthony is joining the foundation at a critical moment,» says Martín Abregu, vice president for International Programs. «Anthony’s scholarship and collaborations with all sectors of society around land economy and community rights will be invaluable to our efforts to ensure that natural resource governance serves the public interest and reflects the aspirations of rural, low-income, indigenous, traditional, and Afrodescendant communities who claim customary rights to their land or have secured land rights.»

Bebbington earned a Bachelor of Arts from Cambridge University, a Master’s and doctorate degrees from Clark University, all in the field of geography and land economy. He has published numerous books, including Governing Extractive Industries: Politics, Histories, Ideas (OUP, 2018, with others); Subterranean Struggles: New Dynamics of Mining, Oil and Gas in Latin America (University of Texas Press, 2013, with J. Bury); Social Conflict, Economic Development and Extractive Industries: Evidence from Latin America (Routledge, 2012); and Mineria, Movimientos Sociales y Respuestas Campesinas (IEP/CEPES, 2007). His numerous accolades over his career include the Distinguished Scholarship Honors award by the American Association of Geographers and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Centre for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council, the Australian Research Council, and others.

THE FORD FOUNDATION

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than 80 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-foundation-appoints-anthony-bebbington-as-director-of-natural-resources-and-climate-change-301206841.html

SOURCE Ford Foundation

Edible Garden® Announces Acquisition Of Piqua, OH Greenhouse And Facility

BELVIDERE, N.J., Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Coming off a 2020 characterized by national demand and record sales, Edible Garden® announced today that it has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase a facility in Piqua, OH.

…

The new Piqua, OH facility will increase Edible Garden’s growing capacity to meet mid-western produce demand.

«This agreement is a great opportunity to build on our mission of Zero-Waste Inspired® farming, food safety, traceability, and the reduction of food miles,» said Jim Kras, CEO of Edible Garden. «This acquisition aligns our facility with recent distribution wins at retailers including Meijer and Walmart, allowing us to supply fresh produce throughout the Midwest.»

The Piqua, OH facility will increase Edible Garden’s growing capacity with the introduction of the company’s sustainability mandate, GreenThumb™ software technology and packaging innovation. The facility will go through an extensive renovation to accommodate Edible Garden’s advanced processes and stringent food safety protocols. The company expects this acquisition will bring dozens of indoor farming and horticultural jobs to the area.

The new facility is intended to accompany its Flagship Greenhouse in Belvidere, NJ, and partner farms the company contracts nationwide through a cooperative franchise farming model.

Edible Garden produce includes USDA-Certified Organic Premium Fresh Cut Herbs, Hydro Fresh Basil, Organic 4″ Living Herbs, and Premium Organic Living & Cut Lettuces that are currently available at major retailers including Meijer, Walmart, Kroger, Wakefern/ShopRite, Hannaford, Target, Sweetgreen, Weis, Hmart, among many others.

Edible Garden recently launched an equity crowdfunding campaign via crowd investment platform Republic to help fund the commercialization of advanced environmentally controlled greenhouses. More about the campaign is here:

https://republic.co/edible-garden

ABOUT EDIBLE GARDEN®

Edible Garden®, Inc., is a privately held, leader in locally grown organic produce and herbs backed by Zero-Waste Inspired® next generation farms. Edible Garden is leading the agriculture technology movement with its safety-in-farming protocols, sustainable packaging and patented self-watering in-store displays. The company currently operates state-of-the-art greenhouse and processing facilities in Belvidere, New Jersey, and in partnership with growers throughout the U.S. Its GreenThumb™ farming technology optimizes every aspect of growing lettuce and herbs indoors while reducing pollution generating food miles. When it comes to plant-based and advanced nutrition, Edible Garden delivers an accessible line of plant and whey protein powders under the Vitamin Way® and Vitamin Whey® brands, respectively.

For more information, please visit www.ediblegarden.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edible-garden-announces-acquisition-of-piqua-oh-greenhouse-and-facility-301206814.html

SOURCE Edible Garden

GT Molecular launches two highly sensitive tests for the dangerous UK Variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7)

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — GT Molecular, a rapidly expanding molecular diagnostics biotech, has launched two highly sensitive tests for the dangerous UK Variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7). These novel assays build upon GT Molecular’s clinical background and technology for highly…

Offering	Designed for	Available
1. Nationwide *Fee-for-service* testing of wastewater samples for UK Variant of SARS-CoV-2	Communities, wastewater treatment operations, Researchers, Health officials	Immediately
2. *GT-PCR B.1.1.7 COVID VARIANT Commercial Reagent Kit* for both RT-PCR and digital PCR instruments and include all of the primers, precisely measured and qualified positive and negative variant controls – manufactured according to strict quality controls process.	Research labs doing their own community testing, environmental testing labs, CLIA labs, Health officials	Mid-January

Nationwide Wastewater Testing Program

SARS-CoV-2 UK variant testing now available as a fee-for-service and as a complete PCR kit for testing labs!

The fee-for-service testing of wastewater for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and the variants in circulation provides communities with a rapid, highly cost-effective method to understand the amount of viral transmission within a community. Everyone within a community provides a sample in the form of a flush to the wastewater treatment facility and a single wastewater test can cover thousands of people for a mere fraction of what a clinical test for an individual costs. Additionally, the presence of the virus in wastewater can precede local outbreaks in a community by up to seven days, giving health officials time to plan ahead and increase testing.

By applying this method of community wastewater monitoring to the newly circulating UK variant, GT Molecular is the first to go one step further and actually «genotype the sewer».

According to Dr. Rose Nash, GT Molecular’s Director of R&D, «This is a fantastic opportunity to leverage the advantages of wastewater epidemiology over conventional swab-based testing. With a single rapid analysis, we can assess an entire community for the presence of the new hyper-transmissible COVID-19 variant and return results to public health officials within 24 hours.»

GT-PCR B.1.1.7 COVID VARIANT Commercial Reagent Kit – for researchers and testing labs

GT Molecular’s All-in-one B.1.1.7 COVID VARIANT Regent kit provides researchers and labs with high-quality, pre-validated reagents and viral controls so they can continue to serve their communities with high confidence and no lost time. «We are providing our molecular reagents for this variant to the greater research community in an effort to support all COVID-19 researchers and empower their investigations into this highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variant», says Dr. Nash.

These new tests enable GT Molecular to provide communities, researchers and wastewater treatment operations across the U.S. with the latest information about the new COVID-19 variant. GT Molecular has deep experience in both wastewater testing and clinical assay development for the virus since the beginning of the pandemic and this release underlines its commitment to serving communities and wastewater treatment operations across the country.

«We continue to make great strides in waterborne pathogen detection both for communities and testing labs with our fee-for-service offering and our PCR assay kits,» says GT Molecular CEO Christopher McKee. «These new tests will allow communities to quickly determine whether the SARS-CoV-2 variant is present while giving health officials timely data that can better help manage outbreaks.»

About GT Molecular

Whether it be cancer, GMO or harmful pathogens, GT Molecular (GTM) is a leader in providing highly customizable, ultrasensitive digital PCR and qPCR tests for researchers and the Molecular Diagnostics community. GTM’s molecular app technology is an easy-to-use, end-to-end solution for rapid deployment and provides reliable and consistent measurements while detecting as little as 1-3 molecules of target nucleic acid.

ORDER & INFORMATION: info@gtmolecular.com
970-498-1698

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gt-molecular-launches-two-highly-sensitive-tests-for-the-dangerous-uk-variant-of-sars-cov-2-b1-1-7-301206781.html

SOURCE GT Molecular

Kia Telluride Named The Car Connection’s Best Family Car To Buy 2021

Wildly Popular SUV Maintains Stronghold On All Competitors

– Telluride celebrates award from TCC for second consecutive year

– Recognizable silhouette praised for high style and family friendliness

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Kia Telluride has been named The Car Connection’s Best Family Car to Buy for 2021, marking the second time the big and boxy SUV has earned high marks from TCC editors. Last year,…

Wildly Popular SUV Maintains Stronghold On All Competitors

– Telluride celebrates award from TCC for second consecutive year

– Recognizable silhouette praised for high style and family friendliness

Kia Telluride named The Car Connection’s Best Family Car to Buy 2021.

«It is with great honor that we accept this award for the Telluride, which continues to cement its status as an icon every day with its long list of accomplishments,» said Sean Yoon, president & CEO, Kia Motors America, Kia Motors North America. «The Telluride is the poster child of Kia’s incredible transformation and earning praise from the auto experts at TCC for a second year in a row validates our efforts and commitment to making award winning products.»

Best Car To Buy 2021 focuses on the everyday vehicle that best balances value, fuel efficiency, safety, interior spaciousness, quality, design, and driving dynamics. Editors choose the winners after a year of test driving more than 100 new 2021 vehicles priced under $50,000.

«The Telluride was a clear winner again this year, after having won our Best Car To Buy 2020 award,» said Martin Padgett, editorial director for Internet Brands Automotive. «It’s stylish and spacious, technologically advanced and user-friendly, and a pace-setter among three-row family vehicles.»

With the Telluride launched as an all-new vehicle for 2020, the 2021 Telluride received minor enhancements along with a special Nightfall Edition, which features blacked out elements that lend the three-row SUV an even more commanding presence on the road. The 2021 Telluride starts at $32,190.

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the «Official Automotive Partner» of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of more than 750 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*The Telluride, Sorento and K5 are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1419088/Kia_Motors_America_Telluride.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/812837/Kia_Motors_America_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Kia Telluride Named The Car Connection’s Best Family Car To Buy 2021

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Kia Telluride has been named The Car Connection’s Best Family Car to Buy for 2021, marking the second time the big and boxy SUV has earned high marks from TCC editors. Last year, the Telluride was named Best Car To Buy, winning that designation by a landslide.

<a…

Wildly popular Kia Telluride maintains stronghold on all competitors.

About Kia Motors America

*The Telluride, Sorento and K5 are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kia-telluride-named-the-car-connections-best-family-car-to-buy-2021-301206754.html

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Tracking COVID-19: Meat And Poultry Worker Case Rates Five Times Lower In December Than May, General Population Nine Times Higher

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — New analysis of independent data for 2020 show that reported new COVID-19 infection rates amongst meat and poultry workers were five times lower in December than in May, while rates in the general population rocketed up by nine times in the same period.

According to data from the <a target="_blank"…

According to data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network (FERN), the meat and poultry sector was reported to have an average of 19.91 new reported cases per 100,000 workers per day in December, compared to an average of 98.39 new reported cases per 100,000 workers per day in May.

The New York Times reports that during the same period, the average new case rate for the U.S. population rose from 7.11 cases per 100,000 people per day in May to 63.01 cases per 100,000 people per day in December.

Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts commented:

«This new data further demonstrates that the more than $1.5 billion spent on comprehensive protections implemented since the spring reversed the pandemic’s trajectory and is protecting the selfless men and women who have kept Americans’ refrigerators full and our farm economy working throughout this crisis.

Meat Institute members stand ready to work with the Biden administration to continue using these proven measures and moving forward to vaccinate frontline meat and poultry workers as soon as possible and even assist in vaccine distribution for all Americans.»

The Meat Institute and the United Food & Commercial Workers, America’s largest food workers union, jointly urged state governors to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that frontline meat and poultry workers should be amongst the first to receive COVID-19 vaccinations after healthcare workers and people in long-term care.

The North American Meat Institute is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry. The Meat Institute’s members process the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, as well as manufacture the equipment and ingredients needed to produce the safest and highest quality meat and poultry products.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tracking-covid-19-meat-and-poultry-worker-case-rates-five-times-lower-in-december-than-may-general-population-nine-times-higher-301206708.html

SOURCE North American Meat Institute

NASA, NOAA to Announce 2020 Global Temperatures, Climate Conditions

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2021 Climate researchers from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will release their annual assessment of global temperatures and discuss the major climate trends of 2020 during a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 14.

<a href="https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/326469/nasa_logo.html"…

The briefing will take place at the 101st American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting, which is virtual this year.

The teleconference participants are:

Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York
Russ Vose, chief of the analysis and synthesis branch of NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information in Asheville, North Carolina

The American Meteorological Society is hosting the teleconference via Zoom. Media may join the call via browser at:

https://go.nasa.gov/35zGWkH

Access to the presentation also will be available as a dial-in number when the event begins, and the link above will be updated with that information. Audience questions will be possible through the meeting link only.

Audio of the briefing will stream live at:

www.nasa.gov/live

NASA and NOAA are two keepers of the world’s temperature data and independently produce a record of Earth’s surface temperatures and changes based on historical observations over oceans and land.

For more information about NASA’s Earth science programs, visit:

www.nasa.gov/earth

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-noaa-to-announce-2020-global-temperatures-climate-conditions-301206705.html

SOURCE NASA

California REALTORS® highly encouraged by Gov. Newsom’s 2021 state budget proposal

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (C.A.R.) President Dave Walsh issued the following statement in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2021 state budget proposal:

<div…

«As champions for homeownership and housing affordability for all Californians, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and its membership of more than 200,000 real estate professionals are highly encouraged by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2021 budget proposal.

«The proposal prioritizes investments in two significant areas: fair housing and housing production. The proposed budget includes $2 million for the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the state’s civil rights agency, to conduct outreach education campaigns, housing surveys and prosecute violations of anti-housing discrimination laws. This investment puts our state one step closer to a more equitable housing market for all Californians.

For housing production, the governor’s proposed Housing Accountability Unit would bring much needed enforcement of state housing laws at the local level. Too often, state housing laws are bypassed by local governments – and the result is the severe housing shortage we see today across our state. This unit will provide the accountability and technical assistance that has sorely been missing and ensure new housing projects can progress in areas that desperately need new homes.»

«REALTORS® look forward to working with the governor and the legislature on advancing this budget proposal and other policies to ease California’s housing affordability crisis and begin to make our housing laws more equitable for all Californians.»

Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 110 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with more than 200,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/california-realtors-highly-encouraged-by-gov-newsoms-2021-state-budget-proposal-301206698.html

SOURCE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.)

Novamont Acquires BioBag and Strengthens Its Leadership and Global Presence

NOVARA, Italy and ASKIM, Norway, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Italy’s Novamont, a world leader in the development and production of biochemicals and compostable bioplastics, announced today it has acquired BioBag Group, a Norway based leading supplier of low-impact solutions for waste collection and packaging.

<div class="PRN_ImbeddedAssetReference"…

The acquisition will allow Novamont to benefit from BioBag’s highly specialised independent distribution in areas where the buyer is less present. The two companies will be able to offer a more complete solution set to the market and to create long-lasting alliances with key stakeholders such as large retailers and communities. Together they plan to build even more demonstrators (innovative projects that enhance separate organic waste collection and composting systems) especially in North America, the Scandinavian countries, Eastern Europe and Australia.

The transaction is an important step forward in a collaborative journey that began twenty-five years ago. Novamont’s original vision in the 1990’s was to build an integrated value chain for bioplastics and biochemicals linked to initiating and improving the separate collection of organic waste. This became a monumental starting point for what is now called the circular bioeconomy to which both Novamont and BioBag have made important contributions.

There are three reasons that make the acquisition particularly fitting:

Strong cultural compatibility developed over two decades of partnership, which has led to a harmonious vision and shared values, as well as the integration of teams around common projects aimed at creating a circular bioeconomy model centered on soil health and the regeneration of local areas.
A highly complementary value chain:
a. Novamont is mainly focused upstream and has developed the Mater-Bi supply chain that ranges from agricultural raw materials, bio monomers, bioplastics and low impact formulations. It has brought its materials to the market through applications that require biodegradability in composting facilities and soil. The close collaboration with large retailers and local communities interested in innovative low-impact solutions has reduced the use of traditional plastic and the accumulation of microplastics in the environment.

b. BioBag is focused downstream. The group is a pioneer in the development and distribution of a wide range of compostable applications starting from the Scandinavian countries and specialises in a series of support services for these applications. BioBag has also developed a growing e-commerce platform, which is an important market channel for their existing applications and for the expanded product range that will be derived from Novamont’s innovations and upstream integration.
Strenghtened service capabilities for Novamont’s partners and customers: BioBag is a marketing and distribution company for low-impact applications, which already is and will increasingly be at the service of Novamont partners along the supply chain, helping to maximise the opportunities for product development and geographical expansion. BioBag also brings to the market different and complementary applications to Mater-Bi’s, thus enlarging the joint offer and giving maximum service support to retail and other sectors.

Novamont has expanded considerably in the past decade, in particular through internal growth, by acquiring and regenerating obsolete industrial sites. This transaction will allow Novamont to further expand its compostable bioplastics business into Northern/Eastern Europe, North America and Australia. BioBag will continue to operate as an independent organization, with the same leadership team who has achieved excellent results over the past few years.

Novamont’s CEO Catia Bastioli said: «This agreement allows Novamont to expand its model of circular bioeconomy. By joining our best skills and energies and fully integrating our supply chains we can better serve our partners upstream and downstream while further accelerating circular solutions for different market sectors and for communities pursuing our goal of producing more with less.»

BioBag’s CEO Kjell Ivar Bache is very pleased with the new owners and sees the acquisition as a win-win: «We have been close partners with Novamont for decades and for BioBag this is like coming home. With Novamont, BioBag becomes part of a world-leading bioplastics and biochemicals company. This will enable further international growth together. We are truly excited!» said Mr. Bache.

The advisors involved on the buyer’s side were Hi.Lex and Hjort for legal and PWC for financial, tax and labour, whereas the seller’s counsels were Bryan Garnier for M&A and Wiersholm for legal.

Novamont is one of the world-leading groups in the development and manufacturing of bio-based and biodegradable bioproducts through the integration of chemistry, agriculture and the environment. The main fields of application of the company’s bioproducts are packaging, separate organic waste collection, retail purchasing, disposable tableware, farming, lubricants, cosmetics, hygiene and pharmaceuticals. Novamont has its headquarters in Novara (near Milan), a portfolio of 1,800 patents, 600 people working in four production sites and two research centres in Italy, and a global turnover of €270M (2019). The group has commercial offices in Germany, France, Spain and the United States and operates through its own distributors in 40 countries. Research & Development accounts for 5% of its revenues and 20% of its workforce. Materials that can fully biodegrade in soil and water have been developed for those applications with a high risk of dispersion in the environment. Novamont is a Core Partner of Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Food initiative, a member of its CE100 Network, and a signatory of its New Plastics Economy initiative aimed at rethinking plastic packaging systems globally. In 2020 the company was awarded the prestigious ‘B Corp’ Certification with a top-tier ranking and has joined the United Nations’ Global Compact network, a leadership platform for the development and implementation of responsible corporate policies and practices.

BioBag International is a world-leading group of companies working in the development, production, and marketing of certified compostable and biodegradable applications. BioBag’s product range is the most comprehensive and extensive in the market. The company’s main goals combine concentrating on the quality of existing products and the innovation of new products and concepts. The group is among the leading manufacturers of environmentally friendly packaging in Northern Europe. In addition to biodegradable and compostable applications, the group brings to market products based upon Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material under the GreenPolly brand. BioBag has designed a targeted approach of partnering with synergistically aligned companies across the globe to reach thousands of customers worldwide. The main strategy behind the firm’s partner concept is «Think Globally – Act Locally» and its mission is to solve waste challenges through sustainable solutions. With a turnover of €41M and 135 employees, BioBag is based out of Askim, Norway, has a major production site in Estonia, subsidiaries in Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Poland, Australia, Canada, USA, and representatives in many countries.

For media enquiries:

Francesca De Sanctis
NOVAMONT
+39 340 1166426
francesca.desanctis@novamont.com

Andrea Giannotti (Mr.)
NOVAMONT International Media Relations
+44 (0)7825 892 640
giannotti@reenewpr.uk
andrea.giannotti@external.novamont.com

Kjell Ivar Bache
BIOBAG
+47 90772558
kib@biobagworld.com

Birgitte Enghave
BIOBAG Marketing
birgitte@biobagworld.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1396886/Novamont_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novamont-acquires-biobag-and-strengthens-its-leadership-and-global-presence-301206088.html

SOURCE Novamont