Latest news with #RobertBoyd
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BIO-CAT Gains Organic Certification to Meet the Growing Demands of Consumers
TROY, Va. and SHAKOPEE, Minn., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As consumer demand for clean-label, organic, and non-GMO products continues to surge, the pressure is mounting on ingredient suppliers to meet stringent certification standards and scale production accordingly. As the "food as medicine" movement gains traction and shoppers report increasing their purchases of natural (23%) and organic (22%) products over the last six months, the message is clear: the future of food is clean, and suppliers must rise to the occasion—or risk being left behind*. According to industry research, sales of natural, organic, and functional products grew by 6.6%, while conventional product sales declined by 0.2%**. This growth is largely driven by consumers prioritizing health, transparency, and sustainability. Organic and non-GMO certifications remain the top two attributes driving purchasing decisions—with 65% of shoppers stating they are more likely to buy a product that carries either the USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified seal***. This consumer demand is now aligning with policy, as the White House Administration echoes the need for increased access to organic options. "All Americans deserve access to clean, organic, healthy food for our families and children," states the MAHA Action website. "Major food companies need to take accountability and responsibility for the ingredients that they put in our food and how they market their products to consumers." However, meeting this rapidly growing demand is no easy feat. Becoming organic certified requires a rigorous inspection process and adherence to strict federal standards prohibiting the use of synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and growth hormones. As brands shift toward clean formulations, ingredient suppliers are being called upon to deliver at scale—without compromising on integrity or quality. Two companies rising to meet this challenge are BIO-CAT, Inc. (Troy, VA) and BIO-CAT Microbials, LLC (Shakopee, MN), both of which have successfully achieved Organic Certification through QAI (Quality Assurance International), a leading certification body under the USDA National Organic Program. This certification also extends to their branded products, OPTIZIOME P3 HYDROLYZER® from BIO-CAT, Inc. and OPTIBIOME BS50® from BIO-CAT Microbials, Inc. "BIO-CAT is committed to producing top-quality products for our customers," said Robert Boyd, Director of Compliance for both companies. "Achieving organic certification for our facilities is another level of quality that we have implemented into our operations, as well as for the ingredients we produce." As the leader in enzyme solutions and probiotic strain development and fermentation, BIO-CAT and BIO-CAT Microbials understand that this certification is critical for both their customers and to continue to demonstrate their leadership role in the industry. "BIO-CAT and BIO-CAT Microbials are proud to support the growing natural product movement with a robust portfolio of non-GMO enzymes and non-GMO microbials" stated Chris Schuler, CEO & Founder of BIO-CAT and BIO-CAT Microbials. "I look forward to our team sharing this information with the industry at Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona this week." For more information about BIO-CAT Inc., BIO-CAT Microbials, LLC, their organic certifications, or branded products OPTIZIOME® and OPTIBIOME®, please contact Corporate Affairs at corporateaffairs@ About BIO-CAT, Inc. and BIO-CAT Microbials, LLCBIO-CAT, Inc. (Troy, VA) and BIO-CAT Microbials, LLC (Shakopee, MN) are leaders in clean-label ingredient production, offering certified organic and non-GMO microbial solutions to support the next generation of health-conscious brands. Sources:*Acosta Group – Study on Natural and Organic Growth Opportunities**Supermarket News - 8 Trends Driving Growth in Natural and Organic***The Non-GMO Project Verified: Who Is The Natural Shopper in 2024?, January 2024 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE BIO-CAT Enzymes & Microbials Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
WEF-GenZero aviation initiative aims to boost green fuel uptake in Asia
SINGAPORE - The World Economic Forum (WEF) and Singapore's GenZero launched an initiative on May 5 aimed at boosting regional demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and to bolster the aviation sector's climate credentials. A key mission of the Green Fuel Forward initiative is to scale up production of SAF, which the industry regards as a vital tool to cut the sector's growing greenhouse gas emissions. Governments globally, including Singapore's , have set mandates that map steady increases in the percentage of SAF in plane's fuel tanks in the coming years. 'The only way to get to net zero, or very close to net zero by the middle of the century, is very, very large amounts of SAF,' said Mr Robert Boyd, Boeing's sustainability lead for the Asia-Pacific. More efficient aircraft designs and engines can get perhaps 20 per cent of the way and operations, such as better route planning, another 10 per cent, he told ST at the launch of the initiative during the GenZero Climate Summit 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. The summit aims to showcase ways to hasten the decarbonisation of the global economy. Boeing has been actively promoting the use of SAF and the company aims to ensure its commercial aircraft are certified to operate on 100 per cent SAF by 2030, he said. Lack of awareness and higher costs for the greener fuel remain issues for SAF, which is two or three times as expensive as fossil-fuel derived aviation fuel. And in Asia, the world's largest aviation market, demand is not keeping pace with planned production capacity additions in the coming years. 'The Asia-Pacific region has a unique opportunity to lead in sustainable aviation fuels, but unlocking this potential requires stronger demand signals,' said Mr Frederick Teo, chief executive officer of GenZero, an investment platform owned by Temasek. SAF is designed to be a drop-in fuel for planes, needing no new additional infrastructure at airports. Current rules allow up to 50 per cent of SAF to be blended with fossil-fuel based jet fuel. SAF can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 80 per cent compared with conventional jet fuel, according to the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which has set a long-term aspirational goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050. The fuel is mostly made from waste materials such as used cooking oil and animal fats but can also be made from agricultural residues and even alcohol. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) estimates that SAF will achieve about 65 per cent of the emissions reductions needed for the industry to reach net zero by 2050. And cutting emissions has become increasingly critical, with aviation currently accounting for approximately 2.5 per cent of global CO2 emissions, and possibly doubling or even tripling from 2019 levels by 2050 unless concerted action is taken. Green Fuel Forward is a capacity-building initiative that aims to draw in airlines, refiners, logistics firms, banks and others. A total of 16 companies and organisations have agreed to participate, including Boeing, Climate Impact X, DBS Bank, DHL, the International Energy Agency, Neste, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Temasek and UOB. Singapore Airlines first started using SAF in 2017 on a trial basis and is hoping for greater market participation to drive up demand and push down prices, said chief sustainability officer Lee Wen Fen. The airline regards SAF as key to its decarbonisation goals. A key focus of the initiative is to boost the take-up of SAF certificates by companies to offset their own emissions or the travel emissions of their employees, for example. The certificates can be bought on exchanges, such as Singapore's Climate Impact X, and each is linked to the creation of one tonne of SAF. Certificate buyers can track and claim the environmental benefits, such as emissions reductions, of using SAF without having to purchase the physical fuel. The emissions reduction can be claimed once the tonne of SAF is burned, with the accounting process approved by ICAO. On average, each SAF credit represents a CO2 emissions reduction of 2.5 tonnes to 2.8 tonnes versus conventional fuel. The initiative will organise workshops and practical guidance tools to help organisations navigate topics such as environmental integrity and reporting practices for SAF and SAF certificates. Globally, SAF still comprises a fraction of total jet fuel use. And in the Asia-Pacific, uptake is far slower than in Europe. In 2024, Iata said SAF production reached 1 million tonnes (1.3 billion litres) – or about 0.3 per cent of global jet fuel production. This is double 2023's production of 0.5 million tonnes but far below the initial projections for 2024 of 1.5 million tonnes. Rules mandating SAF usage will drive up demand over time. Flights departing EU airports must now use 2 per cent SAF in their fuel mix, rising to 6 per cent in 2030 and 70 per cent by 2050. For Japan, SAF must account for at least 10 per cent of domestic airlines' jet fuel consumption by 2030. In Singapore, one per cent of all jet fuel used at Changi and Seletar airports must be sustainable, with a goal to reach 3 per cent to 5 per cent by 2030. Singapore Airlines and its budget arm Scoot are among those committed to reaching a goal of 5 per cent sustainable aviation fuel use by 2030. There are other challenges for the industry, including ensuring the environmental integrity of feedstocks, such as land-based feedstock, which can lead to unintended consequences for deforestation, said Temasek's managing director for sustainability, Ms Park Kyung-ah, during a panel discussion at the launch. In Europe and the United States, governments have also expressed concerns about reports of virgin palm oil being fraudulently added to boost used cooking oil supplies to SAF refineries. The EU forbids the use of virgin palm oil as an SAF feedstock. Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Proposed budget cuts could impact private colleges, universities across Florida
The Brief The Florida House has included cuts to the EASE program in its proposed budget. EASE grants provide $3,500 vouchers to thousands of undergraduate students who attend private, non-profit universities in Florida. Both chambers of the Florida Legislature will take up their versions of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year this week. TAMPA, Fla. - Florida lawmakers are weighing cuts to a long-standing program that helps thousands of state residents attend private colleges, including the University of Tampa and Saint Leo University. By the numbers The Effective Access to Student Education, or EASE, grants provide $3,500 vouchers to thousands of undergraduate students who attend private, non-profit universities in Florida on a full-time basis. READ: Odessa home hits market for $38.5M, setting record for Tampa Bay area Dig deeper The Florida House's proposed budget includes changes to criteria that universities would have to meet for their students to qualify for EASE – including meeting certain rates of access, affordability, student retention, graduation and employment. If passed, 15 of the 30 schools that currently have access to EASE could lose their eligibility. Those colleges would either have to find funds within their already tight budgets to help bridge the gap or prepare for an exodus of students who can no longer afford to attend. What they're saying "What's happening in the House budget raises tuition on 22,000 students, and it's going to impact their ability to pursue these high-demand degrees that Florida needs," Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida President and CEO Robert Boyd told WPTV in West Palm Beach. Boyd also worries the cuts would impact Florida's future workforce, with fewer students earning degrees in high-demand fields. READ: Florida Senate targets 'high stakes' testing What's next Both the Florida House and Florida Senate plan to take up their budget proposals and related bills on Wednesday in Tallahassee. Once their versions of the budget are passed, the two chambers can start negotiating a final spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. For a closer look at EASE and its impact from the perspective of Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, click here. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Endurance Gold to Attend & Present at the Red Cloud Pre-PDAC Mining Showcase and PDAC 2025 Investors Exchange
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 21, 2025) - Endurance Gold Corporation (TSXV: EDG ) (OTC Pink: ENDGF) (FSE: 3EG) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has accepted an invitation to attend and participate in Red Cloud's Pre-PDAC Mining Showcase located at the OMNI King Edward Hotel Toronto on February 27-28, 2025. On Friday February 28 Robert Boyd, President and CEO of the Company, will be highlighting the Reliance Gold-Antimony Project in an 11.20 am presentation and will be meeting with pre-qualified investors at Red Cloud's 1x1 sessions. Afterwards, on March 2 through March 5, 2025, the Company will also be exhibiting at the 2025 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada ("PDAC") Convention - Investors Exchange Booth #2625 and participating in the PDAC 1x1 sessions. We invite attendees to visit our booth or reach out to get familiar with the Company's emerging high-grade gold discovery in BC. The Company is pleased to be attending the PDAC Convention, the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention. About Endurance Gold Endurance Gold Corporation is a company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of highly prospective North American mineral properties. The Reliance Gold-Antimony Project is located in southern British Columbia, 10 km north of the historic Bralorne-Pioneer Gold Mining Camp which has produced over 4 million ounces of gold. The road accessible discovery is located 4 kilometres east of the village of Gold Bridge and 5 kilometres from BC Hydro's Lajoie Hydro Electric Dam. ENDURANCE GOLD CORPORATIONRobert T. Boyd, President & CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACTEndurance Gold Corporation Free: (877) 624 2237, info@ Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Darren O'Brien, Vice President Exploration of the Company and the qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
