TETRA PAK UNVEILS ACTION-ORIENTED APPROACH TOWARDS FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION

Lausanne, Switzerland, 13 December 2023 – Tetra Pak is launching an integrated approach to drive the transition to more secure, sustainable and resilient food systems, harnessing the company’s leading role in the food processing and packaging industry to effect urgent change. This builds further on the company’s lead in the Global Dairy Processing Task Force, which, as part of the ‘Pathways to Dairy Net Zero’ climate initiative, aims to explore the innovative systems and technologies needed to further drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in dairy processing.

Charles Brand, Executive Vice President for Processing Solutions & Equipment, Tetra Pak, comments: “Transforming food systems is crucial for a viable future. Today, these systems are inefficient and unsustainable, responsible for over one third of GHG emissions, while one third of food produced is lost or wasted. Food systems are also failing people, with 9% of the world's population going hungry and 30% experiencing malnutrition. In addition, food value chains are driving deforestation and biodiversity loss, and are estimated to be the second most critical avenue to addressing climate change, behind energy. We cannot phase out food, but we can transform these systems to ensure they are more secure, resilient and sustainable.”

Tetra Pak has identified four key pathways to accelerate food systems transformation. The company has also established roadmaps and measurable targets for each of these pathways, aligning with the critical transitions for food and land transformation proposed by the Food and Land Use Coalition.

• Enabling the transition towards more sustainable dairy, by addressing the environmental impact of dairy processing while supporting smallholder farmers’ productivity, profitability and livelihoods.

• Innovating for new food sources, such as diversifying with alternative proteins, to complement dairy and other animal protein sources.   

• Reducing food loss and waste, by developing food processing technologies that help reduce food waste during production, including new solutions to turn low-value side streams that would otherwise go wasted into value-added products. Aseptic packaging solutions already play a fundamental role in reducing food waste by extending the shelf life of perishable foods, without the need for preservatives or refrigeration. This enables  widespread distribution, even in remote geographies with inadequate cold chain infrastructure.

• Scaling access to safe nutrition through sustainable food packaging, by designing and deploying sustainable food packaging solutions that preserve food quality and improve access to safe food.

The announcement coincides with Tetra Pak's launch of its white paper, in collaboration with EY Parthenon, which examines the key food systems requirements to better sustain both people and the planet by 2040. 

Charles concludes: “At Tetra Pak, we're not just making pledges; we're driving a transformative agenda, based on a robust evidence-base. We are answering the call for private sector engagement by demonstrating both our ambitions and our strategic plan on how we will realise them. At COP28, and beyond, we are proud to engage with government stakeholders, policymakers, industry stakeholders, customers and key opinion leaders to help transform food systems and move food forward.”

Demand for Telephoto Lens Set to Soar in 2024, with OPPO’s Reno Series Primed to Lead the Trend in Mobile Photography

• China, reaching 19.3% and 24.4% respectively

Over 200 million telephoto lens-equipped smartphones were sold in 2022 globally, with 2024 projected to see that number increase further, according to Counterpoint Research's latest report. This trend is driven by consumers' growing desire for high-quality zoom and portrait capabilities that were previously the domain of professional cameras. This highlights the lens' pivotal role in modern mobile photography and its mass-market appeal.

Telephoto lenses have become indispensable in capturing life's moments with greater detail and clarity, fulfilling the public's need for advanced imaging technology. The crucial nature of these lenses illustrates their rise as not a luxury but a necessity for consumers worldwide who want to document their experiences with professional-grade quality, as highlighted in the report. 

The Importance of the Telephoto Lens in Elevating Mobile Photography

The telephoto lens has become a cornerstone of mobile photography, providing users with the ability to take pictures that stand out for their sharpness and artistry. Whether capturing a distant landscape or a close-up portrait, telephoto lenses allow for a level of detail and emotional resonance that rivals traditional cameras. Counterpoint's report shows that these lenses are increasingly being integrated into smartphones globally.

The ability to zoom without losing image quality, coupled with the unique visual effects a telephoto lens can create, has made it a favourite among smartphone users. It is found that the proportion of smartphones equipped with a telephoto camera has increased both globally and in China, reaching 19.3% and 24.4% respectively, confirming the essential nature of telephoto lenses in today's mobile photography landscape.

The Demand for Telephoto Lens Continues to Surge

The study has also found that mass-market uptake of telephoto lenses is accelerating, especially within China's economically priced smartphone segments. There is a remarkable increase in sales of telephoto lens smartphones, making up a significant portion of the market by Q3 2023.

The appeal of telephoto lenses in affordable smartphones reflects consumers' expectations for premium features without the premium price tag. Smartphone brands, recognising this demand, have been quick to respond, equipping their mid-tier phones with telephoto capabilities that allow more people to enjoy enhanced photography experiences typically reserved for high-end models.

OPPO Continues Investment in High-Quality Telephoto Photography 

OPPO has played a transformative role in democratising high-quality mobile photography. With a legacy of integrating superior camera technology into its devices, OPPO has consistently delivered on its promise of accessible innovation. Over the years, OPPO’s Reno series has continuously evolved alongside the needs of users, with the Reno10 series being the first to feature a telephoto lens. As a result, it is celebrated for offering top-tier photography features at a price accessible to a broad consumer base.

The Reno series has made strides in the camera department with each iteration, driving forward the availability of professional-grade photography tools in the hands of everyday users. As the market anticipates the launch of the Reno11 Series, OPPO's commitment to pioneering affordable, high-quality mobile photography remains unwavering.

Telephoto Lenses: The Future of Mobile Photography

In conclusion, a promising trajectory is forecasted for telephoto lenses according to Counterpoint’s report, affirming their essential role in the evolution of mobile photography. The analysis suggests that OPPO, with its acclaimed Reno series, is at the forefront of this innovation curve. The industry is poised for further advancements, particularly with the anticipation of the Reno11 Series. Such progress is expected to reinforce OPPO's pioneering position in the market and address the increasing consumer demand for sophisticated photographic capabilities in smartphones.

OPPO’s latest addition to its Reno lineup, the telephoto lens-equipped Reno11 series will be arriving in global markets soon, making studio-level photography more accessible for everyone.  

To learn more, visit OPPO Philippines' official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or its official Facebook page, OPPO Philippines.

Philippines bagged Silver Pencil Award in 3rd Midea International HVAC Design Contest

After months of careful deliberation and intense competition, one of the Philippines’ top engineering firms, DCCD Engineering Corporation emerged victorious among 183 entries from 8 countries during the 3rd Midea International HVAC Design Contest. The firm's Ayala North Exchange project secured the Silver Pencil Award for its excellent project design and impressive innovation during the prestigious competition for heating, ventilation and air cooling (HVAC) systems.

With the theme “Ensoul Building”, the Midea HVAC Design Contest is now in its third year and is anchored on the premise that the “building is the carrier of life, and life is the soul of building”. Since its first launch in China in 2002, the Midea International HVAC Design Contest has since become one of the most influential and representative event for the country’s HVAC industry.

The country’s winning entry from DCCD Engineering Corp.  is a two-tower office facility with a combined Gross Leasable Area of approximately 56,000 square meters and situated right at the heart of the Makati Central Business District. The winning team was led by chief mechanical engineer Engr. Edwin Raganit who oversaw the development of the project as its head designer. These office towers are specially designed for both Multi-National and Business Process Outsourcing companies. As a supplement to the mixed-use development, the project will also feature a retail podium with 10,000 square meters of restaurants and shopping spaces, and the 312-room Seda Hotel. 

“As an advocate for sustainable development, we have always been active in pursuing innovations for green buildings. We are very honored to receive the Silver Pencil Award as we continue to strive and set a benchmark for the real estate industry, demonstrating that the fusion of urban living and nature can lead to outstanding sustainable development,” says Engr. Raganit.    

Other recognitions included the Gold Pencil Award, Bronze Pencil Award for the Professional Group, Excellent Design Award for the Distributor Group, and the Design Expert Award for the Student Group, which were awarded to Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, and Georgia respectively.

The entries were scored in terms of technical details, system design, work authenticity, and time validity. The judges also encouraged innovation and sustainability by evaluating the entries’ energy-saving reports and awarding extra points to works with green building certifications, a BMS system, or a BIM model. The global awards ceremony is set to be held in November in China which will see the international jury and top three winners of the Professional group attending.

The award-winning projects were chosen for their innovative designs that organically integrate life and building, have implemented the concept of sustainability while simultaneously providing a benchmark for the green, energy-saving, and intelligent development of the HVAC industry  

The Midea International HVAC Design Contest has attracted more than 80,000 participants, producing a host of design talents and outstanding energy-saving, low-carbon projects that the industry has recognized. In 2021, Midea Building Technologies expanded the contest to a global stage and has since hosted two sessions across Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, the UAE, and Georgia. Over the years, the event has transformed into a festival for HVAC designers, professionals, and students. 

To join the initiative to create more breakthrough and sustainable building innovations, Midea Building Technologies has also dedicated a special site for the contest (http://eliteclub.midea.com) sharing competition updates, the latest HVAC industry news, and inspiration for participants.