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Backing startups solving pressing global challenges

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The corporate venture arm of TDK is among the growing list of business leaders who believe advancing energy transformation requires a global, unified effort

Navigating Climate Change: The Role of Global Cooperation and Leadership

Global cooperation to address climate change seems to ebb and flow depending on the leadership in major nations and corporations, and an evolving geopolitical landscape.

COP28 grabbed the world’s attention with breakthroughs that could offset news announcements and power moves by the fossil fuel industry. Noteworthy commitments such as the UAE’s $30B climate fund, and King Charles’ recognition of innovative financial approaches, set the stage for progress. The U.S., Canada and Kenya were among 63 countries to join a pledge to cut cooling-related emissions.

Momentum has been growing worldwide. Today over 190 countries have ratified the Paris agreement to keep global warming below 2 degrees. “Now more than ever, the world faces challenges that require a concentrated and collaborative effort,” said Tina Tosukhowong, Investment Director, TDK Ventures. “This is where entrepreneurs come in. They are providing innovation, but they need capital to scale and strong support to take solutions to commercial reality.”

Revival of Climate Tech Funding: The Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act

Venture capitalist funding for climate tech seems to be back, with some sectors bolstered in the US by the Inflation Reduction Act legislation. A recent landmark article by Technology Review, citing data from MIT’s ‘tough tech’ venture group, said VC investments in startups working on industrial chemicals, materials and carbon capture were up in the first half of 2023 vs. the same period in 2022.

Scaling and commercializing climate tech startups is never easy, and new challenges have surfaced. “While the world directs attention toward renewable energy and away from fossil fuels, it’s important to consider the complex geopolitical dynamics,” said Nicolas Sauvage, President, TDK Ventures. “In an ideal globalized scenario, free flow of materials, energy and technologies across borders is envisioned. Today’s reality portrays an increasingly fragmented world with significant barriers to the exchange of essential elements.”

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The Rising Tide of Challenger Technologies in a Fragmented Global Market

One ray of hope: ‘challenger technologies,’ said Sauvage. “These technologies possess immense potential for success, and with strategic funding from forward-thinking countries navigating the challenges of a fragmented global market, they can not only thrive but also contribute significantly to addressing the repercussions of such fragmentation.”

Tosukhowong expands: “Challenger technologies have emerged in fields like energy storage and fusion, and are showing potential given the right investments. Fragmentation paradoxically becomes a driving force for advancing challenger technologies toward a future where they can not only endure but prosper.”

Challenger technologies backed by TDK Ventures include Peak Energy, which is commercializing sodium-ion battery technology to serve the U.S.’ 600 GWh market demand for energy storage, and Type One Energy, which is developing a continuous fusion power plant to produce affordable, clean energy and replace coal-fired power plants.

“Meeting the intricate goals of energy transformation requires a unified global effort. Venture capital and public funding play crucial roles, but none of us ‘alone’ can achieve this. Our climate crisis requires everyone – governments, corporations, entrepreneurs and citizens to change outcomes,” said Sauvage. “If these endeavors prove successful, in the next decade we could see a new landscape of scalable technologies—a potent arsenal to mitigate the climate crisis and usher in a sustainable era.”

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Maintaining Excellent Standards for Industrial Sustainability

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REMA TIP TOP commitment to sustainability 

REMA TIP TOP is a globally operating system provider of services and products in the field of conveying and treatment technology as well as tire repair. For almost one hundred years, the company has built up unique expertise in materials development and industrial services and is active in the belting, material processing, surface protection and automotive sectors.

Global leader in industrial maintenance

As a global leader in industrial maintenance, REMA TIP TOP enables businesses in more than 170 countries to achieve their operational targets with a wide range of services, products and proven expertise. One of their vital goals is to advocate for industrial maintenance to prioritize repair and reuse over replacement to reduce material waste.

“Extending the life of industrial equipment is vital for both sustainability and efficiency,” says Michael Labbé, Executive Director at REMA TIP TOP. Sustainability does not just involve being kind to the environment but also being smart about resources and costs. This is where REMA TIP TOP’s maintenance experts come in and implement customer-specific strategies. 

Sustainability is the responsible way forward

“We believe in sustainability because it’s the responsible path forward, both ethically and pragmatically. Our core mission is to provide outstanding solutions that genuinely benefit our customers. When we speak about sustainability, we’re talking about ensuring our customers’ long-term satisfaction, protecting the environment, and driving efficiency,” continues Michael Labbé.

Today, experts agree that predictive and monitoring strategies are more effective and sustainable than passive, corrective maintenance. Accordingly, maintenance is not a one-off project, but a continuous process that must be systematically managed. Consistency and discipline are the key factors in achieving excellent maintenance and operational results.

Repair and refurbishment over replacement of equipment

REMA TIP TOP’s maintenance services and solutions aim to support the circular economy. “Repair and refurbishment over replacement of equipment is our premise,” emphasizes Mario Delmaestro, General Manager Operations at REMA TIP TOP Middle East, who is a proven expert in comprehensive maintenance programs. 

At REMA TIP TOP, a comprehensive maintenance plan begins with a detailed criticality plan, which serves as a guide for reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), preventive maintenance optimization (PMO), and failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) plans. People are the most crucial component of any high-quality maintenance program, not only during the development phase but throughout the entire operational cycle.

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Longer service life means less impact on the environment

By extending the lifespan of machinery and improving its efficiency, companies can lessen the strain on the environment, decreasing the need for new resources and minimizing waste. This approach enhances efficiency, reduces energy and resource consumption, benefiting both the environmental and the economic aspects. 

To improve the operational reliability and sustainability of industrial plants, REMA TIP TOP offers its customers a full maintenance service, ranging from comprehensive inspections, repairs and modernizations, eco-friendly products and materials to tailored strategies to increase efficiency. Highest maintenance standards meet almost 100 years of experience.

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ACEN’s Energy Transition Journey

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ACEN is the renewable energy platform of the Ayala group. 

In 2019, Ayala acquired a listed energy platform and thereafter infused its Philippine renewable operating assets and development pipeline. The combination resulted in 532MW of generation portfolio in the Philippines, consisting of a 246MW Coal fired power plants (CFPP), 134MW of various diesel plants, and 152MW of various renewable energy plants. 

The listed platform, ACEN, aspires to blaze the trail in energy transition across Asia Pacific. ACEN committed to Net Zero GHG by 2050, and is transitioning to 100% renewables generation by 2025. The company initially set a bold target of reaching 5GW of renewables by 2025.

ACEN currently has over 4500MW of attributable capacity of which 98% is from renewable sources. In the last five years, the company expanded beyond the Philippines and has meaningful presence in Australia, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, India and the US. 

Pioneering Energy Transition Mechanism Initiative

Energy transition requires both the scaling up of renewables and the orderly retirement of fossil fuel plants, with primary focus on CFPPs and diesel plants. 

To this end, ACEN focused on scaling up its solar and wind energy investments and pipeline development over the last 5-6 years, and expanded its geographic footprint. The company’s attributable renewables capacity for projects in operations and under construction increased from 152MW to over 4400MW today. ACEN recently announced its 2030 vision which is to reach 20GW of renewables capacity by 2030. 

Aside from scaling up renewables, ACEN is also pioneering initiatives in early coal retirement. The company successfully implemented the world’s first market-based Energy Transition Mechanism which reached financial close in November 2022. 

The transaction involves the divestment and early retirement of the 246MW coal plant, and its transition to cleaner technology by 2040 when the CFPP completes 25 years of operations. As the operating life of CFPP’s typically reach up to 50 years, the groundbreaking ETM initiative reduces up to 50mn tons of carbon emissions.

The company may also follow a similar approach with its remaining diesel plants. Other legacy diesel plants have already been decommissioned or divested in the last two years. 

The ADB promoted the ETM concept, which leverages public and private investments with the aim of retiring coal power assets on an earlier schedule than if they remained with their current owners. ACEN decided to apply the ETM concept to the divestment of its 246MW CFPP. 100% of the net proceeds to ACEN will be used for renewable energy investments.

ACEN’s ETM was supported by debt and equity investors from the Philippines, with a total transaction value of USD 310mn. Proceeds from the ETM were used to refinance the debt, cover transaction expenses, and generate ~P7.2bn of proceeds to ACEN that will enable construction of renewable energy plants.

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Energizing Change: Actis at the Forefront of Sustainable Development and COP28 Initiatives

The COP28 conference offers a huge opportunity to advance the commitment to global climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. In addition, the concept of a Just Transition – one that is carried out in an equitable manner and takes into consideration issues such as gender equality, the social context, and local employment – rightly looms larger than at any prior COP. And, given the event is being held in a region which leads world hydrocarbon output we expect a sharpened focus on transitioning out of a fossil fuel-based economy to a clean energy-based one.

Actis is already playing a significant part in helping meet the world’s climate goals. We are one of the leading investors, developers and owners of clean energy in the emerging markets. We have built 35 energy generation companies since inception, 20 of which are renewable generation businesses. We have owned and operated around 20,000 MW of clean energy across Africa, Asia and Latin America.  We have contributed to the avoidance of over 30 million tonnes of CO2. We have a focus on impact, and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are firm believers in the notion that values drive value; that our focus on driving for sustainability outcomes also drives financial value.   

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Building Sustainability Leaders

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The world’s sustainability challenges are ever more evident. Whether it is climate change, inequality or biodiversity, sustainability issues have never been more important to social and economic prosperity. Ensuring the creation of fairer and more sustainable societies that meet the needs of a growing global population is therefore a critical goal.

Shaping a Greener Tomorrow: Actis’ Commitment to Sustainability and Renewable Energy

At Actis, sustainability is embedded in our DNA. Either by investing in businesses that create solutions to global sustainability challenges, or working with those businesses to turn them into sustainability champions, our aim is to transform infrastructure for a better tomorrow.

Actis’ Global Impact: Leading the Charge in Sustainable Infrastructure and Clean Energy

That means we invest in sectors such as sustainable infrastructure, new economy real estate and renewable energy in some of the world’s fastest growing markets. Whether it is sustainable data centres that bring the benefits of connectivity to millions, or renewable power projects that support the drive to net zero, we invest in businesses which will be critical in meeting the world’s demands. 

Our approach at Actis supports COP28’s four pillars of climate action: fast-tracking the move to a low-CO₂ world, improving climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods, and ensuring full inclusivity.

Actis-sustainability-invest-renewable energy

Energizing Change: Actis at the Forefront of Sustainable Development and COP28 Initiatives

The COP28 conference offers a huge opportunity to advance the commitment to global climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. In addition, the concept of a Just Transition – one that is carried out in an equitable manner and takes into consideration issues such as gender equality, the social context, and local employment – rightly looms larger than at any prior COP. And, given the event is being held in a region which leads world hydrocarbon output we expect a sharpened focus on transitioning out of a fossil fuel-based economy to a clean energy-based one.

Actis is already playing a significant part in helping meet the world’s climate goals. We are one of the leading investors, developers and owners of clean energy in the emerging markets. We have built 35 energy generation companies since inception, 20 of which are renewable generation businesses. We have owned and operated around 20,000 MW of clean energy across Africa, Asia and Latin America.  We have contributed to the avoidance of over 30 million tonnes of CO2. We have a focus on impact, and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are firm believers in the notion that values drive value; that our focus on driving for sustainability outcomes also drives financial value.   

Find out more about COP28 campaign

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