Generative Bionics to build Europe's largest Physical AI Data Factory and advance European humanoid sovereignty with AMD AI infrastructure

Strategic plan to build three-node Physical AI Data Factory network starting with new 5,000-square-metre hub in Italy to connect real-world robot learning, digital-twin simulation and AMD Helios™ infrastructure, accelerating industrial humanoid deployments on the continent.

Key Highlights

- Physical AI Data Factory network: Generative Bionics is developing a proprietary network of three facilities, starting with a 5,000-square-metre hub in Italy, operational by Q4 2027, and expanding to a second site elsewhere in Europe and a third serving global markets. The network will reproduce real industrial environments for robot learning, data generation and validation.

- European humanoid sovereignty: The network will give Europe a proprietary, end-to-end Physical AI infrastructure, from real-world robot data to large-scale digital-twin simulation and AI compute, so that the data, models and know-how behind industrial humanoids are generated, trained and validated on the continent.

- AMD — strategic partner since day one: From AMD Ventures' investment in Generative Bionics' seed round and the AMD compute on board GENE.01 to the AMD Helios™ systems that will power the Data Factory network, AMD is Generative Bionics' partner across the entire Physical AI stack, delivering the high-performance computing and storage for physical and synthetic data, model training and parallel digital-twin simulation.

- Real-to-sim-to-real development: Tasks performed by GENE.01 in physical environments will be recreated as digital twins and repeated across thousands of variations. Models trained in simulation will return to the robots for real-world validation.

- Industrial validation: The infrastructure will train World Action Models, validate complete robot configurations before customer deployment and use operational data to improve performance as fleets accumulate operating hours.

MILAN, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Generative Bionics, a deep-tech company developing humanoid robots for industrial applications, today announced at CES Unveiled Milan its plan to build a proprietary, multi-site Physical AI Data Factory designed to move humanoid robotics from laboratory demonstrations to reliable industrial deployment and to advance European humanoid sovereignty, ensuring that the data, models and know-how behind Europe's industrial humanoids are generated, trained and validated on the continent.

The first 5,000-square-metre hub, planned for Italy and scheduled to be operational by Q4 2027, will be followed by a second facility elsewhere in Europe and a third serving global markets. Together, the three facilities will reproduce real industrial environments, generate high-fidelity physical data and connect that data with large-scale digital-twin simulation.

Large language models learn from vast amounts of information available online. Humanoid robots have no comparable source of data on how to act in the physical world. The Data Factory will create it by collecting data as GENE.01 performs industrial tasks and expanding those experiences through digital-twin simulations powered by AMD compute.

Building on the companies' strategic technology collaboration, AMD will be Generative Bionics' AI infrastructure partner and the Data Factory network will be powered by AMD Helios™. Its rack-scale architecture will provide the compute foundation to process physical and synthetic data, train Physical AI models and run thousands of digital-twin scenario variations in parallel.

The Data Factory will connect real-world robot operations, simulation and AI development in a continuous real-to-sim-to-real cycle. It will allow Generative Bionics to configure and validate GENE.01 for specific industrial environments before customer deployment, then feed data from deployed fleets into future training cycles.

Physical AI Data Factory for Industrial Deployment

Industrial humanoids must learn from the conditions they will encounter at work. This requires data that captures contact, force, motion, proximity, temperature, task constraints and human interaction in realistic operating environments. For GENE.01, the dataset will include vision and motion data as well as signals captured through its full-body multimodal skin.

At 5,000 square metres, the first Data Factory hub is set to become Europe's largest Physical AI training facility for humanoid robots. It will reproduce environments selected with industrial partners and allow fleets of GENE.01 robots to perform tasks continuously in real-world conditions. These operations will generate high-fidelity physical data for training World Action Models and validating the complete robot system, including perception, control, safety behaviour and task execution, before deployment at customer sites.

Each physical environment and robot configuration will also be recreated as a digital twin. The same tasks can then be repeated across thousands of variations in layout, objects, materials, operating conditions and failure modes that would be impractical to reproduce physically. Models trained and tested in simulation will be deployed back to the robots for validation, while data from physical operations will feed the next training cycle.

AMD Helios™ Infrastructure for Physical AI

As part of the planned collaboration, Generative Bionics intends to leverage AMD high-performance AI computing infrastructure to support the development of its Physical AI Data Factory network. The infrastructure is expected to provide the scalable compute capabilities needed for AI model training, processing physical and synthetic data and running digital-twin simulations. Generative Bionics will co-locate robotics, AI and data-engineering teams with the infrastructure to manage the pipeline from raw multimodal robot data to AI-ready datasets, validated models and deployment on robot fleets. The Data Factory will therefore connect physical environments, data engineering, simulation, model training and fleet deployment across a shared multi-site infrastructure.

"We are replicating the world, physically and digitally, to train humanoid robots at scale before they ever enter it," said Daniele Pucci, CEO of Generative Bionics. "The Physical AI Data Factory is how we do it: fleets of GENE.01 learn from real industrial work, we stress-test those skills across thousands of digital-twin variations on AMD compute, and we return validated World Action Models to the field. This is the infrastructure that enables the Action Intelligence layer of Physical AI in real customer environments. With AMD at our side since day one, on board GENE.01 and now at the heart of the Data Factory, we are building this network here in Europe, so that the data, the models and the infrastructure behind our industrial humanoids are developed and operated on the continent."

"Physical AI represents an exciting opportunity to bring the power of AI into the real world, creating new possibilities for automation and industrial innovation," said Keith Strier, SVP, Global AI Markets at AMD. "With AMD Helios™ powering Italy's first Physical AI Data Factory, we are providing scalable, high-performance computing infrastructure needed to turn that potential into reality. Our collaboration with Generative Bionics marks an important step in advancing European AI and industrial sovereignty, enabling the development and deployment of next-generation intelligent robotics applications while strengthening Europe's capacity to innovate."

About Generative Bionics

Generative Bionics is an Italian deep-tech company specialising in the development of humanoid robots powered by Physical AI. It combines advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, biomechanics and design to build humanoid platforms engineered to operate safely and reliably in complex industrial environments, while keeping people at the centre of the development process. Its solutions help improve safety, ergonomics and operational continuity, and are designed to integrate into existing production processes without requiring dedicated infrastructure. Generative Bionics raised €70 million in a seed round led by CDP Venture Capital, with participation from AMD Ventures, Duferco, Eni Next, RoboIT and Tether, to support the development of a new generation of human-centred Physical AI for industrial applications.

Media Contacts

Ruder Finn: [email protected]

Generative Bionics Press Office: [email protected]

SOURCE Generative Bionics

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INSPIRED EXPANDS LEGENDS OF OLYMPUS™ SERIES WITH APHRODITE

21 October 2026 – Inspired Entertainment, Inc. ("Inspired" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems, and solutions, has launched Aphrodite Legends of Olympus™ in the UK B3/LBO market, the latest title in the popular Legends of Olympus™ series. A Cat C release will follow in November.

Each title in the Legends of Olympus™ series brings a legendary figure from Greek mythology to life through distinctive features and gameplay. Aphrodite Legends of Olympus™ builds on the series with a combination of the proven Win & Spin Bonus and Triple Hit Combo mechanic.

Three Jewel symbols can unlock unique features within the Bonus. Each Jewel symbol in view contributes to the growth of its corresponding urn, with the urn size carrying over between spins. Once a feature is awarded, the corresponding urn returns to its starting size.

More than one urn can trigger at the same time, combining features to create a two-feature Super Bonus or three-feature Mega Bonus, with up to seven possible feature combinations.

The Blue Jewel feature allows Coins to land in doubles, awarding either two matching Cash Coins or two Pot Fill Coins. When combined with the Aphrodite Extra Lives feature, Double Hearts may also appear, adding two Hearts to the Heart Meter.

The Red Jewel introduces Pot Fill Coins, which collect letters towards four Prize Pots. When combined with the Blue Jewel feature, Double Letters can land.

The Gold Jewel activates the Aphrodite Extra Lives feature. If all lives are lost and the Heart Meter is empty, Aphrodite may award an additional Heart, resetting lives to three and continuing the Bonus. When combined with the Blue Jewel feature, Double Hearts can appear, adding two Hearts to the Heart Meter at once.

When the Win & Spin Bonus begins, 15 mini reels are presented in a 5×3 layout, with four additional rows initially locked. Each locked row displays a countdown that must reach zero to unlock. Coins landing on unlocked rows reduce the countdowns, while Double Coins reduce them by two.

All non-stuck reels spin each round, with landed Coins remaining in position for the duration of the Bonus. The feature begins with three lives, which reset whenever a Coin lands on an unlocked row. When the lives reach zero, the Bonus ends and all Cash Coins on unlocked rows are awarded. Completed Prize Pots are awarded as they are achieved.

The Gamble Wheels add another opportunity for excitement. The left wheel offers win multipliers of 1.5x, 2x, 3x, 5x or 10x, while the right wheel provides the opportunity to enter the Bonus. Landing on green secures the cash win or Bonus, while landing on red forfeits the winnings and returns play to the base game.

"Aphrodite Legends of Olympus™ is a strong addition to our UK retail portfolio, bringing a new combination of features to mechanics that players already know from the series. We're continuing to build out Legends of Olympus™ with distinctive characters and gameplay, giving our customers more content within a proven and recognisable franchise," said Ian Shreeve, Vice President and General Manager Gaming Sales.

Aphrodite Legends of Olympus™ is now available in the UK B3/LBO market, with a UK Cat C release scheduled for November.

About Inspired Entertainment, Inc.

With a proven track record of innovation, Inspired is a leading provider of content, technology, hardware and services for licensed gaming, betting and lottery operators around the world. Inspired's proprietary games resonate with players and deliver consistent performance for gaming operators across interactive, virtual sports, and retail gaming environments. Inspired's content and gaming systems are designed to work together across digital and retail channels, enabling scalable deployment and a consistent player experience. Through this integrated content-led approach, Inspired helps operators strengthen their offerings, drive engagement, and deliver compelling player experiences.

Additional information can be found at www.inseinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "will," "would" and "project" and other similar expressions that indicate future events or trends or are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on Inspired's management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside of Inspired's control and all of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Inspired's views as of any subsequent date and Inspired does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to review carefully the "Risk Factors" section of Inspired's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available, free of charge, on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov and on Inspired's website at www.inseinc.com.

Contact:

For Investors

IR@inseinc.com 

For Press and Sales

inspiredsales@inseinc.com

The AmeriFlex Group® Welcomes 17 Advisors, Representing More than $1.4 Billion in Total Client Assets, in Q3 2026

Firm exceeds $3.1 billion in new total client assets through first three quarters and is on track to complete the year with over $4.9 billion in new assets

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The AmeriFlex Group® (or "the firm"), an advisor-owned hybrid RIA recognized for its planning-first approach and succession solutions, today announced it has recruited 17 new advisors representing more than $1.4 billion in total client assets during the third quarter of 2026. With the advisors expected to join the firm before year-end, AmeriFlex expects to finish 2026 with more than $4.9 billion in new client assets, nearly $2 billion above its stated annual growth goal of $3 billion.

The firm's advisor-focused programs have been built to address the often unmet needs of advisors throughout the life of their practices. From SuccessionFully®, AmeriFlex's first-of-its-kind succession platform, to AmeriFlex Premier+, a financial and transitional wealth planning service for high-net-worth clients, the firm has continued to invest in resources designed to help advisors grow, serve clients and plan for an eventual transition on their own terms.

"We are incredibly proud that so many advisors choose to join AmeriFlex and are grateful for the momentum we've built this year," said Thomas Goodson, Founder and CEO of The AmeriFlex Group®. "Our success is directly connected to the value advisors see in having the resources and support to pursue their goals, whether they are focused on scaling their business, planning for succession or somewhere in between."

The AmeriFlex Group's partnership with Cambridge continues to enhance its ability to deliver programs that help advisors grow, support client acquisition through succession and enable eventual transition. The firm also recently launched Scout, its AI-enabled program that creates comprehensive profiles of hundreds of firms in the time it once took to review a single practice, helping AmeriFlex evaluate potential succession opportunities more efficiently.

Jesse Kurrasch, Chief Operating Officer of The AmeriFlex Group®, added, "Our relationship with Cambridge and our investment in emerging technology allow us to support more advisors while maintaining the personalized service and access to solutions they expect from this firm. As we continue to grow, our priority remains ensuring our advisors have the resources and support they need at every step of their careers."

About The AmeriFlex Group®

The AmeriFlex Group® is recognized as The Home for Hybrids® (www.HomeForHybrids.com) — BD/RIA Transitional Wealth Planners™. The RIA is owned and operated by its advisor members and partners. Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through The AmeriFlex Group®, a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge is a minority owner of The AmeriFlex Group®. Other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Cambridge.

Media Contact:

Haven Tower Group

Donald C. Cutler or Grant Cox

424.317.4864 or 424.317.4871

[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE The AmeriFlex Group

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Xinhua Silk Road: Upcoming int'l sourcing conference draws crowds of foreign purchasers to Linyi Trade City

BEIJING, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- After spending just half a day thoroughly viewing samples of building materials, hardware and home supplies, Arab merchant Ala was surprised by the diverse, reasonably-priced goods at the International Sourcing Center of Linyi Trade City.

After spotting stores of many upstream factories at the center, Ala felt reassured to learn that more than 2,000 international purchasers would arrive for the 4th Linyi Trade City International Sourcing Conference on October 28-30.

Earlier, on September 28, Linyi Trade City, a hub of professional wholesale markets in Linyi City of east China's Shandong Province, launched its International Sourcing Center to bolster foreign trade.

Instead of rushing between relatively separated markets and factories, foreign purchasers can now enjoy one-stop purchasing services at the center, where 324 foreign trade enterprises and 698 corporate stores gather.

As one store is usually closely linked with more than 10 upstream factories, the center connects local manufacturers and establishes a large-scale, standardized supply chain for foreign purchasers.

Home to 136 professional wholesale markets and 63,700 stores, Linyi City, better known as the logistics capital of China, sees busy transactions of over 6 million types of commodities across 27 categories.

Boasting convenient logistics routes linking localities across China, China-Europe freight train services and overseas warehouses, the city has been favored by Chinese and foreign purchasers for its relatively low logistics costs.

While well-developed logistics channels ensure that goods can flow out, digitization and preferential policies of the market procurement trade pilot program and the cross-border e-commerce pilot zone jointly support Linyi's robust foreign trade.

Currently, 28,000 corporate clients have registered on Linyi Trade City's digital trade platform "ChinaMarket", which generated an export volume of 18.13 billion yuan in the first half of this year.

While holding regular outgoing promotional activities, Linyi City is dedicated to building itself into a globally influential commodity distribution center and turning the "ChinaMarket" into a shared marketplace for all.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/352615.html

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"A strong oral health workforce requires more than promising ideas—it requires sustained investment, collaboration, and a commitment to learning what works," said James W. Hutchison, President & CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association. "Through this three-year funding commitment, we will help proven organizations deepen their impact, strengthen evaluation, and share approaches that can be replicated across communities. Together, we are investing in the next generation of oral health professionals and expanding access to care for years to come."

2026 Delta Dental Future Workforce Fund Awardees

- American Dental Education Association: The Bridging Pathways to Oral Health Careers Program inspires and prepares the next generation of oral health professionals through hands-on learning experiences that expand access to career exploration, highlight the connection between oral and overall health, and equip students from a wide range of communities with the knowledge and resources to pursue educational and career pathways in oral health.

- American Dental Hygienists' Association: Hygienist Inspired is a multi-year initiative that strengthens the dental hygiene workforce through chairside recruitment and community outreach, leveraging dental hygienists' expertise and patient relationships to inspire new career opportunities, expand pathways into the profession, and help build a workforce that reflects the communities it serves.

- Hispanic Dental Association: Building Our Leaders in Dentistry (BOLD) is a pre-dental mentorship and career exploration program that introduces students from underrepresented communities to careers in dentistry through early and sustained exposure, hands-on learning, and mentorship, equipping them with the knowledge, connections, and understanding of educational pathways needed to pursue careers in oral health.

- Mentorships in Dentistry, Inc.: Mentorships in Dentistry (MIND) advances the oral health profession through mentorship and early career exposure, engaging students in hands-on learning and meaningful connections with dental professionals while providing mentorship, resources, and educational opportunities that support their journey from initial career exploration to pursuing a career in dentistry and, ultimately, mentoring the next generation.

- Planet Smilez, Inc.: The Discovering Dentistry Symposium Community Pathways Initiative is a community-based oral health workforce pathway program that engages high school students in underserved communities through hands-on clinical simulation, mentorship, family engagement, and continued career support, helping students build oral health knowledge, explore the roles of dental professionals, and understand the educational pathways and next steps to pursue careers in oral health.

The three-year funding commitment reflects industry best practices as outlined in Delta Dental's white paper, The Pathway Effect: A Guide to Strengthening the Oral Health Workforce Through Early Exposure Programs. Drawing on lessons from the Future Workforce Fund, the report identifies multi-year funding, strong partnerships, robust evaluation, and early career exposure as essential to building scalable, sustainable workforce programs. For more information about the partners and to read the full report, visit deltadental.com.

About Delta Dental Plans Association

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental benefits provider and offers the country's largest dental network with approximately 151,000 participating dentists. Over the last 16 years, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested over $2.4 billion to improve the oral and overall health of our communities.

SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association

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HEFEI, China, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, a globally leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, announced that its latest PowerTitan 3.0 battery energy storage system (BESS) has successfully completed a large-scale fire test conducted in accordance with the latest applicable requirements of UL 9540A: 2026 and CSA/ANSI C800-2025, making it the industry's first stacked-cell BESS with an AC-block design to successfully complete such a test. From PowerTitan 1.0 to 3.0, all three generations passed the large-scale fire test on the first attempt.

Conducted by UL Solutions, witnessed by Fire Risk Alliance (FRA), and observed by Jensen Hughes (JH), the test evaluated the system's ability to contain a severe thermal runaway event and prevent it from propagating to adjacent BESS containers and the Medium-Voltage Substation.

Tested Under Demanding Real-World Installation Conditions

The test setup replicated the block-level layout of a real-world utility-scale BESS installation, including 28.56 MWh of fully liquid-cooled PowerTitan 3.0 BESS and a 7.4 MW Medium-Voltage Substation (MVS). PowerTitan 3.0 features high-energy-density stacked cells and an integrated AC block architecture, combining the battery system and DC/AC Power Converter Unit within a single 20-foot container.

To further challenge the system's safety design, the BESS was at 100% state of charge. The initiating container and the adjacent container were installed back-to-back closely. The MVS was also included in the test configuration. All active fire suppression systems and thermal management system were disabled, and rooftop pressure-relief panels of the initiating container were also fully opened to maximize ventilation and oxygen availability. The test focused on the system's inherent ability to contain thermal runaway.

All smoke and fire effluent generated during the event were collected and routed through a dedicated purification system. The collected gases were fully treated, with no untreated smoke released directly into the environment.

Thermal Runaway Did Not Propagate

The test successfully demonstrated that thermal runaway did not propagate from the initiating BESS container to any adjacent containers or the MVS.

The test continued for 7.5 hours under uninterrupted monitoring. The peak internal temperature in the initiating container, identified as Container A, reached 1259.8°C, while the highest cell temperature in the adjacent containers well remained below the threshold for thermal runaway under UL 9540A: 2026.

Despite the intensity and duration of the fire, Container A remained structurally intact. Adjacent Containers B, C, D and E also remained structurally intact, with no deformation. Even after the fire test, the container remained structurally intact and could be lifted as a complete unit.

Under full-charge, close-spacing and maximum-ventilation conditions, the PowerTitan 3.0 contained the thermal event within the initiating container and prevented it from escalating into a multi-container event. The results demonstrate stable, reliable and controllable system performance under extreme conditions and mark a key step in validating the safety of higher-energy BESS platforms.

Three Generations. All Successfully Tested. Simulation Meets Reality.

From PowerTitan 1.0 and 2.0 to PowerTitan 3.0, all three generations have completed their large-scale fire tests on the first attempt, enabling Sungrow to build a comprehensive database of thermal runaway and fire behavior. Before the physical test, PowerTitan 3.0 underwent simulation-based assessments across hundreds of application scenarios and operating conditions using Sungrow's simulation platform, the world's largest of its kind. The simulated fire intensity and development trends closely matched those observed during the physical test, validating the model's ability to predict fire behavior under extreme conditions.

"This test was about verifying our safety design under real-world extreme conditions," said Roger Li, General Manager of the Utility-Scale Product Line, Sungrow Energy Storage Business Unit. "Safety must be engineered into the product from the beginning. Simulation helps predict how the system will respond, while large-scale fire testing puts those predictions to the test. Energy storage safety is about far more than cell safety alone. It is the result of multiple factors working together, including cell performance, system integration, thermal management, structural protection, engineering design, and more."

Benjamin Liu, Engineering Manager at UL Solutions, commented: "Sungrow started with safety by design, used pre-test assessments to predict fire behavior, and then validated those predictions through a large-scale fire test. The test result showed that the design was able to contain the fire and prevent propagation, helping significantly reduce the potential scale of loss."

By bringing together safety-by-design engineering, predictive simulation and large-scale physical testing, Sungrow is building a robust, evidence-based approach to BESS safety. For project owners, investors, insurers and emergency responders, this provides a stronger technical basis for assessing fire risks, planning emergency responses and protecting critical assets throughout a project's lifecycle.

SOURCE Sungrow

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CLEAR To Announce Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results On November 4, 2026

NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Clear Secure, Inc. (NYSE: YOU), the secure identity company, today announced that it will report financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2026 at approximately 6:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. At 8:00 a.m. ET, results will be discussed via live webcast and teleconference.

Investors and analysts can access the live teleconference call by dialing toll-free 877-407-3089 for U.S. participants and +1 215-268-9854 for international participants. Listeners can access the live webcast HERE. A webcast replay will be available after the event on the investor relations website at https://ir.clearme.com.

About CLEAR

The mission of CLEAR, the secure identity company, is to strengthen security and create frictionless experiences. With over 43 million Members and a growing network of partners across the world, CLEAR's secure identity platform is transforming the way people live, work, and travel. Whether you are traveling, at the stadium, or on your phone, CLEAR connects you to the things that make you, you—making everyday experiences easier, more secure, and friction-free. CLEAR is committed to privacy done right. Members are always in control of their own information, and we do not sell biometric or sensitive personal data. For more information, visit clearme.com.

Investor Contact

ir@clearme.com 

Media Contact

media@clearme.com 

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SOURCE CLEAR

Released October 21, 2026

First Bramford to Twinstead funding round powers local community projects

- Local organisations across Suffolk and Essex receive funding from National Grid to support community spaces, local energy projects and family support services

- From renewable energy studies to playgrounds and baby banks, the funding is helping local organisations support their communities

Community organisations across Suffolk and Essex have been awarded community benefit funding through the first funding round linked to National Grid's Bramford to Twinstead project.

As National Grid progresses plans for vital electricity infrastructure between Bramford and Twinstead, it is also supporting local communities through funding designed to back projects that matter to local residents and create lasting benefits.

The Bramford to Twinstead Community Fund is a multi-year investment of £4.2 million, made up of a Local Fund for grants that directly benefit communities closest to the route and a Strategic Fund to support longer-term local and regional priorities.

Funding has been awarded to New Life Church's Abi's Footprints Baby Bank, which received more than £5,500 to fund a part-time support worker. The role will help deliver free weekly parent, baby and toddler groups and provide home visits to families experiencing child poverty and parental isolation.

St John the Baptist CEVA Primary School PTA has received £19,940 to replace ageing climbing equipment with a new play structure. The project will help create improved outdoor play space for pupils at the school.

Meanwhile, Stour Power Community Energy has been awarded £5,000 to commission a technical feasibility study for a run-of-river hydro project. The study will assess whether a low-impact hydro generation system could supply renewable energy to local homes and businesses.

Funding has also been awarded to Alphamstone Village Hall, which has received nearly £10,000 to install a 14-panel solar photovoltaic system, hybrid inverter and battery storage. The project is expected to help reduce energy costs and support the long-term sustainability of the community facility.

James Dear, Project Director for Bramford to Twinstead, said:

"We're all using more electricity in our everyday lives, and that means we need to invest in the network so it can support homes, businesses and cleaner energy in the years ahead."

"As we progress the Bramford to Twinstead project, we also want to make sure communities closest to the route see real local benefits. We're pleased this funding is supporting organisations making a difference, from helping families and young people to backing more sustainable community spaces and local energy projects."

These are just some of the organisations benefiting from the Bramford to Twinstead community fund, which supports projects that deliver positive social, environmental and economic outcomes in communities close to the project.

Pictured at New Life Church's Abi's Footprints Baby Bank are David, Lyn, Christine, Sara and Andrew.

Teleste Introduces an Industry First in Rail Passenger Information with Embedded Acapela AI Voices

TURKU, Finland, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Teleste is the first to integrate Acapela's AI text-to-speech technology directly into its proven S-ARRIVE® passenger information platform, setting a new benchmark for passenger information on trains, trams, and metros.

With this industry-first, Teleste enables operators to deliver clear, natural passenger information instantly as situations evolve, powered by Acapela's latest AI voice technology.

Reliable and natural communication throughout the journey, from next-stop announcements to disruption messages.

S-ARRIVE synchronizes visual and audio communication, from next-stop information to service changes and disruption messages. Acapela AI voices bring a natural voice to this information, with pronunciation adaptable to local station names and transport vocabulary.

Improved voice quality, intelligibility, and naturalness help passengers understand essential information throughout their journey. Together with visual information, AI announcements support a more accessible passenger experience, helping ensure that information can reach more passengers.

"By integrating Acapela AI voices into our S-ARRIVE platform, we enhance the continuous flow of information with an AI based text-to-speech solution that provides high-quality announcements." Jarkko Vehkala, Business Director, Railway Solutions, Teleste.

"When something changes during a journey, passengers need to understand it immediately. Embedded Acapela AI voices add a natural and responsive voice to Teleste S-ARRIVE, helping deliver relevant information at the right moment." Rémy Cadic, CEO, Acapela Group

Together, Teleste and Acapela bring the latest AI voice technology into a proven platform built for the evolving needs of connected transport.

About Teleste on board solutions: teleste.com/on-board-solutions 

About Acapela Group Voice AI for Transport acapela-group.com/transport 

More information

Teleste

Linda Kallas, SVP, Communications

[email protected]

Tel. +358 40 596 3012

Acapela Group

Caroline Houel, Head of Communciations,

[email protected]

Tel. +33562247100

About Teleste

Teleste offers an integrated product and service portfolio that makes it possible to build and run a better networked society. Our solutions bring television and broadband services to you, secure your safety in public places and guide your use of public transport. With solid industry experience and drive for innovations, we are a leading international company in broadband, security and information technologies and related services. We connect with our customers through a global network of offices and partners. In 2025, Teleste's net sales reached EUR 138,6 million and it had approximately 630 employees. Teleste is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. For more information, visit www.teleste.com.

About Acapela Group

The Voice for Responsible AI.

For over 30 years, Acapela has been helping organizations communicate through natural, accessible, and trusted AI voices. From next-stop announcements to disruption information, our voices support clear passenger communication in demanding transport environments. Designed with privacy, accessibility, and ethics at their core, they can be deployed on-device, on-premise, in sovereign cloud, or in the cloud. Trusted by transport operators worldwide, we create voices that inform, reassure, and guide every journey. For more information, visit www.acapela-group.com

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Sports season has a way of turning an ordinary shift into a full-house event. A table orders wings for the game. A family grabs dinner on the way home from practice. At a hotel, fans want something quick before kickoff. In healthcare and senior living communities, fall menus bring chili, soup and other comforting favorites back into rotation.

The menus may look different from one foodservice operation to the next, but the packaging challenge is often the same: food needs to be packed quickly, carried confidently and enjoyed the way the kitchen intended.

That makes packaging more than a last-minute supply decision. It is part of the guest experience and the flow of service, especially when volume climbs. A little planning now, including a look at options such as Pactiv EarthChoice soup cups and hinged-lid containers, can help teams move through the sports-season rush and stay ready for the colder months ahead.

Why Sports Season Puts Packaging to the Test

Game days can bring large orders, tight pickup windows and a wave of tickets arriving at once. Even operations without televisions or traditional game-day promotions can feel the impact through catering, delivery, takeout and grab-and-go demand.

When the pace picks up, small packaging problems become much harder to ignore. A lid that takes too long to secure can slow the line. The wrong container can lead to leaks, soggy sides or an order that no longer looks appetizing when it reaches its destination. If the team has to search for the right package or transfer an item into a different container, precious time disappears during the busiest part of the shift.

The best time to think through those details is before the first big order lands in the kitchen. Operators can review their seasonal menu, match each item with appropriate packaging and make sure employees know what to reach for. That simple preparation can remove guesswork when there is no time for it.

Choose Packaging That Can Handle Your Game-Day Menu

There is no single package that works equally well for every dish. A better approach is to start with the menu itself. Consider the temperature, texture, portion size, sauce level and expected travel time of each item. Then think about how it will be filled, closed, stacked and handed to the guest.

It is also worth testing a complete order rather than one item at a time. Wings, fries, soup, condiments and utensils may each perform well on their own, but can the full order be packed and carried without creating a balancing act? A quick trial run can expose issues before game day does.

Soup Cups for Chili, Soups and Cold-Weather Favorites

Few foods signal fall quite like a hot bowl of chili or soup. They are natural fits for seasonal menus, but they need packaging that can handle movement from the kitchen to the table, pickup shelf or delivery vehicle.

Pactiv EarthChoice soup cups give operators a practical option for chili, soups and other warm menu items. Using a cup and compatible lid suited to the product can help keep the contents contained during handling and transport. The familiar format also makes portioning straightforward for employees and convenient for guests.

Before service, test the cup with the actual recipe. A light broth, thick chowder and fully loaded chili will not behave the same way. Confirm the appropriate fill level, lid fit and holding process. If toppings such as cheese, onions, crackers or herbs are part of the experience, pack them separately so guests can finish the dish when they are ready to eat.

Hinged-Lid Containers for Game-Day Classics

Wings, sandwiches, burgers, loaded fries and shareable appetizers are built for sports-season menus. They are also a reminder that the container has to do several jobs at once. It must be easy for the team to fill and close, offer enough room for the portion, and help the food arrive in a presentable way.

Pactiv EarthChoice hinged-lid containers can simplify packing by keeping the base and lid together in one piece. During a rush, that means employees are not searching for a matching lid or managing two separate stacks of inventory. The format can work across a variety of familiar game-day foods, giving operators a versatile choice for takeout and grab-and-go service.

Match the size and style to the item instead of automatically choosing the largest container. Too much empty space can allow food to shift during travel, while an overfilled package may be difficult to close. Sauces and dressings should also be considered. Packing wet components separately when appropriate can help protect the texture and presentation of the main dish.

How the Right Packaging Supports High-Volume Service

Packaging decisions affect more than the moment an order leaves the building. They can influence kitchen organization, employee movement, order accuracy and the guest’s impression of the meal. During peak periods, the right setup helps the entire handoff feel more controlled.

Faster Packing During Peak Periods

Speed comes from removing unnecessary decisions. If every menu item has an assigned package and packing method, employees can work with more confidence. Keep the most-used containers within easy reach, stage compatible lids and portion cups together, and label storage areas clearly. For large catering or group orders, pre-stage packaging before the expected rush when food-safety and operational procedures allow.

A short packing guide can also help. It might show which container to use, where condiments belong and what needs to be included before the order is closed. This is particularly useful for seasonal employees or team members moving between stations.

Convenience matters at the purchasing level, too. Streamlining the number of packaging formats used across similar menu items may make storage and replenishment easier, provided each package still performs for the food inside it.

Better Food Quality and Presentation

Guests judge an off-premise meal when they open the package, not when it leaves the pass. That distance matters. Steam, sauces and movement can quickly change a dish that looked perfect in the kitchen.

Operators should test how food holds up after a realistic travel period. Pack the meal exactly as the guest would receive it, let it sit for the typical delivery or commute time, and open it at the end. Look at temperature, texture, leakage and presentation. The result may point to an easy adjustment, such as using a different container size, packing a sauce on the side or changing how items are arranged.

The package should also make the meal feel intentional. Clean presentation, appropriate portions and secure closure all reinforce the care that went into the food.

Dependable Performance for Off-Premise Orders

Takeout and delivery create conditions the dining room does not. Orders may be stacked on a shelf, carried through a crowded lobby or placed in a vehicle with several other meals. The packaging needs to fit that journey.

Review how containers stack, how much space they take up in pickup areas and how clearly employees can identify each order. Keep heavy items below lighter ones, separate hot and cold foods when possible, and avoid placing liquid items where they can tip. A final handoff check can catch a loose lid, missing label or forgotten condiment before the order leaves the operation.

For multi-location businesses, documenting these standards can create a more consistent off-premise experience across the system. For single-site operators, the same process helps every shift follow a reliable routine.

Consider Sustainability Alongside Performance

Many operators are looking for packaging choices that support their sustainability goals without overlooking the realities of foodservice. Performance still matters. If a package fails and food must be remade, both the meal and the resources used to prepare it may be wasted.

Start by defining what sustainability means for your operation and your guests. Consider the materials used, the disposal options available in the local market, the food each package must hold and any applicable regulations. Product names and broad material categories do not tell the entire story, so review the specifications and disposal guidance for the exact item being purchased.

The EarthChoice portfolio gives operators packaging options to consider as they balance menu performance, operational needs and sustainability priorities. A Buyers Edge Platform representative can help members explore available products and identify options suited to their operation. Claims and disposal instructions should always be confirmed for the specific product and local waste infrastructure before they are shared with guests.

Prepare Your Packaging Playbook for Fall and Winter

Sports season may create the first rush, but demand for reliable takeout and grab-and-go packaging does not end with the final whistle. Fall gatherings, holiday events, catered meals and cold-weather menus will keep many of the same products in use for months.

Now is the time to review last year’s usage, forecast upcoming promotions and talk with the people closest to the work. Ask kitchen employees which packages slow them down. Check with front-of-house teams about leakage or handoff issues. Review guest feedback for recurring comments about temperature, texture or missing components. Those details can help purchasing teams make better decisions before seasonal volume builds.

It is also smart to check inventory levels and lead times early. Build in room for planned promotions, catering orders and unexpected traffic spikes rather than relying only on an average week. If several locations use the same products, align ordering and usage standards so one store is not short while another is overstocked.

Pactiv EarthChoice hinged-lid containers and soup cups offer practical options for many of the foods that define fall and sports season, from wings and sandwiches to soups and chili.