The Coca-Cola Company announced the launch of The Coca-Cola Insiders Club, a subscription service offering a limited number of people the chance to taste over 20 of the company’s new beverages set to launch early next year.

Pepsi Cafe will come in two flavors: original and vanilla. The coffee-infused cola beverage has nearly twice as much caffeine as regular Pepsi.

The refill system consists of a removable 75 ml refill pack made of recyclable PP that needs to be replaced approximately every three months.

Graduates of the 2020 high school class in Atlanta, Georgia, are going to be wearing their graduation garb made of recycled plastic bottles. Coca-Cola began collecting plastic bottles at its headquarters as part of Earth Day activities. The goal is to gather 7,000 bottles, enough to make graduation outfits for 200 graduates. 

Installation of Cama Group’s IG270 and IF296 machines has enabled a 14% increase in line productivity.

The use of Sun Chemical’s inks and varnish eliminates the need for a plastic extrusion between the ink film and the food product.

The use of home-compostable materials and bio-renewable inks are just some ways that companies are rendering chocolate packaging more eco-friendly.

The releases coincide with World Wish Month and Make-A-Wish’s nationwide campaign leading up to World Wish Day on April 29.

Offering a 12-month minimum shelf life, the new paper flow wrap solution is a huge step in the right direction to reducing the amount of chocolate packaging waste that ends up in landfill.

Each package features text and graphic elements in a rich brown to reflect the brand’s long tradition of premium chocolate paired with modern colors like lime, light yellow, teal, peach, and purple.

The company is introducing larger package sizes with refreshed sleeve designs.

Guittard Couverture showcases the brand's commitment to providing customers with premium chocolate in enhanced, sustainable packaging.

Inspired by paperboard cups, Metsä Board’s packaging design team developed the new paperboard mug with a heat-sealed transparent plastic film that keeps the licorice fresh.

Shoppers at selected Tesco Express stores in Brighton and Hove, Bristol, London and Manchester will see the “naked” bottles on shelves from January through March. 

Colorful variety is what the most famous chocolate bar in the 100g format from Ritter Sport stands for. Its dimensions are just as varied as the many different types of chocolate offered.

Collaboration led by the NextGen Consortium makes reusable cups the default option in national and local restaurants across the city of Petaluma, California.

The bottles have an on-pack call to action "Recycle Me Again" message and will also drive consumer awareness with "100% recycled PET bottle" displayed on the pack.

Coca-Cola first launched bottles made from 100% recycled plastic in 2021 across California, New York, and Texas and was a first-of-its-kind innovation for the brand in the United States.

Innovations in modeling technology, which reduce the weight of the bottles to 18.5 grams, represent a major step in reducing the amount of materials used while preserving the durability and functionality of the packaging.

All beverage bottles and cans collected will be recycled and remade into new food-grade packaging.

Company expects to avoid its use of new plastic by nearly 80 million pounds in 2024 – the equivalent of nearly 2 billion bottles.

All eyes will be on the United States on Tuesday, 5 November 2024, as the world awaits the outcome of the contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. With the countdown clock to the 2024 US elections beginning to tick down towards polling day, markets are starting to brace themselves for what is yet to come.

Key Volatility Factors

The sharp differences between Harris' and Trump's policy platforms are creating an atmosphere of market volatility, as investors may be unsure which sectors stand to be affected by the outcome of this neck-and-neck race.

Beyond the presidency, control of Congress—both the House and Senate—plays a crucial role in determining policy outcomes and potential market reactions. Historically, markets have trended upward across presidential terms, yet analysts suggest that a divided government, where different parties control the presidency and Congress, may be optimal for market stability.

Understanding underlying market dynamics is crucial for those entering the online trading arena, and as the U.S. election on 5 November approaches, market volatility is reaching new heights, creating both risks and opportunities for traders. To help navigate this turbulent landscape, Plus500 offers a wealth of resources through its Trading Academy, including US election webinars, tutorials, eBooks, analysis, and up-to-date news articles.

These tools equip traders with the knowledge to better understand market dynamics and the potential impact of political developments on their trading strategies. In this uncertain environment, well-informed traders who grasp key concepts and trends might be better-placed to adapt to sudden price movements that could arise from unexpected election outcomes, although results are never guaranteed with trading.

The Economic Issues Driving the 2024 Election

The 2024 U.S. elections bring critical economic issues to the fore, with tax, trade, and energy policies as central themes. Donald Trump has proposed further corporate tax cuts to stimulate growth, particularly in manufacturing, energy, and technology, which may boost equity markets in the short term, but could increase federal deficits. Kamala Harris, on the other hand, supports targeted tax incentives for green sectors while proposing higher corporate taxes for social initiatives, potentially boosting clean energy stocks but affecting traditional sectors.

On trade, Trump has revived his stance on tariffs, particularly towards China, aiming to promote domestic industries. This could benefit U.S. manufacturing but may disrupt tech and consumer goods reliant on international supply chains. Harris's approach, while less aggressive, would aim for targeted tariffs, supporting U.S. interests without risking extensive trade conflicts, which could stabilise sectors sensitive to global markets.

Energy policy reflects another stark partisan contrast. Trump advocates for expanding fossil fuel production to reduce energy costs and inflation, which would likely favour traditional energy stocks. Harris's clean energy approach seeks to boost renewables like solar and wind, supporting sustainability-focused sectors, although it may come with initial cost implications for energy markets.

Potential Market Risks: Volatility, Fed Policy, and Foreign Relations

Market volatility could increase with trade and energy policy shifts, especially if Trump’s proposed tariffs amplify tensions with China. Retaliatory tariffs could hurt agriculture and technology exports, heightening risks in indices tied to these sectors. In contrast, Harris’s more moderate approach might result in steadier markets, benefiting industries with international exposure.

Monetary policy remains critical, with Trump favouring lower rates to spur growth, risking inflation if the Federal Reserve complies. Harris supports the Fed’s independence, suggesting more stable monetary policy with potential benefits for long-term economic stability.

Foreign relations also play a role, particularly concerning China and other trade partners. Trump’s tariff plans could heighten international tensions, whereas Harris’s approach is seen as less confrontational, benefiting multinational corporations and stabilising revenue streams from abroad, particularly in tech and healthcare.

Markets Affected by the US Election

In addition to concrete economic sectors that are seeing the impact of election season volatility, certain corners of the market are seeing ups and downs as well:

Forex & USD

The US dollar’s performance has fluctuated under different administrations, and the stakes are high this time around. A Republican victory could send the dollar soaring, fuelled by aggressive trade policies and rising interest rates, potentially strengthening it against the euro. On the flip side, if a Democrat takes the helm, analysts predict a softer dollar due to reduced fiscal expansion and declining real interest rates, which could benefit the euro in the EUR/USD pair. As election day approaches, volatility could be heightened, including on platforms like Plus500.

Commodities

The commodities market is already making waves. Rising geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East, are already influencing oil prices, and any further escalations could tighten supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz, potentially driving oil prices up sharply. Precious metals, traditionally seen as safe havens, may attract risk-averse investors amid election uncertainty. If policies post-election signal heightened government spending or inflation concerns, metals like gold and silver could see increased demand, reinforcing their role as hedges in uncertain times.

Trading Election-Related Indices with Plus500

With all of the aforementioned shifts underway, there are unique opportunities to trade on the shifting political landscape through OTC products on specific indices available on Plus500. Notably, these indices reflect the anticipated impact of party control on various sectors, enabling diverse trading strategies.

● The US Democrats in Power Index (BUDIPI) tracks companies poised to thrive under Democratic governance. This index is weighted by Free-Float Market Capitalization, meaning larger companies have a greater influence. Investors can look to sectors such as clean energy, healthcare, and technology, which are expected to benefit from policies likely to be enacted by a Democratic administration.

● Conversely, the US Republicans in Power Index (BURIPI) focuses on firms that are projected to gain from Republican leadership. The BURIPI index encompasses companies in the energy, defence, and financial sectors, reflecting potential tax cuts, deregulation, and increased military spending that could arise from a Republican victory.

● Additionally, traders can explore the Trumpnomics Index (BTRUIN), which specifically tracks businesses that may flourish under former President Trump’s economic policies. This index captures the performance of companies in industries such as fossil fuels, manufacturing, and infrastructure, which Trump has historically supported.

Riding the Volatility Wave

In the build-up to polling day, the potential for market volatility presents exciting trading opportunities as well as accompanying risks. With access to a wide range of OTC instruments and learning resources, Plus500 equips traders to potentially better navigate the uncertainties and ride the waves of uncertain global markets.

About Plus500

Plus500 is a global multi-asset fintech group operating proprietary technology-based trading platforms. Plus500 offers customers a range of trading products, including OTC (“Over-the-Counter” products, namely Contracts for Difference (CFDs)), share dealing, as well as futures and options on futures.

The Group retains operating licences and is regulated in the United Kingdom, Australia, Cyprus, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, the Seychelles, the United States, Estonia, Japan, the UAE and the Bahamas and through its OTC product portfolio, offers more than 2,500 different underlying global financial instruments, comprising equities, indices, commodities, options, ETFs, foreign exchange and cryptocurrencies. Customers of the Group can trade its OTC products in more than 60 countries and in 30 languages.

Plus500’s trading platforms are accessible from multiple operating systems (iOS, Android and Windows) and web browsers. Customer care is, and has always been, integral to Plus500. As such, OTC customers cannot be subject to negative balances. A free demo account is available on an unlimited basis for OTC trading platform users and sophisticated risk management tools are provided free of charge to manage leveraged exposure, and stop losses to help customers protect profits, while limiting capital losses.

Plus500 shares have a premium listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: PLUS) and are a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. https://www.plus500.com/.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Transport / Logistic issues / Storage capacity issues

Manufacturing

TASHKENT, 29 July 2016 - A central area of Tashkent is to be lit by 20 autonomous street light systems fully powered by solar energy as part of a pilot project officially launched today by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

The Co-ordinator is supporting the host country in the area of green economy policies, including the analysis of costs and benefits in using environmentally-friendly and sustainable systems in street lighting and urban planning.

Senior Project Officer at the OSCE Project Co-ordinator Hans-Ullrich Ihm said that urban street lighting powered by solar energy is one of many possibilities that contribute to preserving our environment by reducing the consumption of fossil fuel and emissions. He added that the Project Co-ordinator strives to support the government in implementing policies advocating for such technologies.

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• OSCE-supported training course in Uzbekistan focuses on addressing and preventing human trafficking in the tourism sector

LG RESU16H Prime + Solis S6-EH3P10K-H-AU (AS4777-2 2020)

Part of the latest generation 3 series in the LG RESU line-up. The RESU16H Prime is the largest lithium-ion residential battery storage in the world, supplying a total energy capacity of 16 kWh. The latest RESU16H Prime provides an all-new continuous power rating of 7 kW and a peak rating of 11 kW. This increased peak power enables homeowners to backup high-surge power appliance loads like air-conditioning units and pumps.

The 16 kWh battery features industry-leading continuous power, storage capacity, and DC round-trip efficiency (>90%). Stackable to 32 kWh of energy storage capacity, the RESU16H Prime can fully cover an average daily electricity use of a home.

SPECS
Electrical Characteristics
Nominal Energy 16.45 kWh
Usable Energy1) 16.0 kWh @77°F (25°C)
Voltage Range Charge 420 ~ 450 VDC
Discharge 350 ~ 410VDC
Max. Charge/Discharge Current 20A@350V
Max. Charge/Discharge Power 7 kW
Peak Power (only discharging)2) 11 kW for 10 sec.
Peak Current (only discharging) 32.8A for 10 sec.
Battery Chemistry Lithium Ion
Communication Interface RS485/CAN
DC Protection Circuit Breaker, Fuse, DCDC converter
(Short Circuit Current : 1.616kA)
Connection Method Spring Type Connector
User interface LEDs for Normal and Fault operation
Protection Features Over Voltage / Over Current /
short circuit / Reverse Polarity
Scalability
(Total Energy, Max. Charge/Discharge Power)
Max. 2 in parallel
(32.0 kWh @77°F (25°C), 14kW)

Only 14 units left in total

Happy to quote on PV installation also.
Price includes installation in Standard metro in WA, NSW, VIC, QLD
travel or freight is an additional charge

Kenny Solar
1300882990
www.kennysolar.com.au
info@kennysolar.com.au

Communist China solar CEO admits to buying US politicians and lobbyists. Longi’s chairman, Zhong Baoshen: “We paid billions in tuition fees to learn how to navigate U.S. politics.”https://t.co/KoZ96WQJUF pic.twitter.com/4ao1bXkVQI — Steve Milloy (@JunkScience) November 5, 2024 https://www.wsj.com/world/china/why-chinas-solar-boom-is-a-bust-for-its-leading-players-a869ccab

Biden’s Green Energy Subsidies Are Making China Great Again The left-wing site Politico was surprisingly honest with this headline: Biden is desperately trying to lure solar panel production from China to the United States with lavish subsidies. But the companies that are taking the cash and hanging a shingle are… Chinese: When Biden and congressional Democrats passed the […]

Mapping the charge transport in new absorber material combinations points scientists on a different path towards efficient carbon-based solar cells.

Crayola Experience attractions start free crayon campaign on Friday aka National Crayon Day.

A report from Airbnb found that hosts in Osceola County with a single listing earned an average of $14,700 last year.

Legoland Florida annual passes, hotel stays available at a discount

Picture it: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Shaquil Barrett becomes first Buc on new Pirate River Quest boat ride at Legoland Florida theme park.

Attroneys for the new DeSantis board say the disputed Disney-Reedy Creek agreements violated state law.

The scholarships would send graduates of two local high schools to community college. County Mayor Jerry Demings blasted the decision as an "inappropriate" use of county money.

The project aims to significantly reduce the amount of electricity used by PepsiCo’s Little Island facility.

Read more: PepsiCo invests €2.4m in rooftop solar panels at Cork facility

Between strict energy codes and residing in a high-wind area, installing solar on a multi-roof family compound in Boulder, Colo. proved to be a challenge.

The owner’s goal was to construct a multi-purpose building and rooftop solar system that would provide 100% of the electricity needs for their equestrian ranch property.

To upgrade a facility's 145,300 square foot roof with metal and solar while dealing with COVID delays, a contractor turned to S-5! to shrink the project timeline.

H-POWER in Kapolei, West Oahu turned to metal roofing and attachment solutions offered by S-5! in one of Hawaii's largest rooftop solar projects.

With help from S-5! products, SunGreen Systems Inc. installed a solar and energy system housing a 772-kilowatt photovoltaic array and 14 Tesla Powerpacks.