AUSTIN, TEXAS—Building material solutions leader KOVA launches KOVA Comfort Intelligent HVAC, an innovative, AI-powered HVAC system that seamlessly integrates into building projects creating healthier, more comfortable environments based on a variety of inputs, including users’ daily routines. Pushing beyond the current industry offerings of IoT and “smart” systems, KOVA Comfort leverages behavioral, environmental, and unit-specific occupancy inputs to learn, personalize, and optimize comfort and energy usage in each unique living environment. With a minimal footprint, sleek design, and elegant profile, the compact system is a cutting-edge solution for multifamily, student housing, hospitality, and residential properties. KOVA Comfort harnesses advanced machine learning in conjunction with...

NEW YORK—PurOptima, the leading manufacturer of premium glass wall partitions and door systems, announces the addition of its latest Project Delivery Partner, Eureka Metal & Glass Services, to cover Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Eureka is one of Philadelphia’s premier commercial glazing subcontractors and joins PurOptima in delivering bespoke, high-performance, and sustainable solutions with exceptional service. Eureka is their second Project Delivery Partner, following Benhar Office Interiors (BOI) which is responsible for the New York City metropolitan market. Entering a partnership with Eureka is the result of a shared ambition across both companies to introduce the U.S. design and real...

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.—Cadence Keen Innovations (d/b/a CKI Solutions), serving the hospitality industry, including cruise, for more than 20 years, is putting plastic packaging in the past and transitioning to compostable packaging for all its mattress and pillow encasements, bed doublers, as well as all other products using plastic or poly bags, including its Bed MadeEZ® Bed Maker. “The transition has already begun and will be included in all new products as they come in from the factories,” says Rachel Montross, Senior Marketing Manager for CKI Solutions. “We are moving away from zippered plastic packaging to a much more ecofriendly,...

EL SEGUNDO, CALIF.—With 14 million electric vehicles (EVs) expected to be on the road by the end of 2023, providing charging infrastructure has become a priority for the hospitality industry. To serve this demand, EV Connect announced an agreement with hospitality leader Marriott International to simplify EV charging for its properties and guests. With EV Connect, Marriott properties will have a turnkey solution to easily add and manage EV charging stations through the EV Connect platform. This is the first agreement of this type for Marriott and ensures that participating locations can provide reliable charging infrastructure at locations within the U.S. and Canada. “As the...

HELSINKE, FINLAND—Halton, a global leader in HVAC innovation and indoor air comfort solutions, and Phononic, a global leader in sustainable solid-state cooling, announced a strategic licensing partnership in relation to the commercial launch of Terminal Treatment of Air with Peltier (TTAP) technology, an HVAC solution that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Leveraging Halton’s experiences in indoor climate solutions to productize the concept, Phononic’s solid state technology further perfects the TTAP concept as the refreshing innovation it brings to the commercial HVAC infrastructure. The new approach eliminates global-warming refrigerants and provides building owners and real estate developers with a sustainable solution...

HORSHAM, PENN.—To meet the growing demand in the U.S., the Sofidel tissue paper group, well-known for its Regina, Nicky, and customer brands, is further strengthening its production capacity with a $185 million investment in its integrated plant in Circleville, Ohio. The project involves the construction of a new building that will house the new Valmet DCT 200 paper mill machine, which will start operation in Q3 2025 with a production capacity of 70,000 metric tons per year. The Circleville plant, which is already home to two Valmet Advantage NTT paper mill machines, will reach a production capacity of over 200,000 metric...

FREEMONT, CALIF.—WaterGuru, the market leader in empowering residential swimming pool owners, property and resort management companies, country clubs and pool service firms with the ability to automate consistent resort-quality swimming water, announced the business impact results of its first lodging customer—Venture Resorts, of Gatlinburg, Tenn. By integrating AI into its overall water management program Venture Resorts, which is part of TowneBank’s 2,500-property portfolio, saved over $65,000 in operational costs self-managing 32 pools over the course of a single year. “The SENSE water monitoring system automates the daily testing for us more accurately, continually reports on water temperature, in addition to saving money and serves...

LOS ANGELES—EVgo Inc., one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs), announced that it received the first-ever shipment of 350kW fast chargers from Delta Electronics that are manufactured according to Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) standards. Delivered from Delta Electronics’ recently opened factory in Plano, Texas, this first shipment marks a milestone in developing the robust domestic supply chain needed to support the rapid growth in EV adoption across the U.S. and unlock funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Delta has delivered 10 chargers to date, and EVgo expects...

DENKENDORF, GERMANY—Roland Butz founded the company OBJECT CARPET in 1972 and left his mark on the carpet industry with his passion for design and quality. He recognized early on the potential of carpet as an aesthetic and functional element in architecture, especially in interiors such as hotels and offices. His distinctive flair for color design and innovation set new standards in the industry and established OBJECT CARPET as a premium brand on an international level. He had a particular passion for artistic product photography. He presented carpet not only as a functional element but also as an art object, differentiating...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Travel + Leisure Co., the world’s leading membership and leisure travel company, published its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. The annual report provides an overview of the company’s progress and benchmarks, recognizing its ongoing commitment to integrate ESG practices into global business operations. The Travel + Leisure Co. mission to put the world on vacation is delivered through its commitment to responsible tourism and the broader impact it strives to make as an organization. Some key areas of focus in this year’s report include: Simultaneously reduced water usage by over 2.7 million gallons compared to 2021, despite a year-over-year...