CIKARANG, Indonesia, March 28, 2025 /CNW/ — Gstar has marked a significant milestone with the shipment of its first batch of core equipment for its new photovoltaic manufacturing facility in Indonesia. The shipment includes monocrystalline growth furnaces and accompanying control systems, which will be used to establish a high-tech facility with an annual production capacity of 3GW of monocrystalline silicon rods and 3GW of silicon wafers. This move signals the commencement of the key equipment installation phase of the project.

Progressing Steadily with Equipment Deployment

The monocrystalline growth furnaces included in the shipment employ the Czochralski (CZ) crystal growth method, a well-established technique in the photovoltaic industry. The furnaces are equipped with fully automated control systems, allowing precise management of critical parameters such as temperature gradients, pulling speed, and rotation speed during the crystal growth process. This ensures that the silicon crystals are grown with low dislocation densities and high consistency, meeting the industry’s quality standards.

As part of the project’s strategic plan, Gstar will deploy a total of 120 monocrystalline silicon growth furnaces and other advanced equipment to the Indonesian facility in stages. The plant’s emphasis on digital and intelligent manufacturing will focus on producing monocrystalline silicon rods and large-size silicon wafers, such as 182mm and 210mm formats. This ongoing innovation will support the industry’s push toward larger, thinner, and finer silicon wafers, providing global customers with higher-quality, more efficient products.

Strategic Location Enhances Industry Integration

Located in the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC), one of Indonesia’s fastest-growing industrial hubs, Gstar’s facility benefits from a strategic location in Kota Deltamas. This industrial zone is home to numerous global enterprises, including Coca-Cola, Hitachi, Hyundai, and Suzuki, as well as leading Chinese companies like Alibaba, Yili, and Mengniu. The presence of these major corporations contributes to a robust industrial ecosystem, positioning Gstar’s manufacturing base for efficient integration into the supply chain and future capacity expansions.

Tapping into Indonesia’s Growing Renewable Energy Market

Indonesia, the largest economy and population center in Southeast Asia, has increasingly become an attractive destination for foreign investment, including in the renewable energy sector. The countr’s strategic trade position and policy advantages in the global photovoltaic market have solidified its role as a key hub for the export of solar products.

On the domestic front, Indonesia’s solar energy outlook is promising. According to the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), the country is projected to add 350GW to 550GW of solar power capacity by 2050, further solidifying the sector’s growth potential.

Gstar’s facility will play a pivotal role in this expansion, offering essential materials for photovoltaic cell production and contributing to local job creation, with over 500 new employment opportunities expected. Furthermore, the integration of advanced smart manufacturing technologies will support Indonesia’s transition to a higher-value photovoltaic and even semiconductor industry.

On Track for Full Production Capacity

The shipment of this equipment marks a significant milestone in the construction of Gstar’s crystal pulling and wafer manufacturing facility in Indonesia. The facility is expected to commence trial production in May this year, with an annual crystal pulling capacity of 3GW and a wafer slicing capacity of 3GW. Gstar follows a “1+N” strategic approach, with its headquarters in Singapore and multiple service and manufacturing centers supporting global business operations. Currently, Gstar’s solar cell factory in Thailand and the aluminum frame and module factories in Laos are fully operational, while the module factory in the Philippines is in the equipment installation and commissioning phase.

Media Contact: info@gstar-solar.com

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SOURCE Gstar Solar

HONG KONG, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Organised by GS1 Hong Kong, co-organised by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and supported by the Digital Policy Office, the IOT Data Hackathon 2025 successfully concluded its final competition on 22-23 March 2025.

Themed “Smart Business” and “Smart Living”, the IOT Data Hackathon 2025 brought together enterprises, tech talent, and academic elites to tackle real-world business challenges through cross-sector collaboration and data-driven innovation. This year’s Hackathon garnered even greater enthusiasm than last year, attracting over 90 teams from local tertiary institutions, start-ups, and business sectors. After a rigorous screening process, 24 outstanding teams advanced to the final round, competing head-to-head on 23 March, the Final Pitch Day. 

Key Highlights

1. Fostering a Cross-Sector Ecosystem, Cultivating Talent through Practical Experience
A standout feature of the IOT Data Hackathon was its success in driving cross-sector collaboration. Six leading corporations — including Airport Authority Hong Kong, AS Watson Industries, CUHK Medical Centre, HKT, Maxim’s Caterers, and Swire Coca-Cola — provided real life business challenges and relevant datasets. Tech partners, Alibaba Cloud, AWS and Esri China (Hong Kong), offered technology platforms, tools and application support, enabling participating teams to develop commercially viable and innovative solutions by leveraging the provided datasets, open data and advanced technologies. 

2. Judges Applaud Data-Driven Innovation 
A panel of 12 distinguished judges highly praised the participants for their exceptional performance, highlighting their ability to combine data and technology while aligning with ESG trends. The judges emphasised the Hackathon’s role in unlocking the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making. The panel looks forward to the continued promotion of such collaborative models, which not only accelerate the growth of Hong Kong’s tech ecosystem, but also cultivate a new generation of talent to meet future opportunities and challenges.

3. Comprehensive Pre-hackathon Training with Top-tier Resource Support
To equip participants with practical skills, the organiser hosted 7 professional training workshops from Jan to Mar, covering hot topics such as IoT technology, artificial intelligence (AI) applications, data standards, cybersecurity, design thinking, data storytelling, pitching skills, and ESG strategies, etc. Additionally, GS1 HK invited 24 expert mentors from various fields to guide the participating teams, while Check Point Software Technologies provided one-on-one consultations to help teams integrate robust cybersecurity measures and data protection into their solutions.

The Data-driven Era: Cultivating Future Tech Talent

As artificial intelligence and data analytics become increasingly integral to businesses, mastering data application skills has become a critical asset for future talent. This Hackathon provided participants with an invaluable platform for practical experience and learning, stimulating creativity through competition and fostering a deeper connection between data-driven thinking and business needs. The participating teams demonstrated remarkable prowess in data integration and innovative thinking, and proposed diverse solutions to real corporate challenges. 

Ms. Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 HK, emphasised: “IoT data is the cornerstone of a smart economy. By connecting young talent directly with industry pain points, this Hackathon fuels Hong Kong’s digital transformation and drives momentum for the city’s innovation journey.” 

Award Ceremony: Winners to be Announced at the InnoEX 2025 

The award ceremony will take place on April 13, 2025, at InnoEX 2025, where the winning teams and their innovative solutions will be unveiled. All sectors are invited to witness this celebration of data, technology, and creativity! 

Award Ceremony Details:

Date: 13 April 2025, SundayTime: 10:45am to 12:00nnVenue: The Stage, Hall 3C, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)Event: IOT Data Hackathon 2025 Award Ceremony (held within the InnoEX 2025)

For more information about the IOT Data Hackathon 2025, please visit www.gs1hk.org/iotdatahackathon.

About GS1 Hong Kong

Founded by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in 1989, GS1 Hong Kong (GS1 HK) is the local chapter of GS1®, a not-for-profit, global organisation that brings industry stakeholders together to develop standards-based solutions to address the challenges of data exchange. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, GS1® has more than 115 national chapters serving 150 economies globally.

GS1 HK aims to empower industry’s digital transformation by enabling businesses to improve efficiency, safety, authenticity and sustainability through platforms, solutions and services based on our global standards. GS1 HK is dedicated to building a collaborative IoT ecosystem in Hong Kong to promote the development of ICT, serving as a bridge between ICT solution providers, users, government and other stakeholders, realising the community’s vision to become a smart city.

GS1 HK currently supports over 8,000 corporate members from various sectors including retail & consumer packaged goods, healthcare, food & beverage and food services, apparel & footwear, transport & logistics, among others.

For more information, please visit www.gs1hk.org

For high-resolution photo, please download via this link.

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SOURCE GS1 Hong Kong

Mohanraj Makkuni’s Journey from International Trade to Fintech Marketing Sets the Stage for Zil Money’s Next Growth Chapter.

TYLER, Texas, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Zil Money, a leader in innovative fintech solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mohanraj Makkuni as chief marketing officer (CMO). With over 30 years of experience in global leadership, strategic marketing, and enterprise relationship-building, Makkuni will be crucial in driving Zil Money’s expansion into the enterprise space and strengthening its position as the premier banking and payment solutions partner for businesses worldwide.

Makkuni’s career spans various industries, from international trading and manufacturing to fintech. As the founder and director of Greenvironment Innovation and Marketing Ltd., he led global expansion efforts and implemented strategic marketing initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency. In addition, his role as a board member at INNVOL Medical India Limited helped drive the development of innovative medical products, showcasing his ability to collaborate with industry leaders to achieve impactful results.

A seasoned entrepreneur, Makkuni also serves as the CEO of Sundance Promotions LLC and Bimini Global LLC. His experience as a Worldwide Blue Diamond Distributor at Nuskin Enterprises and an Ambassador for the Nourish the Children Initiative highlights his passion for social impact, a value that aligns perfectly with Zil Money’s mission of empowering communities through accessible financial services.

“I’m looking forward to diving into Zil Money’s growth and contributing to where it’s headed,” said Mohanraj Makkuni, chief marketing officer of Zil Money. “What really resonates with me about Zil Money is its vision to transform how businesses approach banking and payments. I’ve always been passionate about building strong partnerships and supporting growth, and I’m excited to bring my experience to help position Zil Money as a trusted partner for enterprises globally.”

“We’re thrilled to have Mohanraj Makkuni join us as our new Chief Marketing Officer,” said Sabeer Nelli, CEO of Zil Money. “Makkuni brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for building strong partnerships, which perfectly aligns with our vision. I’m really looking forward to the impact he’ll make in helping us connect with enterprises worldwide and drive the next phase of growth for Zil Money.”

Makkuni’s appointment is set to have a significant impact on Zil Money’s strategic direction. Under his leadership, Zil Money will focus on expanding its presence in the enterprise market, strengthening its partnerships, and driving growth through innovative marketing campaigns and solutions. As Zil Money continues to develop and scale its technology platform, Makkuni’s marketing expertise will be pivotal in raising the company’s profile and positioning it for long-term success.

About Zil Money

Zil Money is a leading financial technology company offering a suite of services designed to help small and medium-sized businesses streamline their financial operations. From check printing and ACH transfers to credit card transactions and payroll solutions, Zil Money provides businesses with the tools they need to succeed in today’s digital economy. The company is committed to delivering secure and innovative financial services to businesses of all sizes, empowering them to grow and thrive.

Media Contact
Tahir Haneef, Zil Money Corporation, 1 408-222-8012, media@zilmoney.com, https://zilmoney.com/

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SOURCE Zil Money Corporation