Sustainable Technology News 24 June 2024: 3stepIT, Kyndryl, Viro for Microsoft Teams, More

Here is today’s sustainable IT services news, research and analysis -- written for technology partners, green IT service providers, CIOs, chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and climate accounting professionals.

A. Sustainable Technology, Talent, Partnerships and Green IT Alliances

1. Integration - Microsoft Teams: Keep an eye on Viro for Microsoft Teams, which allows "every team member to contribute to their company’s sustainability goals." Some information about Viro for Microsoft Dynamics 365 is already published...

2. Managed Services: Kyndryl, the global managed IT service provider, has assisted Panasonic Information Information Systems with a data center sustainability project in Tokyo, the MSP said.

3. Mobile Devices - E-Waste Reduction Services: Dash Cellular Repair has launched an e-waste recycling program that aims to reduce electronic waste in Oklahoma City.

4. Modular iPhone? Apple's patent efforts include a modular iPhone design. Example use cases include allowing users to swap out the standard back panel for one with a back-facing display, Glucose meter+ or more, according to Patently Apple. In theory, modular smartphones are more sustainable than traditional smartphones since users could potentially swap out or replace components instead of buying entirely new phones. Fairphone of Europe already offers such a design.

5. Partnership - Software and Financial Services: ESG Book and Risk Labs are partnering to offer ESG solutions to financial institutions and corporations.

6. Partnership - Maritime Solutions: Windward and RightShip are partnering to help the maritime industry address regulatory compliance, safety concerns related to the "dark fleet," and ESG pressures, the two companies said.

7. Data Center - Energy Source: Amazon has scrapped its plans to connect data centers under construction in Boardman, Oregon, to a natural gas pipeline, Pipeline Technology Journal reported. The decision comes after environmental groups criticized the move as contradicting Amazon's climate pledges. 

B. Sustainability M&A, Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches

1. Funding - AI Startup: CuspAI has raised $30 million in seed funding and tapped Google veteran Geoffrey Hinton -- the so-called "Godfather of AI" -- as an advisor.''

2. Funding - Environmental Data: UBS Next, the Swish bank's venture fund, has invested in GIST Impact -- a data and analytics provider that helps companies to measure, quantify and value corporate impacts on society and the environment. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

3. Funding - Hydrogen Energy Startup: Molten Industries, a startup that converts natural gas into clean graphite and hydrogen, has raised $25 million in Series A funding. Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) led the round, with new participation from Sozo Ventures, Mark Heising, and Steelhead Capital. Multiple existing existing investors participated in the round.

4. Investment - Workflow Automation: Circular technology provider 3stepIT has invested in Skytech Control, a developer of employee workflow automations. 3stepIT, leveraging Skytech's technology, will automate customer tasks such as employee onboarding and offboarding, managing salary sacrifice deductions, and implementing purchasing policies. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

5. M&A - AI Software: OpenAI has acquired Rockset, a search and analytics database for cloud-scale applications. Check Rockset's history and you'll notice multiple climate data and sustainability use cases...

6. M&A - Plastic Recycling: Dow is acquiring Circulus, a recycler of plastic waste into post-consumer resin (PCR). Dow expects the deal to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary regulatory approval. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

7. M&A - Renewable Energy: Altus Power has acquired an 8.5 MW solar array in New Jersey. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Altus Power provides renewable energy across 25 states. The company serves more than 450 enterprise customers and over 24,000 community solar customers nationwide.

8. Complete M&A List: Here's our database of all M&A deals involving green IT and renewable energy buyers, sellers and investors.

C. Regional and Global Sustainability Policies and News

1. Middle East - AI Data Center Partnership: Nvidia has signed a deal to deploy its AI technology at data centers owned by Qatari telecoms group Ooredoo in five Middle Eastern countries, Ooredoo's CEO told Reuters.

D. Sustainability and Green Technology Conference Calendar

1. IAEE 2024 Conference: International Association for Energy Economics (June 25-28, Istanbul)
2. Carbon Capture Technology Expo 2024 (June 26-27, Houston, Texas)
3. E-Waste World Conference and Expo 2024 (June 26-27, Germany)
4. Environmental Packaging Summit 2024 (June 26-27, London, United Kingdom)
5. Cities Climate Actuon Summit (June 26-27, London, United Kingdom)
6. Complete Calendar of Sustainability Conferences

E. Previous Updates & Future News

1. Did You Miss Yesterday's Daily Update?: Here is our previous sustainability, green IT and renewable energy news for technology partners.
2. Future Updates: If you have news to share then please email me the details.