Latest news with #synthetic
Auto Car
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
The best EV of 2025? It's not a Tesla
Like its exterior, the EV3's interior follows the lead of big brother EV9. At a glance, it is effectively the same design, just shrunken down. Like so many modern cars, the dashboard is dominated by a large, curved screen that incorporates the digital gauge cluster and the multimedia system. Between the two main parts is a smaller section that's dedicated to the climate controls, making them permanently and easily accessible. Below the main screen sits a small but sensibly chosen selection of physical buttons that give you quick access to primary infotainment functions as well as the cabin temperature, fan speed and air distribution. Some are rendered as part of a touch-sensitive section of trim, others come as rocker switches set in an 'aluminium' trim strip. Pieces of fabric and the two-tone colour scheme complete the lounge-like ambience. It's pretty convincing, with just a few caveats: Kia proudly claims it's expunging leather from its cars, but in the EV3 it has simply replaced it with a synthetic version, which shows a lack of creativity in the materials department. You can have cloth seats, but only on Air trim, which also replaces some of the soft mouldings with hard plastic. The Air still has a high-quality cabin with a very generous level of equipment, but it would be a good idea to have a poke around one at a dealership to decide whether you find that trade-off acceptable. Although the upholstery is disappointing, the seats themselves are very comfortable. In our GT-Line test car, the driver's side is electrically adjustable and features tilt adjustment and lumbar support. You don't sit particularly low, and the steering column comes out at a bit of an angle, but there's no shortage of head room and the driving position is comfortable. Interior space is undoubtedly impressive. The open, airy cabin provides plenty of storage space, even if the centre console could have been even more practical with a few more bins and shelves. Adults have no shortage of leg room in the back, and thanks to the somewhat high-set front seats, can even put their feet beneath. A Cupra Born or VW ID 3 has slightly more rear space still, but the Kia compensates with a bigger boot that has a remarkable amount of underfloor storage. One strange lapse: the luggage cover leaves a gap of about 10cm to the rear seatbacks. This would make sense if the rear seat were adjustable, which it isn't. Multimedia Kia's multimedia system is shared with Hyundai, save for some unique fonts and graphics, and when it's this good, that's something to be pleased about. The graphics are crisp and clean, and the screen responds quickly to your inputs. There's no physical cursor device, but thanks to a sensible menu layout and a good selection of shortcut buttons (including a few customisable ones), you don't really miss one. There's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and they're well integrated into the system. The built-in navigation is clear and has good, up-to-date traffic information, meaning you don't just default to Google Maps. Kia's smartphone app is easy to pair with the car and its core functions work well, letting you remotely monitor and control the charging, send destinations to the navigation and check that the car is still where you left it. Kia Connect (all the car's networked functions) is free for seven years, whereas many manufacturers offer just a free trial of a few months.
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Carpet maker Bremworth reverses wool only policy
Photo: Bremworth Carpet maker Bremworth has reversed its wool only policy and will soon start making synthetic carpets again. The NZX-listed company, which stopped producing synthetic carpets in 2020 in favour of a wool-only policy , will restart production of synthetic carpets at its Auckland facility in the next financial year. It comes following a recent shake-up of the Bremworth board, with group of unhappy shareholders, led by new chair Rob Hewett, prompting the departure of three sitting directors . Its chief Executive Greg Smith has also stepped down after four years. Hewett earlier said the coup was prompted by the company's slumping profits , with revenue falling from $148.1m in 2018 to $80.3m in 2024. The dissenting group said the decision to stop selling synthetic carpets in favour of wool-only products had not resulted in improved sales, while operating costs remained high. Hewett, who replaced former chair George Adams, said there was strong demand from major New Zealand and Australian carpet retailers for Bremworth to produce both synthetics and wool. He said by not having synthetics in their portfolio they had made things more difficult. "The challenge that we have with the business is about 85 percent of the carpet floor covering market is not wool and we're missing out on it. We need to spread our costs across a wider base. Our customers are clearly looking for a synthetic product." He said they were also very mindful of stakeholders. "I am a farmer of wool and I do this with a heavy heart but the company's viability quite frankly is at stake here." It also follows Bremworth settling with rival carpet maker Godfrey Hirst, settling court proceedings in relation to a past marketing campaign Bremworth initiated in 2020 when it ceased producing synthetic carpet and moved to manufacturing wool carpets only. Godfrey Hirst alleged that aspects of that campaign mischaracterised the relative environmental and health impacts of synthetic and wool carpets and breached the Fair Trading Act. Bremworth denied breaching the Act, but acknowledged certain parts of its past advertising from the 2020 marketing campaign may have misled some consumers. These had been removed and would not be used again. The new synthetic range, which will initially comprise a small, but carefully curated, number of products, will be distributed under a separate brand to distinguish these products from its Bremworth-branded all-wool products. No new capital expenditure is required and the company anticipates a minor increase in headcount to support the additional volume. Hewett expected having a complete portfolio will actually help them grow wool product sales. However, Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams said the wool industry was teetering and this would further knock farmer confidence. "It's a tough pill to swallow for the industry." He said it was disappointing but understandable. Williams acknowledged Bremworth was a business though and shareholders had a right to expect returns. He said it was important for people to start recognising the environmental benefits of wool, especially with declining sheep numbers and farmland being converted to carbon forestry . Andy Caughey, chief executive of industry group Wool Impact, said Bremworth manufacturing synthetic carpets again didn't minimise their commitment to wool or their wool carpet offering. "This range extension, which includes synthetics, will strengthen the company's operating model by optimising its manufacturing capacity and generating more revenue as it continues to invest and expand its wool business," he said. "The world needs more wool." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ribbon Bio Launches MiroSynth™ DNA Molecules to Unlock a New Era of Complex Synthetic DNA
First Commercial Offering Delivers Complex, Long, and Highly Accurate DNA to Power Transformative Scientific Breakthroughs VIENNA, May 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ribbon Bio GmbH, the DNA synthesis company, today announced the launch of MiroSynth™ DNA, its first commercial product designed to meet the growing demand for complex and highly-accurate synthetic DNA molecules. The product launch coincides with the Global Synthetic Biology Conference in San Jose, California, taking place May 5–8, 2025. MiroSynth™ DNA is built on Ribbon's proprietary algorithm-driven technology and precision enzymatic assembly process, delivering exceptional accuracy and performance for applications initially in biopharma, life sciences and academic research. Customers and partners across the US, EU, UK, and Australia can now access MiroSynth™ DNA to accelerate their most ambitious scientific work. "This is a defining milestone for Ribbon Bio as we commercialize synthetic DNA at the highest levels of complexity and accuracy," said Jodi Barrientos, CEO of Ribbon Bio. "MiroSynth™ DNA offers unmatched quality for researchers developing next-generation solutions in therapeutics, life sciences, and beyond. We're proud to serve scientists who are pushing the boundaries of possibility today." Engineered to meet the increasing need for more complex and highly accurate DNA at length, MiroSynth™ DNA is available in both linear and circular formats. The name MiroSynth—inspired by the Latin word for extraordinary—reflects the product's potential to transform scientific possibilities by overcoming long-standing limitations in DNA synthesis and assembly. Ribbon Bio will showcase MiroSynth™ DNA at the Global Synthetic Biology Conference 2025, where the company is a sponsor. On May 6, Ribbon will participate in two featured sessions: CEO Jodi Barrientos will host a Spotlight Session on Ribbon's end-to-end DNA synthesis platform, highlighting the integration of intelligent algorithms, enzymatic assembly, adaptive automation, and full traceability from sequence to molecule. CTO Dr. John Luckey will join a panel exploring how complex synthetic DNA is reshaping the future of science and innovation. About Ribbon Bio Ribbon Bio is a synthetic biology leader driving DNA synthesis beyond the limits of current technologies: making the impossible possible. We are redefining scientific possibility with our algorithm-driven technology that produces pristine synthetic DNA molecules, at a high level of accuracy and unprecedented speed, enabling our partners to deliver a new generation of transformative solutions for the health of people and the planet. For more information, visit us at
