PARIS, May 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Stonal, the leading data management platform for real estate owners and investors in Europe, has announced a strategic investment by Aareon, Europe’s trusted provider of SaaS solutions for the property industry, to accelerate its European expansion.

Founded in 2017 by Michel Tolila, the current executive chairman, and Jean-Maurice Oudot, Stonal’s mission is to deliver data quality at scale for asset owners and investors. Its collaborative AI-powered platform extracts information from documents and blueprints, creating an accurate and up-to-date database on buildings open to stakeholders such as property managers, surveyors, and insurers. Its decision-making modules offer ESG reporting and CapEx planning to increase returns, improve productivity and preserve value.
Since its inception, the company has quickly expanded into residential and commercial real estate. In early 2024, Stonal launched its proprietary StonalGPT, the first generative artificial intelligence solution designed for real estate owners and investors, establishing itself as one of the pioneers in this field.
Robin Rivaton, CEO of Stonal: “The real estate industry, both residential and commercial, is at a crossroads. AI is a massive opportunity to reshape the sector in a remarkable way, but it still requires a significant amount of data on which to train these systems. Thanks to the strategic partnership with Aareon we will reach such a scale and accelerate our European expansion.”
Aareon is the trusted provider of SaaS solutions for the European property industry. With locations across France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, Aareon serves 13,000 customers totalling 18 million units.
Harry Thomsen, CEO of Aareon: “Investing in Stonal is a strategic step to strengthen our “Aareon Sustain” product portfolio and amplify our proficiency in AI technology across the Aareon Group. With an expected uptick in the need for robust data management solutions, this collaboration not only reinforces the existing partnership between Stonal and Aareon in France but also equips us to meet our customers’ needs and deliver unrivalled innovation and operational excellence.”
Aareon’s investment in Stonal reflects the growing appetite of the real estate sector for technological solutions that enable it to address the major challenges it faces, applying to both larger companies and smaller ones. Expanding ESG expectations, increased CapEx for greener properties, stringent building safety regulations, higher vacancy due to remote work for offices, all converge in the context of high interest rates. The capacity to evaluate risks and make well-informed decisions promptly is now more crucial than ever.
Stonal was advised on this deal by Lazard, Aareon by Vulcain.
About StonalFounded in 2017, Stonal is the leading data management platform for real estate owners and investors in Europe. It helps more than 130 clients, REITs, insurers, housing organisations, asset managers, family offices, to manage a combined portfolio of more than 200 million sqm (including 1.6 million housing units) across all Europe. With 150 employees, Stonal is present in France and the UK.
Contact: Perrine ABRARD, Stonal CMO [email protected]
About AareonAareon is Europe’s trusted provider of SaaS solutions for the property industry, leading the charge towards a digital future. Passionately committed to connecting people, process, and property, Aareon brings the ecosystem closer together. Our Property Management System, powered by smart software solutions, promotes efficient property management and maintenance, enabling superior digital experiences for everyone involved. In our continuous pursuit of innovation, Aareon remains the industry’s reliable partner, inspiring positive change for sustainable spaces for all.
With a dedicated team of around 2,000 professionals, Aareon achieved pro forma revenues of €410 million and a pro forma Adjusted EBITDA of €137 million in 2023.
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HONG KONG, May 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Perovskites are among the most researched topics in materials science. Recently, a research team led by Prof. LOH Kian Ping, Chair Professor of Materials Physics and Chemistry and Global STEM Professor of the Department of Applied Physics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Dr Kathy LENG, Assistant Professor of the same department, together with Dr Hwa Seob CHOI, Postdoctoral Research Fellow and the first author of the research paper, has solved an age-old challenge to synthesise all-organic two-dimensional perovskites, extending the field into the exciting realm of 2D materials. This breakthrough opens up a new field of 2D all-organic perovskites, which holds promise for both fundamental science and potential applications. This research titled “Molecularly thin, two-dimensional all-organic perovskites” was recently published in the prestigious journal Science.

Perovskites are named after their structural resemblance to the mineral calcium titanate perovskite, and are well known for their fascinating properties that can be applied in wide-ranging fields such as solar cells, lighting and catalysis. With a fundamental chemical formula of ABX3, perovskites possess the ability to be finely tuned by adjusting the A and B cations as well as the X anion, paving the way for the development of high-performance materials.
While perovskite was first discovered as an inorganic compound, Prof. Loh’s team has focused their attention on the emerging class of all-organic perovskites. In this new family, A, B, and X constituents are organic molecules rather than individual atoms like metals or oxygen. The design principles for creating three-dimensional (3D) perovskites using organic components have only recently been established. Significantly, all-organic perovskites offer distinct advantages over their all-inorganic counterparts, as they are solution-processible and flexible, enabling cost-effective fabrication. Moreover, by manipulating the chemical composition of the crystal, valuable electromagnetic properties such as dielectric properties, which finds applications in electronics and capacitors, can be precisely engineered.
Traditionally, researchers face challenges in the synthesis of all-organic 3D perovskites due to the restricted selection of organic molecules that can fit with the crystal structure. Recognising this limitation, Prof. Loh and his team proposed an innovative approach: synthesising all-organic perovskites in the form of 2D layers instead of 3D crystals. This strategy aimed to overcome the constraints imposed by bulky molecules and facilitate the incorporation of a broader range of organic ions. The anticipated outcome was the emergence of novel and extraordinary properties in these materials.
Validating their prediction, the team developed a new general class of layered organic perovskites. Following the convention for naming perovskites, they called it the “Choi-Loh-v phase” (CL-v) after Dr Choi and Prof. Loh. These perovskites comprise molecularly thin layers held together by forces that hold graphite layers together, the so-called van der Waals forces – hence the “v” in CL-v. Compared with the previously studied hybrid 2D perovskites, the CL-v phase is stabilised by the addition of another B cation into the unit cell and has the general formula A2B2X4.
Using solution-phase chemistry, the research team prepared a CL-v material known as CMD-N-P2, in which the A, B and X sites are occupied by CMD (a chlorinated cyclic organic molecule), ammonium and PF6− ions, respectively. The expected crystal structure was confirmed by high-resolution electron microscopy carried out at cryogenic temperature. These molecularly thin 2D organic perovskites are fundamentally different from traditional 3D minerals, they are single crystalline in two dimensions and can be exfoliated as hexagonal flakes just a few nanometres thick – 20,000 times thinner than a human hair.
The solution-processibility of 2D organic perovskites presents exciting opportunities for their application in 2D electronics. The Poly U team conducted measurements on the dielectric constants of the CL-v phase, yielding values ranging from 4.8 to 5.5. These values surpass those of commonly used materials such as silicon dioxide and hexagonal boron nitride. This discovery establishes a promising avenue for incorporating CL-v phase as a dielectric layer in 2D electronic devices, as these devices often necessitate 2D dielectric layers with high dielectric constants, which are typically scarce. Team member Dr Leng successfully addressed the challenge of integrating 2D organic perovskites with 2D electronics. In their approach, the CL-v phase was employed as the top gate dielectric layer, while the channel material consisted of atomically thin Molybdenum Sulfide. By utilising the CL-v phase, the transistor achieved superior control over the current flow between the source and drain terminals, surpassing the capabilities of conventional silicon oxide dielectric layers.
Prof. Loh’s research not only establishes an entirely new class of all-organic perovskites but also demonstrates how they can be solution-processed in conjunction with advanced fabrication technique to enhance the performance of 2D electronic devices. These developments open up new possibilities for the creation of more efficient and versatile electronic systems.
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USA News Group Commentary
Issued on behalf of Lithium South Development Corporation
VANCOUVER, BC, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — USA News Group – Despite what appears to be a supply glut currently in the global lithium market, already there are signs of a lithium rebound on the horizon. According to Statista, global lithium demand is projected to grow through next year, while Fastmarkets predicts lithium supply will increase 30% in 2024. Fastmarkets also expects that by 2030, US lithium demand alone will grow by nearly 500%. Looking ahead, lithium miners continue to move their chess pieces onto the board with anticipation of long-term rewards, including the work of Lithium South Development Corporation (TSXV:LIS) (OTC:LISMF), Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE:SQM), Piedmont Lithium Inc. (NASDAQ:PLL), Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC) (TSX:LAC), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO).

Lithium South Development Corporation (TSXV:LIS) (OTC:LISMF) recently filed a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), which provides support for the company to proceed with development plans for a 15,600 tonnes per year lithium carbonate plant. As per the PEA, the project’s financial model shows a Net Present Value (NPV) after tax of US$938 million, and an after-tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 31.6%, with a 2.5-year payback.
“We are very pleased to have achieved this important milestone for the HMN Li Project,” said Adrian F.C. Hobkirk, Founder, President and CEO of Lithium South. “The robust economics and room for expansion indicate a promising future for Lithium South.”
The HMN Li project is planned to use an extraction and recovery process based on conventional solar evaporation of the well brine. Magnesium and other contaminants will be removed using industry standard proven methods including  liming. The concentrated lithium solution will then be processed into lithium carbonate technical grade.
The PEA announcement came just weeks after the company announced the expansion of its ongoing production well drill program. A 400 meter deep pumping well has been completed at the  Alba Sabrina claim block, which at 2,089 hectares is the project’s largest. Recent efforts at the well successfully cleared out sediments, leading to the flow of clear brine with strong artesian characteristics, suggesting potential for enhanced brine extraction rates. To maximize these benefits, Lithium South has contracted a significantly larger 80-kilowatt pump, and is now completing a long term pump test. Based on results, further wells are planned for Alba Sabrina and the southern claim blocks at Viamonte and Norma Edith.
“These developments on the Alba Sabrina claim block could potentially enhance our operational capacity,” said Hobkirk. “The completion of this pumping test, anticipated by the end of May, will provide critical technical insight into the capacity potential of this area of the salar.”
Earlier in the year, Lithium South together with the Korean conglomerate POSCO, entered into a cooperative development agreement on the HMN Li Project, representing a crucial step forward in advancing towards lithium production. Previously, towards the end of 2023, Lithium South also released an updated NI 43-101 technical report for its premier HMN Li asset, which demonstrated a significant 175% boost in its lithium resource, amounting to over 1.58 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
According to Chile’s Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE:SQM), there will be steady lithium prices in the coming months, despite the supply glut. In particular, SQM is optimistic for the second half of the year, which the company predicts will entail higher sales volumes.
“As we enter into 2024, we anticipate another robust year of growth in lithium market, with global demand increasing by at least 20%, supported by electric vehicle sales growth globally and increasing demand for battery materials,” said Ricardo Ramos, CEO of SQM. “However, the excess in lithium and battery materials capacity seen during last year is expected to continue during this year, keeping pressure on lithium market prices. We expect our average lithium prices to remain relatively stable throughout the year and our sales volumes to increase slightly during this year, subject to market conditions and any changes in supply-demand balance.”
This optimism was shared by Keith Phillips, CEO of Piedmont Lithium Inc. (NASDAQ:PLL) in an interview with Yahoo! Finance Live.
“[When it comes to mining] low prices are the cure for low prices,” said Phillips, adding that “it’s a matter of time” that prices will rebound. How fast that rebound occurs is still to be determined, however, Piedmont isn’t slowing its march.
Just recently, Piedmont received its state mining permit from the state of North Carolina, where the company owns 3,600 acres, from which it plans to mine spodumene from at least half of the area. Piedmont will then convert the material to lithium hydroxide, which is key to the manufacturing of EV batteries.
“We look forward to continued engagement with the local community and the Gaston County Board of Commissioners,” said Phillips. “We have had extensive and ongoing dialogue with possible funding sources for Carolina Lithium.”
Domestically sourced lithium is projected to become even more desirable, especially with US government incentives underway. Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC) (TSX:LAC) recently secured a record $2.26 billion loan from the US Department of Energy to build its Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada.
Construction began at the site located just south of the Nevada-Oregon border in March 2023, following a lengthy and intricate legal victory over conservationists, ranchers, and Indigenous groups. Lithium Americas anticipates finalizing securing a loan later this year, pending the completion of final environmental assessments. Once the financing is in place, the company aims to commence substantial construction activities, a project slated to last three years. The initial phase of the mine is projected to yield 40,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually, sufficient to supply up to 800,000 electric vehicles.
“Our team has been focused on refining the development plan and de-risking construction execution of Phase 1 for Thacker Pass,” said Jonathan Evans, President and CEO of Lithium Americas. “We have de-risked execution by advancing detailed engineering and project planning. To date, we have completed all the early-works and infrastructure required for major construction, including excavating the processing plant areas.”
Looking at multiple international lithium projects, mining giant Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) has already expressed the company remains bullish on lithium despite not currently seeking any big acquisitions. Back in March, Rio Tinto committed to spending $350 million on its Rincon lithium project in Argentina, set to commence production by the end of the year.
This comes just months after the President of Serbia expressed interest to hold further talks with Rio Tinto regarding its Jadar lithium project, after the country revoked licenses on the $2.4 billion asset in 2022. If brought to completion, the project could supply 90% of Europe’s current lithium needs, and make Rio Tinto a leading lithium producer. As well, Rio Tinto held talks with the country of Rwanda back in January for the exploration and mining of lithium in the East African nation.
“[Rio Tinto is] “excited to be partnering with the government of Rwanda, applying our global experience to accelerate the search for primary lithium deposits in Rwanda’s Western Province,” said Lawrence Dechambenoit, global head of external affairs at Rio Tinto. The move could further unlock the potential of another country’s mining sector, if successful.
Source: https://usanewsgroup.com/2023/10/18/the-lithium-race-to-power/ 
CONTACT:USA NEWS [email protected] (604) 265-2873
Mr. William Feyerabend, a Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 participated in the production of this advertisement, and approves of the technical and scientific disclosure contained herein pertaining to Lithium South.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. Equity Insider is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. (“MIQ”). MIQ has been paid a fee for Lithium South Development Corporation advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Lithium South Development Corporation, and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Lithium South Development Corporation which were purchased as a part of a private placement. MIQ reserves the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Lithium South Development Corporation at any time thereafter without any further notice. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material disseminated by MIQ has been approved by the above mentioned company; this is a paid advertisement, and we own shares of the mentioned company that we will sell, and we also reserve the right to buy shares of the company in the open market, or through further private placements and/or investment vehicles. The contents of this advertisement were reviewed by Mr. William Feyerabend, a Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Feyerabend approves of the scientific and technical disclosure pertaining to Lithium South contained within this advertisement. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.
 
 

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