74% of Shoppers Use AI for Discovery—NIQ Showcases What That Means for the Consumer Purchase Journey in New Report

 CHICAGO - Thursday, 27. August 2026 AETOSWire Print 

New NIQ & World Data Lab report reveals how AI, retail media, and social commerce are transforming the consumer purchase journey

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumers are increasingly turning to new technologies to help navigate a more complex shopping landscape. Nearly three-quarters of shoppers now use AI for product discovery, while retail media has grown into a $184 billion global market. Together, these shifts are reshaping how products are discovered, evaluated, and ultimately purchased.

NIQ has released A Tale of Two Consumers: The Polarized Mindsets Reshaping Global Consumption, a new global report in collaboration with World Data Lab showing how artificial intelligence, retail media networks, and social commerce are transforming the path to purchase and influencing which products consumers ultimately buy.

The findings build on NIQ's recently released The Commerce Revolution: Where East Meets West, which identified the convergence of Eastern commerce innovation and Western retail media monetization as a defining force reshaping global retail. Together, the reports reveal a future in which commerce intelligence becomes essential for growth.

Key findings from these reports include:

Nearly 75% of shoppers use AI during product discovery

20% of consumers already use AI as part of the shopping process

Nearly one-third of Western consumers have purchased a product after discovering it on a social platform

Nearly 60% of APAC consumers shop through social and quick-commerce channels

68% of North American consumers have never purchased through social media

“Consumers are making purchasing decisions earlier and through more channels than ever before,” said Troy Treangen, Chief AI & Product Officer at NIQ. “AI-powered recommendations, retail media, and social commerce are increasingly influencing which products consumers discover, consider, and ultimately purchase, creating entirely new opportunities—and challenges—for brands.”

According to the report, AI-powered tools are increasingly helping consumers determine where to trade up, where to save, and which brands deserve consideration. The findings suggest that AI is becoming one of the most influential forces in modern commerce, as consumers have long relied on search, reviews, and word-of-mouth recommendations to guide purchases.

This shift creates both opportunities and challenges for manufacturers and retailers. As AI-powered recommendations become more personalized, discoverability is becoming a critical growth factor. Brands that fail to optimize product content, digital shelf presence, and visibility risk becoming less visible as AI agents and recommendation engines play a larger role in shopping journeys.

As consumers become increasingly selective about where they trade up and where they seek value, AI and retail media are helping brands identify which consumers are most likely to respond to premium messaging, promotions, and personalized offers. To learn more, visit niq.com/tale-of-two-consumers.

FAQs

What is A Tale of Two Consumers?

A Tale of Two Consumers: The Polarized Mindsets Reshaping Global Consumption is a global research report from NielsenIQ and World Data Lab that examines how consumer polarization, spending power, and evolving purchasing behaviors are reshaping retail and consumer goods markets worldwide.

What is the main finding about artificial intelligence and shopping?

Artificial intelligence is becoming a significant influence on product discovery, shopping decisions, and purchase journeys as consumers increasingly rely on AI-powered tools to evaluate products and recommendations.

How are consumers using AI during the shopping process?

Consumers are using AI to discover products, compare options, evaluate value, research purchases, and identify products that best meet their needs before making buying decisions.

What is retail media and why is it important?

Retail media refers to advertising and promotional opportunities offered by retailers across digital and physical retail platforms. It has become an important channel for influencing consumer purchasing decisions and driving measurable brand growth.

How is social commerce changing the path to purchase?

Social commerce allows consumers to discover, research, and purchase products directly through social platforms. This shortens the journey from discovery to transaction and creates new opportunities for brands to reach shoppers.

Why are AI-powered recommendations becoming more influential?

AI systems can personalize recommendations based on consumer preferences, shopping history, and behavior, making them increasingly important sources of product discovery and consideration.

What challenges do AI and digital commerce create for brands?

Brands must ensure product information, digital shelf content, availability, and online visibility are optimized for AI-powered search, recommendation engines, retail media platforms, and social commerce environments.

What does the report suggest about the future of commerce?

The report suggests that AI, retail media, and social commerce will continue to play a growing role in how consumers discover and purchase products, making commerce intelligence and digital visibility increasingly critical for growth.

About NIQ

NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action.

With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™—helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next.

For more information, please visit www.niq.com.

© 2026 Nielsen Consumer LLC. All Rights Reserved.

About World Data Lab

World Data Lab is a data science company delivering projections of where global spending power and consumer demand are heading. By combining authoritative demographic and economic data with a proprietary, peer-reviewed forecasting methodology, World Data Lab converts long-term population and spending shifts into a single, forward-looking view of the future consumer, helping organizations identify where growth will emerge before it does.

Modeling consumer trends and demographic change through 2050, World Data Lab covers 99.5% of the world's population across 190+ countries, 9,000+ cities, and 200+ spending categories. Its core methodology, named by Nature among the 50 most influential papers of the decade, underpins both its enterprise platform, World Data Intelligence, and a suite of public tools including the World Poverty Clock.

For more information, visit worlddatalab.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding anticipated consumer behaviors, market trends, and industry developments. These statements reflect current expectations and projections based on available data, historical patterns, and various assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “believes,” “forecasts,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

These statements are not guarantees of future outcomes and are subject to inherent uncertainties, including changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, technological advancements, and competitive dynamics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. While we strive to base our insights on reliable data and sound methodologies, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except to the extent required by applicable law.

#NIQ-General

 

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Quaise Energy Closes $180 Million Series B with $35 Million Investment from Nabors Industries and Strategic Framework to Build World's First Superhot Geothermal Power Plant

 HOUSTON - 

Final close of Series B to advance the commercialization of superhot geothermal energy, funding Project Obsidian and the continued development of Quaise’s millimeter wave drilling system

Nabors Industries and Quaise deepen relationship with strategic framework agreement spanning drilling operations, technology integration and commercial development

Series B brings Quaise's total funding to date to $280 million

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Quaise Energy, a leading developer of utility-scale superhot geothermal energy, today announced the final close of its Series B, raising a total of $180 million in equity financing, including a $35 million investment from Nabors Industries (NYSE: NBR), one of the world's largest land drilling contractors and a long-standing partner to Quaise. Nabors has also entered into a strategic framework agreement that supports Quaise’s mission to make superhot geothermal a commercial reality, beginning with the development of Project Obsidian, the world’s first superhot geothermal power plant. The Series B brings Quaise’s total funding to date to $280 million.

“We are unlocking the most powerful clean energy source on Earth, and the Series B signals deep conviction across a wide range of investors,” said Carlos Araque, CEO and President, Quaise Energy. “Nabors is an invaluable partner as we move millimeter wave drilling to full commercial operations at Project Obsidian and beyond.”

Nabors’ investment builds on an existing relationship with the company, and the strategic framework agreement spans drilling operations, technology integration, and commercial development. The strategic framework gives Quaise access to a dedicated land rig and Nabors’ advanced platform that integrates reservoir modeling, well design, and drilling strategy. As the drilling program advances, shared data and operational experience are expected to enhance drilling performance, reduce costs, and expedite the project timeline.

“Superhot geothermal has the potential to make clean energy ubiquitous. That is why we are excited about our close relationship with Quaise,” said Anthony G. Petrello, Chairman, President and CEO, Nabors Industries. “Quaise’s millimeter wave technology changes the equation entirely by reaching superhot rock at temperatures and depths that are inaccessible with conventional drilling, transforming geothermal from a location-dependent resource into a global energy solution. Combined with Nabors’ drilling expertise and infrastructure, we see a path to gigawatt-scale geothermal power that no other company can offer today.”

The proceeds from Series B will fund Project Obsidian, the world’s first commercial superhot geothermal power plant, and accelerate the commercialization of Quaise's millimeter wave drilling system toward depths in excess of 5 km. The Series B round's first close, announced in July 2026, was led by Prelude Ventures, with strategic investments from JERA Co., Inc. and Idemitsu Kosan, two of Japan's largest energy companies. BofA Securities and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC advised on the fundraise.

About Quaise Energy

Quaise Energy is unlocking the Earth’s deep heat to deliver clean, reliable, baseload energy at scale—almost anywhere in the world. As both a technology innovator and project developer, Quaise builds and operates solutions that harness superhot geothermal energy far below the surface, enabling power generation that can rival the output of today’s most efficient fossil fuel and nuclear plants. With its millimeter wave drilling technology, developed after more than a decade of research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Quaise’s mission is to make superhot geothermal a backbone of the modern energy system, offering affordable, zero-carbon power and true energy independence for communities and nations everywhere. https://www.quaise.com/.

About Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries (NYSE: NBR) is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in approximately 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible energy production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower-carbon world. Learn more about Nabors and its energy technology leadership: www.nabors.com.

Forward Looking Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Quaise’s future performance, business plans, and expectations. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions deemed reasonable by Quaise at the time they were made. There is no assurance that such statements will prove accurate, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied herein due to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on the aforementioned assumptions. Quaise assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Quaise.com | LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

 

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Media Contact:

Diane Hughes

Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Quaise Energy

press@quaise.com

 

Alipay Ant Forest Turns 700 Million Users’ Daily Green Actions into 700 Million Trees Over a Decade of Technology-enabled Environmental Program

 (BUSINESS WIRE)--Alipay Ant Forest, Ant Group’s green initiative that encourages people to participate in environmental protection through simple, everyday low-carbon actions, today announced that more than 700 million users across China have joined the program as of August 2026. Together, they have helped support the planting of over 700 million trees, contributing to ecological restoration efforts in some of China’s most arid and environmentally fragile regions.

Launched in 2016 within the Alipay app, Ant Forest transforms individual environmental choices into collective climate action. When users make greener lifestyle choices, such as taking public transportation, cycling, paying bills online to avoid paper invoices, or choosing digital services, they earn virtual “green energy points” within the Ant Forest platform. These points can be used to grow virtual trees or support biodiversity conservation initiatives.

Once users accumulate enough points to grow a virtual tree, Ant Group funds the planting of a real tree through partnerships with environmental organizations and other partners. Users can also use their green energy points to support wildlife protection and other biodiversity conservation initiatives.

Based on applications initiated by Ant Forest users through their virtual green energy points, Ant Group has invested more than RMB 5.1 billion (USD 759 million) over the past ten years.

Beyond environmental benefits, Ant Forest has also contributed to local economic development. Its tree-planting initiatives have created approximately 5.2 million job opportunities for local communities and generated RMB 770 million (USD 115 million) in income.

The Ant Forest model has also inspired similar initiatives around the world. In 2019, the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet GCash launched GForest, enabling users to contribute to local reforestation through low-carbon lifestyle choices.

In 2025, DANA and Ant International, together with Conservation International and Konservasi International, unveiled the Ocean Buddy initiative, an interactive in-app mini program to raise awareness and drive long-term public participation in marine conservation among DANA's 200 million users in Indonesia. Ocean Buddy leverages gamification incentives and lively visual designs to enhance broad-based, long-term user participation in conservation efforts, specifically the protection of whale sharks along the southern coast of Java.

About Ant Group

Ant Group is a global digital technology provider and the operator of Alipay, a leading internet services platform in China, connecting over one billion users to more than 10,000 types of consumer services from partners. Through innovative products and solutions powered by AI, blockchain and other technologies, Ant Group supports partners across industries to thrive through digital transformation in an ecosystem for inclusive and sustainable development. For more information, visit www.antgroup.com.

 

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Media Inquiries

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83% of Chinese Consumers Use Quick Commerce, Offering a Glimpse into Grocery's Future

NIQ report shows ultra-fast delivery is already mainstream in parts of Asia, but rapid channel growth does not automatically translate into strong returns for brands.

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The next major shift in retail may not be happening on shelves. It is happening in the everyday grocery basket, where speed, convenience and top-up missions are reshaping how consumers buy. Quick commerce is emerging as a core engine of grocery growth, according to NIQ (NYSE: NIQ), a leading consumer intelligence company.

NIQ's global report, The Commerce Revolution: Where East Meets West, finds that ultra-fast delivery is already mainstream across parts of Asia, offering a preview of how commerce is likely to evolve globally.

The clearest signs of this shift can be seen in China and India, where quick commerce adoption has reached 83% and 82%, respectively, far exceeding the global average of 48%. By comparison, adoption stands at 34% in Europe and just 3% in North America, highlighting the different stages of market maturity and the growing gap in consumer expectations around speed and convenience.

The must-know signals

• Quick commerce is mainstream in China: 83% of surveyed consumers use the channel, with the market expected to exceed one trillion yuan this year.
• Fulfillment at massive scale: China processed 199 billion parcels in 2025, up nearly 14% year over year, underscoring the infrastructure behind rapid delivery.
• India is a key growth engine: Quick commerce grew 68% year over year in Q4 2025, supported by a dark-store network projected to exceed 5,000 locations, with up to 1,800 transactions per store per day.
• Grocery missions are expanding: In India, quick commerce is moving beyond top-up shopping into fuller basket missions, with rising repeat purchase and larger order sizes.
• Channel growth ≠ brand performance: Across social commerce, where brands allocate 27.4% of spend on average, 58% still report ROI below $1—highlighting the gap between participation and profitability.

The data points to a broader shift: commerce is no longer evolving in silos. Discovery, transaction, and fulfillment are converging into a single, integrated system-one increasingly shaped by AI, platforms, and real-time consumer needs.

"China and India are showing what happens when convenience becomes an expectation rather than a differentiator. The question for brands is no longer whether to participate in quick commerce, but how to do so profitably. Growth is accelerating, but sustainable value will come from understanding which consumer missions truly benefit from immediacy," said Emilie Darolles, President Western Europe, NielsenIQ.

The broader message of the report is clear: commerce is no longer evolving in isolated channels: it is converging into a single system where discovery, transaction, and fulfillment move together. For manufacturers and retailers, the next wave of growth will not come from adding channels, but from orchestrating the system—aligning assortment, pricing, visibility, and fulfillment with how consumers actually shop.

About the report

The Commerce Revolution: Where East Meets West analyzes the convergence of Eastern and Western commerce models across live commerce, social commerce, quick commerce, retail media networks, and emerging agentic commerce. It draws on NIQ Consumer Outlook, Retail Pulse, Digital Purchases, and Omnisales data, alongside third-party sources including McKinsey, Morgan Stanley, and Adobe.

About NIQ

NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action. With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™ — helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next. For more information, please visit www.niq.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, regarding NIQ’s The Commerce Revolution: Where East Meets West report and trends in quick commerce and related channels, contains forward-looking statements regarding anticipated consumer behaviors, market adoption and growth, channel development, fulfillment capacity, and potential impacts on brands and retailers. These statements reflect current expectations, estimates, and projections based on available data, historical patterns, third-party information, and assumptions that may prove incorrect. Words such as “indicates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “likely,” “may,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future outcomes and are subject to inherent uncertainties, including changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, technological advancements, and competitive dynamics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. While we strive to base our insights on reliable data and sound methodologies, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

Notes to editors

Figures in this release are drawn from NielsenIQ’s The Commerce Revolution: Where East Meets West and include both NIQ proprietary data and third-party market figures cited in the report. The quick-commerce penetration, consumer-adoption, and category-use figures are based on NIQ Consumer Outlook, Retail Pulse, and Digital Purchases data. Market-scale and parcel-volume figures for China, including the over one trillion yuan market estimate and 199 billion parcels in 2025, are cited in the report from market sources (Adobe, Morgan Stanley, Joybuy). The social-commerce spend and ROI figures are based on NIQ social media norms cited in the report.

Frequently asked questions

What is the single biggest finding?

Quick commerce is no longer an emerging behavior in parts of Asia. In China, it has reached 83% consumer penetration and is expected to exceed one trillion yuan in market value this year.

Why does this matter for brands and retailers?

Because quick commerce is changing how consumers shop for everyday needs — especially top-up and grocery missions — and forcing brands to rethink assortment, availability, and fulfillment around real consumption occasions.

Is this just another “growth at all costs” commerce story?

No. The report’s reality check is that channel scale does not guarantee healthy returns. Social commerce already attracts 27.4% of average brand spend, yet 58% of brands still generate less than $1 ROI.

What should brands do now?

Design products, promotions, and fulfillment strategies around specific consumer need states and localized logistics, while measuring where quick commerce creates incremental value rather than simply shifting spend across channels.

NIQ-GENERAL

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Star Wars Zero Company™ Now Available On PC, PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series Consoles

 Bit Reactor’s Debut Title Combines Tactical Depth and Cinematic Elegance for a New Star Wars Story

Watch the Final Trailer to Witness What’s at Stake in the Galaxy

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts Inc. and Bit Reactor, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, announced today that Star Wars Zero Company™, a single-player turn-based tactics game set in the twilight of the Clone Wars™, is now available for PC via the EA app, Steam, and Epic Games Store, and PlayStation®5 and XBOX Series consoles. In Star Wars Zero Company, former Republic officer Hawks and Zero Company, an elite squad of unconventional professionals for hire, are recruited for an operation by Republic Intelligence. From ex-nobles to ex-cons, they now share one mission: Stop the Infinite Coil, a Separatist-aligned cult, and their leader Kundri Fathom before the deadly Shadow Plague consumes the galaxy.

“After all these years of hard work from our amazing team, Star Wars Zero Company is a go for launch,” said Greg Foertsch, Game Director and CEO of Bit Reactor. “On behalf of everyone at Bit Reactor, I want to thank players for their encouragement and passion so far on this journey. We’re incredibly proud of this game and excited to see what Zero Company YOU forge through your choices and playstyle. Getting to create this Star Wars™ game in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games is a dream come true.”

Lead the Clone Wars’ most cunning operatives in tactical operations, investigations, and other heart-pounding missions through a cinematic original story. Forge deep bonds between squadmates to unlock new combat synergies and turn the tide. Customize Hawk’s combat specialization and appearance, then fill out the team with original and custom-made Star Wars characters, tailoring their appearances, loadouts, and abilities. Strategize and adapt both on the battlefield and at your base of operations, The Den, to make every move count. Star Wars Zero Company charts the future of turn-based tactics by combining deep strategic gameplay with cinematic elegance for a blockbuster tactical thrill ride.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Bit Reactor and EA to deliver a deep, tactical experience set in the darker corners of the Clone Wars,” said Douglas Reilly, VP and GM of Lucasfilm Games. "Bit Reactor’s team of genre veterans brings a fresh perspective to this debut title that pushes boundaries and creates a distinct experience for Star Wars fans. We can’t wait for players to take command of Zero Company and uncover an authentic Star Wars story unlike anything they’ve experienced before.”

Star Wars Zero Company is now available in retail and digital storefronts for PC via the EA app, Steam, and Epic Games Store, and PlayStation 5 and XBOX Series consoles. The Digital Deluxe Edition, featuring unique cosmetic items inspired by the Clone Wars era, is available for $59.99 SRP on PC and SRP $69.99 on consoles. The Collector’s Edition is available for $299.99 SRP and features a Star Wars Zero Company-themed Hasbro Black Series Thermal Detonator, Steelbook, Desk Mat and more. Alongside the game’s launch, the soundtrack for Star Wars Zero Company, featuring an original score by GRAMMY® award-winning composer Gordy Haab, is available via Walt Disney Records.

Follow EA Star Wars on X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram to stay up to date as more information is revealed. Additionally, join the conversation over at our official EA Star Wars Discord server.

PRESS ASSETS ARE AVAILABLE AT EAPressPortal.com

About Bit Reactor

Bit Reactor, LLC was created by longtime strategy game developers as an independent, developer-first game studio creating and perfecting experiences that blend game design, art and technology with a passion for making something great. The talented team is composed of some of the minds behind decorated titles like XCOM, Civilization, Gears of War, Elder Scrolls Online, and more. Follow Bit Reactor on X, Facebook, and Instagram for more.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.

Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL and EA SPORTS™ College Football. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

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NABEP Appoints Sara Chouraqui as General Counsel

 Company expands legal team as it prepares for significant growth

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) has appointed Sara Chouraqui as General Counsel, with Elizabeth Collery and Victoria Jacobson each joining as Deputy General Counsel.

These additions significantly strengthen NABEP’s senior leadership team and legal expertise as the company improves its operations, increases production and develops new strategic and commercial partnerships.

As General Counsel, Chouraqui will lead NABEP’s global legal function and advise the company’s leadership on its legal, regulatory and corporate priorities, including major transactions and partnerships, governance, compliance and the management of legal and regulatory risk across the company’s operations. Her experience navigating complex cross-border legal and regulatory matters will be particularly valuable.

Chouraqui joins NABEP following a distinguished career at the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), where she served as Head of a Fraud, Bribery and Corruption division, overseeing some of the office’s most significant international investigations and leading a multidisciplinary team of 100 lawyers, investigators and forensic specialists. Prior to becoming a prosecutor, Chouraqui practiced as a defense attorney at firms in France, the United States and the United Kingdom. Collery and Jacobson also held senior positions at the SFO, closely assisting Chouraqui in her work.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sara, Elizabeth and Victoria to NABEP. Sara and her team bring exceptional judgment, leadership and international experience developed over a career spanning private practice and some of the most high-profile cross-border enforcement matters of the past decade. Sara understands the complex legal and regulatory environment in which global businesses operate and, equally importantly, how a strong legal function can help a business grow, pursue opportunities and build lasting partnerships,” said Alejandro Betancourt, CEO of NABEP. “This expertise will be critical as NABEP enters an important new phase of its development, expanding our operations and establishing new strategic relationships. We are committed to doing so with integrity, strong governance and rigorous legal and compliance standards. These principles are fundamental to the way we conduct our business and to the trust we build with our partners and stakeholders.”

General Counsel Sara Chouraqui said, “As NABEP continues to grow, we are unwavering in our commitment to operating with integrity, upholding the highest legal and compliance standards, and setting a benchmark for responsible leadership in the energy industry in Latin America. Elizabeth, Victoria and I look forward to bringing our collective experience to support the business as NABEP contributes to the revitalization of the Venezuelan economy.”

About NABEP

North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) is an oil and gas exploration and production company operating across North and Latin America. NABEP specializes in the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas resources.

The company combines industry experience, technology and operational expertise to develop energy resources responsibly and efficiently. NABEP is committed to operational excellence, safety, responsible environmental stewardship, community engagement and the creation of sustainable long-term value for its stakeholders and the communities in which it operates.

 

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Perma-Pipe Announces Closing of Global Credit Facility of Up to $139 Million

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Thursday, 27. August 2026

New Credit Facility Enhances Global Financial Flexibility to Support Growth

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPIH) (“Perma-Pipe” or the “Company”), a leading global provider of engineered piping and leak detection solutions for energy, infrastructure and industrial markets, today announced the closing of a new global credit facility with J.P. Morgan consists of a $75.0 million revolving credit facility and a $14.0 million term loan facility, and allows the Company access to an additional $50.0 million in incremental capacity.

The new facility replaces and consolidates multiple existing credit facilities maintained by the Company and its subsidiaries across various jurisdictions, creating a more streamlined and centralized financing structure for Perma-Pipe’s global operations. It also provides Perma-Pipe with significantly increased financial capacity, enhanced liquidity and greater flexibility to support working capital requirements, letters of credit, strategic investments and the Company’s continued expansion in key markets.

Saleh Sagr, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perma-Pipe, commented:

“The closing of this global credit facility marks an important milestone for Perma-Pipe. By consolidating multiple credit facilities across jurisdictions into a single global financing arrangement, we have enhanced our financial flexibility, simplified our banking structure and strengthened our ability to manage our growing international operations.

“As we continue to expand across North America, the Middle East and other strategic markets, having a strong, scalable and efficient financial foundation is increasingly important. This facility provides us with the liquidity to support our customers, fund working capital requirements, and pursue attractive growth opportunities.

“We are very pleased to work with J.P. Morgan as our strategic banking partner and appreciate the confidence they have placed in Perma-Pipe. We look forward to building a strong, long-term relationship with the bank as we continue to execute our global growth strategy,” concluded Mr. Sagr.

Matthew Lewicki, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Perma-Pipe, added:

“This new global credit facility greatly enhances Perma-Pipe’s global treasury and financing structure. By consolidating multiple facilities across several jurisdictions into a single global credit facility, we have simplified our banking arrangements, strengthened liquidity management and increased visibility and flexibility across the organization. The facility also provides substantial capacity to support our working capital requirements and future growth as our backlog, project activity, and international operations continue to expand, providing a strong financial foundation for Perma-Pipe’s next phase of growth.”

About Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.

Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPIH) is a global leader in engineered piping and corrosion protection solutions. The Company provides pre-insulated piping systems, leak detection systems, anti-corrosion coatings and related engineered products and services to customers across the energy, district energy, infrastructure, industrial, Oil & Gas, water transmission, and other critical infrastructure markets.

Perma-Pipe operates manufacturing and service facilities across North America, Middle East, North Africa, India and other strategic markets, enabling the Company to serve customers globally while providing local manufacturing and engineering capabilities.

For more information, visit www.permapipe.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and other information contained in this press release that can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby, including, without limitation, statements regarding the expected future performance and operations of the Company. These statements should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) the impact of a health pandemic on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; (ii) fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas and its impact on the customer order volume for the Company's products; (iii) the Company's ability to comply with all covenants in its credit facilities; (iv) the Company’s ability to repay its debt and renew expiring international credit facilities; (v) the Company’s ability to effectively execute its strategic plan and achieve profitability and positive cash flows; (vi) the impact of global economic weakness and volatility; (vii) fluctuations in steel prices and the Company’s ability to offset increases in steel prices through price increases in its products; (viii) the timing of order receipt, execution, delivery and acceptance for the Company’s products; (ix) decreases in government spending on projects using the Company’s products, and challenges to the Company’s non-government customers’ liquidity and access to capital funds; (x) the Company’s ability to successfully negotiate progress-billing arrangements for its large contracts; (xi) aggressive pricing by existing competitors and the entrance of new competitors in the markets in which the Company operates; (xii) the Company’s ability to purchase raw materials at favorable prices and to maintain beneficial relationships with its suppliers; (xiii) the Company’s ability to manufacture products free of latent defects and to recover from suppliers who may provide defective materials to the Company; (xiv) reductions or cancellations of orders included in the Company’s backlog; (xv) the Company's ability to collect an account receivable related to a project in the Middle East; (xvi) risks and uncertainties related to the Company's international business operations; (xvii) the Company’s ability to attract and retain senior management and key personnel; (xviii) the Company’s ability to achieve the expected benefits of its growth initiatives; (xix) the Company’s ability to interpret changes in tax regulations and legislation; (xx) the Company's ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards; (xxi) reversals of previously recorded revenue and profits resulting from inaccurate estimates made in connection with the Company’s percentage-of-completion revenue recognition; (xxii) the Company’s failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; and (xxiii) the impact of cybersecurity threats on the Company’s information technology systems. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More detailed information about factors that may affect our performance may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at https://www.sec.gov and under the Investor Center section of our website (http://investors.permapipe.com).

 

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Contacts

 

COMPANY:

CONTACTS:

Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.

Saleh Sagr, President and CEO

Perma-Pipe Investor Relations

847.929.1200

investor@permapipe.com