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Canon Launches the New imagePROGRAF TC-20, a Compact Large Format Desktop A1+ Printer

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Canon

It supports printing 100 A4 sheets or 50 A3 sheets of plain paper continuously, or roll paper of up to A1+ sizes for printing of construction, design, survey drawings and point of sale materials

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, January 4, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Today Canon Europe has launched the new imagePROGRAF TC-20 large format desktop printer. This printer is targeted towards the ultra-low volume market, which includes Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) offices, educational settings and the hospitality industry – delivering high quality, detailed drawings from A4 to A1+ paper sizes. Its easy-to-use design, new 70ml four colour (BK/C/M/Y) pigment ink bottles, that simplify maintenance of the printer, and its super slim compact body with standard built-in Auto Sheet Feeder (ASF), make it ideal for small or temporary office spaces as well as for hybrid workers who may be working from home.

Canon’s new imagePROGRAF TC-20 is a compact desktop large format printer that can be conveniently placed on a desk or shelf in an office or at home. It supports printing 100 A4 sheets or 50 A3 sheets of plain paper continuously, or roll paper of up to A1+ sizes for printing of construction, design, survey drawings and point of sale materials. It comes with a simple, easy-to-use and free software solution, Direct Print Plus, that ensures superior print quality on par with the higher end models in the imagePROGRAF series – and is also compatible with other imagePROGRAF models.

Jennifer Kolloczek, European Planning, Marketing & Innovation Senior Director, Production Print at Canon Europe comments, “Ways of working have rapidly changed in the last few years, as many have adopted a hybrid style of working – with people splitting their time between the office and their homes. Diversification of places and ways of working has led to the spread of distributed operations in multiple workplaces and as a result, there is a growing need for entry level large format printers – especially when transitioning between central, remote and home offices.”

“With its compact design, the new imagePROGRAF TC-20 is the ideal choice for modern working as it can easily fit in small spaces, without compromising on print quality. It also comes with job submission software which is compatible with other imagePROGRAF models and supports hybrid working, making printing easy when transitioning between the office and home. Its convenient design provides easy user maintenance, and it can deliver detailed drawings for AEC, educational and hospitality industries – helping businesses become future-proofed with agile and responsive solutions.”

Large format printing in small spaces

The TC-20’s space-saving design is ideal for home workers with large format printing needs. Its super slim compact body can be placed on a desk or shelf, and its design allows for all print-related operations, such as loading paper and ink refilling, to be easily accessed at the front. For users unfamiliar with large format printers, the roll of paper is designed to be easy to install. Unlike many other large format printers, the roll holder is shaftless which makes it easy to install the roll paper, especially in small spaces. Users can very simply insert and lock the roll holders on two sides.

Using the free “PosterArtist [1]” web application, users can create posters and flyers with ease. This is ideal for hospitality settings such as restaurants and retail stores where they might produce posters and menus and are often very short on space. “PosterArtist” offers a large variety of templates that enable users to create materials to suit their needs, with changeable text and images, making it easy for people unfamiliar with design to create original designs.

Superior output every time for A1+ to A4 paper sizes

Like the higher-end models in the imagePROGRAF series, it comes with free software, Direct Print Plus, which allows users to check the layout of multiple files in different file formats, such as PDF, JPEG and TIFF. Providing previews on screen, designs can be printed directly without launching each dedicated application. By simply selecting the paper source within Direct Print Plus or an alternative printer driver, users can switch between roll paper and cut sheets and easily print output in a variety of sizes including A4, A3 and A1+. The standard built-in Auto Sheet Feeder (ASF) can also continuously print A3 or A4 size paper.

With its compact design, the new imagePROGRAF TC-20 is the ideal choice for modern working as it can easily fit in small spaces, without compromising on print quality

All four inks are colour pigment inks, used to achieve superior quality and vivid colours, with the ability to output high-definition drawings at home or other remote locations with the same ease of use as when at the office. By using only pigment inks, thin lines and small characters in drawings can be clearly reproduced, achieving high-quality characters and lines. When viewing printed drawings outdoors, the use of pigment inks also makes print outs more robust.

Monitor consumables with smartphone

The imagePROGRAF TC-20 is equipped with a large ink tank that enables continuous printing and uses 70ml ink bottles for all four colours (BK/C/M/Y) to reduce the frequency and effort of refilling ink. Using the Canon Print Inkjet/SELPHY [2] app, users can check the remaining amount of roll paper and ink on a smartphone, enabling quick responses to any required paper change or ink refill, as well as the ability to update firmware to keep the printer up to date.

The ink bottles have been designed to prevent errors when refilling the ink thanks to a different shaped bottle for each colour and the relevant colour being displayed at the inlet of each bottle. In addition, the ink bottles have been designed for easy installation— simply inserting them into the tank inlet will start injecting the ink, and when a certain level is reached, the injection will automatically stop. There is also a mechanism that helps prevent ink spills, allowing users to refill ink without any mishaps.

By using the “PIXMA Cloud Link” feature from this app, printing documents filed or stored in the cloud is also possible. For example, a drawing created at a design office and stored in the cloud can be printed from a smartphone at a temporary construction site and shared with field personnel.

Designed with sustainability in mind

The imagePROGRAF TC-20 helps contribute to sustainability goals by offering lower power consumption – 28W or less when in operation. It also includes reduced packaging materials as well as easy-to-recycle ink bottles. Due to its environmental benefits, including the fact that it uses recycled plastic within its design, the imagePROGRAF TC-20 has also been rated as a ‘Gold’ product, the highest level of registration in the field of imaging equipment products, under the U.S. EPEAT [3] environmental assessment system.

To find out more about the Canon imagePROGRAF TC-20 series, please click here: https://bit.ly/3GhO6eY 


[1] Compatible with Windows/mac OS. Canon ID creation required.

[2] Separate download required (free)

[3] EPEAT Gold registered in the U.S., EPEAT is the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool. An environmental assessment system established by GEC (the Green Electronics Council), a U.S. NPO, for the purpose of developing and promoting the market for environmentally friendly products.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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Not Just a Sporting Event, but Also a Technological Test: Insights into the World’s First Human-Robot Co-Run Marathon

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E-Town

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2025 – A scene even science fiction has yet to depict—humans and humanoid robots running side by side in a half-marathon — will become reality on ​April 13 in Beijing E-Town. Every spring, marathons sprout across China like bamboo shoots after rain. In Beijing, the world’s only “Dual Olympic City” and a global hub for science and innovation, the ​2025 Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon, scheduled for ​April 13, will pioneer a “sports + technology” format. For the first time, humanoid robots will register alongside human runners, start simultaneously, and share the 21.0975-kilometer course in an unprecedented fusion of innovation.

Li Quan, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Beijing E-Town, revealed that the event has already attracted over ​30,000 human applicants. On the robotics front, global humanoid robot companies, research institutes, robotics clubs, universities, and other innovators have shown immense enthusiasm, with registration numbers soaring.

Notably, to ensure safety, ​physical barriers will separate human and robot runners, with distinct race rules and completion time standards. Yet this groundbreaking human-robot collaboration undeniably signals a bold leap for “technology stepping into reality.”

During a visit to training facilities, reporters observed teams racing against time to upgrade robotic components and intelligence levels, tackling technical challenges to enhance mobility. Some competing robots now reach a ​top speed of 12 km/h. To mitigate the physical strain of road running, some models have added shock-absorbing mechanisms, while others wear customized running shoes.

Liang Liang, Deputy Director of the Beijing E-Town Administrative Committee, explained that as the event is a ​global first with no prior experience or data to reference, both logistics and participants face significant hurdles. To support the robots, organizers have deployed dedicated support vehicles and robotic aid stations. Additionally, they are working closely with each team to refine technology, troubleshoot functions, and achieve developmental goals through pre-race collaboration.

At the ​2024 Paris Olympics, artificial intelligence revolutionized real-time data monitoring, 3D motion capture, and referee decision-making—boosting athlete training efficiency and competitive fairness while showcasing how technology elevates life’s value.

The upcoming human-robot “half-marathon” collaboration represents a ​new frontier where the humanoid robotics industry intersects with humanity, sports, and endurance challenges. Industry experts note that half-marathons strike an ideal balance between “challenge and accessibility”: the event’s low entry barrier contrasts with its rigorous test of physical stamina and mental resilience, culminating in profound personal achievement. By completing the same course, humanoid robots aim to validate industrial progress and refine human-centric technologies.

“This isn’t just a sports competition—it’s a ​stress test for technological breakthroughs and industrial growth,” asserted Xiong Youjun, CEO of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center.

A participating robotics executive stated that “marathon-running robots” could accelerate technical maturity, spur industry standards, and drive innovation. On one front, the effort pushes upgrades in high-torque motors, flexible joints, and wear-resistant materials. On another, running’s demand for full-body coordination forces tighter integration of hardware-software systems and deeper partnerships between manufacturers and AI algorithm firms.

These advances promise to unlock ​transformative applications: deploying humanoid robots in disaster relief, long-range inspections, hazardous operations, smart manufacturing, and even elderly home care. As capabilities grow, such robots could also serve as AI training partners for elite athletes, “giving back” to sports development.

Industry experts emphasize that humanoid robots—comprising thousands of components—still face significant hurdles in maintaining stable, prolonged running.

Xiong Youjun explained, “Real-world road conditions differ vastly from lab environments.” To complete the race, robots require ​high-density integrated joints and bodies capable of enduring long distances with efficient heat dissipation. Second, precise coordination of all joints is critical for running, positioning, and dynamic obstacle avoidance—a test of core algorithm development and adaptability. Third, the marathon’s demands on stability, reliability, and battery life are immense, with slopes, turns, and uneven terrain pushing machine performance to its limits.

Given ​persistent technical challenges requiring breakthroughs in industrial development, alongside the disruptive impact of complex outdoor environments on robotic operations, current capabilities allow robots to run alongside humans but not truly compete with them. Thus, this event functions more as an ​industry dialogue and a ​robotic stress test than a traditional race.

For human participants and spectators, sharing the track with robots offers sensory thrills and intellectual expansion. These benefits are concrete: the “constructive interplay” between technology and society clarifies the boundaries of human-robot collaboration, reinforces the principle of “technology for humanity,” and accelerates the shift from ​coexistence to ​co-prosperity.

“As the essence of this event, humanoid robots ‘running marathons’ symbolize humanity’s imagination and dreams in motion—that’s the ultimate highlight,” said Li Quan. “Regardless of rankings or speed, the footprints left by these robots at the finish line hold greater value than any medal. The 21-kilometer course will end, but our quest for human-robot synergy never will.”

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Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to Speak at Mining in Motion Conference

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Critical Minerals Africa

Mining in Motion will feature Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in high-level panel discussions on trends and opportunities within the gold mining sector

The Mining in Motion 2025 Summit is pleased to announce the participation of Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana as a keynote speaker.

Held under the theme Sustainable Mining & Local Growth – Leveraging Resources for Global Impact, the summit brings together Ghana’s policymakers, gold mining stakeholders and international investors to explore strategies for unlocking Ghana’s full mining potential.

Minister Buah’s participation will be instrumental in highlighting opportunities across Ghana’s gold mining value chain, discussing regulatory reforms designed to attract new investments and promoting local content development. The event will showcase Ghana’s initiatives to formalize and strengthen the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector.

Under the leadership of Hon. Bauh, Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has driven the growth of the ASGM sector and its contribution to economic growth and community development. The sector employs over one million people and has generated $5 billion in gold export revenue in 2024, strengthening the mining sector’s contribution to revenue generation.

In partnership with the World Bank, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is implementing the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project to empower District Mining Committees and formalize the ASGM sector. Additionally, Ghana is establishing a Gold Board to improve access to finance and markets for small-scale miners. The Cooperative Mining Policy of 2024 further strengthens the sector by fostering community mining cooperatives and enhancing their technical and financial capacity.

Minister Buah will use the summit as a platform to position Ghana as a model for ASGM formalization and sustainable sector growth. Beyond panel discussions, he will also participate in exclusive networking sessions and high-level meetings with global investors, exploration and production firms, government representatives and key mining stakeholders. These engagements will facilitate deal signings and partnerships aimed at accelerating the expansion of Ghana’s mining sector.

Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting ASGM and medium to large scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting www.MiningInMotionSummit.com. For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact Sales@ashantigreeninitiative.org.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power

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South Africa Approves Renewable Energy Masterplan, Targeting Enhanced Energy Security

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African Energy Week

African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 will examine the impact the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan will have on the country’s power generation landscape

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 9, 2025/APO Group/ –The South African Cabinet has approved the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) for implementation, targeting energy security and broader industrial growth. The plan seeks to address challenges associated with local capacity, infrastructure and investment by providing a roadmap for developing renewable energy and battery storage technologies. For investors, the plan identifies a clear pathway to advancing power projects as South African electricity demand is expected to rise two-fold by 2040.

The upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 – taking place September 29 to October 3 – will examine the impact the SAREM will have on the country’s energy mix. Uniting African government and policymakers with energy operators and investors, the event seeks to drive investment in African energy, in alignment with broader goals of making energy poverty history.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

South Africa targets ambitious growth across its renewable energy market, striving to strengthen grid resilience through large-scale investments in generation and transmission infrastructure. Led by policies such as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) – revised in 2023 – the country envisages 29.5 GW of new capacity by 2030. Of this, 14.4 GW will be derived from wind while 6 GW comes from solar. The latest procurement round of the IRP targets 6.8 GW of renewable energy, 3 GW of natural gas and 1.5 GW of coal.

To realize these goals, the SAREM aims to leverage rising demand for renewable energy and storage technologies, with a focus on solar, wind, lithium-ion battery and vanadium-based battery technologies to drive industrial development in South Africa. The masterplan is anchored on four primary areas: supporting local demand for renewable energy and storage by unlocking system readiness; driving industrial development by building renewable energy and battery storage value chains; fostering inclusive development by driving transformation of the industry; and building local capabilities in terms of skills and technological innovation.

The SAREM is expected to fuel the already-growing South African renewable energy market. According to the African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy 2025 Outlook, South Africa – alongside Egypt – is expected to continue leading Africa’s power generation in 2025. The continent has over 500 GW of renewable energy capacity in concept phase, 80% of which are in the North African region and South Africa. South Africa is also one of several countries leading in nuclear-based power generation. The SAREM will support growth by facilitating partnerships across the value chain, implementing targeted training programs while addressing challenges associated with regulatory barriers. While the SAREM provides significant benefits to the renewable energy landscape, Cabinet has directed that additional work be done on the masterplan to incentivize investors to fund projects. This includes the development of green hydrogen to meet international obligations of 5% blended fuel in aviation and maritime sectors by 2030.

During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, a multi-track program will explore how policies such as the SAREM will shape Africa’s energy landscape. A dedicated Energy Transition stage will investigate Africa’s strategic approach to driving a just transition, tackling key topics including Energy Security in Africa; Driving Local Value; Scaling-up Renewable Energy; and many more. A Powering Africa stage will address fundamental challenges and opportunities surrounding Africa’s electricity market. For South Africa, panel discussions on Bridging the Electricity Gap; Energy Efficiency; Strengthening Public and Private Sector Collaboration; Energy Diversification, and more, will identify opportunities for investors and project developers. Meanwhile, an Invest in African Energies: Country Spotlight on South Africa will examine the country’s energy landscape, including the advancement of oil and gas projects and the implementation of utility-scale renewable energy projects. From green hydrogen adoption to battery storage solutions to solar, wind and natural gas, the spotlight will explore the role an integrated energy mix will have on the country’s energy future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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