The FoodSmart Conference and Expo for Food and Beverage Trade 2023 - Towards Carbon Neutrality was held on 11-12 December 2023, featuring an exciting EcoPark exhibition. As a partnering organization, Towngas has actively participated in this significant event , featuring with informative booths on-site , a captivating commercial demonstration kitchen, and Towngas is invited to be esteemed guest of honor and speaker at theme-based conference which consists topics related to carbon neutrality for F&B Management on 11 December 2023, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre .

Towngas is leading a transformative endeavor in revolutionizing sustainability practices within the F&B industry. Through the utilization of cutting-edge IoT technologies and automated catering equipment and gas appliances for intelligent smart kitchens, we are paving the way for a greener and more efficient future, alongside introducing waste management solutions for kitchen waste, which empower restaurants in reducing costs, energy consumption, and enhancing overall efficiency, all while achieving significant energy savings and emissions reduction.

The first "Greater Bay Area Prefabricated Dishes Pavilion" was held during the period of 7 to 9 December, 2023 at the "AgriPro & Tech Asia (APA) 2023. To make it even more special, the conference hosted the inaugural "Greater Bay Area Prefabricated Dishes Cooking Show ∙ Exchange ∙ Gathering of Experts."

Towngas is being invited to attend the opening ceremony as guest of honor, alongside the participation of chefs from renowned large-scale and high-standard prefabricated dishes factories within the Greater Bay Area, who showcased their culinary skills and dishes at the cooking show, aiming to foster a positive understanding and awareness of prefabricated dishes and their standards among the general public in the Bay Area

Towngas proudly supported the E&M 75th Anniversary Fun Day, which took place on 2 December and 3 December 2023 at EMSD headquarters. With the theme “Serving the Community with Heart and Innovation”, the event featured a series of exciting activities, thematic exhibitions, guided tours, games booths, workshops, and featured exhibits. The objective was to promote E&M safety, energy efficiency, application of innovation & technology, and to provide insight into the daily work carried out by EMSD for the community.

At the event, Towngas showcased the Towngas H2 Economy Development model in Hong Kong, rotary pressure swing adsorption (rPSA), fuel cells and a game booth introducing hydrogen extraction technology. Through these displays, Towngas aimed to raise awareness and promote public understanding of hydrogen extraction technology and its applications. The exhibition provided a comprehensive perspective on how gas is closely linked to people’s daily lives. Towngas reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community activities, promoting corporate values, and delivering quality services. 

The Catering Industry Soccer Match hosted by The Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management Limited was held on 30 November 2023 at Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre. With representatives from renowned catering industry associations, including Association of Restaurant Managers, Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades, and Institution of Dining Professionals, the event showcased exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship.

Led by Mr. Peter Wong, Managing Director of Towngas, Towngas team engaged in thrilling matches against the united association team.The battle was intense, with multiple rounds of fierce competition. Both sides were evenly matched, displaying strong offense and defense, creating a series of exciting moments throughout the event. The atmosphere both on and off the field was lively, adding much color to the competition.

Towngas Commercial & Industrial Marketing & Sales Department (CIMSD) hosted the annual party on 24 November 2023 at The Mira, with Mr Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, LegCo Member (Catering Functional Constituency), Mr Lo Wai-kwok, LegCo Member (Engineering Functional Constituency), and Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming, LegCo Member (Transport Functional Constituency), as the guests of honour. Mr Cheung, Mr Lo and Mr Yick were joined by the representatives of Towngas, including Mr Peter Wong Wai-yee, Managing Director; Mr Don Cheng Hill-kwong, Head of Commercial - HK Utility; Mr Simon Ngo Siu-hing, Head of Engineering - HK Utility; Mr Martin Kee Wai-ngai, Chief Operating Officer - Mainland Utilities; Mr John Qiu Jian-hang, Chief Operating Officer - Renewable​ Business; and Mr Lam Ming-wing, Head of Corporate Human Resources and Head of Corporate Safety and Environment, in kicking off the party.

This year, CIMSD prepared a variety of programmes for the annual party, including music performances by the Hong Kong Sea School Marching Band, singing performances by the Music Children Foundation (MCF) Intermediate Choir and a prize quiz. In addition, the amazing saxophone solo by Mr Lo Wai-kwok, along with the singing performance by Mr Peter Wong and the Towngas management team, elevated the ambience of the dinner to its pinnacle. Moving forward, Towngas will persist in its commitment to providing safe, reliable and excellent service for guests, business partners and friends, exploring the boundless possibilities of the future.

Towngas has consistently made dedicated efforts to engage in public welfare initiatives, encourage culinary exchanges and drive the advancement of the catering industry.

On 21 November, Towngas was invited to the 2023 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Workers Culinary Skills Exchange Competition launch ceremony at the Chinese Culinary Institute. This event, organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, Beijing Federation of Trade Unions, and Macao Federation of Trade Unions, aimed to ignite the flames of craftsmanship, promote flame cooking and elevate vocational training to new heights.

Talented young culinary chefs from Beijing, Hong Kong, and Macao gathered and showcased their skills and fostered friendly exchanges, while promoting the art of Chinese cuisine.

On 16 November 2023, Towngas signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hong Kong Smart Catering Association to explore the potential for sustainable development in the catering industry within the IoT framework through the introduction of smart catering technology.

Towngas hopes to foster greater business opportunities, enhance industry efficiency, and drive the widespread adoption of IoT systems through this collaboration.

The highly anticipated National and the Greater Bay Area KamCha (HK-Style Milk Tea) Competition made a remarkable comeback recently, bringing together nearly 300 participants in Guangzhou on 15 November 2023. Talented contestants showcased their mastery of traditional tea brewing techniques and innovative flavours to create delightful cups of Hong Kong-style milk tea that impressed both the audience and judges.

Hosted by the Hong Kong Coffee and Tea Association with Towngas being the title sponsor of the national competition, this event’s theme was “Spread Out Hong Kong Stories • Intangible Cultural Heritage in Greater Bay Area”, aiming to promote the rich tradition of Hong Kong-style milk tea and showcase its cultural significance. This grand event attracted renowned brands and industry leaders, highlighting the thriving growth and development of the milk tea industry.

Towngas was excited to participate as an officiating guest at the 10th “Dad, Mom, Let’s Have a Meal!” Inter-school Cooking Competition, organised by the PAVAS Education Foundation Limited on 11 November 2023.

Towngas remains committed to nurturing talent, stimulating creativity, and promoting social harmony and intergenerational communication. Towngas has been a steadfast supporter of this fantastic initiative, providing the venue at Towngas Cooking Centre for the past nine years and benefiting over 50 schools and 200 families. This year, the competition moved to the Chinese Cuisine Institute (CCI) to welcome more participants.

We were thrilled to invite our esteemed clients and partners from commercial and industrial sector to join us in this prestigious event organized by Tasty Group on 3 November 2023 at Zhuhai Golden Gulf Golf Club. This tournament provided an exceptional platform for professionals in the F&B industry to showcase their golfing skills, foster communication, and strengthen friendships. 

Towngas sponsored the Joint Catering Associations Basketball Tournament, held from 4 to 30 October 2023. Bringing together representatives from various catering industries and associations converged for thrilling matches. The grand finale showcased true sportsmanship between Towngas Team and business association representatives. This event celebrated our talent, fostered relationships, and enhanced communication within the industry. 

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the Eco Expo Asia 2023 took place from 26 to 29 October 2023 at the AsiaWorld-Expo, with the theme of “Taking the Leap towards Carbon Neutrality”, echoing the global effort underway to drive down carbon emissions. As a green energy company, Towngas is committed to developing new energy application solutions. At the “Hydrogen Pavilion”, Towngas showcased the future directions for hydrogen energy development and sustainable development plans for environmental, social and governance (ESG).

Half of the gas produced by Towngas is composed of hydrogen gas. The Company’s hydrogen extraction facility uses pressure swing adsorption technology to extract hydrogen from the gas network, which is suitable for hydrogen fuel cell power generation. The facility was built in accordance with internationally recognised standards and specifications. With Towngas' extensive experience in handling gas and hydrogen for over 160 years, the facility is deemed safe and reliable. Through the 3,700-km-long underground gas pipeline network covering the entire Hong Kong, customers can enjoy safe and efficient hydrogen energy by installing hydrogen extraction devices at their end.

Towngas proudly provided full support for the 7th International Master Chef’s Charity Gala Dinner, which took place on 9 October 2023 at HKCEC. The event was organised by the International Master Chefs Charity Association, the Kwan Sang Charity Foundation Limited and the Institute of Dining Professionals.

This year’s gala, marking its debut in Hong Kong, emerged as a significant international event for the city in the post-pandemic era, spotlighting the remarkable culinary excellence of Hong Kong on the global stage. This prestigious occasion brought together nearly 700 top master chefs from 22 countries, including over 100 Michelin-starred chefs and 400 renowned chefs from overseas, sitting at 173 tables.

Chefs from around the world flew to Hong Kong at their own expense to participate in this international charity banquet, setting a world record for the “largest gathering of Chinese chefs at a charity dinner.” Embodying the principle of “zero administrative fees”, the event raised a remarkable amount of HK$10 million to be donated to local welfare organisations.

As a long-standing partner of the catering industry, Towngas looks forward to supporting more charitable initiatives of this nature in the future.

Our recent interview with Le Méridien Hong Kong, Cyberport was featured in today's edition of Sky Post (晴報), providing an excellent opportunity to reach out to the general public. This feature is even more remarkable and memorable given that today marks the last printed issue of Sky Post.
 
The featured piece showcased the hotel's array of renowned restaurants and welcomed esteemed master chefs to impart their expertise and insights on the art of flame cooking. Le Méridien Hong Kong, Cyberport, a chic 5-star lifestyle hotel, holds sustainability in high regard and has collaborated with Towngas to uphold this shared commitment. With a comprehensive suite of custom-tailored solutions catering to their specific business requirements, Towngas stands as a steadfast supporter of Le Méridien Hong Kong's sustainable endeavours.
 
The adoption of low-carbon business transformation, whether in large corporations or SMEs, presents a compelling win-win scenario. Not only does it pave the way for reduced operating expenses, but it also effectively curtails carbon emissions, aligning economic benefits with environmental responsibility.

Towngas has always been actively supporting the development and improvement of local chefs’ skills and the advancement of the catering industry. The 4th World Master Chefs for Cantonese Cuisine (Malaysia) - Towngas Selection Competition for Hong Kong Teams 2023, organised by the World Master Chefs Association for Cantonese Cuisine, served as the selection round for the Hong Kong region. Towngas proudly held the title sponsorship for this event, which concluded successfully on 4 July 2023 at the Chinese Culinary Institute.

The flag presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong Chef Representative Team of the 4th World Master Chefs for Cantonese Cuisine cum the Inauguration Ceremony of the Board of Directors of the World Master Chefs for Cantonese Cuisine (Hong Kong Chapter) took place on 30 August 2023. This event aimed to inspire and support the selected Chinese chefs representing Hong Kong in the competition. In September, the team embarked on a journey to Malaysia to engage in cultural exchange with chefs from various countries, further enhancing the appreciation of Cantonese cuisine.

 The International KamCha and the Greater Bay Area (HK-Style Milk Tea)2023 was successfully held at the Hong Kong International Tea Fair on 18 August 2023. The Kam Cha Competition organized by the Hong Kong Coffee and Tea Association which  is an annual  international competition, this year's theme is " Spread Out  Hong Kong Stories • Intangible cultural heritage in Greater Bay Area". Towngas is the title sponsor of this year, the aim of the competition is to  promote "Hong Kong-style milk tea" as Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage, so that more people can understand Hong Kong's catering uniqueness, thereby enhancing the status of Hong Kong's catering industry on the international stage.

The kick-off ceremony and preliminary round of this year’s competition in Hong Kong were held on 3 August at the Hong Kong Coffee and Tea Association while the final competition will take place in November in Guangzhou. The event not only brings together milk tea masters from all over the world to share and exchange , but also further promotes Hong Kong-style milk tea culture as  a local intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong to the world.

The Young Chef Chinese Culinary Competition, sponsored by Towngas and organised by the Chinese Culinary Institute, concluded with the grand finals and award ceremony on 2 August 2023. This biennial event in the Chinese culinary industry aims to promote the Institute and Chinese catering industry to local secondary school students. It serves as a platform to discover talented young individuals passionate about the culinary profession, while encouraging industry support for the development of young employees. The competition aims to enhance professional skills and industry standards, motivate young people and Chinese chefs to elevate dish design standards and improve their cooking techniques, facilitate the exchange of ideas among industry professionals, and establish a healthy competition culture. Ultimately, it strives to elevate the professional status of Hong Kong’s catering industry, raise the Chinese cooking standard, and identify and nurture potential young chefs.

Towngas sponsored Choi Fook Wedding Banquet Group to hold the 2nd "Top Chefs of the Choi Fook Fans Club by Keung’s Kitchen " at the Towngas Cooking Centre on 28 May 2023. On the day of the competition, after understanding for the briefing and competition process, under the demonstration by using flame cooking and guidance of Mr. Ho Chi Keung, Managing Director of Choi Fook Wedding Banquet Group, over 20 betrothed couples learnt how to cook 2 dishes and started competition. The teams with the highest score are selected to enter the final after the review.

The event not only strengthened the connection and mutual understanding with young couples through interesting cooking activities, but also enjoyed the fun of flame cooking and shared cooking experience.

HOFEX 2023– Asia’s Leading Food & Hospitality Tradeshow is returning on 10-12 May 2023 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in an immersive physical format, .Towngas cooperated with three partnered exhibitors, namely Champion Group International Limited, Pacific Foodservice Equipment Co. Limited and Kitchen Icon Limited following the theme “ Smart Energy for a Brighter Future” which welcome commercial and industrial customers by introducing & bringing with the highest quality gas appliances and equipment and cutting-edge catering technology, and also provide a platform to unity top talents in the industry, and expand business opportunities.

The Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre (APAS), hosted by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), organised the “APAS Automotive Technology Summit 2023 - New Energy and the Hydrogen Chapter” event on 9 May 2023. The APAS also signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with mainland automotive industry partners to deepen technology exchange and cooperation in the field.

Towngas Head of Commercial – HK Utilities Mr Don Cheng advocated in his presentation that Hong Kong has unique advantages in developing hydrogen energy. “With 49% of town gas composition being hydrogen, Towngas has successfully set up the first hydrogen extraction system for our gas network in Hong Kong. Through the underground gas pipeline network covering the entire territory, Towngas provides a safe and convenient hydrogen supply solution for local users and promotes the application of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong.” 

During the event, speakers shared the latest developments and business opportunities in new energy and hydrogen energy technologies, the carbon neutrality policy of Hong Kong, and the development of the new energy vehicle market on the Chinese mainland with over 100 industry stakeholders. They also explored how to address the challenges and opportunities in promoting new energy and hydrogen energy technologies, in order to facilitate the sustainable development of the automotive industry.

From 16 to 19 April 2023, Towngas’ representatives participated in a technical visit on hydrogen energy in Osaka and Kobe, Japan, to understand the local hydrogen energy development. The visit was co-organised by the Energy Institute Hong Kong, the Gas and Energy Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Far East District Section of the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers. 

Hydrogen has long been hailed as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. Since 1973, Japan has carried out hydrogen energy production, storage, transportation and utilisation-related technology research. Nowadays, Japan has formed a complete hydrogen energy industry chain, including production, transportation and application. The delegation was shown different hydrogen energy facilities and products during the tour in Japan, including local liquefied hydrogen terminals, hydrogen refuelling stations, various hydrogen power generation equipment, hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen fuel-cell buses and private cars, and exchanged views with relevant professionals on related topics, local laws and policies.

As one of the hydrogen energy suppliers, Towngas is focusing on extracting hydrogen, which comprises 49 per cent of the gas mix in our supplied town gas, providing safe, efficient and low-cost hydrogen energy through the underground pipeline network covering entire Hong Kong. The visit to Japan’s hydrogen energy industry chain and the exchange of experience with relevant professionals will help the Company better understand the opportunities and challenges brought by the large-scale application of hydrogen energy, and be ready for a low-carbon future in Hong Kong.

Organised by the International Master Chefs Charity Association with support from the Kwan Sang Charity Foundation Limited and the Institute of Dining Professionals, the “7th  International Master Chef’s Charity Gala Dinner” will be held in Hong Kong for the first time on 9 October this year. Over 400 renowned Chinese culinary chefs and Michelin-starred chefs from 22 countries and regions will join the 180-table banquet at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to raise funds, with all proceeds going to local welfare organisations.

To commemorate this special occasion, a press conference-cum-kick-off ceremony was held with the theme of “Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Spicy and Salty” at the Chinese Culinary Institute of Hong Kong on 24 March 2023. Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, the Financial Secretary, was invited to be the officiating guest at the ceremony. Various representatives and leaders of catering associations, labour unions and over 40 chefs were also present to kick off the event.

Towngas, as one of the event’s main sponsors, is dedicated to promoting communications between chefs within the international culinary community, drawing energy from every corner of our community, benefiting the community and sharing fruits of success, and telling the world the great story of Hong Kong delicacies.

After three years, the official “10K Weekend at Hong Kong Disneyland” is back! The event was held in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on 18 and 19 March 2023. Towngas invited a number of celebrity chefs and their families to participate “Duffy and Friends 3K”, as well as representatives from the hotel and laundry industry to participate in “Marvel Super Heroes 10K”, enjoy this one-of-a-kind running party event together. Beloved Disney characters appeared to cheer on at several unexpected moments, provided an opportunity for bringing our guest together to enjoy exercise and experience healthy living in the pleasant atmosphere of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Towngas fully supported the Symposium on Energy Use - Liquefied Natural Gas, Hydrogen and Waste Recycle Energy, organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Hong Kong Branch, and co-organised by the Energy Institute Hong Kong and the Department of Mechanical Engineering,The University of Hong Kong.China is targeting to achieve the ”30-60” dual carbon goals, while Hong Kong, the foremost internationalised city of China, also vows to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve these challenging goals, researchers and technical experts are exploring various zero-carbon energy resources. In supporting these goals, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Hong Kong Branch held the Symposium on 10 March 2023 at The University of Hong Kong, with an aim to provide a platform for the government, industries, and academia sectors in the Greater Bay Area and beyond to share their view and industry best practices in the emerging technologies and applications of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Hydrogen (H2), and Waste Recycle Energy.

Towngas General Manager – Commercial & Industrial Marketing & Sales, Mr Don Cheng, and General Manager – Transmission Operation Mr Edmond Fong shared in the Symposium with topics “Landfill Gas Utilisation – Distribution Energy System for HK Hospitals” and “Extraction and Distribution of Hydrogen, Towngas’ Innovative Way”. Towngas looks forward to becoming the main supplier of hydrogen in Hong Kong. Through cooperation with different stakeholders in the market, Towngas will contribute to the establishment of the hydrogen energy industry chain in Hong Kong.

From 3 – 11 March 2023, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) hosted the Hong Kong Engineers Week 2023 (HKEW) to enhance the visibility of the engineering profession and showcase the diversity and significance of the work engineers do. Under the theme of “Our Future, We Engineer”, the HKEW comprises engaging events, including competitions, that aim to make a long-lasting positive impression of engineers on younger members of our society.

On 3 March, Towngas Head of Engineering – Hong Kong Utility Mr Simon Ngo and Head of Strategy & Innovation and Commercial – Hong Kong UtilityMr Daniel Fung,attended the opening ceremony as representatives of Towngas at the Hong Kong Palace Museum in kicking off the HKEW.The 3-day “Hong Kong Engineers Week Carnival” was held at Harbourside Lawn, West Kowloon Cultural District, with the theme “Our Living, We Engineer”. Grouped into three major areas of food, accommodation and transport, nearly 40 booths were set up by branches of professional institutions and different companies to share various engineering concepts and technologies. At Towngas’ booth, the public could learn a wide range of carbon reduction tips and understand the close connections between Towngas and everyday life from various perspectives. They also had the opportunity to win prizes and spend a fulfilling and unforgettable weekend.

On 9 March, “The HKIE International Conference” and “The HKIE Grand Award 2023”were held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Towngas General Manager – Transmission Operation Mr Edmond Fong gave a sharing on the topic “Towngas’ Energy Transition Journey towards Green”.

Towngas has serviced the people of Hong Kong for 160 years by providing safe, reliable supply and quality gas services. As one of the organisations that participated in the Carbon Neutral Partnership, Towngas actively set the carbon reduction targets and timetables and took the lead in deepening and accelerating low-carbon transformation, serving as a role model for the community. Towngas showcased its innovative projects and achievements, including the Integrated PAU with desiccant wheel, smart kitchen appliances and vision in hydrogen supply. Towngas will keep abreast of the times and lead the way to a bright, sustainable future with smart energy!