KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Smartee Denti-Technology launched Smartee AG KIDS, a craniofacial growth guidance system designed for growing patients, in Malaysia. The launch was accompanied by a one-day clinical course attended by 130 dental professionals, focusing on the fundamentals of craniofacial growth, along with the clinical screening protocols and the practical application of the AG KIDS system.
The one-day course, titled "Airway & Growth," was led by Dr Yue Weng Cheu, Clinical Director of DP Dental in Singapore, who led the key clinical collaborators involved in the development of AG KIDS.
The program opened with clinical cases illustrating dentofacial and airway-related growth changes in children. Subsequent sessions explored the science of craniofacial growth and the airway, including the dentist's role in early identification, followed by a three-domain screening approach covering screening for sleep-related breathing and bidirectional referral to sleep physicians or ENTs.
The course also introduced the clinical application of AG KIDS, including case submission, treatment workflow, and clinical support.
A Three-Dimensional Craniofacial Growth Guidance Framework
AG KIDS is a craniofacial growth guidance system designed for growing patients aged 3 to 16 years. The system applies a three-dimensional framework to the management of arch form, vertical dimension and mandibular position, with alignment achieved within the broader growth-guidance process.
Its integrated configuration includes the Smartee S8-SGHB PLUS for sagittal and vertical control, S11 Palatal Device for transverse expansion, and K4 JOY-JOY and K5 SMILEY-SMILEY for myofunctional support. Dentists using AG KIDS are also supported by a dedicated algorithm designed to assist with case planning on the SMARTEECHECK platform.
Throughout the program, Dr. Yue emphasized the dentist's role in early identification and screening while maintaining a clear diagnostic boundary: formal diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs), including obstructive sleep apnoea, remains within the appropriate medical scope.
Clinical Perspectives on Early Assessment and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Dr. Chen Ye Hong, Founding President of the Malaysian Dentofacial Sleep Society (MDSS), who attended the course, highlighted the importance of looking beyond tooth alignment when evaluating children.
"Early orthodontic care should move beyond simply straightening teeth to supporting healthy facial growth and function. Children should be assessed for breathing patterns, airway health, tongue function, and sleep quality as part of a broader clinical evaluation. Closer collaboration between orthodontists, sleep dentists, ENT specialists, and other healthcare professionals is essential," said Dr. Chen.
His perspective reflected the course's focus on early identification, screening, and appropriate referral, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration between dental and medical professionals.
Drawing on his involvement in the development of AG KIDS and his clinical experience with growing patients, Dr. Yue also emphasized the importance of keeping pace with developments in research and clinical practice while establishing appropriate interdisciplinary workflows.
"We need to keep abreast of the research, clinical applications and treatment systems, while establishing clear workflows with our medical colleagues and allied health partners," said Dr. Yue.
The Malaysia launch marks a further step in Smartee's development of its portfolio for growing patients and its ongoing clinical education initiatives. Through continued product development, professional education and collaboration with clinicians, Smartee aims to support clinicians in applying structured approaches to the management of craniofacial growth in growing patients.
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Smartee Denti-Technology Launches AG KIDS in Malaysia
Smartee Denti-Technology Launches AG KIDS in Malaysia
Supporting packaging compliance in Asia-Pacific
SHANGHAI, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Henkel has opened a new route to certified packaging recyclability testing in Asia-Pacific. The Henkel Packaging Recyclab Shanghai has passed the official audit of the cyclos-HTP Institute (CHI). The accreditation authorizes the site to carry out EU paper packaging recyclability testing and to issue EU recognized external test assessment reports for customers across the region.
The accreditation further strengthens Henkel's local support for packaging manufacturers, converters, and brand owners as they prepare for the European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and increasingly complex recyclability requirements. It also positions the Packaging Recyclab Shanghai as a key part of Henkel's growing global Packaging Recyclab network, alongside the facility in Düsseldorf, Germany. Integrated into Henkel's global Inspiration Center experience, these laboratories help customers explore, test, and optimize packaging solutions from concept development through recyclability assessment.
The Packaging Recyclab Shanghai now applies two recognized European paper packaging recyclability test protocols, CEPI/4evergreen and CHI. Asia-Pacific exporters can test and assess to EU standards locally instead of sending samples to Europe. That cuts development time and gives customers earlier clarity for market access planning.
Supporting compliance through local testing
The PPWR sets requirements across packaging design, recyclability performance, recycled content, hazardous substance limits and reuse criteria, alongside strengthened Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations for producers placing packaging on the EU market. For companies exporting to Europe, packaging compliance is now part of market readiness rather than a downstream check.
Asia-Pacific plays an essential role in global packaging supply chains across electronics, consumer goods, food, light industry and other sectors. Until now, many regional companies have relied on European laboratories for recognized paper packaging recyclability testing. Henkel Packaging Recyclab Shanghai helps address this challenge by providing local access to internationally aligned testing capabilities and technical expertise.
"PPWR will reshape the competitive landscape of the packaging industry," said Dr. Alejandro Schoenhoff, Vice President, Packaging Adhesives, Henkel Asia Pacific. "CHI's accreditation of the Packaging Recyclab in Shanghai marks an important milestone in bringing Europe's authoritative recyclability assessment and testing capabilities closer to customers in Asia-Pacific. It underscores Henkel's long-term commitment to China and the wider region, and it represents another significant step in helping local businesses meet stringent global market entry requirements."
Designing for recyclability, globally
For packaging exporters, evolving regulation creates both compliance obligations and an opportunity to rethink packaging design from the start. Design for recyclability moves beyond asking whether a material is theoretically recyclable. It requires companies to understand how packaging performs in real recycling processes and to consider material selection, coatings, adhesives and structural design as part of one system.
The Packaging Recyclab Shanghai supports this shift by enabling a more integrated workflow across design, testing, assessment and optimization. Rather than relying only on post-production checks, customers can work with Henkel experts earlier in the development phase to identify improvement opportunities, generate technical data and support documentation for recyclability assessment.
"Given the enormous export volume of China and Asia-Pacific, addressing these challenges is not optional; it is imperative," said Yanjie Zheng, Sustainability Manager, Packaging Adhesives, Henkel Asia Pacific. "Henkel has built an integrated, end-to-end solution covering the packaging lifecycle, from design and manufacturing applications to end-of-life recycling and regulatory compliance. Henkel Packaging Recyclab Shanghai gives packaging exporters an efficient and reliable path to international compliance."
Driving industrial transformation across packaging
Henkel is one of the largest suppliers of industrial adhesives worldwide, with a portfolio spanning commercial packaging formats across the value chain. The Packaging Recyclab Shanghai currently focuses on paper packaging, with preparatory work underway to add plastic packaging recyclability assessments. The site plans to widen its testing scope over time to cover further export packaging categories.
Alongside its testing capabilities, the Packaging Recyclab Shanghai generates data on how packaging structures actually perform, informs design-for-recyclability practice and shares what it learns with the wider industry. Asia-Pacific customers get local expertise, internationally aligned testing and a clearer route to circular packaging design.
About Henkel
With its brands, innovations and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. The business unit Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the market for adhesives, sealants and coatings. With Consumer Brands, the company holds leading positions especially in laundry & home care and hair in many markets and categories around the world. The company's three strongest brands are Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf. In fiscal 2025, Henkel reported sales of about 20.5 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 3.0 billion euros. Henkel's preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. Sustainability has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company has a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Henkel was founded in 1876 and today employs a diverse team of about 50,000 people worldwide – united by a strong corporate culture, shared values and a common purpose: "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations." More information at www.henkel.com
Photo material is available at www.henkel.com/press
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Henkel's Packaging Recyclab in Shanghai now accredited for EU recognized paper packaging recyclability testing
Henkel's Packaging Recyclab in Shanghai now accredited for EU recognized paper packaging recyclability testing
Henkel's Packaging Recyclab in Shanghai now accredited for EU recognized paper packaging recyclability testing
