World News
PFAS in refrigerants to be discussed in March
FINLAND: The European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) assessment of PFAS in fluorinated gases, which threaten further restrictions on HFC refrigerants, are now scheduled to be discussed at meetings in March….
Prices of R448A and R449A increase in Q3
EUROPE: Prices of R448A and R449A refrigerants, the lower GWP replacements for R404A, experienced price rises of 10% and 6%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2024….
AC plant benefits from 5.2MW solar array
MALAYSIA: A 5.2MW solar power generation system installed at Panasonic’s air conditioning factory in Malaysia is expected to provide approximately 20% of the facility’s electricity requirement….
Making magnetocalorics a match for heat pumps
USA: Researchers in the USA claim to have developed a magnetocaloric heat pump that matches current vapour compression heat pumps for weight, cost and performance….
Carrier invests in solid-state heat pump
USA/IRELAND: Carrier Ventures, the investment arm of the Carrier Global Corporation, is reported to have invested €15m in a company developing a world-first emission and refrigerant-free heat pump….
Aermec owner acquires Spanish distributor Airlan
ITALY/SPAIN: The Giordano Riello International Group (GRIG), owner of Aermec, has acquired the Spanish air conditioning companies Airlan SA and Airlan Industrial SA. …
Panasonic completes Area Cooling purchase
POLAND: Panasonic has completed the acquisition of Polish refrigeration equipment manufacturer Area Cooling Solutions Sp zoo, a subsidiary of the Barcelona-based distribution business….
Area Cooling Solutions sold to IPCOM
SPAIN: Barcelona-based refrigeration and air conditioning supplier Area Cooling Solutions has been acquired by Belgian company IPCOM, while finalising the sale of its Polish condensing unit factory to Panasonic. …
Overview of hydrocarbon heat pumps in Europe
FRANCE: A new report highlights the transformative role of hydrocarbons (HCs) in domestic heat pumps, their current status and a European market overview….
Hoshizaki completes shift to “naturals” in Japan
JAPAN: Hoshizaki is to complete its transition to “natural” refrigerants in the Japanese market with upgrades to its commercial refrigerator, freezer, and refrigerator-freezer models….