World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Panasonic set to launch R32 mini VRF

EUROPE: Panasonic is set to launch an R32 version of its Mini ECOi VRF air conditioning system.

Previewed at the online Chillventa show in October, the new Mini ECOi LZ2 VRF series has been re-engineered for greater efficiency, offering SEERs up to 8.5 and SCOPs to 5.05 (for the 4hp model). 

The range of outdoor units will be offered in five sizes in cooling capacities from 12kW to 28kW.  It is said to be capable of operating at extreme ambient temperatures – down to -20°C in heating and up to 52°C in cooling.

Piping lengths are up to 90m on the single-fan 4, 5 and 6hp models and 100m on the twin-fan 8 and 10hp units. 

All units have a footprint of 980mm wide x 370mm deep, the single-fan units being 996mm high and weighing 94kg, the twin-fan models being 1500mm high and weighing 126kg.

A variety of indoor units are available, supporting an optional refrigerant leak detector and offering the latest nanoe X virus protection.

Latest News

13th October 2026

Security firm warns on refrigeration asset security

USA: Following Sunday night’s cyberattack on French supermarkets, security company Claroty has warned food retailers that they should not assume that their refrigeration controllers are isolated and secure.
12th October 2026

Danfoss moves to mitigate cyberattack

FRANCE: Danfoss has said it is in close contact with supermarket customers in France affected by a cyberattack on Sunday night on its refrigeration controllers.
12th October 2026

Bitzer debuts screw compressor for data centre cooling

GERMANY: Bitzer is to launch a new screw compressor specifically developed for data centre cooling at the Chillventa exhibition, which begins tomorrow.
12th October 2026

Call for action on incorrect heat pump insulation

UK: Industry groups are backing calls for a crackdown on incorrectly specified and installed thermal insulation on heat pumps.
12th October 2026

French supermarkets hit by massive cyberattack

FRANCE: Cyberattackers are reported to have taken control of the refrigeration systems in hundreds of supermarkets in France, changing temperature settings and defrosting produce.
11th October 2026

Carrier cooler protects building workers

JAPAN: Construction workers building Tokyo’s Torch Tower, Japan’s tallest building, are being kept cool thanks to a temporary cooling system jointly developed by Carrier Japan.