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

California invests $2m in anti-icing material

USA: Nelumbo, a US company developing advanced surface modifications to improve heat exchanger performance, has been awarded $2m in funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC).

The CEC invests in scientific and technological research to accelerate the transformation of the electricity sector through its Electric Programme Investment Charge (EPIC). 

“Nelumbo has created an advanced anti-icing material to improve the energy efficiency of industrial refrigeration systems. Cutting edge technologies like Nelumbo’s have the potential to create energy savings while advancing California’s clean energy goals,” said CEC vice chair Janea Scott. 

The deployment of Nelumbo’s anti-ice materials on industrial refrigeration systems is seen as a potentially cost-effective way to decarbonise California’s food and beverage processing industry. 

Nelumbo has already demonstrated its anti-ice materials on residential refrigerators as well as residential and commercial-scale heat pumps. With this funding, Nelumbo says it will optimise its materials for industrial substrates and scale manufacturing processes required for commercial adoption.

“Recent events have highlighted exactly how critical the robustness of our food supply chain is,” said Nelumbo CEO Liam Berryman. “We are pleased to work with the CEC to demonstrate a solution that can be impactful at any scale and to any system. We see this project as an expansion step into a range of new sustainable opportunities in cooling.”

Related stories:

Surface innovator, Nelumbo, raises $14m15 April 2020
USA: Nelumbo, a pioneer in advanced surface modifications, which could improve heat exchanger performance and corrosion resistance, has raised $14m in new funding. Read more…

Danfoss set to deploy new surface technology – 15 January 2019
DENMARK/USA: Danfoss is set to deploy new surface modification technology on its microchannel heat exchangers. Read more…

Danfoss invests in US coil coating firm – 27 June 2018
USA/DENMARK: Continuing to invest in new technology, Danfoss has acquired a minority stake in Nelumbo, a California-based developer of heat exchanger surface treatment technology. Read more…

Latest News

14th February 2026

Spanish police bust F-gas smuggling ring

SPAIN: Authorities in Spain have arrested 10 people after uncovering and dismantling a criminal organisation responsible for the illegal trade of more than 15 tonnes of F-gases.
13th February 2026

IOR to launch a Skills Alliance

UK: The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) is to launch of a new collaborative forum to ensure training provision is aligned with real industry needs.
12th February 2026

Judith Evans wins J&E Hall Gold

UK: Judith Evans of Refrigeration Developments and Testing and London South Bank University has been recognised for her contributions to the industry with the J&E Hall International Gold Medal.
12th February 2026

UK heat pump sales up 27%

UK: Heat pump sales in the UK reached another record high of 125,037 units in 2025, a 27% increase on 2024.
11th February 2026

Viessmann extends FC Bayern sponsorship

GERMANY: Viessmann Climate Solutions has extended its partnership with leading German football club FC Bayern Munich.
11th February 2026

F-gas group Coolektiv closes

GERMANY: Coolektiv, the industry group founded in 2018 to push for a consistent implementation of the F-gas regulation and to campaign against the illegal trade in HFCs, has closed down.