World News

USA: Reuben Trane, the engineering pioneer and co-founder of Trane Technologies, is to be inducted into the US National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) as a member of the 2026 class.

GERMANY: Researchers from Germany and Japan claim to have unlocked a way to enhance the performance of magnetocaloric refrigeration and improve the material’s durability. 

AUSTRIA: Just published is a new book offering a complete overview of regulations, standards, and best practices regarding fire and explosion hazards in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems.

FRANCE: Eiffage Énergie Systèmes has made significant investments in refrigeration and air conditioning contracting companies in France and Germany.

USA: Florida-based Blue Frontier’s outdoor air system was named Product of the Year at this week’s AHR Expo in Las Vegas.

INDIA: Mitsubishi Electric has officially opened its new US$23m air conditioner and compressor manufacturing facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 

BELGIUM: The World Customs Organisation has reported the seizure of 168 tonnes of ozone-depleting substances and HFCs in its latest clamp down on the illicit waste trade.

USA: Carrier has reported its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth in commercial HVAC in 2025, with data centre revenue growth of 50% to approximately $1bn.

HONG KONG: Researchers in Hong Kong claim to have developed the world’s first sub-zero Celsius elastocaloric freezing device, capable of reaching temperatures as low as -12℃. 

DENMARK: A European research project has used 3D-printing technology in the development of an energy-saving passive two-phase thermosyphon cooling solution for data centres.

USA: Trane has announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate next generation, oil-free centrifugal compressor technology for commercial HVAC applications.

BELGIUM: The “natural” refrigerants market accelerator Atmosphere ((formerly Shecco) has published a new report giving an overview of the state of “clean cooling” in the data centre sector.

USA: Modine has entered into a definitive agreement to spin-off its Performance Technologies business to become a pure-play climate solutions company.

USA: A $210m United States Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contract recently awarded to Hudson Technologies has been put on hold after a bid protest from an unnamed competitor.

USA: Asset management company J F Lehman (JFLCO) has acquired majority stakes in two US refrigerant management companies. 

SWEDEN: Beijer Ref has reported stable growth in 2025 with record-high cash flow and EBITA margin.

GERMANY: Motor and fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg claims to have achieved a revenue growth of 12% in 2025, exceeding €1bn for the first time in the company’s 116-year history.

SWEDEN: Per Bertland, former CEO of refrigeration wholesaler Beijer Ref, has been proposed as the company’s new chair of the board.

SPAIN: CEVA Logistics has started construction of a new 27,000m2 warehouse in Tórtola de Henares, Guadalajara, dedicated to air conditioning manufacturer Daikin.

UK: Ten leading companies, including Danfoss, Johnson Controls and ABB, are calling on policymakers around the world to increase the  minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners.

ITALY: Authorities in Italy have reached agreement to co-ordinate surveillance and combat the illegal trade in F-gases.

USA: Copeland has entered into an agreement to acquire Bueno Analytics, an Australian company seeking to transform building performance with AI-driven insights.

BELGIUM: The Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA) has published a new report aimed at strengthening skills and capacity in Europe’s heating and cooling sector.

ITALY: Beijer Ref has acquired a 75% stake in Italian air conditioning distributor Idema Clima, with an option to acquire the remaining shares.

INDIA: US compressor manufacturer Copeland has completed the first phase of a $55m investment at its Atit, India, manufacturing facility.

USA: A serious injury to an employee of a meat processor was caused by an ammonia release from an isolated compressor, which was thought to be empty.

USA: A Massachusetts-based food processing company will pay a $1.1m civil penalty following a fatal ammonia refrigerant release in 2022.