World News

USA: ASHRAE and the International Code Council (ICC) has released a proposed standard for the evaluation and documentation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) across a building’s life cycle.

JAPAN/ITALY: Panasonic has acquired a 40% stake in Italian air conditioning and heat pump manufacturer Innova, as part of a business alliance agreement.

USA: The US Environmental Protection Agency has recently issued penalties of over $500,000 in a crack down on companies who have contravened the country's HFC phase down regulations.

GREECE: Frigoglass, the producer of ice-cold merchandisers and glass packaging solutions, has appointed Serge Joris as group CEO. 

NETHERLANDS/USA: Amsterdam-based air curtain manufacturer Brightec has announced a partnership with transport refrigeration company Thermo King for exclusive distribution of its BlueSeal curtains in the US and Canada.

SWEDEN: Acquisitions boosted wholesaler Beijer Ref’s net sales in 2023 to SEK32,150m (€2,863m), a 42% increase on 2022. Organic sales grew 1.4%.

IRELAND: Johnson Controls International has confirmed that it is in the early stages of “pursuing strategic alternatives” for its non-commercial product lines.

ITALY: Air conditioning and heat pump manufacturer Clivet has renewed its partnership with Italian Serie A football team AC Milan.

SINGAPORE: Danfoss has unveiled Asia Pacific’s first sustainability technology centre (STC) in Singapore.

EUROPE: Following its recent adoption by the European Parliament, the European Council has now officially voted in favour of the F-gas revision proposals.

EUROPE: The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has joined a coalition of 19 energy industry organisations urging the European Commission to publish its Heat Pump Action Plan without delay.

IRELAND: Johnson Controls is rumoured to be exploring the sale of its HVAC businesses, which could include York International, Air Distribution Technologies and its stake in its Hitachi joint venture.

USA/DENMARK: Danfoss has joined forces with Enersponse, a distributed energy resource management company based in California, to introduce cutting-edge services for American supermarkets.

USA: This week's 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference attracted nearly 3,800 people, which was described by the organiser as “a robust gathering” of industry professionals.

USA/DENMARK: Danfoss and Google have broadened their recently announced strategic partnership to make use of the latest advances in AI and promote energy efficient solutions in data centres.

USA: Refrigerant manufacturer Koura is to distribute the lower GWP R410A replacement R454B in the US market.

USA: Reclamation Technologies USA (RTI) has purchased AllCool Refrigerant Reclaim, a locally owned and operated refrigerant company based in Frederick, Maryland. 

GERMANY: As Germany celebrates record heat pump sales in 2023, the future of the market is uncertain with sales declining since last June and an “alarming” slump in December. 

JAPAN: Toshiba Carrier Corporation is to change its name in Japan to Carrier Japan Corporation (Nippon Carrier Corporation) from May 1. 

BELGIUM: Daikin Europe has re-adjusted its forecasts for 2024 after a continuing shortfall in European heat pump sales and no expectation of a significant demand increase this year.

SWEDEN/DENMARK: Swedish ventilation company Lindab has signed an agreement to acquire Airmaster, a Danish manufacturer of products for decentralised ventilation.

GERMANY: Facilities management company Apleona has acquired German ventilation, air conditioning and smoke extraction system contractor Air for All.

FRANCE/SPAIN: French industrial and commercial refrigeration contractor Syclef has acquired the Spanish refrigeration and air conditioning companies Enfrío and Iparfrío.

ITALY: Asset management firm Ambienta has acquired a majority stake in the commercial and industrial refrigeration contractor businesses of Frigoveneta SpA and Frigoveneta Service Srl. 

FRANCE: Faced with a global move towards flammable refrigerants, a qualification programme will help governments ensure that refrigeration and air conditioning engineers have the appropriate skills.

BELGIUM/SWEDEN: The Belgian Linumgroup, a manufacturer and distributor of HVACR parts and accessories, has acquired the Swedish wholesaler Luftexpressen AB.

GERMANY: GEA is investing around €5.5m in the modernisation of industrial refrigeration production valves and components at its GEA AWP site in Prenzlau.