World News

GERMANY: Trevor Young is to take over as CEO of the FläktGroup from March 1.

CANADA: The development of an ultra-thin graphene-based nanofilm membrane that could reduce the energy required air conditioning systems has received CAD$2m (€1.4m) in seed funding.

NEW ZEALAND: Refrigerant management company A-Gas has launched the first laboratory in New Zealand with the capability to test the quality of refrigerants against AHRI Standard 700.

USA: A California-based cheese processing company has agreed to pay over $400,000 following EPA accusations of violations pertaining to its ammonia refrigeration system.

USA: Four heat pump research projects aimed at reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions are to receive a total of over $10m in funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE). 

USA: Nine US states have signed an agreement to significantly accelerate residential heat pump sales.

BULGARIA: A shipment of nearly one tonne of smuggled HFC refrigerants in disposable cylinders have been seized by Bulgarian customs officials.

JAPAN: Daikin is said to have entered into a capital alliance with a Japanese startup company developing a roof material with integrated solar panels and a home energy management system.

BELGIUM: The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has accused the European Commission of sidelining heat pumps following today’s adoption of its Industrial Carbon Management Communication to reach net zero.

USA: Despite flat fourth quarter sales compared to 2022, Carrier recorded sales for the year 2023 of $22.1bn, an 8% increase on 2022.

USA: Carrier chairman and CEO David Gitlin had the honour to ring the iconic New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) bell to open today’s trading.

SWEDEN: After thorough tests and evaluations, Swedish HVAC manufacturer Swegon is to introduce recycled and renewably produced steel in its high-volume serial production.

JAPAN: Transportation company Ocean Network Express (ONE) has commenced trials of what it claims is the world’s first dual-temperature refrigerated container equipped with controlled atmosphere (CA) functions.

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.