World News

USA: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is seeking US industry participation in a survey to monitor wholesale refrigerant prices in the USA.

JAPAN: Toshiba Carrier has signed a sponsorship agreement with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo which will see the Japanese rugby union club sporting jerseys with the Carrier logo.

BELGIUM: Despite a strong start, heat pumps sales have shrunk in some European and Nordic countries this year, according to new data from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA).

USA: Compressor and condensing unit manufacturer Tecumseh has appointed Ricardo Maciel as CEO, effective January 2. 

USA: Carrier Global Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Carrier Commercial Refrigeration business to Chinese manufacturer Haier for $775m.

USA: A number of equipment and process failures have been blamed for a fatal liquid nitrogen refrigerant release at a food processor in Gainesville, Georgia.

USA: The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) has announced a merger with the Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association (RETA). 

JAPAN: A Japanese manufacturer claims to have developed the world's first hydrogen-powered absorption chiller/heater.

GERMANY: Fans and motors manufacturer EBM-Papst is investing €1m in expanding its facilities in Singapore and India.

USA: Following another fall in air-source heat pump shipments in October, has pushed total year-to-date US heat pump shipments down 14.0%.

MALAYSIA: Panasonic has commenced operations at a new 10,900m2 R&D centre for testing water heaters and air conditioning equipment in Malaysia. 

EUROPE: A provisional deal between the European Parliament and Council to strengthen the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive includes a complete phase-out of fossil fuel boilers by 2040. 

SINGAPORE: A-Gas has recently recovered around 337kg of R407C refrigerant from the air conditioning and ventilation systems of decommissioned trains in Singapore.

UKRAINE: Authorities in Ukraine have seized a large shipment of refrigerant being brought into the country and mis-declared as humanitarian aid to evade customs duties.

JAPAN/UK: Members of the Greater Manchester Japan Steering Group, including UK government and Manchester City Council delegates, have visited the Daikin Technology Innovation Centre in Osaka to solidify decarbonisation plans.

BELGIUM: Customs authorities have reported an increase in illegal refrigerant seizures as it clamps down on shipments which contravene Montreal Protocol and European F-gas regulations.

UAE: Sixty-three countries are reported to have signed up to the Global Cooling Pledge which was launched today at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.

KENYA: A new report presented at COP28 calls for a faster global phase down of HFCs, higher energy efficiency standards and passive cooling strategies to reduce emissions.

GERMANY: Fans and motors manufacturer EBM‑Papst has successfully pursued and broken up a Chinese company that was selling counterfeit and refurbished versions of its products.

GERMANY: Past differences have finally been forgotten with news that the German contractors association VDKF has joined the advisory board of the Chillventa exhibition.

AUSTRALIA: Dr Greg Picker has been elected chair of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Board at the Australian Refrigeration Council’s AGM yesterday.

BELGIUM: An estimated 68,500 stores, or nearly 25% of all European food stores, are now using CO2 refrigeration technology, according to a new report.

INDIA: Daikin has now officially opened its new 300,000m2 air conditioner factory in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, southern India.

BELGIUM: Daikin Europe is launching a Europe-wide support programme for its Altherma heat pump installers.

DUBAI: Refrigeration and air conditioning will come under the global spotlight when world leaders at COP28 will be urged to sign a pact to broaden access to sustainable cooling.

ITALY: The forthcoming MCE Mostra Convegno Expocomfort exhibition in Milan is already 90% booked, according to the organiser.

UAE: A coalition led by Dubai-based multinational logistics company DP World is calling for frozen food temperatures to be set at -15°C as standard to cut carbon emissions.