Panasonic opens AC R&D centre in Malaysia
8th December 2023
MALAYSIA: Panasonic has commenced operations at a new 10,900m2 R&D centre for testing water heaters and air conditioning equipment in Malaysia.
The new building, constructed at Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning R&D Malaysia (PAPARADMY) in Selangor, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to shorten the lead time for developing air conditioning equipment for the global market, mainly for ASEAN and Europe, and allowing it to accelerate development that meets local needs.
Panasonic operates two subsidiaries in Malaysia: Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PAPAMY), which is a production and sales site for room air conditioners, commercial air conditioners, air-to-water heat pumps, etc, and PAPARADMY, which is the research and development site. PAPAMY was founded in 1973 and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The new building is adjacent to the current PAPARADMY building that accommodates laboratories and offices. It has three floors and a gross floor area of 10,900m2. Offices are located on the third floor in preparation for future increases in staff members, and a range of laboratories are provided on the first and second floors.
The company’s first multi-purpose laboratory in the new building enables the simultaneous measurement of the operating efficiency of air conditioners and heat pump systems. Previously, it was necessary to conduct separate experiments for each type of equipment.
The facility also includes a semi-anechoic chamber to confirm electromagnetic waves compliance.
Measurements of equipment that use water, such as A2W and hydronic systems, have up to now been carried out by external organisations. By installing its first semi-anechoic chamber equipped with water supply and drainage equipment, Panasonic will build a system for conducting rapid in-house verification and accelerate the speed of product development.
In addition to the broadening of the lineup of multi air conditioners, Panasonic will also enhance the incorporation of inverters into air conditioners for offices and stores, as well as develop a variety of indoor units, including duct, cassette and wall-mounted units.
For the European market, Panasonic will also develop fan coil units for commercial hydronic air conditioning systems and accelerate the development of air-to-water heat pumps equipped with “natural” refrigerants for the European market
Following the launch this year of A2W heat pumps with R290 refrigerant for the European market, Panasonic will set up laboratories that enable the verification of R290-based equipment in actual usage environments to ramp up product development in collaboration with the company’s new R&D centre established in Milan, Italy.
