Panasonic Vietnam Launches E-Waste Collection Pilot Targeting 1,000 Used Air Conditioners Vietnam: Panasonic Vietnam Co. Ltd. has partnered with electronics retailer Cao Phong Co. Ltd., operator of the Cho Lon store chain, to launch a pilot electronic waste collection programme across southern and central Vietnam from October 2026 to March 2027, initially targeting 500–1,000 used air conditioners. Customers purchasing Panasonic products at Cao Phong stores can register to sel

Texas Prison System Faces USD 1.5 Billion Air Conditioning Retrofit by 2029 US: A federal judge has ordered the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to install air conditioning across its prison system by December 31, 2029, with TDCJ estimating the work could cost approximately USD1.5 billion. As of September 1, 38 of 104 facilities were fully air conditioned and 53 partially air conditioned, while projects covered 53,676 cool beds, with 23,738 under construction, 7,34

Philippines and South Korea Fast-Track Environmental and Climate Cooperation Agreements Ahead of ASEAN Summit Philippines/ South Korea: The Philippines and South Korea are accelerating negotiations on two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering environmental and climate change cooperation ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026. Discussions between Philippine Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna and South Korean Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change J

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air Conditioners Receive Top Ratings from Three Australian Consumer Organisations in 2026 Australia: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems announced on 8 October 2026 that its residential and commercial air conditioners in Australia, marketed through its subsidiary Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA), received high ratings from three consumer organisations. MHIAA won CHOICE’s 2026 Best Brand (Air Conditioners) award

Samsung and LG Expand Heat Pump Plans to Support South Korea’s Green Transformation Strategy South Korea: Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics plan to expand heat-pump systems combining cooling, heating and hot water from a single outdoor unit, supporting South Korea’s K-GX strategy to electrify residential heating and reduce fossil-fuel use. The government aims to deploy 3.5 million heat pumps by 2035, cutting greenhouse-gas emissions by 5.18 million metric tons. Samsung’s

Hungary Extends Deadline for EU-Funded Residential Solar Programme Hungary: Hungary has extended the completion deadline for its EU-funded RRF-6.2.1-2021 residential solar programme to October 31, 2026, allowing complex projects to close once at least two required development elements are completed. Launched in December 2021, the scheme offers grants covering 100% of eligible costs for lower-income households, up to US$8,870 for PV-only systems and approximately US$34,560 for

Hitachi and Bosch Home Comfort Collaborate on Connected Commercial HVAC Diagnostics and Building Management Japan/Germany: Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Global Life Solutions and Germany-based Bosch Home Comfort Group have agreed to integrate Hitachi’s HMAX for Buildings platform and exiida HVAC IoT solution with Bosch’s airCloud Pro service, enabling remote monitoring, predictive failure diagnostics and energy management for commercial HVAC equipment. Targeting continuously operated

NBCC Floats USD 1.13 Billion in Tenders to Complete 16 Stalled Supertech Housing Projects India: NBCC (India) Limited has floated 25 tenders worth USD1.13 billion (INR 96,203.3 million) to complete 16 stalled Supertech housing projects across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Karnataka, covering 50,962 homes, of which 39,870 were sold, 24,871 handed over and 14,999 remain undelivered. Appointed project management consultant by NCLAT in December 2024, NBCC’s mandate was

Italy’s Valves and Taps Sector Faces Export Challenges and New European Drinking Water Rules Italy: Italy’s valves and taps sector, with turnover of almost EUR 10 billion and exports accounting for over 60% of revenue, faces growing geopolitical uncertainty, volatile energy and logistics costs, and stricter European drinking water requirements. Francesca Paffoni, CEO of Rubinetteria Paffoni Spa and President-designate of the Italian Association of Valve and Faucet Manufacture

UK Future Homes Standard Drives Stricter Energy Efficiency and Ventilation Requirements UK: The UK’s Future Homes Standard (FHS), planned for implementation in 2025, aims to reduce carbon emissions in new homes through low-carbon heating, including heat pumps, improved insulation and energy-efficient technologies such as Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). Updates to Building Regulations Parts F and L focus on indoor air quality, ventilation and energy performan

Egypt Advances Structural Reforms and Economic Transformation Programme to Boost Private Sector Growth Egypt: Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ahmed Rostom, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to structural reforms under the State Ownership Policy Document and government IPO programme, expanding long-term financing, diversifying funding sources and broadening the tax base digitally. Despite slower global growth and regional geopolitical tensions, the

Abu Dhabi Branded Residences Market Enters Major Growth Phase UAE: Abu Dhabi is entering a major growth phase in branded residences, with 31 projects, including 5 completed and 26 in the pipeline, making it the sixth-largest city market globally and its pipeline joint third with Cairo. According to Global Branded Residences’ The Brand Standard, 92% of Abu Dhabi’s pipeline and 83% of its total market are standalone developments, compared with 37% globally, while branded reside

Morocco’s World Cup Preparations Are Reshaping the HVAC Market Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup are creating an infrastructure boom that extends far beyond football. The country is investing heavily in airports, hotels, railways, stadiums and urban infrastructure, creating a sizeable pipeline of new buildings and facilities that would require cooling, ventilation and other HVAC systems. The scale of the investment is significant. According to the IMF, Morocc

Midea Expands Louisville Research Centre to Strengthen HVAC Product Development and Training UNITED STATES: Midea Residential Air Conditioning plans to expand its Louisville Research Centre in Kentucky with a new 16,000-square-foot HVAC and water solutions laboratory and showroom, increasing the facility’s total area to 157,000 square feet. The new space will support product development and testing, particularly for all-climate heat pumps and the company’s EVOX platform. It w

Rheem Names Eric Varton CTO and Appoints Alan Machuga to Lead AI Transformation UNITED STATES: Rheem has announced two leadership changes to strengthen product innovation and accelerate digital transformation across its Air and Water business. Eric Varton joins as Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Chief Technology Officer, overseeing global R&D, controls engineering and programme management. He brings over 30 years of engineering experience, including roles

Canada Announces US$1.4 Billion Heat Pump Rebate Programme for Homeowners CANADA: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a US$1.4 billion national heat pump rebate programme to help households reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Eligible low- and middle-income households could receive rebates of up to approximately US$7,011, while other qualifying homeowners may receive around US$1,402. The programme aims to encourage wider adoption of energy-efficient heatin

Samsung Launches Online Training Platform for UK Heat Pump Installers UNITED KINGDOM: Samsung Climate Solutions has launched a new Learning Management System (LMS) to strengthen heat pump installer skills and support the UK’s growing heat pump market. The platform offers four progressive training levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Service Agent, covering installation, commissioning, servicing and diagnostics. The initiative complements practical training at Samsung’s centres in

Aermec Invests US$15 Million in First US Manufacturing Facility in Illinois UNITED STATES: Italian HVAC manufacturer Aermec has broken ground on its first US manufacturing facility in DeKalb, Illinois, marking a US$15 million investment. The planned 186,000-square-foot facility is expected to create 30 full-time jobs and support production of climate control and energy management systems. The expansion will strengthen Aermec’s manufacturing presence in North America, where it

Danfoss Opens New Manufacturing Facility in Poland to Expand Heating and Cooling Production POLAND: Danfoss has inaugurated a new 22,500 m² manufacturing facility in Tuchom, Poland, to meet growing demand for energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions, particularly for district energy and data centres. Operated by its Hydronics division, the plant can produce approximately 8,000 heavy-duty thermal interface stations annually, with potential capacity to double. Employing 2

Oman’s Construction Sector Targets Growth with US$120 Billion Project Pipeline Through 2030 OMAN: Oman’s construction sector is expected to benefit from a US$120 billion project pipeline through 2030, driven by investments in infrastructure, tourism, logistics and industrial development. Project Oman 2026, scheduled for November 2–4 at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat, will connect international suppliers with local industry stakeholders. Organised by IFP Gro

Mr DIY Prepares Market Entry in Hungary and Czech Republic Hungary/Czech Republic: Malaysian retail chain Mr DIY is preparing to enter the Hungarian market with its first store at the Köki shopping centre in Budapest. According to a report by Daily News Hungary dated 5 October 2026 and shared by the Malaysian Embassy in Hungary, the company has begun recruiting staff for the store. No opening date has been announced. Mr DIY is also preparing to open a store in the Czech Repub

Sodimac Revenue Rises 3.8% In Q2 2026 Chile: Falabella’s home improvement business Sodimac recorded a 3.8% year-on-year increase in revenue in the second quarter of 2026, reaching CLP 975.1 billion (EUR 910 million; USD 1.07 billion). The consolidated figures cover operations in Chile, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Colombia and Mexico are not included in Falabella’s consolidated financial statements; including these markets, Sodimac’s sales increased by 10.0%. In local

Top Knobs Acquires JACLO Industries and Durst United States: Top Knobs, a Dimora company, has acquired JACLO Industries, a decorative plumbing manufacturer and distributor based in Cranford, New Jersey, along with its sister brand Durst. JACLO will join Watermark Designs within Top Knobs’ Luxury Brands division. JACLO supplies plumbing, design and contracting customers through showrooms and dealers across North America, while Durst supplies valves, fittings, drainage and wate

RAK Ceramics Appoints Leonardo De Muro as Group CMO UAE: RAK Ceramics has appointed Leonardo De Muro as Group Chief Marketing Officer, effective 1 October 2026. De Muro previously served as Corporate Vice President, International Business Development at the company and has more than 30 years of experience in the ceramics and building materials industry. In his new role, De Muro will oversee RAK Ceramics’ global brand positioning, marketing strategy and innovation activities,