Why Window ACs Still Dominate in the Philippines: A Regional Perspective Across Southeast Asia, the transition from traditional window air conditioners to more efficient split-type systems have become increasingly evident. Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam have seen rapid uptake of split-type air conditioners, supported by rising household incomes, modernising housing stock and strong policy emphasis on energy-efficient appliances. The Philippines, however, rem

The European bathroom market remained stable in 2024, declining marginally, navigating shifting consumer preferences, evolving housing dynamics, and broader economic pressures. Eastern Europe maintained a slight lead in overall activity, supported by consistent demand across core categories. Western Europe, while marginally behind in total installations, continues to set the pace for long-term growth, particularly in renovation-led upgrades.  Housing RMI remained the dominant

As temperatures continue to rise and rapid urbanisation reshapes the Middle East, cooling demands have become central to national planning in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. With both countries launching large-scale residential, commercial, and industrial developments under their long-term visions, cooling is now positioned at the crossroads of sustainability, energy security, and economic diversification. Within this evolving landscape, decentralised cooling systems are eme

India’s Air Conditioning Industry: From Import Dependence to a Self-Reliant Manufacturing Hub India's air conditioning industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Due to rising consumer demand and government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Air Conditioning and Components and the Make in India campaign, companies are increasingly prioritizing local manufacturing and expanding their production capacity. India's AC market, once heavily relian

Local Manufacturing Reshapes Demand for Bathroom and Kitchen Products in Thailand Driving Growth and Reducing Import Dependence Thailand’s bathroom and kitchen products market is undergoing a structural transformation driven by the rapid growth of local manufacturing. The market relies on domestic producers that offer affordable, high-quality, and design-oriented products suited to Thai lifestyles and living conditions. Rising incomes, urbanization, and government initiatives

Growing Interest in Wellness Products Boosts India’s Bath Market In urban India, bathrooms are gradually evolving from purely functional spaces into personal wellness zones. While this transformation is still limited to a relatively small segment of the population, it reflects changing aspirations among affluent city dwellers. This shift has sparked a promising growth in wellness bathroom products, breathing new life into the baths market, which remained a slow mover for deca

Bathroom Over the past few years, a quiet but meaningful shift has taken place in the Balkans’ bathroom products industry. Once dominated by multinational brands and imports, the market is now witnessing the rise of local players who combine cost efficiency, design adaptability, and regional identity into compelling offerings.  Croatia: Local Expertise Meets Market Maturity In Croatia, the bathroom products market has evolved from one dependent on imports to one where domesti

Southeast Asia Transitioning to Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants Over the past decade, Southeast Asia’s cooling industry has been undergoing a profound transformation. Once dominated by high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants such as R22 and R410A, the region is now steadily transitioning towards lower-GWP alternatives, led by R32 and other next-generation blends. This analysis focuses on the five major ASEAN markets, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia,

The Rise of Chinese Sanitaryware in East Africa Chinese sanitaryware has established a strong foothold in the East African market, particularly within the lower-income segment, while the premium category remains largely dominated by Western brands such as Ideal Standard, Duravit, and Roca. At first glance, China’s dominance appears to stem from its competitive pricing, which makes its products highly accessible to cost-conscious consumers. Yet the picture is far more nuanced.

Gas Boiler The immediate fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 was the European energy crisis that followed. The souring of relations with Europe over the invasion of Ukraine threatened the availability of gas for heating and other purposes during harsh winter months, with the Russian Federation being the biggest gas supplier to the continent. In order to maintain energy security and mitigate the impending impact of this development, various European governments pushed fo

Heat pump The market for heat pump water heaters (HPWH) in Australia, once a clean energy success, has declined sharply since 2024. This downturn is likely to continue into 2025. After two years of strong growth fueled by generous rebates, the industry now struggles with reduced subsidies, poor-quality imports, and decreasing consumer trust.  From Boom to Bust   Between 2022 and 2023, the HPWH sector grew quickly, thanks to federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) a

Bangladesh’s air-conditioning (AC) market expanded rapidly from 2021 onwards, driven by rising incomes, fast urbanisation, and increasingly hotter summers that made cooling a necessity rather than a luxury. Annual sales rose sharply from 2021, nearly doubling by 2024, reflecting the sector’s swift transformation into a large and dynamic industry. The residential segment contributed the largest share of market value, while commercial systems played a smaller but significant ro

On September 22, 2025, the Government of India implemented a major reform in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, reducing the GST rate on air conditioners (ACs) from 28% to 18%. This change is part of the broader GST 2.0 initiative, which simplified the tax regime into three slabs—5% for essentials, 18% for standard goods, and 40% for luxury items. The reduction in GST has led to a direct price drop of ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per unit, depending on the model and brand. This

BRG is pleased to announce the recent publication of the 2025 Heating market reports for its tiers 1 and 2 countries. BRG reports provide...

The bathroom industry in Thailand is undergoing a noteworthy transformation, with the growing adoption of smart shower toilets reflecting...

South Africa's ongoing load shedding crisis, marked by frequent power cuts lasting up to 10 hours a day, has severely impacted industrial...

India is set to undergo a crucial phase in its refrigerant transition, focusing on phasing down high global warming potential (GWP)...

The European ventilation market is on its path to recovery European Ventilation Market: Cooling Down, Then Heating Up? Sales of most...

In recent years, bathroom furniture has gained prominence across global markets. In fact, modular bathroom is a rising trend in bathroom...

Bathroom culture in Asia is deeply shaped by cultural, religious, and practical considerations. Across the region, diverse traditions...