Air conditioners India: Indian air conditioner manufacturers are exploring export opportunities in Europe as record heatwaves increase demand for residential cooling solutions across the region. Companies are assessing market entry strategies as rising temperatures and changing climate conditions encourage greater adoption of air conditioning in countries where penetration has traditionally remained low. Despite the growing opportunity, Indian manufacturers face challenges in

The Shift Toward Centralised Cooling Systems in the Middle East Cooling accounts for as much as 70–80% of peak building energy demand across the Gulf, a figure that underscores just how central HVAC decisions are to real estate development, urban planning, and energy policy in the region. Against this backdrop, the structural shift away from standalone split and window units toward centralised air-conditioning systems such as VRF, ducted systems, chillers, AHUs, and packaged

Cera Sanitaryware India: Cera Sanitaryware reported that exports accounted for 1% of its total turnover during FY 2025-26, indicating that the company remains primarily focused on the domestic market. The company recorded a standalone turnover of approximately INR 2,050 crore (US$216 million approx.) during the financial year, with export sales representing a small share of overall revenue. The company continues to strengthen its manufacturing operations through investments i

Cera Sanitaryware India: Cera Sanitaryware expects revenue growth of 18 to 20% in FY27, supported by improving retail demand and stronger market activity. The company reported that demand conditions strengthened during the second half of FY26, and the positive trend continued into the beginning of FY27. Sanitaryware volumes are projected to grow by 7 to 8%, while faucetware volumes are expected to increase by 10 to 12%, reflecting stronger demand across its core product categ

Ziehl-Abegg Commits to Expand Global Manufacturing Capacity GERMANY: German ventilation and drive technology manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg has announced an additional US$ 102.6 million (€90 million) investment to expand production capacity across Europe, North America and Asia. The investment will fund new machinery, tooling and manufacturing equipment to meet rising global demand for energy-efficient fans and drive systems, particularly for AI data centres, building ventilation,

Persistent Affordability Challenges and Rising Economic Uncertainty Squeeze U.S. Housing Conditions U.S.: Persistent affordability challenges and rising economic uncertainty are weakening U.S. housing conditions, with household growth slowing for the third consecutive year from an average of 2 million in 2021 to 1.1 million in 2025 due to weaker labor markets, student debt and financial uncertainty, while residential mobility fell to a record-low 11.2% in 2024 and net interna

21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Clears Congress to Boost U.S. Housing Affordability U.S.: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Clears Congress to Boost U.S. Housing Affordability after passing the U.S. House of Representatives with a bipartisan 358-32 vote, clearing Congress and awaiting presidential approval, although President Trump postponed the planned signing ceremony while calling for the passage of the SAVE AMERICA ACT. The legislation aims to improve housing affordab

Panasonic Launches New Distribution Hub in Germany to Enhance HVAC Logistics Germany: The Panasonic Opens Central Distribution Centre in Germany to Strengthen HVAC Supply Chain with the launch of a new 12,000-square-metre logistics facility in Ladbergen, North Rhine-Westphalia, to store and distribute heat pumps, air conditioning and ventilation products across the German market. The site serves as a central hub within Panasonic’s European logistics network, consolidating pro

Swegon Expands Swiss Operations with LaminAir AG Acquisition Switzerland: The Swegon Acquires LaminAir AG to Strengthen Presence in Switzerland through the acquisition of LaminAir AG, a Swiss distributor of room unit products for air distribution, expanding its product portfolio and strengthening its position in the Swiss market. Founded in 1999, LaminAir AG has 11 employees and annual sales of approximately USD 10.5 million. The company will continue to operate as a standalo

SenerTec to End Production at Schweinfurt Facility Germany: SenerTec will discontinue production at its Schweinfurt facility as parent company BDR Thermea shifts combined heat and power plant manufacturing to its European production network, ending the production of the Dachs micro combined heat and power plant at the site. The decision follows unsuccessful negotiations after employees presented an alternative plan to preserve the facility, which the company rejected. The str

Germany’s Largest Solar Thermal Plant Begins Operations in Leipzig Germany: Germany’s Largest Solar Thermal Plant Begins Operations in Leipzig with the commissioning of a ground-mounted facility featuring approximately 13,000 solar collectors that will supply CO₂-free heat to Leipzig’s district heating network. Construction began in January 2024, and after initial grid feed-ins, the plant will enter continuous operation during the summer. Developed by Leipziger Stadtwerke and

UK Government Increases Heat Pump Grant for Oil-Heated Homes in Wales UK: The UK Government Increases Heat Pump Grant for Oil-Heated Homes in Wales by raising the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant from USD 7,500 to USD 9,000 for households replacing oil boilers with heat pumps, effective 21 July. Around 10,000 eligible off-grid homes across Wales will receive information on the scheme, which targets households without mains gas that are vulnerable to heating oil price fluctuations.

Lennox and Ariston Mark One Year of North American Water Heating Joint Venture U.S.: Lennox has marked the one-year anniversary of its joint venture with Ariston Group, launched in 2025, which introduced a portfolio of residential gas, electric and heat pump water heaters across North America, expanding Lennox's home comfort offerings. The partnership has achieved strong early dealer adoption by integrating water heaters into Lennox's distribution network and controls platfor

India Introduces Five-Year Transition Scheme for QCO Compliance India: The India Introduces Five-Year Transition Scheme for QCO Compliance with a temporary framework that will remain in force for five years to help manufacturers transition to full compliance with Quality Control Orders (QCOs). Under the scheme, licences will initially be valid for two years and can be renewed thereafter. The transition facility covers 10 industry segments, including washing machines and water

UK Air Conditioning Planning Rules Face Renewed Scrutiny UK: The UK Air Conditioning Planning Rules Face Renewed Scrutiny as reports indicate that some homeowners have been ordered to remove air conditioning units under local planning policies linked to climate targets and building design standards. While most homes can install air conditioning without planning permission, stricter rules apply to flats, leasehold properties, shared buildings and homes in conservation areas, p

European Heatwave Fuels Growth for Asian Air Conditioner Manufacturers Europe: Asian air conditioner manufacturers, including Samsung Electronics, Midea and Mitsubishi Electric, are witnessing a surge in sales as record-breaking temperatures across Europe drive higher demand for portable and fixed cooling systems. While air conditioning remains uncommon in many European homes and buildings, soaring temperatures have prompted increased purchases, with Samsung reporting double-

Philips Enters Philippine Air Conditioning Market with New Product Range PHILLIPINE: Philips has officially entered the Philippine air conditioning market with the launch of its Air Series, Classic Series, Noble Series, Elite Series, and Window-Type Air Conditioner Series at Philconstruct Expo 2026 in Manila. The launch marks the beginning of Philips' exclusive nationwide distribution partnership with Mulson’s Trading Corporation. Designed for residential and commercial appli

UK Increases Heat Pump Grant to £9,000 for Welsh Homes Using Heating Oil UNITED KINGDOM: The UK Government has increased the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for Welsh households using heating oil from £7,500 to £9,000, effective 21 July 2026. The enhanced funding aims to encourage rural households without access to the mains gas network to replace oil-fired heating systems with electric heat pumps. Around 10,000 eligible households across Wales will receive information on the sch

Daikin Selects India as Global R&D Hub for Data Centre Cooling Solutions INDIA: Daikin Industries Ltd has announced plans to establish a new research and development subsidiary, Daikin Research and Development India Private Limited, in Haryana, strengthening India's role as a global innovation hub for HVAC technologies. Scheduled for completion by June 2028, the new R&D centre will focus on developing advanced heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning solutions for Asia, Oce

Autec Carrier Expands Focus on Heat Pump Waste Heat Recovery for AI Data Centres SOUTH KOREA: Autec Carrier has announced plans to strengthen its position in the growing market for heat pump-based waste heat recovery systems, targeting the rising demand from AI data centres. As high-performance computing facilities consume more electricity and generate substantial waste heat, the company aims to deliver energy-efficient solutions that recover server heat for space heating and

EDF Commits €80 Million to Expand Cooling Solutions in French Schools and Nurseries FRANCE: EDF has announced an €80 million (around US$91.2 million) funding initiative to help schools, nurseries, and leisure centres across France install cooling systems as the country experiences increasingly frequent heat waves. Through the "Je passe à l'électrique" programme, EDF will allocate €40 million (around US$40.7 million) by September 2026 to subsidise the installation of fans, mis

Lidl Launches Portable Air Conditioner in UK Amid Rising Demand UK: Lidl has introduced a portable 3-in-1 air conditioner in the UK, priced at GBP 149 (USD 202; EUR 173), as demand for cooling products increases during the current heatwave. Available in stores from 25 June, the Tronic unit combines air conditioning, fan and dehumidifier functions, features two fan speeds and is designed for rooms measuring between 30 and 45 cubic metres. The retailer has also launched a wider

Heatwave Drives Surge in Air Conditioning Demand Across the Netherlands Netherlands: Demand for residential air conditioning systems has increased across the Netherlands following a period of extreme heat, with industry association Techniek Nederland reporting that some installation companies have experienced up to a fourfold increase in customer enquiries. While manufacturers continue to have sufficient product availability, installation capacity has become constrained, with

Sri Lanka Bans Imports of HCFC-Based Air Conditioners and Refrigerators Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has introduced a ban on the import of air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers and ice plants that operate exclusively on hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants, effective from 6 June 2026. The announcement was made in Parliament by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera during discussions on several legislative measures. The import restrictions form part of