Key Kitchen Countertop Trends Highlighted for 2026 USA: Kitchen & Bath Design News highlights evolving preferences in kitchen countertop materials and design for 2026. The findings show that engineered surfaces such as quartz and quartzite remain the fastest-growing materials in demand, while porcelain, granite and marble continue to maintain a strong presence in modern kitchens. Designers note that homeowners increasingly prefer countertops that combine durability and ease o

Siamp Acquires Stake in Clara Sanitaires France: Siamp, a Monaco-based manufacturer of concealed cisterns, tanks and flushing systems, has acquired a stake in Clara Sanitaires, a French manufacturer operating in the same product segment. The company did not disclose the size of the shareholding. Clara Sanitaires was established in 1965 and operates a manufacturing facility in Brittany, France, covering 4,400 square metres, where its products are designed and produced. Clara S

South Korean Firms Pause Middle East Operations Amid Rising Regional Tensions MIDDLE EAST: Major South Korean companies, including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company and LG Electronics, have temporarily suspended parts of their operations in the Middle East as security concerns escalate following tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The companies have prioritised employee safety by halting on-ground business activities in some areas and implementing

Government Incentives Drive Heat Pump Sales Growth Across Europe EUROPE: Preliminary data from the European Heat Pump Association shows that residential heat pump sales across 16 European countries increased by 11% in 2025, reaching around 2.63 million units compared with 2.38 million in 2024. The growth brings the total installed base in Europe to approximately 28 million systems. Twelve of the analysed countries recorded higher sales, largely due to stable subsidy programme

Rising Middle East Conflict Impacts Shipping, Oil Prices, and International Trade MIDDLE EAST: Rising geopolitical tensions and policy changes are creating fresh uncertainty in global trade. Escalation in the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes on Iran pushed oil and gas prices higher, with Brent crude briefly exceeding $82 per barrel. The situation has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route carrying around 20% of global oil and LNG, while attacks a

U.S. DOJ Sues California Cities Over Natural Gas Restrictions in New Buildings USA: The Trump Administration has filed a lawsuit against two cities in California over local ordinances that effectively prohibit natural gas piping and appliances, potentially setting the stage for broader regulatory disputes at the state level. On Jan. 5, the U.S. Department of Justice initiated legal action against the cities of Petaluma and Morgan Hill, arguing that their rules banning natural

NLBMDA Supports Legislation to Exclude Homebuilding Materials from Tariffs USA: The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has publicly backed the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act, a bill introduced in the United States Congress aimed at reducing housing costs by exempting key homebuilding materials from recently imposed tariffs. The legislation would establish a streamlined process for U.S. businesses to request tariff exclusions on imported construct

U.S. Heat Pumps Growth Enters New Phase Amid Changing Incentives and Market Forces The U.S. heat pump market has entered a new phase, shaped by the expiration of federal incentives, rising state-level support, and evolving consumer preferences. While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) played a pivotal role in accelerating adoption through its generous tax credits and rebate programs, the conclusion of those federal incentives has affected market dynamics. Growth remains suppor

LG logo SAUDI ARABIA: LG Electronics is fast-tracking its growth strategy in key high-potential markets, with Saudi Arabia, India, and Brazil identified as major drivers of its medium- to long-term expansion. The company plans to double its combined revenue from these three countries by 2030 by introducing localized products, strengthening regional manufacturing, and adopting market-specific strategies. Last year, revenue from these markets reached KRW 6.2 trillion (US$4.2 b

Green Energy GERMANY: Germany’s coalition government is facing criticism for stepping back from its climate commitments after agreeing to roll back key parts of a controversial heating law. The original law required most newly installed heating systems to run on at least 65% renewable energy, typically through heat pumps. Under the revised draft, however, homeowners will be allowed to continue using oil and gas-based systems. The changes also remove the requirement for homeo

GDP INDIA: India’s economy expanded by a stronger-than-expected 7.8% in the quarter ending December, surpassing the 7.2% growth forecast in a Reuters survey of economists. The latest figures follow a revision in the methodology used to calculate economic output, aimed at enhancing accuracy. Under the updated series, the previous quarter’s GDP growth has been revised upward from 8.2% to 8.4%. The government has also increased its GDP growth projection for financial year 2026

Air con INDIA: Consumer electronics brand Acerpure, part of Taiwan-based Acer Group, plans to leverage insights from its growth in India to strengthen its presence in other emerging markets such as Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia as part of its broader global expansion strategy, a senior company executive said on Thursday. The company, which formally entered India’s air conditioner market after conducting test marketing last year, is also exploring export oppor

Survey Finds Product Availability Top Priority for HVAC Contractors Choosing Distributors USA: Product availability, competitive pricing, and timely, accurate delivery are the three most important factors HVAC contractors consider when choosing distributors, according to a recent survey. The findings come as no surprise to Tim Fisher, director of research at Heating Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI). He noted that the survey, conducted by Far

Dandelion Energy Shifts Strategy to Focus on Production Home Builders USA: Dandelion Energy has announced a major strategic shift, placing greater emphasis on working with production home builders, according to its CEO and chairman, Dan Yates. The decision is driven by two key factors: changing dynamics in the housing market and the company’s ability to reduce installation costs by nearly 40% under this new approach. Home builders are increasingly looking for high-quality, lo

US Construction Sector Adds Strong Job Gains at Start of 2026 USA: Construction employment in the United States increased by 33,000 jobs in January 2026, marking one of the strongest monthly gains in more than two years, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase brought total construction employment to over 8.3 million workers nationwide. Much of the growth came from non-residential construction, particularly specialty trade contractors, which a

ACCA Study Reveals What Sets Top HVAC Contractors Apart USA: A new study by Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and Farmington Consulting Group explores what sets top-performing HVAC contractors apart. The organizations jointly surveyed more than 1,000 contractors across the United States, including both ACCA members and non-members. Among the respondents, the majority (66%) identified their role as owner or executive. In terms of fleet size, 35% operated two to fo

Watertec Targets Rapid Growth in CP & Sanitaryware Business India: Watertec India, backed by Warburg Pincus, is planning to significantly expand its chrome plated (CP) and sanitaryware segment, which is expected to grow 20–25% annually and reach about USD 48 million in topline within five years. The Coimbatore-based company reported revenues of around USD 60 million in FY26, with polymer bath fittings contributing 70%, pipes 20%, and CP & sanitaryware about 10% of topline. Th

Daikin Opens Multimillion-Dollar HVAC Facility in Christchurch New Zealand: Daikin has opened a new multimillion-dollar logistics site in Christchurch, with the Hornby facility becoming the largest HVAC warehouse in the South Island and supporting the shift toward electric, low-emission buildings. The site expands logistics operations, develops skilled workers, and includes a system to intercept residential and commercial heat pumps to recover and recycle refrigerants before

Xiaomi Expands In-House Home Appliance Production with New Wuhan Plant China: Xiaomi has begun in-house production of home appliances, opening its first dedicated plant in Wuhan with an investment of USD 350 million, covering 500,000 square meters and capable of producing up to 7 million units annually. The company plans to manufacture 20% of its air conditioners and other products internally and introduced a new air-conditioning system priced at about USD 7,000, matching riv

Late Summer Delays Air Conditioner Demand in South India India: A report by Axis Capital said a late start to summer has delayed the seasonal demand for room air conditioners (RAC) in South India by about 15 days, with industry sales declining 20% in January and around 10% in February. The upcoming rollout of Bureau of Energy Efficiency 2026 models is expected to raise 5-star AC prices by 10–12% and 3-star units by 6–7%, while inventories remain elevated but manageable. The n

AtmosZero Partners with R.F. MacDonald to Expand Electrified Steam Technology U.S.: AtmosZero announced a strategic commercial channel partnership with R.F. MacDonald Co. at the AHR Expo in Las Vegas to deploy modular electrified steam heat pump technology across engineering firms, end users, and commercial and industrial boiler rooms. The collaboration opens access to key emissions-reduction markets, leveraging R.F. MacDonald’s 70 years of experience serving Nevada and a maj

MHI Thermal Systems Establishes Air Conditioner Production Base in India India: On February 24, 2026, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd., part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, announced the launch of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-IAPL Air Conditioners Private Limited, a joint venture with IAPL Group Private Limited that began operations on January 22 to establish a local air-conditioner production base in India. The move aims to strengthen the production and sales

Gurugram Overtakes Mumbai as India’s Largest Luxury Housing Market India: Gurugram has surpassed Mumbai to become India’s largest luxury housing market, recording transactions worth about USD 2.9 billion for homes priced at ₹10 crore and above in 2025, an 80% rise from about USD 1.61 billion in 2024, according to a joint report by India Sotheby’s International Realty and CRE Matrix. Meanwhile, Mumbai’s luxury segment recorded about USD 2.64 billion in 2025 compared with about

Nestoria Group Launches Large-Scale 3D Printed Housing Project in Dholera Smart City India: Nestoria Group has initiated a large-scale 3D printed housing development in Dholera Smart City, marking one of the broadest implementations of 3D construction technology in the region and positioning the city as a key hub for infrastructure transformation. The project supports India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by accelerating construction timelines from months to days through automate