Homepros US: Combined shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps fell significantly in 2025, totaling just over 7.7 million units compared with roughly 9.6 million units in 2024, representing a 20% year-over-year decline. In December alone, shipments reached about 408,000 units, down 21.4% year over year and marking the seventh consecutive month of declines exceeding 20%. The data covers both residential and commercial equipment. Comparisons with 2024 rem

RAK Ceramics Reports Higher Margins and Profit Growth in Q4 & FY 2025 UAE: RAK Ceramics delivered strong margin expansion and bottom-line growth in Q4 and FY 2025 despite market headwinds, supported by robust UAE real estate and construction activity and higher-margin project and premium product segments. Q4 2025 revenue declined 1.7% YoY to USD 233.2 million, while FY 2025 revenue rose 1.6% YoY to USD 893.1 million; gross profit margins improved to 39.1% in Q4 (vs 37.2%) and

Middle East Construction Costs to Rise 4% in Saudi Arabia and 3% in UAE in 2026 Saudi Arabia/UAE: Construction costs across the Middle East are set to increase in 2026, rising around 4% in Saudi Arabia and 3% in the UAE. In Saudi Arabia, activity will continue under Vision 2030 despite some project rephasing, with 4% cost escalation driven by imported and specialist materials, strong demand for Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors, and skilled labour shortages; data centres and digi

RMIL Launches Country’s First Eco-Friendly Passivation-Polished Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Bangladesh: RMIL a subsidiary of RFL Group, on February 7 introduced the country’s first eco-friendly passivation-polished stainless steel kitchen sink at the RFL head office in Badda, unveiled by Managing Director RN Paul. Manufactured using advanced molds, DDQ-grade stainless steel sheets and multi-stage deep drawing technology, the sink eliminates heat-based annealing, reducing ene

JEXSYS Launches 130°C High-Temperature CO2 Heat Pump for Asia–Pacific Industrial Applications Japan: JEXSYS, formerly Nihon Netsugen Systems, has introduced a high-temperature CO2 (R744) heat pump for the Asia–Pacific region capable of producing up to 130°C (266°F) pressurized hot water for industrial processing, featuring a standard heating capacity of 500kW (142.2TR) and a COP of 4.8, with flexibility for larger capacities. Unveiled at HVAC&R Japan 2026 in Tokyo, organized

NIBE Reports Stable Sales and Strong Profit Growth in Q4 & Full-Year 2025 Sweden: NIBE Industrier AB’s 2025 year-end report shows that net sales in Q4 2025 reached USD 975 million, flat year-on-year but up 6.8% at fixed exchange rates, while full-year net sales totalled USD 3.62 billion, up 0.8% (5.3% at fixed exchange rates). The company delivered higher profitability, with adjusted operating profit in Q4 rising to USD 127 million and an operating margin of 13.1%, compared t

Daikin–Rechi India Begins Construction of Rotary Compressor Manufacturing Facility in Andhra Pradesh India: Daikin–Rechi India on 11 February 2026 commenced construction of its rotary compressor manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, marking a major development for India’s HVAC sector. The joint venture, formed between Daikin Air-conditioning India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daikin Precision, will invest approximately USD 65 million in Phase 1. Spread across 3

Fabtech Technologies Cleanrooms Approves Advantek Acquisition, USD 0.79 Million Preferential Issue, and Reports Strong Order Book India: Fabtech Technologies Cleanrooms Limited approved the acquisition of 38,673 additional equity shares in Advantek Air Systems Private Limited for USD 0.30 million, to be completed by March 15, 2026, strengthening its air-conditioning portfolio; Advantek reported FY 2024-25 turnover of USD 3.08 million, up from USD 2.64 million and USD 2.62 mil

Australia Reduces HFC Import Quota by 19% from January 2026, Accelerating Phase-Down to 85% by 2036 Australia: As of 1 January 2026, Australia reduced its HFC import quota by 19%, setting the 2026–27 limit at 4.25 million tonnes CO₂-equivalent, nearly 50% below the original baseline, with the phasedown scheduled to reach an 85% reduction by 2036. The second half of 2025 saw a decisive shift away from certain high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, though current dem

LG Electronics to Begin Exports of Premium Home Appliances to US and Europe from India India: LG Electronics will start exporting premium home appliances from India to the US and Europe, leveraging bilateral trade agreements and reduced US tariffs, with products including side-by-side and large-capacity top freezer refrigerators manufactured at its Pune plant. The company aims to double export contribution to 14% of total sales next fiscal, expanding beyond its current entry-

Rheem and ecobee Launch ecobee Smart Thermostat Lite | Works with EcoNet Technology Across U.S. and Canada U.S./Canada: Rheem Manufacturing Company and ecobee have partnered to introduce the ecobee Smart Thermostat Lite | Works with EcoNet Technology, designed to deliver energy savings, seamless compatibility and enhanced convenience for homeowners and contractors across the U.S. and Canada. The ENERGY STAR-certified thermostat can help homeowners save up to 23% annually on h

Hassan Allam Launches USD 880 Million Noor Khuzam Residential Project in North Riyadh Saudi Arabia: Egypt’s Hassan Allam Holding has announced the launch of the USD 880 million Noor Khuzam integrated residential project in North Riyadh, spanning 228,000 square metres. The 3,018-unit development will be undertaken by its subsidiary Grova Developments in partnership with Tilal Real Estate and National Housing Company (NHC). The project features open green spaces, shared dining

U.S. Heat Pump Shipments dipped in 2025, Still Outperformed Gas Furnaces UNITED STATES: US heat pump shipments declined in 2025 but still exceeded gas furnace shipments for the fourth consecutive year, reinforcing their position as the country’s most-shipped heating appliance. Data from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute shows air-source heat pump shipments were 12% higher than fossil gas–fired furnaces, despite year-on-year softness. Heat pump shipmen

Panasonic to Present CO₂-Based Retail Cooling and nanoe™ X at EuroShop GERMANY: Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions will showcase its sustainable retail refrigeration and indoor air quality technologies at EuroShop, Hall 6, stand E62. The company will focus on CO₂-based condensing units designed for food stores, supermarkets, and smaller retail formats, alongside its nanoe™ X air purification technology for improved indoor climate. The exhibit will feature CR-series CO₂ con

Ontario and Quebec Join Forces to Expand Housing and Infrastructure CANADA: The provincial governments of Ontario and Quebec have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on expanding housing and supporting infrastructure development. The agreement will facilitate the deployment of the Build Canada Homes programme in Quebec, which focuses on increasing affordable housing supply through modern construction methods such as prefabrication and modular building. As part

LG Electronics India Q3 FY26 Revenue and Profit Decline Amid Margin Contraction INDIA: LG Electronics India reported a weaker financial performance in Q3 FY26, reflecting a slowdown in both revenue and profitability amid subdued demand conditions in the domestic consumer durables market. Revenue declined 6.4% year-on-year to ₹4,114 crore (USD 496 million). The home appliances segment was particularly impacted, with revenue easing to ₹2,788 crore (USD 336 million) from ₹3,091

UNEP and ASHRAE Adopt New Lifecycle Refrigerant Management Plan UNITED STATES: UNEP and ASHRAE have adopted a new two-year work plan on Life Cycle Refrigerant Management (LRM), strengthening their long-standing collaboration supporting the global transition to sustainable refrigerants. The plan was adopted at the ASHRAE Winter Conference in Nevada, USA, and will guide joint projects covering refrigerants from production to end-of-life. Key initiatives include new training too

Xiaomi Sets Sights on Australia’s US$3.7bn Air-Conditioning Market AUSTRALIA: Xiaomi is preparing a major push into Australia’s home appliance sector, targeting the fast-growing air-conditioning market valued at about US$3.7 billion in 2025. Backed by multi-million-dollar investments in its own manufacturing facilities, the company is shifting from an outsourced production model toward greater in-house control, with plans to internalise around 20% of air-conditioner manufactu

State Policies Push HVAC Industry Toward Electrification and Decarbonization USA: Driven by sustainability targets and increasing energy costs, state and local policymakers are gradually steering the HVAC industry toward electrification and decarbonization. For instance, a statewide restriction on residential gas furnaces and water heaters in Colorado came into effect this year. The rule limits available options to units with ultra-low nitrogen oxide emissions or those that m

Bipartisan Bill Reintroduced to Promote IAQ and Ventilation Upgrades in U.S. Buildings USA: A bipartisan bill in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to offer incentives for indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments, as well as upgrades to ventilation and air-filtration systems in non-residential buildings. The Airborne Act, which had been introduced in earlier House sessions but did not pass into law, was reintroduced in February by Don Beyer and Brian Fitzpatrick. The legislat

Do it Best and True Value Report Mid-Year Financial Performance USA: Do it Best and True Value have shared a financial update for the first half of fiscal year 2026, marking their first full year operating as a combined organisation. Consolidated revenues exceeded $2.5 billion at the mid-year point, reflecting steady demand despite a relatively flat economic environment. Hardlines sales at Do it Best increased slightly by 0.1% year on year, while True Value recorded a 31% ris

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. Reports Q3 FY26 Results INDIA: Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. reported stable financial performance in Q3 FY26. Consolidated revenue increased 7.3% year-on-year to approximately USD 2.29 billion (₹1,898 crore), with continued sequential improvement in revenues and margins. EBITDA rose to around USD 235 million (₹195 crore), with margins at 10.3%, supported by controlled advertising spends and cost optimisation, despite co

Duravit AG Receives Gold Medal Recognition from EcoVadis GERMANY: Duravit AG has secured a Gold Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability assessment for its Hornberg site, upgrading from Silver. EcoVadis is a globally recognised framework that evaluates companies across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The achievement reflects Duravit’s strengthened sustainability performance and ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions across all scopes

EU Plans EUR 3 billion Loan Facility to Support Heat Pump Uptake Before 2028 Carbon Pricing EU: The European Investment Bank is set to provide EUR 3 billion (USD 3.3 billion) in loans to EU member states to help households adopt heat pumps and improve home energy efficiency before the EU’s new carbon pricing system for buildings comes into effect in 2028. The measure is intended to support low- and middle-income households ahead of expected increases in gas heating costs once