Australia Extends Apprenticeship Support for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Trades Australia: The Australian government has extended financial support for employers and apprentices in priority and clean energy occupations, including refrigeration and air conditioning, under the Key Apprenticeship Program. The updated measures will continue incentive payments through December 2026, with the programme supporting New Energy Apprenticeships and targeting workforce development

Tajikistan Links Tariff Increases to Energy Sector Deficit and Rising Costs Tajikistan: Tajikistan’s Anti-Monopoly Agency has said the recent increase in electricity and heating tariffs is intended to address a financial deficit in the energy sector, meet obligations to credit institutions, and respond to higher production costs. Speaking at a news conference on 6 February, the agency’s head Haidarali Rajabzoda said the changes were also linked to higher fuel and spare parts

Maritime Geothermal Secures ACOA Funding for Heat Pump Production Expansion Canada: Maritime Geothermal Ltd. has received CAD 1.64 million (USD 1.21 million/EUR 1.12 million) in funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to support the expansion of its heat pump manufacturing operations in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick. The company said the investment will be used to scale production capacity and improve manufacturing processes for its geothermal and air-source

German Utilities Call for Heat Pump Subsidy Limits in District Heating Areas Germany: Germany’s municipal utilities have called for heat pump subsidies to be withdrawn for homes located in areas planned for future district heating connections. The utilities’ association VKU said that subsidising both district heating networks and individual heat pumps in the same areas could undermine investment planning for heating infrastructure. Under current requirements, cities with more

EIB Backs SME Energy Efficiency Financing Platform with Solas Capital Europe: The European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed EUR 60 million (USD 65.0 million) to support the launch of a co-financing platform managed by Solas Capital, aimed at funding energy-efficiency projects for small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe. The investment will be made through Solas Sustainable Energy Fund II and is intended to support measures such as LED lighting, insulation, heat pu

Flanders and Netherlands Launch Heat Pump Partnerships Belgium/Netherlands: The Flanders region of Belgium and the Netherlands have introduced new industry partnerships aimed at accelerating heat pump adoption, with Flanders focusing on home renovations and the Netherlands targeting social housing. In Flanders, government and industry associations have signed a Heat Pump Charter to increase the share of renovation projects using heat pumps, after data showed that while around

SM Group and Samsung C&T Partner on Smart Home Services South Korea: SM Group’s construction division has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung C&T’s construction division to collaborate on smart residential services and related technology development. The agreement was signed in Seoul and will support the rollout of Samsung C&T’s home platform, Homeniq, in selected new residential projects developed by SM Group. Under the partnership, Homeniq services will be int

Carrier Expects Residential HVAC Demand to Recover After 2025 Destocking Americas: Carrier reported a sharp decline in its residential HVAC business in the Americas in the fourth quarter of 2025, which the company attributed to distributor destocking, weaker housing activity, and a shift towards repairs instead of full system replacements. Residential unit volumes fell by more than 40%, while light commercial sales declined by 20%, contributing to a 17% organic sales decline

Masco Reports Lower 2025 Sales and Issues 2026 Earnings Outlook United States: Masco Corporation reported fourth-quarter 2025 net sales of USD 1.79 billion (EUR 1.65 billion), down 2% year-on-year. Full-year 2025 net sales fell 3% to USD 7.56 billion (EUR 6.96 billion). Plumbing Products recorded sales growth in both the quarter and the full year, while Decorative Architectural Products reported a decline. The company said fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share declined t

Kuwait Draft Budget Sets Higher Capital Spending and Wider Deficit Kuwait: Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance has projected capital spending of around KWD 3.1 billion (USD 10.0 billion/EUR 9.2 billion) in the draft budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The ministry said most capital allocations are expected to be directed towards airport expansion, the Mubarak Al-Kabeer port, and water and power projects. The draft budget forecasts a deficit of around KWD 9.8 billion (USD 32.0 bill

Cyprus Retailer SuperHome Center Joins EDRA/GHIN Network Cyprus: SuperHome Center, a home improvement and DIY retailer operating across Cyprus, has joined EDRA/GHIN with immediate effect. The company said its first store opened in Nicosia in March 1999, introducing a department store format combining products and services for DIY projects and renovations. SuperHome Center currently operates six stores across four cities and offers more than 65,000 products across over 20 cate

Portugal’s New Housing Construction Costs Rise 4% in 2025 Portugal: Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE) reported that the average annual increase in the New Housing Construction Cost Index reached 4.0% in 2025, compared with 3.4% in 2024. The materials index rose by an average of 0.9% during the year, while the labour index increased by 7.7%. In December 2025, new housing construction costs rose 4.0% year-on-year, marking a slowdown from the previous month. Materia

European Parliament Committee Calls for EU Action on Housing Affordability European Union: The European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis has adopted its final recommendations on addressing the housing crisis across the European Union. The report calls for EU legislation to support the viability and cost of building new housing, while also urging targeted use of funding under the Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan to improve energy performance in residen

RICS Survey Signals Improved Construction Sentiment in Australia Australia: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has reported improving conditions in Australia’s construction industry in 2025, led by private non-residential work and infrastructure and public projects. The latest Global Construction Monitor showed the Construction Sentiment Index rising to plus 21 from plus 15, returning to levels last seen in 2023. Infrastructure performance remained supported

The Growing Popularity of the Jigsaw Kitchen Concept USA: A “jigsaw kitchen” is a design strategy gaining traction among homeowners and designers who want a high‑end look without overspending. It mixes premium elements like stone worktops, statement backsplashes and designer appliances with more modest, cost‑efficient components such as standard cabinetry or simpler hardware. The name reflects how different quality pieces are “pieced together” to create a cohesive, stylish ki

India Pushes Higher AC Efficiency As rising temperatures, longer heatwaves and rapid urbanisation fuel a surge in cooling demand, India is taking decisive steps to improve air conditioner (AC) energy efficiency and reduce pressure on its power grid. Policymakers believe that stricter efficiency standards and responsible cooling practices could significantly curb electricity consumption, lower household bills and cut carbon emissions. India currently adds an estimated 13–15 mi

Sign MOU to Expand Smart Sanitary Ware Market Thailand: SCG Decor Public Company Limited (SCGD), a leading ceramics, surface decoration materials, and sanitary ware company in the ASEAN region, through Siam Sanitary Ware Company Limited (COTTO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Switzerland-based AXENT, a specialist in smart sanitary ware technology, to explore comprehensive growth opportunities in the smart sanitary ware market across Southeast Asia. The pa

Acquire LiquidStack to Expand Data Center Ireland: Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator headquartered in Swords, Ireland, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LiquidStack, a global leader in liquid cooling technology for data centers based in Carrollton, Texas, to strengthen its position as a full-service provider of end-to-end data center thermal management solutions. Building on its minority investment in 2023, the acquisition will enhance Trane’s ca

Expands in Germany Germany: Eiffage Énergie Systèmes, through its German subsidiary Salvia, has acquired 100% of HTW Engineers, an engineering consultancy specializing in Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems, as part of Salvia’s strategy to strengthen its expertise and footprint in the German engineering market. Founded in 1969, HTW Engineers generated revenue of nearly EUR 10 million (USD 10.8 million) in 2024 and operates from key locations in Düsseldorf, Berli

Raises FY2025 Outlook Japan: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, reported a order intake up 12.6% year-on-year increase in order intake to YEN 5,029.1 billion (USD 33.7 billion) for the three quarters ended December 31, 2025, while revenue rose 9.2% to YEN 3,326.9 billion (USD 22.3 billion). Business profit grew 25.5% to YEN 301.2 billion (USD 2.0 billion), representing a margin of 9.1%, and net income increased 22.6% to YEN 210.9 billion (USD 1.4 billion), with a net income margin

Launches First India Manufacturing Plant India: Chinese consumer electronics company Hisense has commissioned its first india manufacturing plant through a joint venture with Epack Manufacturing Technologies, a subsidiary of Epack Durable, at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. Spread across 10 acres within Epack Durable’s industrial park, the plant has been developed with an investment of over USD 30 million and will begin commercial production in February 2026. The facility will ini

Q2 Profit Jumps India: V-Guard reported a strong performance Q2 profit jumps, with sales rising nearly 14% to Rs 495 crores (USD 59.0 million) and profit after tax increasing about 70% to Rs 39.2 crores (USD 4.7 million). Growth was driven primarily by its large product categories, with the water heater segment recording approximately 25% growth, while kitchen appliances in the small appliances category surged nearly 50% during the quarter. Margins expanded across all categor

Heating Ban Improves Beijing Air Quality China: China has been working to improve air quality, particularly in and around Beijing, by banning residential coal heating and mandating a shift to natural gas or electricity. Natural gas is three times more expensive than coal or electricity, and millions of rural homes around Beijing were required from around 2017 to dismantle small coal furnaces and transition to cleaner alternatives, supported initially by generous subsidies and

Acerpure Launches Chill Inverter Window AC Philippines: Acer’s lifestyle brand, Acerpure, has entered the large-appliance segment in the Philippines with the launch of the Acerpure Chill Inverter AC, a new range of window-type air conditioners featuring efficient cooling, smart functionality, and eco-friendly technology. The units are equipped with a Dual Inverter Compressor using two rotors to deliver faster cooling with lower electricity consumption, quieter operation, stab