Solar Water Heater Adoption In India For a majority of households, electric geysers win on upfront affordability and ease of installation, while solar water heaters win on lifecycle savings. Electric storage and instant geysers are available from around 3000 - 15000 INR, with minimal installation complexity, which fits the cash‑flow constraints of many urban and semi‑urban buyers. Solar systems, even after price declines, still involve higher capital expenditure and structura

Mitsubishi Electric Secures Multi-System Supply Contract for Jakarta INDONESIA: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has obtained a significant contract through its Indonesian subsidiaries to supply key building systems for the Two Sudirman Jakarta development, a large mixed-use complex scheduled for completion by 2028. The scope includes elevators, escalators, air-conditioning systems, and hand dryers, reflecting an integrated infrastructure solution for a high-rise urban project

Sharp and Amber Enterprises Partner to Manufacture ACs in India INDIA: Sharp Business Systems India has entered into a strategic partnership with Amber Enterprises India to locally manufacture air conditioners, marking a significant step in expanding its presence in India’s rapidly growing cooling market. Production is set to begin in March 2026 at Amber’s facilities in Dehradun and Sri City, with plans to scale output to around 500,000 units over the next three years. The co

DPIIT and Blue Star Partner to Support HVAC and Manufacturing Startups INDIA: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Blue Star to strengthen India’s manufacturing and innovation ecosystem by supporting startups in HVAC and related sectors. The collaboration focuses on enabling startups to develop scalable solutions across areas such as cooling technologies, digital systems, advanced manufacturing, and

Duravent Group Secures Growth Investment from Bain Capital UNITED STATES: Duravent Group has received a strategic growth investment from Bain Capital to support its next phase of expansion. Bain Capital will collaborate with the company’s leadership team and existing investor Egeria to strengthen Duravent’s market position and accelerate growth through both organic initiatives and acquisitions. Headquartered in Detroit, Duravent operates multiple brands across North America a

Saudi Fund Launches Social Housing Project in Djibouti SAUDI ARABIA: The Saudi Fund for Development has inaugurated a social housing project in Djibouti, reinforcing long-standing development cooperation between the two countries. Valued at over $30 million, the initiative involves the construction of 520 housing units aimed at improving living conditions for low-income communities. Beyond residential development, the project includes supporting infrastructure such as roads,

SWITZERLAND: The Swiss HVAC association ProKlima has officially become a member of Eurovent, marking a strategic step toward deeper integration with the European HVACR industry. ProKlima represents manufacturers and stakeholders involved in indoor climate technologies, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, innovation, and high-performance solutions. By joining Eurovent, Swiss companies gain enhanced visibility and a stronger collective voice in European-level policy di

Mr. Bricolage Reports Decline in 2025 Sales Performance FRANCE:  French DIY retailer Mr. Bricolage reported a 3.3% year-on-year decline in turnover in 2025, with total revenue reaching approximately $2.45 billion (€2.11 billion). On a like-for-like basis, the decline was slightly steeper at 3.8%, while its store network contracted around 2% to 1,059 locations. Performance varied across regions, with international operations posting modest growth of nearly 2%, contrasted by a

Kitchen Faucet Trends in the United States USA: At the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2026 in Orlando, United States, kitchen faucet trends highlighted a strong shift towards simplicity, timeless design, and enhanced functionality. Manufacturers focused on sleek, minimalist aesthetics with cohesive finishes, while offering greater personalisation through multiple colour and material options. Touchless and hands-free technologies gained further traction, driven by convenience, h

Construction Labour Force Falls as Retirements Drive Workforce Decline CANADA: Construction employment and labour force levels fell by 50,600 workers over the year to January 2026, according to BuildForce Canada, mainly due to retirements among workers aged 55 and above. This group accounted for most of the decline, while the number of women in the workforce also dropped significantly. In contrast, younger cohorts showed growth, with 15 to 24-year-olds increasing by 2.3% (4,5

Sharp Decline in New Home Sales Amid Affordability Pressures USA: New single-family home sales in the United States fell by 17.6% in January 2026 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 587,000, reflecting weaker demand driven by high costs, adverse weather and ongoing affordability challenges. Although mortgage rates averaged around 6.1%, economic uncertainty, elevated construction expenses and tariff concerns continued to weigh on the market. Builders are increasingly offer

Construction Spending Falls in January Amid Decline in Residential Investment CANADA: Investment in building construction declined by 1.9% to $23.4 billion in January 2026, according to Statistics Canada. Residential spending fell by $504.3 million to $16.4 billion, mainly driven by a $255.2 million drop in the single-family segment, which was linked in part to weaker permit activity in the previous month. Overall, both residential and broader construction investment weakened