Dexco Shuts Urussanga Plant, Consolidates Ceramic Production in Brazil Amid Efficiency Drive Brazil: Wood panel and ceramic tile manufacturer Dexco announced the shutdown of industrial operations at its Urussanga plant in Santa Catarina, Brazil, shifting ceramic tile production to Criciúma (Santa Catarina) and Botucatu (São Paulo), under its Ceusa and Portinari brands. The company, controlled by Itaúsa and the Seibel family, said the move is part of a strategy to improve capa

U.S. EPA Announces Regulatory Rollback on Refrigerant Rules, Projecting USD 2.4 Billion in Savings U.S.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alongside President Trump, announced two regulatory actions including a final rule revising the 2023 Technology Transitions Rule and a proposed technical fix to the 2024 Emissions Reduction and Reclamation (ER&R) rule, aimed at easing restrictions on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant. The agency estimates the changes will save

Hansgrohe Targets EUR 150 Million India Revenue, Sees Market as Strategic Growth Hub India: Plumbing materials major Hansgrohe has identified India as a strategic market and aims to increase its revenue from the country to EUR 150 million in the near term, according to a senior official. The company’s global CFO Martial Gil, however, did not disclose current revenue figures or provide a timeline for achieving the target. Hansgrohe also stated that it does not plan to invest i

Premier Launches New Air Conditioner Manufacturing Plant in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan: A new household appliance manufacturing plant under the Premier brand, specializing in air conditioner, has been launched in the Ahangaran district of the Tashkent region, with the official opening held at the Eltech Industrial Technopark. The project has been developed in partnership with UAE-based Fajr Al Mustaqbal General Trading Company, with total investment of USD 30 million. The facility

France Accelerates Electrification Drive Under National Energy Transition Plan France: French President Emmanuel Macron convened representatives of the electricity sector at the Élysée Palace as part of a broader electrification strategy aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in transport and lowering dependence on imported fossil fuels. The government recently unveiled a 22-measure electrification plan focused on electric mobility, industry, transport, and buildings, with an object

Benzoville Brings Spanish Luxury Hardware Brand Mestre to India India: Benzoville has introduced Spanish brand Mestre’s handcrafted hardware collection in India, reflecting the growing emphasis on detail-led design in premium interiors. The collection includes door hardware, bathroom fittings, and accessories crafted with semi-precious stones such as quartz, tiger’s eye, malachite and lapis lazuli, along with Swarovski crystals and 24-carat gold plating. Positioned as “fine j

UK Government Announces EUR 142 Million Support Package for Ceramics Sector UK: The UK Government has announced a EUR 142 million support package for the ceramics sector as part of wider measures aimed at supporting industrial resilience and manufacturing. The funding will support capital investment in energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects, while also providing operational assistance for eligible manufacturers facing increased costs. The scheme will be open to UK cer

The Rise of Made in Saudi: Expanding Local Production of Sanitaryware and Tiles Saudi Arabia is increasingly positioning itself as a regional hub for sanitaryware and tiles manufacturing, supported by localization policies, industrial investments, and rapidly expanding construction activity across the Kingdom. This transition closely aligns with the Kingdom’s “Made in Saudi” initiative, launched in March 2021 under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NI

Voltas INDIA: India’s room air-conditioner (RAC) market continues to experience strong growth, supported by rising temperatures, rapid urbanisation, higher disposable incomes, and increasing adoption in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Industry projections indicate that India’s air-cooling and air-conditioning market is expected to expand at a CAGR of approximately 15–18% in the coming years. Despite this momentum, AC penetration in the country remains relatively low at around 8%, h

AC UK: An estimated four million homes in the UK are now equipped with air conditioning, representing a twofold increase compared to three years ago, as rising temperatures have led many households to report increasingly uncomfortable living conditions during summer heatwaves. Portable air-conditioning units, typically rated at around 1kW, remain slightly more common than fixed systems, which generally consume higher power, averaging about 2.7kW. Industry experts attribute th

Summer JAPAN: With temperatures already exceeding 30°C in parts of Japan and peak summer still approaching, demand for air conditioners is rising sharply, marking a crucial sales period for the cooling industry. However, concerns over naphtha supply disruptions and a shrinking labour force are expected to increase costs for consumers purchasing new units, while installation waiting times may extend to as long as a month. Supply concerns have intensified following disruptions

Air conditioner INDIA: AKAI India, operating under Home Tech Digital Limited, has introduced its 2026 Summer Collection in India, featuring a newly launched Direct Cool refrigerator range and the upgraded NXT version of its Nilgiree Split Inverter Air Conditioners as part of the company’s “Har Ghar Zero Summer” campaign. According to the company, the latest product portfolio is aimed at addressing diverse summer cooling needs across Indian households while catering to multipl

Bathroom AUSTRALIA: Nero Tapware has been named the exclusive distributor of American Standard in Australia. With a legacy spanning more than 150 years, American Standard is globally recognised for its innovation, product quality, and long-standing expertise in bathroom solutions. The partnership represents a strategic expansion for Nero, enabling the company to broaden its portfolio beyond tapware and bathroom accessories to offer more comprehensive bathroom solutions in the

Heat Pump POLAND: Daikin Europe N.V. has officially inaugurated Daikin Manufacturing Poland a new heat pump production facility located in the Łódź region of Poland. The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from the Polish government, the Japanese Ambassador to Poland, local authorities, suppliers, and project partners, along with senior executives from Daikin Industries Ltd., Daikin Europe, and Daikin Manufacturing Poland, highlighting the collaborative effo

Paloma Rheem Holdings Completes Majority Stake Acquisition in Groupe Atlantic Japan: Paloma Rheem Holdings Co., Ltd. (PRH) has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in France-based HVAC and water heating manufacturer Groupe Atlantic. The transaction expands PRH’s presence in the European market and brings Groupe Atlantic into collaboration with other PRH group companies, including Paloma, General and Rheem. PRH stated that the acquisition strengthens its position acro

How Energy Efficiency Regulations Are Reshaping the HVAC Market in Emerging Economies Energy efficiency has emerged as a central pillar of policy and investment strategies across emerging economies, particularly as governments grapple with rising energy demand and climate commitments. The HVAC sector, being one of the largest consumer of electricity in buildings, sits at the heart of this transition. Increasing regulatory intervention is not only influencing how HVAC systems

Hiatt Hardware Group Strengthens UK Bathroom Market Position with Acquisition of Lakes Bathrooms UK: Birmingham-based Hiatt Hardware Group has acquired Lakes Bathrooms and Lakes Showering Spaces in a multimillion-pound transaction completed on 18 May 2026. The deal secures more than 120 jobs and expands the group’s workforce to around 200 employees. The acquisition represents a strategic move by Hiatt Hardware to diversify its portfolio beyond hardware and ironmongery into ba

Coram UK Appoints New Managing Director to Drive Growth and Product Innovation UK: Coram UK has appointed David Gannon as Managing Director as the bathroom specialist enters a new phase of growth and product expansion. Bringing nearly 40 years of industry experience, Gannon previously worked with the company as a strategic consultant for 18 months. The appointment coincides with plans to invest more than US$1.16 million (£1 million) in new product development across the Coram

Rising Energy Costs Push Eurozone Business Activity to Sharpest Decline in Over Two Years EUROPE: Economic activity across the Eurozone contracted at its fastest pace in more than two years during May 2026, according to the latest S&P Global Flash PMI survey. The Composite PMI fell to 47.5 from 48.8 in April, marking a second consecutive month of contraction and its lowest level since October 2023. Rising living and energy costs weakened demand, particularly within the servic

ADH Expands HVAC Distribution Network Through Acquisition of cfm Distributors USA: Advantage Distribution Holdings (ADH) has acquired Missouri-based cfm Distributors, a well-established HVACR distributor operating six locations and a distribution centre across Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. The acquisition marks ADH’s second purchase since its formation in 2024 and expands its footprint to 13 locations across six US states. cfm’s President and CEO, Lauren Roberts, will