UK New Warm Homes Plan Expected to Reduce Gas Demand UNITED KINGDOM: The UK government has unveiled its £15bn (USD 20.1bn) Warm Homes Plan, a multi-year programme running to 2030 aimed at cutting gas demand, lowering energy bills and strengthening energy security. The plan includes USD 3.6bn for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with annual funding rising from about USD 395mn in 2025-26 to nearly USD 950mn by 2029-30, supporting grants for heat pumps, heat batteries and biomass syst

Lorazzo Raises About USD 0.6 million Seed Funding to Expand Smart Kitchen and Bath Solutions INDIA: Smart kitchen and bathroom fittings brand Lorazzo has raised approximately USD 0.6 million (Rs 5 crore) in a seed funding round led by Sprout Venture Partners and First Cheque by India Quotient, with participation from Chandigarh Angel Network and other angel investors. Founded in 2024, the company will use the funds to drive product innovation, strengthen its design and techno

Europe Construction Market Poised for Recovery in 2026 EUROPE: After two challenging years marked by cost inflation, weak demand and project delays, Europe’s construction sector is expected to return to growth in 2026. Following a contraction in 2024 and largely flat activity in 2025, stabilising economic conditions, improving confidence and sustained public investment are supporting a cautious recovery. Infrastructure and renovation projects are leading the rebound, underpin

Copeland to Acquire Bueno Analytics to Strengthen AI-Driven Building Solutions AUSTRALIA: Copeland has signed an agreement to acquire Australia-based Bueno Analytics, a provider of SaaS platforms using embedded AI and machine learning for building analytics, energy management and cold-chain operations. The acquisition will enhance Copeland’s digital and aftermarket portfolio by adding advanced capabilities such as predictive maintenance, energy optimization, leak detection an

IKEA Plans USD 2.2 Billion Investment Boost in India, Targets 30 Stores and Higher Online Sales India: Sweden’s IKEA will more than double its investment in India to over USD 2.20 billion over the next five years as it plans to open more stores and expand local sourcing, according to IKEA India CEO Patrik Antoni. The furniture retailer, which entered India in 2018 with its first store in Hyderabad, will begin online operations in new cities including Chennai and Coimbatore be

Beijing’s GDP Crosses USD 743.8 Billion in 2025, Growing 5.4% Year-on-Year China: Beijing’s gross domestic product (GDP) exceeded USD 743.79 billion in 2025, marking a 5.4% year-on-year increase and crossing the USD 714 Billion equivalent milestone for the first time, according to the municipal statistics bureau. The achievement underscores the steady economic expansion of the Chinese capital, as GDP rose beyond the equivalent of USD 714 billion, reflecting sustained growth m

Australia’s Housing Starts Rise, but National Housing Accord Misses Early Targets Australia: Australia’s National Housing Accord has reached its quarter-time mark as housing commencements and completions show mixed progress, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Total dwelling commencements rose 6.6% quarter-on-quarter to 48,778 in September 2025, with new private-sector house commencements increasing 6.9% to 28,845. However, completed private-sector house dwellin

RAK Ceramics Partners with Birla Pivot to Expand Tiles and Bathware Distribution in India India: RAK Ceramics India Private Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with Birla Pivot, the digital-first B2B commerce platform of Grasim Industries Limited under the Aditya Birla Group, to expand distribution of its tiles and bathware portfolio in India. Under the agreement, Birla Pivot will distribute RAK Bathware, KLUDI Bathware and RAK Tiles across its nationwide dealer

AtmosAir and Smartcon Join Forces to Boost Hotel Air Quality and Energy Efficiency U.S.: AtmosAir Solutions and Smartcon Solutions Partner to Transform Hotels with Cleaner Air and Energy Efficiency as the two companies integrate AtmosAir’s bi-polar ionisation (BPI) HVAC air purification technology and Awair real-time monitoring sensors with Smartcon’s NeuroCore building automation platform. The collaboration targets hotels and resorts nationwide, aiming to improve indoor air

North Vancouver–Based Jetson Home Secures USD50 Million to Scale Heat Pump Model in North America Canada: North Vancouver–based Jetson Home has raised USD 50 million to advance its heat pump technology and expand its one-day installation model across Canada and the United States. Founded in 2024, the company says its vertically integrated, direct-to-consumer approach cuts homeowner costs by 30–50%, and it has installed more than 1,000 units across Metro Vancouver, Colorado, M

CONACEPE and SOLARMX Join Forces to Boost Solar Water Heater Adoption in Mexico Mexico: Mexico’s CONACEPE Partners with SOLARMX to Promote Solar Water Heating Nationwide as Mexico’s National Energy and Petrochemical Council (CONACEPE) signed a commercial and environmental partnership with SOLARMX, a Mexican manufacturer of certified solar water heaters, to promote energy efficiency, reduce fossil fuel use and cut emissions across the country. Under the agreement, the two orga

Walton Rolls Out Free Nationwide AC Cleaning Service for Customers Bangladesh: Walton Launches Nationwide Free AC Cleaning Service Campaign as the leading air conditioner brand in Bangladesh rolled out a nationwide initiative to provide free AC cleaning services to customers. The campaign covers all air conditioners purchased from 1 January 2024, while units bought before 2024 are eligible for up to 60% discount on cleaning. Customers can avail the free service once per air c

Noritz and Nihon Itomic Collaborate to Advance Eco-Friendly Heat Pump Water Heaters in North America U.S.: Noritz and Nihon Itomic Partner to Launch CO₂ Heat Pump Water Heaters in North America as the two companies join forces to expand decarbonization and electrification initiatives in the region. Building on their July 2025 collaboration in Japan for a commercial hybrid water heating system, Nihon Itomic will lead product development while Noritz’s RB Corporation in Japan w

Eurozone Construction Sector Sees Modest Uptick in December on Germany Growth Germany: Eurozone Construction PMI Improves Slightly in December on Germany’s Return to Growth as the region’s construction sector showed a marginal strengthening in December, supported by renewed expansion in Germany, according to official data. The HCOB Eurozone construction PMI rose to 47.4 in December from 45.4 in November, marking the softest contraction since February 2023, though it has remai

Küchen Areal Expands Network with Addition of Küchenhaus Thulke in 2026 Germany: Küchen Areal has added Küchenhaus Thulke to its partner network from 2026, following the successful relocation and renovation of the retailer’s studio completed in summer 2025. A former beverage market in Petershagen was transformed into a modern kitchen showroom after the move from Minden, supported by Küchen Areal’s shopfitting expertise. The 330-square-meter studio features eight display kitch

UK Launches Warm Homes Plan to Support Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades UK: The United Kingdom government has launched the Warm Homes Plan, committing GBP 15 billion (USD 19.1 billion/EUR 17.6 billion) in public funding to support home energy upgrades across the country. The programme aims to improve up to 5 million homes by 2030 through measures such as insulation, solar panels, batteries and heat pumps, with a focus on reducing long-term energy costs and fuel poverty. The pla

UBS Expands Southern U.S. Footprint with Acquisition of DFW Mechanical Group U.S.: United Building Solutions (UBS) Acquires DFW Mechanical to Expand HVAC Services in Southern U.S. as the national HVAC service provider announced the acquisition of DFW Mechanical Group, a full-service commercial and industrial mechanical contractor operating in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Florida. Headquartered in Wylie, Texas, DFW offers comprehensive commercial HVAC solutions, including plu

Luxury Bath Brand Bello Enters Exclusive Partnership with Luxury Products Group United States/Canada: Bello Joins Luxury Products Group as Exclusive Vendor Partner as the luxury bath brand entered into an exclusive partnership with Luxury Products Group (LPG) just one year after launching in the North American market. Through the collaboration, Bello will work closely with LPG members and staff to promote and support its portfolio of luxury bathtubs, vanities, LED mirrors, me

Strengthen Domestic Retail Focus Vietnam: Hoa Sen Group, one of Vietnam’s largest steel producers, has carved out its building materials and home furnishings retail business into a new subsidiary, Hoa Sen Home, as it shifts focus toward the domestic market amid continued export volatility. Hoa Sen Group owns 99% of Hoa Sen Home JSC, which was incorporated on January 5 with a charter capital of USD 38 million. Headquartered in Thu Duc ward, Ho Chi Minh City, the subsidiary man

Beijer Ref Acquires Majority Stake in Italian A/C Distributor Idema Italy: Beijer Ref has acquired 75 percent of the shares in Idema, an air conditioning distributor based in Italy, with an option to acquire the remaining stake at a later stage. Idema, founded in 1993 and headquartered in northern Italy, distributes air conditioning solutions for residential and industrial applications across the Italian market. The company reports annual turnover of approximately SEK 200 mil