Economy Slows to 4.4% Growth Philippine: The Philippine economy slows to 4.4% in 2025, marking its slowest growth in five years, as a corruption scandal linked to infrastructure projects, trade headwinds, and a series of typhoons weighed heavily on activity. The Philippine Statistics Authority said gross domestic product grew 3% in the fourth quarter, down from a revised 3.9% in the third quarter, making it the weakest quarterly performance since the 3.8% contraction recorded

RED III Transposition Tightens Incentives Italy: With the transposition of the RED III Directive published in the Official Gazette, incentives for replacing gas systems with stoves and fireplaces have been halted, while boilers remain eligible only under much stricter conditions aimed at minimizing particulate emissions. The Directive sets a new renewable energy target for buildings at 40.1% by 2030 and introduces obligations even when heating systems are replaced, alongside

Sets HCFC Consumption Limits Mexico: Mexico has established maximum allowable consumption levels for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) for the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its commitments under the Montreal Protocol, according to a measure published on Jan. 23, 2026, in the Official Gazette of the Federation. Issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the regulation strengthens the framework governing ozone-depleting substances and provides regula

Bharti Group–Indigo Cove Acquisition India: India’s fair trade regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), on Wednesday approved Bharti Group and Indigo Cove Investments’ proposed acquisition of a 49% stake in white goods manufacturer Haier Appliances (India) Pvt Ltd. The transaction, valued at around USD 2 billion, was cleared under the green channel route, which allows automatic approval for deals that do not raise competition concerns. According to a notice submi

Hydronic Heating Systems UK: The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has launched a new technical guide titled “An Introduction to Low-Temperature Hydronic Heating Systems”  to support the industry’s shift toward lower-temperature, more energy-efficient heating solutions following updates to Building Regulations Part L. The guide provides step-by-step guidance on designing hydronic heating systems operating at 55°C and below, including 45°C for hea

AkijBashir and Anwar Landmark Bangladesh: AkijBashir Group and Anwar Landmark Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 28, 2026, initiating a strategic collaboration to expand access to AkijBashir’s premium building materials portfolio for Anwar Landmark’s authorized members and clientele. Under the agreement, AkijBashir Group will provide a dedicated premium sourcing and fulfillment facility through its flagship emporium “Selections,” ensuring guide

Appointment APAC: Johnson Controls has named Susan Hughes as Vice President and President for its Asia Pacific region. Effective from the end of February, Hughes will take over from Anu Rathninde and will report directly to CEO Joakim Weidemanis. She will also become a member of the company’s executive committee. The company identified Asia Pacific as a strategic growth region, citing Hughes’s strong leadership credentials along with her extensive experience in operations and

Handshake UAE: Azizi Developments, one of the UAE’s leading private real estate developers, has extended its collaboration with Daikin to supply comprehensive HVAC systems for Burj Azizi, set to become the world’s second-tallest tower. The agreement includes the provision of cooling and air-conditioning solutions across the project’s residential, hospitality, retail, and entertainment components, ensuring long-term indoor comfort and reliable system performance. The scope cov

Heat Pump USA: Senator Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco) today announced the Clean Homes and Energy Affordability Package (CHEAP), comprising SB 222, the Heat Pump Access Act, and SB 868, the Plug-and-Play Solar Act. SB 222 aims to simplify and accelerate permitting for heat pump HVAC and water heater installations, while SB 868 streamlines approvals for plug-in solar systems, a new category of small, portable solar technology with the potential to significantly reduce energy co

Heat pump SWEDEN: Qvantum has entered into a multi-year partnership with Bad & Värme, one of Sweden’s largest HVAC chains. Under the agreement, Qvantum’s heat pump solutions will be offered through Bad & Värme’s nationwide network of member companies, significantly expanding access for households and property owners across Sweden. The collaboration represents a key milestone in Qvantum’s growth strategy and further strengthens its local footprint in the Swedish market. The pa

Why Solar Water Heating Struggles in India Despite Being a Proven Renewable Solution Solar water heating is one of the most energy-efficient renewable technologies available. A standard residential system can reduce electricity consumption for water heating by 70–80%, displacing roughly 1,500 kWh per year for a typical household. With system lifetimes exceeding 15–20 years, payback periods often fall within two to four years, even without subsidies.  From a technical standpoi

Renewable energy Europe: The share of renewable energy in heating and cooling across the European Union reached a record high of 26.7% in 2024, the highest level since tracking began in 2004, when it stood at 11.7%. This reflects a year-on-year increase of 0.5 percentage points from 26.2% in 2023, although the growth rate remains below the long-term average annual increase of 0.75 percentage points recorded between 2004 and 2024. The expansion of renewable heating and cooling

Haier China: AstraZeneca’s Qingdao Pharmaceutical Park was completed and became operational at the end of 2025, equipped with CO₂ heat pump systems and a year-round combined cooling and heating solution provided by Haier Carrier. The system meets the complex air conditioning and heating demands of diverse areas, including offices and R&D centers, while ensuring stable pharmaceutical production and significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The park faces

Bathroom ITALY: Vismaravetro Srl has announced the acquisition of the bathroom furniture business unit of Koh-I-Noor, a historic name in the sector. The transaction, finalized on 17 December 2025 and effective from 1 January 2026, marks a significant step in the company’s growth under the leadership of the Vismara family. The acquisition reinforces Vismaravetro’s strategy to broaden its design scope in bathroom furniture, with particular emphasis on the contract and hospitali

Financial results Switzerland: Meier Tobler today released its preliminary, unaudited results for the 2025 financial year, reporting resilience in a challenging market and further strengthening its position. Net sales reached CHF 496.6 million (US$ 647 million), up slightly by 0.1% from the previous year, with the company gaining market share despite a declining Swiss heat pump market. Business performance was uneven, with a strong third quarter offset by weaker-than-expected

Handshake UAE: Khansaheb Group has established itself as one of the region’s leading construction and engineering conglomerates, with a legacy of shaping the UAE’s built environment and a forward-looking vision for sustainable growth. Leveraging its scale, expertise, and diverse capabilities, the group has recently acquired ANABEEB from EMSTEEL Building Materials PJSC (ADX: EMSTEEL), a prominent infrastructure company specialising in end-to-end PVC and GRP industrial pipe man

tariffs INDIA: India and the European Union reached a long-awaited trade agreement on Tuesday, aimed at significantly reducing tariffs on most goods to boost bilateral trade and lessen dependence on the United States amid rising global trade tensions. The deal is expected to double EU exports to India by 2032 by removing or lowering tariffs on 96.6% of traded goods by value, generating an estimated €4 billion ($4.75 billion) in duty savings for European companies, according t

District UAE: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday launched a AED 100 billion ($27.23 billion) mega project to expand the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) with the creation of the DIFC Zabeel District. According to the Dubai Government Media Office, the new district represents the region’s largest demand-driven expansion of a financial centre, covering 7.1 million sq. ft. of land with a t

India Boosts Air Conditioner Component Manufacturing Under PLI Scheme INDIA: India has selected five companies in the fourth round of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods to manufacture air conditioner components. These firms will invest US$ 93.9 million (₹8630 million), generate production worth US$ 9037 million (₹83,000 million) and create nearly 1,799 direct jobs by FY 2027–28. The additions expand the scheme to 85 companies, strengthening domestic

Zenith Water Heater Considers Further Expansion in North Macedonia NORTH MACEDONIA: UAE-based Zenith Water Heater is exploring plans to expand its operations in North Macedonia, according to the country’s free economic zones authority (TIRZ). The company is assessing a potential new investment within one of the nation’s economic zones, although specific details have not been disclosed. Zenith Water Heater, a subsidiary of Star Industrial Products LLC, already operates a manuf