Manufacturing unit INDIA: Prince Pipes and Fittings Limited has completed the second phase of its asset purchase agreement, acquiring a manufacturing facility in Bhuj to strengthen its bathware segment and support the expansion of its “Aquel by Prince” portfolio. Prince Pipes and Fittings Limited (PPFL) had earlier announced an Asset Purchase Agreement on March 20, 2024, structured in two phases. In the first phase, the company acquired the Aquel brand along with associated m

Heat pump KAZAKHSTAN: As the heating season in Kazakhstan draws to a close, preparations for extensive repair work are underway. Energy specialists have begun upgrading aging infrastructure, according to Qazinform News Agency, citing the country’s Ministry of Energy. A major focus will be the large-scale reconstruction of heating networks to reduce wear and enhance the reliability of heat supply. At present, Kazakhstan’s heating network spans approximately 13,400 km. In the p

Air conditioner CHINA: TCL, a leading global technology firm, recently announced the launch of its new air conditioner smart factory in Guangzhou. The milestone coincides with the production of its 100 millionth air conditioner unit since 2021, underscoring the company’s focus on innovation and its expanding global presence. The new facility, built with an investment of nearly RMB 2 billion (around USD 290 million), has an annual production capacity of 8 million units and can

Samsung Logo SOUTH KOREA: Samsung Electronics has announced its earnings guidance for the first quarter of 2026, reporting estimated consolidated sales of around 133 trillion Korean won (US$89 billion) and operating profit of approximately 57.2 trillion Korean won (US$38 billion). These figures are based on K-IFRS standards. As Korean disclosure regulations do not permit presenting earnings forecasts as ranges, the reported numbers represent the midpoints of the company’s int

Indian D2C AC Startup Helium Secures US$ 2 Million Funding INDIA: Indian direct‑to‑consumer air‑conditioner startup Helium Smart Air has raised US$ 2 million in a seed funding round led by early‑stage investor India Quotient. The Jaipur‑based company, founded in 2025 by IIT Kanpur alumni Ashish Sharma and Aman Munka, is developing compact, affordable smart air conditioners aimed at modern homes. Helium plans to use the capital to scale manufacturing, build inventory, expand i

Unseasonal Rain Clouds North India AC Sales, Says Blue Star MD INDIA: B Thiagarajan, Managing Director of Blue Star, has said the impact of unseasonal rains across northern India on air conditioner (AC) sales will become clear in the next two weeks. While sales in the National Capital Region (NCR) have been slow due to cooler temperatures, demand remains strong in southern and western states where temperatures are reaching up to 40°C. Industry estimates indicate that AC sales

Sorento Capital Unveils Dual Growth Strategy to Expand Market Presence MALAYSIA: Malaysian sanitary ware distributor is pursuing a two-pronged growth strategy to widen its market reach. The first approach targets the hardware retail segment with the launch of the Sorento Lite series, an economical range of replacement plumbing fittings sold through hardware stores. The initiative aims to leverage Malaysia’s 10,000+ hardware outlets, generating recurring demand from wear-and-t

LG Electronics India Surpasses 1 Million AC Sales in Q1 2026 India: LG Electronics India announced that it sold over one million air conditioners in the first quarter of 2026, marking its fastest-ever start to a summer season and reinforcing its leadership in India’s competitive AC market. The milestone was driven by its early launch of BEE star-rated compliant ACs, ensuring a smooth transition to energy-efficient products, along with strong consumer engagement from its marke

Enhanced NDC Targets India: The Union Cabinet of India, chaired by Narendra Modi, has approved the enhanced NDC targets, country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031–2035 to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, reinforcing its commitment to climate action under the Paris Agreement. India has set an enhanced target to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 47% by 2035 from 2005 levels, while also aiming to achieve 60%

West Asia tensions disrupt Morbi ceramic industry; high PNG prices stall fuel shift INDIA: Ceramic manufacturers in Morbi, Gujarat, have extended their shutdown until May 1, following a sharp increase in piped natural gas (PNG) prices by Gujarat Gas Limited. The industry had halted operations on March 17 due to a fuel supply disruption linked to tensions in Iran, which affected propane-LPG imports via the Strait of Hormuz. Tile manufacturers, who rely heavily on LPG, are now

MahaRERA Approves Over 1,000 Projects Around Gudhi Padwa India: The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) approved a total of 1,060 real estate projects around the Gudhi Padwa period through a combination of new registrations, timeline extensions and corrections to existing projects. Of these, 486 projects received new registration numbers, while 426 projects were granted extensions to their completion timelines and 148 projects were allowed corrections. A t

Panasonic Establishes HVAC & Cold Chain Company Under New Group Structure Japan: Panasonic has established Panasonic HVAC & CC Co., Ltd. as part of its transition to a revised group structure. The new entity has been formed through the consolidation of the Heating & Ventilation A/C Company and the Cold Chain Solutions Company within Panasonic Corporation. The company will operate alongside other related entities, including Panasonic HVAC & CC Systems Co., Ltd., Panasonic Envi

Samsung and LG shift heat pump production to South Korea amid policy changes South Korea: Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are planning to relocate their heat pump production lines from China to South Korea, in line with government policies supporting domestically manufactured products. Samsung is expected to move production from Suzhou to its Gwangju facility, while LG is considering shifting operations from Tianjin to Changwon, with both companies aiming to begin dome

Danfoss India Plans US$ 158.35 Million Investment to Expand Cooling Solutions and Heat Pump Technologies INDIA: Danfoss India has announced plans to invest approximately US$ 158.35 million (₹1,500 million) over the next five years to strengthen its presence in energy-efficient technologies. The investment will focus on expanding production capacity for compressors and battery energy storage systems, while capitalising on the rising demand for data centre cooling solutions. Th

Air Conditioner CHINA: In 2025, Xiaomi reached a significant milestone, recording its highest-ever revenue in the smart large home appliances segment. The company posted a 23.1% year-on-year growth, supported by strong demand for air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines. Air conditioner shipments exceeded 8.5 million units, marking a 24% annual increase. Refrigerator shipments surpassed 2.8 million units (up 4%), while washing machine shipments crossed 2.3 millio

Air conditioner CHINA: In 2025, Xiaomi marked a major achievement by recording its highest-ever revenue in the smart large home appliances segment, registering a 23.1% year-on-year increase. This growth was fueled by strong demand across air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines. Air conditioner shipments surpassed 8.5 million units, reflecting a 24% annual rise, while refrigerator shipments exceeded 2.8 million units (up 4%) and washing machine shipments crossed

General Inc. Japan: Takeshi Ebisu has been appointed representative director and CEO of General Inc, following approval at the company shareholders meeting. The move is part of a broader leadership restructuring after the transition of Fujitsu General into Paloma Rheem Holdings in August 2025 and its subsequent rebranding to General earlier this year. Ebisu brings prior experience from Daikin Industries, including leadership roles at its subsidiary Goodman Manufacturing. Alon

AC Industry Faces Weather Disruptions and Rising Costs Ahead of Peak Summer Season India: Air-conditioner manufacturers in India are proceeding cautiously as unseasonal rains across several regions disrupt the early summer demand cycle, which typically peak in March. The industry is also facing rising input costs due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, leading to higher prices of raw materials such as plastics and reduced LPG supply impacting production. Manufacturers have

Indonesian Ceramic Industry Urges Reliable Domestic Gas Supply INDONESIA: Indonesian ceramic manufacturers are calling for stronger government measures to secure consistent natural gas supply, highlighting its critical role in sustaining production. Industry players are advocating for stricter implementation of the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) policy, which would require gas producers to allocate a fixed share of output for domestic use. Producers warn that unreliable gas

Middle East Conflict and Gas Crisis Pressure Indonesian Industry INDONESIA: Indonesian industrial sector is facing mounting pressure due to the combined impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East and a domestic gas supply crisis. Disruptions in global energy markets have contributed to rising gas prices, while local supply constraints have further intensified the challenge for energy-intensive industries. These conditions have significantly increased production costs, p