Daikin Opens New R&D Centre in Belgium and Unveils CO₂-Based Heat Pump
- brg_news_room
- Oct 30
- 1 min read
Belgium: Daikin has expanded its European operations with the opening of a new research and development centre in Ghent, Belgium. Built to near-zero energy standards, the 30,600 m² facility includes a 14-storey office tower and a six-storey testing complex, developed with an investment of EUR 140 million (approximately USD 152 million). The centre serves as Daikin’s main development hub for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, and as its global research centre for heat pump technologies. It houses 23 advanced testing chambers, including cold, acoustic and materials testing facilities, as well as an electromagnetic compatibility laboratory to assess system reliability under external interference.
At the inauguration, Daikin introduced its new VRV CO₂ heat pump, the world’s first system to use CO₂ as a natural refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 1. The technology is already commercially available, with outdoor units offering 28 kW capacity and indoor units ranging from 4 kW to 8 kW. Daikin also reaffirmed its commitment to circular manufacturing, reporting that 80% of its heat pump components are recyclable, close to the theoretical maximum of 90%. Through its “Loop by Daikin” refrigerant recovery and reuse programme, the company has reduced new refrigerant production by about 400,000 kg annually, cutting emissions by an estimated 3,590 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Source: Trade Magazin