News Archive - April 2013
Successful trials of new low GWP R404A replacement
29 April 2013
UK: Precision Refrigeration, the foodservice equipment manufacturer, is trialling a new low GWP HFO refrigerant blend in high-temperature refrigerated display units in a new Mexican fast food restaurant in London.
Major European AHU manufacturer enters UK market
29 April 2013
UK: The leading Dutch air handling unit manufacturer Orange Climate Group is to launch into the UK market.
Swegon to buy Walter Meier's German ac subsidiary
29 April 2013
GERMANY: Following its withdrawal from France and the UK, Walter Meier is now to sell its German wholesale air conditioning business to Swedish company Swegon, its main supplier.
China to receive $385m to eliminate HCFCs
25 April 2013
CHINA: Up to $385m is to be given to China to end its production of R22 refrigerant.
Around 25% of US army vehicles have contaminated refrigerant
25 April 2013
USA: Tests carried out on the cooling systems of US army vehicles have found that around 25% contain some degree of refrigerant contamination. More than 18 different refrigerants have been detected, including the dangerous methyl chloride (R40) contamination responsible for explosions and three deaths in the reefer industry in 2011.
Midea receives European certification for R32 and R290 products
23 April 2013
EUROPE: With increasing interest amongst air conditioning manufacturers in the "mildly flammable" refrigerant R32, Chinese manufacturer Midea has received TUV approval for both R32 and R290 (propane) products. The approval from the German certification body covers the EC Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive.
SAE finds R1234yf is "safe and effective"
23 April 2013
USA: The team formed by SAE International to perform an updated engineering safety analysis of R1234yf in car air conditioning systems has found the refrigerant is "safe and effective" for use.
Sainsbury's claims the most environmentally friendly convenience store
22 April 2013
UK: Sainsbury's claims to have created the most environmentally friendly convenience store following the opening of its latest store in Haslucks Green, Solihull.
Lidl to add new refrigeration cabinets in all UK stores
21 April 2013
UK: Supermarket group Lidl is to install new refrigeration cabinets in each of its 600 UK stores as part of a £66m investment in expanding its fresh meat and poultry offering.
Mitsubishi Electric opens new US headquarters
19 April 2013
USA: Mitsubishi Electric has opened a new headquarters for its heating and cooling products in Atlanta, Georgia. The $30m facility will house sales and administrative offices, an engineering centre, training facilities and warehouse. At 550,000ft2, it is nearly twice the size of its previous premises.
Tesco to sell over 100 development sites
17 April 2013
UK: Supermarket group Tesco is to sell over 100 of its proposed development sites in the UK and has confirmed the withdrawal of its Fresh & Easy chain from the US market.
LG air conditioner saves woman's life
17 April 2013
UKRAINE: It probably stands as testament to the robustness of LG air conditioners and the quality of installation that a 97-year-old grandmother's life was saved after she fell from her fourth floor apartment.
Danfoss signs R32 research deal with Chinese university
17 April 2013
CHINA: Compressor manufacturer Danfoss is reported to have signed a new co-operation agreement with a leading Chinese university to research and develop R32 technology for its application in air conditioners.
Daikin Germany founder retires
17 April 2013
GERMANY: Werner Rolles, an influential figure in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry in Germany for over 40 years, is to retire from his role as chairman and corporate advisor to Daikin Germany.
Open day at Business Edge
17 April 2013
UK: Business Edge is organising a free open day at its premises in Waterlooville, Hampshire on May 8. The day will include presentations, practical demonstrations and training.
New owners reveal ambitions to expand ACR Show in 2014
15 April 2013
THE new owners of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show (ACR Show) have revealed ambitious plans to invest in and expand the event.
MHI signs chiller JV in China
12 April 2013
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has signed a joint venture agreement with Chinese chiller manufacturer Dalian Refrigeration Co (DRC).
Dennis Green 1934 - 2013
11 April 2013
UK: ACR News is sad to learn of the passing of Dennis Green who spent nearly 50 years in the refrigeration industry prior to his retirement in 1999.
Bitzer to invest Euro30m in reciprocating compressor factory
11 April 2013
GERMANY: Compressor manufacturer Bitzer is to spend around Euro30m on an expansion of its Schkeuditz factory. The investment will include new production lines, offices, warehousing, dispatch and new training workshops on a 16,000m2 plot of land adjacent to the existing factory.
Air conditioning behind dramatic fall in heat-related deaths
07 April 2013
USA: Air conditioning has been responsible for a dramatic decline in heat-related deaths in the USA over the last 50 years, according to a new report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Beijer to buy Danish refrigeration wholesaler
06 April 2013
DENMARK: G & L Beijer AB is to acquire the Danish refrigeration wholesaler FK Teknik A/S. Formed in 1956, FK Teknik is based in Aarhus and achieved sales of approximately SEK32m (£3.2m) in 2012.
Bosch to buy air conditioning software control company
06 April 2013
GERMANY: The Bosch Group is planning to acquire Munich-based Bauer Optimierungstechnik GmbH, a company providing air conditioning and ventilation control software primarily for the German market. The acquisition is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.
US food processor to pay $3.95m after catalogue of ammonia leaks
06 April 2013
USA: One of the world's largest food processors is to pay a $3.95m penalty following ammonia releases at its facilities in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska, resulting in multiple injuries, property damage, and one fatality.
HPA disappointed at RHI delay
05 April 2013
UK: The Heat Pump Association has expressed "profound disappointment" at the announcement that both the amendments to commercial RHI and the launch of domestic RHI are to be further delayed until Spring 2014.
Climate Center adds cold rooms following agreement with Kingspan
04 April 2013
UK: Refrigeration an air conditioning wholesaler Climate Center has entered the market for cold rooms following the signing of an agreement with insulated panel manufacturer Kingspan.
Ice factory to be featured on BBC's Coast
04 April 2013
UK: Efforts to save the Grimsby Ice Factory and the historic refrigeration it contains have been given a boost by its inclusion in next Wednesday's episode of Coast on BBC2.
Thermofrost becomes Daikin UK dealer
03 April 2013
UK: Thermofrost Cryo is the latest company appointed as a regional dealer for Daikin UK.
Johnson Controls expands Chinese factory
03 April 2013
CHINA: Johnson Controls has expanded its Guangzhou factory to house the world's first fully-automated air handling unit assembly line and four additional variable refrigerant flow (VRF) production lines to meet Asian and global demand. This expansion will increase AHU manufacturing capacity by 30%, shorten lead times and increase efficiency.