The company plans to release three new environmentally conscious models for homes (with different heating capacities) using natural refrigerants in Europe by May 2023, a first for a Japanese manufacturer,¹ and to more than double the lineup by fiscal year ending in March 2026. To meet active demand, Panasonic is investing approximately 50 billion yen by 31 March 2026 to enhance production capacity at its factories in the Czech Republic and Malaysia, to boost technology development capabilities at its new R&D Centre, and to expand its cloud-based maintenance solutions business and marketing.

Aquarea A2W is a heating system that captures energy from the air to create hot water for use in homes. Demand in Europe is growing owing to the lower environmental impact of this technology thanks to lower CO₂ emissions compared to fossil fuel heating systems.

Panasonic began sales of its A2W Aquarea heat pumps, in Europe in 2008 developing this energy-saving technology and refining it with its Eco Cute² and air conditioners. Key features include its heating function which remains unchanged even in cold regions and at the same time can be used for cooling in warmer areas. Remote monitoring services are provided via the cloud. The growth strategy of the A2W business is as follows.

1. 2023 is to see the first release by a Japanese manufacturer¹ of product using natural refrigerants, with the lineup to more than double by fiscal year ending in March 2026. The global warming impacts of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),³ used as the refrigerants in air conditioners, A2W, and similar equipment, led to them being designated for gradual production and consumption phaseout under the Montreal Protocol⁴ (Kigali Amendment) in October 2016, which came into effect in January 2019. Air conditioner manufacturers now must rapidly switch to refrigerants with low greenhouse impacts. In May 2023 Panasonic will be the first Japanese manufacturer¹ to release three new models for residential applications (with different heating capacities) of A2W using R290, a natural refrigerant with extremely low greenhouse impacts. The plan is to more than double the lineup by fiscal year ending in March 2026.
2. Approximately 50 billion yen will be invested to boost production and enhance technology development and marketing. Panasonic will invest approximately 50 billion yen up to fiscal year ending in March 2026 to boost production, enhance technology development and increase marketing to meet the active demand for A2W in Europe. Currently it manufactures A2W at its factories in the Czech Republic and Malaysia. In the medium term, it will broadly expand its production capacity, aiming for a structure capable of 1 million units. Up to fiscal year ending in March 2026 the company will expand 50% of its training centers and showrooms to supply installers with the necessary techniques and know-how for R290 and other natural refrigerants to form a comprehensive program. Furthermore, in 2023 it will open an R&D Center in Europe for the air quality and air conditioning business including A2W to heighten technology development capabilities, enabling it to swiftly meet local needs.
3. Expanding the maintenance solutions business using the A2W cloud and increasing the number of engineers. Currently Panasonic operates its own remote monitoring in Europe utilising the cloud to constantly track the operating status of A2W and detect anomalies instantly. The company has also built a service structure in Denmark to rapidly inspect the condition of equipment and perform repairs onsite. This maintenance solutions business will grow to other European countries to enable the use of the products with long-term safety, reliability, and comfort. The team of engineers with expert knowledge and sales and customer services staff will also be expanded.

Looking to the future, the company will add functions such as failure prediction via the cloud and use of AI to reduce heat loss with heat exchange units and provide total control of air quality and air conditioning equipment, achieving both improved comfort and energy saving with the best solutions for the customers' needs.

Panasonic is striving to create spaces that are pleasant to be in while also being fully conscious of the global environment, making the maximum use of its technological and manufacturing capabilities as well as its know-how of people's lifestyles refined through its many years of business.