Daikin is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Sustainability conference in Ghent (Belgium) focuses on the clean energy transition and the importance of public-private sector cooperation to create a level playing field for low-carbon heating and cooling innovations. International environmental experts, partners and dignitaries are attending the event, including honorary guest Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, Laura Cozzi of the International Energy Agency and Belgium’s Federal Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten.
Partners in the green transition and allies in the fight against climate change
Strategically positioned in the heart of Europe, Daikin chose the Belgian city of Ostend back in 1973 to establish its first manufacturing site outside of Japan, a momentous milestone for Belgium’s economy. At the time, Daikin was only the second Japanese company to invest in Belgium.
“Our strong relationship celebrates 50 remarkable years today. Belgium stands for innovation and partnerships. Our biggest asset is our human capital. Belgians are ambitious, highly qualified, well-trained and multi-lingual. That is what brings companies like Daikin to Belgium. We share the Japanese culture of excellence, and we have the same long-term vision for a better future for all. That makes us partners in the green transition and allies in the fight against climate change,” says Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
The initial investment 50 years ago by Japanese global parent company Daikin Industry Limited to establish Daikin Europe N.V. in Ostend was followed by many others. Daikin Europe currently has 52 sales entities and is active in 129 countries in EMEA, with over 13,700 employees. The company develops and makes the vast majority of its products in the region to meet local needs. Daikin Europe has 12 R&D centres and 14 manufacturing facilities in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. A 15th factory in Poland dedicated to residential heat pump heating is currently under construction and is set to open in autumn 2024.
Level playing field to boost uptake of low-carbon heating and cooling installations
Daikin’s recent investments in low-carbon technologies and manufacturing are reinforcing Daikin and Europe’s foothold as leading innovators for a carbon-neutral future: 140-million euro for a new global R&D centre for heat pump heating technology in Ghent, Belgium, and a 300-million euro for the new heat pump production site in Łódź, Poland.
Toshitaka Tsubouchi, President of Daikin Europe says: “Our first 50 years in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region only mark the beginning of Daikin’s role in the clean energy transition. This shift isn’t an easy one, yet essential. We call on all governments and the energy industry to create a level playing field for heat pump technology versus fossil fuel systems. Together, let’s make investing in energy-efficient and low-carbon heating and cooling solutions rewarding for consumers and companies alike. That will benefit society as a whole.”
Heat pumps and affordable electricity are indispensable elements in any plan to cut carbon emissions for heating and cooling buildings. Together, they address concerns about energy supply security and they provide a viable solution in the climate crisis.
“The clean energy transition, born out of climate necessity, is now an economic and security imperative. To make it happen, cooperation is key. The good news is that we have the solutions available today. Technological innovations, for example, which often originate from ambitious companies, like Daikin. They take the lead in developing energy-efficient heating and cooling innovations in Belgium and across Europe. The more buildings are renovated and equipped with low-carbon technologies, the faster we will achieve our common goal of reducing carbon emissions,” says Belgium’s Federal Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten.
Current policy measures need to be reinforced to allow heat pumps fulfil their significant economic and environmental potential, like has been done for other key climate technologies like solar panels.
“Last year, global heat pump sales saw double-digit growth on the back of rising climate and energy security concerns. Our recent data and analysis show that this trend is going to continue. However, policy efforts to address cost barriers and other challenges need to be reinforced to achieve a near doubling of annual sales growth this decade in line with the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero by 2050 Roadmap,” says Laura Cozzi, Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks at the International Energy Agency.
