Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions marked a historic moment with full production of the Aquarea L Series, a new generation of heat pump using R290 natural refrigerant, now being produced completely in Europe. This move reinforces Panasonic’s sustainability concept, Panasonic Green Impact, reducing its carbon footprint through local production for local consumption. Transferring production from Asia to Europe, Panasonic is increasing capacity and the number of parts being produced locally. Not only is the L Series being produced locally, but it also uses the natural refrigerant R290 and as well as increasing availability of A2W heat pumps, it contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions.
Panasonic opened the factory in Pilsen for production of its air-to-water indoor units in 2018, gradually increasing production line capacity to today’s full line-up of both indoor and outdoor units with the first-time production of the air-to-water Aquarea L Generation heat pump outdoor units. This move will reduce the time to market and help to meet increasing demand across Europe for reliable and energy-efficient air source heat pumps. It will also provide more resilience as manufacturing and customers are both in the same region. Together with its R&D centre in Germany, Panasonic Heating & Cooling further increases its focus on the European market, implementing feedback from installation partners as well as European households and businesses even faster.
Currently, a shift in energy sources (reducing the use of gas and other fossil fuels while enabling for more electrification) is rapidly taking place in Europe. Due to the rising environmental awareness and the recent circumstances surrounding energy supply, there has been a pressing need for Panasonic to establish a production capacity to meet such growing demand. The sustainable Aquarea L Generation heat pumps, now produced entirely in Europe, utilise the natural refrigerant R290, which has a low GWP (Global Warming Potential) of 3 and allows for a more energy efficient solution.
This new milestone of an intensified European production was marked with a ceremonial ribbon cutting Monday 3 July 2023 with the attendance of Panasonic executives, including Masahiro Shinada, CEO Panasonic Corporation and M. Michiura, President, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company.
