Attracting around 424 participants from 38 countries, the European Heat Pump Summit once again underscored its pulling power. The strong presence of professionals from across the sector reaffirmed the event’s role as the leading knowledge and networking platform for the international heat pump community. Some 40 high-calibre presentations and 32 exhibitors in the Foyer Expo showcased the technological depth and innovative potential shaping the future of heating and cooling.
“The European Heat Pump Summit is a place where expertise meets practice – and that’s precisely what makes it so valuable for the international heat pump community,”
said Daniela Heinkel, Director of the European Heat Pump Summit and Chillventa at NürnbergMesse.
Dr. Rainer Jakobs, Technical Coordinator of the Summit and Chillventa CONGRESS, highlighted that this year’s presentations reflected “the ongoing evolution of the heat pump sector and its growing relevance across multiple industrial and energy domains.”
Policy Frameworks and Market Trends
The congress opened with sessions addressing market dynamics and regulatory developments across Europe.
Dr.-Ing. Rainer M. Jakobs (IZW e.V.) reviewed highlights from previous Summits, outlining how political commitment and regulatory frameworks are shaping the sector’s rapid growth.
Saverio Papa and Leopold Mico from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) discussed the importance of policy alignment and certification in building public and professional trust, as the EU targets millions of installations by 2030.
Market analyses followed, such as Andries van Wijhe (TNO) on the Dutch heat pump market and Dr. Björn Schreinermacher (Bundesverband Wärmepumpe e.V.) on Germany’s transition from fossil-based heating — noting that 75% of all new heating systems now rely on heat pump technology.
The IEA’s Heat Pumping Technologies Programme (HPT TCP), represented by Dr. Caroline Haglund Stignor, provided global context, while Björn Palm (IEA Annex 64) and Dr. Thore Oltersdorf (Fraunhofer ISE) addressed safety aspects of using flammable refrigerants and leak detection data for plate heat exchangers.
Technology Development and Component Innovation
A major portion of the programme was dedicated to technological advances in components and design.
Maëlle Jouany (EDF) introduced a real-time method to determine refrigerant charge, while Ellen Hollander (Sensata Technologies) presented solutions for early gas leak detection in R-290 systems.
Christian Macri (Daikin Chemical Europe GmbH) revealed performance data on R-474A, a new low-GWP refrigerant alternative to hydrocarbons.
Compressor and system innovations were prominent topics.
Kim Man-Heok (KNU IEDT) presented CFD modeling of vapor injection compressors, and Massimiliano Marino (Aermec) discussed R-290 heat pump safety standards.
Further, Manon Längle (Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH) explained vibration control for quieter systems, while Andreas Baumgartner (AVL List GmbH) showcased how automotive testing methodologies accelerate heat pump R&D.
Matteo Todescato (Alfa Laval) highlighted advanced brazed heat exchangers, and Lateb Ramdane (SKF) introduced active magnetic bearing technologies enabling high-speed, maintenance-free compressor operation.
Industrial and High-Temperature Heat Pumps
The industrial segment drew strong attention, reflecting the ongoing decarbonisation of manufacturing and process industries.
Patrizio D’Alessandro (Frascold) presented a high-temperature R-290 heat pump capable of reaching 65 °C outlet temperatures, while Dirk Schlübber (BITZER Kühlmaschinenbau GmbH) discussed efficient compressor solutions for versatile industrial processes.
At the system level, Gaetano Sanfelice (Daikin Applied, Eurovent Certification) addressed long-term HVAC performance and certification, introducing Daikin’s Smart Control System (SCS) for reliable system integration.
The second day focused on industrial-scale and high-temperature solutions:
Dr. Veronika Wilk (Austrian Institute of Technology) demonstrated hydrogen and carbon capture integration, while Carsten Weinhoner (OST Switzerland) presented multi-source heat integration for boiler replacement.
Stephan Göbel (RWTH Aachen) shared results from hardware-in-the-loop testing, and Marek Lehocky (Gamma Technologies) explored compressor modelling using GT-SUITE.
Mega and Large-Scale Applications
A major theme of the 2025 Summit was the transition from building-scale to district-scale heat pumps.
Sebastian Ostlender (RWTH Aachen University) examined planning tools for large-scale heat pumps in district heating, while Fabian Ochs (University of Innsbruck) outlined cost-optimal systems for Positive Energy Districts.
Mauro Bonfanti (Officine Mario Dorin) detailed industrial high-temperature compressor developments, and Rüdiger Rudischhauser (SRM Tec Group) discussed industrial heat pump adaptation for various heat sources.
Real-world applications included:
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Esbjerg Mega Heat Pump Project in Denmark – presented by Tobias Hirsch (Everlicence, former MAN Energy),
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UPGRADER 95° R-717 Heat Pump by Sophie Tevenon and Michael Thies (Equans – Kaelte Technik), and
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Food & Beverage decarbonisation cases from Ivan Rangelov (Danfoss Climate Solutions).
Collectively, these cases highlighted how large-scale, high-efficiency heat pumps are replacing fossil-fuel boilers and reshaping industrial heating infrastructures.
Heat Recovery and Circular Energy
Several sessions focused on waste heat recovery and mechanical vapour recompression (MVR).
Josef Grassauer (GIG Karasek GmbH) showcased CompriVAP technology, capable of converting industrial waste heat into high-pressure steam up to 215 °C without synthetic refrigerants — demonstrated at the BASF Ludwigshafen plant.
Similarly, Matteo Canetti (Exergy International) presented X-heat series solutions achieving up to 150 °C with organic Rankine cycle expertise, targeting chemical and paper industries.
From Research to Real-World Impact
The closing sessions featured practical insights into project lifecycles and market implementation.
Ivo Eiermann and Stefan Henninger (York JCI) discussed heat pumps for district heating up to 60 MW, addressing feasibility, refrigerant choices, and implementation challenges.
The final summary emphasized the growing synergy between research and industrial deployment – from advanced digital modeling to field-tested high-capacity systems.
Networking and Exhibition Highlights
Beyond the technical sessions, networking remained central to the Summit’s success.
During the evening get-together, participants exchanged experiences and forged new collaborations in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.
In the Foyer Expo, 32 companies exhibited their latest technologies:
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BITZER with efficient compressor solutions,
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Ziehl Abegg with low-noise fan systems,
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Danfoss with smart controls and sensors,
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Mayekawa showcasing industrial waste heat recovery technologies.
This vibrant mix of component innovation, system design, and digital intelligence once again embodied the motto “Connecting Experts.”
Conclusion
The European Heat Pump Summit 2025 highlighted the sector’s rapid transformation — from policy and research to industrial-scale implementation.
The event confirmed that heat pumps are no longer niche technologies but a central pillar of Europe’s decarbonisation strategy, bridging renewable energy, digitalisation, and industrial innovation.
The Summit’s message was clear: collaboration, innovation, and integration will define the next chapter of sustainable heating and cooling.
