Midea Building Technologies (MBT) presented its portfolio of sustainable solutions at MCE 2026, covering data center cooling, VRF systems, heat pump applications and integrated building management. Several products received the MCE Excellence Awards 2026, including the Mars Large R290 ATW Commercial Heat Pump and the M thermal Arctic S4 R454C Split Heat Pump.
MBT officially launched its V9 VRF system, built around the ShieldBox II electric control box and an R32 refrigerant solution. According to the company, ShieldBox II uses a one-piece die-cast aluminum housing that reduces volume by 70%, allowing a larger heat exchanger and higher outdoor unit efficiency. The system also passed TÜV’s three-tier protection safety assessment for flammable refrigerant VRF systems.
The company also showcased its R290 heat pump portfolio, covering heating capacities from 4 kW (approx. 13,650 BTU/h) to 70 kW (approx. 238,850 BTU/h) for residential, commercial and industrial applications. The Mars Large R290 ATW Commercial Heat Pump delivers leaving water temperatures up to 85°C (185°F), uses R290 refrigerant with a GWP of 0.02, and has an A+++ energy rating. MBT said the unit maintains 100% heating capacity at -10°C (14°F) and 65% at -20°C (-4°F), and uses a side-air structure with a footprint of 0.72 m² (approx. 7.75 sq ft).
Another award-winning product on display was the M thermal Arctic S4 R454C Split Heat Pump, designed for balcony and equipment room installations. It uses R454C refrigerant with a GWP of 146, provides heating down to -25°C (-13°F), and delivers leaving water temperatures up to 70°C (158°F). MBT said the unit includes a slim indoor design for retrofit projects, a touchless electric control box, full DC inverter technology, APP control and Smart Grid readiness.
For data center applications, MBT demonstrated liquid cooling based on low-temperature water cooling. The system combines precision CDUs, fan walls and magnetic bearing centrifugal chillers, with an annual PUE as low as 1.2. The display included the AirBoost Vera Air-Cooled Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller, with outlet water up to 36°C (96.8°F) and a 20°C (36°F) temperature difference, and a Coolant Distribution Unit designed with multiple redundancies, leak-proof protection and 100% tested core components.
MBT also presented the iEasyEnergy solution for coordinated management of PV, storage, heat pumps and intelligent controls, alongside the AquaLink All-in-One Hydraulic Module and the Nature Plus R290 Heat Pump. The company said AquaLink enables 85% faster installation and requires 75% less space than traditional solutions. In addition, MBT showcased its iBUILDING Digital Platform for centralized monitoring, energy and carbon management, and maintenance.
Midea reports 10 million global sales of R290 air conditioners
Midea said it has reached 10 million units in global sales of its R290 air conditioners, a milestone the company says reflects growing market demand for natural refrigerants. The manufacturer also said it has remained the world’s No. 1 R290 air conditioner brand for the third consecutive year, citing Euromonitor, and estimated that about 5.2 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions have been avoided so far.
The company said it has invested in R&D for more than 15 years to address leakage prevention and flammability control in R290 systems. As part of its European rollout, Midea partnered with KENKAR in Malta on installer training and education programs; according to the company, 240 units were installed there in one year with zero safety incidents.
