Panasonic Heating & Cooling has announced the launch of its most extensive commercial refrigeration range to date, featuring the iCORE and iCOOL product portfolios. The new lines mark a strategic expansion in refrigeration following Panasonic’s acquisition of Area Cooling Solutions in December 2024 (excluding the compressor business) and the creation of Panasonic Cold Chain Poland (PCCPL).
The PCCPL facility is Panasonic’s fourth manufacturing site in Europe and includes a dedicated R&D team for refrigeration technologies. It will also host a training center and a new refrigeration laboratory, scheduled to open in early 2026. The company stated that localised production at PCCPL will reduce delivery lead times across Europe.
The iCORE portfolio comprises CO2 (R744) condensing units, offering cooling capacities up to 29 kW (approx. 98,956 BTU/h) for medium temperature and up to 15 kW (approx. 51,181 BTU/h) for low temperature applications. The iCOOL range includes inverter HFC and A2L-ready units, with capacities up to 42 kW (approx. 143,307 BTU/h) for medium temperature and up to 14 kW (approx. 47,556 BTU/h) for low temperature use.
A2L refrigerants, classified by their low global warming potential and mild flammability, are positioned as alternatives to traditional HFCs. The iCOOL range is designed to support existing HFC-based systems while offering a transition path to lower-GWP refrigerants.
Panasonic stated that the new range aligns with EU regulations, including the Ecodesign directive for energy efficiency and the F-Gas Regulation, which will require a GWP below 150 for new stationary refrigeration systems by 2030.
“Our investment in Area Cooling and the creation of PCCPL were driven by a clear vision to become the European leader in refrigeration,” said Enrique Vilamitjana, Panasonic HVAC Managing Director. “This range is the first major step in realising that vision, combining innovation, sustainability and market responsiveness.”
