Daikin Europe has inaugurated its new European Development Center (EDC) in Ghent, Belgium — a €140 million investment aimed at advancing heat pump and refrigeration technology across Europe. The 30,600 m² facility, located in the Tech Lane Ghent Science Park, doubles Daikin’s regional testing capacity and serves as its global development hub for air-to-water heat pumps.
The opening ceremony brought together business partners, media, academia, and local government representatives. Wim De Schacht, Vice President Service & Solutions and Corporate Affairs at Daikin Europe, emphasized that the EDC reflects Daikin’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in support of the EU’s decarbonization goals.
Petra De Sutter, Rector of Ghent University, highlighted the importance of academic-industry cooperation in achieving Europe's energy transition and building a knowledge-based economy.
Ryoto Takechi, General Manager of EDC Ghent, described the center as a collaborative platform for Daikin’s European teams, universities, and technology partners, focused on electrifying heating and cooling and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
A panel discussion titled “Decarbonising Density” explored the role of heat pumps in transforming urban environments. Moderated by Patrick Crombez, Head of Environmental Readiness at Daikin Europe and President of the European Heat Pump Association, the session featured experts from local government, academia, and industry associations who stressed the need for coordinated efforts across sectors.
Guests toured the center’s 23 laboratories, including simulation, acoustic, EMC, and environmental testing zones. The SIMBOX area enables automated virtual tests to speed up software validation. Climatic chambers in the Performance Test Lab simulate conditions from –30°C to +60°C. The Parts Reliability Lab includes testing of composite components that cut CO₂ emissions by 43% compared to traditional materials. The EMC and Sound Testing Labs support in-house testing for electromagnetic compatibility and ultra-low-noise system design.
The building is designed for sustainability, featuring BREEAM Excellent certification, geothermal boreholes, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and a smart energy management system.
In a final presentation, Laurent Van Thournout, Deputy General Manager R&D at Daikin Europe, stated that the EDC is part of a broader R&D network spanning Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Italy. The center focuses on refrigerants such as R290 and CO₂, as well as IoT-based control systems and energy-efficient digital solutions.
“This center is not only an investment in technology, but an investment in people and in Europe’s sustainable future,” said Wim De Schacht.