MCE – Mostra Convegno Expocomfort has closed its 44th edition in Italy, with more than 1,600 exhibitors and 120,000 visitors, including more than 35% from abroad. According to the organisers, the event confirmed its role as an international networking platform for HVAC+R, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water systems.
The organisers said companies from 49 countries took part, alongside more than 38,000 visitors from 123 nations. International attendance rose by 6% compared with the previous edition, with strong participation from the Middle East.
The event’s conference programme covered regulatory updates, incentives and prospects for Conto Termico 3.0, the implementation of the European EPBD IV directives, the outlook for heat pumps in Italy and globally, and synergies between HVAC technologies and digitalisation. A strategic report by TEHA Group said the sector in Italy generates about €83 billion [$89.6 billion] in revenue, €27 billion [$29.2 billion] in added value, and supports around 400,000 jobs.
“MCE – Mostra Convegno Expocomfort has been evolving for 60 years,” said Massimiliano Pierini, Managing Director of RX Italy. “It continuously adapts to a rapidly changing market, renewing its energy to support future business strategies, promote solutions and technologies for the twin transitions – energy and environmental – and engage in a rich programme of events, conferences, and initiatives dedicated to exploring industry trends.”
RX Italy said Heat Pump Technologies will return for its second edition in April 2027, followed by the 45th edition of MCE from 7 to 10 March 2028. Pierini said development of the 2028 trade fair format has already begun and will continue through activities and content developed with MCE Lab.
MCE Excellence Awards 2026 spotlight innovation in HVAC, heat pumps and water technologies
The MCE Excellence Awards 2026 highlighted a new generation of products focused on efficiency, innovation and sustainability during Mostra Convegno Expocomfort 2026, held from 24 to 27 March in Milan.
According to MCE, the 2026 edition recognized 18 selected products, all displayed in a dedicated area in Hall 18 and featured in the official event eBook. The awards are presented under the theme “Efficiency & Innovation for Transition Goals”, reflecting the exhibition’s alignment with the 2030 Agenda, the European Green Deal, and the broader energy transition in building services and HVAC systems.
The selection criteria emphasized technological innovation, energy performance, sustainability, digital connectivity, and building integration.
Among the publicly confirmed recognized products, Cowa Thermal Solutions AG announced that its COMPACT CUBE 48 received recognition, while Produal reported that its RTX-D touchscreen room transmitter was also recognized. Diehl Controls confirmed its participation among the award-recognized companies, and Atlas Filtri said its ScaleArmor / Roma solution was honored within the program.
In the field of natural refrigerants and industrial cooling, BlueBox by Swegon announced that its LAMBDA Zero (CO₂) rooftop unit received official recognition from MCE. Enex Technologies also highlighted two selected products: the Industrial NH3 Chiller MEGA and the Industrial V-Shaped Dry Cooler. These announcements underline the strong visibility of CO₂ and ammonia-based solutions at this year’s exhibition.
Large international manufacturers also reported multiple recognitions. Samsung Electronics said it received eight MCE Excellence Awards across residential air conditioning, heat pumps, and commercial systems. The recognized products include the Bespoke AI WindFree Combo Pro Wall-Mount Air Conditioner, EHS All-in-One, EHS Cascade Controller, DVM S2 R32, and DVM S Mini R32.
LG likewise reported that eight HVAC products and solutions were selected by the special technical jury. Publicly listed examples include ACPi, MULTI V i R32, ARTCOOL AI, DUALCOOL AI, and products from the THERMA V range.
Overall, the 2026 awards point to several clear market directions: broader adoption of lower-GWP and natural refrigerants, stronger use of AI-enabled controls, greater attention to system integration, and continued investment in high-efficiency heat pump and hydronic solutions. Together, these trends reflect the priorities currently shaping Europe’s HVACR market.
MCE Excellence Awards announce 2026 special mentions
The 2026 MCE Excellence Awards – Efficiency & Innovation for Transition Goals also announced special mentions for HVAC+R products and technologies presented in the dedicated area of Hall 18.
According to the organizers, the awards highlight solutions that support energy transition goals through reliable, measurable, and applicable technologies. The Technical Jury, chaired by Professor Giuliano Dall’O’ of the Polytechnic University of Milan and including trade associations together with five design studios, evaluated around 90 products and technologies.
Special mentions were awarded to:
- Volano CUBE by Cordivari Srl
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Compact Cube 48 by Cowa Thermal Solutions AG
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PDX - scaldacqua a pompa di calore “Floor-Standing” by Innova Srl
“Launched last year, the initiative has consolidated its position as a showcase for applied innovation, analyzing the key technological trends driving the evolution of professional plant engineering,” said Professor Giuliano Dall’O’, Professor of Environmental Technical Physics at the ABC Department of the Polytechnic University of Milan.
Massimiliano Pierini, Managing Director of MCE - Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, added: “Presence at MCE therefore represents not only a showcase for the launch of new solutions, but above all a platform for strengthening industrial relations and technical expertise, engaging with peers, and understanding the evolving directions of technological demand.”
