Brussels, 12 October 2023 – Daikin is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Europe, the Middle East and Africa this week. Today’s sustainability conference in Ghent (Belgium) focuses on the clean energy transition and the importance of public-private sector cooperation to create a level playing field for low-carbon heating and cooling innovations. International environmental experts, partners and dignitaries are attending the event, including honorary guest Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, Laura Cozzi of the International Energy Agency and Belgium’s Federal Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten.
Partners in the green transition and allies in the fight against climate change
Strategically positioned in the heart of Europe, Daikin chose the Belgian city of Ostend back in 1973 to establish its first manufacturing site outside of Japan, a momentous milestone for Belgium’s economy. At the time, Daikin was only the second Japanese company to invest in Belgium.
“Our strong relationship celebrates 50 remarkable years today. Belgium stands for innovation and partnerships. Our biggest asset is our human capital. Belgians are ambitious, highly qualified, well-trained and multi-lingual. That is what brings companies like Daikin to Belgium. We share the Japanese culture of excellence, and we have the same long-term vision for a better future for all. That makes us partners in the green transition and allies in the fight against climate change,” says Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
The initial investment 50 years ago by Japanese global parent company Daikin Industry Limited to establish Daikin Europe N.V. in Ostend was followed by many others. Daikin Europe currently has 52 sales entities and is active in 129 countries in EMEA, with over 13,700 employees. The company develops and makes the vast majority of its products in the region to meet local needs. Daikin Europe has 12 R&D centres and 14 manufacturing facilities in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. A 15th factory in Poland dedicated to residential heat pump heating is currently under construction and is set to open in autumn 2024.
Level playing field to boost uptake of low-carbon heating and cooling installations
Daikin’s recent investments in low-carbon technologies and manufacturing are reinforcing Daikin and Europe’s foothold as leading innovators for a carbon-neutral future: 140-million euro for a new global R&D centre for heat pump heating technology in Ghent, Belgium, and a 300-million euro for the new heat pump production site in Łódź, Poland.
Toshitaka Tsubouchi, President of Daikin Europe says: “Our first 50 years in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region only mark the beginning of Daikin’s role in the clean energy transition. This shift isn’t an easy one, yet essential. We call on all governments and the energy industry to create a level playing field for heat pump technology versus fossil fuel systems. Together, let’s make investing in energy-efficient and low-carbon heating and cooling solutions rewarding for consumers and companies alike. That will benefit society as a whole.”
Heat pumps and affordable electricity are indispensable elements in any plan to cut carbon emissions for heating and cooling buildings. Together, they address concerns about energy supply security and they provide a viable solution in the climate crisis.
“The clean energy transition, born out of climate necessity, is now an economic and security imperative. To make it happen, cooperation is key. The good news is that we have the solutions available today. Technological innovations, for example, which often originate from ambitious companies, like Daikin. They take the lead in developing energy-efficient heating and cooling innovations in Belgium and across Europe. The more buildings are renovated and equipped with low-carbon technologies, the faster we will achieve our common goal of reducing carbon emissions,” says Belgium’s Federal Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten.
Current policy measures need to be reinforced to allow heat pumps fulfil their significant economic and environmental potential, like has been done for other key climate technologies like solar panels.
“Last year, global heat pump sales saw double-digit growth on the back of rising climate and energy security concerns. Our recent data and analysis show that this trend is going to continue. However, policy efforts to address cost barriers and other challenges need to be reinforced to achieve a near doubling of annual sales growth this decade in line with the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero by 2050 Roadmap,” says Laura Cozzi, Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks at the International Energy Agency.
Toshitaka Tsubouchi
Tinne Van der Straeten
Laura Cozzi
Launch of 2023 Environmental Report
Today also marks the launch of Daikin Europe’s 2023 Environmental activities report (EMEA region). The report explains Daikin’s global Environmental Vision 2050, including Daikin’s climate roadmap and focus areas (scope 1, 2, 3 and 4) for carbon reduction actions.
Daikin’s climate roadmap and related targets are illustrated in image [1] below.
Daikin aims to be carbon neutral throughout the full lifecycle (including the entire use phase and end-of-life) of its products and services by 2050. Taking 2019 as the base year, Daikin has set a goal to reach at least 30% lower greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 and a 50% reduction in 2030 (compared to a business-as-usual scenario, including contributions to avoided emissions). During its fiscal year 2022, Daikin already achieved a reduction of 14%.
The report further zooms in on concrete actions of Daikin Europe in support of sustainable cities and communities in the EMEA region, on environmental initiatives at Daikin Europe’s factories (carbon neutral by 2030) and on the environmental benefits of heat pumps.
Reports
Access the Daikin Environmental activities report 2023 EMEA region here.
Access the Daikin global CSR report 2023 here.
Visuals
Download visuals from the press kit below.
(Copyright pictures: Daikin Europe N.V.)
Visual [1] Daikin’s Climate Roadmap 2050
Frans Hoorelbeke , HRH Princess Astrid & Tinne Van der Straeten
Noriyuki Inoue & HRH Princess Astrid
The venue - De Bijloke
About Daikin
Daikin Europe N.V.
Daikin Europe N.V. is a subsidiary of the global group Daikin Industries, and the leading provider of heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification and refrigeration (HVAC&R) technology in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Daikin designs, manufactures, and brings to market a broad portfolio of products, maintenance services as well as turnkey solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. To date Daikin Europe has over 13,700 employees across more than 57 consolidated subsidiaries. It has 14 manufacturing facilities based in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The headquarters of the Daikin Europe group are in Ostend, Belgium. The company was established in 1972, production in Europe started in 1973.
About Daikin Industries Ltd.
Daikin Industries was founded in 1924, in Osaka, Japan. The global group employs over 96,000 people worldwide and is the market leader for heat pump and air conditioning systems, as well as air filtration. It is the only manufacturer in the world that develops and manufactures heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, as well as refrigerants in-house. The company achieved € 28.2 billion sales turnover in fiscal year 2022 (1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023).
Read more on www.daikin.eu and www.daikin.com.
Media Contacts Daikin Europe N.V.
Sofie Sap – T.: +32 472 580482 Mail: sap.s@daikineurope.com
Daisuke Kakinaga – T.: +32 465 462321 Mail: kakinaga.d@bxl.daikineurope.com
