Daikin’s EMEA Development Centre for heat pump technologies brought into use

Advancing innovation and sustainability in HVAC-R

Moving into the EMEA R&D Center marks a pivotal moment in Daikin’s journey of innovation and sustainability in Europe. After two and a half years of construction, Daikin’s state-of-the-art facility is now operational, uniting Daikin’s R&D engineering teams from Ghent and Ostend under one roof and marking the beginning of a new era in R&D.

A hub for innovation

Located at the Tech Lane Ghent Science Park - Campus Ardoyen, the new R&D centre places Daikin at the heart of a vibrant ecosystem. This site is home to two UGent campuses, various R&D centers of international companies, public research institutes, and high-tech growth companies, making it a prime location for fostering innovation.

Expanding R&D capabilities

The investment in this facility significantly boosts Daikin’s R&D capabilities for heating, ventilation, cooling, and cold chain (HVAC-R) applications, serving customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Equipped with cutting-edge testing facilities, the centre strengthens Daikin’s position as a leader in HVAC-R innovation.

Commitment to sustainability

Staying true to its commitment to sustainability, the new building integrates a range of Daikin technologies, including geothermal water systems, water-cooled VRV, heat recovery VRV, and fan coil units on water systems. These systems exemplify Daikin’s ambition to lead by example in the transition toward a CO2-neutral Europe.

Daikin’s R&D teams in Ghent are dedicated to developing not only products but also the electronics and control systems that enhance the energy efficiency of products throughout their lifespan. The new centre supports this ambition by providing the capability to develop, test, and demonstrate integrated product and controls solutions in real-life environments.

Building a low carbon future

Daikin is taking significant steps toward circularity and carbon neutrality. The building is designed to achieve nearly Zero-Energy Building (nZEB) standards and to obtain an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM certification. Both processes for certification are ongoing.

Next-level testing capabilities

The R&D hub boasts extensive test infrastructure, including an EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) test chamber, which ensures Daikin devices function correctly without causing interference to other electrical devices. This capacity positions the company among the few in the HVAC-R industry with such advanced internal testing capabilities.

The test rooms, equipped with water circuits for maximum flexibility and improved air flow management, optimise testing conditions. Daikin Tewis chillers are used to efficiently cool these test rooms, enhancing energy efficiency through our own technologies.

In addition to special rooms for testing products with natural refrigerants and low GWP (Global Warming Potential) alternatives, sound testing capabilities have been extended to ensure our products perform exceptionally and quietly.

Strengthening partnerships with UGent

Collaboration extends beyond Daikin’s own organisation. Committed to innovating through partnerships, the company is working closely with Ghent University through guest lectures, student events, and broader research collaboration. By consolidating its R&D activities near academic partners, Daikin aims to play a key role in future technological directions.

Laurent Van Thournout, Deputy General Manager EMEA Development Center at Daikin Europe, remarked, "With the opening of our new R&D centre in Ghent, we are accelerating our collaboration with Ghent University and the city of Ghent in areas such as district heating and circular economy. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen our cooperation with other external academic and governmental institutions."

Strategic R&D for the future

Daikin researches, develops, and produces products close to the markets they are active in. The new building in the heart of Europe is now the second largest R&D centre of Daikin globally, right behind the Technology Innovation Centre in Osaka, Japan. It is the global R&D headquarters for heat pump heating technology, which the company believes to be key in reducing the carbon footprint of heating homes of all formats across the globe.

Over 350 R&D engineers are researching and developing low carbon heating, but also cooling, refrigeration and ventilation technologies, including smart controls to assure the developments can function seamlessly in any building eco-system at the highest energy-efficiency.

Ryota Takechi, General Manager EMEA Development Center at Daikin Europe, added, “Together with all Daikin’s R&D centres in Europe and globally, we'll use this new R&D centre to combine Daikin technologies with third-party expertise, addressing global environmental challenges and expanding our business.”

“The opening of the Daikin Europe R&D centre is a significant milestone that brings our people and technologies together and accelerates innovations in low carbon solutions for heating and cooling. It is a building for innovation, built with innovation.”, Ryota concludes.

Key figures

• Number of floors: 14
• Total area: 31,000 m²
• Laboratories and test chambers: 12,000 m²
• Space for collaboration with UGent and start-ups
• Number of R&D engineers: 350+