On March 27, 2026, we were honoured to host Wouter Beke at our EMEA R&D centre in Ghent (Belgium). Beke is a Member of the European Parliament, where he serves on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
Accelerating clean energy transition in Europe
Considering the EU’s Net zero Industry Act and Industrial Accelerator Act, we showed how Daikin is investing in innovation to accelerate the clean energy transition in Europe. We believe it is crucial to create a level playing field for heat pump technologies across Europe, with coherent energy pricing and regulation, including reasonable electricity-to-gas price ratios.
“Daikin demonstrates how Europe’s climate ambitions and industrial strength can go hand in hand,” said Wouter Beke, Member of the European Parliament. “By designing and manufacturing energy‑efficient electric heating and cooling solutions in Europe, for Europe, Daikin directly supports the objectives of the EU’s Net‑Zero Industry and the Industrial Accelerator Act: reinforcing clean‑tech manufacturing, strengthening strategic autonomy, and accelerating the deployment of net‑zero technologies across the continent. This is essential for high-quality jobs and Europe's long-term competitiveness.”
Made in Europe, for Europe
Daikin supports electrification through extensive European research and development programmes, complemented by manufacturing facilities for heat pumps located in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Poland. This approach decreases dependence on imported technologies.
As one of the few heat pump manufacturers with extensive vertical integration, Daikin designs and produces its own compressors, which underpin its technological strategy. This specialised compressor expertise is integrated within Daikin’s European manufacturing operations, enabling the production of heat pumps in Europe tailored for the European market, while also enhancing robust clean-technology supply chains.
Daikin’s industrial heat pumps enable the electrification of low-temperature industrial processes that historically relied on fossil boilers. These systems can reuse waste heat from industrial processes, further reducing primary energy demand and emissions. Industrial heat pumps are increasingly positioned as a core pillar of industrial decarbonisation in Europe, supported by EU energy efficiency and renewable directives.
New global heat pump heating R&D centre
Daikin’s recent 140-million-euro investment in a new heat pump R&D centre in Ghent, Belgium, has doubled its testing capacity in Belgium with laboratories and facilities that foster a culture of co-creation and partnership. Beke participated in a tour of our specialised laboratory zones, where our R&D engineers explained all the steps to bring reliable and sustainable HVAC-R products and solutions to the market.
The new centre showcases the next generation of heat pump technologies and provides the capability to develop, test, and demonstrate integrated systems, electronics and controls in real-life environments, which enhance the energy efficiency of products throughout their lifespan.
The Ghent site is not only crucial for the development of European heat pump heating solutions, but it also functions as Daikin Industries’ global R&D hub for heat pump heating technology. Next to Ghent and Ostend in Belgium, Daikin has R&D centres at all its production locations across Europe.
“The EU MEP’s visit highlights the vital role that heat pumps play in securing Europe’s industrial future and energy independence. We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable innovation,” said Wim De Schacht, Vice President Service & Solutions and Corporate Affairs at Daikin Europe.
We look forward to welcoming Wouter Beke again for future milestones. A heartfelt thanks to our teams engineering the future of energy-efficient climate control!
