Johnson Controls, a global titan in thermal management, critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, has unveiled a significant expansion of its Holme, Denmark heat pump and chiller facility. This strategic move dramatically boosts production and testing capabilities, positioning the company to meet the soaring European demand for high-capacity heat pumps. Operating entirely on 100% green energy, this enhanced facility not only strengthens European manufacturing prowess but also plays a crucial role in diminishing reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Pioneering Sustainable Solutions for a Greener Europe
The expansion introduces an impressive 2,300 additional square meters of state-of-the-art production space and a sprawling 1,800 square meter customer experience and test center. Crucially, this center adheres to the latest European Heat Pump Association testing standard (EN 14511), ensuring peak performance and reliability. These additions empower Johnson Controls to design, build, and rigorously validate high-capacity heat pumps tailored for diverse applications, including district heating, public infrastructure, and demanding industrial environments. This encompasses high-stakes sectors from cutting-edge research campuses and life-science laboratories to universities and vital food-and-beverage operations. The project is also a boon for local employment, expected to create over 100 new jobs while modernizing existing structures on the site.
The ceremonial opening of the expanded facility drew notable figures, including EU Commissioner for Energy & Housing, Dan Jørgensen, Mayor Anders Winnerskjold from the City of Aarhus, and EU Policy Assistant, Rasmus Beim Hvide, who joined Johnson Controls employees and partners in celebrating this milestone.
Richard Lek, President EMEA at Johnson Controls, emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to the region: “With generations of manufacturing expertise in Europe and a market-leading position in commercial and large-scale heat pumps, this expansion in Holme reinforces our long-term commitment to building critical technologies here, for Europe. By scaling production and real-world testing of large heat pumps, we are enabling municipalities and energy-intensive industries to electrify heat, lower costs, and reduce emissions – with solutions designed, engineered, built, and tested close to where they are deployed.”
Unlocking the Power of Electrified Heat
According to the European Heat Pump Association, heat accounts for over 60% of energy use in European industries, leading to escalating costs and a drain on resources that could otherwise fuel innovation and competitiveness. However, advancements in heat pump technology offer a transformative solution. Electrifying heat through large-scale heat pumps enables cities and industries to harness natural and waste heat from abundant sources such as wastewater, seawater, geothermal energy, and industrial processes. This innovative approach converts otherwise lost energy into affordable, low-carbon heating. In 2023 alone, Johnson Controls heat pump solutions helped customers reduce heating energy costs by up to 32% and slash emissions by up to 55%, underscoring the urgent need to scale these proven technologies.
The Holme facility specializes in manufacturing customized Sabroe-branded heat pumps and chillers, alongside remanufactured, aftermarket, and marine spare parts. Utilizing zero and low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, these cutting-edge technologies are meticulously designed to align with upcoming EU regulations slated to take effect from 2027 and 2030.
Benthe Klokkerholm, Vice President, Manufacturing Operations HVAC/R, EMEA, reflected on the site’s rich history and future potential: “This site has served as a foundation for heating and cooling innovation since Thomas Sabroe founded the business here in 1897. With this expansion, Aarhus further cements its role as a center of excellence for district heating technology, delivering value to customers across Europe and the wider region.”
Johnson Controls has a strong track record of delivering large-scale heat pumps to hundreds of customers across Europe and beyond, including Vattenfall Berlin and Energie Baden-Württemberg in Germany, and the New Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark. Upcoming projects are set to commence operations later this year in Hamburg and Neustadt in Holstein, with another in Zurich scheduled for 2027.
This Holme facility perfectly complements Johnson Controls’ broader European and regional manufacturing footprint, which includes strategically located sites in Nantes, France; Milan, Italy; Cork, Ireland; and Budapest, Hungary, all dedicated to supporting customers across the region.