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August 29 - ARBS 2006, Australian HVACR Expo Held

ARBS 2006 was held on August 14-16 at Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia.
ARBS (Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Building Services) is the major trade event for the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Building Services industry in the southern hemisphere.
Held every two years ARBS showcases the very latest technologies, products and trends in a friendly marketplace atmosphere that brings together all participants of the industry from manufacturers and suppliers right through to the important decision makers, buyers and end users.

August 29 - Fujitsu General To Use 10% Less Copper, Aluminum In A/Cs

In response to rising metal prices, Fujitsu General Ltd. (6755) has decided to reduce by 10% the volume of copper and aluminum it uses in its key air conditioner operations.

With new products, the firm will adopt designs that use less metal.
And for existing products, it will rethink parts design, specifications and materials. In the current fiscal year, Fujitsu General will aim for savings of around 300 million yen from these efforts.

The company decided that passing on higher costs to consumers would reduce the competitiveness of its products and so opted to take steps to cut expenses. Air conditioners use considerable amounts of copper and aluminum in compressors, heat exchangers and tubing.

August 26 - MHI Enhances Centrifugal Chiller Efficiency

Among centrifugal chillers working with R134a refrigerant (HFC), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) AART Series features one of the world's highest levels of efficiency. MHI upgraded the New AART Series, a lineup of centrifugal chillers through the introduction of a two-stage inlet guide vane control mechanism and a vane-less diffuser to enhance the performance during partial load operation. A high-end, high-speed control panel and inverter-driven motor are combined with a variable-speed control logic. The design takes advantage of the aerodynamic characteristic of the compressor and brings about optimal operational control under changing loads and outside temperatures throughout the year.
Compared to the conventional variable-speed machines of the NART-I Series, the new AART Series can save even more energy in year-round operation.

Since 2000, MHI has been trying to improve the performance of centrifugal chillers using HFC-134a, a refrigerant with an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero. With success in this endeavor, MHI will save more energy and help conserve the global environment.
The figure below gives an overview of the trends in the performance of typical centrifugal chillers. The demand for improved energy saving performance has risen steadily since the energy crisis in the 1970's. To respond to this, MHI engineers have improved the machine performance by 1.5 times over more than two decades since 1980. The current model exhibits a COP value of 6.4 under the rated operating conditions.

August 22 - IKK leaves - exhibitors stay in Nurnberg!

"IKK is leaving Nurnberg after this year's event, we the exhibitors are staying!"
This is the response from the 'Exhibitors Action Group pro IKK' to the announcement by IKK Wirtschafts- und Informationsdienste GmbH (formerly VDKF GmbH), Bonn on 26 July 2006 of its decision to no longer hold the IKK trade fair in Nurnberg, where it has been successful for many years.
All involved in the former 'Exhibitors Action Group pro IKK' decided just a day after the VDKF's decision that an international range of capital goods and services from the refrigeration and air conditioning industry will continue to be offered in Nurnberg. NurnbergMesse has been appointed to develop a concept for a new exhibition, which will take place under the name 'Chillventa Nurnberg' every two years in Nurnberg starting in 2008 initially from 15- 17 October.
VDKF, the owner of the exhibition trademark IKK, has decided after 26 years to no longer organize the IKK trade fair in co-operation with NurnbergMesse at the recognized Nurnberg exhibition venue. Instead, it has announced that IKK is to be integrated into the ISH Sanitary, Heating and Ventilation Exhibition in Frankfurt with effect from 2007. From 2008, Stuttgart, a new exhibition organiser of the industry, is to organize the annually alternating IKK. After several months of intensive efforts, the exhibiting industry and well-known industry organizations regard the talks with VDKF and IKK GmbH as having failed.

August 19 - CO2 Heat Pump Water Heater Shipments Up 72.5%

Domestic shipments of natural refrigerant (CO2) heat pump water heaters (ECO CUTE) grew noticeably in fiscal year 2005 (Apr. '05 ~ Mar. '06). The ECO CUTE market has been expanding annually because of their environmentally friendly features and high considerable economic advantages. It is also expected to grow continuously tthrough fiscal year 2006.
According to the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA), domestic shipments of home-use heat pump water heaters ECO CUTE totaled 225,628 units in fiscal year 2005, up a high 72.% rise over the previous year.
Since their release in 2001, demand for ECO CUTE units has continued to expand steadily, .and thatSales in fiscal year 2006 is are also predicted to show about a 60% increase, totaling about 350,000 - 360,000 units.

The "Study Mmeeting to discuss promoting the Spread of CO2 Heat Pump Water Heater", a private study meeting underconference organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), regarded the ECO CUTE as a promising contributor to energy savings and sets the cumulative spread sales target in 2010 at 5.2 million units. This year has seen the announcement or release of new products or released one after the other next.

August 19 - Uniqema Acquires Refrig Lubricants Business of BP

Uniqema has acquired the ICEMATIC series of Castrol refrigeration lubricants from BP. The terms of the sale include a transfer of the ICEMATIC brand to Uniqema as well as product formulations and related intellectual property. Following all regulatory approvals, Castrol has now transferred its range of polyol esters, alkyl benzene products and blends used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems to Uniqema.

According to Paul Tayler, Sales & Technical Service Director, Uniqema, "The innovative range of ICEMATIC products perfectly compliments our EMKARATE RL brand of refrigeration lubricants, providing us a unique opportunity to support the marketplace with a larger set of lubricant solutions."

Uniqema is recognized worldwide as a leading supplier of high quality, high performance lubricants to the refrigeration and air-conditioning industries. The acquisition of Castrol's ICEMATIC refrigeration lubricant range demonstrates Uniqema's long-term commitment to supplying the market with the most innovative lubricant technologies.

August 15 - Danfoss to Acquire US-based Scroll Technologies

Danfoss A/S has entered into an agreement to acquire Scroll Technologies, an American-based manufacturer of scroll compressors for HVACR applications. Scroll Technologies operates a plant in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and has 750 employees.

In 2005, Scroll Technologies manufactured just over 500,000 compressors and had revenues of more than 125 million USD. "This is an important step and an historic acquisition for Danfoss. We have now ensured ourselves a very attractive position in the compressor market for air conditioning in commercial buildings. At the same time, we expand our product portfolio and improve our position even in the residential market. This acquisition will clearly strengthen our ambition of further growth within a traditionally important business area for Danfoss," says Executive Vice President & COO of Danfoss, Niels B. Christiansen.

Within the Danfoss Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Division, Scroll Technologies will be integrated into the Danfoss Commercial Compressors organisation which already runs three factories that produce scroll compressors in France, USA and China.
"We have high expectations for the continued growth and development of this business area. We have been producing scroll compressors for several years, and we consider this technology to be an important element in addressing the increasing demand for efficient and environmentally sound solutions in our market. We are proud that we now have a complete range of scroll compressors with capacities from three to 30 tons," says Vagn Helberg, President of the Danfoss Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Division.

August 12 - IKK Trade Fair Moves to Stuttgart in 2008

- IKK from 2008 at new exhibition site in Stuttgart
- Strategical alliance between Messe Stuttgart, Messe Frankfurt and IKK Gmbh
- "Trade fair export"in future markets such as Middle East, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and India
- Specialist refrigeration/air conditioning contractors in Germany and Europe stand uunited behind the concept
The IKK - International Trade Fair for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Ventilation - is set to change from 2008 to the new Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre. This is the result of a competition to which several German trade fair companies were invited in May 2006 by the IKK event organiser, IKK Messe- Wirtschafts- und Informationsdienste GmbH (Bonn).

A combination of reasons assured that Stuttgart received the premium for equippingright to host this international event with which currently attracts 800 exhibitors and about 27,000 visitors from all over the world: The state metropolis in Baden Wurttemberg is Europe's number one innovation region with the highest concentration of industry in Europe and, at the same time, the "home" of German high tech middle class in industry and productive plant engineering.
engineering. For example, a A number of world leaders in the area of refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation technology (e.g. compressors, ventilators, heat exchangers and climate control equipment manufacturers) for example, are located in the Stuttgart region.

The most modern exhibition site in Europe
By autumn 2007 the IKK will have the additional bonus of Europe's most modern exhibition site with its direct connection to the airport, motorway and railway in one of the most attractive and dynamic economical areas in the world. With 100,000 square metres of the most modern and multifunctional hall areas and 40,000 square metres of open space the world class facilities speak for themselves. In addition, Messe Stuttgart has demonstrable specialist
skills and knowledge for innovative technical trade fairs, especially regarding the interface between trade, wholesale and industry.

Strategical alliance secures IKK's move into the future
Every two years, the IKK will have its new home in Stuttgart from 2008. This takes into account the desire by industry and wholesale for a two year cycle in the trade exhibition. In addition to the classic IKK in Stuttgart, there will be a strategical enhancement in the uneven years in co-operation with Messe Frankfurt with the focus on building technology. In alliance with ISH / Aircontec, the IKK Building will offer an additional forum with a special reversed area and its own profile for the ISH 2007.

August 12 - Rainy Season Ends but Too Late?

On July 31 the rainy season ended in Tokyo too, following the West Japan. At last we could are able to say good-bye to the very long rainy season, but summer might have arrived too late for those in the room air conditioner (RAC) trade peopletrade. A hot spell visited the Tokyo metropolitan area too from August 3 to 67, just as it visited Osaka, Fukuoka and other West Japan areas. Instead of the slow pace to date, volume sales stores in various districts began rushing towards the final goal byare expecting that a full-scale RAC sales enter a full-scale race from now onto begin any time now. There was aOne shop which is publicizes thatadvertising next-day installation can be accomplished in only a day after receiving an order.
What results will we have eventuallyResults-wise, how will the sales season turn out? We look forward to seeing statistical data when it is announced in the next month.

8% drop in June shipments
The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) announced that domestic shipments of RACs in June accounted totaled for 1,350,448 units, down 8% from the same month last year, thus showing a 3-month consecutive drop from April this year.
RAC shipments this year slowed down considerably: in April 472,000 small-mid sized units, down 13%, and in May 786,000 large sized units, down 4.4%. The decline is said to be attributable to weather conditions such as lower temperatures and shorter duration of sunshine during these months.

July shipments
In July, sales at volume sales stores showed about a 20% rise in the 2nd week (3rd to 9th), then nearly doubling in the 3rd week (10th to 16th) when midsummer days with °C or higher came together with hot and humid nights. In the 4th week, however, sales remained dull due to low temperatures with a long rainy spell.

August 9 - Purdue International Engineering Conferences Held

The 18th 2006 International Compressor Engineering Conference (2006 ICECP) and the 11th Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering Conference were held at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
The 2006 ICECP was run in parallel with the 2006 International Refrigeration and AC Engineering Conference. The two conferences were held in the Stewart Center of the university with approximately 500 attendees in total who registered for either or both of the conferences.
As always, there was considerable international participation.

At the Opening Session (the first day) Dr. Samchul Ha, Vice President, Digital Appliance Research Laboratory of LG Electronics, Korea, delivered a the keynote address entitled "Intelligent HVAC Systems for a Better Environment."

Based on the results of research at Digital Appliance Research Laboratory of LG Electronics, and with many slides, Dr. Ha explained about various environmentally friendly HVAC systems using the latest technologies for about an hour and a half.
In the afternoon, technical sessions started in five lecture rooms. According to the organizing committee, the Proceedings for 2006 covered 112 papers in the Compressor Engineering Category and 122 in the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineering Category.
On the second day, results of research results on scroll, rotary and CO2 compressors were presented, and the presentations made by Japanese makers aroused much interest of from many in the audience.

In the evening of the first day, a reception was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel hotel located near the university. Researchers, engineers and industry professionals talked pleasantlyenjoyed mingling in a friendly atmosphere.
From the second day, a plenary session was held every morning, with many lectures delivered by famous professors from Purdue University, Ohio State University in the U.S. and Padva University in Italy.

August 9 - ICC and ASHRAE Announce Significant Collaborative Effort

The International Code Council (ICC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will seek ways to optimize development of codes and standards to improve public safety. The organizations will work together on industry advocacy and public policy and explore joint business opportunities.
"The integration of leading edge technology via ASHRAE standards and guidelines into the building codes ensures the general public that the built environment will be efficient, healthy, comfortable and safe," said ASHRAE President Terry Townsend. "This MOU will enhance both ASHRAE's and ICC's capabilities to have a positive impact on new construction and renovation activities in not only North American but also the international markets."
The ICC model code system impacts the lives of millions of people every day in a positive way. The centerpiece of this system is an objective, scientifically based code development process, designed to achieve consensus on important health and safety issues.
A key element of this process is the use of consensus-based referenced standards like those produced by ASHRAE, developed through a fair and balanced process. Whether addressing structural performance or energy conservation, referenced standards serve to complement code text by providing the details and test methods necessary for effective code enforcement.
"This MOU with ASHRAE will help ICC members address some of the most important and contemporary issues facing building safety professionals today," said ICC Chief Operating Officer Rick Weiland.

August 5 - Carrier Corp. Acquires Sensitech Inc.

Carrier Corp., USA, announced recently the purchase of all business operations of privately held Sensitech Inc., the leading global provider of cold chain visibility solutions that protect the integrity of temperature-sensitive products. Sensitech will function as a wholly owned subsidiary of Carrier. Purchase terms were not disclosed.

Sensitech's proprietary technology enables global customers in the food and pharmaceutical industries to track and monitor assets across the supply chain, protecting the integrity of their temperature-sensitive products. Its product portfolio includes comprehensive analytic services, validated enterprise software systems and data acquisition devices.

Carrier's long history of leadership in the stationary and transport refrigeration industries, coupled with the strategic importance and high potential of the cold chain monitoring market, make this an ideal fit.

"We are pleased to combine Sensitech's expertise in cold chain management and process improvement with our expertise in refrigeration," said Ted Amyuni, president of Carrier's Refrigeration business unit. "This synergy will bring unparalleled cold chain breadth and depth to our customers."

Sensitech's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Eric Schultz will continue as president of Sensitech. "Our future growth increasingly depends on our ability to keep pace with the global demands of our food and pharmaceutical customers," Schultz said. "Carrier will provide these resources through its worldwide operations. We will continue to offer all of our existing products and systems with the excellent services the industry has come to know and expect."

Sensitech is based in Beverly, Mass., and has offices in Amsterdam, Calgary, Melbourne, Australia, Redmond, Wash., and Santiago, Chile, with service and distribution offices around the world.

August 4 - Fedders Considers Possible Sale of IAQ Businesses

Fedders Corporation, USA, announced that it has engaged The Blackstone Group to explore the possible sale of the company's global indoor air quality (IAQ) businesses. The IAQ businesses are not core to the company's principle global residential and commercial HVAC businesses.
Included in a possible sale would be the company's North American IAQ production facility located in North Carolina, two factories in Suzhou, China and sales offices located in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, China, Malaysia and India.

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