Johnson Controls has expanded its Holme heat pump and chiller facility in Aarhus, Denmark. The mayor of Aarhus, Anders Winnerskjold, was on site to mark this significant milestone for the facility, which produces and tests large, high-capacity commercial and industrial heat pumps.
“This expansion highlights our ongoing commitment to meeting the growing global demand for solutions that empower businesses to create smart, healthy, sustainable buildings,” said Richard Lek, President EMEA. “Our heat pumps are helping customers meet multiple priorities at once—from ensuring uptime and performance to dramatically lowering heating costs and emissions. We are proud to invest in this technology and the long-term value it delivers for industries such as district heating and cooling, data centers, food and beverage, and life sciences.”
The investment is expected to create over 100 new jobs. Scheduled for completion by early 2026, it will add 2,300 square meters of production capacity and an 1,800 square meter customer and test center that will comply with the new European Heat Pump Association testing regulation (EN 14511). Customers can collaborate with Johnson Controls technical teams to test high-capacity heat pumps under simulated real-world conditions. In addition to the facility expansion, the company will modernize and upgrade existing buildings.
The Holme plant manufactures customized Sabroe-branded heat pumps and chillers from Johnson Controls, plus a full range of remanufactured, aftermarket and marine spare parts. The technologies, which use natural refrigerants such as ammonia, CO2 or propane, are compliant with upcoming EU regulations that go into effect from 2027 and 2030. The Holme facility is powered by 100% green energy and supports customers in meeting sustainability targets.
According to the European Heat Pump Association, over 60% of the energy consumed by European industries is used for heat—highlighting the immense potential of heat pump-driven electric systems to enhance energy security, affordability and sustainability. Johnson Controls, a pioneer in heat pump technology, now offers one of the world’s most comprehensive portfolios for commercial, institutional, and industrial applications.
The transformative impact of this technology is evident across several Johnson Controls projects in Europe. For example, in Spain, a food manufacturer saved €1.5 million annually and reduced CO₂ emissions by nearly 2,000 tons—the equivalent of emissions from approximately 400 homes—by installing heat pumps at two facilities. In Germany, a hospital tapped into geothermal energy 200 meters underground using a heat pump, cutting energy costs by 30% and meeting 80% of its heating demand. Starting in 2026, four large-scale heat pumps in Hamburg will extract heat from treated wastewater to supply district heating for around 39,000 homes.
For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com and www.sabroe.com.
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