A new era has begun – Climate-friendly buildings of the future breathe and adapt

Climate-conscious operation – Net Zero manufacturing philosophy

The Pilsen factory runs on renewable energy: in addition to the solar park, production is powered by green electricity, and waste heat is recycled. Energy consumption is monitored by an intelligent system, meaning that the factory already meets the requirements of Net Zero facilities. This is also a symbolic step: Panasonic's manufacturing and product development are based on the principles of decarbonisation and climate-friendly construction.

Centre of Excellence – knowledge and innovation in one place

The new training centre at the factory, with its Centre of Excellence classrooms and work areas, provides practical training where technicians, engineers and designers can learn how to use the latest heat pump technologies. The centre has been designed to provide accredited training and distance learning opportunities. Panasonic's own developers also work in the new department, with the aim of bringing the entire heat pump development cycle to Plzeň by 2028. The plant is thus not only a production centre but also a European innovation centre. This endeavour is supported by the partnership that the company has established with the University of West Bohemia and the Technical University of Ostrava.

Top-of-the-line robot technology

Panasonic's new factory is not only sustainable, but also state-of-the-art in terms of technology. The plant currently operates 80 industrial robots and has been designed to allow AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) to operate efficiently in the future. The goal: automated component manufacturing in 100%.

A head start for the engineering of the future

Based on a European Union regulation coming into force this year, from 2030 onwards, only equipment operating with refrigerants with a GWP value below 150 will be permitted to be sold. This indicator is assigned to all greenhouse gases and shows how much heat they can trap in the Earth's atmosphere.

EU regulations stipulate the gradual phase-out of F-gases, i.e. fluorinated gases used in refrigerants.

In response to this, Panasonic has created the Aquarea L-generation series, which operates with natural R290 refrigerant and has a GWP value of only 3. The system is capable of providing heating water at temperatures of up to 75 °C, making it ideal for replacing existing radiator systems.

Innovation in industrial, commercial and residential applications – Outdoor unit-free solutions

Panasonic's new range of cooling products, the iCORE and iCOOL, already meet the regulatory requirements for the next decade. The iCORE units, which operate with natural refrigerants, offer a sustainable alternative for commercial refrigeration with capacities ranging from 15 to 29 kW, while the iCOOL offers inverter, HFC and A2L-compatible solutions. In the residential segment, the RAC Solo air conditioner without an outdoor unit represents the pinnacle of innovation, combining heating, cooling, dehumidification and ventilation functions in a single unit.

A strategic move into a growing market

The European heat pump market reached €12.2 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to over €71 billion by 2034. Panasonic's decision is therefore both a strategic move and a response to the dynamic expansion of the market. „Our developments are driven by innovation, sustainability and rapid response to market needs,” said Enrique Vilamitjana, Managing Director of Panasonic's HVAC division in Europe.

The buildings of the future are smart

The investment in Pilsen is not only a factory, but also a future-oriented professional cooperation centre. With this development, Panasonic clearly demonstrates that climate-conscious construction and technological innovation go hand in hand. The factory – and the systems developed here – embody a vision of the future in which buildings not only stand, but breathe, learn and adapt to sustainable operation.