DACE-CE-EDC
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The market leader in the field of climate solutions has announced plans for their EMEA Development Center (EDC). Located in Ghent, the energy-efficient complex will host 4,000 m² of test facilities making them among the most advanced of their type worldwide. The planned investment of 140 million € ensures Daikin’s successful development of energy-efficient alternatives to traditional heating solutions.
Vienna, December 7, 2020 – Daikin Europe N.V. (DENV), the European mother company of Daikin Central Europe (DACE) announced plans of investing in a cutting-edge development complex in Ghent, Belgium. Environmental friendliness has been in the forefront of Daikin’s activities for a while, with special focus on the production of energy-efficient heating solutions such as its state-of-the-art heat pumps. This is where the construction of the new EDC plays a unique role as its research and development of innovative, energy-efficient alternatives to traditional heating solutions, new heat pump technology and solutions for cold chains (food and pharmaceutical products) helps further cement Daikin’s commitment in the developing with the environment in mind.
The international shift towards the phasing out heating systems running on natural resources causes an extensive need in sustainable alternatives. Europe has so far held a pioneering leading role, in regards to its climate-neutral activities, such as the Green Deal policy. By further investing in research, Daikin aims to further secure their role as market leader of climate solutions and will continuously drive new technologies in this field.
Need for additional facilities
Since the foundation of Daikin's EMEA Development Center in Ostend in 2012, the leading European research platform has experienced an explosive expansion with, among others, satellite centres in Ghent, Pilzen (Czech Republic), Güglingen (Germany) and Hendek (Turkey). Kazuhide Mizutani, General Manager EDC comments: “We are currently working with almost 220 R&D employees in our branches in Ostend and Ghent. This is an increase of about 140% since the foundation of the EDC in 2012. From our start-up, we have expanded our research infrastructure and built additional test chambers for temperature control. All this as a result of the increasing demand for energy-efficient alternatives to traditional heating solutions. If we want to stay ahead of the market needs and the clear environmentally friendly orientation of Europe, then further expansion is imperative.”
The proportion of heat pumps within the heating market is strongly growing. In addition, the industry is also increasingly looking for solutions for cold chains (food and pharmaceutical products – as of recently, for COVID-19 vaccines) and new heat pump technologies. Here, the EDC is a spearhead in terms of research and development in Europe.
As a Top 100 university, UGent has a renowned doctorate programme in ‘Mechanical Engineering’, and is, in that sense, a significant source of future talent. UGent and the EDC have already worked together, and will intensify their collaboration at the new site in the field of new heating technologies, the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence.
State of the art technology
The new building will consist of test facilities and office space. The test areas, with a total surface of about 4,000 m², will be among the most advanced of their type worldwide. The most modern EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) chambers will be installed, as well as test chambers for specific particles, discharge and material analyses. Daikin is planning the implementation of the new building following advanced energy-efficient standards, including nZEB (nearly Zero Energy Building), and a BREEAM Excellent certificate. The preparatory work could start towards the end of the summer of 2021. The intention is to inaugurate the test building in May 2023, and to take the office area into use at the end of 2023.
