Germany-based chiller and heat pump manufacturer Yanmar Energy System Europe has seen a “significant” increase in propane (R290) chiller/heat pump sales, according to CEO Michael Nisch.
Nisch told NaturalRefrigerants.com in an interview that the company sold 19 units in the first three months of the fiscal year 2024, compared to five in the same period last year.
In an interview with NaturalRefrigerants.com, Nisch attributed the increased sales to the revised EU F-gas Regulation, which became law in March 2024 and bans the use of f-gases in all heating and refrigeration equipment by 2050.
Nisch told NaturalRefrigerants.com that the development of its R290 products for commercial and industrial applications started 20 years ago when the company ‒ operating as Eschenfelder KKU ‒ produced its first R290 unit as part of a custom solution for a local chemical plant in Marl, Germany.
In 2019, the company joined the Energy Systems division within the Japan-based Yanmar Group. Founded in 1912, Yanmar manufactures engines for the agricultural, construction, marine and energy generation industries.
“With Yanmar, we have been able to speed up [our] product development and find ways to use propane and other natural refrigerants for commercial and industrial applications,” Nisch said.
According to estimates in the 2023 ATMOsphere Market Report, as of December 2023, roughly 5,000 European industrial sites operate with hydrocarbon-based chillers. ATMOsphere is the publisher of NaturalRefrigerants.com.
R290 products
Yanmar Europe’s R290 products include:
- Reversible air-to-water heat pumps with heating capacities of 45–452 kW (12.8–128.5 TR) and cooling capacities of 41–405 kW (11.7–115.2 TR)
- Four-pipe air-to-water heat pumps with heating capacities of 69–567 kW (19.6–161.2 TR) and cooling capacities of 57–464 kW (16.2–131.9 TR)
- Air-cooled chillers with optional free cooling and cooling capacities of 21–425 kW (6.0–120.8 TR)
Its customizable R290 products include:
- Reversible water-to-water heat pumps with heating capacities of 40–640 kW (11.4–182.0 TR) and cooling capacities of 30–500 kW (8.5–142.2 TR)
- Air-cooled chillers with cooling capacities of 15–370 kW (4.2–105.2 TR)
- Water-cooled chillers with cooling capacities of 20–580 kW (5.7–164.9 TR)
In a recent interview with NaturalRefrigerants.com, Nisch detailed the company’s capabilities and philosophies.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How does Yanmar Europe operate, and what is its target market?
Michael Nisch: We develop, design and manufacture our R290 products in our factory in Marl. We handle everything from the initial design to the installation and maintenance of the units. With our European partners, we are ramping up production of our R290 heat pumps, primarily for the German market. Commissioning and service are also performed by us. We install our systems both in industrial and commercial settings for traditional HVAC applications, as well as for industrial production and processes.
Instead of seeking to build larger-capacity units, we offer modules in the 100kW [28.4TR] capacity range with the ability to combine up to 10 units to provide 1MW [284.3TR] of capacity. Although we offer a standard product line, customization is one of our strengths. For example, we can replace a defective unit in inventory with a new unit of the same dimensions but with R290.
We primarily target customers in Germany, but we also have a sales team active in the U.K. and other European countries. In recent months, we’ve seen strong interest in our products through the Yanmar network in Australia and North America, and we are pleased with the positive exchanges regarding the requirements of these markets.
Why is Yanmar Europe so focused on manufacturing natural refrigerant products?
MN: Both design and regulations play a role. We seek solutions that provide savings for our customers, including energy savings. For example, our heat pumps recover energy in the form of waste heat and make it usable again — at a higher, more usable temperature level. Our gas-engine heat pumps are now being replaced by electrically driven chillers and heat pumps. We’re going a step further by using natural refrigerants that do not place additional burdens on the environment.
The problems associated with synthetic refrigerants also play a role. Our R&D focuses on developing products to meet European laws for energy efficiency, sustainability and refrigerant leaks. Natural refrigerants offer a solution that will remain relevant for more than the next five years.
Does Yanmar Europe work with or plan to use other natural refrigerants besides R290?
MN: We plan to stick with hydrocarbons unless a technological reason arises. For example, we built a unit for a zoo in Duisburg, Germany, using a combination of propane and CO2 [R744] to meet the different temperature requirements of the facility.
“Natural refrigerants offer a solution that will remain relevant for more than the next five years.”
Michael Nisch, CEO Yanmar Energy Systems Europe
