Midea, a global leader in smart home appliances and HVAC technology, has officially surpassed the 10-million-unit milestone in global cumulative sales for its R290 air conditioners. This landmark achievement underscores an accelerating market shift toward natural refrigerants and solidifies Midea’s position as the world’s No. 1 R290 air conditioner brand for the third consecutive year, as verified by Euromonitor International.
Accelerating the Transition to Natural Refrigerant
This milestone marks a definitive tipping point for the HVAC industry, signaling that natural refrigerants have transitioned from a niche alternative to the new global standard. As Europe enforces increasingly stringent F-gas regulations, Midea’s market performance validates R290 as the primary successor to high-GWP refrigerants. This widespread adoption underscores a growing confidence among both installers and consumers in Midea’s safe, scalable, and field-proven technology. To date, this transition has resulted in a significant environmental contribution, with an estimated 5.2 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions successfully avoided.
Engineering Innovation and Global Standards
The path to widespread R290 adoption required overcoming significant technical and safety hurdles. For more than 15 years, Midea has spearheaded R&D initiatives dedicated to leakage prevention and flammability mitigation, ensuring that natural refrigerant technology meets the rigorous efficiency demands of the modern market. The company’s proprietary safety systems are engineered to provide a rare combination of high-tier energy efficiency and long-term operational stability.
As a committed participant in the United Nations Global Compact, Midea continues to align its operations with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and lead the development of international safety standards. These efforts have earned the company prestigious accolades, including the German Blue Angel certification — a distinction reserved for products that demonstrate the highest levels of environmental performance and safety.
The Malta Blueprint: A Model for Regional Deployment
Recognizing that technical excellence must be matched by localized expertise, Midea launched a strategic initiative in Malta to accelerate R290 adoption across Europe. In partnership with KENKAR, Midea established an "education-first" framework to bridge the knowledge gap and address specific concerns within the HVAC installer community.
Through comprehensive, hands-on training programs, Midea empowered local technicians to become expert advocates for natural refrigerants. The results of the pilot program underscore the technology’s viability: 240 units were successfully installed within a single year with zero safety incidents. This success now serves as a scalable blueprint for the rapid, safe deployment of R290 technology across the European continent.
Defining the Future of the HVAC Sector
As the European HVAC industry navigates a complex landscape of decarbonization mandates and evolving regulatory frameworks, Midea’s 10-million-unit milestone provides a definitive signal: the era of natural refrigerants has arrived.
Midea’s expanding R290 portfolio — spanning residential air conditioning, heat pumps, and commercial applications — demonstrates that the technology is mature, scalable, and ready for mass-market integration. By driving this shift, Midea is establishing R290 as the de facto natural refrigerant solution, paving the way for a more sustainable and healthier planet.
About Midea
Midea Group is a leading global technology company specializing in smart home appliances, HVAC systems, and industrial automation. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in China, Midea operates in more than 200 countries and regions. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, developing energy-efficient solutions that improve everyday life. Midea remains the world’s No. 1 R290 air conditioner brand for the third consecutive year (verified by Euromonitor). For more information, www.midea.com/global.
Disclaimer
The data is calculated by Midea based on the sales volume of each R290 product sold during the period from January 2018 to December 2025 and the carbon avoided reduction of refrigerant per unit. (Carbon reduction of refrigerant per unit = GWP of refrigerant before R290 replacement x the refrigerant charge of product before replacement — GWP of R290 refrigerant x the charge of R290.)
Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Ltd. measured in terms of sales volume of R290 air conditioners, including OEM brands. (2022–2024 data, based on research completed in August 2025. R290 air conditioners refer to air conditioner using propane refrigerants, including residential and commercial air conditioner.)
Media Contact
Jochen Schäfer
jochen.schaefer@midea.de
