JCI expands European footprint
AARHUS, Denmark, 11 May 2026: Johnson Controls International (JCI) announced the expansion of its Holme, Denmark heat pump and chiller facility to increase production and testing capabilities for high-capacity heat pumps across Europe. Making the announcement through a May 11 Press Release, the company said the site operates on 100% green energy and strengthens European manufacturing capability while helping to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
JCI said the expansion includes an additional 2,300 square metres of production space and an 1,800-square-metre customer experience and test centre compliant with the latest European Heat Pump Association testing standard, EN 14511. According to the company, the additions strengthen its ability to design, build and validate high-capacity heat pumps for District Heating, public infrastructure and industrial applications, including research campuses, life-science laboratories, universities and food-and-beverage operations. The company added that the project is expected to create more than 100 local jobs and includes the modernisation of existing buildings at the site.
According to the company, EU Commissioner Energy & Housing, Dan Jørgensen; Mayor Anders Winnerskjold from the City of Aarhus and EU Policy Assistant, Rasmus Beim Hvide joined JCI employees and partners to mark the opening of the expanded facility.
Richard Lek, President, EMEA, Johnson Controls, said: “”With generations of manufacturing expertise in Europe and a market-leading position in commercial and large-scale heat pumps, this expansion in Holme reinforces our long–term commitment to building critical technologies here, for Europe. By scaling production and real-world testing of large heat pumps, we are enabling municipalities and energy-intensive industries to electrify heat, lower costs and reduce emissions – with solutions designed, engineered, built and tested close to where they are deployed.”
JCI cited figures from the European Heat Pump Association, stating that heat accounts for more than 60% of energy use in European industries. According to the company, advances in heat pump technology are enabling cities and industries to capture natural and waste heat from sources including wastewater, seawater, geothermal energy and industrial processes. JCI added that its heat pump solutions helped customers in 2025 reduce heating energy costs by up to 32% and cut emissions by up to 55%.
According to JCI, the Holme facility manufactures customised Sabroe-branded heat pumps and chillers, along with remanufactured, aftermarket and marine spare parts. The company added that the technologies use zero and low GWP refrigerants and are designed to align with EU regulations taking effect from 2027 and 2030.
Benthe Klokkerholm, Vice President, Manufacturing Operations, EMEA, Johnson Controls, said: “This site has served as a foundation for heating and cooling innovation since Thomas Sabroe founded the business here in 1897. With this expansion, Aarhus further cements its role as a centre of excellence for district heating technology delivering value to customers across Europe and the wider region.”
The company said it has delivered large-scale heat pumps to customers including Vattenfall Berlin, Energie Baden-Württemberg and New Aalborg University Hospital. According to the company, additional projects in Hamburg and Neustadt in Holstein are due to begin operations later this year, with another project in Zurich scheduled for 2027.
The company added that the Holme facility complements its broader European and regional manufacturing footprint, alongside sites in Nantes, France; Milan, Italy; Cork, Ireland; and Budapest, Hungary.