Frascold introduces NEXUS screw compressors for high temperature heat pump applications
MILAN, Italy, 12 January 2026: Frascold said it has launched its new NEXUS screw compressors for high temperature heat pump applications in the industrial process heating sector. Making the announcement through a Press Release, the company said the launch comes at a time when boilers have historically been the primary solution to guarantee high temperatures and operational continuity across industrial processes.
Frascold said changes in the energy and regulatory landscape are prompting a reassessment of gas-only heating systems. The company said increasing fuel cost volatility is making the management of these systems more challenging, while climate neutrality goals set out in the Green Deal, Fit for 55 and REPowerEU are encouraging a longer-term approach to heat generation.
Frascold said industries ranging from drying and food processing to chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing continue to require stable and reliable heat. The company said industrial air-water and water-water heat pumps are emerging as a viable alternative capable of covering a wide range of temperatures with more efficient and flexible energy architectures.
Frascold said the key challenge for these applications lies in ensuring performance stability and reliability. The company added that this requirement is met by its semi-hermetic high temperature compressors, which it said enable industrial heat pumps to replace traditional boilers even in demanding applications.
Frascold said the NEXUS series brings together compressors designed to withstand high compression ratios and operate continuously under harsh conditions. The company said the technology combines high operating temperatures, compatibility with low GWP refrigerants and application versatility to support more advanced and sustainable solutions.
Frascold said the new generation of NEXUS screw compressors is the result of extensive reengineering to enhance reliability, performance and flexibility. The company added this includes the integration of high efficiency motors designed to operate in extreme thermal conditions.
Frascold said expanded temperature limits allow suction temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius, supporting operational stability during high power consumption. The electric plate, Frascold added, has been redesigned with an optimised structure to withstand higher operating temperatures.
Frascold said further modifications include new generation bearing materials and revised tolerances to compensate for thermal expansion at suction temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius and delivery temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius. The company said it has also introduced changes to the lubrication circuit, including a specific oil formulation to reduce refrigerant solubility and maintain optimal viscosity.
Frascold said crankcase heaters have been upgraded with up to four electrical heating elements to ensure correct oil temperature and viscosity before start-up. The company said a special external coating capable of withstanding temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius has been applied to ensure long-term protection and durability.
Frascold said the NEXUS range is designed to operate with HFO refrigerants such as R1233zd and hydrocarbons including butane and isopentane in water-water configurations. The company said this provides system design versatility with a maximum operating temperature of 140 degrees Celsius and heating capacities exceeding 1 MW.
Frascold said the compressors support external inverters in the 30 to 60 Hz range to enable precise modulation of cooling and heating capacity. The company said the motors and lubrication circuit are designed to ensure adequate lubrication at high speeds and reduce mechanical stress over long-term operation.
Frascold said the NEXUS series is intended for large-capacity heat pumps with volumetric displacements ranging from 316 to 912 m³/h at 50 Hz and motors rated up to 300 HP.
Maurizio Mastrapasqua, Product Manager, Frascold, said: “The reliability of NEXUS compressors has been confirmed by a number of field applications, in particular, an in-depth test campaign conducted at the Danish Technological Institute between February 2024 and July 2025. During these tests, performance and reliability were verified even under the most demanding operating conditions.”
He concludes “Frascold is ready to introduce important innovations in the field of high temperatures, with future developments that will take performance to even higher levels.”