German manufacturer Bosch Group has announced plans to invest €1 billion (US$1.1 billion) in its European heat pump production by 2030. Part of this investment includes producing the indoor units of its new propane (R290)-based residential heat pump at its facility in Eibelshausen, Germany.
“Heat pumps are a key technology for achieving the European climate targets in the building sector,” said the manufacturer. “Bosch has been investing heavily in expanding its European heat-pump development and manufacturing network since 2018. To keep the ramp-up of heat pumps running at the required speed, Bosch intends to step up its investments.”
“Heat pumps are a key technology for achieving the European climate targets in the building sector.”
Bosch
In addition to strengthening its existing European facility, around €255 million (US$279.8 million) of the investment will be spent on a new heat pump production site in Dobromierz, Poland. According to Bosch, construction of the facility will begin in 2024, with production scheduled to begin by 2026.
The manufacturer anticipates that 500 jobs will be created at the facility by 2027.
Doubled heat pump portfolio
According to Bosch, the number of models in its heat pump portfolio has doubled due to the company’s “significantly extended development capacity” in Germany since 2019.
The company’s portfolio now includes two R290-based air-source heat pumps – the Compress 5800i AW and Compress 6800i AW – which offer up to 11.5kW (3.3TR) in heating capacity. While the Compress 5900i AW model can supply temperatures up to 60°C (140°F) and is well-suited for new buildings, the Compress 6800i AW model can reach temperatures up to 75°C (167°F) and is therefore more suitable for renovations, the company said.
As well as at its Eibelshausen facility, Bosch also develops and manufactures heat pumps in Aveiro, Portugal; Tranås, Sweden; and Wernau, Germany. It also operates in Israel, in partnership with Electra Industries.
For Bosch Home Comfort Group (formerly Bosch Thermotechnology) heat pumps have become a major driver, with global sales growing by 54% in 2022.
With REPowerEU aiming to have 30 million additional heat pumps installed in Europe by 2030, the demand for the technology across the continent is increasing, with an annual of around 20% growth forecast between now and 2025, said Bosch.
The growing demand for heat pumps was clear at the ISH 2023 trade show, where R290-based heat pumps dominated.
“In the European Union, we expect growth in this very dynamic environment to be exceptionally high and have set ourselves the target of growing significantly faster than the market,” said Jan Brockmann, the CEO of the Bosch Home Comfort Group. “Together with our existing plants in Europe, the new plant in Poland will help us achieve these growth targets.”
