Johnson Controls Targets European Industrial Heat with New Pump Line

The HitemHP system, manufactured in Holme, Denmark, centers on the Sabroe SMC single-stage reciprocating compressor. This technology allows the units to maintain efficiency even during low-demand periods, operating at capacities as thin as 18 percent. By utilizing natural refrigerants like butane and iso-butane, the hardware preemptively meets tightening European Union environmental regulations while extending maintenance intervals by nearly half compared to traditional setups.

For energy-intensive sectors like pharmaceuticals and food processing, the transition to high-temperature electrification has historically been hindered by performance trade-offs. Early site testing suggests the new heat pumps can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 82 percent and water costs by 30 percent when integrated with existing waste-heat recovery from refrigeration plants. Steve Bell, vice president of Industrial Refrigeration at Johnson Controls, described the launch as a necessary pivot for businesses struggling with energy price volatility and the requirements of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal. The units are designed with a standardized, modular configuration intended to accelerate installation timelines and simplify adoption for facilities seeking to modernize legacy thermal infrastructure.