Berlin – September 15, 2026 -- Midea has sold more than 10 million air conditioners using the natural refrigerant R290 since 2018, cutting an estimated 5.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions, the company said at IFA 2026 in Berlin.
Midea holds the top spot in R290 air conditioner production for a 16th consecutive year
The company positioned itself as the world's largest manufacturer of R290-based air conditioning units, citing the refrigerant's near-zero CO2 footprint, absence of PFAS chemicals, and roughly 10% higher energy efficiency compared with conventional alternatives. Midea said the emissions avoided through its R290 sales volume are comparable to the carbon absorption capacity of 6.2 million hectares of Amazon rainforest. A cutaway model at its booth let visitors view the compressor technology in operation.
H-Pack heat pump eliminates outdoor units for European installers
Developed by Midea's European R&D team, the H-Pack indoor heat pump is designed entirely for interior installation, removing outdoor unit constraints tied to noise regulations, space limitations and building codes. The system includes remote diagnostics to cut service visits and maintenance costs, and supports both hybrid and fully electric heating modes.
PortaSplit will adopt R290 refrigerant in 2027
Midea showcased its PortaSplit unit in a staged European apartment setting, emphasizing simplified installation and quiet operation that avoids costly retrofit work. The company confirmed the product will transition to R290 refrigerant in 2027.
VitaBreeze wins IFA 2026 Innovation Award for airflow technology
Midea's VitaBreeze system received the IFA 2026 Innovation Award for Technology, accepted by Ralph Kobsik, CEO of Midea Europe GmbH. The unit features an "AirGrid" function that maps room layout for smartphone-based airflow control, presence detection that directs air toward or away from occupants, and Breezeless Pro technology that extends airflow range by 30% without reducing output. Additional functions include ClimaBalance humidity control and ECOMASTER 2.0 predictive energy optimization.
Raynor Pro heating unit maintains full capacity at minus 25 degrees Celsius
Built for Nordic climates, the Raynor Pro operates in temperatures as low as -40°C and retains 100% heating output at -25°C, while achieving A+++ energy efficiency ratings in both heating and cooling modes. The unit, styled by Midea's Milan design team, also won an iF Design Award.
MHELIOS energy system complies with Germany's EnWG Section 14a
The MHELIOS home energy management platform optimizes storage and consumption based on dynamic electricity pricing, integrating EV chargers, heat pumps, photovoltaic installations and energy storage into a single system. Midea said the platform complies with Section 14a of Germany's Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and is designed to reduce household costs while supporting grid stability.