The consortium in Harbin for the heat pump R&D completes LG’s global R&D triangle for these products. The CCAHR (Chinese Consortium for Advanced Heat Pump Research) joins the previous initiatives in North America and Europe. It will develop next-generation core technologies for HVAC solutions capable of providing strong performance in extreme cold conditions.
The members of the consortium
To mark the official launch of CCAHR, LG held a ceremony on August 31 at the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). Prominent members of the consortium include HIT, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Xi’an Jiao Tong University (XJTU), all of which are actively researching HVAC technologies and systems designed for cold climates. The consortium will operate new research facilities in Harbin and Mohe City to develop reliable heating, ventilation and air conditioning solutions. This will help LG to deliver products customized to local needs, and strengthen its presence in the Chinese market.
The settings for advanced heat pump R&D
Harbin, known for its harsh winter conditions, and Mohe, where temperatures can drop to below minus 50 degrees Celsius, provide ideal settings for advancing LG’s research into heat pump technologies that can maintain high efficiency in severely cold climates. The CCHAR will conduct tests on the company’s HVAC solutions, including residential air conditioners, at two facilities: a university-owned building at the Harbin Institute of Technology campus, and a residential site in Mohe. The consortium will gather comprehensive operational data to improve the heating performance, energy efficiency and overall reliability of LG’s HVAC products.
The CCHAR is a significant addition to LG’s growing international program of heat pump R&D collaboration, complementing LG-led consortiums established in Korea and the U.S. last November, and in Europe this June. With these initiatives, LG has built a robust R&D infrastructure spanning North America, Europe and Asia.
Key strategies for business portfolio innovation
LG outlined four key strategies for business portfolio innovation, including the acceleration of its B2B capabilities – particularly in the area of HVAC. By leveraging its advanced inverter, heat pump and chiller technologies, LG aims to lead the market in high-efficiency HVAC solutions, while actively targeting the growing demand for cooling systems.
Additionally, in key markets, LG’s HVAC business is establishing a locally self-sufficient operation system encompassing the in-house production of core components and the creation of production bases optimized for regional supply. This system, which covers everything from R&D to sales and maintenance, greatly enhances LG’s B2B capabilities and is expected to support meaningful long-term growth.
“We are committed to developing next-generation heat pump technologies tailored to diverse climates – said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company –. Through our R&D initiatives, we will strengthen our ability to provide differentiated solutions for each region, and reinforce our product and technology leadership in the global HVAC market”.
