Johnson Controls Expands Heat Pump Manufacturing in Denmark
Johnson Controls is stepping up its decarbonisation work by expanding its chiller and heat pump factory in Denmark.
The company plans to increase production capacity and testing capabilities at its Holme site near Aarhus, aiming to better support growing demand from industries seeking to cut emissions and reduce energy use.
The expansion marks a major investment in the company’s heat pump strategy.
With completion set for 2026, the project supports both production and customer collaboration through a new test centre. Anders Winnerskjold, Mayor of Aarhus, officially opened the development phase at a ceremony in Denmark.
Expansion supports smart and sustainable buildings
The company is responding to growing pressure for businesses to move towards more energy-efficient infrastructure.
According to the European Heat Pump Association, more than 60% of energy used by European industries goes towards generating heat. This points to a major opportunity for electric systems powered by heat pumps, which could offer more secure, affordable and sustainable energy sources.
Richard Lek, President EMEA, Johnson Controls, reiterates this priority, stating: “This expansion highlights our ongoing commitment to meeting the growing global demand for solutions that empower businesses to create smart, healthy, sustainable buildings.
“Our heat pumps are helping customers meet multiple priorities at once – from ensuring uptime and performance to dramatically lowering heating costs and emissions.
“We are proud to invest in this technology and the long-term value it delivers for industries such as district heating and cooling, data centres, food and beverage, and life sciences.”
Johnson Controls manufactures Sabroe-branded chillers and heat pumps at the Holme site, as well as marine spare parts and remanufactured equipment. The facility runs on 100% green energy and plays a key role in helping customers reach sustainability goals across a range of applications.
Creating jobs and scaling operations
The Holme plant expansion will add over 2,000 square metres of production space and an 1,800 square metre customer and test centre.
This centre will allow technical teams and clients to test large heat pumps under conditions that replicate real-world usage. It also supports the latest European Heat Pump Association regulation (EN 14511) for heat pump testing.
As part of the expansion, Johnson Controls will also upgrade existing infrastructure on the site, modernising the factory to support future production requirements. The investment is set to create more than 100 new jobs, reinforcing the company’s ongoing commitment to the Danish site and the local economy.
Benthe Klokkerholm, vice president, Manufacturing Operations HVAC/R, EMEA, reflects on the site’s longstanding role in the region. “This facility has deep roots in the Aarhus region, where Thomas Sabroe established the business in 1897,” she says.
“Since Johnson Controls acquired it in 2005, our Holme team has worked tirelessly to continue this legacy of innovation by producing sustainable heating and cooling solutions.
“We extend a heartfelt thank you to the generations of employees who have made this facility a success, as well as to our customers, partners and suppliers.
“Their support and partnership ensure we continue to meet the needs of businesses and help pave the way for a greener future.”
Heat pump solutions offer clear results
Johnson Controls positions heat pumps as a key tool in industrial decarbonisation. The company points to energy and emissions data to show the effectiveness of this technology.
One food manufacturer in Spain installed heat pumps at two sites, cutting CO₂ emissions by nearly 2,000 tons and saving €1.5m each year.
In Germany, a hospital used a heat pump to tap into geothermal energy 200 metres below ground. The system now supplies 80% of the building’s heating needs and has reduced its energy costs by 30%.
From 2026, four high-capacity Johnson Controls heat pumps will help power Hamburg’s district heating network by extracting energy from treated wastewater. This system will supply heating to around 39,000 homes.
In 2024, the company says its heat pumps helped customers cut annual heating costs by 53% and reduce emissions by 60%.
Heat pumps work by extracting up to 70% of their energy from ambient air, reducing reliance on electricity from national grids. Compared to fossil-fuel boilers, heat pumps can be up to 500% more efficient. They also avoid burning oil, gas, LPG or biomass, improving local air quality.
Johnson Controls continues to offer what it calls one of the most comprehensive heat pump portfolios for industrial, institutional and commercial use.
The Holme facility plays a central part in this, reinforcing the company’s role in supporting decarbonisation targets worldwide.
