Air conditioning and ventilation technology with key role in energy efficiency of buildings

• Technology innovations bring good indoor climate together with reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions
• Positive sales development in 2022 and stable outlook for 2023 speak for the good overall condition of the industry 

From March 13 to 17, the world’s leading trade fair ISH will offer concrete solutions for meeting climate protection targets in the building sector. On display will be innovations for the heating market, refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation technology, as well as intelligent home and building automation.

The Air Handling Technology Association (VDMA) will present itself together with the Building Climate Association (FGK) and the German Association of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Contractors (VDKF) in Hall 8.0 in the Indoor- Air hotspot. The joint forum of the industry associations will provide information on current topics in refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation technology across all days of the trade fair. "Air conditioning and ventilation technology is an important part of the world’s leading trade fair," says Robert Hild, managing director at the Air Handling Technology association. "In building technology, our industry plays a central role by promoting sustainable technologies and contributes significantly to creating a pleasant and healthy indoor climate."

Positive sales development in 2022, stable outlook for 2023
According to the association’s latest economic survey, sales in the air conditioning and ventilation technology sector rose by 7 percent in nominal terms in 2022. The fan segment developed at an above-average rate and is also forecast to be higher in 2023 compared with the air conditioning and ventilation technology sector as a whole. By contrast, development in the air filter segment is comparatively somewhat weaker in 2022 and 2023.
Due to the price development, a slight minus is to be recorded in real terms in 2022. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, the price index for air handling technology products rose by 9 percent in the previous year. Due to this price development, there is a slight decrease in sales in 2022 after adjustment for prices.

According to the current forecast, sales expectations for the entire air conditioning and ventilation technology sector are basically stable at a nominal plus 5 percent for 2023, although a weakening is expected in the second half of the year.

The expected sales development for air conditioning and ventilation technology in the first half of 2023 will be roughly equal in the Building Technology and Industrial Applications segments, each with a nominal plus of 6 percent.
However, in the overall air handling technology, the sales development for industrial applications is more positive than for the building sector.

Significant increase in exports
According to the Federal Statistical Office, German exports of air conditioning, ventilation and air pollution control technology rose by almost 10 percent in 2022 to more than 10.3 billion euros.

With a share of 56 percent, the EU remains the most important sales market for German suppliers. With an export volume of 1.2 billion and an increase of 12 percent, the USA is the largest single market. German deliveries to China fell by 3 percent. As a result, the People’s Republic dropped to fifth place as a customer with an export volume of 612 million. German shipments to Turkey and the United Kingdom showed above-average growth in 2022. Exports from German suppliers to Russia fell by 73 percent in 2022.

Technical issues in the market continue to drive the industry 
The high demand for heat pumps and (energy-)efficient solutions, such as the renewal of old systems and exchange of energy sources, offer good business opportunities – this is particularly true in the fan segment. "The increased demand is based on the current high energy prices and the search for security of supply," says Guntram Preuß, Market Information Consultant at the Air Handling Technology Association. "Also driving demand is companies‘ desire to reduce their carbon footprint." The weakness of the construction industry will also be felt by air conditioning and ventilation technology. In contrast, positive impetus is coming from the energy industry and data centers.

Outlook
Risks and challenges exist for the industry due to geopolitical conflicts and upheavals as well as disruptions in supply chains. This is particularly true for electronic components. At the same time, companies are suffering from increasing regulatory density and bureaucracy as well as a shortage of skilled workers. The combination of possible scenarios and the derivation of options for action from them represent a considerable overall challenge for companies.

VDMA Air Handling Technology Association at ISH 
Hall 8.0, booth no. A31.

All VDMA information on the ISH and the forum program in the Indoor-Air Hotspot at a glance at https://www.vdma.org/ish.