The increasing frequency of extreme heat waves in Europe is driving demand for Turkish air conditioning and climate control systems, including in central and northern European countries, a sector representative told Anadolu.
Demand is expanding beyond individual consumers, with public institutions, schools and businesses accelerating investments in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, according to Osman Bastas, chair of the Turkish HVAC&R Exporters' Association (ISIB).
Heatwaves in Europe have shifted from temporary anomalies to structural economic factors disrupting regional economies, according to Carsten Brzeski, head of global macro research at ING, writing on ING Think.
Recent heat-related deaths in Italy and record glacier melting in the Swiss Alps have underscored the social and environmental consequences of extreme heat. Transport disruptions along Germany's Rhine River due to low water levels and a petition in France calling for rent suspensions for homes lacking adequate protection against extreme heat have also highlighted the economic impact of rising temperatures.
Bastas said air conditioning had evolved from a luxury into a necessity for both households and industry, adding that many existing climate control systems in Europe were struggling to cope with rising temperatures.
The demand is a long-term shift
He said the surge in demand was not a temporary seasonal trend but part of a long-term shift driven by EU energy-efficiency targets and building policies. European buyers are increasingly seeking high-efficiency inverter air conditioners, heat pumps, smart building solutions and environmentally friendly refrigerants.
Industries such as data centres, pharmaceuticals and food production require precise temperature controls to maintain operations, Bastas said, adding that Turkish manufacturers are well placed to meet demand through flexible production and rapid delivery capabilities.
He also said the EU's efforts to diversify supply chains had created new opportunities for Turkish exporters, while depleted inventories across the bloc could lead to a short-term increase in summer orders.
"The ongoing green transition in Europe, investments in energy efficiency, the modernisation of outdated systems, and the shift toward eco-friendly technologies like heat pumps will generate much stronger demand in the long term," Bastas said.
He added that ISIB aimed to strengthen its market position through continued investments in technology, research and development, and sustainable production.
