COPELAND: Innovating for Sustainable Present and Future

With estimates suggesting that around one third of all greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of global energy consumption come from the built environment (homes and commercial property), the sector is under pressure to change.

While much has been modernised, the systems used in the industry remain traditional. Heating systems feed off fossil fuels, construction is emissions intensive, materials are the same as they have been for decades and centuries. With so much innovation and adoption of technology happening across all industry sectors, the time for the built environment to adjust is now as its importance sits atop the priority list for most.

 There isn’t a single answer or individual invention that can provide complete overnight overhaul, but every step is essential in the wider journey towards net zero.

 At Copeland, the focus is first and foremost around modern equipment that can have a real impact on the footprint of a building. The company works in the commercial and residential space, and is a recognised innovator in technology for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR).

 Matic tells Energy Focus that the company is growing to become a complete solutions provider with a product and knowledge base that is leading the industry across each of its HVACR units.

 “We are designing sustainable solutions for the HVACR industry ranging from market segments including air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, where we can deliver any compression technology – for example, compressors, variable speed drives, underlying electronics, and flow controls,” he says. “We see ourselves as a true solutions company by optimizing all of these components to give our customers plug-and-play solutions that allow them to manage their entire system for a more sustainable world. Energy efficiency is so crucial now, not just for OEMs but also for end users, especially in times of very high energy pricing. What we are doing is optimising components, creating best solutions, and driving energy efficiency.”

 AT THE CENTRE OF IT

 Copeland boasts an international workforce of 18,000. Researching, refining, developing, manufacturing, and installing, the company’s influence covers major industries including building and construction, facilities management and maintenance, food retail, food service and hospitality, and transportation and shipping. Asked about the importance of sustainability and energy transition in strategy and planning, Matic is clear: “We are at the centre of it.”

 Essential work around the technology within air source hydronic heat pumps is beginning to come to fruition as the European public is encouraged to make the switch from traditional boilers. Hydronic heat pumps take heat from air and transfer it to water which is used to warm radiators or underfloor heating, and even hot water cylinders. Greener and with minimal emissions, some reports suggest that heat pumps can save around 23 tonnes of CO₂ over a decade.

 “We are a leading provider of compression technology which eventually goes into heat pumps. In any heat pump, you need a refrigeration circuit, and we supply everything for this. Currently, it is an exciting period for us and our employees because you can clearly see the upturn. If you look at the overall market for hydronic heating systems, every year six to seven million households must decide what sort of heating system they want to use in their new build home or as a replacement. Two years ago, it was assumed that one million of those six million would choose a heat pump. This number is growing at a fast pace. By 2026, all studies predict that more than three million homes will be equipped with heat pumps. This is a high growth sector and a great opportunity for us to create added value,” explains Matic.  

 The company is completely dedicated to efficiency and is taking heat pump performance, across all metrics, to the next level through innovation. Typically, these systems use refrigerant gases such as R407C, R32, R410A, R417A and more recently R290. All must be handled and used with care.

 REFRIGERANT REPLACEMENT

 The current focus in refrigeration is around CO₂ as a refrigerant replacement. Gas is used as a heat transfer medium, with a very low boiling point, compressed into a super-heated state by a Copeland compressor. CO₂ now allows for efficiency at higher temperatures and provides improvements in the Global Warming Potential (GWP) numbers. Propane is another great option because of its promise for efficient use across different conditions.

 “We don’t just use sustainability as a buzzword – if you look at our business, we are influencing many things in all the sectors we serve,” Matic says. “Heat pumps are an obvious and straightforward example. We are enabling the industry in the transition from fossil fuel boilers to sustainable, green heat pumps. We are helping the industry shift to environmentally friendly refrigerants. The industry measures refrigerants, and therefore this transition, with a value called GWP. Back in 2015, the average GWP in the industry was 2500. Copeland is developing compression technology which uses natural refrigerants such as CO₂ or propane – that lowers our GWP to about 4. That is something we are proud of as it shows we are clearly making a difference. Efficiency is crucial for us, and a constant driver for us. We are always working to improve, it’s in our DNA and we never stop.”

 LOW SOUND TECH

 Detailing an example of recent success in product development, Matic highlights the launch of a new low sound compressor for use in heat pumps. With all the environmental and energy saving benefits that come with a system, there is also a noise pollution issue. Typically fixed close to property (or neighbouring property), any reduction in volume is welcomed. The Copeland™ low sound scroll compressors enable exceptionally quiet operation, particularly important for heat pump applications in high density environments.

 “In the technology area, we make sure that we are always innovative. We constantly look at our customers’ pain points, identify them together and develop solutions to solve these problems. That’s what our business is about, and that’s what we will continue to drive,” he says.

 “We are launching a lot of exciting products, and recently we introduced our low sound compressor. It’s an outstanding unit which has 10 dBA less than the ones already on the market, and that is a 75% sound reduction. When thinking about heat pumps, sound and efficiency are the big pain points. The sound aspect is getting more important if you think about residential building in Europe. Here in Germany, typically the homeowner’s piece of land is relatively small and you have to think carefully about where you put your heat pump. With this offering, we believe we are tackling a pain point and we are particularly proud to launch this product.”

 The all-new portfolio consists of four compressors with capacities ranging from 29 cc (5 kW) to 94 cc (20 kW) but without the need for costly, elaborate noise insulation to be added by OEMs. By excelling in the sound aspect, the company has not compromised in other areas – the low sound scroll compressors achieve best-in-class efficiency with an A+++ rating at a reference temperature of 55° C. Also, because of the use of either R290 or R454C refrigerants with a GWP below 150, compliance with the F-Gas regulation is guaranteed, future proofing the product.

 EVOLVING AND GROWING

 Copeland recently emerged from the Emerson Group’s decision to sell a majority stake in its Climate Technologies division to US investment and asset management company Blackstone, turning Copeland into a standalone business and setting it up for a fresh growth stage. The company’s offering was highlighted with sustainable tech as the flagship element. In fact, “We are engineered for Sustainability” is the Copeland brand promise.

 “My key pillars of success are efficiency, sustainability, and technology – that is who we are and what we build our achievements on,” says Matic.

 “For me, we are working in an environmental segment that has a clear purpose. This technology contributes to a sustainable future. I am by that, and I think it is for this reason that many of our employees are highly engaged and passionate to work in this segment.”

 He adds that there is a lot of activity underway in the business and long-term strategies are helping to meet ever-increasing demand.

 “There is a lot of investment and expansion happening. We are adding capacity at factories in Europe, and we have two major projects underway. This is essential to be able to meet any demand in the future.

 “We as Copeland are active in air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration – this is where we are strongly positioned. There are a lot of interesting sub-trends and our focus is on making sure we continue to lead in those segments. We are constantly screening adjacent markets and the opportunities there, but first and foremost we want to continue to be the leading partner in our core segments,” he explains.

 Leadership will come in the form of market share authority as well as advancement of environmental goals. Success in efficiency will come from innovation around core products. As the heat pump market grows and as the need from OEMs for a simple but comprehensive solution becomes time critical, Matic is confident of the company’s ability to meet challenges head on.

 “I see us as a company that is developing solutions,” he concludes. “We are not a component supplier. We develop solutions which enable OEMs to lead the industry towards a bright future characterised by efficiency and sustainability – this is what gives purpose to anyone who is involved in our business.”

 Growing, changing, and adapting, Copeland is a constant force of progress in its chosen markets and will continue to thrive as the built environment seeks a new, more sustainable way forward.