Top Absorption Chiller Companies Driving Sustainable Cooling Solutions

In a landmark move aimed at boosting AI with efficient thermal management capabilities, Johnson Controls rolled out its Reference Design Guide Series in February 2026 for AI data centers with 1 GW capacity. With future guides for absorption and air-cooled chiller solutions and a detailed blueprint for water-cooled chiller plants, this series is poised to open doors to future-ready and sustainable data center infrastructure. Absorption chillers, which make use of waste heat for providing refrigeration and cooling, are witnessing a mounting traction as countries and organizations across the globe are depicting a shift toward sustainability and net-zero goals. In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) directed USD 500 million toward projects aimed at deploying a range of low-carbon industrial process heat technologies. These investments were made as part of initiatives to decarbonize the heavy industrial sector.

While such initiatives are poised to support product deployment, several public players are joining forces with private companies to enhance their thermal management. For instance, in August 2025, the London Gatwick Airport forged a collaboration with Carrier Global Corporation’s Carrier Commercial HVAC for proactive service and maintenance solutions for its cooling infrastructure. Supporting the airport’s ‘Decade of Change’ goals, the company would provide maintenance services for around 50 chillers located across the North and South Terminals. Such developments are anticipated to bring lucrative opportunities for players operating in the industry. The global market for absorption chillers is slated to reach USD 4.74 billion by 2034 from USD 3.07 billion in 2026, depicting a CAGR of 5.61% over 2026-2034, cited by Fortune Business Insights.

10 Pivotal Companies: What are their Major Endeavors?

Leading companies are forging collaborations with other players that align with their objectives to make the most of available opportunities, they are also developing innovative solutions that would cater to the needs of a rapidly evolving cooling landscape.

The top 10 absorption chillers companies and the steps that they are adopting to develop a strong industry footing have been underscored as follows: 

1. Johnson Controls International plc

Known for building sustainable spaces and smart buildings, Johnson Controls International has a large workforce of over 100,000 employees. The Ireland-based company has an extensive chiller portfolio suitable for catering to a range of applications across the globe. A significant and advanced offering is its range of YORK® absorption chillers and heat pumps. In February 2026, Johnson Controls inked an agreement for the takeover of Alloy Enterprises to expand its capabilities and leadership in the field of high growth data center cooling.

2. World Energy Absorption Chillers Co., Ltd

Operational in the energy-saving equipment sector, World Energy Absorption Chillers Co., Ltd. was established in 2004. The company’s chillers have been designed to deploy surplus heat from district heating systems and have been claimed to bring about a drastic reduction in the consumption of electricity. Food processing, paper manufacturing, petrochemical, and steel production are some of the significant industries where the South Korea-based company’s products find application.

3. Trane Technologies plc

Chillers offered by Trane Technologies have been claimed to deliver low emissions and high efficiency and integrate system-wide thermal management. The Irish company’s portfolio comprises air-cooled chillers, water-cooled chillers, and process chillers, among others. The company entered a definitive acquisition agreement for the takeover of LiquidStack in February 2026 to enhance its data center thermal management portfolio, including heat rejection, chillers, liquid distribution, controls, and on-chip cooling.

4. Carrier Global Corporation

Based in the U.S., Carrier Global Corporation provides a range of single-effect and double-effect absorption chillers with some of its offerings being 16TJ, 16LJ/16LJ-F, and 16NK. The company is committed to bringing intelligent climate and energy solutions to its customers. In March 2025, Carrier launched the AquaForce® 30XBV, a new variable-speed screw chillers range, to cater to customer requirements across comfort applications.

5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd, one of the top 10 absorption chillers companies and develops solutions with a high emphasis on sustainability, announced its 2040 Carbon Neutrality Declaration in October 2021. The Japan-based player has a 40 years long history in manufacturing chiller systems and has a range of traditional as well as modular chillers on its portfolio. In July 2025, the company’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd., commenced the field test of Surplus Renewable Energy Absorption and Release System, a jointly developed solution deploying the ATES (Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage) system and chiller technology.

6. Hitachi, Ltd.

Headquartered in Japan, Hitachi is known for providing a comprehensive range of air conditioning solutions. The company’s absorption chillers portfolio, which includes steam-fired, direct-fired (gas/oil), and waste heat chillers, has been developed to offer heating and cooling solutions for projects with excess heat. In November 2025, Hitachi Cooling & Heating announced the rollout of the S Series, VG Series, and VM Series of new cutting-edge chiller solutions designed for large-capacity data centers.

7. LG Electronics Inc.

LG Electronics, based in South Korea, has a forte in supplying high-performance equipment, including its absorption chillers portfolio that can be deployed across commercial establishments. The company’s products have been claimed to exhibit stable and reliable operation and prevent leakage and crystallization. In December 2024, LG struck a collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea, to enhance its cooling solutions exports (comprising chillers) to AI data centers.

8. Yazaki Corporation

Yazaki offers an array of chiller products, including wired fired, steam fired, and wood pellet fired chillers. The Japan-based company holds more than 50 years of experience in chiller manufacturing and has approximately 25,000 units in operation as reported on their website. In September 2025, the company rolled out Aroace, its hot water fired absorption chiller-heater. The new unit has been claimed to be the world’s smallest class cooling system and features auxiliary equipment such as pump, piping, heat storage tank, control equipment, and cooling tower.

9. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., has created its mark by bringing advanced chillers that enhance living space comfort for its customers. The Japan-based company develops solutions, serving a range of industries, including energy & environment, mobility, leisure, and industrial equipment. The company’s chillers use 4 cycles, comprising evaporation, absorption, generation, and condensation, for producing chilled water.

10. Robur Corporation

Robur Corporation has been operating in the sustainable cooling and heating technologies space since 1956. The Italy-based company operates as a manufacturer of sustainable cooling and heating technologies and innovation. The company’s gas absorption chillers portfolio comprises products with low energy consumption and can be used across industrial and commercial applications. In May 2023, the company depicted its commercial ammonia (R717) absorption heat pump and chiller (model GAHP-AR) at the AHR Expo. These solutions have been introduced for the U.S. and European markets.

What New Opportunities Wait for Chiller Companies?

Governments worldwide are emphasizing sustainability and launching stringent policies to lower the environmental impact. This is likely to lay the groundwork for new avenues for product providers, bolstering the designing and development of advanced absorption chillers. The cooling demand in regions with hot climatic conditions is also expected to drive industry players into introducing new solutions. A significant type of chillers that are gaining traction amid rising concerns associated with environmental impact and the consumption of energy are vapor absorption chillers. The capability of these systems to deploy heat energy instead of electricity is positioning them as a superior alternative to conventionally utilized cooling solutions. In the years to come, these systems are likely to emerge as an excellent choice for businesses looking for sustainability and cost savings in the long term.