AHR Expo 2025 Vision: HVACR Innovation, Sustainability, and Future Trends

By Iyad Al-Attar

The AHR Expo 2025 is a pivotal gathering for the HVACR community, providing a platform to showcase the latest innovations and technologies. Engaging with industry experts during the event facilitates opportunities for sustainable business development. It addresses a range of pertinent themes, including indoor air quality, HVAC systems, automation and control, as well as tools and instruments, all aimed at delivering sustainable solutions and insights that elevate the standards of the HVACR industry. Furthermore, the expo highlights the unprecedented commitment of industry leaders and innovators to prioritize public health and well-being by adopting technologies that promote sustainable living and enhance energy efficiency.

The AHR Expo 2025 attracted attendees numbering 50,807 (39,609 visitors, 11,198 exhibitors) and was spread over 516,060 sq. ft., with 1,878 exhibiting companies from 37 countries. The educational sessions were not lacking, with 340+ on different tracks, and for varying degrees of expertise. The show highlighted several prominent themes, each driving significant changes and innovations within the HVACR sector.

Decarbonization & Energy Efficiency: The most dominant theme was the drive for carbon reduction. This is achieved through high-efficiency heat pumps, low-GWP refrigerants, and advanced automation. Propelling carbon reduction dominated discussions, with manufactur- ers unveiling high-efficiency heat pumps, low-GWP refrigerants, and advanced automation. Regulatory changes, specifically ASHRAE 241 guidelines, are further influencing sustainable design practices in pursuit of AIA Challenging 2030.

Heat Pump Innovations: Heat pumps are becoming more attractive as alternatives to traditional gas-powered heating. Advancements include improved performance in extreme temperatures and increased reliability. Danfoss, Mitsubishi, and Samsung showcased systems capable of efficient operation in extreme temperatures, improving performance and reliability across diverse climates. This innovation is particularly crucial for states focused on electrification efforts.

AI and Smart HVAC Controls: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming HVAC systems. AI enables real-time data analysis, predictive maintenance, and adaptive airflow control for optimized indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency. Remote monitoring, IoT-connected systems, and AI-driven diagnostics are key features. The market is pushing for more integration between the user in the space and the mechanical equipment.

Refrigerant Transition & Compliance: The shift towards low-GWP refrigerants is a major focus due to increasing environmental regulations. Educational sessions covered safety, compliance, and necessary system adaptations. With increasing environmental regulations, the transition to low-GWP refrigerants was a hot topic.

Educational sessions focused on safety, compliance, and system adaptations as the industry exited high-GWP options. While larger manufacturers are adapting, smaller ones face more significant challenges, with some even exiting the refrigeration systems market. The AL2 shift is particularly challenging.

Air Filtration Technologies: Filtration technologies within HVACR systems, when coupled with intelligent building automation, are paramount for fostering sustainable and healthy living environments. These systems work synergistically to purify indoor air by removing harmful particulates, allergens, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), thus mitigating respiratory issues, and enhancing overall well-being.

Modern filtration, encompassing technologies like HEPA filters and advanced molecular filtration, allows for capturing increasingly smaller and more dangerous airborne contaminants. Furthermore, building automation systems enable precise monitoring and control of these filtration processes, optimizing energy efficiency by adjusting ventilation rates based on real-time air quality data.

The expo has highlighted the industry's commitment to advancing beyond traditional particulate filtration and has underscored the necessity of addressing gases and bioaerosols within the filtration process. Industry leaders have demonstrated the critical importance of air filtration technologies by adopting a proactive approach that reduces energy consumption while ensuring optimal air quality in indoor environments. This initiative contributes significantly to a more sustainable and healthier future.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Concerns stemming from the pandemic continue to drive advancements in IAQ technologies. High-efficiency filtration, air disinfection (UV-C, non-thermal plasma), and smart ventilation strategies are increasingly important. The demand for PM1.0 filtration, wildfire smoke mitigation, and pathogen control has grown, with IAQ solutions now addressing health risks beyond PM2.5. The demand for enhanced IAQ is becoming a baseline expectation for all HVAC systems.

Advanced Hydronic Cooling for Data Centers: With increasing data center cooling needs, hydronic cooling systems with intelligent pump technology are gaining traction. Hydronic cooling is expected to receive significant attention in future expos, particularly given its wide spectrum of ai17399781169_2025 applications in residential homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities.

Workforce Development & Industry Training:

Recognizing the growing skills and knowledge gaps, the AHR Expo highlighted training sessions on emerging technologies, refrigerant transitions, and AI-driven HVAC management. Workforce education remains a critical industry focus. The courses that ran alongside AHR, as well as the ASHRAE technical conferences, saw high attendance.

Outlook: The AHR Expo highlighted the HVACR industry's commitment to sustainability, intelligent systems, and a focus on human health. The sector is moving towards adaptive, data-driven solutions that minimize environmental impact. AHR 2025 set the direction for a more sustainable, intelligent, and health conscious HVACR industry. Furthermore, the growing importance of dehumidification was noted, with discussions about potentially evolving the acronym HVACR to HVACRD to explicitly include dehumidification as a core function.

Dr. Iyad Al-Attar is the IFN Global Correspondent, Technology and Innovation.

Thermo Fisher to Acquire Solventum’s Purification Unit

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a global leader in serving science, announced a definitive agreement to acquire the Purification & Filtration business of Solventum for $4.1 billion in cash. This strategic move is set to enhance Thermo Fisher’s bioproduction capabilities and expand its presence in the rapidly growing bioprocessing market.

Solventum’s Purification & Filtration business, which generated approximately $1 billion in revenue in 2024, is recognized for its purification and filtration technologies. These technologies are essential in the production of biologics, medical technologies, and various industrial applications. The business employs about 2,500 people across multiple regions, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific.

Marc N. Casper, chairman, president, and CEO of Thermo Fisher, emphasized the strategic fit of the acquisition, stating that it will deliver significant value to customers and shareholders. He highlighted the anticipated mid- to high-single digit organic growth and strong margin expansion expected from the integration of Solventum’s business into Thermo Fisher’s Life Sciences Solutions segment. www.thermofisher.com

Veralto Enters Agreement to Purchase AQUAFIDES

Veralto Corporation, a global leader in essential water and product quality solutions dedicated to Safeguarding the World’s Most Vital Resources™, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Austria-based Ultraviolet (UV) treatment company AQUAFIDES for approximately $20 million. This transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.

AQUAFIDES designs, manufactures and supports high-quality UV treatment systems that meet the stringent requirements for drinking water, treat wastewater for reuse and provide high purity water for a variety of industrial applications, including food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals.

“AQUAFIDES enhances Trojan Technologies’ ability to serve European customers with strong local support and excellent service while also expanding our UV treatment portfolio with high-quality, efficient, fit-for-purpose systems,” said Melissa Aquino, Senior Vice President of Water Quality at Veralto. “We look forward to welcoming the AQUAFIDES team to Veralto and unlocking new growth opportunities together.”

“AQUAFIDES and Trojan Technologies share complementary technologies with similar cultures inspired by the mission of bringing clean water to communities who depend on it,” said Friedrich Stadler and Wolfgang Ecker, Founders at AQUAFIDES. “We are excited to join Veralto and share in their purpose of Safeguarding the World’s Most Vital Resources.™” www.veralto.com

ANDRITZ Acquires LDX Solutions

International technology group

ANDRITZ has acquired LDX Solutions, a leading provider of emission reduction technologies and related services in the North American industrial market, with annual revenues of about $100 million.

This acquisition further strengthens ANDRITZ’s offering of environmental technologies and its presence in the growing North American market.

Comprising the strong legacy brands of Dustex®, Geoenergy® and Western Pneumatics, LDX Solutions offers a wide range of technologies and engineered solutions for a cleaner environment. The company’s wet electrostatic precipitators (WESP) and regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO) will further complement ANDRITZ’s comprehensive clean air technologies portfolio. With a team of 250 experts, decades of experience, and an installed base of more than 2,000 systems, LDX Solutions also enhances the service offering for ANDRITZ customers throughout North America. www.andritz.com

FLSmidth to Expand Global Service Center Network in 2025

Leading mining technology and service supplier FLSmidth will open or expand seven service centers in strategic locations across the globe in 2025. These facilities are in direct support of FLSmidth’s CORE’26 mining strategy that includes targeting service growth and adds to the company’s already comprehensive global network of service centers that can enhance mining customers’ productivity. New facilities will open in Accra, Ghana; Surabaja, Indonesia; and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, whereas the current operations in Mackay, Australia will relocate to a larger facility. Expansions are planned in Parauapebas, Brazil; Karaganda, Kazakhstan; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Operations in each of these new locations will begin within the coming months with official opening details to be announced locally at a later date. In addition, an expansion of the service center in Chloorkop, South Africa is already ongoing and will be completed in 2026. www.flsmidth.com

Sonoco Industrial & Specialty Plastics Increases Filtration Core Production at Chatham, New York Plant

Sonoco Industrial & Specialty Plas- tics announced a significant increase in the production of filtration cores at its Chatham, New York, plant. The strategic move is in response to the growing global demand for highquality filtration core plastics, driven by advancements in industrial and consumer applications.

Global demand for plastics, including those used in filtration cores, has substantially increased. The apparent consumption of plastics industry goods in the United States alone rose by 13.7% to $393.3 billion in 2022. The surge underscores the critical role that plastics and plastic products play in the global economy.

The company is ramping up production to meet the heightened demand. In addition to increasing production, they are implementing seasonal efforts to optimize filtration core production. The plant’s stateof-the-art facilities and advanced manufacturing processes ensure that our filtration cores feature superior structural strength, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. www.sonoco.com

Ahlstrom Expands in Life Sciences Filtration with Acquisition of ErtelAlsop

Ahlstrom has acquired ErtelAlsop, a New York-based manufacturer of high-performance liquid depth filter media serving end-markets in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, flavors and fragrances, and chemical industries.

The acquisition strengthens Ahlstrom’s position in the life science filtration market and allows the company to enter the depth filtration space.

ErtelAlsop will become part of Ahlstrom’s Filtration and Life Sciences business and will be key to the company’s lab and life sciences filtration growth strategy.

The acquisition brings production and engineering capabilities that meet a broad range of demanding product specifications, adding value for existing and new customers worldwide. www.ertelalsop.com

Filter King LLC Opens Filter Manufacturing and Distribution Facility in Las Vegas

Filter King LLC, specializing in high-quality HVAC and furnace filters, announced the opening of its new manufacturing and distribution center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new facility, which includes production, warehousing, and distribution capabilities, will enhance the company’s ability to rapidly supply air filters across the Southwest and West Coast, including key markets in California.

With its established presence as the number one filter producer in Florida, Filter King has successfully expanded its footprint throughout the Southeastern United States, supplying products to homeowners, HVAC service providers, condominiums, hotels, schools, hospitals, and various commercial sectors. The Nevada expansion comes after several years of rapid growth for the company, which has experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 83% since 2021. In 2024, the company’s revenue surged by 118%.

“We’ve established ourselves as the ‘go-to’ manufacturer of standard and custom-sized filters in the Southeast, and now we’re setting our sights on dominating the California and greater Southwest U.S. market,” said Filter King Founder and CEO Rick Hoskins. “The timing is right, and Nevada is the ideal location to support this expansion. Our investment in plant upgrades, equipment, inventory, and process optimization is expected to create approximately 120 new jobs by 2027, with significant opportunities for future growth.”

The new Las Vegas facility will benefit from the area’s skilled labor force and its proximity to major air and ground shipping infrastructure, ensuring that Filter King can quickly meet demand and deliver products efficiently to customers throughout the region. www.filterking.com

Grundfos Starts Construction of New Global Headquarters

Grundfos has signed a contract with the construction company MT Højgaard for the building of a new global headquarters in Bjerringbro, Denmark.

The new headquarters will serve as a hub for Grundfos’ activities, equipped with their own energy-efficient solutions and designed to inspire creativity and collaboration. This project reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and roots in Bjerringbro. The building is located on Poul Due Jensens Vej near the Poul Due Jensen Academy and the Grundfos Center.

“Our headquarters will be an excellent setting for a modern workspace. We are meeting the highest sustainability standards, and the building will represent our relentless pursuit of quality featuring our own smart technologies to minimize environmental impact and optimize performance,” explained Mikael Geday, CFO at Grundfos and continued:

“Together with existing Grundfos buildings we are creating a campus for colleagues to work, learn and grow. In the design phase we have taken inputs from employees across many functions to create the best possible workspace, and we will continue this collaboration throughout the building phase,” Geday said.

The new global headquarters are scheduled to be ready by mid-2027, allowing for the first employees to move in in Q3 2027. www.grundfos.com

Toray Signs Agreement with Korea Water

TCERAFILTEC and xAI Cooperate in Sustainable Water Management

The world’s largest ceramic membrane bioreactor (MBR) is set to be built by xAI to enable reuse of 49.2 MLD (13.0 MGD) of municipal wastewater for cooling its supercomputing data center in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. CERAFILTEC will deliver its most advanced ceramic membrane technology in a fast-track project set for completion in 2025.

The enormous scale of this MBR project highlights the growing demand for advanced ceramic solutions in mission-critical applications of wastewater treatment such as data center cooling. xAI, an artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, who has stated this will be “the most powerful AI training cluster in the world,” selected CERAFILTEC for its technological competence, advanced ceramic membrane solution, and ability to meet an accelerated delivery schedule. CERAFILTEC’s technology provides superior reliability and efficiency, overcoming common membrane issues such as fiber breakages and delicate cleaning regimens. In a rapidly expanding data center industry, effective, sustainable water management is essential to maintain high operational performance. CERAFILTEC’s solution is designed to meet these stringent requirements.

The project underscores xAI’s commitment to sustainable water management by utilizing municipal wastewater for cooling, thereby conserving precious drinking water and protecting the Memphis Sands Aquifer for the benefit of local communities. With its capacity to treat more wastewater than xAI requires, the plant will also provide surplus treated water to local industries, thus dramatically reducing the aquifer impact from existing users and setting a precedent for green practices in tech. This not only optimizes water reuse but also marks a milestone in environmental leadership, urging high-tech companies towards sustainable water solutions.

CERAFILTEC’s technology provides a durable, reusable solution that supports a circular economy, effectively eliminating plastic waste from conventional polymeric membranes and significantly minimizing negative environmental impact. www.cerafiltec.com oray Advanced Materials and the Korea Water Resources Corporation recently signed a business agreement to promote the wastewater reuse industry and research field.

With this agreement, the two companies decided to cooperate, including joint research, throughout wastewater reuse technology.

Specifically, the two companies will cooperate on technology to concentrate concentrated water generated in the process of reuse of wastewater to the extreme through ion exchange membranes. It also collaborates on elemental technologies that save energy and recover useful resources. Through this, it is expected to realize “free wastewater treatment” by discharging all residue into concentrated solid sludge without generating wastewater and recycling clean water. www.toray.com p Kim Byung-ki, director of the K-water Research Institute of the Korea Water Resources Corporation (right), and Kang Chang-won, director of the Toray Advanced Material Filter Division, at the signing ceremony of a business agreement to promote the wastewater reuse industry and research field on the 11th.