Johnson Controls Arabia has entered into a strategic partnership with Modern Building Leaders (MBL) to provide and operate a fully integrated YORK cooling system for the new CEER manufacturing facility in King Abdullah Economic City.

Johnson Controls Arabia is a global leader in HVAC systems, smart building controls, and energy efficiency.

The company said that its collaboration with CEER represents a significant advancement in Saudi Arabia’s industrial technology landscape and supports the Kingdom’s “trailblazing end-to-end electric vehicle brand.”

Under the agreement, Johnson Controls Arabia will deliver a state-of-the-art cooling solution powered by YORK technologies, featuring 12 chillers and various cooling units with a combined capacity of 33,000 TR.

HVAC innovations

The CEER facility, a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s electric vehicle industry, is designed to produce world-class electric cars, prioritising sustainability, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology.

The partnership aligns with the launch of the region’s first YORK air-cooled chiller production line, boasting a 600-ton capacity, at the YORK manufacturing complex in King Abdullah Economic City.

This milestone was accompanied by the opening of Saudi Arabia’s first AHRI-certified performance testing laboratory for air-cooled chillers of this capacity, cementing the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for innovation in the HVAC and cooling sector.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior executives, including Tareq Telmesani, CEO of MBL, and Mohamed Fathy El-Bordany, Plant Facility and Maintenance Director at CEER.

This agreement underscores Johnson Controls Arabia’s commitment to supporting major manufacturing initiatives in Saudi Arabia, enhancing its role as a trusted partner in delivering high-efficiency, sustainable cooling solutions that meet global standards and bolstering the Kingdom’s industrial infrastructure.

Commenting on the milestone, Dr. Mohanad AlShaikh, CEO of Johnson Controls Arabia, stated, “We are proud to play a role in this ambitious national project that reflects our commitment to delivering smart, sustainable solutions aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. Our success in this initiative demonstrates the trust our partners place in YORK’s technical strength and reliability, and our ability to provide integrated solutions that rival the world’s leading providers, driven by expert engineering teams, fast execution, and excellent after-sales support.”

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Linz Electric SpA, a key subsidiary of the Pedrollo Group, has acquired a 60% stake in Germany’s KW Generator GmbH (KWG), marking a pivotal milestone in its ambitious international growth strategy.

With an annual turnover of €500mn, the group is now a formidable player in the global energy transition, addressing the evolving demands of sustainable and reliable power solutions.

The transaction builds on a nearly two-decade partnership between Linz Electric and KWG, merging Italian innovation with German engineering precision to create a European powerhouse in the energy sector.

By combining their complementary alternator ranges, the two companies have established one of the most comprehensive product portfolios globally, serving a wide array of applications.

These range from traditional generator sets to advanced energy transition support systems, as well as specialised solutions for mobile refrigeration, earthmoving equipment, and machinery requiring continuous, reliable, and flexible power.

This strategic alignment positions Linz Electric and KWG to tackle pressing global energy challenges, particularly as the reliability of power supply becomes increasingly critical amid growing concerns over blackouts and grid instability.

KWG brings to the partnership its advanced product lines and deep-rooted relationships with leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers in demanding sectors, including material handling, heavy-duty environments, and mobile refrigeration.

These industries require robust, high-performance power solutions capable of operating in extreme conditions, and KWG’s expertise enhances the partnership’s ability to meet these needs.

Linz Electric’s well-established global distribution network within the Pedrollo Group, along with its direct subsidiary in the United States, plays a key role in opening up new markets and customer segments for KWG..

Growing customer base

This infrastructure opens new markets and customer segments for KWG, enabling the partnership to expand its reach and deliver innovative power solutions to a broader audience.

The acquisition underscores Linz Electric’s rising prominence in a rapidly transforming energy market, where innovation, sustainability, and strategic alliances are critical drivers of industrial value and long-term competitiveness.

By integrating KWG’s capabilities, Linz Electric strengthens its ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions that address the complexities of modern energy demands.

The partnership also aligns with the Pedrollo Group’s broader mission to drive progress across its core business areas.

With a diversified portfolio spanning water management, applied technology, and now a reinforced presence in energy, the group solidifies its reputation as an authoritative and innovative leader in international markets.

This move positions the Pedrollo Group as a key contributor to the global energy transition, offering solutions that support sustainable development and energy resilience worldwide.

As part of the Pedrollo Group, Linz Electric benefits from the Group’s financial stability and global reach, which amplify the strategic value of this partnership.

The acquisition not only enhances the energy business area but also reinforces the Group’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across its operations in Italy, the United States, Spain, Germany, and beyond.

By uniting Linz Electric’s and KWG’s expertise, vision, and industrial strengths, this partnership is poised to deliver concrete, scalable solutions to meet the evolving needs of the global energy sector, ensuring reliability and sustainability for future generations.

Giulio Pedrollo, CEO of the Pedrollo Group and founder of Linz Electric, said," After years of collaboration, I am excited about the opportunities this transaction offers: the partnership between Linz Electric and KWG is a clear example of how international cooperation between companies that share values, vision and expertise can generate new opportunities for growth and development. Together, we are ready to face the great challenges of global energy transformation. We will continue to invest with determination in innovation, quality and customer service, while keeping our production roots firmly anchored in our home territories. For us, this project represents a concrete testimony to the value of European manufacturing excellence, capable of competing and innovating on an international scale.'' 

Michael Werner, CEO and shareholder of KWG, added, "With Linz as our majority partner, we are confident in our ability to address the competitive landscape and capitalize on new growth opportunities. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to providing superior products and services to our customers." 

Vaisala, a measurement technology company, has contributed its advanced CO₂ sensors to an exhibit at the 2025 Biennale Architettura in Venice, Italy. 

The Belgian Pavilion’s exhibition, Building Biospheres, curated by landscape architect Bas Smets and commissioned by the Flanders Architecture Institute, explores the use of trees to create a comfortable indoor climate.

“Climate change and the recent crises that we have faced, are forcing us to rethink the relationship between architecture and nature,” Smets said. “Historically and traditionally, architecture has isolated itself from the natural world, recreating an indoor climate with heating, ventilation and mechanical tools. As humans we prefer the conditions of a sub-tropical climate, so our project will investigate and demonstrate what happens when sub-tropical plants such as the camphor tree are used to manage the indoor environment.”

The Biennale di Venezia, established in 1895, is one of the world’s oldest cultural festivals, featuring around 30 permanent national pavilions. This year’s Biennale Architettura aims to eliminate waste, recycle materials, and regenerate natural systems, showcasing how the built environment can harmonise with nature.

In November 2024, a prototype of Building Biospheres was constructed at Ghent University’s Faculty of Bioscience Engineering. Professor Kathy Steppe and her team set up a greenhouse facility, monitoring sub-tropical trees with TreeWatch technology. The plants and monitoring equipment were later relocated to the Belgian Pavilion in Venice. Key environmental factors measured include light, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide, which significantly affect indoor comfort and well-being.

Advancing technology

“In order to maintain optimal conditions inside buildings, it is usually necessary to implement some form of heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning, but this can be very costly, both financially and from a carbon footprint perspective,” Prof. Steppe explained. “Plants actively interact with and help regulate their local climate through processes such as photosynthesis and transpiration. This means, for example, that the CO2 produced by humans, other organisms and natural processes can be taken up by plants during photosynthesis, helping to prevent excessive indoor CO₂ build-up.”

Indoor CO₂ levels impact comfort and performance. Well-ventilated spaces typically have 450–1,000 ppm CO₂, but levels above this can cause drowsiness, while concentrations exceeding 2,000 ppm may lead to headaches, poor concentration, and other symptoms. Extremely high levels can even be fatal.

The International Energy Agency notes that buildings account for 30% of global energy consumption and 26% of energy-related emissions. The Building Biospheres exhibit investigates how plants can reduce reliance on energy-intensive building management systems, challenging conventional architectural practices.

Vaisala’s participation aligns with its sustainability goals.

“We were delighted to be invited to participate in this highly respected event,” said Pekka Ravila, Vaisala’s vice president, Industrial Measurements EMEA. “Not just because it highlights the performance of our CO₂ sensors, but mostly because this represents a very exciting opportunity to help create a paradigm shift in the way that buildings are designed and managed. If we can achieve that, the potential beneficial impacts on climate change will be enormous.”

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