As a leader in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies and manufacturing, Daikin Malaysia is taking a proactive stance in promoting sustainable practices across its operations.
The partnership with Iwatani — a recognised leader in gas and energy solutions — will allow Daikin to leverage collective expertise to enhance refrigerant recovery processes.
Daikin and Iwatani will jointly implement the process of refrigerant recovery, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations. This move will also foster technological advancements and operational efficiency, further reducing environmental impact and supporting global climate goals.
Daikin Malaysia chief operating officer, Toshiharu Tsurumaru, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Iwatani Malaysia and have the support of the environment department in advancing our refrigerant recovery initiatives.”
The environment department’s (DoE) senior principal assistant director of air division, Ryan Ooi, was present to witness this collaboration being made official on Aug 9.
Pilot programme to kickstart in August
Daikin Malaysia’s refrigerant recovery campaign is titled “Save the Earth: Exchange for the future generation, with the pilot programme set to run from August 2024 to March 2025.
The company and its affiliates Daikin Malaysia Sales and Service Sdn Bhd (DMSS) and Acson Malaysia Sales and Service Sdn Bhd (AMSS) will work closely with local authorities, businesses, and households to facilitate the collection process.
Explaining the programme to the media, DMSS managing director, Lawrence Song, said that the effort aims to collect 10,000 refrigerant units within Klang Valley — the equivalent of saving 350,000 trees in one year.
“We will promote and educate installers and consumers through comprehensive training programmes, engaging digital campaigns and educational content.
“We will continue to create awareness on the importance of refrigerant recovery to reach and engage our audience effectively,” he added, when quizzed on marketing and education efforts for the initiative.
He also expanded on Daikin’s “Environment Vision 2050” plan, which targets to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 30% by 2025 and 50% or more by 2030, compared to what emissions would be under normal business growth without any countermeasures, using 2019 as the reference year.
The process will be conducted securely and responsibly
When asked about the refrigerant recovery process, Tsurumaru explained that Daikin retrieves refrigerants from customers through its installer network during the replacement, servicing and maintenance of old air conditioners.
These refrigerants are then securely stored and managed before being sent for reclamation as part of the company’s environmental initiatives.
“The refrigerants that Daikin recovered will be processed to restore its purity level to meet the AHRI 700 international standards level that is equivalent to new refrigerants.
“Currently as a pilot project, it is opened to Klang Valley and our collection centre is located in Petaling Jaya. However, we will open to the other states in Malaysia in the near future,” he said.
This initiative of recovering, reclaiming and repurposing refrigerants already in circulation will help Daikin optimise its existing resources and embrace the principles of circular economy, in line with the Daikin Environmental Vision 2050 to become carbon neutral by 2050.
“I am confident that the role of recovering refrigerants will continue to expand in the future. By responsibly recovering, reclaiming, or repurposing refrigerants already in circulation, we are optimising our existing resources and embracing the principles of the circular economy,” Tsurumaru said.
This article is sponsored by Daikin Malaysia.