Sustainability, Australian manufacturing capability and advanced engineering support formed the foundation of Daikin Australia’s presence at ARBS 2026.
It was an opportunity for Daikin to demonstrate how environmental responsibility and practical engineering solutions are becoming increasingly intertwined across the air conditioning, hot water heating and refrigeration sectors.
At the centre of Daikin’s stand was the company’s new upcoming R32 VRV range, alongside Australian manufactured products, refrigeration technologies, hot water heating technologies and software tools designed to simplify specification and ensure regulatory compliance for consultants.
Daikin’s Product Marketing Manager, Bailey Wang said the company deliberately built the stand around
three key themes.
“This year we focused on three key pillars; sustainability, Australian manufacturing and engineering support,” Wang said.
The environmental theme was particularly evident through Daikin’s strong emphasis on low-GWP refrigerants, especially the company’s expanding use of R32 refrigerant technology within its VRV systems. R32 has become increasingly important within the industry as manufacturers seek alternatives with lower environmental impact than older refrigerants.
The main feature attraction at the stand was the company’s VRV 7 Series range, including the VRV 7S and VRV 7R outdoor units, which form part of Daikin’s broader R32 VRV platform.
Wang explained that while environmental benefits are driving demand for lower-GWP refrigerants, the transition also creates new engineering and compliance challenges, particularly in commercial installations where refrigerant safety requirements become more complex.
As a result, Daikin used ARBS to heavily promote its Shirudo refrigerant safety technology, enabled through a combination of innovative Daikin products that work together.
The system incorporates leak sensors, alarms, shut-off valves and ventilation integration designed to comply with Australian standards governing the use of R32 refrigerants in VRF systems.
One notable engineering distinction highlighted by Wang was the positioning of leak sensors directly within the indoor unit rather than elsewhere within the occupied room space.
“Because it’s closer to where the leak is, you get a faster response putting safety at the core,” Wang said.
The systems also include audible and visual alarms through Daikin’s Stylish Controller, while integrated shut-off valves can isolate refrigerant flow if a leak is detected.
Ventilation systems can also be linked to external equipment designed to dilute refrigerant concentrations where required.
The safety systems reflect a broader trend across the industry as manufacturers attempt to balance improved environmental performance with increasingly strict compliance obligations.
Daikin also used the exhibition to showcase new branch selector units developed for R32 VRV heat recovery systems.
These units allow simultaneous heating and cooling across different zones within the same building – an increasingly important feature in larger commercial projects where occupancy requirements vary significantly from room to room.
Wang said the VRV 7 R systems consolidate what were previously separate heat pump and heat recovery systems into a single integrated platform that can be configured to operate in either mode.
“It’s two modes, one system” he said.
The branch selector units themselves have also undergone significant redesign work. Daikin has implemented pass-through piping configuration for multi-port models designed to reduce downstream refrigerant branch requirements, simplifying installation complexity and reducing installation time.
The units are also R32 safety compliant, with integrated safety shut-off valves and connectible to ventilation enclosure kits to manage internal refrigerant leaks occurring within the branch selector assemblies themselves.
Beyond commercial VRV systems, local manufacturing capability was another major focus of the Daikin stand.
Among the Australian manufactured products Daikin showcased a new compact R32 VRV bulkhead unit manufactured at the company’s Sydney facilities. The unit measures 450 millimetres deep and includes installer-focused features such as simplified side-access wiring and easier drain pump servicing.
Daikin also showcased locally manufactured ducted systems and air handling units produced at its Chipping Norton facilities in Sydney.
Wang said the company now operates two manufacturing facilities, including a recently constructed second factory developed to support future production growth.
"Daikin has continued to invest in local manufacturing since 1982," Wang said. “And last December we opened our second $28.6 million factory."
The expansion of Australian manufacturing remains particularly significant at a time when much of the global air conditioning industry continues shifting towards offshore production.
Another major attraction at the stand was Daikin’s CO2 hot water heat pump system, making its debut into the residential hot water heating market.
The system uses CO2 refrigerant with a GWP rating of one, positioning it as one of the company’s most environmentally focused residential products.
"Australia is on the path to net zero and every home that switches to all-electric hot water helps." he said. “With lead-free and PFAS-free components, our solution is more sustainable and is backed by Daikin's years of heat pump expertise."
The split-system hot water heat pump includes Wi-Fi connectivity through Daikin’s Airbase platform and supports multiple operating modes, including scheduling, adaptive control and vacation settings designed to improve household efficiency.
Daikin said the system is available with 250-litre or 315-litre tank configurations and can support larger family homes with up to five bedrooms.
The company also showcased CO2 refrigeration condensing systems and low-GWP chillers targeting larger commercial applications, again reinforcing the broader sustainability theme that dominated the stand.
Engineering support tools were the third major component of the display, particularly the company’s DK BIM software platform.
The software simplifies R32 VRV equipment selection by automatically calculating whether refrigerant safety devices are required under various installation scenarios.
Wang said simplifying the engineering and compliance process was becoming increasingly important as building services systems grow more sophisticated.
“It makes it easier for consultants to design their project around Daikin’s R32 VRV systems,” he said.
Daikin believes its combination of full R32 VRV coverage, integrated safety systems, local manufacturing and engineering support provides a strong competitive advantage as the industry transitions towards lower-emissions technologies.
“At Daikin, we offer a full R32 VRV range up to 168 kilowatts,” Wang said.
“With heat recovery available, enhanced R32 safety and all with three years warranty for commercial applications.”