Scottish Enterprise has announced its support for a £15.3 million investment by Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe in its Livingston manufacturing facility.

The investment aims to significantly increase the productivity, efficiency and research & development (R&D) capabilities to meet increasing European and UK demand for its innovative and sustainable low carbon heat pumps that tackle climate change.

Decarbonising heat is a key priority in achieving net zero targets worldwide to address the climate emergency, with heating accounting for more than 40% of global CO2 emissions.

The heating products manufactured at Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe's Livingston site incorporate air and ground source heat pump technology, which are renewable low carbon alternatives to traditional high carbon heating systems. This reliable, renewable heating technology delivers highly efficient sustainable space heating and hot water all year round.

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The company's R&D activity will support the development of next generation heat pump technology in Scotland, including investigating new 'low global warming potential' refrigerants and materials.

Following investigations, the company will seek ways to incorporate the outputs into future product manufacturing to create world-leading products that reduce their overall environmental impact, while delivering renewable energy that is urgently required for meeting environmental goals and achieving net zero status.

Scottish Enterprise is contributing to Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd's investment project with a wide package of support, including £1.8m of grant funding, creating 55 new jobs and protecting 324 existing jobs.

Adrian Gillespie, CEO of Scottish Enterprise, said: "The global transition to low carbon heating creates a huge potential market for companies and their supply chains to tap into. The technology developed by the company in Scotland and exported across Europe demonstrates the pioneering low carbon manufacturing innovation taking place here in Scotland, with global potential.

"The MOU builds on the strong partnership we've developed with the company in the 28 years they have operated in Scotland, and marks our commitment to a deeper strategic relationship that will support future growth and jobs for the company, its supply chain and the heat pump sector."