Scroll And Absorption Chillers Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented, By Product (Scroll Chiller, Absorption Chiller), By Capacity (Less than 100 KW, Ranges between 101 KW to 300 KW, 301 KW to 700 KW, Greater than 701 KW), By Vertical (Commercial, Industrial, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 6.93 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	10.43%
Fastest Growing Segment	Absorption Chiller
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 12.57 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Scroll And Absorption Chillers Market will grow from USD 6.93 Billion in 2025 to USD 12.57 Billion by 2031 at a 10.43% CAGR. Scroll chillers utilize positive displacement scroll compressors for cooling while absorption chillers rely on a physiochemical process driven by a heat source to generate chilled water. The market is primarily supported by the increasing demand for energy efficient cooling solutions in commercial and industrial sectors alongside the growing adoption of district cooling systems and the capability of absorption units to utilize waste heat. According to the China Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association, the sales volume of modular chiller units which utilize scroll technology declined by 12.2 percent in the first half of 2024 due to slowed construction activity in the region.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the high initial investment cost associated with these advanced cooling systems compared to conventional alternatives. This financial barrier is often exacerbated by the complex installation requirements and the need for specialized maintenance which can deter cost sensitive end users in emerging markets from adopting these technologies.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of commercial infrastructure and data centers serves as a primary catalyst for the global scroll and absorption chillers market. As digital transformation accelerates, the construction of hyperscale data centers and modern commercial facilities requires robust thermal management systems to ensure operational stability, thereby driving the adoption of high-capacity applied HVAC solutions. This trend is heavily influencing the financial performance of major industry players that supply these critical cooling technologies. For instance, according to Johnson Controls, November 2024, in the 'Q4 FY24 Earnings Release', the company reported organic sales growth greater than 20 percent in its Applied HVAC & Controls segment within North America, a surge largely attributed to the robust demand from the data center vertical.

Simultaneously, the rising demand for energy-efficient cooling solutions is fundamentally altering market preferences as end-users strive to meet stringent sustainability mandates and reduce operational costs. This shift is encouraging substantial investments in green building projects and the retrofitting of aging infrastructure with advanced, eco-friendly chiller systems that lower carbon footprints. Reflecting this strong market appetite for sustainable technologies, according to Trane Technologies, January 2025, in the 'Q4 2024 Earnings Release', revenue for the Americas commercial HVAC business increased by over 20 percent year-over-year, driven by broad-based demand across various sectors. The sheer scale of this global requirement for comprehensive cooling technologies is further evidenced by overall industry figures; according to Daikin Industries Ltd., in 2024, the group achieved a record sales result of €28 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2024.

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Key Market Challenges

The high initial investment cost associated with scroll and absorption chillers constitutes a significant barrier impeding the broader expansion of the global market. These systems require substantial upfront capital not only for the units themselves but also for the complex infrastructure and specialized installation they demand. In cost-sensitive markets or during periods of economic uncertainty, this price disparity often compels commercial and industrial end-users to opt for conventional, lower-cost alternatives, despite the superior long-term energy efficiency of advanced chiller technologies. This reluctance to commit to high capital expenditure delays adoption rates and restricts market penetration in developing regions.

The impact of this financial constraint is evident in the performance of major markets where economic pressures have tightened investment budgets. The inability of end-users to justify the premium for these systems during construction slowdowns leads to a direct contraction in sales volume. According to the China Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association, in the first half of 2024, the overall sales volume of the central air conditioning market declined by 18.2 percent compared to the previous year. This downturn reflects the vulnerability of the market to economic fluctuations, as the high initial costs of these cooling solutions become prohibitive when capital liquidity is reduced.

Key Market Trends

In response to global phase-downs of HFCs, the market is shifting toward chillers designed for next-generation refrigerants with low Global Warming Potential (GWP), including R-32 and natural alternatives. This transition drives manufacturers to engineer units that meet environmental standards without sacrificing performance, a strategy that is proving commercially viable in regions with strict regulatory frameworks. The success of this low-carbon approach is evident in the financial results of major industry players operating in these markets. According to Daikin Europe N.V., May 2025, in the 'Daikin Europe reports €5.03B FY2024 turnover' press release, the subsidiary achieved an annual turnover of €5.03 billion, a performance significantly supported by the sales expansion of commercial cooling systems utilizing the low-GWP refrigerant R-32.

Simultaneously, manufacturers are embedding Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and Artificial Intelligence (AI) directly into chiller units to enable active predictive maintenance. This technology analyzes real-time data on vibration, pressure, and temperature to predict component failures before they disrupt operations, moving beyond simple monitoring to optimize uptime for critical infrastructure. This capability offers substantial operational value to end-users by preventing costly emergency repairs and streamlining service schedules. According to Johnson Controls, April 2025, in the 'New Study Finds Johnson Controls OpenBlue Smart Building Platform Drives Efficiency and Cost Savings for Customers' press release, a commissioned study found that deploying AI-driven smart building platforms could result in an up to 67 percent reduction in chiller maintenance costs over a three-year period.

Segmental Insights

The Absorption Chiller segment is positioned as the fastest-growing category within the Global Scroll And Absorption Chillers Market due to the rising industrial demand for sustainable waste heat recovery systems. This growth is primarily driven by the capacity of absorption technology to utilize excess thermal energy from manufacturing processes, significantly lowering reliance on electrical power. Additionally, stringent regulations enforced by authorities such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the phase-out of high-global warming potential refrigerants favor this segment. Absorption chillers, which typically employ eco-friendly fluids, offer industries a viable solution to meet rigorous environmental standards while optimizing energy management.

Regional Insights

North America maintains the leading position in the global scroll and absorption chillers market, driven by stringent energy efficiency regulations implemented by the United States Department of Energy. These mandates compel commercial and industrial sectors to replace aging infrastructure with compliant, energy-saving cooling systems. Additionally, the region experiences sustained demand from the commercial construction sector, where adherence to green building standards encourages the adoption of these specific chiller technologies. Consequently, the established regulatory framework and focus on operational efficiency secure North America’s dominance in this industry.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Daikin Applied introduced enhanced models of the Trailblazer AGZ-F air-cooled scroll chiller, featuring the low-global warming potential refrigerant R-32. This product launch aligned with the company's strategy to transition towards more sustainable technologies that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The redesigned chillers delivered significant optimizations, including a reduced spatial footprint, lower weight, and improved integrated part load values compared to earlier iterations. Engineered for diverse applications such as healthcare facilities and data centers, these units provided building operators with effective solutions to decarbonize their cooling infrastructure and ensure reliable performance.
• In November 2024, Climaveneta Climate Technologies, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric, announced an investment of ₹400 crore to construct a new industrial chiller manufacturing plant in Karnataka, India. The facility was designed to produce a comprehensive range of cooling solutions, including scroll chillers and absorption chillers, to address the rising demand from data centers and other industrial sectors. This strategic expansion was intended to significantly lower the company's dependence on imports and enhance the local supply chain. The new factory aimed to deliver high-precision air-conditioning equipment and heat pumps, supporting the region's sustainable infrastructure growth.
• In July 2024, Panasonic Corporation commenced a demonstration trial to utilize waste heat from pure hydrogen fuel cell generators as a power source for an absorption chiller. Conducted at a facility in Japan, this breakthrough research aimed to validate the efficiency of combining renewable energy generation with thermal cooling systems. The project focused on harnessing heat that would otherwise be lost to drive the absorption cooling process, thereby maximizing energy utilization and reducing carbon emissions. This initiative represented a significant step towards developing integrated, carbon-neutral energy solutions for industrial and commercial facilities.
• In April 2024, Carrier updated its AquaSnap 30MP water-cooled scroll chiller line to incorporate refrigerant R-32, chosen for its lower environmental impact and high energy efficiency. The modernized chillers were equipped with new PIC6 intelligent controls, featuring an advanced graphic display and enhanced connectivity options. This product launch supported the company's sustainability objectives by adopting a refrigerant with a lower global warming potential while preserving a compact modular design ideal for retrofit and new construction projects. The chillers offered the flexibility to be piped together, allowing for increased capacity to meet diverse commercial and industrial cooling needs.

Key Market Players

• Johnson Controls Plc
• Trane Technologies Company, LLC
• Broad Air Conditioning Co. Ltd.
• Yazaki Energy Systems Inc.
• Hitachi Appliances Inc.
• Robur Group
• Daikin Industries Ltd.
• Carrier Corporation
• Century Corporation
• MIDEA Group Co. Ltd.

By Product	By Capacity	By Vertical	By Region
Scroll Chiller Absorption Chiller	Less than 100 KW Ranges between 101 KW to 300 KW 301 KW to 700 KW Greater than 701 KW	Commercial Industrial Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Scroll And Absorption Chillers Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Scroll And Absorption Chillers Market , By Product:

• Scroll Chiller
• Absorption Chiller

• Scroll And Absorption Chillers Market , By Capacity:

• Less than 100 KW
• Ranges between 101 KW to 300 KW
• 301 KW to 700 KW
• Greater than 701 KW

• Scroll And Absorption Chillers Market , By Vertical:

• Commercial
• Industrial
• Others

• Scroll And Absorption Chillers Market , By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE