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Production hall for heat pumps at Viessmann: Carrier Global takes over the lucrative business

Photo: Viessmann / picture alliance / dpa

The U.S. company Carrier Global wants to take over the heat pump division of the German heating manufacturer Viessmann – and is allowed to take the next steps, according to a report: The Federal Ministry of Economics has issued Viessmann with a "clearance certificate" for the sale, reports the "Handelsblatt", citing those involved.

The house of Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) had allowed the deal on the condition that "Viessmann and carrier strictly adhere to their agreed clauses to secure the location," the report says. If they fail to do so, the ministry may withdraw its consent.

In April, it became known that the air conditioning manufacturer Carrier Global from Florida wants to buy the dominant heating and air conditioning division of Viessmann for twelve billion euros. The companies had agreed that redundancies for operational reasons would be excluded for three years.

In addition, the most important locations have been secured for five years, and the headquarters in Allendorf an der Eder, Hesse, will be retained for at least ten years. With the permission of the Ministry under these conditions, these guarantees are considered to be established and secured.

Habeck signaled support

The sale has sparked a debate about the heat transition and possible dependencies. Heat pumps are considered central to the transition to climate-friendly heating of buildings, and they can replace oil and gas heating systems. (Read here how much distance a heat pump needs from its neighbors.)

The opposition had warned of a "sell-out of the German heat pump" and is worried that Germany could become dependent on manufacturers from the USA and Asia (read more about the situation in the global heat pump market here). Trade unionists had warned of a loss of know-how and jobs.

Habeck had announced an examination of the deal and at the same time made it clear that he did not see any major objections. Experts see the production of heat pumps in the future largely outside of Germany anyway.

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