Chiller Market By Type, By Product, By End-use User Industry, And Region For 2026-2032

Chiller Market Valuation - 2026-2032

The growing expansion of urban infrastructure and commercial spaces, along with an increased emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability, is boosting the chiller market. According to the analyst from Verified Market Research, the chiller market is estimated to reach a valuation of USD 17.7 Billion over the forecast subjugating around USD 12.45 Billion in 2024.

Stringent environmental regulations and a growing awareness of carbon footprint reduction are leading businesses to invest in sophisticated chillers with improved energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, driving market expansion. This enables the market to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2026 to 2032.

Chiller Market: Definition/ Overview

Chillers are mechanical devices used to remove heat from liquids using a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle. They are typically used to cool huge areas or equipment requiring precise temperature control. Chillers operate by circulating chilled water or another refrigerant through a network of coils, absorbing heat from the surroundings and transferring it to a heat exchanger, where it is released.

Furthermore, these systems are widely used in a variety of industries, including commercial buildings for air conditioning, industrial processes including manufacturing and food processing, and data centers to maintain appropriate operating temperatures for sensitive equipment.

What are the Key Drivers that Foster the Adoption of Chillers?

The demand for energy efficiency in cooling systems is driving innovation and development in the chiller market. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), cooling energy demand is projected to quadruple by 2050. According to the US Department of Energy, high-efficiency chillers can save 30-50% more energy than regular models. Also, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) reports that HVAC systems account for around 40% of overall energy use in commercial buildings, emphasizing the potential significance of efficient chillers.

The growing global expansion of data centers is increasing demand for innovative cooling technologies, such as chillers. According to Synergy Research Group, the number of hyperscale data centers worldwide has topped 900 in 2023, representing a 17% growth over the previous year. According to the Department of Energy, data centers require around 2% of all electricity in the United States, with cooling accounting for a large fraction of total energy demand. The increased demand for efficient data center cooling is a primary driver in the chiller market.

Furthermore, the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries require precise temperature control for a variety of applications, which drives chiller demand. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the worldwide pharmaceutical market was worth USD 1.42 Trillion in 2021, with growth expected to continue. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend, with the WHO estimating that global investment in COVID-19 vaccines will exceed USD 54 Billion in 2022. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) underlines the crucial significance of temperature control in pharmaceutical manufacturing and storage, emphasizing the importance of dependable chiller systems in these industries.

What are the Challenges Hindering the Growth of the Chillers Market?

Chillers require a major initial investment from enterprises and organizations, making the expense a significant barrier to entry for many potential consumers. Also, the energy consumption associated with running chillers results in significant operational expenses, particularly in regions with high electricity rates. This difficulty is exacerbated by the requirement for frequent maintenance and potential repairs over the chillers' lifetime, which raises the total cost of ownership and affects market growth.

Furthermore, this rapid innovation cycle can make it difficult for buyers to select the best products, as newer models with improved features and efficiency become available soon after purchase, potentially leading to buyer's remorse or the obsolescence of present systems. This ever-changing and competitive environment presents substantial challenges for both chiller manufacturers and consumers, impeding market growth.

Category-Wise Acumens

What Factors Contribute to the Market Leadership of Water-cooled Segment?

According to VMR analysis, the water-cooled segment is estimated to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. Water-cooled chillers are more efficient than air-cooled chillers, particularly in large-scale applications. They perform better in high-temperature situations because their cooling effectiveness is less affected by external temperature variations. This efficiency translates into lower energy consumption and operating costs over time, making them the preferable choice for institutions with high cooling requirements, such as major data centers, hospitals, and industrial plants.

Water-cooled chillers have a longer lifespan than air-cooled chillers. The components of water-cooled chillers are frequently housed indoors to protect them from the elements and reduce wear and tear. Also, because water is a more efficient heat transfer medium than air, these chillers can work at lower condensing temperatures, reducing stress on the system and contributing to a longer operational life.

Furthermore, although water-cooled chillers require a cooling tower and other equipment that air-cooled chillers do not, the actual chiller unit in a water-cooled system is smaller for the same cooling capacity. This makes water-cooled chillers a more space-efficient solution, especially in areas where interior space is limited but valuable. This is an important consideration in metropolitan settings or institutions where optimizing usable space is a goal.

What are the Key Driving Forces for the Dominance of Screw Chillers?

The screw chillers segment is estimated to dominate the chiller market during the forecast period. Screw chillers are well-known for their adaptability, as they can function efficiently throughout a wide temperature range and cooling requirements. This makes them useful for a wide range of applications, such as commercial buildings, industrial operations, data centers, and large-scale HVAC systems. Their capacity to respond to both low and high cooling demands while maintaining consistent performance is a fundamental driver of their widespread use.

Screw chillers provide great energy efficiency, particularly under part-load settings, which are frequent in many cooling applications due to fluctuating demand throughout the day and season. Their design enables significant energy savings, which, along with their robust construction, results in lower lifecycle costs. Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly crucial as energy costs rise and there is a greater emphasis on sustainability and lowering carbon footprints.

Furthermore, screw chillers have fewer moving components than other types of chillers, including centrifugal chillers. This simplicity translates into increased reliability and decreased maintenance requirements, making them an affordable alternative for continuous, long-term operation. Their durable construction and ease of maintenance limit the risk of downtime, resulting in consistent cooling performance. This dependability is critical for applications that require regular cooling for activities, such as manufacturing processes or data centers.

Gain Access into Chiller Market Report Methodology

Country/Region-wise Acumens

What Drivers Contribute to the Sustained Dominance of Asia Pacific in this Market?

According to VMR analyst, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to dominate the chiller market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is experiencing unprecedented urban growth, which is pushing up demand for cooling solutions in commercial and residential buildings. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Asia Pacific's urban population is projected to increase from 2.3 billion in 2019 to 3.5 billion by 2050. China alone is expected to have 255 million urban inhabitants by 2050. This urbanization trend coincides with major infrastructure development. The Asian Development Bank estimates that Asia will need to invest USD 26 Trillion in infrastructure between 2016 and 2030 to maintain its growth rate. The tremendous urban development and construction boom are pushing up demand for efficient cooling equipment, such as chillers.

Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region is experiencing tremendous growth in data center infrastructure, increasing the demand for innovative cooling solutions. According to the Asia Cloud Computing Association, the Asia Pacific data center market is predicted to become the world's largest, surpassing North America by 2021. According to the Japan Data Center Council, the country's data center market grew by 7% in 2020, reaching 1.5 trillion yen (USD 13.6 Billion). In India, government initiatives such as the "Digital India" program are pushing data center construction, with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology estimating a USD 7 Billion investment in data centers by 2025. This development of data center capacity across the region is greatly increasing the demand for efficient chiller systems.

What are the Factors Leading to Significant Share in the North American Region?

North America is estimated to exhibit substantial growth within the market during the forecast period. The demand for energy efficiency is pushing the use of advanced chiller systems in North America. According to the United States Department of Energy (DOE), commercial buildings account for about 20% of total energy consumption in the United States, with space cooling accounting for a sizable fraction of that. Electricity-efficiency chillers can save 20-50% on cooling electricity compared to older, less efficient versions.

Furthermore, increasing environmental laws are promoting the use of environmentally friendly refrigerants and more efficient chiller systems. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act will reduce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production and consumption by 85% over the next 15 years. This rule is projected to spur innovation in chiller technology and refrigerants, hence accelerating market growth.

Competitive Landscape

The chillers market has a diversified set of companies striving for market share and distinctiveness. Partnerships and cooperation with suppliers and distributors help to expand market reach and provide complete customer support.

Some of the prominent players operating in the chiller market include:

Daikin Industries, Carrier Global Corporation, Trane Technologies Plc, Johnson Controls International Plc, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Smardt Chiller Group, Inc., KKT Chillers, MTA S.p.A., Friulair S.r.l., HYDAC International GmbH, Reynolds India Pvt. Ltd, Thermax Limited, LG Electronics, Dimplex Thermal Solutions, Polyscience, Inc., Yutai Group, Midea Group Co.

• In March 2024, Carrier Global Corporation (Carrier) announced cooperation with Alat to build a cutting-edge manufacturing and R&D center in Saudi Arabia. This factory will manufacture cutting-edge heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions for the region, including chillers.

Chiller Market, By Category

• Type:
• Water-cooled
• Air-cooled
• Product:
• Scroll Chillers
• Screw Chillers
• Centrifugal Chillers
• Reciprocating Chillers
• Absorption Chillers
• End-User Industry:
• Plastics
• Food & Beverages
• Medical & Pharmaceuticals
• Chemicals & Petrochemicals
• Rubber
• Printing
• Laser Cutting
• Alternative Energy
• Others
• Region:
• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa