Daikin Industries, Ltd. is a global leader in air conditioning, refrigeration, and fluorochemical manufacturing, headquartered in Osaka, Japan. With over nine decades of innovation, the company has established itself as the world's largest HVAC manufacturer and a pioneering force in climate control technology, fluorochemical development, and environmentally conscious engineering.
Brief History
Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada as Osaka Kinzoku Kogyosho Limited Partnership, Daikin originally manufactured radiator tubes for aircraft. The company entered the refrigeration and air conditioning sector in the 1930s and launched its first packaged air conditioner in 1951. Over the decades, Daikin evolved through significant technological breakthroughs including the development of inverter technology, the Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) system, and advanced refrigerant solutions like R-32. Today, Daikin operates in over 170 countries and maintains a robust global supply and R&D infrastructure.
Core Business
Daikin’s business is structured into four primary segments:
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Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Residential and commercial HVAC systems
- Applied and packaged systems
- Refrigeration solutions for logistics, retail, and industrial sectors
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Fluorochemicals
- Refrigerants (including low-GWP options like R-32 and HFO-1234yf)
- Fluoropolymers and elastomers
- Surface treatment and semiconductor materials
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Oil Hydraulics
- Hydraulic pumps, motors, and valves
- Energy-saving hydraulic units for industrial machinery
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Electronics and Medical Equipment
- Air purifiers, filters, and home-use oxygen concentrators
- Inverters and control systems for HVAC and manufacturing
Product and Service Offerings
HVAC Solutions
- Residential split systems, multi-split systems
- Commercial VRV/VRF systems
- Chillers and rooftop units
- Air-side equipment (AHUs, FCUs)
- Smart building management systems
- Indoor air quality control technologies
Refrigerants & Fluorochemicals
- R-32, R-410A, R-134a, R-407C
- HFO refrigerants (HFO-1234yf, HFO-1233zd)
- Fluoropolymer coatings and resins for electronics and semiconductors
Hydraulics & Industrial Systems
- Energy-saving EHU Series (Electric-Hydraulic Units)
- Industrial press systems and die-casting equipment components
Medical & Home Care
- Air purifiers with HEPA and streamer technology
- Compact home oxygen systems
- Portable humidifiers and dehumidifiers
Specialization and Core USP
Daikin’s global leadership is built on:
- Vertical integration across HVAC and chemical manufacturing
- World’s first developer and large-scale producer of R-32 refrigerant
- Inventor of VRV/VRF systems for scalable commercial applications
- Sustainable development through patented inverter and energy-saving technologies
- Global production & R&D facilities with over 100 manufacturing sites worldwide
Daikin is also unique in combining HVAC with proprietary refrigerant development—a competitive advantage that ensures system-level optimization.
Financial Overview
As of FY2023 (ending March 31, 2023):
- Net Sales: ¥3.98 trillion (~USD $29.3 billion)
- Operating Profit: ¥417.2 billion (~USD $3.1 billion)
- Net Income: ¥294.3 billion (~USD $2.2 billion)
- Global Workforce: Over 96,000 employees
- R&D Investment: ¥77.8 billion (~USD $570 million)
The company has maintained consistent year-over-year growth, with nearly 60% of sales coming from overseas markets.
Global Presence and Exports
- Manufacturing Locations: 100+ across Japan, China, USA, Europe, India, Southeast Asia
- Major Export Markets: USA, China, India, Germany, Indonesia, Vietnam
- Key Subsidiaries: Daikin Applied, Daikin Europe N.V., Goodman Global (USA), AHT Cooling Systems GmbH (Austria), Daikin India, Daikin Malaysia
Daikin’s acquisition strategy includes strategic brands like McQuay, Goodman, and AHT, enhancing its penetration in both emerging and mature markets.
Target Market
- Residential homeowners and developers
- Commercial real estate and retail chains
- Industrial manufacturing facilities
- Data centers, hospitals, and logistics providers
- Semiconductor and electronics manufacturers (fluorochemical applications)
Capabilities
- Industry-leading inverter and R&D labs in Japan and the US
- Integrated supply chain and refrigerant lifecycle management
- Custom HVAC design for large-scale infrastructure (airports, stadiums, factories)
- Smart home and IoT HVAC systems (Daikin ONE ecosystem)
- Circular economy model for refrigerant recovery and reuse
Certifications and Sustainability
Daikin aligns with global standards and environmental goals:
- ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 certified
- GREEN HEART FACTORY initiative – carbon-neutral manufacturing targets
- Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) compliance
- Environmental Vision 2050: Targeting net-zero emissions across the value chain
- EU F-Gas regulation and Kigali Amendment compliant refrigerants
Customer Testimonials
"Daikin’s VRV systems deliver unmatched efficiency and comfort. Their support and technical capabilities are superior to any brand we've used."
— Director, International Real Estate Developer
"Their leadership in refrigerants and sustainability is a major reason we chose Daikin for our Asia-Pacific cold chain facilities."
— Procurement Head, Global Logistics Firm
Major Achievements
- World’s #1 air conditioner manufacturer by market share since 2013
- Developed the first VRV system in 1982
- Launched the first air conditioner using R-32 refrigerant in 2012
- Ranked in Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune Global 500
- Earned Japan’s Minister of Economy Award for Energy Saving Technology
- Reduced CO₂ emissions by over 70 million tons through energy-efficient products since 2010
Daikin Industries, Ltd. continues to redefine the future of climate control and environmental solutions with unmatched global scale, R&D leadership, and a vision for sustainable innovation across air, space, and material sciences.
