Honeywell and Haier Group announced on Jan. 21 that the companies will join for global strategic cooperation to collaborate on the development and promotion of low-emission, high energy-efficiency products and solutions.
The agreement was signed during the U.S.- China Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, contributing to the bilateral economic and trade results of President Hu Jintao State visit to the U.S.
Honeywell and Haier will work collaboratively on new technology that will make household appliances, intelligent home systems, residential heating, building automation, and mass transit more efficient and cleaner.
"More than 50% of our product portfolio is related to energy and energy efficiency," said Shane Tedjarati, CEO of Honeywell China and India. "We believe we can apply our expertise in energy-efficiency, intelligent buildings systems, and automation and controls to help Haier manufacture products that will benefit both their customers and the environment."
Shariff Kan, president of Haier America, said, "Haier Group is actively promoting a globalization strategy for its products and comprehensive solutions. In addition to household appliances, Haier will develop high-performance and energy-efficient solutions in home furnishings, building automation, security systems, mass transit and other areas. Our agreement with Honeywell will allow us to explore solutions that mutually benefit Chinese and American consumers and enterprises."
One area of collaboration will be the use of energy-efficient, closed-cell foam insulation featuring Honeywell's non-ozone depleting Enovate blowing agent for Haier appliances. Use of this insulation will help ensure that Haier's household appliances conform to the strict standards of the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Star program. It will also meet China's Ministry of Environmental Protection requirements for phasing out the use of ozone-depleting blowing agents by 2015.
The companies also plan to jointly develop air conditioners, refrigerators and solar-power water heater solutions based on Honeywell's low-global-warming-potential refrigerants and blowing agents. During the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, China committed to reduce per unit GDP's carbon dioxide emission by 40% - 45% from 2005 levels by 2020. Household appliance solutions with next generation low global warming potential technologies will play a large part in helping China reduce its carbon dioxide emissions.
Additionally, Honeywell Technology Solutions China will cooperate with Haier's research and development organization on Haier's intelligent home program.
