Dürr, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany, has acquired a 27 percent stake in heat pump specialist thermea Energiesysteme GmbH. The company, from Freital in Saxony, Germany, is a supplier of large heat pumps that use the natural refrigerant CO₂. According to the company, thermea systems offer performance rates at higher flow temperatures of up to 194°F (90°C), to reach 266°F (130°C). Operators thus have flexibility they need when generating process heating and cooling as well as hot water.

Heat pumps use energy derived from ambient heat (e.g., from geothermal energy, wastewater or industrial processes) for heating or cooling. A central role is played by the refrigerant, which evaporates and condenses in a closed circuit. Dürr expects growing demand for CO₂ heat pumps. The thermea technology is sold under the trade name of thermeCO₂. It is suitable for the process and food industries, drying processes, data centers and building services.

Apart from Dürr, Robert Bosch GmbH also has a 27 percent stake in thermea.