The history of ENGIE Refrigeration – over 180 years of innovation in cooling and heating technology

The development of ENGIE Refrigeration

ENGIE Refrigeration emerged from several technologically leading companies and has continuously evolved over the decades:

• Originated from the engineering company Sulzer (founded in1834)

• Development of the first chillers and heat pumps in the 19th and 20th centuries
• Further development through Axima and Cofely leading to the establishment of ENGIE Refrigeration GmbH today

Today, ENGIE Refrigeration combines decades of engineering excellence with solutions designed to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions in industrial cooling and heating applications – for example through oil-free turbo compressor technology and the integration of low-GWP refrigerants such as CO₂ (R-744) and NH₃ (R-717).

Milestones in cooling and heating technology

19th century – The beginnings of industrial cooling

• 1834: Foundation of the Sulzer Brothers company
• 1878: Construction of the first chiller for the World’s Fair in Paris

👉 Significance: The foundations for industrial cooling applications are laid.

20th century – Industrialisation and heating technology

• 1921: Start of serial production of chillers
• 1938: Development of the first heat pump and cooling towers
• 1998: Use of CO₂ as a refrigerant in an artificial ice rink

👉 Significance:

• Industrial cooling becomes scalable
• Heat pump technology is established

21st century – innovation, transformation and reorientation

• 2003: Market launch of the QUANTUM chiller series using oil-free turbo compressor technology

• 2013: Expansion of the product portfolio (PENSUM, SPECTRUM, AMONUM)
• 2015: Use of modern refrigerants (e.g. R-1234ze)
• 2016: Expansion of the QUANTUM series to a capacity of up to 6 MW
• 2016: Rebranding as ENGIE Refrigeration GmbH and relocation to the new corporate headquarters in Lindau
• 2018: Acquisition of the high-temperature CO₂ heat pump division (Hafner-Muschler)
• 2019: Launch of the new air cooled QUANTUM chiller series
• 2021: Market launch of the new generation QUANTUM Water

👉 Significance:

• Focus on efficiency and sustainability
• Expansion of the product portfolio

From a mechanical engineering company to a provider of energy efficient solutions

Over the course of its history, ENGIE Refrigeration has evolved from a traditional engineering company into a provider of integrated cooling and heating solutions.

Today, the range of services includes:

• Chillers for industrial applications and building climate control
• Industrial heat pumps for efficient heat generation
• Waste heat recovery
• Comprehensive analogue and digital services covering the entire system lifecycle
• An extensive training programme covering the operation and maintenance of cooling and heating systems

This development reflects the transformation of the industry, from stand-alone cooling generation to integrated cooling and heating solutions designed to address a broader range of application requirements.

Innovation as a central part of the company’s history

The history of ENGIE Refrigeration is closely linked to technological innovation.

Particularly significant:

• The use of oil-free turbo compressors in the QUANTUM chiller series
• Early and continuous use of low-GWP refrigerants such as CO₂ (R-744, GWP = 1) and NH₃ (R-717, GWP = 0), which are not subject to the phase-down obligations of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases.
• Continuous development of cooling and heating technology solutions
• Combining cooling and heating technology in integrated systems

This innovative strength enables the company to continue delivering solutions to today’s key challenges, such as rising energy costs and the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

The people who shaped ENGIE Refrigeration

The history and success of ENGIE Refrigeration are inseparably linked to the individuals whose vision, leadership, and expertise have shaped the company. Four key figures have played a particularly important role in driving our strategic direction and fostering a culture of innovation:

Jochen Hornung, CEO since November 2012, defines the company’s strategic direction. Under his leadership, ENGIE Refrigeration has strengthened its market position, expanded its capabilities, and consistently advanced its transformation towards energy-efficient cooling and heating solutions with reduced environmental impact in defined applications.

Jörn Stiegelmeier, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) since 2012, leads technology and development. Through his strong focus on innovation, he ensures that our chillers and industrial heat pumps continue to meet the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and future readiness.

Daniel Keller, Director Sales and Business Development, is a key driver of the company’s commercial success. He is responsible for expanding customer relationships, developing new markets, and creating business opportunities that support sustainable growth.

Mirko Steyh, Director Service, ensures outstanding customer support and long-term customer satisfaction. His team delivers reliable, high-quality service solutions that strengthen customer partnerships and contribute significantly to the company’s success.

Together, this leadership team embodies the values, expertise, and innovative spirit of ENGIE Refrigeration, successfully guiding the company towards a technologically advanced and commercially successful future.

Part of the ENGIE Group since 2016

ENGIE Refrigeration is part of a structural development within an international group:

The company has emerged from a series of mergers:

• 2001: Acquisition by Groupe Fabricom
• 2003: Consolidation under the Axima brand
• 2009: Renamed Cofely (energy and services)
• 2016: Rebranding as ENGIE as part of the group’s global reorganisation

With the rebranding to ENGIE, greater emphasis was placed on the strategic focus on sustainable energy, efficiency and decarbonisation.

👉 Advantage today:

• Part of a global energy group
• Integration of energy, engineering and service expertise
• Support for international projects

Why this story is relevant today

The long history of ENGIE Refrigeration is more than just a history – it is a key advantage for customers:

• Experience: Over 180 years of technical expertise
• Innovation: continuous development of cooling and heating solutions
• Reliability: tried-and-tested solutions for critical applications
• Focus on the future: technologies for decarbonisation

This combination positions ENGIE Refrigeration as a provider of cooling and heating technology solutions for companies with energy-related and emissions-related operational requirements.

Looking to the future – mission, vision and goals

ENGIE Refrigeration consistently focuses its development on energy-efficient, reliable cooling and heating solutions that deliver measurable performance improvements – including reduced energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions in defined industrial applications.

Mission
Our mission is to develop cooling and heating solutions that operate reliably in day-to-day use and enhance efficiency, availability and cost-effectiveness.

Vision
Our mission is to develop cooling and heating solutions that perform reliably in daily operation while enhancing efficiency, availability, and cost-effectiveness.

Objectives
Our objectives are:

• to further develop reliable and energy-efficient chillers and industrial heat pumps
• to measurably improve the operation of systems through service and digital solutions
• to support customers throughout the entire life cycle
• to implement technical solutions for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions