Mayekawa trials 140°C steam heat pump at Honda factory ahead of 2027 launch

Japan – Japanese manufacturer Mayekawa is trialling a 140°C industrial steam heat pump at Honda’s Yorii vehicle manufacturing plant in Japan, ahead of a planned commercial launch in April 2027.

The system uses HFO-1336mzz(Z) refrigerant and has achieved a reported coefficient of performance (COP) of 3 during development testing. The demonstration is assessing its suitability for supplying steam to industrial paint-drying processes.

High-temperature steam generation

Developed with support from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the heat pump is designed to provide an electrically driven alternative to fossil fuel boilers in high-temperature industrial applications.

The system incorporates a Mayekawa screw compressor and flash tank arrangement to generate steam at 140°C. Its HFO-1336mzz(Z) refrigerant has a global warming potential (GWP) of 2 and an A1 safety classification.

During development testing at Mayekawa’s Moriya facility, the system achieved a reported COP of approximately 3, based on total heating output of 317kW and electrical input of 107kW. This does not represent independently verified steam-generation performance at Honda.

Honda trials and commercial launch

Testing at Honda’s Yorii plant is examining steam supply performance, energy efficiency, load response and potential carbon emissions reductions compared with conventional boilers.

Mayekawa reported that the system had demonstrated steam supply capability and responses to load fluctuations by July 2026.

The manufacturer plans to commercialise the technology in April 2027, targeting sectors including food processing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The development represents a further step towards electrifying industrial processes requiring temperatures above 100°C, where fossil fuel boilers remain widely used.