Perge and Axen launch French production of R290 monobloc heat pumps

# What happened Perge Axen Co (PAC), a joint venture between Chinese heat pump maker Axen and French heating company Perge, has started production of R290 monobloc air-to-water heat pumps in France. Assembly is taking place at Perge's factory in Portes-lès-Valence, near Lyon.

# Who the partners are Perge is a family-owned French heating equipment manufacturer founded in 1971, known for residential systems including biomass, oil and hybrid boilers. GZ Axen Heat Pump Technology was founded in 2006 in Guangzhou, China, and supplies heat pump products internationally. The JV was set up as a simplified joint-stock company at the end of April and operates under the name Perge Axen Co (PAC).

# What the factory will produce

# Production capacity and timeline The business has set a designed output of 15,000 units for the first year of production. PAC plans to expand production lines in the second half of 2027, at which point capacity is expected to increase to between 25,000 and 30,000 units.

# Market focus The factory will supply both French and wider European markets. The immediate commercial focus is on growing PAC's presence within France before pushing more broadly into Europe.

# Why it matters for installers and buyers

• Local assembly in France can shorten supply chains and lead times for French installers.
• Offering R290 monoblocs across common residential sizes (4–16 kW) covers typical single-family and small multi-family installations.
• Availability in single- and three-phase versions addresses both smaller homes and higher-demand properties.

# Operational context Production is integrated into Perge's existing manufacturing site in Portes-lès-Valence. The JV structure combines Perge's local manufacturing base and market presence with Axen's heat pump product experience.

# What to watch next

• Timing and scale of the 2027 line expansion and how quickly PAC hits the 25,000–30,000 unit target.
• Market uptake in France and any announcements about distribution or installer partnerships.
• Whether PAC introduces larger commercial models or extends the product range beyond the 4–16 kW monoblocs.

# Source and date This update was reported by Cooling Post on 29 September 2026.