MCE 2026 recap
We were at Mostra Convegno Expocomfort 2026 in Milan to present the latest additions to our range and spend time with the people who design, install, and work with hydronic systems every day. For us, the focus wasn’t just on showing products. It was about explaining why we’ve developed them, where they fit, and how they’re being used in real projects.
What we presented at MCE 2026
Hydronic fan coil range expansion
We introduced several new additions to our hydronic fan coil range, each designed to solve a specific application need.
The metal high wall builds on a familiar format, but in a way that suits commercial and industrial environments. Moving to a metal casing gives a more durable finish and allows the unit to sit comfortably in spaces like offices, data centers, and other business settings.
It also extends performance beyond what is typically expected from a high wall. With capacities up to 9.8 kW and availability in a 4-pipe configuration, it covers applications that standard units often can’t.
Because it’s metal, it also opens up more flexibility in appearance. The unit can be powder-coated in various RAL colors, allowing it to suit environments where aesthetics matter as much as performance, such as schools, public buildings, or branded commercial spaces.
Alongside this, we introduced a new vertical unit. This takes the performance potential of a ducted system and brings it into a compact, floor-standing format. It works well in environments like data centers, but also in situations that require flexibility, such as temporary installations or rental applications where fixed mounting isn’t always practical.
We also added a new design console to the range, built around ease of installation and maintenance. The casing can be removed with just two screws, making it simple to switch between a cased and an uncased version on-site. This allows the same unit to be used as a visible console or integrated into walls and ceilings in a similar way to a ducted system.
In the cased version, filter access has been designed to be straightforward. The filter sits behind a front compartment that can be opened, removed, cleaned or replaced, and closed again without tools. It’s a small detail, but one that makes a difference in day-to-day use.
Together, these additions are not just new models. They extend the applications and locations where hydronic fan coils can be used, while keeping installation and maintenance practical.
New air-to-water heat pump range
We also introduced a new range of air-to-water heat pumps, available with both R32 and R290 refrigerants.
This has been developed to reflect how different markets are evolving. R32 allows us to support North American requirements, while R290 aligns with the direction of the European market. Covering both means we can support projects across regions without compromise.
The range includes both residential and commercial options, with variations in capacity, size, and performance to suit different types of application. The focus has been on selecting the right configurations, rather than building a wide range without purpose.
Adding heat pumps is a deliberate step for us. We see hydronic systems in two parts. Energy generation and energy distribution. The heat pump sits on the generation side, with fan coils handling distribution within the building.
By expanding into heat pumps, we are starting to support the system from a single source. This reduces complexity and allows for better alignment between components from the start.
It also supports how we want to work going forward. Taking more responsibility across the project, from system selection through to delivery, rather than focusing on one part in isolation.
Your hydronic partner
What we showed at MCE is part of a broader shift in where we’re heading as a company.
We are moving towards becoming your hydronic partner. Not just supplying equipment, but supporting the system around it.
This is an evolution in how we approach projects. Looking beyond individual units and focusing on how everything works together. From initial selection through to how the system performs once it’s installed.
In practice, this means being more involved across the project. That can be supporting system design, helping align the right components, or working through challenges during installation. It can also include handling logistics, reducing the number of suppliers, and simplifying delivery.
We also recognise that no single range covers every requirement. Where something sits outside our own portfolio, we use our wider network to source it and support the project properly.
Our evolution is clear. Be involved where it matters, support the client as a whole, and stay with the project beyond just supplying equipment.
Team perspectives from #MCE2026
This year’s edition left me with mixed feelings. From a product and technical perspective, there was limited real innovation. In many ways, the show feels like it has lost some of its original focus. A lot of the attention seemed to be around the larger stands, often driven more by the social side than the products themselves.
The current global situation has also had an impact, with international travel more difficult for some regions, which affected attendance.
That said, the event is still valuable for reconnecting with partners and customers. The feedback on our new products was very positive, which confirms we are moving in the right direction.
The challenge for MCE going forward will be how it maintains its relevance as the industry continues to evolve.
MCE is always an important show to attend, whether you’re exhibiting or exploring. It’s a great place to connect with the industry, meet past colleagues, and build new relationships.
This year felt a bit slower, but with the show running over four days, attendance was more spread out. I was able to connect with new Italian partners and strengthen relationships with visitors from the US. Overall, it was a positive experience, especially being able to reconnect with colleagues across Europe.
Attending MCE Milano gave me a clear view of how the heat pump market is evolving, with continued growth but a stronger focus on practical, real-world solutions, especially in retrofitting.
It also reinforced how much this industry is driven by relationships, with customers, partners, and suppliers all coming together to create new opportunities. The experience helped me connect our internal strategy with what is actually happening in the market, better understand current challenges, and validate the direction we are taking.
More than anything, it reminded me that even in a highly technical sector, the real competitive advantage is still being human.
Attending my fifth MCE since 2016, I’ve seen a clear shift in the show. Post-COVID, it feels more regional and less like the global event it once was, though it remains a strong space for reconnecting and building relationships. The contrast with North American trade shows is obvious, there the focus is more on products and technology, while in Europe, especially in Italy, it’s about conversations, trust, and time spent together.
Like at AHR, there were no major technological breakthroughs, but the direction is clear: electrification is fully underway, and refrigerants like R290 and R454B are here to stay. There’s also a more cautious tone across the industry, with companies focusing on long-term relationships amid global uncertainty, while ongoing consolidation is concentrating market share into the hands of a few major global players.
From our side, Polar AIr showed up with a clear and consistent message, “Your Hydronic Partner”, and the conversations and leads we generated were well aligned with how we want to position ourselves.
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