These past few weeks, we’ve had multiple clients across Germany, Spain, and the U.K. asking whether we can source portable split ACs.
As heatwaves push cooling demand higher across Europe, demand for cooling products is rising fast. A category that was largely pushed out of China’s mainstream has suddenly started selling out in Europe.
Today, let’s look at the China supply chain behind it.
Behind Europe's AC Boom: China's Supply Chain
Several of our European clients told us they were specifically looking for portable split ACs. There’s no drilling, just buy one, set it up, and cool down immediately. Interestingly, this isn’t a mainstream in China. Most households use wall-mounted split AC, central AC, or floor-standing units.
Yet China produces over 80% of the world’s air conditioners, making it the world’s largest manufacturing base for AC products.
For years, Chinese factories manufactured OEM products for brands across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Over time, manufacturing evolved beyond production into developing products for different markets.
For US market, most homes use central air conditioning, while window units and mini-split systems are common in apartments, rental properties, and home renovations. Chinese manufacturers responded with quieter, more efficient window air conditioners designed around local housing and window styles.
In the Middle East, long periods of extreme heat and dust drove demand for products with better heat resistance, corrosion protection, higher energy efficiency, and even solar-compatible control systems.
Europe’s portable split AC boom is another example of China’s manufacturing capability responding to local market needs. Manufacturers began with local housing conditions, installation constraints, user habits, and certification standards, then developed a product that could be manufactured at scale.
Is This a Good Business Opportunity?
If you’re thinking about starting now, the answer is probably no. The production cycle started months ago.
Factories typically begin production early in the year, with European orders starting to pick up around March. From production and quality inspection to container booking, sea freight, customs clearance, warehousing, and finally retail distribution, the entire process takes months.
That said, portable split AC is solving a very specific problem right now: giving people a way to cool their homes quickly without permanent installation.
Traditional systems are a different business. Split ACs, ducted systems, cassette units, and floor-standing models all require installation, and often come with building constraints, local regulations, and noise or energy-efficiency requirements.
That also means different sales channels, installation barriers, after-sales service, and inventory planning. The heatwave accelerated demand, but the underlying friction has always existed.
If heatwaves become more frequent, products designed around these real-world constraints will likely to have demand beyond this summer.
Inside China's Cooling Manufacturing Ecosystem
China’s cooling industry is spread across several specialized manufacturing clusters, each focusing on a different part of the supply chain—from industrial refrigeration and cold chain equipment, to residential air conditioning, to everyday consumer cooling products.
Cold chain & refrigeration: Shandong & Anhui
Shandong and Anhui specialize in cold chain equipment, commercial refrigeration, cold storage systems, refrigerators, and freezers, supporting both commercial and consumer markets.
Air conditioning systems: Guangdong
Guangdong is the center of China’s air conditioning industry, producing residential air conditioners, central HVAC systems, commercial VRF systems, and many of their core components. Compressors, motors, electronics, molds, injection molding, and final assembly are all supported by a mature local supply chain.
Cooling appliances: Zhejiang
Cixi and Ningbo in Zhejiang specialize in small appliances and consumer cooling products, including air coolers, mobile air conditioners, car refrigerators, desktop refrigerators, and other compact cooling products. The dense supplier network also enables fast tooling, flexible customization, and rapid product development.
Yiwu, home to the world’s largest wholesale market, is known for its huge product selection and rapid product turnover, making it one of the first places where seasonal bestsellers appear.
Viral cooling products like fan-equipped hats, ice-pack caps, PCM neck coolers, and handheld misting fans are quickly updated to match the latest demand.
Cooling Products We Most Often Source for Clients
Air conditioners are not the only cooling products our clients regularly ask about. We’re also seeing steady demand across a few other categories.
Personal cooling includes neck cooling rings, cooling towels, cooling hats or ice-pack inserts, and handheld misting fans. These are mainly used for commuting, outdoor work, sports, and travel.
Indoor cooling such as air coolers and compact fans continues to see stable demand, especially in rental housing.
Pet cooling products like cooling mats, cooling beds, cooling vests, and pet cooling pads see strong seasonal demand in the run-up to summer.
Automotive cooling accessories including windshield sunshades, seat cooling cushions, and portable car fans also show recurring seasonal demand, particularly in hotter markets like the Middle East and Southern Europe.
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