Midea supports the University of Malta, reshaping sustainable education space

The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently announced its new list of “Lighthouse Factory”, and MBT Chongqing chiller factory has been recognized as the world’s first AI-empowered lighthouse factory in the chiller industry, thanks to its outstanding intelligent manufacturing capabilities and green industrial practices.

Lighthouse factories are hailed as the “most advanced factories in the world”, representing the highest level of intelligence and digitalization in global manufacturing. Since its production began in 2005, MBT Chongqing chiller factory has specialized in the production of commercial air conditioning systems, with products widely used in airports, high-speed rail, industrial plants, commercial real estate, data centers, and other fields. In response to the surge in customer demand and the trend of customized orders, the factory has deployed advanced technologies such as machine learning, augmented reality (AR), and simulation to create a fully customized delivery model from optimal selection, intelligent design, and agile production to adaptive quality assurance. With a 180% increase in customized orders, the factory shortened the chiller selection cycle by 81%, reduced the product design cycle by 45%, and lowered market repair rates by 31%.

In terms of intelligent manufacturing, the factory has built a data platform that includes over 100 high-precision physical models based on multi-physics simulation, achieving optimal selection and one-click automated quoting. Additionally, using its self-developed Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, the factory extracts design parameters from 230,000 historical design drawings, combining AI algorithms to intelligently design heat exchangers and piping. During production, AR and AI technologies are used to prevent key quality errors, while a traceability system ensures full control over quality throughout the process, improving reliability and efficiency. In the maintenance process, the factory uses an intelligent diagnostic platform to analyze Internet of Things (IoT) data collected from AI-assisted analysis, providing early warnings for equipment faults and performance degradation. The iManager app and iEnergy efficiency system provide smart maintenance improvement suggestions, while the iBUILDING Service helps users achieve stable, efficient, and low-cost operations. The factory successfully reduced market service complaint rates by 37% and maintenance costs during warranty by 21%.

Regarding green and low-carbon practices, the factory has adhered to a sustainable development philosophy. Relying on the iBUILDING digital platform, the factory implements “zero-carbon” actions such as system-level process optimization, smart energy management, energy structure transformation, and carbon offsetting, achieving carbon neutrality and earning PAS2060 carbon neutrality certification. It became Midea’s first sustainable, smart, zero-carbon factory. Currently, the factory saves approximately 121,000 kWh of electricity and 2,000 cubic meters of gas annually through equipment upgrades. A new 5MW distributed photovoltaic system generates 6.2 million kWh per year, with green electricity accounting for 55%, offsetting 5,323 tons of carbon. Furthermore, the factory utilizes a smart operations center (IOC) to achieve intelligent management and carbon reduction across the entire workforce, promoting paperless offices, green commuting, and sustainable living.

In the global wave toward carbon neutrality, MBT continues to build green competitiveness with the vision of “building sustainable smart spaces”. The Chongqing chiller factory, as a “Lighthouse Factory”, sets an example for the industry in terms of intelligence, low-carbon practices, and sustainable development. MBT will continue to support the global manufacturing industry in accelerating green development, providing global customers with smart, efficient, and reliable solutions.