The pioneer oil-free, magnetic bearing compressor technology took a disruptive innovation to commercialization.
Danfoss Turbocor® is celebrating three decades of operation in 2025. Founded in 1995 in Australia by a group of engineers and later acquired by Danfoss as a wholly owned company, the organization has grown to 350 employees with operation centers in the U.S., Denmark and China. Over 140,000 Turbocor compressors have been installed globally as more customers seek to lower their carbon emissions and energy consumption.
The company is the pioneer in the development of oil-free, magnetic-bearing compressor technology. By eliminating oil in their design, Turbocor compressors provide a low-carbon and exceptionally reliable cooling option for commercial air conditioning and heat pump applications, enabling commercial buildings such as office buildings, hotels, hospitals, airports and data centers to meet decarbonization and energy efficiency goals.
“Turbocor was founded by professionals outside the field of HVAC,” explained Rogerio Federici, vice president and head of Danfoss Turbocor. “This allowed for the free thinking and creativity needed to develop this disruptive technology. They created something new that changed the industry and set a new standard for sustainability in HVAC.”
Turbocor compressors can achieve up to 40% better energy efficiency compared to traditional screw compressors, translating to significant savings on energy costs. The magnetic-bearing technology results in zero performance degradation over the life of the compressor, along with low noise levels. Quick restart capability allows a restart within 30 seconds of a power outage, allowing a fast transition to auxiliary power, making Turbocor compressors ideal for mission-critical facilities like hospitals and data centers.
Over the years, the technology has been recognized with multiple industry awards, including the Alliance to Save Energy’s Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency award, the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute’s 2022 Product of the Year and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate and Ozone Protection Award.
“We are proud of the success of the Turbocor compressor technology and are looking forward to the next 30 years,” said Kristian Strand, president of Danfoss Commercial Compressors. “Turbocor compressors have transformed the HVAC industry and helped thousands of customers reduce their carbon footprint and energy consumptions, a central part of Danfoss’ mission.”
About Danfoss:
Danfoss engineers solutions that increase machine productivity, reduce emissions, lower energy consumption, and enable electrification. Our solutions are used in such areas as refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, power conversion, motor control, industrial machinery, automotive, marine, and off- and on-highway equipment. We also provide solutions for renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, as well as district-energy infrastructure for cities. Our innovative engineering dates back to 1933. Danfoss is family- and foundation-owned, employing more than 41,000 people, serving customers in more than 100 countries through a global footprint of 95 factories.
