Global Topic: Panasonic’s environmental solutions in China—building a sustainable business model

Beijing, China - Panasonic Corporation China & Northeast Asia Company has been delivering comprehensive "environmental improvement solutions"-including integrated services and systems-to leading clients such as LAWSON and AEON MALL via a direct selling model. The company's Retail Solutions Department in the Building and Housing Solutions Business Division helps deliver these solutions, overseeing equipment sales, facility management, and energy-saving solutions. Through its Energy Management System (EMS), the division helps reduce power consumption and optimize equipment utilization, supporting companies in China as they transition to sustainable operations. These initiatives also align with the broader social context in China, where rapid urbanization and growing environmental concerns have led the government to promote its "3060" target, which commits the country to peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

The company's collaboration with AEON MALL China is particularly noteworthy. AEON MALL operates 22 shopping centers in China (as of October 2025) and is focusing on expansion in inland regions. However, the annual electricity cost per mall is approximately 170 million yen, a significant operational burden. To address this, Panasonic began supporting AEON MALL in 2022 with energy-saving initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The initiative involves the phased implementation of energy and equipment operation visualization, energy-saving analysis, and efficiency improvements through equipment control, with the ultimate objective of achieving carbon neutrality through clean energy and carbon credits.

AEON MALL WUHAN JIANGXIA (opened in November 2023)

However, simply introducing data visualization systems does not guarantee energy savings. Therefore, Panasonic has worked closely with on-site operators, using data to provide monthly improvement proposals for optimizing systems such as air conditioning, lighting, and elevators so that operators can maintain energy-saving outcomes. Looking at air conditioning equipment in particular, synchronized control of chillers, pumps, and cooling towers has reduced energy consumption by up to 15%. Overall, the initiative's solutions have resulted in cuts to annual electricity costs of approximately 20 million yen per mall, a decrease that has been well-received by AEON MALL.

However, notable challenges have also emerged. Building Automation (BA) systems in some malls lack accurate data, requiring tailored solutions. Furthermore, energy conservation understanding and operational levels vary from location to location, and improvement measures are easily impacted by actual on-site conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to standardize the data visualization and management department's collaborative improvement mechanism and promote it at the regional and even the national level. Panasonic is also considering standardizing air conditioning control specifications across all AEON MALL locations in China while refining its energy-saving platform based on feedback from AEON MALL's headquarters and regional offices.

Examples of Energy-Saving Retrofits & Control Equipment (left: Chiller, right: Cooling Tower)

EMS for Large Facilities (left: System Configuration, right: Visualization Interface)

Many enterprises in China offer energy-saving systems, but most excel at system construction and are weaker in terms of operational optimization. Panasonic stands out with its expertise in data analysis and actionable recommendations honed through retail EMS projects. The Retail Solutions Department leverages technologies and case studies from Panasonic Commercial Equipment Systems Japan, applying Japanese experience-such as refurbished commercial refrigeration equipment for convenience stores and power data analysis for EMS-to large-scale commercial facilities.

One customer said of their experience: "Our monthly meetings have become enjoyable thanks to the increase in profits we're seeing as a direct result of energy conservation."

Said a department head: "Protecting the environment is not a passing trend, but a global challenge. The Panasonic GREEN IMPACT initiative addresses this challenge while also creating new business opportunities."

Through these initiatives, Panasonic is establishing "environmental businesses" that can help it achieve its mission of solving societal issues while achieving sustainable business growth. Panasonic will continue to expand its environmental solutions through innovative business models.

The solutions mentioned in this article will be exhibited at the China International Import Expo 2025 (CIIE2025), under the concept of "A Better Life, from Home to City."

Panasonic will be showcasing products and solutions that contribute to sustainable living and urban development at Hall 5.1, National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai, from November 5 to 10, 2025.