This year marks Belimo’s 50th anniversary, a milestone the company is celebrating globally as we reflect on five decades of HVAC engineering excellence. In recognition of this accomplishment, this article will highlight several of the company’s most significant technological breakthroughs and their lasting contributions to the industry.
Belimo’s story began in 1975 in Gossau, Switzerland, and within a year, the company reshaped the HVAC industry by introducing the world’s first direct-coupled motorized damper actuator. By mounting directly to the damper shaft, this breakthrough eliminated the need for complex linkage assemblies, reduced installation time by two-thirds, and significantly minimized failure points. It set a global benchmark for airflow control that continues to shape Belimo’s approach to innovation today.
Another major technical advancement came in 1978 with the introduction of an electronic fire & smoke actuator for the life safety damper market. In 1984 Belimo introduced a new generation of spring-return actuators for control dampers, improving system reliability during power failures. That same year, the company expanded into airflow control technology with the introduction of volumetric flow controllers. In 1988, they further expanded their actuator capabilities with the introduction of a stronger direct-coupled damper motor rated at 30Nm, addressing larger damper requirements.
In 1992, Belimo began to transition its actuators to brushless DC motor technology and introduced microprocessor integration for the first time. This move reduced energy consumption by about 80%, extended the operational lifespan of Belimo devices, and paved the way for more intelligent control capabilities.
In 1998, Belimo officially entered the HVAC water application market with the launch of a full line of globe valves and ball valves, extending its engineering expertise beyond air control and into hydronic systems. This move marked a major strategic expansion for the company, laying the groundwork for a series of product innovations that would reshape hydronic control.
In 1999, Belimo introduced the characterized control valve (CCV), a major innovation that combined the compact durability of a ball valve with the precise control performance traditionally associated with globe valves. Unlike conventional ball valves, the Belimo CCV incorporates a patented characterizing disc that creates an equal-percentage flow characteristic, improving part-load performance and delivering stable, accurate flow control across a wide range of conditions. The design eliminates the need for pipe reducers, minimizes flow hunting, and provides Cv values comparable to those of globe valves, while also offering 100% tight shut-off, lower torque requirements, and extended service life.
In 2000, Belimo expanded its hydronic portfolio further with the introduction of globe valve actuators. These assemblies deliver high close-off pressure, precise modulation, and broad control flexibility. Featuring up to 100:1 rangeability, ANSI Class VI leakage ratings, and robust construction suited for chilled water, hot water, and low-pressure steam applications, Belimo’s globe valves quickly became a trusted solution for projects requiring precise and reliable flow regulation.
Another important milestone came in 2001 with the release of Multi-Function Technology (MFT), a significant advancement that transformed Belimo actuators into highly configurable devices. MFT allows on-site customization of control signals, feedback types, running speeds, and actuator behaviors, enabling a single actuator model to serve many different applications. This flexibility reduced the need for multiple actuator variants, simplified inventory management, and supported advanced diagnostic and optimization features, reinforcing Belimo’s leadership in adaptable, intelligent control solutions.
Another highly influential Belimo innovation arrived in 2003 with the release of the first pressure-independent characterized control valve (PICCV). Unlike conventional two-way valves, which are highly sensitive to pressure fluctuations and distort system balance as loads change, the PICCV introduced true pressure-independent flow control. By maintaining a constant differential pressure across the valve’s control element, the PICCV ensures stable, predictable flow regardless of pressure variations in the system. This advancement eliminated the need for manual balancing valves, simplified commissioning, improved coil performance, and enabled more accurate and efficient energy management. The result was a major step forward in hydronic system reliability, operational stability, and overall energy efficiency.
In 2007, Belimo launched the CM actuator, the thinnest damper actuator in its product portfolio. Measuring just 0.63 inches in width, the CM actuator is specifically engineered to fit into the smallest and most space-constrained applications without compromising performance. Despite its compact size, it delivers a torque output of 18 in-lbs (2 Nm), making it an ideal solution for tight installations where reliable damper control is essential.
In 2009, Belimo introduced the 6-way characterized control valve, a cost-effective solution for managing both heating and cooling with a single valve and actuator with an analog input. Designed specifically for applications such as chilled beams and fan-coil units, the 6-way CCV simplifies piping layouts, reduces installation time, and improves system efficiency by seamlessly switching between heating and cooling circuits without the need for multiple valves and costly control inputs.
That focus on integration and system performance continued in 2010 with the introduction of the electronic pressure-independent valve (EPIV), which provided real-time, transparent measurement of flow rates using sensor technology directly integrated with the valve body. EPIV technology built the foundation for even smarter hydronic balancing and system transparency.
The company further advanced this approach in 2012 with the introduction of the Belimo Energy Valve, a pioneering device that combined pressure-independent flow control, energy metering, and cloud-connected analytics into a single unit. The Energy Valve uses integrated sensors to continuously measure flow, temperature differential, and energy consumption, enabling precise control of heating and cooling loads while identifying and addressing inefficiencies such as low delta T syndrome. Its advanced features, including power control, delta T management, and seamless building automation system integration, have made it a transformative solution for optimizing hydronic system performance, reducing energy consumption, and supporting transparent system monitoring throughout a building’s lifecycle.
In 2013, Belimo introduced the ZoneTight quick compact valve (QCV), a smaller valve platform bringing the benefits of characterized control to zone-level applications. That same year, Belimo also launched a new generation of globe valve actuators with improved performance and efficiency.
In 2015, the company expanded its ZoneTight offering by introducing the pressure-independent quick compact valve (PIQCV), merging the benefits of pressure-independent characterized control with a compact, versatile design suited to zone-level systems.
In 2017, Belimo launched its pipe and duct sensor line, including devices for temperature, humidity, CO₂, VOCs, and pressure. These were designed not only to fill a product gap, but to support smarter building ecosystems through seamless integration with existing Belimo actuators and control systems. By 2019, the company had expanded this offering with the Room Sensors line, optimized for commercial building performance and aesthetics. That same year, Belimo produced its 100 millionth actuator, a milestone reflecting its global scale and consistent demand.
Although not a product, but innovative nonetheless, in 2022, the company launched the Belimo Climate Foundation, aimed at reducing global CO₂ emissions by improving HVAC systems in schools, hospitals, and other public facilities. CEO Lars van der Haegen noted that buildings account for forty percent of global emissions, adding that “Belimo’s small devices have a big impact on global climate goals.”
In 2024, the company introduced the M600 microchip, a high-performance processor specifically designed for HVAC actuator applications, which is now being integrated into Belimo’s damper and control valve actuators. Featuring multiple patented technologies, the M600 delivers higher computing power, enabling smoother operation, intelligent motion control, and lower energy consumption. Beyond improving current actuator performance, the M600 was developed with future functionality in mind, providing the platform to support advanced features such as torque measurement and predictive maintenance capabilities as they are introduced.
Across five decades, Belimo has introduced a steady stream of influential innovations to the HVAC industry, including the direct-coupled actuator, the pressure-independent control valve with a characterized disc, the 6-way valve for simultaneous heating and cooling, and advanced hydronic valve assemblies with integrated real-time energy data. Throughout our history, we have maintained a focused commitment to engineering excellence and technological advancement. It is this measured, precise, and forward-looking approach that continues to define Belimo’s impact. We invite you to join us as we shape the next 50 years of building performance and innovation.