Chennai, October 12th, 2023: REFCOLD India, 2023, South Asia’s leading exhibition and conference dedicated to refrigeration and cold-chain technologies, commenced today at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai. Organised in collaboration between the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) and Informa Markets, REFCOLD India 2023 is set to redefine the industry landscape. This well-reputed event represents a significant step forward in the refrigeration and cold-chain sector, unveiling a vast potential cold-chain market of around INR 4.3 trillion by 2027.
The event’s grand inauguration was spearheaded by a rich array of dignitaries including Guest of Honour – Dr. R Velraj, Vice Chancellor, Anna University; Mr. Raja M Sriraam, Chairman, RECFOLD Chennai, ISHRAE; Mr. Yogesh Thakkar, National President, ISHRAE, Mr. Anoop Ballaney, National President Elect, ISHRAE and Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India.
The 6th gala edition of REFCOLD India brought together top experts, businesses, and thought leaders who are driving the industry’s transformation with over 200 exhibitors, including an impressive lineup of industry giants such as BlueStar, Copeland, Rinac India, Tecumseh, Daikin, K-Flex, Yaskawa, and Danfoss, among others. The show anticipates more than 10,000 visitors, industry leaders, and professionals, for dynamic business opportunities, knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yogesh Thakkar, National President ISHRAE said, “The adoption of integrated cold chain solutions has the potential to significantly revolutionize the traditional perishables sector, bringing about substantial changes in the market landscape and overall growth. This is especially important in a country where agriculture employs 60% of the population. To harness the potential of integrated cold chain solutions, there is a need to optimise logistics, enhance value addition facilities, adopt green refrigeration practices, and adopt energy-efficient cooling systems and natural refrigerants ultimately improving efficiency across the supply chain. Similarly, the Indian organized food industry is a vast arena with significant potential. This underscores the substantial room for growth in the food delivery sector, which, when integrated with advanced refrigeration and cold chain solutions, can further enhance food quality, safety, and delivery efficiency.”
“The pandemic acted as a catalyst, propelling India’s online food delivery market to reach approximately $21 billion by 2026, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 30%”, he further added.
With the valuable support of MOFPI (Ministry of Food Processing Industries Government of India), other esteemed associations like IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration), NCCD (National Centre for Cold-chain Development), IDA (Indian Dairy Association), IIAR (International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) and more, the event successfully bridged the gap between suppliers and buyers.
REFCOLD India offers an enriching programme of Conferences and exhibitions by technical experts of the industry focusing on Industrial Refrigeration along with Cold Chain and Reefer Transportation, Seminars and workshops on pharma, dairy, fishery and hospitality encouraging continuous learning and skill advancement. The expo covered important topics on Heat pump integrated thermal storage for dairy applications, Natural Refrigerants, Innovative Design or Technology for Net Zero Cold Storage Plants, Challenges on Dairy Processing and Storage, Safety Standards and Trouble Shooting of Refrigeration Plants, to name a few.
Commenting on the significance of REFCOLD India 2023, Mr Yogesh Mudras Managing Director, Informa Markets in India said “REFCOLD India provides a transformative journey that unlocks opportunities for fresh horizons and valuable collaborations. The expo offers a plethora of opportunities to connect with industry experts and learn about cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, the government is also taking proactive steps to boost the refrigeration and cold chain industry by establishing extensive cold storage facilities nationwide. This initiative aims to minimize food wastage, encouraging eco-friendly refrigeration practices, while simultaneously stimulating economic growth. The added attractions including our content-rich conference that aligns with the theme of ‘Preserve through Innovation for a Better Future’ will gather experts, stalwarts, and key organizations and provide the momentum the market truly deserves!”
Distinguished speakers that graced the event included notable figures like Mr. Arvind Surange, Chairman and Managing Director of ACR Project Consultants Pvt Ltd; Dr. Lambert Kuijpers, an Environmental Consultant hailing from Venlo, Netherlands; Mr. C.P. Charles, a Central Executive Committee Member at the Indian Dairy Association; Dr. Alex Pachai, representing Global Consultancy, ApS in Denmark; Dr. Omar Abdulaziz, a Mechanical Engineer affiliated with The American University in Cairo, Egypt; and Mr. Jiju Nair, who holds the position of National Marketing Manager at Honeywell, among others.
Insights on India’s Cold Storage and Refrigeration Technology Market:
Advancements in refrigeration technology have led to energy-efficient systems, particularly beneficial in high-energy industries like chemical manufacturing. These optimized systems and eco-friendly refrigerants not only lower carbon footprints but also reduce emissions and water waste compared to traditional cooling methods like cooling water towers.
Additionally, in India, where agricultural production is vast, but access is limited, the cold chain sector plays a vital role, further driven by the growth of organized food delivery and e-commerce segments.
REFCOLD India gathers experts from the global and Indian refrigeration sectors to drive innovation and combat food waste. It highlights the importance of cold chain management,
Mr. Madhur Sehgal, Head Climate Solutions, Danfoss said, “We are bringing an exciting opportunity to all of you to have an exclusive visit to our lead Platinum Campus on 13th October 2023. This is a unique opportunity to witness the state-of-the-art campus with next-generation R & D and production facilities, an application development center, and a customer experience center showcasing the live working performance of our products in diverse industry applications. We will also be pleased to showcase the use of the latest technologies and specific actions on our campus on HVAC, Renewable Energy, Water, and waste management, leading to faster progress toward our Net Zero Emission goals. Please join us for this exclusive event on 13th October and discover how Danfoss can help you achieve your goals of clean growth and development.”
Mr. M Srinivas Reddy, Vice President, Commercial Refrigeration Business Group, Blue Star stated, “We, at Blue Star, recognise REFCOLD as the perfect platform to showcase various refrigeration solutions. We are confident that it will help us reach our target audience well and we wish REFCOLD a huge success.”
On the sidelines of the expo, Informa Markets in India launched its 4th edition of the Festivity of Business campaign for this year’s high season. As the autumn season blankets India with its diverse array of festivals, the initiative will be a vibrant tribute to India’s economic triumphs and its burgeoning global influence. This year, Informa Markets in India’s initiative encompasses a rich tapestry of over 40 events till year-end, including ten signature Expos, along with distinctive Conferences, Industry Awards, Buyer-Seller Meets, and Training programmes in influential sectors. All these are poised to elevate the nation to new heights.