The XXI European Conference on the Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, held at Politecnico di Milano on 12–13 June 2025, served as a pivotal forum for assessing the present and future of the HVACR sector. Organized by Centro Studi Galileo and UNEP, IIR, AREA, ATF and REI, under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Environment, the event brought together international institutions, industry leaders, policymakers, and academics to address the sector’s major challenges and pathways toward a more sustainable, energy-efficient future.
Throughout five thematic sessions, the conference examined the full spectrum of transformations impacting refrigeration and air conditioning: from refrigerant transition and energy performance to digitalisation, gender inclusion, policy updates and cold chain resilience. The shift toward low-GWP refrigerants—natural and synthetic—was at the heart of many technical discussions. The European F-Gas Regulation (EU 2024/573) and Kigali Amendment targets are accelerating the move away from high-GWP solutions, and manufacturers are increasingly embracing hydrocarbons, CO₂ and ammonia in both stationary and mobile systems. In parallel, technical updates covered innovations in components, compressors, and system design to optimise efficiency and ensure safety with flammable alternatives.
Equally central was the role of ecodesign and the integration of renewable energy with next-generation heat pumps. The European Green Deal is pushing for new minimum energy performance standards and lifecycle-based regulations, which are now reshaping manufacturing strategies across the continent. In this context, district cooling, geothermal applications, thermal storage, and decentralised micro-heat pumps were discussed as scalable tools for cities and buildings aiming to meet climate targets.
On the policy front, the EU’s updated F-Gas framework was a dominant theme. Experts analysed new requirements around technician certification, product bans, PFAS restrictions, and quota mechanisms. The need for rapid and inclusive upskilling was strongly emphasised, with AREA and national bodies working to ensure compliance through updated training schemes, certification programmes, and mutual recognition systems.
In addition to the technical and regulatory focus, the conference also addressed the social dimension of the energy transition. A special session was dedicated to gender inclusion, highlighting the persistent underrepresentation of women in the sector and presenting global case studies on successful gender mainstreaming. The “Women in Cooling Video Competition” recognised outstanding contributions from professionals across Europe, reinforcing the importance of visibility and role models in shaping a diverse workforce.
Digitalisation and artificial intelligence also emerged as game changers. The integration of digital twins, predictive maintenance tools and Explainable AI (XAI) were presented as practical innovations offering immediate benefits: reduced energy use, enhanced fault detection and better long-term system performance. These technologies are already being applied in industrial, transport and commercial refrigeration, supporting both cost efficiency and climate objectives.
Finally, the cold chain—especially in the context of food security and international development—received renewed attention. Case studies from Africa and Europe showed how strategic investments, solar refrigeration and CO₂-based systems can strengthen supply chains, reduce emissions, and deliver socioeconomic impact.
The conclusions of the conference will be publicly presented at Refrigera 2025, reaffirming the central role of international dialogue, regulation, and innovation in ensuring that HVACR technologies contribute concretely to global sustainability goals.