Bangladesh is increasingly focusing on the development of the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) sector, an area expected to play an increasingly central role in the path of economic growth, urbanization, and improvement of environmental comfort. In this context, a technical mission took place over three operational days, aimed at strengthening professional skills, assessing training infrastructures, and institutional dialogue on the future of the sector.
The initiative, carried out with the involvement of national authorities and public and private stakeholders, was promoted by UNEP and implemented by ATF – Associazione Tecnici del Freddo, the Italian RAC association, with a program structured on three strategic axes: capacity building, technical assessment, and strategic dialogue. The goal was to support an orderly and sustainable growth of the Bangladeshi RACHP market, in line with international environmental commitments and ongoing technological evolution. For ATF, the Secretary General, Marco Buoni, one of the leading experts in the field and past president of AREA (now, International Affairs), visited the site directly.
Train-the-Trainers: Multiply the Skills
The first day was dedicated to a Train-the-Trainers session aimed at local instructors and technical experts. The program covered key topics in modern technical assistance: good maintenance practices, refrigerant recovery, leak prevention, energy efficiency optimization, and the safe management of new generation flammable refrigerants, including R290 and R600a.
Particular attention has been given to practical activities: reading pressures, interpreting operating parameters, proper use of equipment, vacuum procedures, charging and recovering refrigerant, performance monitoring, and preventive maintenance. This approach is consistent with the evolution of the sector, which requires increasingly advanced operational skills in addition to mere theoretical preparation.
Visit to Training Centers: Strengths and Weaknesses
The second phase involved visiting four training centers, aimed at analyzing available resources, teaching methodologies, and the degree of alignment with international best practices.
The emerging picture highlights a promising foundation: motivated personnel, active structures, and the availability of essential tools. Alongside these positive elements, however, several relevant areas for improvement have been identified. Among these are the limited presence of advanced equipment for modern refrigerants, a reduced emphasis on diagnostic capabilities based on pressure and temperature measurements, and the absence, in several cases, of structured procedures for evaluating system performance.
These are crucial aspects. Without adequate tools and the ability to interpret operational data, the technician cannot make correct decisions regarding energy management or safety.
Stakeholder Table: Towards a National Strategy
The third day concluded with a high-level consultation workshop that brought together government representatives, the National Ozone Unit, TVET centers, educational institutions, industry operators, distributors, trainers, and sector professionals.
The comparison focused on skill needs, the improvement of the educational system, regulatory tools, and alignment with the objectives of the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment. Among the central themes, the proposal emerged to develop a national certification system for RACHP technicians, extended to all types of refrigerants, including flammable ones.
A similar framework would allow for the definition of minimum competency levels, raise security standards, improve service quality, and support the gradual reduction of high GWP refrigerants. All of this would be done with a gradual and inclusive approach, which is particularly important in a country where the informal sector still holds significant weight.
A Growing Market Requiring Structure
The demand for cooling in Bangladesh is rapidly expanding, driven by urban growth, industrialization, and increasing needs related to the cold chain. At the same time, the spread of alternative refrigerants and new technologies is growing, necessitating more advanced technical skills.
The challenge, therefore, is not only technological but systemic: it requires coordination among the actors in the supply chain, investments in educational infrastructures, programs based on real competencies, monitoring tools, and greater awareness of the economic value of skilled work.
Bangladesh has a solid foundation to build on: a willingness to progress, engaged stakeholders, and increasing institutional attention. With a clear strategic direction, the country can make a significant leap towards a modern, safe, and sustainable RACHP sector, based not only on technology but also on the skills of the people.