Once again, Chillventa proved to be a key opportunity to understand the direction of the international market. From 13 to 15 October, the CSG–ATF stand in Hall 9 was not only a meeting point for companies, associations, technicians and international partners, but also a space to hear directly from those developing the technologies that will shape the coming years.
Centro Studi Galileo’s participation therefore went well beyond its exhibition presence. Training, technical communication, dialogue with industry and international relations were closely intertwined throughout the event.
A particularly significant moment was the forum “From F-Gas Regulation to Alternative Refrigerants: Technologies, Safety and Skills for the R-AC-HP Transition”, moderated by Marco Buoni. The discussion brought together Sonja Wagner from UNEP OzonAction, Andreina Figuera from CAREL, David Wirth from Epta, Volker Stamer from BITZER and Kyle Chester-Marsden from Fieldpiece around three key concepts that effectively summarise the current phase of the sector: technology, safety and skills.
CO₂, propane, ammonia and low-GWP refrigerants are no longer part of distant scenarios. Solutions already exist, components are available and many applications are mature. However, each refrigerant brings specific operating characteristics: high pressures, flammability, toxicity, ventilation requirements, risk assessments and the need to use suitable tools and equipment.
One of the strongest messages to emerge from the forum was that future expertise can no longer be limited to knowledge of the refrigeration circuit alone. Technicians will increasingly need to understand electronics, control systems, sensors, data analysis, digital tools and overall system logic, while at the same time maintaining a solid foundation in thermodynamics and a strong safety culture.
This is perhaps one of the most important messages to emerge in Nuremberg: the “refrigerant of the future” cannot be considered separately from the quality of the system, the skills of those who install it and the ability to maintain it under the conditions for which it was designed.
GALILEO TV: GIVING A VOICE TO THOSE DRIVING CHANGE
Chillventa also provided the opportunity for an extensive programme of interviews produced for Galileo TV by Alberto Sistri, Chief Marketing Officer of Centro Studi Galileo, and Silvia Romanò, Chief International Affairs of Centro Studi Galileo.
The objective was simple: to use the exhibition as a direct observatory on company strategies and on the technologies now entering the market.
With Paolo Dal Toso from Modine, the discussion focused on the products presented at the exhibition, the evolution of the ECO brand and sustainable technologies for refrigeration; Aleksandra Milic from TEON explored the role of high-temperature heat pumps, natural refrigerants and the decarbonisation of industrial processes; with Riccardo Midulla from GeneralGas, the focus was on the company’s evolution from its traditional role as a refrigerant supplier towards broader support throughout the entire system lifecycle, with particular attention to sustainability and efficiency.
Cristina Fasciolo and Francesco De Santis from VULKAN addressed innovation and automation, while the discussion with A-GAS focused on refrigerant recovery, new low-GWP solutions and the transformation of the market resulting from the reduction in F-Gas quotas. Andrea Voigt from Danfoss instead highlighted the contribution of sustainable cooling to heat resilience and the challenge posed by increasingly high temperatures.
With Andrea Mameli from CAREL, the discussion covered high-temperature heat pumps, thermodynamic efficiency, compressor selection, vapour recompression and refrigerant selection in the context of evolving F-Gas and PFAS regulations. Marco Lorusso from Nippon Gases also brought the association perspective of Assogastecnici, while Stefano Trabucchi from Epta presented the evolution of the Group’s offering and the solutions exhibited for the first time at Chillventa together with Hauser.
On the final day, Sergio Mozzato from WIGAM discussed the evolution of the equipment needed to support the transition towards natural refrigerants; Gilmar Pirovano from Embraco/Nidec Global Appliance presented Sync it All Pro, new solutions also dedicated to heating and air conditioning, and the evolution of the Bioma+ condensing units; Carlo Pipia from Castel presented the latest developments designed for CO₂ and low-GWP refrigerants.
The playlist, which is being continuously updated with the interviews, is available here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBd1-MVKaIiM
