EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
equipment to large industrial chillers, there
really was something for every application.
Natural refrigerant chillers were quite big,
too. While on the unitary side, R32 was still
the golden child on every stand.
There was a big focus on the Internet of
Things (IoT) and ways to make products
more intelligent without making it
more complicated to use. User-friendly
interfaces and controls were quite big,
too, as suppliers try and make their
products more accessible.
Smaller footprints and increased
energy efficiency will always be in
fashion and improved coefficients of
performance (COPs) were shown off at
stands throughout the exhibition halls.
The ‘Connecting Experts’ theme
pulled through to the stands where
this year, more and more exhibitors set
aside sizable portions of their stands for
meeting areas. A lot of business gets
done at this international show and it is
not just about displaying products, but
also clinching those deals. This year,
there was definitely more meeting
spaces than I saw last time, and less of a
TRENDS AND OBSERVATIONS
focus on product displays.
Similar to 2016, this year was all about
Chillventa boasted several products
refrigerants. With the phase-down of HFCs
specifically for retail applications, but the
in full swing in Europe, manufacturers have
entire spectrum was represented — from
spent a great deal of time and money
light commercial applications (some
on R&D to keep up with the future.
arguably domestic even), all the way
Wherever you looked, there was
through to heavy industrial.
new equipment specifically
So many product
A RECORD YEAR –
designed to run on any
launches, so many
CHILLVENTA IN NUMBERS
designation of refrigerants
exciting new ranges —
Exhibitors:
you can name (and
this is what the global
1 019
some you’ll never
industry works towards
Visitors:
remember).
every two years after all.
35 490
R290 was the real star
I cannot wait to see
Congress delegates:
of the show and CO 2 was
what Chillventa 2020 will
302
still quite big. From unitary
bring! CLA
Chatting to team Tecumseh at the cheese and wine.
Steve Gill had promised me the night
before. I finally got to meet the legend
himself: Neil Everitt, founder and editor of
Cooling Post. I am an ardent reader of the
Cooling Post newsletters and website and
they do an amazing job of keeping me
informed regarding what is happening in
the global refrigeration sphere.
What an honour to meet the man
behind it all. (And yes, of course I took a
selfie with him.)
Things were slowly winding down and
it felt as if my feet wanted to disown me.
With a last wander through Hall 4A, I made
my way back to the press lounge to say
my goodbyes and gather my things.
Cue the mission back to the hotel to
get my things, a delayed train to Frankfurt,
a flight to Amsterdam, and eventually, a
highly informative tour of the GEA factory.
The weather would change, but only in
time for me to notice that I had left my
only jacket (yet to be worn in Europe) at
the train station in Nuremberg.
But what was done, was done.
Until next time.
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
The Bitzer stand once again stood out for its sheer scale. Spot the South Africans!
WHAT WAS YOUR CHILLVENTA LIKE?
Did you attend Chillventa in 2018? What was your version like? What were your show
highlights? What did you learn? Share your experience (and your photos). I’m always
good on email – [email protected].
COLD LINK AFRICA • January/February 2019
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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