Cold Link Africa July August 2025 | Page 3

ISSN 2412-7779
Cold Link Africa Online
REGULARS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Cold Link Africa
ColdLinkAfrica
VOL. 39- NO. 4 | JULY / AUGUST 2025

CONTENTS

REGULARS
3 Editor’ s column 30 Buyer’ s guide 31 Word search
We want to showcase your projects! Get in touch: eamonn @ interactmedia. co. za
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NEWS
4 The visitors to FRIGAIR 5 SA Harvest adds new trucks to boost food rescue logistics
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FRIGAIR 2025 –“ Nothing short of world class”
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Africa’ s logistics leaders to put smart tech under the
spotlight at cold chain conference in Durban
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MRE celebrates three decades of cool
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BITZER customer evening during FRIGAIR
FEATURE
17 Beyond the surface: the unseen world of insulated panels
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BUSINESS AND TRAINING
6 Kingspan building a sustainable future through innovation and global expansion
ASSOCIATIONS
8 SAIRAC hosts engaging Meet and Greet Breakfast at FRIGAIR
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
9 ACRA student crowned champion at FRIGAIR 2025’ s inaugural Skills Development Hub
PROJECT
22 Panel World navigates complex cold storage expansion for pharmaceutical facility
CONTRIBUTORS
25 The art of the safety factor lies in balancing risk, reliability and reality in design
27 Securing the supply chain: cybersecurity as the new cold chain imperative
28 Spotting the silent threat: when insulation fails and corrosion begins
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FRIGAIR 2025: an electrifying success that left absentees regretting their missed opportunity

EDITOR’ S COLUMN

FRIGAIR 2025, South Africa ' s premier exhibition for the HVAC & R industry, has concluded, leaving an indelible mark of high energy, palpable excitement and overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Held from 4- 6 June, the show was not merely an event; it was a vibrant confluence of innovation, networking and a stark reminder of the industry ' s dynamism.
No less than 4 508 visitors passed directly through the doors, an approximately 50 % increase on the previous show’ s attendance. However, the story was not just one of numbers but quality.
The energy on the exhibition floor was undeniable from the outset. One veteran exhibitor, with two decades of experience attending such shows, remarked on the " overwhelming attendance on the first day," a direct testament to the effective marketing strategies deployed, including widespread posters and exhibitor-distributed tags. Unlike many other exhibitions, the halls buzzed with serious engagement rather than just casual brochure collectors, indicating a higher quality of visitors truly invested in the industry ' s advancements. The palpable sense of purpose and the sheer volume of high-calibre attendees created an environment where genuine connections and meaningful discussions thrived.
Indeed, many companies that had opted not to participate this year are likely regretting their absence. The consensus among exhibitors was that FRIGAIR 2025 was a crucial platform, and those who missed out undeniably lost a significant opportunity to connect, showcase and remain relevant. A number of these brands, which chose to sit out this FRIGAIR, have already decided they will return in 2028 when the show will run from 30 May to 1 June.
SOME MAJOR BRANDS MISSED THE MARK
A number of major brands within the HVAC & R
landscape chose not to exhibit at FRIGAIR 2025, and their absence was keenly felt, not by the attendees, but by the brands themselves which might have overlooked the sheer impact of direct, physical engagement in an era of rapid industry evolution. This was an opportunity to showcase leadership, particularly in the critical transition towards natural refrigerants and sustainable solutions, an area where the show particularly excelled. Missing this direct interaction meant losing out on invaluable facetime with consulting engineers, contractors and OEM manufacturers – the very people driving procurement and specification.
One global company speaking to Cold Link Africa, unequivocally declared FRIGAIR 2025 a " world-class show ". He lauded the event ' s " absolutely amazing " standards in safety, cleanliness and security. For many companies the objectives were clear: to target consulting engineers, contractors and OEM manufacturers – the three main value-addition chains in the industry. " Our objective has been achieved," he affirmed, expressing strong intentions to return to future expos. He highlighted the event ' s success in providing an ideal platform for showcasing technological advancements and fostering invaluable industry networking.
NAVIGATING THE REFRIGERANT TRANSITION
A central theme echoing through the halls and technical talks was the urgent transition from synthetic to natural refrigerants. For instance, Andre van der Merwe, MD of Evapco, underscored the immediacy of the Kigali Amendment dates for South Africa, which have finally arrived. He noted a market concern regarding the high cost of new HFO refrigerants, pushing the industry towards natural alternatives like CO 2. Evapco International ' s research and development into CO 2 systems as a natural refrigerant
option reflected broader international trends. Van der Merwe emphasised that the changes necessitated by these global protocols would significantly affect property owners and demand shifts in equipment and operational management.
Torsten Steinborn, MD of BITZER in South Africa, reiterated that solutions are readily available for refrigeration and air conditioning applications utilising various refrigerants, including HFCs, HFOs, CO 2 and ammonia. He strongly advised customers to invest in low GWP refrigerants, especially natural ones, for long-term sustainability, highlighting that BITZER is actively showcasing its capabilities in CO 2 and ammonia systems. As an Article 5 country of the Montreal Protocol, South Africa is firmly committed to the phase-out of high GWP refrigerants, making investments in natural solutions a " safe investment " for the next several decades.
SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY AND EMBRACING CHANGE
Johan Jooste, general manager of Metraclark, articulated a common sentiment among committed participants: the importance of showing up to support the industry and achieve collective goals. While acknowledging some disappointment at the absence of " larger companies, industry players that could have been here ", Metraclark ' s strategic approach was clear: to contribute positively. Jooste highlighted the industry ' s " changing " environment, driven by the shift towards natural and environmentally friendly refrigerants. Metraclark showcased solutions like a Rothenberger recovery machine for flammable refrigerants( R290 and R600a), emphasising the critical need for safe tools and comprehensive solutions beyond just products. Its strategy revolved around taking responsibility to " contribute and give back " to the industry, actively participating in initiatives like the Skills Development Hub.
For the first time, FRIGAIR 2025 proudly hosted a Skills Development Hub, a pioneering initiative that thoroughly tested six young talents in critical areas: Electrical / 3-Phase motor testing and Star / Delta wiring, Hand Tools, Refrigeration tubing, Installation pipework / electrical / pressure testing and evacuation, Commissioning – charging, pressure switch setting / superheat, and comprehensive Theory tests. This dedicated hub underscored FRIGAIR ' s commitment to addressing the industry ' s skills gap and nurturing the next generation of HVAC & R professionals. Parallel to the dynamic exhibition floor, FRIGAIR also boasted an exceptional series of 17 free-to-attend seminars. These sessions, widely praised for their " extremely high quality " and " conference quality " content, were exceptionally well-attended. They provided invaluable insights into the latest technological advancements, regulatory changes and future trends, serving as a vital educational component of the show. CLA
Eamonn

COLD LINK AFRICA • July / August 2025 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za 3