ISSN 2412-7779
REGULARS
CONTENTS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
VOL. 04 - NO. 09 | SEPTEMBER 2019
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41
REGULARS PROJECTS ASSOCIATIONS
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Editor’s column
47 Products
51
Word search 9
34
39
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
NEWS
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Trans-critical CO 2 system pushing boundaries
for Meat World
Sure Chill invests in African market and local
manufacturing
Stephen Long joins MRE team
New nitrophosphate plant for Omnia
New home for TecsaReco in the Cape
Study shows low GWP refrigerant transition underway
despite challenges
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HCFC stakeholders discuss Kigali ratification
A roadmap for South Africa’s HFC phase-down
Why should you exhibit at FRIGAIR?
Transitioning to greener refrigerants
Inaugural World Refrigeration Day a global hit
food & drink technology Africa gets thumbs-up all round
R290 in refrigeration – hot topic for SAIREC
Dreosti Memorial Lectures
HVAC&R contractors brainstorm non-payment woes
FEATURES
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We need to stop wasting food
Speed syndrome in cooling food…
EDITOR’S COLUMN
Time to take action!
I
t’s undeniably tough for the construction industry out
there. As the local economy struggles on, it’s sad to see
more and more main building contractors close their
doors. Giant empires once thought to be infallible are
crumbling, taking with them the poor sub-contractor who
can do very little but try and keep head above water.
This problem is more evident in the air-conditioning
sector than in refrigeration, but I’ve heard so many
tales of non-payment from contracting companies all
around. And it’s not just the contractors that suffer, the
consultants and suppliers are also writing off large sums
as the main contractors go into liquidation or business
rescue. Our industry as a whole is taking a massive
knock, and there seems little to be done about this
domino effect.
Bound by contracts and addendum clauses which
they cannot escape, companies are finding themselves
forced to complete projects they know they won’t get
paid for. Cash flow is suffering and sadly, some long-
trusted HVAC&R companies are forced to close their
doors as they simply cannot keep the lights on anymore
due to non-payment. It’s a dire situation and because of
the scarcity of work, many are taking huge risks to secure
jobs on terms that leave them incredibly vulnerable.
The HVAC&R contractors have had enough though –
rightfully so. Things cannot go on like this as the industry is
forced to its knees by deceitful clients, quantity surveyors,
and builders (if the shoe fits). After a desperate plea
by a member, the South African Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA) called
a meeting for members and non-members alike to try
and brainstorm a solution. It was time to stand together
COLD LINK AFRICA •
SEPTEMBER 2019
and do something before even more of our own were
forced to close down.
It was a very productive meeting with many great
suggestions and possible solutions. But this was just step
one. It isn’t just the HVAC&R industry that faces these
woes, all sub-contractors (from the plumbers to the
electricians) are in the same boat. Something must be
done and it can only be done by standing together. Step
one is getting educated and making sure you protect
yourself by not signing contract addendums that would
later come back to bite you. Read more on page 39 to
see what is happening and how the industry is planning
to tackle this situation.
Luckily, by now I’ve learnt that our industry is incredibly
resilient and will rise up again, despite any challenges.
Things are happening and we’re pushing forward, doing
incredible things even in these tough times.
There is so much happening, I can hardly keep up!
Especially in the refrigerant arena. On the brink of ratifying
the Kigali Amendment (which might have been finalised by
the time this goes to print), South Africa is pulling up its socks
and getting behind the HFC phase-down. Government
and industry are working hard to ensure we’re ready
when the time comes to comply with our international
commitment to work towards a ‘greener’, more
environmentally future. Want to know what’s happening
with the HFC phase-down? Read more on page 18.
There is also a noticeable increased focus on natural
refrigerants as is evident by the Green Cooling Solutions
RAC workshop held in Stellenbosch (page 27) and the
SAIRAC Dreosti memorial lecture on R290 equipment
(page 34).
Even our front cover project, the impressive new Meat
World processing facility boasts a world-class industrial
trans-critical CO 2 refrigeration solution. Read more on
page 9.
Time waits for no one. So, what are you waiting for?
Are you going to take action to secure your future – or
are you going to throw in the towel, defeated?
It’s time to stand together and build a stronger industry.
May the arrival of Spring bring you new hope. CLA
Ilana Koegelenberg
Editor | [email protected]
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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