www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I August 2025 1
RACA Journal: ISSN 1812-772X
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RACA Journal Publication www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za eamonn @ interactmedia. co. za FRIGAIR 2025 SEES 50 % SURGE IN VISITORS
It is a month since FRIGAIR 2025, South Africa ' s premier HVAC & R exhibition, and now that the dust has settled it is possible to give greater insight into its success.
FRIGAIR 2025 left an indelible imprint of exhilarating energy, undeniable excitement and resounding positive feedback. This wasn ' t merely an event; it was a dynamic confluence of groundbreaking innovation, invaluable industry networking and a stark, compelling reminder of the sector ' s vibrant dynamism.
The statistics speak volumes: an astounding 4 508 visitors streamed through the main doors, marking an approximate 50 % surge in attendance compared to the previous show. Yet, the story transcended mere numbers; it was fundamentally about quality. From the very outset, the exhibition floor vibrated with an electric atmosphere. One seasoned exhibitor, boasting two decades of industry show experience, marvelled at the " overwhelming attendance on the first day ", a direct reflection of exhibitors’ highly effective marketing strategies, including widespread posters and organisers’ advertising and promotion. Unlike many other exhibitions, FRIGAIR ' s halls resonated with serious, purpose-driven engagement, a stark contrast to casual brochure collecting. This indicated an exceptionally high calibre of visitors truly invested in the industry ' s advancements. The palpable sense of collective purpose and the sheer volume of high-quality attendees fostered an environment where genuine connections flourished and meaningful discussions thrived.
Indeed, a strong sentiment permeated the show: many companies that chose to sit out this year are undoubtedly now grappling with a profound sense of missed opportunity. The resounding consensus among participating exhibitors was clear – FRIGAIR 2025 presented an absolutely crucial platform. Those absent undeniably forfeited a significant chance to connect, powerfully showcase their offerings and maintain their vital relevance within a rapidly evolving landscape. Tellingly, several of these brands, which opted out of FRIGAIR this year, have already made firm commitments to return in 2028, when the show will next run from 30 May to 1 June.
An array of major brands within the HVAC & R landscape chose not to participate at FRIGAIR 2025. Their absence was profoundly felt – not by the buzzing attendees, but by the brands themselves. They may have inadvertently overlooked the sheer, undeniable impact of direct, physical engagement in this era of rapid industrial evolution. This was a prime opportunity to assert leadership, especially within the critical, accelerating transition towards natural refrigerants and truly sustainable solutions, an area where the show particularly shone. Missing this direct interaction meant bypassing invaluable facetime across the market.
Speaking to RACA Journal, a representative from one global company unequivocally declared FRIGAIR 2025 a " world-class show ". He lauded the event ' s " absolutely amazing " standards for safety, cleanliness
and security. For many participating companies, their objectives were crystal clear: to specifically target consulting engineers, contractors, and OEM manufacturers – the pivotal three main value-addition chains in the industry. " Our objective has been achieved," he affirmed with satisfaction, expressing robust intentions to return to future expos. He underscored the event ' s unparalleled success in providing an ideal platform for both showcasing cutting-edge technological advancements and fostering invaluable industry networking.
A central, urgent theme reverberating throughout the halls and comprehensive technical talks was the accelerating transition from synthetic to natural refrigerants. Andre van der Merwe, MD of Evapco, powerfully underscored the immediacy of the Kigali Amendment dates for South Africa, which have now definitively arrived.
Torsten Steinborn, MD of BITZER in South Africa, reiterated a reassuring message: viable solutions are already readily available for refrigeration and air conditioning applications utilising a diverse range of refrigerants, including HFCs, HFOs, CO2, and ammonia. He strongly advocated for customers to strategically invest in low GWP refrigerants, especially natural ones, for superior long-term sustainability.
Johan Jooste, general manager of Metraclark, articulated a common, powerful sentiment shared by committed participants: the absolute importance of active presence to bolster the industry and achieve collective goals. He acknowledged a degree of disappointment at the absence of some " larger companies, industry players that could have been here ".
FRIGAIR 2025 proudly hosted its ground-breaking inaugural Skills Development Hub. This dedicated hub powerfully underscored FRIGAIR ' s unwavering commitment to decisively addressing the industry ' s skills gap and vigorously nurturing the next generation of HVAC & R professionals.
Running parallel to the dynamic exhibition floor, FRIGAIR also unveiled an exceptional series of 17 free-to-attend seminars. These sessions, universally lauded for their " extremely high quality " and " conference quality " content, drew exceptionally large and engaged audiences. They provided invaluable, cutting-edge insights into the latest technological advancements, key regulatory changes and crucial future trends, serving as an indispensable educational cornerstone of the entire show.
FRIGAIR 2025 proved to be far more than a mere exhibition; it was an electrifying demonstration of an industry in vigorous transformation, poised confidently to embrace the future. RACA
Eamonn
www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I August 2025 1