As the buzz grows and exhibition stands are quickly filling, there’s no better time to get involved!
Be part of one of SAIRAC’s flagship events—the FRIGAIR expo, Africa’s largest dedicated HERVAC trade exhibition, happening from 4-6 June 2025 at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand.
Since its inception in 1980, FRIGAIR has been the go-to platform for industry professionals to connect, learn and grow. This year promises even more energy, innovation and expansion for the HERVAC sector. Join us to discover supplier stands featuring the latest products and seize these valuable opportunities:
- SAIRAC workshops (free)
- SAIRAC training seminars (free)
- A first-ever FRIGAIR Skills Development Hub where skilled artisans can test and hone their skills
Stay tuned for more details on SAIRAC’s upcoming workshops and seminars as they are revealed—don’t miss out! Reserve your spot today and be part of the most anticipated event in the industry.
Another highlight of FRIGAIR 2025 will be the FRIGAIR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT HUB, where six contestants will compete head- to-head in the following challenges:
- Electrical – three-phase motor test and star/delta wiring
- Hand tools
- Refrigeration tubing – bending, flaring, swaging and compression joints
- Installation – pipework, electrical, pressure testing and evacuation
- Commissioning – charging, evacuation, superheat, including recovery
Visitors will have the opportunity to witness these competitors in action. As they work with hazardous gases and brazing equipment, the workstations will be carefully arranged to ensure safety and prevent any harm to onlookers.
Organiser Rory Macnamara is seeking volunteer judges with extensive experience in these tasks, and our thanks to Metraclark, Rothenberger, Maksal, A-Gas and Dromex for their generous contribution of equipment, gas, tools, safety gloves and glasses. Training centres are still welcome to submit contestant names. For more information or to get involved, please reach out to Rory Macnamara on 079 436 1829 for further details.
Exciting workshops and seminars coming your way
The final details for the SAIRAC workshops and seminars are almost locked in—so don’t miss out on your chance to be part of the action. Reserve your spot today and get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with top-tier insights and industry-leading speakers.
Workshops organiser, Grant Laidlaw, has substantially increased the number of sessions, which will be finalised over the coming months. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store so far:
| Wednesday, 4 June 2025 – Energy / Engineering | |||
| Day 1 will cover topics around energy and engineering
While refrigeration technology has brought numerous benefits, it also has environmental implications that cannot be overlooked.The production and use of refrigerants, the energy consumption of cooling systems and the disposal of refrigeration equipment all contribute to environmental challenges. Refrigerant emissions: Many traditional refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), have been found to deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. Although these substances are being phased out under international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, their replacements, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), still have a high global warming potential (GWP). As a result, there is ongoing research into developing more environmentally friendly refrigerants with lower GWP, such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and natural refrigerants like ammonia and carbon dioxide. Energy consumption: Refrigeration systems are energy-intensive, and their widespread use contributes significantly to global energy consumption. The energy required to power refrigeration systems often comes from fossil fuels, leading to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate change. Improving the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems is a critical focus area for reducing their environmental impact. Innovations such as variable-speed compressors, advanced insulation materials and smart thermostats are helping to make refrigeration systems more energy-efficient. Refrigeration engineering focuses on the design, installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of cooling systems. It involves a combination of mechanical engineering principles, thermodynamics and heat transfer to create efficient and reliable refrigeration systems. |
|||
| Time: | Topic: | Description: | Speaker name and bio: |
| 10h00 – 10h45 | Global Warming Routes
How To Enhance Efficiency In Hydronic Systems Granting Long Working Life Of this Equipment |
Global Warming is recognised today as one of the main issues that all governments of the world must be accountable for. To reduce CO2 emissions in our sectors means first producing units that are extremely efficient and reducing input energy for the same amount of cooling or heating energy, and second to produce units for cooling and heating with refrigerant that has low Global Warming Potential.
Today the main manufacturers of HVAC units have available many options of very efficient new units but in many cases if such units are not installed in a proper system with a correct design we do not benefit from their efficiency and performances, with the risk to generate bad feeling and bad reference of these new technologies that potentially will reduce market opportunities. Today we would like to provide some fundamental guidelines on how to design a very efficient system granting long life of the HVAC machines. |
Luigi Rossettini is a member of the AICARR association and a Director of Aermec Italy. Luigi has been a member of AICARR since 1999. Although the organisation was founded in 1960, AiCARR has always dealt with issues relating to the responsible use of energy and natural resources and the innovation of energy infrastructures, both in residential and industrial buildings. Luigi is currently A director of Aermec Middle East LLC. |
| 10h45 – 11h30 | Energy efficiency in insulated structures | The subject of this talk will focus on energy efficiency in insulated structures (i.e: cold stores, etc) and modelling the performance of the insulation with increasing ambient temperatures (Climate Change) | Robert Fox – Costing Estimator – Club Refrigeration. Robert Fox is the current President of the South African Institute of Refrigeration and Airconditioning (Since 2022). He is also a costing estimator with Club Refrigeration, He has been in this position since 1994 with the responsibility of designing Cold Stores and Refrigeration Systems, Air Handling Units. |
| 11h30 – 12h15 | Thermal fluid systems | Jannie Potgieter – Jannie currently works at Thermologika as a consulting engineer. | |
| 12h15 – 13h00 | Cooling as a Service (case studies and success stories) |
|
Dawie Kriel – General Manager of Energy Partners Refrigeration.
Dawie has Postgraduate qualifications in thermodynamics, air-conditioning and refrigeration with concentrated experience over the last 30 years in industrial refrigeration, drying systems, pack house, cold room and cold chain system design. In addition to the technical responsibility for all mechanical services from plumbing to rational design, Dawie has been appointed overall professional team leader for several multi- disciplinary projects in the food and beverage sector. Started and successfully ran MGC Industrial projects from 2004 until 2011 when it was sold to Energy Partners. Since joining EP, I was responsible to build the Refrigeration contracting business through acquisitions and internal growth over a period of three years. Now one of the biggest refrigeration contractors in South Africa, EP Refrigeration is a world leader in outsourced cooling (CaaS) which we have developed over the last 10 years with a growing portfolio of $20 million in 2023. Dawie currently leads the refrigeration business as general manager reporting to the EP group CEO. |
| 13h00 – 13h45 | Improvement of ammonia refrigeration systems | With the rapid increase in global energy costs and the pressure to reduce carbon emissions, designers are constantly seeking new ways to improve the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems. Traditional two-stage ammonia systems already provide excellent efficiency in low-temperature applications, but this could be improved if ambient heat sinks are utilized.
The high discharge temperatures of ammonia booster compressors provide an opportunity to reject heat directly to the atmosphere. This reduces the induced load on the high-stage compressor and results in lower system power consumption. After reviewing different methods to achieve low-stage de-superheating, it was found that the use of simple evaporative condenser technology may hold the key to cost-effective improvements. This presentation deals with the potential reduction in peak power that could be achieved by introducing a low-stage de-superheating circuit into the refrigeration system design, combined with a high- pressure liquid sub-cooler. Results from a test site are included to review the performance of the evaporative condenser in a de-superheating application. |
Hannes Steyn – Senior Director Divisional Representative HRT Region WEMEA | Southern & Eastern Africa – GEA. Hannes Steyn studied Mechanical Engineering at Stellenbosch University and project management at the University of Cape Town. He registered with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer in 1999 and has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry. He is an active member of the South African Institute for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC) and received the SAIRAC special meritorious service award in 2020. He is also a member of the International Institute of All Natural Refrigerants.
Hannes has a keen interest in Heat Pumps as well as energy optimisation and recovery in Industrial Refrigeration Systems. |
| 13h45 – 14h30 | Design of data centres for optimal energy efficiency. | The latest development in digitalisation has resulted in the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in almost everything including web searches, apps and streaming services.
The use of this technology has resulted in more computing power which in turn has resulted in the higher cooling requirements. To fill the void, liquid cooling has been implemented within the data centre space to accommodate the development of Artificial Intelligence. But how does liquid cooling technology work? What design parameters makes this technology viable and where does 1 begin with the specification of operating fluid working temperatures? Join us for this technical talk where we will answer all these questions
|
Michael Young, Application Engineer – Thermal Management, Vertiv.
Michael Young qualified as a Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) in 2013 and has many years of experience in the design and implementation of cooling systems within the comfort cooling and data center space. He is a contributor for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Africa Journal and has a passion for helping candidates grow within the HVAC industry through his training courses as well as helping them become Professionally registered with The Engineering Council of South Africa. |
| Thursday 5 June 2025 – Updated legislation, new occupations and trade testing | ||
| Day 2 discusses changes to the legislation as well as new occupations and trade testing within the HVACR environment. | ||
| Topic: | Speaker name and bio: | |
| Matters around authorised refrigeration practitioners in South Africa | Virginia Mtshali – SAQCC Gas
David Botha South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA) |
|
| South Africa’s progress and obligations with regard to the phase out and phase down of global warming substances and the impact on industry: The Hydrofluorocarbons Phase-Out Management Plan (HPMP) and the phase down of HFC’s including the 2025 HFC freeze. | Margaret Molefi – National Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and the National Ozone Unit. | |
| The newly implemented national Refrigeration Occupational Qualifications; Refrigeration Mechanic with three contexts; ammonia, fluorinated and hydrocarbon refrigerants and carbon dioxide. The new airconditioning and refrigeration qualification. apprenticeships, part qualifications and skills programmes will be additional focus areas. | Grant Laidlaw – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Academy (ACRA) | |
| National Trade test. Phase out of legacy trades – new trade test against occupations; the new External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA). Applying for and what to expect. | Gordon Banks – vice president SAIRAC | |
| Reimagining insurance – mitigating the risk in the cold chain | Samuel Jacobs – executive head: business development
– Energy Partners. Jacobs has a BA (Hons) Business Management with specific focus on energy infrastructure and development finance. National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering with concentrated experience in cold chain system application, project costing and management. Jacobs is directly responsible for creating long term value for the organisation through developing innovative technologies, leveraging client relationships, and strategies to respond to market demands. |
|
| Friday 6 June 2025 – Innovation and refrigerant trends | ||
| International speakers – Innovation and refrigerant trends
Alongside the advancements in refrigerant technologies, the refrigeration and HVAC industry has witnessed a wave of innovative system designs that further enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. One such innovation is the emergence of high-performance compressors that deliver exceptional cooling and heating capacity while consuming less energy. These compressors, often paired with advanced control algorithms, optimise system performance and reduce the overall carbon footprint of refrigeration systems. Additionally, the use of advanced insulation materials has significantly improved the thermal efficiency of refrigeration equipment, minimising heat transfer and reducing the energy required for temperature maintenance. Intelligent control systems, enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning, have further elevated the operational efficiency of refrigeration systems, allowing for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and dynamic energy optimisation. |
||
| Time: | Topic: | Speaker name and bio: |
| 10h00 – 10h45 | Refrigerant usage in South Africa | Michel Loubsher – A-Gas |
| 10h45 – 11h30 | Refrigerant trends and innovations from a BITZER perspective (TBC) | Tobias Fuhrer – head of Center of Expertise: commercial refrigeration |
Stay tuned for more updates in the April/May issue of Cold Link Africa or the April issue of RACA Journal. This is one event you don’t want to miss—mark your calendars and be part of the future of HVAC&R!
We speak to exhibitors to whet your appetite for FRIGAIR 2025
In this FRIGAIR 2025 preview, we explore several exhibiting companies’ plans for the upcoming exhibition and highlight how their continuous growth and innovation work hand-in-hand with their participation in an exhibition which is reshaping the HVAC&R landscape in South Africa and beyond.
Supplied by Daikin
Discover Daikin SA at FRIGAIR: your partner in holistic HVAC solutions
From 4-6 June, the HVAC world will converge at FRIGAIR, the continent’s premier exhibition for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Daikin South Africa is thrilled to announce its participation in this landmark event, bringing innovation and engineering excellence to the forefront.
For years, Daikin has been synonymous with quality in climate control systems. Yet, not everyone fully appreciates the extensive range of solutions we provide. At FRIGAIR, we aim to change that by unveiling some of our lesser-known yet groundbreaking products, alongside our flagship HVAC technologies. Prepare to be inspired by the ingenuity that makes Daikin a trusted name worldwide.
Showcasing the future of AHUs
A highlight of our stand this year will be Daikin’s versatile Air Handling Units (AHUs), celebrated for their customisable and pre-configured designs. These unique display units with clear view panels offer a glimpse into the complex mechanics and innovative structures behind their efficiency and performance. Whether you’re tackling small-scale projects or addressing the demands of large commercial spaces, our AHUs can be tailored to meet a variety of needs.
Key features of Daikin AHUs:
- DX configuration compatible with VRV outdoor combinations, offering options with refrigerants R410A or the more eco-friendly R32 Daikin factory built hybrid solutions for plug n play installation
- Chilled water-coil configurations for adaptable cooling solutions
- EUROVENT certified
- Energy-efficient heat recovery/reclaim options to minimize capital expenditure as well as operational costs
- A fully customisable platform that allows clients to address the unique demands of their projects
This display will captivate HVAC professionals, providing an in- depth understanding of how Daikin’s AHUs combine engineering excellence with adaptability.
Supplied by Daikin
A live experience with Monoblock
LMSEY Refrigeration Unit Innovation meets convenience with our compact and powerful Monoblock LMSEY Refrigeration Unit. Visitors to our stand will witness this smaller refrigeration marvel in action. By showcasing the unit’s live operation, Daikin allows attendees to.
Monoblock LMSEY features:
- Inverter-controlled performance, ensuring optimal energy efficiency
- Plug-and-play design, making installation straightforward and hassle-free
- Utilisation of a natural refrigerant (R290), emphasising our commitment to environmentally friendly solutions
- Single circuit models offering up to 1.55kW MT, or dual-circuit options reaching up to 2.58kW MT
For businesses seeking compact refrigeration solutions that do not compromise on performance, the Monoblock LMSEY is a game-changer.
Revolutionising efficiency with R32 Inverter Chillers
Another standout product on display will be our R32 Fully Inverter Chiller Range. In line with Daikin’s commitment to sustainable technologies, these chillers use cutting-edge refrigerants and boast impressive flexibility to suit diverse applications.
Supplied by Daikin
R32 Fully Inverter Chiller Range highlights:
- Available in air-cooled and water-cooled options
- Available in cooling-only or heat-pump models, providing dual versatility
- Pump/hydronic modules included for seamless integration
- Capacity ranges from 16kW to 90kW, catering to both medium and large-scale needs
- Certain models offer single and double circuit options, ensuring tailored performance
- Our new heat pump version employs R454C refrigerant with an exceptionally low global warming potential (GWP = 145.5), delivering up to 70kW of sustainable heating
These chillers exemplify Daikin’s leadership in merging high efficiency with environmental responsibility, a critical priority for modern HVAC projects.
Each of these products represents Daikin’s commitment to delivering dependable and innovative HVAC solutions across different sectors.
Why visit Daikin South Africa at FRIGAIR?
FRIGAIR 2025 is your opportunity to engage with Daikin experts, experience cutting-edge HVAC technologies, and discover how our solutions can meet your unique project demands.
Whether you’re exploring custom air-handling systems, efficient refrigeration units, or advanced chiller options, our exhibition stand will showcase the breadth of possibilities with Daikin.
Supplied by Daikin
Evacuating refrigeration systems without time-consuming monitoring
Testo relies on automation. With the new testo 565i vacuum pump.
Testo launches a new innovative product, the testo 565i vacuum pump, which enables fully automatic evacuation of refrigeration systems and heat pumps. This automated system is designed to save customers a lot of time and offer them greater flexibility in their daily work.
Evacuations are an important part of the commissioning and maintenance of refrigeration systems and heat pumps. They ensure the efficient performance and longevity of a system by removing unwanted foreign gases and moisture. However, this process can take several hours, especially in the case of larger systems. A vacuum holding test is carried out after evacuation to draw conclusions about the system tightness. All in all, this is a time-consuming process.
For this reason, Testo is focusing on automation with its new vacuum pump. When the required vacuum target values are reached, the testo 565i stops evacuation automatically and then starts the vacuum holding test. After a one-off configuration, the evacuation process runs entirely on its own allowing the technician to start filling the system immediately in the next step and view all the data collected on system tightness. Testo’s aim with this innovation is to save its customers a lot of time while maximising efficiency.
Wireless connectivity and remote control via smartphone
Efficiency and flexibility are essential in times of skills shortages. Testo relies on this, too. Workflows are optimised through end-to-end connectivity between the devices. This means that evacuations can also be monitored remotely.
For most people, the smartphone is not only a constant companion, but also a tool to control more and more technical devices. The testo Smart App allows the entire evacuation process to be controlled by smartphone and all the collected data to be saved or sent as a measurement report. This ensures maximum flexibility and ease of use for the customers.
Increasingly important: compatibility with flammable refrigerants
The growing demand for climate-neutral solutions means that flammable refrigerants are becoming increasingly important and being used more and more often. To be prepared for modern refrigeration systems and heat pumps, Testo guarantees that its new vacuum pump can be used safely even with flammable class A3 and A2L refrigerants.
Reliability and convenience
Testo also places emphasis on safety with its integrated non- return valve; this prevents vacuum loss even in the event of power interruptions thereby guaranteeing a high level of reliability.
To ensure that vacuum pumps work smoothly, oil must be topped up regularly and the oil level checked. To save time in this area too, a large sight glass allows the oil level to be assessed quickly and the oil to be added and removed easily.
Staycold’s theme for FRIGAIR 2025, ‘See the future of refrigeration and forward-thinking technology’, will be demonstrated through its sleek new product range. Supplied by Staycold
Staycold International to showcase cutting-edge refrigeration technology at FRIGAIR 2025
Staycold International is set to make waves at FRIGAIR 2025 with a high-impact display showcasing its latest energy-efficient freezers in action. Visitors can expect a visually compelling, data- driven comparison demonstrating how Staycold’s hydrocarbon models outperform traditional HFC refrigerant units, reducing operational costs while minimising environmental impact.
This dynamic exhibit will highlight the superior energy savings of Staycold’s innovations while reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability and cost-effective refrigeration solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the future of commercial refrigeration—live and in action.
At FRIGAIR 2025, Staycold International will unveil its latest product developments, including an all-new Hydrocarbon Freezer range, designed for superior cooling performance with significantly enhanced energy efficiency.
Another key highlight will be its advanced telemetry solution, developed in collaboration with technical partner Digital Twin. This system enables real-time monitoring and updates from thousands of refrigeration units across South Africa, optimising performance and reducing downtime.
The company’s theme for FRIGAIR 2025, ‘See the future of refrigeration and forward-thinking technology’, will be demonstrated through its sleek new product range. Staycold remains committed to addressing industry challenges through sustainable, energy-efficient and technologically advanced solutions. The Hydrocarbon Freezer range aligns with the global shift towards eco-friendly refrigerants, helping businesses reduce their environmental impact while maintaining exceptional reliability. These refrigeration solutions provide measurable energy savings, supporting businesses in lowering their total cost of ownership. In addition, the telemetry solution, developed with Digital Twin, offers real-time data analytics, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance. These features enable businesses to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and prevent downtime, aligning with the industry’s focus on automation and smart refrigeration management.
Staycold International’s product innovations reflect the refrigeration industry’s drive towards sustainability and digital transformation. The Hydrocarbon Freezer range reinforces the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible cooling solutions, allowing businesses to transition to low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants without compromising performance. Meanwhile, its ‘CoolIT’ telemetry system automates refrigeration management through real-time monitoring, remote diagnostics, and data-driven performance optimisation, supporting the industry’s move towards intelligent, energy- efficient operations.
The company’s commitment to innovation is further strengthened through strategic partnerships and collaborations. Additionally, Staycold is actively working with industry experts (RE/Gent in The Netherlands), sustainability organisations (KUDOS ESG Accreditation), and globally recognised equipment and component manufacturers to enhance its product range and optimise energy efficiency. Through partnerships with ISO, SGS and SABS, the company ensures compliance with global safety, quality, energy efficiency and performance standards.
Testo 565i. Supplied by Testo
By integrating IoT technology, Staycold empowers businesses to optimise energy consumption, reduce operational costs, and proactively address maintenance needs, ensuring minimal downtime. As the industry continues to embrace greater connectivity and automation, Staycold remains committed to developing cutting-edge, digitally integrated refrigeration solutions.
Who’s at FRIGAIR 2025 so farThe list of exhibitors keeps growing by the day, and here’s who’s already on board. Don’t miss out on the chance to connect with these industry leaders – the clock is ticking! |
Hall 5 & 6
|
|
Speak to the teamSales manager: sales@interactmedia.co.za Editorial: eamonn@interactmedia.co.za Marketing: marketing@specialised.com Websites: www.frigairexpo.co.za | www.sairac.co.za |
The FRIGAIR exhibition is owned by the South African Institute for Refrigeration and Airconditioning (SAIRAC) and managed through organisers Interact Media Defined and Specialised Exhibitions – a division of the Montgomery Group.
Register for free to gain access the digital library for RACA Journal publications
