What’s on at Frigair 2025

By Eamonn Ryan

We speak to exhibitors to whet your appetite for FRIGAIR 2025.

In this exciting FRIGAIR 2025 preview, we explore a number of 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.

COOLBREEZE AIRCONDITIONING
Stuart Karovsky, general manager of Coolbreeze Airconditioning, one of the many companies exhibiting at FRIGAIR 2025, looks at the new products and technologies the company is planning to showcase at FRIGAIR 2025: “We plan on showing our latest inverter technology coolers and our evaporative cooling pad range for all makes of coolers – as well as our new line of Agri and Wet Wall type 7090 evaporative cooling pads.

“All our evaporative coolers are energy efficient and the most green and healthy way of cooling air. The inverter motors take things to a new level of extremely low power consumption. Our evaporative cooling pads are an extension of this – being a totally natural way of cooling air with no emissions or damage to our planet,” says Karovsky.

“We partner closely with Australia as all our coolers are manufactured and tested there. Australia is one of the top countries globally when it comes to quality of products produced. Our suppliers and manufacturers in Australia are continually working on improving our products while remaining true to day to-day functionality and simplicity of the product.”

FUCHS LUBRICANTS
Ashleigh Pollen, FUCHS Lubricants national industrial and specialty manager, explains that FUCHS is making significant strides in the HVAC industry with a focus on sustainability andefficiency. Here are some of the key technologies and products
FUCHS is planning:

• Circular economy initiatives: It is emphasising the use of recycled and renewable materials in their products. This approach not only reduces waste but also ensures that materials remain in circulation, aligning with their sustainability goals.
• Low-GWP refrigerants: FUCHS is transitioning to refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP), such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs). These refrigerants offer zero ozone depletion potential and very low GWP, making them a more sustainable choice.
• Predictive maintenance: By integrating IoT and AI technologies, FUCHS is enhancing the reliability and efficiency of HVAC systems. Predictive maintenance allows for early detection of potential system failures, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

These innovations mark a significant departure from their previous offerings, which were more focused on traditional HVAC technologies. The new products and technologies not only aim to improve performance but also significantly reduce environmental impact.

FUCHS integrates current market demands with the following eco-friendly solutions:

• Low-GWP refrigerants: The RENISO range includes refrigeration oils compatible with low GWP refrigerants like R1234yf and R1234ze. These refrigerants have minimal environmental impact compared to traditional options.
• Natural refrigerants: FUCHS offers oils suitable for natural refrigerants such as ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbons. These refrigerants are more sustainable and have lower environmental footprints.
• Sustainability initiatives: The RENISO products are designed to meet the stringent requirements of the European F-Gas Regulation, which aims to phase out high-GWP refrigerants. The RENISO range includes advanced synthetic lubricants that are compatible with modern HVAC systems equipped with IoT and AI technologies. These lubricants ensure optimal performance and longevity of the system.

RENISO products are designed to work seamlessly with predictive maintenance technologies, helping to identify and address potential issues before they lead to system failures. The range supports the use of low-GWP and natural refrigerants, aligning with the industry’s shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions

By integrating these advanced technologies, the RENISO range is well-prepared to meet the demands of the modern HVAC and refrigeration markets, ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and enhanced user experience.

ACROW’S PIONEERING INNOVATION IN STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Acrow, a leader in automated storage solutions, is eager to showcase the latest advancements in racking systems that are set to redefine efficiency, safety and sustainability in industries ranging from HVAC to refrigeration.

Shawn Gray, senior sales executive at Acrow, describes their participation as follows: “With Acrow’s continuous growth in the automated field of storage solutions, customers can feel comfortable that in South Africa they can rely on a company that is able to give inhouse service within 24 hours as the majority of the products are sourced locally or kept in stock. In the next year, it is Acrow’s intention to be completely independent in the manufacturing and installing of mobile racking.”

He shares as follows: “We face many challenges in South Africa and Acrow’s continuous improvement of its manufacturing facilities as well as upskilling of staff takes Acrow to a new level. By buying local, the customer supports South African industry and we believe that is the ultimate goal. The easy-access design and anti-tip features of our mobile racking systems provide innovation and prioritise worker safety and ergonomics.

“Acrow’s continuous development in innovation and technology makes us leaders in market trends and Augmented Reality (AR) applications as we can assist our clients by providing training for employees on how to use their automated racking systems effectively,” Gray adds.

He explains that having a sister company in Europe and Egypt helps Acrow grow and improve and be constantly informed with regards to the latest technology. “Exchanging of ideas and methods helps us improve in our service delivery and satisfy our customers’ needs efficiently.”

Digitalisation and the Internet of Things (IoT) are set to play a pivotal role in the future of HVAC and refrigeration, particularly as automation continues to reshape industry standards. “While traditional racking systems are largely static, the integration of IoT and digital technologies opens up numerous possibilities to enhance performance. Automated racking systems, when connected to IoT, can offer real-time data, predictive maintenance and operational insights, allowing businesses to optimise storage management. By embracing these advancements, Acrow’s solutions help clients reduce costs, increase efficiency and stay ahead of evolving industry demands, positioning them for long-term success in a rapidly changing market,” says Gray.

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.

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