REFCOLD India 2023: An Optimal Spotlight on India’s INR 4.3 Trillion Cold Chain Potential and Food Waste Solutions

Chennai, October 12^th, 2023: REFCOLD India, 2023, South Asia’s leading exhibition and conference dedicated to refrigeration and cold-chain technologies, commenced today at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai. Organised in collaboration between the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) and Informa Markets, REFCOLD India 2023 is set to redefine the industry landscape. This well-reputed event represents a significant step forward in the refrigeration and cold-chain sector, unveiling a vast potential cold-chain market of around INR 4.3 trillion by 2027.

The event’s grand inauguration was spearheaded by a rich array of dignitaries including Guest of Honour – Dr. R Velraj, Vice Chancellor, Anna University; Mr. Raja M Sriraam, Chairman, RECFOLD Chennai, ISHRAE; Mr. Yogesh Thakkar, National President, ISHRAE, Mr. Anoop Ballaney, National President Elect, ISHRAE and Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India.

The 6^th gala edition of REFCOLD India brought together top experts, businesses, and thought leaders who are driving the industry’s transformation with over 200 exhibitors, including an impressive lineup of industry giants such as BlueStar, Copeland, Rinac India, Tecumseh, Daikin, K-Flex, Yaskawa, and Danfoss, among others. The show anticipates more than 10,000 visitors, industry leaders, and professionals, for dynamic business opportunities, knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yogesh Thakkar, National President ISHRAE said, “The adoption of integrated cold chain solutions has the potential to significantly revolutionize the traditional perishables sector, bringing about substantial changes in the market landscape and overall growth. This is especially important in a country where agriculture employs 60% of the population. To harness the potential of integrated cold chain solutions, there is a need to optimise logistics, enhance value addition facilities, adopt green refrigeration practices, and adopt energy-efficient cooling systems and natural refrigerants ultimately improving efficiency across the supply chain. Similarly, the Indian organized food industry is a vast arena with significant potential. This underscores the substantial room for growth in the food delivery sector, which, when integrated with advanced refrigeration and cold chain solutions, can further enhance food quality, safety, and delivery efficiency.”

“The pandemic acted as a catalyst, propelling India’s online food delivery market to reach approximately $21 billion by 2026, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 30%”, he further added.

With the valuable support of MOFPI (Ministry of Food Processing Industries Government of India), other esteemed associations like IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration), NCCD (National Centre for Cold-chain Development), IDA (Indian Dairy Association), IIAR (International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration) and more, the event successfully bridged the gap between suppliers and buyers.

REFCOLD India offers an enriching programme of Conferences and exhibitions by technical experts of the industry focusing on Industrial Refrigeration along with Cold Chain and Reefer Transportation, Seminars and workshops on pharma, dairy, fishery and hospitality encouraging continuous learning and skill advancement. The expo covered important topics on Heat pump integrated thermal storage for dairy applications, Natural Refrigerants, Innovative Design or Technology for Net Zero Cold Storage Plants, Challenges on Dairy Processing and Storage, Safety Standards and Trouble Shooting of Refrigeration Plants, to name a few.

Commenting on the significance of REFCOLD India 2023, Mr Yogesh Mudras Managing Director, Informa Markets in India said“REFCOLD India provides a transformative journey that unlocks opportunities for fresh horizons and valuable collaborations. The expo offers a plethora of opportunities to connect with industry experts and learn about cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, the government is also taking proactive steps to boost the refrigeration and cold chain industry by establishing extensive cold storage facilities nationwide. This initiative aims to minimize food wastage, encouraging eco-friendly refrigeration practices, while simultaneously stimulating economic growth. The added attractions including our content-rich conference that aligns with the theme of ‘Preserve through Innovation for a Better Future’ will gather experts, stalwarts, and key organizations and provide the momentum the market truly deserves!”

Distinguished speakers that graced the event included notable figures like Mr. Arvind Surange, Chairman and Managing Director of ACR Project Consultants Pvt Ltd; Dr. Lambert Kuijpers, an Environmental Consultant hailing from Venlo, Netherlands; Mr. C.P. Charles, a Central Executive Committee Member at the Indian Dairy Association; Dr. Alex Pachai, representing Global Consultancy, ApS in Denmark; Dr. Omar Abdulaziz, a Mechanical Engineer affiliated with The American University in Cairo, Egypt; and Mr. Jiju Nair, who holds the position of National Marketing Manager at Honeywell, among others.