REFCON27: Shape the future of refrigeration

The 2027 conference will focus on the theme “Road to 2035: Shaping the Future of Refrigeration”.

Head of Conferences, Events and Business Development at AIRAH, Marie Karekla, says the conference will explore the technologies, skills, challenges and opportunities that will shape the next decade of refrigeration.

“REFCON27 is a chance to share your knowledge with a national audience,” says Karekla. “It also allows people across the industry to connect and showcase their expertise.”

Topics include:

• Heat pumps: building heating, high temperature for industrial processes 
• Global trends: Transition to low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants, urbanisation and demand for cooling, energy efficiency and sustainable cooling solutions 
• Data centres: Addressing the evolving cooling requirements driven by increasing power densities and server loads in data centers 
• Technological Innovation: Alternative refrigerants, energy-efficient systems, and smart cooling solutions
• Net zero strategies: Addressing the environmental impact of refrigeration and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimising waste, and promoting circular economy principles 
• Regulatory landscape: Legislation/standards/engineering register/licensing – developments in Australia and internationally 
• Skills and training 
• Sustainable practices: Best practices and case studies on sustainable refrigeration design, operation, and maintenance 
• Flammable refrigerants: Risk management and design 
• Adaptation and resilience: Strategies for adapting to changing environmental conditions, market demands, and consumer preferences in the refrigeration sector
• Retrofits: Identifying legal, technical and design constraints associated with existing refrigeration systems using legacy refrigerants, and exploring practical pathways for remediation, optimisation and transition
• Future trends: Digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

Refrigeration professionals, engineers, researchers, educators, manufacturers, consultants and industry leaders are encouraged to contribute their ideas.

More information on REFCON27 is available at the website, and abstracts can be submitted here until October 16, 2026.

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