The 2025 Conference on Low-Emission Refrigeration and Refrigerant Substitution Held Successfully in Foshan, Guangdong

The conference focused on two major themes: “Refrigerant Substitution” and “Energy-Saving and Carbon Reduction”. It brought together over 200 experts, scholars, and industry representatives from national and local authorities, domestic and international industry organizations and professional bodies, the Working Group on Refrigerant Substitution of the Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR), the UNEP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) on Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pumps, as well as relevant universities, research institutes, and enterprises from China and abroad. In-depth discussions and exchanges enabled participants to jointly explore an independent pathway for China’s refrigeration industry development and refrigerant substitution that aligns with national conditions, while promoting innovation-driven strategies in the sector. 

 

The conference was hosted by the Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR) and Sun Yat-sen University, organized by CAR’s Working Group on Low-Emission Refrigeration and Refrigerant Substitution, and co-organized by Midea Group, the Guangdong Provincial Association of Refrigeration, and the editorial office of the Journal of Refrigeration. It received strong support from Daikin (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Danfoss (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Midea Building Technologies, Honeywell (China) Co., Ltd., Chemours Chemical (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Jingyi New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. 

 

During the conference, one themed forum, one international forum, and six sub-forums were held, alongside the 2025 Annual Working Meeting of CAR’s Working Group on Low-Emission Refrigeration and Refrigerant Substitution. 

 

 

Opening Ceremony 

Mr. Dong Wenfu, Director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and Prof. Jiang Yi, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Association of Refrigeration, and Professor at Tsinghua University, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. The ceremony was chaired by Mr. Wang Congfei, Deputy Secretary-General of CAR and Senior Engineer. 

 

Themed Forum 

The themed forum featured presentations by: 

• Mr. Shang Shuwen, Deputy Director of Division One (Treaty Implementation), Foreign Economic Cooperation Office, Ministry of Ecology and Environment 
• Associate Prof. Omar Abdelaziz, Chair of the UNEP TEAP on Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pumps, The American University in Cairo 
• Associate Prof. Wang Baolong, Chair of CAR’s Working Group on Low-Emission Refrigeration and Refrigerant Substitution, Tsinghua University 
• Researcher Cheng Jianhong, China National Institute of Standardization 
• Senior Engineer (Professor Level) Li Jinbo, Director of the Heat Technology Research Institute, Household Air-Conditioning Division, Midea Group 

 

The reports were titled: 

1. Implementation of the National Montreal Protocol Programme and Its Impact on the Refrigeration Industry 
2. International Trends and Policies in Refrigerant Substitution and Emission Reduction in the Refrigeration Industry 
3. Technical Pathways to Achieving Zero-Carbon Refrigeration 
4. Enhancement and Trends in Energy-Saving Standards for Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning 
5. Kigali Amendment Compliance Technical Execution Pathway: Industrialization and Global Practice of Refrigerant Substitution in Midea Household Air-Conditioning 

The forum was chaired by Associate Prof. Wang Baolong and Prof. Cao Feng, Member of the UNEP TEAP on RACHP, Xi’an Jiaotong University. 

International Forum 

Speakers at the international forum included: 

• Mr. Zhou Yunrui, Industrial Development Officer, United Nations Industrial Development Organization 
• Ms. Yosr Allouche, Secretary-General of the International Institute of Refrigeration and Member of the UNEP TEAP on RACHP 
• Ms. Andrea Voigt, Vice President of Global Public Affairs, Sustainability and Communications, Danfoss, and Member of the UNEP TEAP on RACHP 
• Mr. Tetsuji Okada, Secretary-General of the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association and Member of the UNEP TEAP on RACHP 
• Dr. Tian Jian, R&D Director, Haier Future (Shanghai) Refrigeration Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. 

 

The reports were titled: 

1. Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Promoting R-290 Adoption in the Air Conditioning Sector 
2. Global Refrigeration Perspectives: Pathways for the Future 
3. Europe – Energy, Refrigerants, Sustainability 
4. Environmental Issues Facing Japanese Industry and Countermeasures 
5. Low-GWP and Energy Efficient Alternatives in Large-Scale Commercial Refrigeration and Industrial Refrigeration 

The forum was chaired by Ms. Yosr Allouche and Prof. Li Tingxun, Member of the UNEP TEAP on RACHP, Sun Yat-sen University. 

 

Sub-Forums 

Six sub-forums were organized, focusing on specialized fields: 

1. Domestic air-conditioning and heat pump refrigerant substitution technology 
2. Multi-split system refrigerant substitution technology 
3. Cold chain and industrial refrigeration refrigerant substitution technology 
4. Natural working fluids and low-GWP synthetic working fluids 
5. Refrigeration energy efficiency enhancement 
6. Refrigerant recovery, regeneration, and disposal technologies