ShareIIR to Launch the Global Refrigeration Outlook at ICR 2027 in Seoul
The International Institute of Refrigeration announces its first-ever comprehensive global report on refrigeration, a landmark science-based publication designed to guide industry, policy, and society toward a sustainable cooling future.
Paris, June 2026 — The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is developing the first edition of the Global Refrigeration Outlook (GRO), a new flagship publication designed to assess the current state, future evolution, and societal impact of refrigeration technologies worldwide. Approved by the IIR Scientific and Technical Council in June 2025, the report is scheduled for launch at the International Congress of Refrigeration (ICR 2027) in Seoul, South Korea, under the chairmanship of Professor Xianting Li (Tsinghua University) and with Professor Jocelyn Bonjour (INSA Lyon) serving as Cochair. The report will provide evidence-based analysis and forward-looking scenarios covering the entire temperature spectrum, from cryogenic applications to high-temperature heat pumps.
A Science-Based Reference for Policy and Industry
The Global Refrigeration Outlook is primarily designed to support policymakers and public authorities involved in climate, energy, industrial, and development strategies. Positioned at the interface between science and policy, the report will evaluate how refrigeration technologies contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation, energy efficiency, food security, healthcare, industrial productivity, and equitable access to cooling services. Beyond its policy focus, the publication will also serve researchers, industry stakeholders, and international organisations, analysing technology trends, energy use, emissions, innovation pathways, and regulatory frameworks across the full spectrum of refrigeration applications.
A Broader and More Integrated Perspective
While several international organisations already publish reports on aspects of cooling, energy demand, refrigerant transitions, or greenhouse gas emissions, none offer the integrated, system-level perspective of the GRO. The report connects societal needs with refrigeration applications spanning food cold chains, healthcare, industrial processes, HVAC systems, transport refrigeration, and energy recovery technologies. By integrating environmental, technological, economic, and social dimensions into a single framework, the GRO aims to become the definitive global reference for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable refrigeration transition.
Key Facts
- Approved by: IIR Scientific & Technological Council, June 2024
- Launch event: ICR 2027, Seoul, South Korea
- Launch date: 21–27 August 2027
- Publication Chair: Prof. Xianting Li, President of IIR Section E and Head of Department of Building Science and Technology in Tsinghua University in Beijing, China
- Publicatin Co-chair Prof. Jocelyn Bonjour, from INSA Lyon, Delegate of France to the IIR Executive Committee and Member of IIR Commission B2
- Scope: Full refrigeration ecosystem, from cryogenics to heat pumps
About the IIR:
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to advancing refrigeration and heat pump technologies and their application for a sustainable future. With the world’s most comprehensive knowledge base, peer-reviewed publications, and regular international scientific conferences, the IIR drives the dissemination of cutting-edge research and fosters global collaboration across the sector. The IIR connects researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to support informed decision-making and turn scientific progress into practical and reliable applications. Founded after the first International Congress of Refrigeration held in 1908, the IIR is a global reference, providing trusted knowledge and data to support the deployment of sustainable, efficient refrigeration technologies essential to food security, healthcare, and climate action.