International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) releases new technical brief: “The role of refrigeration in the global economy (3rd edition)”

Paris, France – April 2025 – The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is delighted to announce the release of its latest technical brief, The Role of refrigeration in the global economy (3^rd edition). This comprehensive report highlights the critical importance of refrigeration in addressing global challenges related to food security, healthcare, energy efficiency, and climate change.

 

As the world continues to face unprecedented heatwaves and rising global temperatures, the demand for sustainable refrigeration solutions has never been greater. The 2025 edition of this landmark publication provides updated data, insights, and recommendations to guide policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers in advancing the refrigeration sector toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

 

Key findings

 

• Global refrigeration market growth: There are approximately 5.4 billion refrigeration systems in operation worldwide, with the fastest growth observed in developing and emerging economies. The global refrigeration equipment market is valued at over USD 300 billion annually.
• Food security: Refrigeration plays a vital role in reducing food loss, with 12% of global food production lost due to insufficient cold chains. Expanding food cold chain infrastructure could save 475 million tonnes of food annually, enough to feed 950 million people.
• Health and vaccines: Refrigeration is essential for preserving vaccines and medicines, particularly heat-sensitive vaccines like those for COVID-19 and polio. The healthcare cold chain market is projected to grow at a 9% annual rate, reaching USD 17.8 billion by 2033.
• Energy and climate impact: The refrigeration sector accounts for 20% of global electricity consumption and 7.5% of global CO₂ emissions. However, advancements in energy-efficient technologies, such as heat pumps and district cooling, offer significant opportunities to reduce emissions and energy use.
• Workforce challenges: The refrigeration industry employs 12 million people worldwide but faces a severe shortage of skilled technicians and installers, particularly in Europe and North America. Addressing this gap is critical to meeting the growing demand for sustainable cooling solutions.

 

The challenges outlined in this report are immense, but so are the opportunities. The refrigeration sector stands at a critical juncture, where the choices we make today will shape the future of our planet and its people. We must act now to invest in sustainable refrigeration solutions, accelerate the transition to low-GWP refrigerants, and build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the growing demand for refrigeration. Governments, industry leaders, and researchers must collaborate to integrate refrigeration into climate policies and foster innovation that aligns with global climate goals. The IIR, under the leadership of Dr. Yosr Allouche, is committed to driving this transformation, but we cannot do it alone. We call on all stakeholders—policymakers, businesses, and citizens—to join us in shaping a cooler, more sustainable future. Together, we can ensure that refrigeration continues to preserve life, enhance health, and drive economic growth while protecting our planet.

 

About the IIR

 

The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is a leading international organisation dedicated to advancing knowledge and innovation in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump technologies. With a network of experts from over 60 countries, the IIR promotes sustainable development and the responsible use of refrigeration technologies worldwide.

 

About the authors

 

This Technical Brief was prepared by Monique Baha (Scientific Writer, IIR), Souhir Hammami (Director of the Scientific and Technical Information Department, IIR) and Jean-Luc Dupont (former Director of the Scientific and Technical Information Department, IIR).

 

The brief was reviewed by Judith Evans (president of section C “Biology and food technology”, UK), Richard Lawton (president of section D “Storage and transport”, UK), Aleš Srnka (president of section A “Cryogenics and liquefied gases”, Czech Republic) and Yosr Allouche (IIR Director General), in collaboration with Maud Grasmenil (Translator, IIR), and Aurélie Durand (Information specialist, IIR).

 

Access the report

 

The full Technical Brief, The Role of refrigeration in the global economy (3^rd edition), along with a summary for policymakers outlining the main conclusions and recommendations are available in open access on the IIR refrigeration database, FRIDOC.

 

Access the Technical Brief    Access the Summary for Policymakers

 

 

Contact

Souhir Hammami: s.hammami@iifiir.org