Bangladesh is strengthening professional skills in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps (RACHP) through a three-day technical mission promoted by UNEP and delivered by ATF – Associazione dei Tecnici del Freddo. The initiative involved national authorities and public and private stakeholders, with a focus on capacity building, technical assessment and strategic dialogue.
ATF Secretary General Marco Buoni took part in the mission. The programme aimed to support the structured and sustainable development of Bangladesh’s RACHP market in line with international environmental commitments and ongoing technological changes.
The first day focused on a Train-the-Trainers session for local instructors and technical experts. Topics included maintenance practices, refrigerant recovery, leak prevention, energy efficiency optimization and safe handling of new-generation flammable refrigerants, including R290 and R600a. Practical work covered pressure reading, interpretation of operating parameters, correct use of instruments, vacuum procedures, refrigerant charging and recovery, performance monitoring and preventive maintenance.
The second phase included visits to four training centres to assess available equipment, teaching methods and alignment with international best practices. The assessment found motivated staff, active facilities and essential tools, while also identifying areas for improvement, including limited availability of advanced equipment for modern refrigerants, reduced focus on diagnostic skills based on pressure and temperature measurements, and in several cases the absence of structured procedures for evaluating system performance.
The final day concluded with a high-level consultation workshop involving government representatives, the National Ozone Unit, TVET centres, educational institutions, industrial operators, distributors, trainers and sector professionals. Discussions focused on skills needs, improvements to the training system, regulatory tools and alignment with the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment. One key proposal was to develop a national certification system for RACHP technicians covering all refrigerant types, including flammable refrigerants.
The source states that demand for cooling in Bangladesh is expanding due to urban growth, industrialization and increasing cold chain needs. It also notes the growing use of alternative refrigerants and new technologies, which require more advanced technical skills.
