The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is developing the first Global Refrigeration Outlook, a science-based report assessing the current state, future evolution and societal impact of refrigeration technologies worldwide. The publication is scheduled to launch during the International Congress of Refrigeration, held from August 21–27, 2027, in Seoul, South Korea.
The report will provide evidence-based analysis and forward-looking scenarios across the full temperature spectrum, from cryogenic applications to high-temperature heat pumps. It is intended to support policymakers and public authorities working on climate, energy, industrial and development strategies.
The outlook will examine refrigeration’s role in climate mitigation and adaptation, energy efficiency, food security, healthcare, industrial productivity and access to cooling services. It will also analyse technology trends, energy use, emissions, innovation pathways and regulatory frameworks.
Its scope covers food cold chains, healthcare, industrial processes, HVAC systems, transport refrigeration and energy recovery technologies. Environmental, technological, economic and social aspects will be addressed within a single framework.
Professor Xianting Li, president of IIR Section E and head of the Department of Building Science and Technology at Tsinghua University, will chair the publication. Professor Jocelyn Bonjour of INSA Lyon, France’s delegate to the IIR Executive Committee and a member of IIR Commission B2, will serve as co-chair.
