The 36th International Exhibition for Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning, Heating and Ventilation, Frozen Food Processing, Packaging and Storage (China Refrigeration Expo 2025) officially opened on April 27 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). The event was co-organized by the Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR), China Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA), and other regional bodies, and supported by the Beijing Chamber of International Commerce.
The opening ceremony and CRH 2025 Forum were held at the Kerry Hotel Pudong, bringing together domestic and international experts, industry representatives, and members of various organizations. Professor He Yaling, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of CAR, addressed the audience on behalf of the organizers.
Professor He emphasized the industry’s role in global climate governance and the ongoing energy transition. She noted the influence of electric vehicles, energy storage, and clean heating on refrigeration demands and highlighted how technologies like AI and big data are transforming the sector.
“Innovative products and technologies have emerged at the China Refrigeration Expo in response to evolving demands, making it a significant barometer of global refrigeration trends,” said Professor He Yaling. She added that the Expo has grown into an international platform for exhibition, trade, research, and policy exchange.
Following the speech, Professor He officially declared the Expo open.
The CRH 2025 Forum, themed “Intelligence-Powered Cooling and Heating for Shared Future,” was chaired by Professor Li Xianting of Tsinghua University. Key presentations included:
Professor Xu Zongben, Chinese Academy of Sciences: “Principles of Large Models and Their Enabling Modes”
Liu Bo, Shanghai SSRF Science Center: “Large Research Infrastructures of SSRF Accelerator Complex”
Professor Li Xianting: “Climate Change, Energy Transition, and Responsibilities of the Refrigeration Industry”
Marco Masini, ASERCOM President: “Development of Natural Refrigerants in the Refrigeration Sector”
Spanning 115,000 m² (approx. 1.24 million ft²), China Refrigeration Expo 2025 attracted nearly 1,200 companies from 32 countries and regions, along with 40 international organizations. Over 80 events were scheduled, including product launches, technical seminars, and dedicated zones for natural refrigerants and industry-academia collaboration. The first day saw over 46,000 professional visitors and buyers.
The CRH 2025 Forum replay is available on the official China Refrigeration Expo WeChat video account.