The Indian HVAC&R market is expected to surpass US$ 7.0 billion in 2019 — even as it exceeds by almost 30% to 40% growth over the international market growth of approximately 7% — due to evolving lifestyle and needs of Indian consumers, Vishal Kapur, NSC-Chair, said at ACREX India 2019 which began in Mumbai today.

ACREX is the world’s 6^th largest show for the HVAC&R industry and the 20^th edition of this three-day event has become an unparalleled benchmark for it in facilitating endless opportunities alongside showcasing products and business expansions, he said while stating that over 500 companies from 25 countries are participating in the Show which kickstarted with 50,000 footfalls on day one.

Noting that this Show is held annually in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai to highlight HVAV&R and intelligent building products, Kapur said the industry is witnessing growing focus on commercial and industrial products alongside related solutions and technology emerging from 480 global companies. “This is a B2B Show where we hold free workshops, conferences. Our other efforts include four-month airconditioning courses in Bangalore and Bhubaneshwar – including soon in Mumbai – besides also the “ISHRAE Job Junction” held in four to six locations in the country that brings jobseekers and related companies together for catering to their respective needs,” he said.

Commenting on GST, he said ISHRAE is urging the Government to reduce this tax to 18% since it is involved in all aspects of the industry, especially energy efficiency.

Pointing out the need for having fixed standards of air quality, he said indoor air quality is far worse than the outside environment and the recently launched IEQ standard is being implemented by engineers in the process of building construction. How seriously the related industries are taking this problem could be witnessed in their participation at a recently-held conference on air quality in Delhi in partnership with the Indian Government and others, he said.

“The good news is that all refrigerants – that cause harm to the Earth’s Ozone layer – have now become ‘history.’ India and other countries are focusing on the global warming potential of these harmful gases and their machines,” he said, adding “We give free books on these topics, besides conducting thousands of related programmes yearly and providing revised curriculum– in cooperation with AICTE – about new technology in the HVAC industry to all engineering colleges.”

Meanwhile, “Teach Them Young” seems to be the motto of the HVAC&R industry. Not content to rest on its laurels, the HVAC&R industry has also begun to reach out to children and today has over 12,000 student members participating in its Quiz programmes on subjects like environment, airconditioning, mechanical engineering held in 40 cities throughout India. “We engage with around 30,000 to 40,000 students from Kindergarten to 12^th standard at their level to discuss HVAC&R-related environmental topics. We want them to interact with our industrialists while also becoming aware about related future careers and jobs,” he said.

“As demand for air-conditioning solutions is rising, we see a bright future for HVAC&R industry in India. ACREX India 2019 features themes of Building Automation and Indoor Air Quality,” C Subramaniam, ISHRAE National President, said while adding that the HVAC industry has become a significant player in major economy driving industries including IT, agriculture, retail, real estate — through which developers could leverage commercial HVAC services for major operational improvements, profitability, energy savings and consumer satisfaction.

ACREX 2019 is highlighting seminars and workshop conducted by experts — on topics like energy efficiency, green buildings, indoor air quality, refrigerants, IoT – from international associations like U.S. Green Building Council, REHVA (Federation of European Heating Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Associations), CEEW (Council On Energy, Environment and Water), Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Trades Association Ltd (RATA),  IAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association) and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers)

The Show drew many interesting participants. Dr Ina Colombo, Deputy Director-General, International Institute of Refrigeration, France, said that she is attending this Show for the first time and was looking forward to gaining information generated by it.

Deepak Wani, Managing Director, Pioneer Industrial Instruments, Pune was at the Show to ‘gauge’ its impact on his business, which involved ‘Gauges.’ “We manufacture gauges as they play an important role in measuring temperatures, pressures of oil, air in chillers and other things upto 1400 kgs,” Wani said, adding that this Show is benefitting his business and he is participating for the fourth time with his products even being exported to Gulf countries.

Pradeep Bakshi, MD/CEO, Voltas ltd, said “In the current dynamic market conditions, ACREX 2019 offers immense growth opportunities for brands to showcase their innovations and expand business. As industry leaders, our association with this Exhibition will enable us to achieve sustainable development by making the environment healthier, comfortable, energy efficient and productive.”