International Seminar on Sustainable Refrigeration

The refrigeration industry is undergoing a transformative phase driven by stringent European and international regulations on refrigerants. Initiatives like the Montreal Protocol have catalyzed the phase-out of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Furthermore, the Kigali Amendment (2016) targets the phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2047 due to their significant Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Aligned with global efforts, regulations including the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement, and the European Union’s F-Gas Regulation are driving this transition towards sustainable refrigeration practices. However, this evolution presents myriad challenges for both industrial and academic researchers in the field. Researchers are tasked with developing alternative refrigerants that are environmentally benign while optimizing the efficiency of existing and novel refrigeration systems. Furthermore, they are pioneering new safety guidelines, designing adapted components and lubricants to ensure compatibility and performance, and exploring alternative cycles to meet evolving regulatory demands.

The International Seminar on Sustainable Refrigeration serves as a scientific platform for industrial and academic researchers to showcase their latest advancements in Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) across these crucial aspects. The International Seminar on Sustainable Refrigeration (ISSR) 2024 was held at Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (Paris) with great success ! We were able to address the main challenges in R&D&I in refrigeration from various perspectives: from the future of refrigerants to innovative components, heat exchangers, multi-scale systems, diverse applications and energy sources (solar, waste heat, maritime...), different configurations, and alternative cycles.

A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers (Bernard Philippe, Sergio Bobbo, Adriano Milazzo, Ana Paez, Gregory Touron, Alaa Hajlaoui, Florine Giraud, Fernando Hevia de los Mozos, Salvatore Vasta, and Hai Trieu Phan) who delivered brilliant presentations. A big thank you also goes to the audience—experts from the refrigeration industry and students of Cnam IFFI—whose questions led to very fruitful exchanges, making this event truly memorable.

Finally, special thanks to the co-organizers (Yohann Coulier, Laurence Rodier, Amin Altamirano and Brice Tréméac) for their continuous support in making this happen. Let's continue this momentum and look forward to even more innovative breakthroughs in the coming years !