Held between 15-17th February, ACREX 2024 was successfully wrapped up at the India Expo mart, Noida. This prestigious event, conducted annually, is a conglomeration of innovation within the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sector. This year, with a whopping attendance of over 30,000 visitors and participation from more than 500 exhibitors representing over 40 countries, the 23rd edition was a testament to the global significance and impact of the HVAC industry. Participating nations included Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the Netherlands, UAE, UK, Ukraine, and USA. These nations also sent many exhibitors and visitors.
ACREX India 2024 sparkled with the theme “Powering Global HVAC Supply Chain” and focuses on the latest technological advancements and displaying a gamut of HVAC supply chain technologies.
Industry associations like the All-India Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association (ACRA), the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Trades Association (RATA), the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), Assocham India, the Indian Plumbing Association, the India Green Building Council (IGBC), and FSAI are few of the organizations that provide substantial support to ACREX India.
This edition continued to be a pivotal event for the HVAC industry, fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth. The industry’s potential was highlighted at this year’s conference by programs like Atmanirbhar Bharat and a shared emphasis on sustainability. Prestigious dignitaries and business titans were present, making the event a lively stage for presenting innovative innovations.
The grand opening event was graced by several distinguished guests, such as Sushil Chodhury, Chair of ACREX India 2024, Yogesh Thakkar, National President of ISHRAE; Anoop Ballaney, President Elect of ISHRAE, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets India; Ginger Scoggins, President of ASHRAE; Ravichandran Purushothaman, Director of Danfoss – India Region; Sanjay Goyal, Senior VP and Director of Daikin India; Vinod Saladi, CEO of ABS Fujitsu General India; and Sundaresan Narayanan, Managing Director of Carrier India among many others.
This dynamic convergence of minds, fostered collaboration among industry professionals, policymakers, engineers, and thought leaders. ACREX India demonstrated that it was not just a simple trade exhibition, but, a demonstration of excellence and a driving force behind the creation of a future in which building services, HVAC, and air conditioning represent sustainability and efficiency.
The opening day started off with Inauguration by ISHARE members followed by a Curtain raiser event and enthralling entertaining performances. ACREX Hall of Fame an industry benchmark instituted by ISHRAE led to a comprehensive award night (ACREX awards of excellence), where the primary standout feature was recognition to all committees and working members of ISHRAE.
Spread over 7 huge halls, ACREX was filled with exemplary knowledge sharing sessions in the form of categorized areas like Knowledge sessions, Customer insight lounge, Insignia B2B meeting lounge, and Innovation zone. Industry giants Voltas, Carrier, Danfoss, Carel, Testo, Gandhi Automations, Novenco, etc. displayed their innovative and sustainable cutting-edge solutions, topped with launch of latest technologically advanced products and prototypes.
A visually engaging display of several types of critical equipment, including compressors, heat exchangers, evaporators, condensing units, dehumidifiers, air terminals, AHUs, FAHUs, and FCUs, was shown to attendees. Furthermore, the displays showcased a remarkable assortment of cold room panels, cold storage doors, pipes, fittings, strip curtains, and insulation materials, emphasizing the latest developments in temperature control and storage solutions.
Yogesh Thakkar, President of ISHARE, highlighted the sector’s potential, stating, “The HVAC industry’s impressive growth and initiatives such as the Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC) program underscore the opportunities offered by events like ACREX India. With the government committing USD 1.45 trillion to infrastructure projects in the next 5 years, we are on the cusp of an era of remarkable progress.”
The exhibition highlighted the pressing need for India to adopt sustainable building practices and the critical role that technological advancement and regulatory structures play in directing the industry in that direction. With a projected rise in the percentage of air-conditioned residential space and an aggressive goal to significantly reduce the CO2 intensity of power generation for the building industry by 2050, the stakes for sustainable development are higher than ever.
Noteworthy displays of different fans for ventilation from a range of manufacturers underscored the industry’s commitment to enhancing air quality and circulation. Moreover, various sensors, filters, expansion valves, hangers, fire dampers, and volume control dampers on display showcased the technological prowess and innovation driving the HVAC sector towards greater efficiency and sustainability. The exhibition served as a testament to the industry’s vibrancy and dedication to pushing the boundaries of excellence in HVAC technology.
ACREX 2024 being a successfully concluded event, showcased how new technologies and government rules can help make the HVAC industry more sustainable. The 23rd edition was enjoyed by both visitors and the exhibitors, and has opened a plethora of opportunities for those pursuing sustainability and expansive growth, and aims to pursue so.
ACREX India 2025 will take place in BIEC, Bengaluru, from the 20th February – 22nd February 2025.
