Natural Refrigeration – IIR Ammonia Conference

(SLIDE 3: Showing Progress of fund disbursement)

Power of innovation in refrigeration Industry:  This success demonstrates that when the commitment of the poorest nations to protect the earth for future generations is combined with the resolve of the richest countries to do their part for peace, prosperity and environmental health, it results in amazing global success stories that go beyond conventional thoughts and immensely benefit humanity. It also illustrates the power of the industry to invent, and to adapt to change. And the refrigeration industry has shown such power more evidently than any other industrial sector. This industrial sector continuously learns from the lessons of the Montreal Protocol and leaps forward.  It has been closely involved in the implementation of both Protocols. The enterprises involved in this sector have shown remarkable ability to gainfully adapt to the needs of the sustainable development.  It is also a sector that continuously and profoundly touches our daily life.  Preservation of food, medicines, vaccines, comfortable and healthy working conditions and manufacture of many critical and sensitive goods rely on refrigeration.  The contribution of this sector to societal development has been remarkable. For example, the near eradication of polio from the world could not have been conceivable without refrigeration to preserve vaccine.

The increase in life expectancy around the globe and improvement in food availability would not have been possible without the refrigeration sector.  The world produces 1.5 billion tons of perishable food annually.  It is impossible to imagine how this food could be prepared, transported and sold to billions of people without refrigeration.  Though there is enough food globally, it is not available at the right place and at the right time.  In developing countries, only 20% of the perishable food is preserved through refrigeration.  Thus, the losses of perishable food following harvest, slaughter, fishing, milking, transportation and sale are still high.

While performing these societal tasks, the refrigeration industry has been subject to technological change for the last 20 years.  Technological changes that were demanded from the refrigeration sector under the Montreal Protocol continue under the regime of the Kyoto Protocol.  It is interesting that refrigeration sector considered such “technology forcing” as an opportunity to innovate.  Technology-forcing regime was seen by the refrigeration industry as ‘technology-fostering’ regime.  It derived unprecedented benefits by reducing refrigerant losses and improving the energy efficiency. The world is fortunate that this industry sector has proven potential to contribute significantly in enhancing the sustainability element of the development
I also would like to note the tremendous achievement by the refrigeration industry in adapting itself to the rapid demand of frequent technology improvements. Industry turned such demands into opportunity to continually enhance the efficiencies. In modern society, where computers and mobile phones have come to be known as symbols of technological marvels, domestic refrigerators and cold storages are unsung appliances of our age!