Eurovent International #insights Vol 1 - 2025

International

Q2 2025

#insights

Industry

Recommendations

and Guidebooks

A way to optimise specifications

HVACR Next Generation 2025

Congress in Riyadhto address

refrigerant transition, sustainablity

amidst rising temperatures

Eurovent Certification

The importance of impartialityand

changes to AHU certification

Eurovent India

Insights into the country’s

evolving regulatory environment and

the challenges in the filter situation

Letter to the industry

01

#insights

In this edition

01 Letter to the industry

02 How Industry Guidebooks and Recommendations help

support efforts towards more sustainable and energy-efficient

built environments

03 HVACR Next Generation: Sustainability in extreme conditions

04 HVACR Leadership Academy: Participant feedback on AHU programme

05 Now or never: Shaping India’s future built environment, today

06 Out of sight, out of mind: Understanding India’s filter landscape

07 Eurovent Certification: What’s new for Air Handling Units?

08 The importance of impartiality

09 Key insights from Eurovent Market Intelligence: HVACR 2030

10 Product testing facilities are key to industry growth and innovation:

Insights into an emerging sector

11 The confusing landscape of Hygienic Air Handling Unit certifications

12 Advancement in Cooling Tower design reduces operational costs

13 The multiple benefits of Microchannel Heat Exchanger Technology

Welcome to 2025 and the latest

edition of our newsletter. This

issue marks an exciting milestone

as we expand our reach and

shift to an international platform,

connecting industry stakeholders

from Europe, the Middle East,

India, and beyond. What started

as a project under Eurovent

Middle East is now adopted at

a larger scale to bring relevant

insights into HVACR to a wider

audience in different markets.

This is an example of the power

of co-creation and collaboration

and attests to the excellent

work by members and the team

of Eurovent Middle East, who

have consistently demonstrated

the ability to turn ideas into

successful initiatives. Another

example is the HVACR Leadership

Academy. Launched in October

2023, it has seen the successful

completion of two editions of

F-Gas Certification training and

the second edition of the Air

Handling Units Specialisation

courses in 2024, featuring

participants from Europe, the

Middle East, and India.

I would like to commend

everyone who has contributed

towards bringing this important

educational project on track,

and I look forward to rolling out

more programmes dedicated to

increasing knowledge and skills

in our industry. The importance

of continued education in our

sector is underscored not least

by the latest news on global

warming. 2024 was the first

year to surpass the 1.5-degree

Celsius temperature limit

outlined by the Paris Accord.

Environmental warning signs are

becoming harder to ignore, with

unprecedented rainfall in many

parts of the world or the recent

devastating wildfires in California,

to name just a few. There is no

question that mankind is up

against its greatest challenge.

The HVACR industry plays an

undeniable role in the fight

against global warming. With the

need to drastically decarbonise

the building sector, it must

multiply its efforts to reduce

energy consumption and phase

out high Global Warming

Potential (GWP) refrigerants from

its systems. While the technology

is available, it is crucial to

educate, train and qualify all

people along the value chain in

how to use, design, install, and

operate it effectively. Education

and training are the biggest

missing links between the

rising demand for refrigeration,

cooling, and ventilation, and a

sustainable built environment.

In our upcoming conference,

“HVACR Next Generation,” on

28 October in Riyadh, Saudi

Arabia, we will focus on all these

aspects when government,

industry, and related

stakeholders come together to

discuss sustainability in extreme

conditions. I would like to invite

everyone interested to attend

and contribute to this event,

which will no doubt provide a

new benchmark for industry

events in the region.

Additionally, look out for our

upcoming programmes in the

Middle East and India, where

we will provide opportunities

to engage, exchange ideas,

While the technology is available,

it is crucial to educate, train and qualify

all people along the value chain.

and grow both professionally

and individually. Thank you for

your interest in our industry,

the technology, Eurovent, and

the people who tirelessly strive

to provide state-of-the-art indoor

climate, process cooling, and

industrial refrigeration.

Best Regards

Markus Lattner

International Director

Markus Lattner

International Director

Eurovent

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

How Industry Guidebooks

and Recommendations

help support efforts towards

more sustainable and energyefficient

built environments

Nerissa Deoraj, Executive Director of Eurovent

Middle East, discusses how to get the most value

from industry resources and recommendations

and the important role they play in cultivating

better design practices in the industry.

Since its establishment in 1958,

Eurovent has consistently been

a reliable source of guidance for

the Heating, Ventilation, Airconditioning

and Refrigeration

(HVACR) industry through the

publication and dissemination

of Position Papers, Guidebooks,

Recommendations, infographics

and the like. These resources

have proven valuable over

the years for MEP Engineers,

designers, consultants and

regulatory entities with the

added advantage that they are

consensus-based, available

free of charge and published in

several languages.

Nerissa Deoraj

Executive Director

Eurovent Middle East

Market education, awareness

raising and thought leadership

have always formed a core value

of the Association, and such

resources can address some of

the knowledge gaps by providing

neutral, technical industry

guidance, which ultimately can

help support the improvement

of technical competence in the

industry and region. While it is

beneficial to continually develop

knowledge through courses and

technical trainings, it is equally

important to make the best use

of existing technical resources.

To ensure we’re on the same

page, let’s start by defining

a few terms commonly used

in the industry.

What are

recommendations?

Eurovent Recommendations,

also called ‘Codes of

Good Practice’ or industry

recommendations, provide

guidance on product-specific

considerations (For example,

energy efficiency regulations)

or policy areas (For example,

the phase-down of F-Gases or

02

measures to improve Indoor

Air Quality (IAQ)). These

recommendations and guidelines

are especially relevant where no

legislation is available, acting as

a preliminary framework to draft

regulations.

In the Middle East, for example,

where the regulatory landscape

is still developing, and legislation

does not exist for some HVACR

product or system types,

recommendations can prove

useful if proactively referred

to by industry professionals

such as designers, engineers,

etc., and adopted at the higher

level when drafting appropriate

legislation by regulatory entities.

Industry recommendations and

guidebooks can have similar

benefits in other regions with

similar climactic conditions, like

India and countries in Asia.

In the Middle East,

recommendations can prove

useful if proactively referred to

by industry professionals.

What are guidebooks?

Eurovent Guidebooks are wellknown

publications that provide

readers with comprehensive

knowledge of a particular

product or issue. Examples

include the Air Handling Units

(AHU) Guidebook and the

Eurovent Middle East Cooling

Tower Guidebook.

The role of industry

guidance in creating

a sustainable,

energy-efficient built

environment

By now, we are familiar with

statistics related to HVACR

equipment in the regional built

environment. The Middle East

is heavily reliant on cooling

equipment, where HVAC systems

account for over 75% of a

building’s energy consumption

on average, as reported

by several Energy Services

Companies (ESCOs). Given

this considerably high cooling

demand, which only stands to

increase as global temperatures

rise, it is becoming increasingly

critical to ensure that HVACR

systems are well-designed,

properly installed and suitably

maintained. Optimally designed

systems require a proper

technical understanding of the

equipment and technology,

applicable Minimum Energy

Performance Standards (MEPs)

and site conditions.

As an established and trusted

industry body in the region,

Eurovent Middle East frequently

receives feedback from member

companies about challenges in

the market regarding technical

specifications. At the heart

of it, there is still a lack of

understanding in the market,

particularly when it comes

to specifications. The lack of

understanding, aggravated

by strict project timelines in

many developments, has led

to poor practices such as copypasting

old specifications, the

implications of which are that

we frequently see specifications

for new buildings that reference

obsolete standards, or so

detailed in a brand-specific

manner that the features

outlined refer to a particular

product line. This practice

skews the market, where we

see MEP design which is not

necessarily suitable for the

project at hand. Sometimes there

are brands which are favoured

owing either to personal

relations with manufacturers,

or because there is an apathy

towards newer technologies

which might be better suited

for a project. Another challenge

comes up from the contractor

side, where they don’t stick to

the specification and instead

prioritise price rather than

quality and longevity of the

product or system.

#insights

These oversights can result in

poorly designed HVACR systems,

which are often oversized and

in turn, not energy efficient or

sustainable in the long run.

A burden and shortfall which is

then passed on to the building

owner and end-user.

How does this shortfall

relate to guidebooks

and industry

recommendations?

Industry recommendations

provide technically sound

guidelines drafted and

approved by the actual

manufacturers of HVACR

equipment. Representatives

from the R&D departments are

directly involved in compiling

industry recommendations

and guidebooks published by

Eurovent and, more recently,

Eurovent Middle East.

Ultimately, a guideline

specification should detail the

minimum requirements but allow

flexibility so that the best-suited

technology can be specified

for a project. In the context

of product specifications for

more complex HVACR products,

existing resources such as the

Eurovent Recommendation

6/18: Quality criteria for Air

Handling Units (AHUs) provide

a reliable outline of the minimum

criteria to evaluate and specify

a good quality, energy efficient

AHU. This recommendation is

one of Eurovent’s best examples

of a valuable industry resource

which can be applied universally,

with minor adjustments to

account for regional climatic

conditions.

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

Another example of a

beneficial resource is the

Eurovent Recommendation

4/23: Selection of EN ISO

16890 rated air filter classes

for general ventilation

applications. Despite the ISO

16890 standard superseding

EN 779 in 2020, we are still

seeing obsolete standards

being specified in the context

of air filtration requirements.

As an internationally applicable

standard, the ISO 16890

standard should be the

reference point for air filtration,

with an easy to understand

guideline provided in Eurovent

Recommendation 4/23.

Eurovent Middle East has also

published the second edition

of the Evaporative Cooling

Guidebook, which highlights the

best practices and features of

cooling towers and evaporative

cooling equipment in regional

conditions, including factors that

affect good design and efficiency.

This is the first guidebook

published by the regional

Association, highlighting the

importance of providing neutral,

technical guidance for the

regional markets.

Outlining industry

opinions through

Position Papers

A position paper is an essay

that expresses a view of a person

or entity on a particular topic

and uses evidence to support

this opinion. Position Papers

published by Eurovent and

Eurovent Middle East are typically

in response to regulatory

developments or current

affairs with a call to action for

the industry and all relevant

stakeholders.

For example, the HVACR

industry’s stance on Indoor Air

Quality (IAQ) improvement or

proactive contribution of market

positions on the refrigerants

transition in the region as

the region prepares for the

implementation of regulations

to phase down F-Gases.

All resources published by

Eurovent and Eurovent Middle

East are intended to improve

product knowledge, technical

competence and overall quality

in the market. These are

unique resources which are

not inherently published by

similar industry bodies while

also ensuring they are unbiased

and accessible to the market.

The intent is to ensure that the

industry is well-supported with

technical resources to meet

the overall goal of designing,

installing and operating energyefficient,

sustainable HVACR

systems for the years to come.


encourages the industry to

make use of these valuable

resources, if there is a topic

or issue you would like to see

addressed by the industry,

get in touch with our team by

sending an email to office@

eurovent.me.

Where to download

industry publications

Eurovent industry

recommendations, guidebooks,

position papers and other

related resources are available

free-of-charge for download

from the ‘Publications’ section of

the Eurovent website, accessible

using the link:

https://www.eurovent.eu/

publications/

HVACR Next Generation:

Sustainability in extreme

conditions

Markus Lattner, Managing Director of Eurovent Middle

East, outlines the topics and background of the upcoming

industry congress, which takes place on 28 October 2025

in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The world and our industry

are faced with a multitude

of challenges, from the need

to decarbonise to providing

solutions for better Indoor Air

Quality (IAQ). The list is long

and complex, with the solution

to one aspect often resulting in

new difficulties. This is true on a

global basis but compounded by

the extreme climatic conditions

in the Middle East region. While

it is impossible to touch on every

challenge during a conference,

we need to expedite discussions

on some key issues to create

awareness and effect immediate

change to regulatory and

systemic processes.

There are a considerable

number of conferences in the

region organised by commercial

operators, and while they have

value on their own, these events

fail to connect governments and

the industry on the substantial

level that is needed. As the

industry association for the

Middle East, we consider it

our responsibility to establish

a platform for exchange on a

high level and provide content

free from commercial interests,

ensuring a balanced and neutral

perspective of all the issues we

are facing.

For the next edition of this

congress, we will focus on three

main aspects, which we regard

as most essential at this point in

time.

First and foremost, stands

the pending transition of

refrigerants in the region.

The Kigali Amendment presents

governments with significant

challenges in orchestrating

the phase-out of HCFCs and

HFCs, while establishing the

necessary infrastructure and

legal frameworks to address the

practicalities of the transition to

lower GWP solutions, many of

which will introduce new issues,

particularly related to safety

concerns.

The region, struggling to address

these issues, is lagging behind,

and the industry is concerned

about hasty legal interventions

that could disrupt operations.

Currently, the government

expects the industry to lead

the way out of this stalemate,

while the industry is waiting for

03

#insights

The region is lagging behind,

and the industry is concerned about

hasty legal interventions that could

disrupt operations.

government direction.

Now is the time for the industry

to take bold steps and propose

a strategy that supports

government decision-making.

Any interventions must consider

the region’s reliance on cooling

and refrigeration and the realities

in the market.

Markus Lattner

Managing Director


Q2 2025 Q2 2025

IN COOPERATION WITH

POWERED BY

#insights

Although there are still significant

concerns about alternative

refrigerants, the industry believes

a feasible transition is possible

without supply shortages or

increased risks to buildings and

people.

However, it is crucial to

recognise that it will be a

significant undertaking by all

stakeholders and that any

measures need to be thoroughly

evaluated and implemented.

Without upskilling the workforce,

successfully enforcing

responsibilities by all parties

will not be possible.

At this point, we move on

to other main topics in the

conference. Ventilation, for

instance, is still a predominantly

overlooked segment of the

cooling system. By now, everyone

understands its importance for

indoor air quality (IAQ), not least

because of the effects of the

pandemic. However, few have

connected the dots between IAQ,

energy efficiency, and cooling

loads. In fact, more people are

wary that better ventilation

will increase their energy bill,

not understanding that with

well-balanced ventilation, the

overall cooling load, and thus

the refrigerant charge, could be

reduced. Ventilation consumes

about 40 to 50% of the energy

we need to cool a building. It is,

therefore, a relevant potential

for energy savings, but it is the

system approach where we

see the greatest opportunities

to save not only energy but, in

the end, also the quantities of

refrigerants needed.

Given its impact on IAQ, it is

important to emphasise the

potential damage caused by

poorly designed and installed

ventilation systems.

These variables can harm both

people and the building, damage

equipment, and increase energy

costs, which are a major concern

for everyone. Ventilation is key

to connecting the chiller to the

occupants, so if this connection

is broken, any improvements

to the chiller will be ineffective,

leaving people with poor thermal

comfort and polluted indoor air.

To tie this all together, we will

then focus on sustainability in

general. What does it mean, and

how can we strive to achieve it?

Stakeholders must understand

the connections and realise

that in this regard, sustainability

is a good business case as it

can lower operational costs

dramatically while improving

building values and revenues.

We will highlight the benefits

of quality in products and

processes. And finally, the

relevance of qualification of

everyone involved in the value

chain.

Upskilling will be one of the key

issues the region will face in the

coming decade. We urgently

need to raise the bar when it

comes to qualifications to deal

with the refrigerant transition,

but it also will have

a significant impact on the

overall sustainability debate.

Studies have shown that by

means of a simple maintenance

routine in line with specifications

by manufacturers, energy

consumption can be reduced

by around 25%.

If we add to this the potential

savings we gain through

quality products, better design,

and trained operation and

maintenance personnel, it

becomes clear that continued

education and training is the

single most effective intervention

the region can possibly target.

Aside from the above, the

conference will also allow

member companies to present

Next Generation Technologies

and Sustainability Case Studies

to showcase achievements

from a technical standpoint

and encourage the use of

more advanced and efficient

technologies.

Overall, it will be a significant

gathering of government and

industry executives, poised to

raise the bar for future exchange

on important issues of the

HVACR industry. We call on all

stakeholders, from architects to

developers, from consultants

to academia, not to miss this

opportunity to network and

exchange.

I would like to thank United

Nations Environment Programme

(UNEP) for its strategic

involvement and support, as

well as our other supporters

and partners, which includes the

Middle East Facility Management

Association (MEFMA), AMCA

Middle East, and our members

who generously support us as

Sustainability Ambassadors

or Innovation and Knowledge

Partners. I am sure the line-up

will grow significantly towards the

event and I am looking forward

to perhaps the most important

conference in the region yet.

2nd Middle East Industry Congress

HVACR Next

Generation

SUSTAINABILITY IN EXTREME CONDITIONS

28 October 2025

09:00 - 18:00h

www.eurovent.me/congress

SUPPORTED BY

INNOVATION PARTNERS

InterContinental Durrat

Al Riyadh Resort & Spa

SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADORS

KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

CO-ORGANISED BY

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

SCEGA Permit Nr: 25/4212

HVACR Leadership Academy:

Participant feedback on AHU

programme

Student reflections from the recently concluded

AHU Specialisation Course at Eurovent Middle East’s

HVACR Leadership Academy.

Since its inception, Eurovent

Middle East’s HVACR Leadership

Academy has remained steadfast

in its mission to support

upskilling across the region.

This stems from the industry

association’s firm belief that

efficient design, installation, and

maintenance not only advance

the region’s sustainability goals

but also ensure safer, more

reliable indoor environments

while delivering maximum

savings for developers and

building operations.

This win-win scenario,

however, can only be achieved

through knowledge sharing,

and collaboration among

industry professionals. Even

more encouraging is the

growing appetite for such

shared knowledge, as clearly

demonstrated by the students'

enthusiasm.

Motivated to learn:

Student experiences

One such student, is Shaik

Hafeez, HVAC Sales Engineer

at Petra Air Conditioning

Industries, who joined the

HVACR Leadership Academy to

deepen his understanding of

Air Handling Units (AHUs) and

stay up to date with industry

standards. Reflecting on his

motivation, Hafeez shares:

“Having attended Eurovent

Middle East’s workshops since

2019, I’ve always appreciated

the quality of their content and

the expertise of their speakers.

This course offered a structured

opportunity to explore AHU

systems in greater depth,

which directly aligns with my

professional growth goals.”

Another participant, Akhil

VK, Technical Lead Engineer,

Tecnalco, also highlighted

his reasons for enrolling. He

emphasised the importance

of the Eurovent Certification

programme as a prestigious

initiative for the HVACR industry.

“As Eurovent Middle East is

part of the broader Eurovent

organisation, I am confident that

it adheres to the established

rules and regulations of

Eurovent,” he says.

Balancing work and study:

The role of flexibility

Despite their demanding

work schedules, students

have demonstrated a strong

commitment to completing the

coursework. Hafeez explains:

“Balancing the coursework

with day-to-day tasks was a bit

challenging at times. I often had

to squeeze the sessions into

my lunch break to attend the

live classes. On a few occasions,

I couldn’t attend due to work

commitments. However, the

availability of recorded modules

04

was a game-changer. Knowing

I could revisit the sessions at

my convenience gave me the

confidence to enrol, and I had

even checked with Eurovent

Middle East about this feature

beforehand. This flexibility

allowed me to fully engage with

the content while managing

my professional responsibilities

effectively.” Hafeez describes

the experience as incredibly

enriching, commending the

course’s flexibility. Akhil echoes

this sentiment, noting that the

structure of the programme

allowed him to manage his daily

activities seamlessly alongside

the coursework.

Training for real-world

challenges

For participants, the Academy’s

training is essential to staying

current with the HVACR industry’s

rapidly evolving technologies.

“Courses like these are valuable

for enhancing knowledge of

advanced technologies and

understanding current market

standards in the HVACR industry,”

says Akhil.

Hafeez highlights the practical

importance of the training,

particularly in maintaining

competitiveness and adapting

to regulatory changes. “Having

worked with reputed AHU

manufacturers like Petra

Engineering Industries, Mekar Air

Handling Units, Finpower Aircon,

and GAMI Air Conditioners

Manufacturing, I have firsthand

experience of the importance

of staying informed on new

developments,” he says.

He further explains, “Compliance

with new regulations, which

are constantly being updated,

can be a challenge due to

the complexity of adapting

designs and operations.

However, programmes like this

specialisation course provide

structured insights, making it

easier to understand and apply

these changes in real-world

scenarios. As AHUs are critical in

ensuring air quality and energy

efficiency, staying updated allows

me to remain competitive and

offer advanced solutions for

high-demand applications.”

Both participants emphasised

the course’s relevance to

addressing industry challenges.

Akhil notes, “The course provided

valuable insights and practical

tips on implementing energy

efficiency in HVACR systems,

including the optimal selection

of air handling units.” Hafeez

agrees, adding that the course

covered key challenges, from

designing high-performance

AHUs to optimising components

like cooling coils and filtration

systems. “The modules on energy

recovery, humidity control,

and certification standards

provided clarity on implementing

best practices to meet client

expectations and comply with

regulations. This training has

strengthened my ability to

handle real-world challenges with

greater technical understanding

and confidence,” he says.

#insights

This training has strengthened

my ability to handle real-world challenges

with greater technical understanding

and confidence.

Looking ahead: Expanding

the curriculum

While the academy’s current

offerings are comprehensive,

students have identified

areas for further exploration.

Akhil suggests that in-depth

discussions on refrigerant

systems would significantly

enhance the course’s value.

Hafeez adds that advanced

topics like innovative filtration

technologies, energy recovery

solutions, and specialised AHU

designs for industries like oil &

gas and healthcare would be

valuable additions.

“Exploring cutting-edge

developments in sustainable

cooling systems and smart

control technologies would

enhance my ability to deliver

tailored solutions for highdemand

applications,” he says.

“It would also be beneficial

to learn more about AHU

optimisation for extreme

environments and techniques

to further reduce energy

consumption while maintaining

performance standards.”

A commitment to growth

Such feedback, explains Nerissa

Deoraj, Executive Director,

Eurovent Middle East has been

instrumental in the continuous

evolution of the HVACR

Leadership Academy noting that

student insights are regarded

as essential to fine-tuning the

programme’s offerings. “Success

stories like those of Hafeez and

Akhil underscore the Academy’s

pivotal role in shaping the

region’s HVACR professionals.

By fostering a culture of

knowledge sharing, collaboration,

and innovation, Eurovent Middle

East’s academy is equipping

participants with the tools

needed to meet the challenges

of today and tomorrow.”

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

Now or never: Shaping India's

future built environment,

today

India is witnessing exponential growth, and

as the current market shapes the foundation

for the future built environment, members of

Eurovent India emphasise the critical need for

education, awareness, and collaboration to

support best practices in the market.

Eurovent India was formed in

September 2022 with eight

initiating members and the

mission to spread awareness of

the importance of certification

in the local HVACR market

and promote best industry

practices. Three years later, the

organisation has grown to a

membership of 15 companies,

with several technical workshops

across the country’s diverse

geography under its belt.

Vanshaj Kaul, Director of

Eurovent India, highlights how

the timing of their establishment

was ideal. The market was largely

unaware of Eurovent and the

importance of certification, yet

Alok Bhardwaj

Vice President

Systemair India

poised for change, leading to

strong acceptance of the group.

“Historically, mostly international

manufacturers prioritised the

certification of products,” he says.

“However, this is changing quite

fast, with Indian manufacturers

becoming more competitive and

the market at large accepting

certification as a tool to create a

level playing field and a point of

reference.”

Prabhat K Goel, Industry and

Technical Advisor, Eurovent

Certita Certification, agrees,

adding that as HVACR exports

to North Africa and other

countries pick up, more and

more homegrown companies in

Arvind Singh

Director

FlaktGroup India

Vanshaj Kaul

Director

Eurovent India

05

India are keen to manufacture

products according to global

codes and standards and, thus,

benefit from their association

with Eurovent India. “Indian

manufacturers are also gearing

up to produce complex

pharmaceutical and biotech

products that require state-ofthe-art

‘Hygienic AHUs”, and

Eurovent is supporting this effort

by setting codes and standards

to facilitate local production.

Promoting education for

customers, teams, and

the market at large

Confirming this is one of the

founding members, Alok

Bhardwaj, Vice President,

Systemair India and Chairman

of Eurovent India. “We were

pushing very hard for Eurovent

to have a local representation

as there were not many people

with awareness about Eurovent

certification in India,” he says,

adding that the group is also

working to battle misconceptions

in the market related to

certification. “Because of the

cost, a lot of education is needed

on its advantages. It’s about

increasing the comfort level of

stakeholders and explaining how

Eurovent ensures the validity of

declared data, allowing them

to be assured of the unit’s

performance quality.”

Arvind Singh, Director of

FlaktGroup India and a

founding member of the

initiative, highlights the critical

need to educate the market

about Eurovent certification.

“Customers often find themselves

overwhelmed by a flood of

Anil Chopra

Head of Quality and Regulatory

Affairs, Camfil India

specifications, recommendations,

and certifications coming from

Europe and the United States,

creating significant confusion,”

he says. “While there are

numerous certification agencies,

few match the comprehensive

quality of Eurovent, which

thoroughly addresses key

aspects such as energy classes,

performance standards, and

mechanical characteristics.

Singh further emphasises

the importance of knowledge

sharing. “We saw a need to

educate the market on critical

factors such as thermal

coefficients, transmittance,

leakages, and accurate product

declarations. This understanding

helps stakeholders make

informed decisions,” he explains.

“It’s encouraging to see a

growing acceptance of Eurovent

certification, which signals that

we are moving in the right

direction as an industry.

Anil Chopra, Head of Quality

and Regulatory Affairs, Camfil

India and Vice Chairman of

Eurovent India, echoes this,

adding that the education related

to regulation, filter certification

Prabhat K Goel

Industry and Technical Advisor

Eurovent Certita Certification

#insights

and compliance is also critical

across the companies as there

has been much confusion

in the past concerning filter

specifications, certificates and

stickers in the market, which,

in turn, makes the situation

more complex. “Eurovent India

underlines how we can work

towards raising standards in the

market,” he says. “We aren’t here

for profit. It’s about spreading

awareness, just like what was

done in Europe and the Middle

East, on the importance of good

practices for manufacturers.

This is why we are committed

to helping shape the regulatory

landscape and meeting with the

relevant people to help reduce

confusion among clients, our

own teams, and the industry in

general.”

Kaul highlights that the response

thus far has been motivating,

noting a steady rise in the

number and calibre of attendees

across Delhi, Bengaluru, and

Mumbai. The recent workshop in

Hyderabad drew an impressive

217 participants. “Interestingly,

we’re attracting consultants

from diverse cities,” he observes.

Bhardwaj adds that the

organisation's advocacy efforts

have expanded significantly, as

they have received many training

requests from companies—

underscoring the market's

hunger for education. “Raising

awareness about quality

and performance is crucial,

particularly as these factors often

receive lower priority compared

to the CAPEX for the product,

even though air handling

units are the second-largest

energy consumers in the built

environment, after chillers, if the

design is not correct.”

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

#insights

Exploring the gaps in

the energy narrative

This underscores the vital role

of products and certifications in

shaping the country’s evolving

energy efficiency narrative, which

is a top priority for the public

sector, particularly the Bureau of

Energy Efficiency (BEE) and the

Ministry of Power, according to

Goel. “Most of the equipment

coming up must be able to meet

energy standards, and whenever

possible, consultants should

look at the documentation and

be sure that the products are

certified and authenticated. If

that doesn’t happen, consultants

can easily overdesign a project,

offering 1.5 times the capacity

needed, making their system

inefficient.” Unfortunately,

Goel says, overdesigning is a

common issue plaguing the

market. Though intended as a

precautionary approach from

risk-averse consultants, it leaves

the end consumer to pay for the

higher cost and inefficiency.

Kaul adds that the prevalence

of copy-pasted specifications

has also led to inefficient

building design and installations,

attributing this to overworked

consultants with too many

projects. “For them, adapting to

new specifications and designing

from scratch is difficult due to

their limited bandwidth,” he

says, noting that the incentive

for consulting companies to

grow quickly aggravates this

issue as they are eager to cater

to the customers’ whims. “If the

work is approved based on how

much money the consultants

saved the developers, then they

would likely go for non-certified

products, which are more open

to savings and customisation,

whereas certified companies

don’t like changes to their design

or cutting corners.”

The interplay of price

and market dynamics

The price-sensitive nature of

India’s market underlines gaps

in the country’s sustainability

movement, says Kaul. “While the

narrative in the EU highlights the

importance of decarbonisation,

in India, the discussions have

not matured to the same level

as capital expenses still largely

drive it. As certified products

may come with a higher price

tag, awareness of the longterm

energy savings that can

be accrued by being certified

is the only way to garner

attention.” For now, he says

that adopting certified, energyefficient

products is more likely

to be driven by developers or

manufacturers with access to

preferential banking rates or

international funds. Meanwhile,

Chopra observes that with their

strict standards, pharmaceutical

applications have showcased a

demand for high-quality, certified

products.

The lack of stringent regulations

supporting the market’s adoption

of certified and efficient products

only further highlights the

importance of their educational

initiatives, says Kaul, noting

that market dynamics are

more likely to drive regulatory

changes than the other way

around. “In India, historically,

automobile safety certification

wasn’t legally required, and crash

testing is a relatively recent

development—introduced

within the last decade. This

shift largely occurred because

insurance companies, facing

high payouts due to uncertified,

unsafe vehicles, pressured

manufacturers to obtain

safety certifications. Over time,

the market responded, and

consumers increasingly began

demanding higher safety ratings

and crash test results.”

Eurovent India’s role in

evolving regulations

That said, India is seeing

regulatory developments

underway, including the ongoing

National Building Code (NBC)

revisions. “The last revision was

in 2015,” Goel notes. “Technology

and efficiency have advanced

since then, and the standards

they are making in 2024/2025

must last until 2045.” Achieving

this requires significant effort,

as over 150 experts from

diverse fields like acoustics and

civil engineering are involved.

“HVAC is just one element,” Goel

explains. “We are working to

ensure air conditioning systems,

air handling units, and chillers

are addressed properly and done

in the right spirit.”

Goel also underscores the

importance of their work guiding

standards in the right direction

and aligning with Eurovent’s

perspective. One key challenge is

the discrepancy in measurement

units if American standards are

considered, they use imperial

units while Europe favours the

metric system. “In India, we use

the metric system, so it’s crucial

that we not adopt imperial units

as it would cause confusion.

Highlighting these points to the

relevant government entities is

where we come in,” he says.

With infrastructure projects rapidly expanding,

immediate implementation of efficient standards is critical,

as delaying these measures risks locking in inefficient

practices for decades.

Goel says the upcoming revision

will be part of a federal code

that states can adapt to their

need, which is likely given

India’s diverse geography and

infrastructure gaps. “On one

end of the spectrum, you have

high-tech industries and data

centres; on the other end,

you have hospitals and public

facilities getting their first air

conditioners,” he says. With

infrastructure projects rapidly

expanding, Goel says immediate

implementation of efficient

standards is critical, as delaying

these measures risks locking in

inefficient practices for decades.

Getting it right, today

Kaul agrees. “Today, over 70% of

India's built environment is yet to

be constructed, largely in tier-two

cities, as major cities like Mumbai

and Delhi are saturated. This

provides a unique opportunity to

apply lessons from larger cities

and build more sustainable,

efficient infrastructure in the

emerging urban areas.” He also

highlights the opportunity within

retrofits: “If only 30% of the built

environment in India is built, and

80% of that is built badly. This is a

tremendous opportunity for us to

support consultants, designers,

and facility managers and make

the necessary interventions to

ensure that we are not facing the

same problems today, 30 years

from now.”

“This is why now is the right time

for Eurovent’s involvement,” says

Chopra.

“No one else is stepping forward,

and someone must be the voice.

Manufacturers can collectively

provide references, whether

from India, the Middle East, or

from Europe, on best practices.”

Bhardwaj adds that working

together is of substantial value in

achieving this goal. “If only one

person talks about these issues,

it may not have an impact, but

if a fraternity of manufacturers

and the industry addresses it,

the impact can be amplified.

This is why awareness and

collaboration, especially in an

international context, are more

critical than ever.”

“In the next few years, Eurovent

India aims to become a

trusted source of India-specific

knowledge, addressing local

issues and offering solutions,”

says Kaul. “By establishing

ourselves as a key repository

of information, we can help

stakeholders—such as those

looking to improve sustainability

or product quality—access

workshops, training, and direct

expert advice.”

Summing up, Markus Lattner,

International Director of

Eurovent and Managing Director

of Eurovent Middle East, adds:

“The revision of the Indian

Building Code will set the pace

for the next decades. Now is the

chance to help direct it towards a

path that will not only allow India

to grow more sustainably for

the next years but also support

Indian manufacturers in playing

a major role internationally in

the future. Eurovent India is

driven by Indians acting as a

bridge between international

standards and the local market.

We need their expertise to

adapt international standards,

and India will need the same to

incorporate the best for its own

market.”

Today, over 70% of India's built

environment is yet to be constructed.

This provides a unique opportunity to

apply lessons from larger cities and build

more sustainable, efficient infrastructure

in emerging urban areas.

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

Out of sight, out of mind:

Understanding India’s filter

landscape

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a critical issue in India,

consistently ranking as having the worst air pollution

globally. However, poor practices, cost constraints,

and confusing standards exacerbate the problem.

Eurovent India examines the market and recommends

best practices to ensure healthier indoor air for all.

As one of the fastest-growing

economies in the world, India

faces the immense challenge of

air pollution. According to the

Clean Air Fund, India has 21 of

the world's 30 most polluted

cities. New Delhi had the poorest

air quality among capital cities

globally, with concentrations of

PM2.5 nearly 10 times higher

than the guidelines by the World

Health Organization (WHO).

This grim reality has led to a

series of health problems for the

population, such as respiratory

and cardiovascular diseases,

and caused more than 2 million

deaths a year in the country.

Against this backdrop, highquality

and reliable ventilation

Alok Bhardwaj

Vice President

Systemair India

solutions are more crucial than

ever in the built environment

to reduce risks and protect

the health and well-being of

inhabitants. However, despite

the vital nature of air filtration,

harmful practices and a mix

of standards often result in

substandard, inefficient, and

neglected ventilation.

Understanding the

market dynamics

When it comes to filters, you

must understand the psychology

of stakeholders in the HVAC

domain, says Vanshaj Kaul,

Director of Eurovent India. “What

they don’t see, they don’t care

Arvind Singh

Director

FlaktGroup India

06

about. The replacement market

drives the filter segment, and

the onus is on facility managers

to safeguard their quality.”

Unfortunately, cost-saving

measures have led people

to wash their filters to avoid

replacing them, thinking this

would be sufficient to remove

dust and dirt. “We can attribute

this to their inability to quantify

the impact of their actions on

different stakeholders,” he says.

“This is why spreading awareness

about the impact of washing

filters and their subsequent

efficiency reduction becomes

vital.”

Vanshaj Kaul

Director

Eurovent India

Arvind Singh, Director of

FlaktGroup India, emphasises the

key role of the filter segment in

combating India’s air pollution.

However, he points out that local

manufacturers are not meeting

the required quality standards,

underscoring the need for

greater education and awareness

through Eurovent India to

highlight the value of certified

products. “Currently, AHU

manufacturers face challenges in

sourcing Eurovent-certified filters

within India,” he says.

The issue is aggravated by the

evolving patchwork of standards

that manufacturers face. Anil

Chopra, Head of Quality and

Regulatory Affairs at Camfil India

and Vice Chairman of Eurovent

India discusses the efforts by

the Bureau of Indian Standards

(BIS) concerning air filter

standardisation. In July 2021, BIS

published air filter standards,

followed by the Department

for Promotion of Industry and

Internal Trade (DPIIT), under

the Ministry of Commerce and

Industry, issuing the Air Cooler

and Air Filters (Quality Control)

Order, 2023.

Anil Chopra

Head of Quality and Regulatory

Affairs, Camfil India

This order mandates compliance

with standards and the

compulsory use of standard

marks.

A major milestone in India’s

standardisation journey came

in 2021 when BIS adopted ISO

16890, a global benchmark

for air filtration quality. The

introduction of IS 17570:2021

/ ISO 16890:2021 brought new

terminologies and specifications

requiring industry-wide adoption.

However, this shift poses

challenges. Chopra highlights

that India’s diverse landscape

has long relied on outdated

specifications embedded in

customer documents. “We have

multiple sizes available, with

610 x 610 mm being the most

common,” he notes, adding that

a lack of past awareness led to

the continued use of these filter

sizes.

This poses a key challenge as

ISO 16890 testing is based

solely on 592 mm filters, says

Singh. Chopra points out

that the maximum filter size

currently testable in India is

also 610 x 610 mm along with

592 x 592 mm, complicating

Prabhat K Goel

Industry and Technical Advisor


#insights

efforts to harmonise local

products and standards with

international norms. “We must

prioritise standard sizes (592

x 592 mm) for new projects

and gradually incorporate

additional sizes,” he says. “This

will initiate harmonisation and

enhance performance. However,

support from OEMs, consultants,

and industry professionals is

essential.” Singh echoes this.

stressing that discrepancies

in filter sizes impact local

manufacturing capabilities,

compatibility with existing

projects, and the availability of

spare parts

For Singh and Chopra,

stronger collaboration among

BIS, Eurovent India, and

manufacturers would be

critical to overcome challenges

concerning varied filter sizes.

Eurovent India, they say,

recommends that the country

transitions to internationally

used filter dimensions to improve

the global market potential

for local manufacturers, and

the association must take this

mission forward. “Market data

from Europe and the Middle East

shows that the ISO standard

is already in place elsewhere,”

says Chopra “We don’t need

to reinvent the wheel; we just

need to realign ourselves with

proven global practices.” Flexible

regulations and support from

industry bodies will be key

to facilitate this change and,

ultimately, aligning India’s filter

industry with global standards

will strengthen the market,

improve air quality, and open

up new international trade

opportunities.

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

Case studies from Europe

and the Middle East demonstrate that

these standards are already in place

elsewhere. We don’t need to reinvent the

wheel; we just need to realign ourselves

with proven global practices.

references for customers

and boosting consultants'

confidence."

Goel reinforces this point by

stating, “To maintain indoor

air quality and a high level of

cleanliness, it is crucial to install

filters manufactured according

to the right standards.”

Eurovent Certita Certification:

What’s new for AHUs?

Donatien Lambert, Project Manager at Eurovent Certita

Certification, discusses the evolution of the AHU certification

programme and what the changes mean for manufacturers

and HVAC professionals alike.

07

#insights

Regulatory developments

and future prospects

Although standards are in place,

Kaul says enforcement remains

a challenge. “When the Bureau

introduced the new standard,

they also needed to ensure

compliance mechanisms, which

are not fully in place due to a lack

of authorised testing facilities,”

he says. Currently, manufacturers

are using third-party facilities for

testing. BIS and independent

laboratories, equipped to test

according to the rated standard,

are able to issue the certification

label.

“When BIS introduced IS

17570:2021 / ISO 16890:2016

– Standard for Air Filters for

General Ventilation, there was

a single test Lab, and after the

Quality Control Order, one more

test Lab was added,” Chopra

says. “The number of test labs

will only increase in the coming

years, which is why we believe it’s

important to have subject matter

experts, such as manufacturers,

weigh in and raise awareness

on standards and compliance,”

Kaul notes that the demand

for Eurovent-certified filters in

India will continue to rise as

Eurovent officially mandates

AHU manufacturers to use

only certified or at least

independently tested filters

by 2025.

A lot more work needs to

be done when it comes to

harmonising standards across

India. Prabhat K Goel, Industry

and Technical Advisor, Eurovent

Certita Certification, says

this is why they are actively

participating in ongoing

revisions to the National

Building Code, which previously

referenced an older air filter

standard. ” Because of the

growing popularity of the Green

Building Council, which follows

the American standard, these

standards had MERV filters,” he

says. “We pushed for greater

adoption of IS 17570:2021 / ISO

16890:2016, which considers

PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 and is

more reflective of the situation in

India.”

While the transition to

harmonisation may take time,

industry vigilance is critical. “We

now have the required standards

and test labs in place,” says

Chopra. “The industry must

not dilute these efforts. The

priority should be enforcing

mandatory certification for all

filter manufacturers in India.

Change is challenging but

essential for performance and

sustainability, ultimately reducing

the Total Cost of Ownership.

As pollution remains a serious

concern in India, we must push

forward, providing clear industry

Future demand and

industry readiness

For Alok Bhardwaj, Vice President

of Systemair India and Eurovent

India Chairman, this is the value

of the association in furthering

the market's education. “As the

Indian market is booming, it’s

the right time for the work we

are doing to increase awareness

of standards, good practises

and the value of Eurovent

certification. We have so far

seen four successful workshops

around India in Delhi, Bengaluru,

Mumbai, and Hyderabad.”

The presentation from the

members during the workshop

has been significant in

highlighting the correlation

between health and indoor

air quality, says Kaul. This is

important because while the

Central Pollution Control Board

monitors and has guidelines for

outdoor air pollution, an equal

amount of effort should be made

to instil this philosophy among

consultants to understand the

importance and impact of their

choices clearly. Bhardwaj adds:

“While we have a long way to go

and a lot to do, all the members

are playing an active role, and

we are very proud to bring

about recognition and increase

awareness on air filtration in

India.”

Change is afoot for the

Eurovent Certified Performance

programme for Air Handling

Units (AHUs). 2024 has seen

two big improvements with

the introduction of a new test

methodology and new energy

class calculations. We spoke

to Project Manager, Donatien

Lambert, about the evolution

of the AHU programme and

what the changes mean for

manufacturers and HVAC

professionals alike.

Changes to test

methodology

The AHU programme has evolved

in response to manufacturer

feedback. Donatien explained,

“We have taken steps to reduce

the number of tests required,

streamlining the process for

manufacturers, while ensuring

the tests we do undertake are

more representative of actual

performance.” It’s win-win

for manufacturers and HVAC

professionals, as the programme

attains a more integrated

approach to product evaluation,

with certified data bearing even

more realistic results.

Hi Donatien, can you tell

us about the changes

to supply and exhaust

testing?

Donatien: “Our main aim in rethinking

the test methodology

was to evaluate AHUs more

holistically. Previously, the supply

and exhaust AHUs were tested

separately. Now both the supply

and exhaust units are tested at

the same time, with all points

tested together. This offers a

much more cohesive and efficient

approach to product testing."

Has there been reductions

in the tests required?

Donatien: “Yes. Simplifying and

streamlining the programme

was also a priority. Previously we

regularly tested both real units

and model boxes. From 2024

there will be no surveillance tests

for model boxes, and model box

tests will only be required if the

unit undergoes changes or is

new to certification. The process

has been simplified to avoid

unnecessary testing.”

Can you tell us about

the addition of humidity

efficiency testing?

Donatien:: “We have introduced

humidity efficiency testing for

heat recovery systems (HRS).

Prior to 2024, laboratory tests

included the efficiency of the

HRS and its capacity to recover

heat under dry conditions. From

now on, humidity efficiency

under summer conditions will be

tested. This is because humidity

efficiency plays an important role

in energy class rating.”

What’s in store for

internal leakage test

requirements?

Donatien: “Amends have also

been made to the testing of

the internal leakage of the unit.

The more airflow that is lost, the

harder the fan must work, and

the more energy is consumed.

Besides, for hygienic reasons,

leakages shall be minimised. It

is therefore vital that the results

gained for internal leakage tests

gives an accurate and reliable

result. The units are now tested

to include the Outdoor Air

Correction Factor (OACF) as well

as the Exhaust Air Transfer Ratio

(EATR).”

Donatien Lambert

Project Manager


Q2 2025

Q2 2025

The more airflow is lost,

the harder the fan must work,

and the more energy is consumed.

What updates have been

made to the TCR for the

testing of filters?

Donatien: "For the 2025

campaign onwards, if no

Eurovent-certified filters are

selectable in the software, an

additional test is required to test

the filter ISO efficiency of the

selected filter. This filter test is

not required if a filter efficiency

laboratory test report according

to EN ISO 16890:2016 is supplied

to Eurovent Certification.

“This new requirement will

improve the certification

programme. Indeed, until now

the pressure drop of the unit

is checked by testing the unit.

However, if the filter is not

Eurovent certified, or if we have

no test report as proof, we are

not checking that the filter ISO

efficiency is the one related to

the pressure drop of the filter.

With this new requirement, we

will be able to check this point.”

Changes to energy class

calculations

Moving onto energy class,

Donatien described the latest

developments to ensure the

accuracy of calculations.

Can you tell us about the

changes to reference

cities?

Donatien: “In the past,

manufacturers were able to

pick their own winter design

temperature when it came to

energy class calculations. We

now have set reference cities for

both summer and winter energy

efficiency class. This ensures that

AHUs can been compared fairly

and accurately by those using

certified data.”

We hear you have

expanded the

calculations; can

you explain what has

changed and why?

Donatien: “The newly introduced

summer calculations examine

the impact of the heat recovery

systems bypass pressure drop

on the energy efficiency class.

Pressure drop adds to the

consumption of energy of the fan

and the overall efficiency of the

HRS. For example, in winter when

the HRS is in operation, the unit

will experience some pressure

drop.

While the pressure drop will

affect performance, the AHU is

also gaining efficiency via the

reuse of heat from the HRS, thus

negating the impact. However, in

warmer temperatures when the

HRS is not in use, pressure drop

can also be experienced when

the bypass is open.

“This new calculation deciphers

the influence on the system

between the pressure drop of

the HRS when in use, and the

pressure drop of the bypass

when it is left open, and the

HRS is not in use. It provides

information on the balance

between HRS and bypass

pressure drop.”

That’s a lot of changes! Thank

you for your time Donatien.

So, there you have a roundup

of the new test methodology

for AHUs and new energy class

calculations. Thanks to these

developments, the testing

regime has been made more

efficient and effective, for the

benefit of both manufacturers

and their customers.

The importance

#insights

08

of impartiality

For Eurovent Certification,

impartiality isn’t just a buzz

word, but a guiding philosophy.

Impartiality is the very

cornerstone of Eurovent Certified

Performance and the certification

process. Most importantly,

impartiality is what provides the

truth of product performance,

creating trust between all players

in the heating, ventilation, air

conditioning and refrigeration

(HVACR) industry. Our latest

article explores the importance

of impartiality and third-party

evaluation, as well as the

lengths Eurovent Certification

takes to create a truly impartial

certification process.

What is third-party

certification?

As a third-party certification

body, Eurovent Certification

works independently of

manufacturers (first-party)

and their customers (secondparty),

with no bias towards or

against any other party. The

value in third-party certification

is that product performance is

verified by an independent body

without a vested interest, with no

preconceptions or prejudice. For

Eurovent Certification this means

guaranteeing that all products

will be evaluated transparently

and fairly, creating a level playing

field for manufacturers large and

small.

01

Certification

request

Impartial and fair

certification process

Before we explore how Eurovent

Certification upholds its

impartiality, first we need to look

at the certification process itself.

At the very centre of this lies

a fair, reliable, and repeatable

process, which is applied in

exactly the same way to all

products and manufacturers

within a programme. Eurovent

Certification is obliged by its

ISO IEC 17065 accreditation (by

COFRAC) to provide certification

programmes that are nondiscriminatory,

bound by strict

rules on confidentiality and

completely impartial.


in the tests required?

• Evaluates all products

according to the same criteria

• Expresses results in the same

unit of measurement – allowing

direct comparison across a

common language

• Ensures all products within the

programme go through exactly

the same certification, auditing

and surveillance process

• Ensures products with

components manufactured

across multiple sites

(sometimes in different

countries), all reach Eurovent

Certification standards.

02

Analysis of

reported data &

validation

Tests

Factory

audits

Products tested and evaluated

by Eurovent Certification must

pass a number of checkpoints

to receive certification. Stateof-the-art

evaluation protocols

are used in Eurovent Certified

Performance programmes,

including:

Independent laboratory tests

• Manufacturing audits

• Selection software checks

• Product sampling issued from

factory

• Product purchase on the

market (when possible)

• Data consistency algorithms

crossed by product family

Additionally:

• Products are tested under

conditions coming from

European or International

standards

• And most products undergo

yearly surveillance

monitoring to ensure

standards remain high

03

Yearly

renewal

Evaluation audit

report & tests

Decision

Certification

delivery

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

#insights

Impartial laboratory

testing

To be impartial, all bias needs

to be removed, as does any

opportunity for those both inside

and outside of the process to

influence any results. During the

laboratory testing aspect of the

certification process, Eurovent

Certification ensures:

• Laboratories are independent

and ISO 17025 accredited

• There is no direct

communication between the

testing laboratory and the

manufacturer

• Laboratories and their staff

have no prior affiliation, or

a conflict of interest, with the

manufacturer or product

they are testing

• Laboratories and all those

involved in the testing and

evaluation of products must

abide by strict confidentiality

rules. Test results will only

be discussed with Eurovent

Certification and no other party

(including the manufacturer’s

competitors)

• Only test reports ordered

directly by Eurovent

Certification via independent

and accredited laboratories

can be considered. Test reports

provided by manufacturers are

not accepted.*

These extra layers of impartiality

also heighten Eurovent

Certification programmes above

third-party laboratory testing

alone, as crucially the laboratory

and manufacturer have no direct

contact. Additionally, laboratory

tests are only part of the process

included in programmes such as

Eurovent Certified Performance,

which add in further checkpoints

to reliably validate product energy

efficiency and performance.

Impartial evaluation,

auditing, and surveillance

In Eurovent Certified

Performance programmes,

the results from the laboratory

are evaluated alongside

information gathered from

factory audits and software

checks. This is all cross

referenced with information

provided by the manufacturer.

Successfully certified products

then join a surveillance process

to ensure continued quality.

Participants in a number of

programmes undergo yearly

selection software audits and

manufacturing audits, to ensure

products continue to comply

with certification criteria. This

also streamlines the application

process when products meet the

end of their certification period

and need to reapply. Eurovent

Certification also undertakes

monitoring of communication

media of participants, applicants,

and non-licensee manufacturers

to prevent misuse.

Those undertaking factory audits,

software checks and reviewing

manufacturer data:

• Are bound by strict

confidentiality and impartiality

rules

• Must not provide advice

or internal audits for

manufacturers

• Must have no conflicts of

interest when it comes to

either the manufacturer

or the product

• Must be suitably skilled

and competent to undertake

the assigned tasks

• Plus, audits are subject

to ISO 17021

While there are different

actors binding together all

the strands of the certification

and surveillance process,

communication is simplified,

with all information passed

through Eurovent Certification’s

client managers, who are

the main point of contact for

manufacturers.

In Eurovent Certified

Performance programmes, the results

from the laboratory are evaluated

alongside information gathered from

factory audits and software checks.

* Programmes run in partnership with, or using evaluation protocols from a

fellow certifier (e.g. Heat Pump KEYMARK, Eurovent Certified Performance for

Fans) are exempted from this rule.


Accredited

Certifier

Certification

3rd Party

Performance Declaration

by Manufacturer

Proving impartiality with

ISO/IEC 17065:2012

Eurovent Certification is

accredited as a certification

body compliant with ISO/IEC

17065:2012 standard by COFRAC

(Accreditation N°5-0517, scope

available on www.cofrac.fr).

To gain accreditation, COFRAC

audits every aspect of Eurovent

Certification as an organisation,

from documentation and

record keeping, to certification

processes and complaints

procedure. The accreditation

also assures that Eurovent

Certification staff possess the

correct skills and qualifications to

competently fulfil their roles, and

most importantly, abide to the

highest levels of impartiality and

confidentiality.

The ISO/IEC 17065:2012

standard by COFRAC demands

that all aspects of the

organisation and certification

process are risk assessed

More reliability

& independence

Less reliability

& independence

for areas where impartiality

and confidentiality could be

compromised, with any potential

risk swiftly addressed. COFRAC’s

auditors evaluate Eurovent

Certification every 15 months

across a five-year accreditation

period to ensure there is no

lapse in process or accountability.

Just as Eurovent Certification

expects manufacturers to

uphold exacting standards for

their certified products, it is

itself under a comprehensive

accreditation and surveillance

process.

Additionally, Eurovent

Certification has a mechanism

of safeguarding impartiality,

the CPPC, which is an

independent body with a

balanced composition of

manufacturers, consumers

and scientists. This committee

is regularly consulted on

impartiality issues and has

the power to take action with

COFRAC if necessary.

Types of COFRAC

accreditation

It’s important to note that not

all certification bodies choose

to be accredited or accredited

to the same extent. COFRAC

offers several types of product

certification schemes. All

product certification types allow

accredited certifiers to:

I)

Select products to certify,

including planning and

preparation activities,

specification of requirements,

e.g. normative documents, and

sampling, as applicable

II)

Determine characteristics, as

applicable, by testing, inspection,

design appraisal assessment

of services or processes, other

determination activities, e.g.

verification

III)

Review products by

examining the evidence of

conformity obtained during

the determination stage to

establish whether the specified

requirements have been met

IV)

Decide on certification. Granting,

maintaining, extending, reducing,

suspending, withdrawing

certification.

Eurovent Certification is

accredited under scheme type 5.

This gives the below additional

conformity assessment functions

and activities (highlighted in

green).

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

Key Insights from EMI:

HVACR 2030

09

#insights

ISO 17087 Correspondance Table

Conformity assessment functions and activities within product certification chemes

Types of product certification

schemes

Eurovent Market Intelligence (EMI) unveils key

trends and challenges in the HVACR sector

1a! 1b 2 3 4 5 6 Nc

V Attestation, licensing

a) issuing a certificate of conformity or other statement of conformity (attesstation) X X X X X X X X

b) granting the right to use certificates or other statements of conformity X X X X X X X

c) issuing a certificate of conformity for a batch of products X

d) granting the right to use marks of conformity (licensing) is based on surveillance

(VI) or certification of batch

VI Surveillance, as applicable by:

X X X X X X

a) testing or inspection of samples from the open market X X X

b) testing or inspection of samples from the factory X X X

c) assessment of the production, the delivery of the service or the operation of the

process

X X X X

On 29 November 2024, Eurovent

Market Intelligence (EMI)

released its latest comprehensive

report, HVACR 2030, offering an

in-depth analysis of the Heating,

Ventilation, Air Conditioning,

and Refrigeration (HVACR)

sector in 2023. Now in its fourth

edition, the report provides a

forecast through 2030, making

it a valuable resource for

manufacturers, investors, and

policymakers keen to understand

market dynamics, emerging

technologies, and future

opportunities.

Impartiality guaranteed

One of the key comparisons in

the report is between the cooling

tower and dry cooler markets.

In 2023, the dry cooler market

in Europe was valued at €372.7

million, significantly higher than

the cooling tower market at €210

million. Germany leads the dry

cooler segment, while Türkiye

dominates the cooling tower

market. Notably, dry coolers

experienced a 15% growth in

value, whereas cooling towers

stagnated.

This is part of an underlying

trend in Europe which sees the

dry cooler market progressing

more quickly than that of cooling

towers. Between the two,

the adiabatic and hybrid dry

coolers progress the fastest, but

another confrontation is looming

between the simple spray and

pad systems. As can be seen in

the graph opposite, pad systems

dominate the market but this

trend could be reversed.

d) management system audits combined with random tests or inspections X X

Scheme type 5 is the most

comprehensive accreditation

applicable for product

certification. While all product

certification schemes include

at least the activities I, II, III,

IV and Va, the added value in

scheme type 5 is that it fully

validates Eurovent Certification’s

surveillance process also.

Impartiality guaranteed

With a number of different thirdparty

certification marks and

laboratory testing programmes

available, manufacturers are

advised to do their homework

when choosing their certifier.

After all, the decisions made

impact on their clients, who

rely on impartial, reliable, and

independent product data when

making purchasing, design,

installation, and maintenance

decisions.

For Eurovent Certification, all

the above elements combine to

keep certification process fair

and impartial, for manufacturers

both joining programmes and

those established and within the

surveillance phase. As a body

certified by COFRAC, Eurovent

Certification is held accountable,

and its impartiality guaranteed.

With 30 years of experience

in product performance

certification and 40+ different

certification programmes, it’s the

qualities of impartiality, expertise,

fairness and reliability that has

made Eurovent Certification

the undisputed certification

body in Europe for HVACR. With

74% of the European market

Eurovent certified, and the only

certifier to award the Eurovent

Certified Performance mark, its

certification programmes have

consistently gone above and

beyond to find the truth of a

product and create trust in the

industry.

Find out what Eurovent

Certification can do for you:

https://www.euroventcertification.com/en/cms/news/

the-importance-of-impartiality

Overview of the Report

The HVACR 2030 report covers

16 product categories across

five key chapters:

• Cooling

• Refrigeration

• Thermodynamics

• Terminal Units

• Ventilation

It focuses on the European

market, which includes the EU27,

the Balkan countries, Norway,

Switzerland, Türkiye, the UK,

and Ukraine.

Ventilation

Thermodynamics

Refrigeration

Terminal Units

Cooling

Distribution of the Adiabatic and Hybrid market in Europe in 2023

Pad system Hybrid Simple spray

Market in value

Market in units

2023 market size in billion euros

0,8

0,7

68%

59%

1,4

9%

13%

4,3

23%

4,8

28%

Q2 2025

Q2 2025

#insights

Refrigeration Market

Trends

The refrigeration chapter

examines the market for coolers

and condensers, including

CO2 units. In 2023, the market

recorded sales of 271,000

coolers and 48,900 condensers,

with France leading the market,

followed by Italy and Germany.

A key highlight is the increasing

adoption of CO2 refrigerant

units, rising from 12% in 2019 to

20% in 2023. Northern Europe

has the highest penetration of

CO2 units, accounting for around

50% of the market but this is not

necessarily where the largest

markets or the strongest growth

are. Ammonia (NH3) units also

remain significant, with large

markets in Spain, Poland, and the

Netherlands, although growth

potential is emerging in other

regions.

Thermodynamics Market

Developments

The thermodynamics segment

displayed an overall positive

trend in 2023, apart from rooftop

segments, which showcased

a stagnation in unit numbers.

Chillers with capacities above

50 kW saw double-digit growth,

reaching a market value of

€1,997.7 million. Both aircooled

and water-cooled chillers

contributed to this growth.

While the long-term analysis by

cooling and heating type reveals

differing trends, the refrigerant

analysis concludes that the

phase-down of HFCs in 2023 is

rather slow, despite a decline in

the use of R-410A.

The report also provides a

detailed refrigerant analysis,

categorising chillers by

capacity, heat source, cooling

type, compressor type, and

application, along with a forecast

of refrigerant trends up to 2030.

Refrigerant share with Chillers

>50 kW in 2023

HFC/HFO

Blend;17%

HFO;

7%

Natural;

1%

Data Centre Cooling:

CRAC/CRAH Growth

HFC;

74%

The CRAC (Computer Room

Air Conditioners) and CRAH

(Computer Room Air Handlers)

market saw impressive growth

in 2023, with unit sales up by

15% and market value increasing

33% to €375.8 million. This

growth was primarily driven by

high-capacity CRAH units (over

100 kW), which are essential

for hyperscale and enterprise

data centres. Sales of large

CRAH units surged 28% in 2023,

continuing a trend that has been

developing since 2015.

Terminal Units Market

Performance

The fan coil market, valued

at €570 million in 2023,

experienced significant growth,

particularly in units without

casing, which account for onethird

of the market slightly

surpassing units with casing.

In contrast, the chilled-beam

market remained stable at

nearly €64 million, with Sweden

accounting for over a third of

total sales. The report forecasts

a modest decline in the chilledbeam

segment through 2030,

as fan coils are considered a

more cost-effective solution, and

continue to gain market share.

Ventilation Sector:

Trends and Challenges

The ventilation segment features

three key products:

• Air Handling Units (AHU)

• Central Residential Mechanical

Ventilation with Heat Recovery

(MVHR)

• Air Filters

Among these, only air filters

demonstrated stable growth

dynamics. The AHU market,

valued at approximately €2.9

billion in 2023, grew by 7.5%

in euro but stagnated in unit

sales. Southern Europe and the

UK were the only regions with

positive unit growth. Notably,

rotary heat recovery technology

became the dominant system in

Europe (37%), surpassing platebased

systems (32%), with a

high probability of keeping this

prevalence in the future.

The residential MVHR market

suffered the most significant

decline, dropping 10% due to

a slowdown in new residential

construction. While Spain and

the UK saw positive growth in

2023, Northern and Eastern

Europe experienced declines of

approximately -20%. At EMI, we

forecast a gradual recovery for

this segment though slow and

not immediate.

Despite the overall decrease,

units enthalpy-based units saw

slight gains, especially in Eastern

Europe.

Unlike that for AHU, the share

of rotary heat recovery in

central residential MVHR in

Total Europe diminished in

2023, which is likely related to

the strong decline in Northern

Europe, the region where this

heat recovery type dominates.

Additionally, the report analyses

the defrosting strategies used

in different European countries

and the preferences by the unit’s

mounting type.

Market by type heat recovery

in Total Europe

31%

37%

Crossflow

Counterflow

Rotary

4%

3%

61%

66%

About Eurovent Market

Intelligence (EMI)

As the leading provider of

market data for the European

HVACR industry for over

30 years, Eurovent Market

Intelligence has built a solid

reputation for delivering highquality

insights. The HVACR

2030 report is based on data

contributions from over 500

industry participants, providing

a comprehensive analysis of

economic, technological, and

regulatory factors shaping the

HVACR sector.

The 154-page report is

now available for purchase.

Interested parties can visit the

"Publications" section of the

Eurovent Market Intelligence

website for detailed pricing

and additional resources. For

further information, contact EMI

directly at statistics@euroventmarketintelligence.eu.

With its in-depth market

analysis, emerging technology

insights, and forward-looking

projections, the HVACR 2030

report is an essential resource

for professionals looking to

understand the current and

future dynamics of the European

HVACR sector.

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

The following articles represent

the technical perspectives of

member companies and do

not necessarily reflect the

official position of the Eurovent

Association.

Product testing facilities are

key to industry growth and

innovation: Insights into an

emerging sector

Alberto López Capapé, CEISTECH General Director,

discusses the core mission behind the organisation's

establishment, trends related to energy efficiency

testing worldwide and the evolving compliance

testing landscape.

The demand for energy efficiency

testing is growing as buildings

face increasingly stringent

regulatory requirements,

placing a greater emphasis on

sustainable HVACR solutions.

As these regulations evolve,

the market is becoming more

proactive in seeking testing

services to validate compliance

and ensure performance meets

the necessary standards and

requirements. Thus, more than

ever, the demand for facilities

that provide these services is on

the rise.

The need for global reach

and future trends

Although the demand for energy

efficiency testing is growing

worldwide Alberto López

Capapé, CEISTECH General

Director, foresees particularly

strong growth opportunities

for laboratories in Northern

Africa, the Middle East, and

Asia, following the objectives

of regulators and certification

bodies operating in these

countries. “This is because

governments and institutions are

strongly backing the process to

match international standards

and regulations for energy

classification, which will mean the

demand for upgrading existing

laboratories, constructing

new ones, and specialised

consultancy and training services

will only grow.”

10

#insights

In the future, Capapé believes

there will be greater emphasis

on capabilities that make testing

easier than ever by incorporating

and enhancing automated

systems to control all main

test parameters, calculations,

and test results output. “In the

next 5 to 10 years, an evolution

of the testing standards for

capacity and performance testing

will happen,” he says. “New

developments are ongoing, and

some regions, such as Canada,

have already approved new test

methods.” He adds that other

regions will generally follow this

trend, and European regulatory

adoption is expected. Such

testing standards will incorporate

the “emulator” concept.

The emulator integrates a

building model into the test

conditions, allowing the capacity

and efficiency tests to include

the impact of thermostats and

Alberto López Capapé

CEISTECH General Director

The demand for upgrading

existing laboratories, constructing

new ones, and specialised consultancy

and training services will only grow.

Partnering with experts in this

field, he notes, is critical given the

dynamic shifts within the sector.

complete control logic of the

tested unit, including start and

stop operation.

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

#insights

Staying ahead of the

game

This will not only impact existing

laboratories and testing

facilities, be it independent or

manufacturer owned, but will

generally increase the demand

for additional testing capacities.

Against the backdrop of this

shifting market, CEISTECH

firmly believes that developing

laboratory facilities is also a

catalyst for industry growth

and innovation. “Laboratories

empower manufacturers to

meet global standards, ensuring

product quality, regulatory

compliance, and market

competitiveness, fostering

trust and expanding market

opportunities, ensuring fair

competition and safer consumer

markets.” Additionally, he notes

that new laboratories also

serve as hubs for research and

development.

Meeting a growing

demand

The growing demand for

compliance testing underscores

the critical role laboratories play

in the HVACR industry, which led

to the establishment of CEISTECH

by CEIS (Centro de Ensayos,

Innovación y Servicios, Spain),

one of the leading independent

testing laboratories in Europe,

explains Capapé.

Launched on July 1, 2024,

and drawing on the 25 years’

experience of CEIS, CEISTECH is

a new engineering firm

specialising in the design and

construction of turnkey testing

facilities and equipment.

Offering a range of services,

including engineering,

consultancy, and training,

CEISTECH aims to provide smart

technological solutions to global

manufacturers, regulators, and

certification bodies, enhancing

testing performance while

anticipating future regulatory

needs.

The involvement and active

participation in standardisation

activities at CEN and ISO levels,

as well as in sector-specific

product group meetings of

associations enables CEIS group

to stay ahead in the evolution

of testing methodologies and

standards. “It allows us to keep

track of existing and future

standards at CEN and ISO levels,

as well as future regulations

in Europe and other regions,”

Capapé says. “We support our

customers by updating them on

changes to testing standards

or regulations that may affect

testing requirements. Our

services in training ensure

testing is conducted correctly

and all standard requirements

are met. This also helps in

personnel transition from facility

operators to test specialists

or engineers with a solid

understanding of methods,

requirements, and best

practices.”

CEISTECH offers a full spectrum

of solutions designed to meet

unique needs in the field of

testing facilities based on the

three key pillars engineering,

consulting services, and

specialised training.

“We specialise in designing and

building 100% customised stateof-the-art

testing installations,

tailored to the needs of our

clients, ensuring reliability,

regulatory compliance, and

sustainability. Our commitment

is to support our clients with

flexible, advanced, proven

technological solutions,

prioritising automation and

digitalisation. CEISTECH

consulting services focus on

optimising and upgrading

existing testing infrastructures,

including diagnostic support,

performance improvement, and

regulatory standard adoption”

Additionally, Capapé notes

that their specialised training

programs provide tailored

education on testing standards,

eco-design, and energy labelling

regulations, equipping teams

with the skills to operate

advanced testing equipment and

maintain optimal performance.

Essentially, Capapé says

CEISTECH aims to be a trusted

and qualified partner for

designing and implementing

energy performance testing

installations, helping industries

navigate the evolving landscape

of energy regulations around

the globe.

Engineering | Consultancy | Specialized Training

HVACR testing solutions

Turnkey Design&Construction of HVACR Test Facilities

Consultancy Services and Upgrading of existing HVACR

Testing Installations

Specialized Training

www.ceistech.com |

CEISTECH

comercial@ceistech.com | +34 91 616 97 10

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

The confusing landscape of

hygienic air handling unit

certifications

Morten Schmelzer, Head of Group Public Affairs,

Systemair AB, discusses why it’s time to simplify the

certification landscape for hygienic air handling unit

and how Eurovent’s Hygienic Air Handling Unit (HAHU)

certification offers a unified approach.

Since starting my HVAC career

in 2012, I've been intrigued by

certifications—their benefits,

limitations, and the standards

behind them. I’ve often

questioned whether certifications

add real value or simply increase

costs. Then the pandemic hit,

and suddenly, hygiene claims for

air handling units (AHU) flooded

the HVAC sector. Niche standards

and certifications experienced a

resurgence, and what struck me

most was: this whole landscape

is a bit of a mess. Isn’t it?

Navigating the

complexities of hygienic

AHU certifications

Admittedly, the certification

landscape for hygienic air

Morten Schmelzer

Head of Group Public Affairs

Systemair AB

handling units (HAHUs) is

complex, with various national

and regional standards

attempting to define what

qualifies as “hygienic.” HVAC

manufacturers, specifiers and

end-users often find themselves

navigating a patchwork of

certifications, which can lead

to confusion, particularly when

manufacturers claim their

products are “hygiene ready”,

“VDI compliant”, or follow

ambiguous verifications from

profit-driven auditors. But how

did we reach this point, and what

certifications are available today?

While the honourable objective

of most hygiene certifications

is to ensure optimal indoor air

quality (IAQ) and different levels

of hygiene requirements for

differing types of applications,

their criteria, comprehensiveness

and enforceability of these

schemes can differ significantly.

Let’s have a closer look.

VDI 6022-1 and DIN

1946-4: The backbone

of European hygiene

standards

In central Europe, two key

documents underpin AHU

hygiene standards: Germany’s

VDI 6022-1 guideline and the

DIN 1946-4 standard.

11

VDI 6022-1 focuses on general

ventilation hygiene, covering

public spaces like offices,

schools, and commercial

buildings. It establishes,

for example, principles for

preventing contamination,

with a strong focus on using

materials that inhibit microbial

growth and ensuring systems are

designed for easy cleaning and

maintenance.

On the other hand, DIN 1946-4

caters specifically to healthcare

environments, such as hospitals

and cleanrooms. It sets stricter

guidelines for sterile conditions,

ensuring that AHUs are designed

to maintain optimal IAQ in critical

areas like surgical theatres and

isolation wards.

While these German standards

provide a robust framework,

they lack specificity in certain

areas. That said, VDI 6022-1 is

a guideline, not a strict standard,

which leaves some room for

interpretation. This can lead to

inconsistencies, particularly when

manufacturers claim compliance

without clear accountability for

meeting the full intent of the

Guideline.

HTM 03-01 in the UK and

Poland’s national hygiene

guideline

In the UK, the Health Technical

Memoranda (HTM) 03-01

offers another stringent set

of guidelines for healthcare

ventilation. It largely focuses on

infection prevention in hospitals

by mandating air management,

filtration, and accessibility for

cleaning. HTM 03-01 aims to

ensure that AHUs contribute

to patient safety by reducing

airborne infection risks in

environments like operating

theatres and intensive care units.

Similarly, Poland’s PZH Atest

Higieniczny, a hygiene certificate

issued by the National Institute

of Public Health (NIZP-PZH),

also mandates some basic

standards for, amongst others,

AHUs, particularly in industries

like healthcare, laboratories, and

food processing. This document

focusses, for example, on using

materials that prevent microbial

growth and ensure systems

are easy to maintain and clean.

Again, it is more of a guideline

than a strict standard and

certainly took some inspiration

from VDI 6022-1.

Eurovent’s Hygienic Air

Handling Unit (HAHU)

certification: A unified

approach

While national standards

like VDI, DIN, and HTM are

well acknowledged, they can

sometimes be vague or differ

significantly in their application.

This has led to the development

of programmes like Eurovent

Certified Performance for

‘Hygienic Air Handling Unit

(HAHU)’, which consolidates

the most acknowledged

approaches into a single, globally

recognised framework.

Eurovent’s HAHU certification is

kind of unique as it integrates

the requirements of VDI 6022-1,

DIN 1946-4, and other regional

standards into a cohesive

three-tier rating system. Its star

classification makes it easier for

manufacturers and end-users

to select the appropriate level

of hygiene for their specific

application, from commercial

offices to cleanrooms in

pharmaceutical facilities. Regular

audits of manufacturing sites and

software selection tools ensure

continuous compliance, offering

a higher level of reliability and

enforceability than any other

certification or verification

programme.

#insights

such as VDI and DIN, Eurovent

Certification simplifies the

decision-making process for

manufacturers, specifiers, and

end-users, helping them navigate

the complexities of hygienic AHU

requirements.

Furthermore, the upcoming

adaptation of its certification

mark to clearly state VDI and

DIN compliance of its 2 and

3-star rating tiers offers an even

clearer path for those already

familiar with these standards,

Eurovent Certified Performance

for ‘Hygienic Air Handling Units' (HAHU)

consolidates the most acknowledged

approaches into a single, globally

recognised framework.

Simplifying the

certification landscape

Ultimately, the landscape of

hygienic AHU certifications is

diverse and complex. And while

each scheme certainly serves its

purpose, it becomes clear that

the lack of uniformity creates

confusion for manufacturers,

specifiers, and end users.

In a field where certifications can

vary greatly, Eurovent’s HAHU

certification thus stands out, in

my opinion, for its clarity and

global applicability. By aligning

with well-known standards

ensuring a seamless transition

to Eurovent’s globally

acknowledged certification

system.

The result is a more unified

approach to hygiene in HVAC

systems worldwide, offering clear

and enforceable guidelines that

promote high standards of IAQ in

a wide range of environments.

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

Advancement in Cooling

Tower Design reduces

operational costs

12

#insights

Jai Kawrani, Application Manager – Middle East & India,

Baltimore Aircoil Middle East LLC, discusses how their

Combined Flow Technology (coil on fill) offers efficient

cooling, maximum coil life and easy inspection and

maintenance.

Over the years, advancements in

product design have enhanced

the integration of Combined Flow

Technology, enabling the FXVS

closed-circuit cooling tower to

have high capacity per footprint

and a thermal performance

certified by Eurovent

Certification. This technology

continues to meet the evolving

needs of today's users.

than the spray water

temperature, making it more

efficient than a conventional

cooler.

drift eliminators, which remove

water droplets from the air.

When selecting a Systemair product that

carries our #HygienicByDesign mark,

you can be sure you are receiving the best

indoor air quality for your project.

Hygiene isn’t a standard

for all applications.

But it should be.

At Systemair, we believe everyone deserves to breathe fresh,

clean, and healthy air. This is the core of our #hygienicbydesign

concept, which follows the principle that ventilation and air

distribution products should be designed and offered with

hygienic requirements in mind from the beginning.

Explore our

#Hygienicbydesign

solutions today

Combined Flow

Technology

The Combined Flow Technology

optimises the coil's sensible heat

transfer by cooling the spray

water (typically 4 to 7°C) over

the cross-flow fill. In combination

with the parallel airflow, the FXVS

can cool to lower temperatures

Jai Kawrani

Application Manager

Middle East and India, BAC

How does it work?

The warm process fluid circulates

through a heat exchanger coil,

which is wetted by a spray

system. An axial fan draws air

over the coil in parallel with the

water spray flow. The evaporation

process cools the fluid inside

the coil. The process fluid travels

from the bottom to the top of the

coil because the coldest spray

of water and air is at the top of

the tower. The spray water falls

onto a fill pack where it is cooled

before falling into the water

basin.

The spray pump recirculates the

cooled water to the top of the

tower. The warm saturated air

leaves the tower through the

Scale reduction sustains

thermal performance and

maximum coil life

Combined Flow Technology

minimises the risks of scaling.

Scaling is the formation of a

deposit layer on a solid surface,

which is accelerated when the

surfaces are frequently dried

out. Dry spots and, scaling

are eliminated because of the

following reasons:

→ The spray water loading (l/s

per m²) over the coil bundle

of an FXVS is typically 3 to 4

times higher than that of a

conventional fluid cooler.

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

→ As an immediate result, the

coil tubes of the FXVS are

covered by a thick water film,

which minimizes the risk of dry

spots and drastically reduces

the risk of fouling.

→ Air and spray water flow in

parallel, resulting in better

water coverage. Evaporation

primarily occurs on the wet

deck surface, which has

proven to be scale-resistant

and durable.

Chiller energy consumption

160

150

140

130

120

110

100

0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3

Scale thikness in mm

The multiple benefits of

Microchannel Heat Exchanger

Technology

Imran Master, Head of Product Management at Rheem

Middle East provides an in-depth analysis of how

microchannel aluminium coil technology offers improved

heat transfer properties, durability and serviceability,

corrosion protection and reduced refrigerant charge

of up to fifty percent, among other benefits.

13

#insights

→ With cold spray water, scale

compounds have the tendency

to stay in the solution rather

than deposit as solids on the

coil.

FXVS advanced coil technology

Conventional coil technology

Why is scale prevention

so important?

Even minimal amounts of scale

on the coil surface will affect the

performance of closed-circuit

cooling towers. With only a 1mm

thick scale, the cooling tower’s

performance is reduced by 30%.

As scale thickness increases,

capacity decreases significantly.

Although the formation of scale

is not always noticed by the

system operator, a closed-circuit

cooling tower with a scaled-up

coil must operate at higher fan

speeds and force other system

components to work harder to

make up for its shortcomings.

In a cooling system, the burden

is placed on the chiller. With

scale build-up on the coil, the

chiller consumes greater energy

and reduces system capacity.

The graphic below illustrates the

impact of scale build-up on the

chiller energy consumption.

Easy inspection

and maintenance

Crossflow units such as FXVS,

incorporating the Combined

Flow Technology, allow access

to all critical components

during operation. This enables

the customer to do preventive

maintenance inspections

that avoid scaling or severe

damage to the unit. The water

distribution, top of the coil, and

fill core are easily accessible even

during wet operation. A proper

water distribution not only

guarantees thermal performance

but also minimizes the scaling of

the coil.

FXVS closed circuit cooling tower

incorporates BACross patented

fill, which can be easily cleaned

or replaced. All the maintenance

services can be executed while

standing, even inside the unit.

As a result, regular inspection

jobs are no longer a hurdle for

maintenance people.

Executive summary

The HVAC industry is facing

challenges due to continuous

updates in regulations that

mandate higher efficiency

standards. These updates have

led to a significant increase in the

physical dimensions and weights

of traditional copper-aluminium

heat exchanger products, such

as split and package units. As

a result, HVAC systems have

grown larger, leading to several

operational challenges:

→ Increased Space

Requirements: Larger unit

sizes demand more physical

space at installation sites,

potentially limiting flexibility

Imran Master

Head of Product Management

Rheem Middle East

and complicating the design

of HVAC systems..

→ Higher Freight Costs:

The increase in size and

weight has led to significantly

higher transportation costs for

delivering these units to sites,

impacting the overall costeffectiveness

of HVAC projects.

→ Increased Labor and

Handling Needs: Larger and

heavier units require more

manpower to move, install,

and maintain, contributing

to higher labour costs and

extended installation times.

These challenges necessitate

the exploration of innovative

design solutions, such as the

use of alternative materials or

technologies that can meet

efficiency requirements while

minimizing the physical impact

on space, cost, and labor.

To address these problems,

Rheem has integrated

microchannel heat exchanger

technology into its products,

such as package units. The

benefits of microchannel

aluminium coil technology

include:

• Improved heat transfer

properties

• Enhanced durability and

serviceability

• Superior corrosion protection

• Reduced unit weight

• More compact units

• Reduced refrigerant charge

of up to fifty percent

The automotive history of

microchannel technology

Microchannel technology was

first introduced in the late 1980s,

primarily as a solution to address

refrigeration system challenges

in the automotive industry. At the

time, the automotive sector was

transitioning from using R-12

(a CFC-based refrigerant) to the

more environmentally friendly

R-134a. This shift introduced

new thermal properties that

traditional copper-aluminium

coil designs couldn't effectively

handle. The combination of

R-134a and copper-aluminium

coils led to insufficient cooling

performance because R-134a

had inferior heat transfer

characteristics compared to

R-12. The automotive industry

initially considered increasing

the size of the coils to improve

performance, but size, weight,

and cost limitations made this

solution unfeasible. Instead,

microchannel coils, brazed

in a controlled environment,

provided the optimal solution.

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

#insights

These coils had superior heat

transfer properties, reduced

size and weight, and improved

leak protection. As a result,

microchannel technology quickly

gained traction, and today it

is used in 70-80% of vehicles

produced worldwide.

Given its proven performance

and reliability in automotive

applications, it was only natural

for microchannel technology to

expand into other industries,

including HVAC.

Applications in HVAC

and diving into coil

construction

In the HVAC industry, traditional

copper-aluminium coils consist of

copper tubes and aluminium fins

mechanically bonded together

through tube expansion. Over

the years, these coils have

evolved with enhancements

in materials and construction

methods.

In contrast, microchannel coils

are constructed using parallelflow

aluminium tubes that are

mechanically brazed to enhanced

aluminium fins. This construction

approach results in a superior

coil that meets or exceeds HVAC

industry requirements.

The three primary components

used in manufacturing

microchannel coils are:

1. Parallel Flow Aluminum Tubes

2. Enhanced Aluminum Fins

3. Headers

Manufacturing method for microchannel coil

Microchannel coils are typically manufactured using Controlled

Atmosphere Brazing (CAB) furnaces. These furnaces maintain a

precisely controlled environment, enriched with nitrogen, to minimize

oxidation on the coil surface and ensure clean, consistent braze joints.

This process results in superior braze joints compared to traditional

copper-aluminium coils, which are often brazed by hand in normal

atmospheric conditions.

Tube & Fin Design

Tubes Mechanically connected to Fins

a. Tube is expanded into fin

b. Less thermal efficiency vs. brazed

Tube & Fin Design

MCHX Design

MCHX Design

Aluminum

Flat Tubes

Aluminum

Fins

Tubes Metallurgic ally Bonded to Fins

a. Entire assembly brazed in furnace

b. Superior thermal efficiency

Microchannel coil for higher air flow and efficiency

Airflow

Refrigerant

flow

Larger Tubes

a. More abstruction to airflow

b. More fan power

c. Less energy efficiency

Airflow

Refrigerant

flow

• Thin Tubes

a. Less abstruction

to airflow

b. Less fan power

c. Improved energy

efficiency

• Internally webbed Tubes

a. Improvedstrength

b. Increased surface area

c. Improved thermal

efficiency

One reason for higher efficiency using microchannels can be seen

in the above image. The construction of the microchannel is such

that the obstruction to the air passing through the coil is very low.

In addition, they are very thin and, most of the time, single-row

or two-row coils. Copper aluminium coils are normally two or three

rows with higher resistance to the air. This requires less motor power

when microchannels are used.

In addition, the surface of the microchannel is very hard, so it is very

hard to believe that the coil gets physically damaged. Physical damage

is a very common problem while using copper-aluminium coils.

Microchannel Coil vs Copper-Aluminium Coil:

An in-depth look

Microchannel coils offer various benefits compared to copper-aluminium

when used in Air Conditioning systems. These benefits are outlined below:

Parameter

Material

Microchannel

Coil

All Aluminium

Chances of Corrosion Less More

Refrigerant Quantity

50% less than

conventional

system

Copper-

Aluminium

Coil

Copper +

Aluminium

Standard

Overall Weight More More

Efficiency and Heattransfer

Resistance to

physical damage

Air Flow

More

Strong surface,

Difficult to get

damaged

Less resistance,

High Air Flow

Less

Easily get

damaged

Higher

resistance,

lower Air Flow

Re-cycling Easy to re-cycle Difficult

Distributor

Requirement

3/16” or ¼”

Distributor tubes

Brazing Joints

Not Required

Not Required

Only two

brazing joint

Mandatory

Mandatory

Multiple

brazing joints

Advantage

Single material microchannel coil.

The risk of corrosion is heightened when two dissimilar metals, such

as copper and aluminium, come into contact due to their differing

properties. This interaction increases the likelihood of corrosion,

potentially compromising the system›s longevity and performance.

In contrast, microchannel coils are composed of a single material,

which greatly minimizes the risk of corrosion and enhances the

overall durability of the system.

Due to their high efficiency and reduced internal volume,

microchannel coils require approximately 50% less refrigerant

compared to conventional copper/aluminium systems.

This lower refrigerant requirement not only enhances energy

efficiency but also supports green building initiatives by reducing

environmental impact.

Additionally, the reduced refrigerant usage contributes to lower

service costs, making the system more economical

in the long run.

Microchannel coils are lighter than traditional copper-aluminium coils,

which helps to reduce the overall weight of the unit.

There is higher heat transfer in an aluminium microchannel coil

compared to a copper aluminium coil of the same size. As a result,

less surface-area is required, which contributes to a more compact

and high-efficient unit design.

Microchannel coils provide a durable surface that is highly resistant

to damage.

Requiring less motor power to achieve the desired airflow enhances

overall system efficiency. Additionally, increased airflow further

contributes to improved system performance and efficiency.

A Microchannel coil is easy to recycle because of single material

compared to copper-aluminium.

The tubes in the microchannel coil are made of small holes that act

as a distributor, so an additional distributor is not required, unlike in

a conventional copper-aluminium coil.

Microchannel coils eliminate the need for distributor tubes,

simplifying the piping system. This reduction in complexity also lowers

the risk of leaks, as there are no small tubes that could potentially fail.

Due to only two brazing joints, the microchannel offers a reduced

chance of leakage

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

#insights

Exploring corrosion resistance

and distributor requirements

Microchannel Evaporator

→ TXV feeds into 3/8” line

→ Circulating inside manifolds

→ Distributor not required

→ 3/16” or ¼” tubes not required

Conventional Cu tube/AI

Evaporator

3/8” Line

No Distributor

Distributor

→ Formicary corrosion (due to

a chemical reaction between

oxygen, water and organic

acids) attacks only copper

→ TXV feeds into distributors

that may rub other tubes

→ Circulating on the outside

of the coil

→ Distributor mandatory

Distributor tubes

(3/16” or ¼”

When a microchannel coil is used as an evaporator,

there is no need for a distributor, as the refrigerant

is directly going to the header. The header is

connected to individual tubes, and each tube has

multiple small bores (refrigerant pathways). In

copper-aluminium coils, a distributor must supply

an even quantity of refrigerant to each circuit. As

such, multiple distributor lines (1/4” or 3/16”) are

also not required. These small tubes are often

a reason for leakage in copper-aluminium coils.

By eliminating the distributor and its connecting

tubes, chances of leakage are largely reduced in

microchannel coils.

Conventional copper tube/aluminium fin coils are

also predisposed to galvanic corrosion by the very

nature of their construction. Galvanic corrosion

requires three fundamental elements, all of which

must be present for it to occur. These elements

include an anode (the material that “dissolves”

away), a cathode, and an electrolyte. Depending on

the properties of the cathode and anode, as well as

environmental conditions, the rate of corrosion can

vary significantly from one application to the next.

In a traditional copper-aluminium coil, two

dissimilar materials, typically copper tubes and

aluminium fins, act as the anode (aluminium)

and the cathode (copper). As seen in seacoast

applications, these materials, in the presence

of salt-water air (electrolyte), combine to create

galvanic corrosion, resulting in the loss of

aluminium fins.

Microchannel coils reduce the rate of galvanic

corrosion by utilising tube and fin material with

similar properties, thus helping to minimise the

anode/cathode relationship. Because of their

improved corrosion resistance, microchannel

condensers are particularly desirable in seacoast

applications where traditional copper-aluminium

condensers can corrode to the point of failure in

just a few short years.

Big gain.

Finally, applications with large air volumes can benefit from the advantages

of the GreenTech EC technology and the proven design of external rotor

motors. Discover the RadiPac with the new 24 kW motor FanDrive and

air flows of up to 40,000 m³/h.

More information at:

www.ebmpapst.com/radipac

Q2 2025 Q2 2025

#insights is an international publication

produced by Eurovent Middle East as part

of Eurovent's international activities.

For information on technical contributions

and advertisements, please contact our

Team using the details provided below


Dubai Association Centre

The Offices 2, One Central,

Dubai World Trade Centre,

PO Box 9292, Dubai,

United Arab Emirates

office@eurovent.me

+971 4 516 3032/3033

Eurovent International #insights Vol 1 - 2025

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