Heating, energy, refrigeration, ventilation and air conditioning (HERVAC) systems play an important role in pharmaceutical manufacturing, especially related to ensuring product quality and safety and industry regulatory compliance.

The South African Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC) will host FRIGAIR 2025 during 4-6 June 2025 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand. The event will profile approximately 150 leading companies within the HERVAC sector and showcase the latest products, technologies and developments in environmental control systems for the pharmaceutical industry.

One of the most important components of pharmaceutical manufacturing is environmental control to ensure product quality. Many pharmaceutical products are sensitive to temperature, humidity and airborne contaminants. Pharmaceutical ingredients and biologicals can degrade when exposed to unsuitable conditions, while other processes are temperature and humidity dependent, making HERVAC systems vital in managing and controlling environmental factors to ensure process stability. Proper environmental controls also enable process reproducibility across manufacturing sites with the same product outcomes.

Daikin South Africa, a global leader in climate control solutions, plans to leverage the FRIGAIR platform to demonstrate its evolution beyond air conditioning and establish itself as a comprehensive HVAC supplier that delivers complete solutions across various industries. The company will exhibit solutions such as the Daikin DX Air Handling Unit for optimal air quality and energy efficiency, and the Daikin LMS Monoblock fully functional plug-and-play cold room system. Industry professionals and stakeholders will have the opportunity to explore solutions which ensure optimal indoor air quality, precise climate control, high-performance cooling solutions and industrial applications supporting factories and large-scale facilities.

Maxiflex, a leader in industrial entrance solutions, will showcase its specialised solutions for cold storage and refrigeration applications. Visitors to the Maxiflex stand can expect to see a range of cold room innovations designed to optimise insulation, energy savings, and traffic flow in temperature-controlled environments. Highlights include the refrigeration-grade strip curtain material, engineered for durability and superior thermal insulation, ideal for use in walk-in freezers, cold rooms, and food processing facilities. Specialised door for freezer applications, including models built to handle extreme temperature differences while maintaining high-performance sealing and minimal energy loss.

HERVAC systems play an important role in contamination control in pharmaceutical manufacturing by maintaining cleanroom standards and controlling particulates, microbial loads and air pressure as well as preventing cross-contamination between products.

The pharmaceutical industry must comply with strict industry standards regulated by international oversight bodies. HERVAC systems help companies to comply with these standards as well as general good manufacturing practices. HERVAC systems also enable safe and comfortable working conditions for employees and helps to control employee exposure to hazardous substances in the manufacturing environment.

Refrigeration forms a crucial part of the cold chain for storing temperature sensitive materials throughout the manufacturing and distribution cycle. All the latest developments in refrigeration technology will be on show at FRIGAIR 2025. Energy Partners will bring its groundbreaking Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) model to the spotlight at the show. The new full-service model has Energy Partners design, funding, installing and operating high-performance cooling systems on behalf of its clients. Businesses no longer need to purchase or maintain their own refrigeration infrastructure. Instead, they simply pay for the cooling they use, at a predictable rate. The result is zero capital outlay, reduced operational risk, improved system reliability, and critically, real-time performance data that drives smarter, more sustainable operations. Trusted by leading SA companies Energy Partners has implemented CaaS for leading clients, including Clover SA, Aspen Pharmacare, Sovereign, Dr. Oetker, Rederberg, Lynca Meats and Letaba Packers.

Staycold International, based in the Free State, will be exhibiting four different technology advancements at FRIGAIR 2025. Staycold’s hydrocarbon freezer technology will be on display with a new single door full height freezer. This is an extension to their range, utilising hydrocarbon R290 gas, a natural refrigerant with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) index. The company will also have a live demonstration of the energy saving benefits of their hydrocarbon coolers with live power readings of the two units, one equipped with a Hydrocarbon refrigerant system and the other with a HFC-based systems. Both these coolers (SD1140-HC-CE and SD1140-CE) will be on display side by side, with real-time readings from their time at the show, with the aim of quantifying the energy savings over that period.

FRIGAIR 2025 is the ideal environment to discover the latest innovations, advanced technologies and future- ready solutions for all those looking for the best in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and energy products and services.