Each year, World Refrigeration Day (26 June) shines a light on something most of us take for granted, cooling technology.
From keeping vaccines viable to reducing global food waste, refrigeration is central to modern living. But for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), it’s also a space of high-stakes accuracy, increasing regulation, and growing pressure to go green.
This article explores why refrigeration matters, how it powers global sustainability, and what it means for OEMs in the cooling industry.
What is World Refrigeration Day?
World Refrigeration Day is observed annually on 26 June. It was launched in 2019 to celebrate the role of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump technologies in modern life.
The event also honours the engineers and technicians behind these systems and promotes eco-friendly, energy-efficient innovations across healthcare, food supply chains, and climate control.
The date marks the birthday of Lord Kelvin (William Thomson), the scientist who established the absolute temperature scale, making it a fitting tribute to the science behind cooling.
Why Refrigeration Deserves Recognition
Refrigeration touches nearly every part of our lives, often without us noticing.
In healthcare
Cold storage is essential for preserving vaccines, medicines, and blood supplies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, temperature-controlled supply chains were the backbone of global vaccine delivery.
In food systems
Roughly 30% of food is wasted globally. Much of that is preventable through proper refrigeration. Cooling preserves freshness across farming, transport, retail, and home use.
In industry
Refrigeration supports manufacturing, data centres, and power systems, and is becoming vital to new sectors like battery cooling for e-mobility and hydrogen storage.
Kolpak’s Aftersales Transformation
How Kolpak improved accuracy, reduced downtime, and supported customers 24/7.
When walk-in freezers break, the clock starts ticking. Kolpak, a leader in commercial refrigeration, partnered with Partful to digitise their aftersales process and support technicians with 3D interactive parts lookup.
- First-time fix rates improved
- Orders can now be placed any time, anywhere
- Junior technicians now identify parts with confidence
The Environmental Cost of Cooling
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), cooling appliances account for nearly 20% of global electricity use.
As populations grow and climates warm, this demand is only increasing. That’s why there’s a global push for clean cooling, which includes:
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Switching to low-GWP refrigerants
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Using smart sensors and AI to reduce energy use
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Adopting solar-powered or inverter-based systems
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Designing for recyclability and long-term efficiency
These aren’t just future goals, they’re requirements many OEMs are being pressured to meet now.
Innovation in Cooling Technology
Cooling is evolving fast. Here are some of the innovations shaping the next generation of refrigeration:
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Magnetic refrigeration, which eliminates harmful gases and relies on solid-state materials.
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IoT-enabled systems, which offer predictive maintenance and live monitoring.
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AI-powered retail cooling, used in supermarkets to dynamically regulate temperature.
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Solar refrigeration, expanding access to healthcare in off-grid communities.
OEMs operating in this space need to ensure their aftersales systems match the sophistication of the tech they’re producing.
How World Refrigeration Day Is Celebrated
The event brings together manufacturers, engineers, governments, and educators through:
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Webinars and workshops on sustainable cooling
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Trade shows and exhibitions showcasing new technology
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School outreach programmes teaching the next generation about climate-conscious innovation
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Reports and toolkits from industry bodies like ASHRAE and the International Institute of Refrigeration
It’s also a chance for businesses to demonstrate leadership by sharing their sustainability goals and innovations.
Why This Matters for Refrigeration OEMs
For OEMs, refrigeration is a market full of both opportunity and risk. Accuracy and uptime are mission-critical, particularly when the products serve sectors like healthcare or food logistics.
Yet many manufacturers still rely on static PDFs and outdated parts catalogues. This leads to:
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Incorrect part orders
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Longer support times
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Lower first-time fix rates
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Frustrated service engineers
Adopting interactive 3D parts lookup tools is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’. It’s a direct route to reducing errors, protecting brand reputation, and improving the customer experience.
Conclusion
World Refrigeration Day isn’t just a celebration of past achievements, it’s a call to action for innovation, sustainability, and smarter service.
For refrigeration OEMs, it’s a reminder that how your customers identify and order parts is just as important as how your products are built.
Whether you’re helping hospitals maintain cold chain logistics or supporting supermarkets in cutting spoilage, accuracy matters.
FAQs
What is World Refrigeration Day?
A global awareness day held every 26 June to recognise the importance of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps in modern life.
Why was it created?
Launched in 2019, the day coincides with Lord Kelvin’s birthday and celebrates scientific achievement in cooling technologies.
Who celebrates it?
Engineers, OEMs, environmental groups, and education organisations around the world participate in events and campaigns.
Why does refrigeration matter?
It underpins public health, food security, and industrial processes, all while being a major factor in global energy use.
How is it connected to sustainability?
Modern refrigeration technology is shifting to reduce carbon emissions, increase efficiency, and support circular practices.
What are some key innovations in the sector?
Magnetic refrigeration, IoT-powered systems, and solar cooling are leading the way.
How can OEMs improve their refrigeration support?
By moving away from static PDFs and adopting digital exploded parts catalogues that improve service accuracy and speed.
Partful
