Chillventa 2026: Energy Efficiency and New Technologies for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pumps

The trade fair continues to grow this year. The exhibition space was already above the level of 2024 months before the event started and will be expanded by an additional hall. The range includes refrigeration and insulation technology, measurement, control and regulation technology, and automation, as well as climate, ventilation, and heat pump technology.

Energy efficiency becomes an economic issue

For operators of refrigeration and air conditioning systems, technical performance is no longer the only concern. Energy consumption and operating costs are becoming increasingly important. Accordingly, energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainability are central topics of Chillventa. The use and avoidance of waste heat and circular economy are also gaining in importance. Especially for systems that are operated continuously over many years, even small increases in efficiency can be economically significant. The fair aims to show which technical solutions are now available for this purpose.

Refrigeration and heat pump technology are coming closer together

The connection between refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump technology is getting stronger. Technologically, the areas are based on similar principles, but economically different markets and applications are developing. At Chillventa, heat pumps along with air conditioning and ventilation technology will have their own focus in halls 7 and 7A. Refrigeration technology and insulation technology are spread across several halls, with hall 6 dedicated to measurement, control, and regulation technology. The new hall concept is designed to provide clear orientation despite the larger exhibition space.

Data Centers Pose New Cooling Requirements

Data centers are among the areas with the strongest growth and innovation pressure. More powerful IT infrastructure and the expansion of AI applications increase the demands on cooling and energy supply. Therefore, cooling is given its own program stream at the Chillventa CONGRESS. Along with the air conditioning of data centers, heat pump technologies, the 9th Innovation Day for Refrigeration Technology, and the ASERCOM + EPEE Symposium are also on the agenda. Speakers from research, development, and practice will contextualize current technical developments and regulatory issues.

Expert Forums Bring Applications to the Exhibition Halls

Knowledge transfer also takes place during the three days of the fair. In several expert forums, companies, organizations, and associations present practice-oriented solutions and discuss current developments in refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and heat pump technologies. The forums are spread across Halls 4A, 7A, 8, and 9, with special presentations in Halls 7 and 7A. The presentations will be recorded and made available digitally afterwards.

International Sector Meets in Nuremberg

The significance of Chillventa for the industry is also evidenced by the figures from the previous event. In 2024, 1,010 exhibitors from 49 countries and more than 33,000 visitors came to Nuremberg. 74 percent of the exhibitors and 57 percent of the visitors came from abroad. Due to high demand, the area was expanded for 2026. Chillventa 2026 will take place from October 13 to 15 at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, and on Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The Chillventa CONGRESS starts on Monday, October 12. For trade visitors, it will be especially interesting to see how far new solutions in energy efficiency, heat pumps, automation, and cooling have already been implemented in practice. Given high energy costs and increasing demands, not only the technical performance of a system is decisive, but also how efficiently it can be operated over its entire life cycle.