The IIR said that it supported the measures governments are taking to guarantee the safety and health of their citizens, however it must be recognised that the various stakeholders in the refrigeration sector – producers, installers, engineers and technicians responsible for equipment servicing and maintenance – all play a major role in insuring the ongoing operation of refrigeration equipment.
This is essential in particular in hospitals, nursing homes for the elderly who are more vulnerable to COVID-19, as well as food retail and industries.
The IIR pointed out that over 15 million people are employed worldwide in the refrigeration sector – including air conditioning - which consumes about 20% of the overall electricity used worldwide and that:
- Refrigeration is vital for reducing post-harvest losses and in the preservation of food products.
- Air conditioning also plays a key role in the economic and social development of warmer countries and its use is expanding dramatically - especially in the world’s emerging economies - with rising global temperatures.
- In the healthcare sector, refrigeration preserves pharmaceutical products and medicines, especially vaccines. New treatments, such as cryosurgery or cryotherapy, were developed thanks to ultra-low temperature technologies.
- Refrigeration is employed in numerous industrial processes such as chemicals, plastics and natural gas liquefaction (LNG).
- Deprived of refrigeration data centres - and the internet - would collapse in minutes.