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June 2025 US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ FILTER FOCUS IAQ governance Dr Iyad Al-Attar, air filtration consultant COUNTRY REPORT China CHILL SUPPLEMENT ON DISTRICT COOLING Policy, performance and the path to decarbonisation NEWS Innovate Solutions for a Better Tomorrow Go beyond. Luxurious Fan Coil Units Sustainable Filtration Systems Replacement of AHUs & FCUs Unique Roof Top Package Units Mekar Air Handling Units LLC www.mekar.ae | www.mekar.it The Business Centre,Suite 203, Khalid Bin Walid Street P.O. Box 24583, Dubai, UAE Tel. +971 4 357 4469 Fax +971 4 357 4479 e-mail: sales@mekar.aeJune 2025 EMPOWER WINS THREE AWARDS AT IDEA CONFERENCE ZIEHL-ABEGG RECEIVES MX EXCELLENCE AWARD US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ FILTER FOCUS IAQ governance Dr Iyad Al-Attar, air filtration consultant COUNTRY REPORT China CHILL SUPPLEMENT ON DISTRICT COOLING Policy, performance and the path to decarbonisation NEWS • Epta unveils Circular Economy-based refrigerated display case • Güntner advances natural refrigerants and Circular Economy innovation goals • JCI highlights cost and emissions savings from heat pump applications • Taqeef, O General launch new VRF system amid claims of its suitability for desert conditions Saudi Arabia leads the charge with AI, autonomous buildings Advancing sustainability throughPRESENTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION 6-8 OCTOBER 2025 | JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA ccme.news/ccme-events 12 TH EDITION 2 ND EDITION 11 TH EDITIONVOL. 20 NO. 6 JUNE 2025 11 22 06 www.ccme.news 3 page COVER STORY Advancing sustainability through VRF Saudi Arabia leads the charge with AI, autonomous buildings FILTER FOCUS IAQ governance: Let’s fix the hardware first Dr Iyad Al-Attar, IAQ and air filtration consultant, speaks on the imperative of IAQ governance in rapidly urbanising pandemic- prone cities CHILL Supplement on District Cooling Policy, performance and the path to decarbonisation Recognising the need to transform District Cooling from a technical niche into essential urban infrastructure, speakers at the 11th Edition of DC Dialogue explore digital readiness, the thinking among developers, and policy-related progress COUNTRY REPORT: CHINA Sourcing at a crossroads Evaluating cost, credibility and continuity of sourcing HVACR products from China amid global trade shifts REGULARS 04 26 32 eDItor'S note A study in contrasts Regional News Global News 18A FTER the success of the 6th Edition of the World IEQ Forum, in March 2022 at the Sweden Pavilion of the World Expo, we laid out plans for the 7th Edition of the conference, in end-June 2025 in Dubai. But for more reasons than one, the conference had to be postponed. The feedback we received in response to announcing the conference was varied, but the dominant answer indicated a certain weariness, a certain reluctance, almost bordering on cynicism – that clients (developers), largely speaking, did not view Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as a critical need and that even during the height of COVID-19, the needle barely climbed to the level of ‘Interested’, leave alone ‘Deeply Interested’. We have had an indication of this sentiment even prior. In our few attempts to write a story on how IAQ could be incorporated in the retrofit rubric, the response was feeble at best. It is something that IAQ and air filtration consultant, Dr Iyad Al-Attar has highlighted in his column in this issue of the magazine. With a heavy heart – for he is an ardent advocate of the need to push IAQ into the mainstream – he has analysed the rather dismissive attitude shown towards the much-needed intervention. He has bemoaned the lack of economic analysis of optimal IAQ, the absence of compelling and comprehensive data on the total costs associated with illnesses and medical care. Perhaps tellingly, he says, “Stakeholders require a direct and clear correlation between these issues and dollar amounts linked to poor indoor environments.” Dr Al-Attar – and a precious handful – present a study in contrasts to the general apathy surrounding IAQ. Over the years, he has taken the narrative on IAQ to a sophisticated level. No longer satisfied talking about particle characteristics and filter media, he has broadened the narrative to discuss IAQ Governance, which he feels is fundamental to air quality strategies and measures that organisations and entire urban entities need to adopt – and sustain. For example, in this issue, he speaks on ‘Adaptive Governance’, which he says is “the most suitable approach for IAQ, due to the inherent complex, dynamic and uncertain nature and variation of IAQ status and its transient sensitivity”. Reading the article is a starting point. The longing is for that moment of epiphany among the general stakeholder community for a wilful and motivated adoption of IAQ measures. And we shall talk to you later about reviving the conference programme towards a higher ecosystem of authentically healthy buildings. Jeremy McDonald Principal of Guth DeConzo Consulting Engineers, in New York, writes on IAQ and building tracing. He served as the technical consultant to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in development of an IAQ guideline for Higher Education in NY: “Covid-19 Response Guide, State University of New York”. Dan Mizesko Managing Partner/President, US Chiller Services International, writes on issues relating to chilled water systems, including operation & maintenance. Nabil Shahin Managing Director, AHRI MENA, writes on HVACR- specific regulation issues. Dr Iyad Al-Attar IAQ and air filtration consultant, writes on specific science and technology issues relating to Indoor Air Quality, including airborne particles. Omnia Halawani Co-Founder & Co-CEO, GRFN Global, writes on MEP consultancy- related issues. Krishnan Unni Madathil Auditor, Bin Khadim, Radha & Co. Chartered Accountants, carrying out an analysis of the market, writes on business opportunities for the HVACR industry. Editor Surendar Balakrishnan surendar@cpi-industry.com Online & Social Media Nivedita Vijayan marketing@cpi-industry.com Editorial Assistant Arushi Menon features@cpi-industry.com Advertising Enquiries Frédéric Paillé +971 50 7147204 fred@cpi-industry.com Judy Wang Our representative in Asia (except India) +852 307 80 826 judywang2000@vip.126.com Deep Karani Our representative in North America +1 365 885-6849 deep.karani@cpimediagroup.com Design Head Ulysses Galgo uly@cpi-industry.com Webmaster Chris Lopez chris@cpi-industry.com Database/Subscriptions Manager Purwanti Srirejeki purwanti@cpi-industry.com Published by Founder, CPI Media Group Dominic De Sousa (1959-2015) Co-Founder & Commercial Director Frédéric Paillé fred@cpi-industry.com EMPANELLED COLUMNISTSCo-Founder & Editorial Director Surendar Balakrishnan surendar@cpi-industry.com Head Office PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE Web: www.cpi-industry.com Printed by: Jaguar Printing Press L.L.C © Copyright 2025 CPI Industry. All rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein. A study in contrasts Visit our website: climatecontrolme.com/digital Also available at June 2025 EMPOWER WINS THREE AWARDS AT IDEA CONFERENCE ZIEHL-ABEGG RECEIVES MX EXCELLENCE AWARD PUBLICATIONPUBLICATIONPUBLICATION US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ FILTER FOCUS IAQ governance Dr Iyad Al-Attar, air filtration consultant COUNTRY REPORT China CHILL SUPPLEMENT ON DISTRICT COOLING Policy, performance and the path to decarbonisation NEWS • Epta unveils Circular Economy-based refrigerated display case • Güntner advances natural refrigerants and Circular Economy innovation goals • JCI highlights cost and emissions savings from heat pump applications • Taqeef, O General launch new VRF system amid claims of its suitability for desert conditions Saudi Arabia leads the charge with AI, autonomous buildings Advancing sustainability through Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle Eastearly! Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR June 2025 4climatecontrolawards.com/uae OFFICIAL PUBLICATION PRESENTS NOVEMBER 2025 DUBAI, UAE 2025Dr Iyad Al-Attar speaks on the imperative of IAQ governance in rapidly urbanising pandemic-prone cities Among these, the degradation of air quality, both outdoors and indoors, stands out as a critical threat to public health and wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the vulnerability of densely populated urban centres to airborne pathogens, shifting the focus from ensuring merely pandemic-resistant cities to the more ambitious goal of creating truly pandemic-proof urban environments. Central to achieving this paradigm shift is the robust governance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), a factor that has long been overlooked but is now recognised as a cornerstone of urban resilience and public health security. Rapid urbanisation complicates the challenge of maintaining healthy IAQ through interconnected pathways. Increased construction leads to dust and particulate matter, while higher population densities result in greater emissions from transportation, energy and industry, infiltrating indoor spaces. The pandemic highlighted the significance of IAQ in disease transmission, shifting the focus from surface disinfection to airborne transmission as a critical defence against respiratory viruses. Traditional measures, like mask mandates and basic ventilation adjustments, are insufficient if systems are malfuctioning or poorly maintained. To enhance urban resilience against possible pandemics in the near or distant future, we must shift from merely preparing for outbreaks to designing pandemic-proof cities that minimise the risk of airborne disease transmission. Effective IAQ governance involves comprehensive standards, consistent monitoring, public education, integrated urban planning and collaborative innovation to protect urban populations amidst ongoing and future health challenges. Dr Iyad Al-Attar, an IAQ and air filtration consultant, writes on specific science and technology issues relating to Indoor Air Quality, including airborne particles. He may be reached at i@driyadalattar.com T HE relentless march of urbanisation, a defining characteristic of the 21st century, presents a complex tapestry of opportunities and challenges. While cities serve as engines of economic growth and innovation, their burgeoning populations and concentrated activities often strain resources and infrastructure, leading to a multitude of environmental concerns and climate change issues. FILTER FOCUS June 2025 6IAQ governance Governance is essential for achieving optimal IAQ through establishing and enforcing standards for healthy air in various environments, including homes and workplaces. This involves creating stringent IAQ standards that address different pollutants and climatic conditions. Effective governance necessitates the careful application of established standards in HVAC systems, which involves customising ventilation rates to suit specific needs and adapting to varying environmental conditions. Additionally, the urgent need for adaptive air filtration systems, which operate smarter in responding to the challenges of outdoor air quality, cannot be overstated. These modern filtration systems should possess the capability to deal with various pollutant concentrations of different types, which can pose adverse health risks to human occupants. Cities should invest in reliable indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring networks to collect real- time data on pollutants. Air filter design needs to be connected to actual IAQ data to pinpoint areas for improvement. Ultimately, independent agencies should monitor IAQ data to raise public awareness and address air pollution that seeps indoors. Furthermore, significant leaps can be achieved if government organisations can incentivise innovations contributing to sustainable solutions in existing as well as future buildings. Complexity of IAQ governance Managing IAQ is a complex process that involves multiple stakeholders, and is influenced by such external factors as outdoor pollution and individual behavior. A comprehensive governance framework that integrates ‘Adaptive Governance’ and ‘Polycentric Governance’, informed by ‘Complexity Theory’, can form the nucleus of IAQ governance. Adaptive Governance emphasises learning and flexibility in unpredictable urban environments, allowing cities to test interventions and refine strategies based on real-world data. Polycentric Governance promotes collaboration among various authorities and stakeholders, avoiding one-size- fits-all solutions and leveraging diverse expertise. Complexity Theory helps understand non-linear interactions and emergent behaviours in urban systems, underlining the need for adaptable solutions. Additionally, concepts such as ‘Network Governance’ and ‘Multi-level Governance’, are crucial for effective IAQ management, promoting trust, information flow, and coordinated efforts at local and global levels. Establishing a legal framework, enforcing regulations, promoting public awareness initiatives and providing support for building owners are crucial to improving IAQ and enhancing the quality of life of occupants of buildings. Perhaps the most suitable approach to govern IAQ is ‘Adaptive Governance’, which is the most suitable approach for IAQ due to the inherent complex, dynamic and uncertain nature and variation of IAQ status and its transient sensitivity. Pollutant sources, concentrations and health impacts constantly change based on building design, occupancy, activities and Figure 1: Construction dust particle reocovered from air filters installed in air-handling units in the Arabian Peninsula Figure 2: Scanning electron miscropsopic images of various filter media used in HVAC filtration In a nutshell… The central argument is that Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) governance is an essential and currently undervalued component of creating resilient and "pandemic- proof" urban environments, particularly in the context of rapid urbanisation. Dr. Al-Attar emphasises that IAQ is not solely an environmental concern but a fundamental public health issue with far-reaching implications that extend beyond respiratory health. Effective IAQ initiatives require an Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) lens that encompasses robust government policies, technological innovation and active citizen participation. www.ccme.news 7Next >