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May 2025 US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ Refrigerants Review • Refrigerant leak sensors • The impact of new refrigerants on centrifugal chillers • Compressors: At the heart of refrigerant transition efforts ANALYSIS • Krishnan Unni Madathil, of PERSPECTIVE • Atul Pahune of Bry-Air on desiccant dehumidification REGIONAL REPORT • Scandinavia’s scalable HVACR solutions for energy efficiency, IAQ flow solutions seminar • CAREL reports strong Q1 results EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN 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.aeMay 2025 SAUDI ARABIA EXPANDS COOLED ROAD NETWORK IN MECCA EMPOWER RECEIVES LEED GOLD FOR DLRC DCP US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ Refrigerants Review • Refrigerant leak sensors • The impact of new refrigerants on centrifugal chillers • Compressors: At the heart of refrigerant transition efforts MACRO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS • Krishnan Unni Madathil, of Bin Khadim, Radha & Co, speaks on tariffs PHOTO-FEATURE • Ninth Edition of the Middle East VRF Conference PERSPECTIVE • Atul Pahune of Bry-Air on desiccant dehumidification REGIONAL REPORT • Scandinavia’s scalable HVACR solutions for energy efficiency, IAQ NEWS • Aalberts, FJ Group conduct hydronic flow solutions seminar • CAREL reports strong Q1 results • Daikin UAE, Al Shola in rental cooling solutions initiative • JCI-Hitachi achieve MEA HVAC training milestone • Samsung acquires FläktGroup in €1.5 billion deal EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN Advocates of UV-C point to its essentialness in deactivating airborne pathogens, address safety concernsECOLINEECOLINE CO 2 ECOLINE+ IQ MODULE ECOLINE PLUS IQ MODULE. BOOST YOUR SYSTEM’S VALUE! Intelligent standard on ECOLINE reciprocating compressors: The IQ MODULE simplifies installation and commissioning as well as maintenance of the compressor and the entire system. It keeps an eye on essential operating parameters, supports data evaluation and ensures efficient and safe system operation with clever features. The range of functions can be individually adapted thanks to extension boards. Learn more at bitzer.de/reciprocating_compressors // bitzer.de/electronics_controls // mail@ bitzer.ae NEW EDITION VOL. 20 NO. 5 MAY 2025 10 24 26 28 06 www.ccme.news 3 page COVER STORY An undisputed place for UV-C Representatives from the UV-C industry discuss how it is critical to deactivate airborne and surface-bound pathogens in HVAC PERSPECTIVES MACRO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS Have the basics changed? While analysing global markets and tariffs, it is important to distinguish myth from reality, says Krishnan Unni Madathil of Bin Khadim, Radha & Co Chartered Accountants. PHOTO-FEATURE Ninth Edition of the Middle East VRF Conference Regulation, AI, autonomous buildings and IAQ constitute the talking points at the event. EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN: Refrigerants Review Making sense of refrigerant leaks Building owners are increasingly dependent on leak sensors to meet regulatory demands and minimise opex. However, sensor selection and maintenance pose critical challenges. The impact of new refrigerants on centrifugal chillers What does transitioning from R-134a to next- generation alternatives entail? Dan Mizesko of Dalkia US Chiller Services answers the question. Compressors: At the heart of refrigerant transition efforts Most GCC region countries have ratified the Kigali Amendment, towards reducing HFC emissions. However, effective implementation requires strong industry collaboration, says Murad Abu-Salimah of Danfoss REGULARS 36 Regional News 42 Global News 04 eDItor'S note 16 PERSPECTIVE Precise moisture control in low-humidity environments Atul Pahune of Bry-Air speaks on harnessing the power of desiccant dehumidifiers as a means to revolutionising the preservation process in the food industry REGIONAL REPORT A blueprint for energy efficiency, IAQ leadership Scandinavia is presenting scalable HVACR solutions, where policy, innovation and education converge 30 32May 2025 4 W HERE the scope allows, it has become essential to look for cooling solutions that address Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as much as they do energy efficiency. In a move aligned to this need, the 9th Edition of the Middle East VRF Conference that we conducted on May 7 in Riyadh, examined the possibility of variable refrigerant flow systems being part of a broader strategy to improve health and safety during pandemics and even during times of normalcy. The subject drew plenty of interest and was surprisingly vast in terms of sub- topics, but given the paucity of time even in a day-long conference, we were only able to scratch the surface. Here are some questions we hoped would elicit detailed answers: ‘Can VRF systems be equipped with advanced filtration and ventilation technologies to enhance air quality, reducing the spread of airborne pathogens during pandemics?’ ‘Can VRF systems with heat recovery and dedicated outdoor air systems help prevent cross-contamination by maintaining proper ventilation in healthcare settings during a pandemic?’ ‘Can VRF systems be integrated with smart sensors to monitor occupancy and adjust airflow and ventilation levels, in compliance with social distancing and hygiene guidelines?’ ‘Should we focus on the implementation of smart and demand- controlled ventilation strategies in VRF systems to optimise airflow based on real-time occupancy data, reducing the spread of infections?’ ‘Can VRF systems be designed to be energy efficient while maintaining higher ventilation rates to address the need for healthier, pandemic-resilient buildings?’ ‘Can specialised pathogen-specific filters be designed and installed in VRF units to protect healthcare workers and patients from airborne viruses and bacteria?’ and ‘Is there the potential of using data analytics to dynamically adjust VRF system settings – airflow, ventilation rates – based on real-time health data and building occupancy during a pandemic?’ This issue of the magazine includes a photo-feature of the VRF conference; we shall follow that up with a detailed report in the June 2025 issue of Climate Control Middle East . Yet another question during the conference was, ‘What is the scope for integrating UV-C light technology in VRF systems to effectively disinfect air and surfaces in high- risk environments, such as hospitals and public transportation during a pandemic?’ This issue’s cover story focuses on UV-C, a subject that some would say is steeped in controversy. The focus is not intended to advocate the use of UV-C or to dismiss it as unsafe but to conduct an honest, unbiased, open-minded appraisal of the technology. Hope you find the discussion interesting. 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 Independent 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. H for holistic Visit our website: climatecontrolme.com/digital Also available at Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle Eastearly! Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACRPRODUCED BY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION 7 24 JUNE 2025 Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU), Dubai Academic City, Dubai, UAE ccme.news/event/ieq EDUCATION I HEALTHCARE I HOSPITALITY Sectors in focus...May 2025 6 “W HAT is Donald Trump doing?” is a question to animate pretty much any conversation these days, anywhere across the world. His actions in the first five months of his second presidency have been a whirlwind, built upon the basic suspicion nagging the minds of several millions of Americans that they have been collectively shortchanged by the world. As a result, through the device of Trump they have gone about taking a jackhammer to the very system they played such a huge role in creating, threatening to upend much of the global order. The manner of implementation – direct calls to individual businesses and companies instead of sweeping policy positions – also mark a significant departure from the past behaviour of American governments. This is indicative of the deep suspicion which the Americans have towards the world at large. But has the base of common sense underpinning these internationally sprawling supply chains changed with a change in administration? If it has, then it would mark this writer as more of a follower and raconteur of established trends rather than a keen analyst of the world around us. One of the more noteworthy articles I wrote for this magazine previously makes mention of the iPhone and its supply chain, very much a poster-child of globalisation, and whose activities have come under the scanner of the Trump administration. The US President has pressed Apple to shift all the manufacturing of its products to be sold to the US consumer back to the United States. A lot of other manufacturing businesses with internationally spread- out supply chains have also been “commanded” to get back onshore. The idea motivating these diktats is that getting these manufacturers back onshore in the United States will lead to more jobs for US citizens. And it is not untrue that considerable portions of the US workforce need gainful employment, and that millions have been pushed into the margins and are living lives off the dole one way or another, and that this is leading to social problems such as drug abuse, chronic ill-health and broken families. This is adding to the social welfare costs borne by government agencies and, ultimately, putting pressure on taxpayers. Looked at this way, clearly, there is sense in what Trump is trying to do. However, it is worth considering whether the underlying basics have changed. Consider the iPhone. The process of manufacturing the parts and assembling the device make up merely two per cent of the total value, measured by final selling price, of the product in the store. It is an important two per cent, no doubt, but it is still merely two per cent. Similarly, Britain reached a landmark a couple of weeks ago: She was on the verge of mothballing the last steel furnace in the country, at Scunthorpe. It had been sold to an Indian steel maker, By Krishnan Unni Madathil who handed it over to the Chinese for exactly GBP 1, and the Chinese folded their hands in defeat at keeping it alive. Parliament had to step in to nationalise part of the company, essentially visiting the taxpayer with a daily bill of GBP 700,000 just to keep the lights on. Is it still economically worth trying to build steel in the home of the Industrial Revolution? The underlying theory – of comparative advantage – points towards only one answer. A lot of noise was being made in India upon announcement of some iPhone assembly being shifted there; knowledge of the above value matrix dampens considerably the ecstasy of achievement stemming from the news. In other words, getting manufacturing and assembly units onshore may make India work more and more visibly so; but it will not necessarily make Indians wealthier. I know personally of people who substitute the appearance of graft for proof of actual value added, then complain against all of creation when it doesn’t result in the hoped-for wealth addition! It certainly gives politicians the opportunity to gloat about the one secular thing they can all tout – jobs! And there is so far nothing to suggest that the economic results of onshoring will be any different in the United States from what it is in India. Krishnan Unni Madathil Auditor, Bin Khadim, Radha & Co Chartered Accountants, writes a bi-monthly macro- analysis on geopolitics, incumbent political structures, global business and finance exclusively for Climate Control Middle East. He may be contacted at krishnan.madathil@binkhadimradha.com. When it comes to analysing business finance, global markets and tariffs, it is important to distinguish myth from reality, says Krishnan Unni Madathil MACRO-ECONOMIC ANALYSISwww.ccme.news 7 Unless, that is, we take into consideration the other side of the equation, which is the market. If the goods produced, assembled or manufactured have a ready market in which they will be bought, then it is worth producing. If not, it doesn’t take a government committee to inform a profit-seeking business about the grim reality of their situation. What if the market is not ready under current conditions for the domestic producer’s output, but the market can be made ready instead? This is where tariffs come in. Tariff barriers have the effect of making imports expensive for the ordinary consumer, turning their demands towards domestic, on- shore producers, manufacturers and assemblers. And when they turn their demands on shore, these units will, hopefully, require more hands on deck, which translates to more domestic jobs. That is the thinking, at least. There is enough evidence to suspect that more people think that onshoring low-paying, high-employment manufacturing jobs is a good idea than are willing to get into aforementioned low-paying, high-employment manufacturing jobs themselves if they had a choice. What Trump is aiming for is so counterintuitive to the economic mind that many are simply resigning themselves to count down the number of days left in his presidency, with the clear hope to restore what they perceive as “common sense” back to everything. There is nothing new with this line of thinking. This is what the 19th century was all about. It is not worth talking about all the wars which peppered the timeline of that age; for those were not merely for economic reasons. The reason people equate the absence of free trade with war and imperialism has to do with what Karl Marx wrote in the 19th century trying to explain world history until his day. The reason people equate free trade with peace, counter to the Marxist arguments, has a lot to do with the arguments put forth by the likes of the American economist, Milton Friedman in the 1970s and 1980s. Even he was merely reinterpreting what had been said in so many words about the same subject by the French economist, Frederic Bastiat in the 19th century, as well. The variable in the outcomes from onshoring and tariffs between the United States and India has to do with the variance in the nature and depth of the consumer markets in these two countries. Goods made must be sold, else what’s the point? In a tariff world, getting one’s produce to consumers in other countries naturally becomes difficult, forcing businesses to turn to domestic markets. And in a tariff world, actual purchasing power of markets matter. One can surmise, then, that the winners in a tariff world will be those economies possessed of large purchasing power. The Unites States has a consumer market the purchasing power of which can be measured in nominal GDP terms as at being about USD 30 trillion per annum. China has a nominal GDP per annum of some USD 20 trillion. The figure for India is about USD 4 trillion, and that is with a population over four times as large as that of the United States. What it means is that whereas onshoring to a more expensive manufacturing and assembly location will have negative effects for consumers overall, the size of the consumer market measured in dollars will determine how much this shock can be spread, dissipated and absorbed. Where does a country like the UAE – and businesses based in the UAE – figure in this new scheme of things? As part of its post-oil planning, the UAE has worked overtime the past couple of decades to diversify its economic value generators away from hydrocarbons, with some success. Among these measures has also been a keen push to encourage domestic sourcing of Next >