Established in 2004, the Cooling Industry Awards is organised by RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) magazine and is the benchmark scheme for recognising excellence in environmentally friendlier refrigeration and air conditioning. The shortlist for this year’s Cooling Industry Awards includes some potentially revolutionary cooling solutions, now being harnessed to meet the environmental challenges facing the sector.

According to the event organizers’ press release, finalists include a ground-source, low energy and HFC-free cooling system for a new generation of green supermarket, a revolutionary smart building material which changes phase to save energy and keep buildings cool, and a new combined CO2 and ammonia-based cooling technology for commercial end-users. The finalists span Blue Chip companies such as Marks and Spencer, Tesco and Norwich Union, and influential trade bodies such as the HVCA, the ECA and Refcom. Among the technology innovators in the running for a prestigious award are BASF, Daikin Europe, EPTA Refrigeration, Mitsubishi Electric, Space Engineering Services, Star Refrigeration and TROX AITCS. The Cooling Industry Awards judging panel comprised leading representatives of the industry.

Ray Gluckman, chair of Judges and former president of the Institute of Refrigeration, said: “The Cooling Industry Awards demonstrate how the industry is responding positively to the environmental challenge.” He added: “This year’s entries achieved an exceptional standard. It is clear from the Cooling Industry Awards 2007 that the industry and end users have recognised that providing a good environmental solution is now becoming a mainstream requirement”. Winners will be revealed at a gala awards evening held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, on 3 October, 2007.