NEWS
UK to host Adaptation 2027, IIR research conference
T
he UK will host the second International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) conference on Refrigeration: Adapting to Rising
Temperatures in 2027, with the Institute of Refrigeration confi rming that the event will take place from 8–10 March at Austin Court, Birmingham. Known as Adaptation 2027, the conference
follows the inaugural edition held in 2025 and will focus on the technical, environmental and strategic challenges facing the global RACHP sector as rising ambient temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increase pressure on cooling systems. The programme will examine the forthcoming Refrigeration Design Code for Changing Ambient, due for publication this summer and jointly developed by the IOR and CIBSE with contributions from IMechE, FETA and CCF. The Code sets out recommendations for managing refrigeration plant under higher temperature conditions and
improving design standards in line with updated CIBSE weather data.
Adaptation 2027 will bring together international
experts to explore resilience, system performance, low-GWP refrigerants, whole-life impacts and emerging technologies, with parallel streams covering research papers, case studies, workshops and short courses. The event aims to provide a practical framework for strengthening both technical practice and long-term planning across the cooling industry. A call for abstracts will open shortly. Further information is available at
www.adaptation2027. com, where delegates can also register for programme updates.
LFB Group acquires Hydronic
L
FB Group has acquired French air handling specialist Hydronic as it looks to expand its HVAC and
refrigeration capabilities across Europe and accelerate development of energy- effi cient solutions.
The Normandy-based manufacturer,
WorldSkills hopefuls set for qualifying heats at InstallerSHOW
T
he largest fi eld for the RACHP WorldSkills UK competition will take to the show fl oor at Birmingham’s NEC next week, as 18
apprentices compete live during the InstallerSHOW from 23 to 25 June. Hosted across three days, the qualifying stage brings together candidates aged 18 to 41 – the most age-diverse cohort the competition has seen – refl ecting the widening demographic of the RACHP workforce. The event is organised by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and forms part of the global WorldSkills programme, backed by Baxi as primary investment partner alongside in- kind support from other industry organisations. Competitors will complete two timed tasks of two and a half hours each, covering real-world scenarios including fault diagnosis, component replacement, electrical testing, and refrigeration pipework fabrication with pressure testing. Judges from Beijer Ref, Danfoss, Daikin, Maple Mechanical, Catalent, Grange Designs, Shelly Group and Baxi will assess performance throughout the heats. The full list of competitors is available via ACR News. The top six scorers will progress to the UK fi nal in Wales this November, where bronze, silver and gold
known for its design and production of air handling units, brings long- established technical expertise and a strong presence in demanding applications including hospitals, industrial sites and commercial buildings. LFB Group said the move forms part of its wider strategy to enhance its off ering in HVAC and refrigeration, support European growth, and address rising requirements around energy performance, indoor air quality and building effi ciency. The Group plans to support
medals will be awarded. Those under 21 who achieve above-average scores will also be considered for the UK squad preparing for the 2028 Skills Olympics in Aichi, Japan. “We are delighted to be hosting the largest
ever fi eld of competitors for WorldSkills UK,” said Kevin Morrissey, BESA’s technical director. “This demonstrates the strength of emerging talent in our industry, and I would like to congratulate all 18 who have made it this far.” The RACHP competition places particular emphasis on hands-on skills such as brazing, pipework, servicing and troubleshooting complex systems. Many entrants say the variety and problem- solving nature of the work drew them into the industry.
Hydronic’s development through its industrial, commercial and innovation resources, including access to its European laboratory to accelerate product development. Hydronic will continue advancing new generations of air handling units, such as the MCX platform, designed to meet market expectations for performance, fl exibility and energy effi ciency. Fabien Buff ard, Director of Strategy, Marketing & Acquisitions at LFB Group, said the acquisition marks an important step for the business, adding that the company has confi dence in Hydronic’s teams, product quality and growth potential. He noted that LFB Group intends to modernise Hydronic’s industrial facilities and invest in strengthening its infl uence across European markets. The acquisition reinforces LFB Group’s commitment to European industrial expertise and its ambition to off er customers a broader, high-performance range of HVAC and refrigeration solutions.
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www.acr-news.com • July 2026 7
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