Winners C&R 2025 Innovation Gallery: Solutions Shaping the Efficient and Sustainable Future of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Organised by IFEMA MADRID, the International Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Exhibition will take place from 18 to 20 November 2025 and will feature 18 innovative products in its Innovation Gallery. These solutions embody the sector’s key areas of progress: a commitment to energy efficiency, adoption of natural refrigerants, decarbonisation of buildings and the digital transformation of control systems.

Accordingly, the 2025 Innovation Gallery highlights a shift towards refrigerants with very low Global Warming Potential (GWP), such as CO₂ (R-744), propane (R-290), and intermediate blends like R-454C and R-455A, driven by European F-Gas regulations and green building certifications. Highlights include modular high-temperature heat pump systems that support refurbishment projects and high domestic hot water (DHW) demand without compromising efficiency, along with a growing trend toward digitalisation through air quality sensors, energy monitoring, and control platforms that optimise consumption and enable predictive maintenance. Finally, circular economy principles are being applied tangibly through recyclable materials, insulation and design strategies that facilitate repair, thereby reducing the carbon footprint throughout the entire lifecycle of the product.

The jury, composed of professionals and experts in air conditioning and refrigeration, assessed entries based on criteria such as degree of innovation, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, design, and alignment with new European regulations.

Selected Products: Air Conditioning and Ventilation Sector

• CO₂ VRV System (R-744) – The Low GWP VRF Solution by Daikin AC Spain (Stand 9C01) An innovative solution that combines the flexibility and high performance of VRF technology with the use of CO₂ as a natural refrigerant. Designed with future regulations in mind, it ensures safety, efficiency, and reduced environmental impact, in compliance with the highest green building certification standards.
• Jet Air Stream by Panasonic (Stand 9C03) Indoor units designed for large spaces, offering high airflow with a reach of up to 30 metres, ensuring uniform and effective thermal comfort distribution. Smart models automatically adjust airflow direction based on temperature, preventing stratification and optimising comfort only in occupied areas.
• Pureclass by Soler & Palau (Stand 9C10) High-efficiency decentralised heat recovery unit with heat exchanger, designed for educational and work environments. Its duct-free design makes it an ideal solution for renovation projects or installations with technical constraints, enabling effective ventilation with minimal intervention.

Selected Products: Heating and Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Sector

• ValueBox Combi by Advansor A/S (Stand 5E01) Plug-and-play reversible heat pump using CO₂, designed as an alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based heating systems. It offers a combined heating and DHW solution that is easy to install, even in existing buildings, with components engineered for sustainable efficiency.
• Modular High Temperature Heat Pump with R-454C and R-290 by Daikin AC Spain (Stand 9C01) Aerothermal system capable of producing high DHW temperatures, up to 75°C with propane and 70°C with R-454C. Its versatility makes it ideal for demanding applications, particularly in refurbishment projects or buildings with high DHW requirements. Its modularity allows for scalable power, enhanced efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Daikin Altherma X by Daikin AC Spain (Stand 9C01) Mixed air/air and air/water heat pump for the residential market, using low environmental impact refrigerant R-454C. It provides hot/cold air, underfloor or radiator heating, underfloor cooling, and DHW production. The direct expansion design simplifies installation and offers an efficient alternative to centralised boiler systems, reducing technical complexity and operating costs.
• ecoGEO+ LITE 1-6 PRO by Ecoforest (Stand 9D14) Heat pump combining Inverter technology, use of the natural refrigerant R-290, and high component integration. Compatible with various DHW tank sizes and adaptable to geothermal, aerothermal, or hybrid heat sources. Capable of reaching temperatures up to 75°C, making it highly suitable for energy-intensive refurbishment projects.
• Midea-HPACK by MIDEA FRIGICOLL HVAC SPAIN (Stand 9C06) Designed for indoor residential installation, this reversible air-to-water monobloc heat pump supports the transition to electric systems. It uses a low GWP natural refrigerant (A3 category), suitable for inhabited spaces. It contributes to decarbonisation through efficiency and sustainability.
• Aerothermal Air Conditioning System with Simultaneous Continuous DHW Production via Heat Recovery (KWE&KWD) by KEYTER Technologies (Stand 7C02) Centralised system integrating air conditioning, DHW, and heat recovery from compressor discharge. Its five operating modes optimise total thermal consumption by eliminating the need for separate systems, improving space, control, and energy efficiency, especially in residential applications.

Selected Products: Industrial and Commercial Refrigeration Sector

• Unit by Epta Iberia SAU (Stand 5D10) Refrigerated display cabinet for beverages at positive temperatures, designed following circular economy principles. Uses natural cork insulation, a renewable material offering excellent thermal performance and significantly reducing the carbon footprint.
• Sky Asymmetric Combinations for Technical Refrigeration with RZAG-B Daikin Units by Daikin AC Spain (Stand 9C01) Solution for technical refrigeration in sensitive environments such as data centres, labs, and server rooms. Based on Inverter technology, it adjusts cooling capacity and allows larger indoor units to connect to outdoor units, optimising heat transfer even in low humidity. Engineered for operational continuity, minimising downtime while maintaining efficiency in critical settings.
• Midea – MAGBOOST APEX by MIDEA FRIGICOLL HVAC SPAIN (Stand 9C06) Water-to-water chiller using water as a heat exchange medium in both evaporator and condenser.
  Incorporates an oil-free, frictionless, magnetic levitation centrifugal compressor, compressing the low GWP refrigerant R-1234ze(E), enhancing both efficiency and reliability.
• Midea – R290 MARGS LARGE by MIDEA FRIGICOLL HVAC SPAIN (Stand 9C06) High-temperature heat pump using R-290 refrigerant, ideal for decarbonisation and boiler replacement projects. Supports the electrification of thermal systems with a robust, efficient solution capable of heating water up to +85°C.
• Zeloop by Frigopack (Stand 5C07) Distributed cooling system based on Autonomous Condensing Units (ACU) using CO₂ (R-744) as a refrigerant. Unlike traditional systems with large water volumes and heat loss, it uses local units to distribute the load, improving efficiency, reducing losses, and facilitating maintenance while promoting thermal sustainability.
• intarCUBE A2L by INTARCON SL (KEYTER) (Stand 7C02) Condensing units using R-455A and R-454C refrigerants, designed for supermarkets and convenience stores. They offer a low-impact, long-term solution aligned with current regulations and ideal for transitioning to sustainable refrigeration systems.

Selected Products: Centralised Regulation, Control, and Technical Management

• AirQ Wi-Fi Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Sensor by Airzone (Stand 9D22) Smart monitor measuring indoor air quality in real time (CO₂, humidity, PM2.5/PM10 particles, and TVOCs). Features a configurable visual indicator (traffic light system) for zones and enables automatic ventilation activation via 0–10V signal, remote on/off, or motorised dampers—ensuring healthy environments with minimal intervention.
• BEMS by Daikin by Daikin AC Spain (Stand 9C01) Comprehensive energy management system that integrates air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, and other technical services into a single control platform. Provides real-time monitoring and records variables such as temperature, humidity, and energy consumption. Its dashboard offers clear, visual insights to support decision-making for optimising performance and energy efficiency.

Selected Product: Tools and Applications for Installations

• VALUE Smart Tool Kit by Gas Servei (Stand 5C11)
  Bluetooth-connected tool kit integrated with the ‘Hi VALUE’ app, enabling remote control, diagnostics, and report generation. Enhances installation and maintenance procedures through digitalisation, reducing errors and operation time while promoting technical and service efficiency.