José Manuel Prieto Barrio (MINTUR): The HVAC industry is active in sectors that account for 40% of GDP
José Manuel Prieto Barrio, Deputy Director General for Industrial Quality and Safety at the Ministry of Industry and Tourism (MINTUR), explains in the following interview the importance of the air conditioning and refrigeration sector in Spain and outlines its main challenges. Prieto recently participated in a technical conference organised by AEFYT on the evolution and changes in the refrigeration sector.
How important is the air conditioning and refrigeration sector in Spain?
The air conditioning industry is very strong in Spain. It accounts for more than 22,000 jobs and more than 5,000 companies including installers, maintainers, consultants and manufacturers. Moreover, it works in sectors such as the automotive, agri-food, pharmaceutical, hotel and catering, and transport industries, which together account for 40% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), making it a very important sector.
What major adaptations to the market and new legislation does the industry have to face?
There is new regulation coming from Europe, known in the sector as F-Gas, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of fluorinated gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems. This regulation states, in summary, that the refrigerants currently in use must be changed. Specifically, the aim is to replace refrigerants that are very neutral in terms of ignition possibilities, but have a high global warming potential, with refrigerants that have low or no global warming potential, but which are mainly hydrocarbons and therefore require greater care in how they are handled and installed. In short, we must use refrigerants that are better for the environment, but at the same time ensure the safety of the installations in our homes and industries.
What other challenges will the sector face in 2025?
In addition to the changes necessary to adapt to the regulations mentioned above, another major challenge, faced by several sectors, is a shortage of professionals. Today, some industries are facing a lack of capacity in terms of technicians to be able to grow and make the necessary generational change. Therefore, I believe that the great challenges for the air-conditioning and refrigeration sector this year will be both adapting to the new regulations and finding a way to nurture young professionals who will continue the work of those who are now leaving the sector.