In Andalusia there are around thirty companies specialized in the manufacturing of refrigeration and air conditioning equipmentwith an aggregate turnover that exceeds 600 million euros annually. Added to this fabric are installers, maintainers, engineers and auxiliary companies that make up a chain of … highly integrated value. Lucena concentrates close to 80% of this productive capacity. From its plants, Andalusian technology is exported to more than seventy countries.
The period 2021-2025 has been characterized by stable growth. Today the sector generates more than 2,500 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs. As the president of the Association of Andalusian Refrigeration Manufacturers (AFAR)Joaquín Peñalver, “innovation has been the main competitiveness factor of the Andalusian sector.” Companies have made progress in the development of technologies aimed at energy efficiency, automation and sustainability. Adaptation to the new regulatory frameworks has meant an important productive transformation. At the same time, the incorporation of intelligent control systems, sensorization and real-time data analysis has improved the design, manufacturing and maintenance of equipment.
Digital monitoring
The use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital monitoring tools “has made it possible to optimize resources, anticipate breakdowns and increase the durability of the systems.” The introduction of lighter and more sustainable materials has reduced energy consumption and operating costs. The design and quality control processes are already supported by advanced manufacturing technologies, robotics and virtual simulation. The result is a more competitive sector.
For AFAR “cooperation between companies, universities and technology centers has been key in the development of the Andalusian model industrial refrigeration.
Andalusian companies actively participate in R&D projects aimed at improving the energy efficiency and to develop technologies based on natural refrigerants.
Exports
If we focus outside the national border, exports have become one of the pillars of the sector’s growth. Among the countries to which it is exported, Europe continues to be the main destinationalthough a progressive expansion is observed towards Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. These emerging markets demand efficient cooling solutions, adapted to their climatic conditions and local regulations.
Europe continues to be the main destination, although a progressive expansion is observed towards Latin America, the Middle East and Africa
Regarding the customer profile, it has also evolved. Buyers look for comprehensive and sustainable solutionswhich include not only the manufacturing of the equipment, but also its installation, maintenance and energy management. The traceability of materials and the reduction of the environmental footprint are decisive factors in the purchasing processes. Among the sectors that most demand refrigeration solutions are agri-food, cold logistics, pharmaceuticals, hospitals and energy.
The growth of the sector has been accompanied by an improvement in the quality of employment. Technological development has generated a growing demand for qualified profiles in engineering, electronics, automation, energy efficiency and industrial design. Companies look for professionals capable of integrating technical knowledge with skills in project management and innovation. In production plants, skills in mechatronics, advanced welding, numerical control, technical assembly and quality verification are especially valued. For this reason, the links between the educational system and the business community are being strengthened, through dual vocational training programs.
From AFAR they assure that “projects are being promoted that reinforce collaboration between companies, administration and knowledge centers.” Among them stands out andl Andalusian Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Cluster (RefriClimA)which acts as a growth and cooperation platform for the entire value chain of the sector. RefriClimA aims to promote innovation, training and sustainability, promoting business cooperation and regional competitiveness.
Another notable initiative is the Chair of Advanced Thermal Solutions for the Agri-Food Sectorknown as the Cold Chair, developed in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Córdoba, the Lucena City Council, the Subbética Rural Development Group and the University of Córdoba. This training seeks to connect the refrigeration and air conditioning sector with the agri-food sector, generating synergies in energy efficiency, digitalization and decarbonization.
The five-year horizon of the sector is ambitious but realistic: achieving a joint turnover greater than 800 million euros and a sustained increase in qualified employment.
