Kälte Kolloquium 2026: driving innovation in refrigeration

On 21 April 2026, the Kälte Kolloquium made its much-anticipated return to Munich, Germany, taking over the prestigious BMW Welt for another standout edition of this growing industry favourite. Set against the striking backdrop of one of Germany’s most iconic venues, the fourth instalment of the colloquium focused on the theme, “Sustainable cooling supply in industrial and commercial buildings.”

With a top-tier speaker line-up, a packed technical programme, and plenty of opportunities for networking, the sold-out event once again proved why it has become one of Germany’s leading refrigeration conferences. Blending expert insight with industry discussion, and a lively social programme, Kälte Kolloquium 2026 delivered a memorable experience from start to finish.

Organised by Eurovent Certification in partnership with COOLPLAN, and supported by media partners cci Dialog GmbH, KKA, Klima Journal, and Medienstürmer, this year’s edition was streamlined into a focused one-day format. The agenda was split into three distinct blocks, featuring 10 technical presentations, a tour of the BMW Museum, and an evening dinner celebration at Bavarie by Käfer.

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The daytime programme

With 125 delegates in attendance, the day got off to a strong start with block 1 in the Business Centre at BMW Welt. Gerhard Frei returned once again as moderator, expertly guiding attendees through a varied line-up of presentations, which featured:

Keynote presentation - Refrigeration Technology in Transition: Paths Towards a Sustainable Future

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Maurer - expert in the field of refrigeration technology

NH₃ Brine Refrigeration System: New Construction Project Würzburger Hofbräu

Roman Brüderl, from ska GmbH – Gesellschaft für Kältetechnik

NH₃ smartPACK L7: Brine Refrigeration System for Fruit and Vegetable Storage

Florian Aumair and Manuel Nachbaur, from EQUANS Kältetechnik GmbH

Propane – Naturally Safe!

Harald Erös, from Ingenieurbüro Erös

From the Convenience Boom to Quick Commerce: What Modern Food Formats Mean for Refrigeration Technology

Prof. Dr. Carsten Kortum, from Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University, Heilbronn

Requirements for commercial refrigeration in food retail

Andreas Koch, from Kaufland Stiftung & Co. KG

Fit for the future: In-house training for commercial refrigeration

Joachim Dallinger, Epta Deutschland GmbH

Applied Artificial Intelligence for Refrigeration Systems

Víctor Estévez, from Gradhoc Smart, S.L.

Importance of the Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2024/1834

Dr. Julien Grilliat, ebm-papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KGaA & Co. KG

Refrigeration Integrity: What a 30% Heat-Exchanger gap means for a Supermarket

Thomas Michineau, from Eurovent Certita Certification

Between presentations, delegates enjoyed three networking coffee breaks and lunch, creating the perfect opportunity to catch up with industry peers, exchange ideas, and explore the latest developments shaping the refrigeration sector. The balance of technical learning and relaxed conversation kept the energy high throughout the day.

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The evening programme

Once the daytime sessions wrapped up, block 2 brought a change of pace as delegates headed next door to the BMW Museum to view BMW’s impressive engineering history. With time to freely explore the exhibits - from classic cars and motorbikes to powerful jet engines - there was plenty to spark conversation and inspiration before the evening celebrations began.

Then it was back to BMW Welt and into the stylish surroundings of Bavarie by Käfer for block 3. The evening started with a cocktail reception before moving into a private dining experience, complete with a DJ and rooftop party.

As the drinks flowed, so did the conversations. It was the perfect setting for delegates to relax, strengthen existing relationships, make new connections, and reflect on a fantastic day of learning and innovation. The rooftop celebrations provided a brilliant finish to an already unforgettable event.

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Final thoughts

The Kälte Kolloquium is far from your average technical event. Over the past four years, it has grown into one of the most anticipated dates in the German refrigeration calendar, with tickets now among the most sought-after in the industry.

Its unique mix of high-level technical content, premium networking opportunities, and memorable experiences continues to set it apart. And with plans already underway for 2027, next year’s edition is shaping up to be even bigger, better, and harder to miss.

To find out more about the 2026 event and stay up to date with the latest news on the 2027 edition, visit https://kaelte-kolloquium.de/.