Market Insight: The Hot Topic Of Refrigeration
16 Feb, 2026
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Executive Summary
This report analyses how regulations, sustainability goals, rising energy costs and technological advancements are accelerating innovation in commercial refrigeration systems. Commercial refrigeration is mission‑critical for healthcare, food retail, restaurants and laboratories, safeguarding product integrity and occupant comfort while accounting for a large share of site energy use. COVID‑19 highlighted its essential role, and momentum has since accelerated – refrigeration is now increasingly supported by purpose-built digital building platforms. Hardware and software innovations, such as electronic controllers and valves and advanced analytics software solutions, are helping users meet rising regulatory needs and reduce costs. This report helps facilities managers in charge of refrigeration understand the innovations impacting the space and how best to prepare to take advantage of such solutions.Summary for decision-makers
Diving into the cool world of refrigeration in commercial real estate
Breaking down commercial refrigeration systems
Commercial refrigeration systems address comfort and safety concerns
New regulations and customer demands are powering innovations in the commercial refrigeration solutions market
Software and technological advancements are enabling firms to optimize energy efficiency and reduce costs
Five questions for firms seeking to leverage refrigeration innovations
Figure 1. Components of a commercial refrigeration system
Figure 2. Simplified refrigeration cycle with optional heat reclaim
Figure 3. Food and medicine storage regulations in major economies
Figure 4. Refrigerant regulations in major economies
Figure 5. Hospital, restaurant and retail real estate executives’ energy management objectives
Figure 6. Playbook for firms seeking to leverage refrigeration innovations
Accruent, Acuity, Axiom
Cloud, Bradford
Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bueno
Analytics, California
Air Resources Board (CARB), Cardenas
Markets, CAREL, Carrier, ClimaCheck, Copeland, Daikin, Danfoss, Disruptive
Technologies, Facilio, Food
Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Gristedes, Hartford
Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, Health
Canada, Johnson
Controls, Matelex, MSA, Queen
Elizabeth Hospital, RaceTrac, RSI, UC
Berkeley Center for the Built Environment, UK
Food Standards Agency, UK
National Health Service (NHS), UN
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US
Department of Justice, US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US
Pharmacopeia (USP), Whole
Foods Market, Willow, Woolworths
Group, World
Health Organization (WHO), Zoetic
Global
About the Authors

Joy Trinquet
Senior Analyst
Joy is a Senior Analyst at Verdantix, specializing in real estate, facilities and workplace technology, with a particular focus on integrated workplace management systems/conn...
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Claire Stephens
Research Director
Claire Stephens is a Research Director at Verdantix, leading research into technologies and services shaping the real estate and the built environment, encompassing ...
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