ACREX India 2014 takes a stand for eco-friendly building services

Mr. Ashish Rakheja, Chairman, ACREX India 2014

•    HVAC&R with related building services at ACREX India 2014
•    More than 450 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors expected
•    fensterbau/frontale india parallel to ACREX India 2014

When South Asia’s largest exhibition on Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Building Services, ACREX India 2014, will open its doors February 27 to March 1, 2014 it will set an example for moving towards a carbon-neutral HVAC&R industry. ACREX India is going to reduce its carbon footprint with the help of its exhibitors from Asia, Europe and North America. 10,000 trees will be planted all over India to compensate CO2 emissions created in the course of the event. ACREX India 2014 is organized by the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) and NürnbergMesse India.

The construction industry is India’s second largest industry after agriculture, which has traditionally been the country’s largest economic factor. With its expanding economy and its high urbanization rate, India is in need of extended infrastructure, a requirement strongly supported by government funding. Today, 32 million people in India are employed by the construction industry, whose growth is expected to stay strong over the coming years.

ACREX India 2014 offers the construction industry the perfect platform to link its various sectors with international partners. The exhibition, which has grown rapidly over the last few years, will host country pavilions from the USA, Germany, Italy, Korea and China. Additionally, exhibitors from Czech Republic, France, Malaysia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, UK and Ukraine have already signed up for participation. “With ACREX India, we provide a platform for our local products and services while also exchanging expertise and information in the building services sector internationally,” says Sonia Prashar, Managing Director of NürnbergMesse India.

ACREX India 2014 not only showcases products and developments from the HVAC&R industry but also from allied building services including plumbing and fire safety, and window and facade products. These are at the centre of the concurrent exhibition fensterbau/frontale india, which ACREX India participants can visit free of charge.

Plant a tree for carbon neutrality

In line with ACREX India’s traditional focus on energy-efficient technologies, its organizer ISHRAE will set an example for responsible use of natural resources. The organizer will sponsor the planting of 10,000 trees across India, resulting in a huge reduction of the trade show’s carbon foot print. The trees will be planted by the Indian NGO Sankalp Taru. ISHRAE is subsidizing the costs for most trees, supplemented by contributions from the exhibitors. The trees can be located via GPRS supported tags and their growth can be monitored over time. The names of those contributing will be tagged on the trees which will be looked after by local farmers, who will in the end also harvest the yield.

By planting a tree, exhibitors therefore not only reduce the carbon emissions of the trade fair, but also contribute to the environment on a long-term basis, while supporting local farmers and their families. “With this initiative we want to set an example not only for our show, but for the whole industry. At ACREX India 2014, we are taking a great step towards the future,” explains Ashish Rakheja, Chairman of ACREX India 2014.

Focus on renewable energies

In addition to reducing its carbon footprint, the exhibition also focuses on renewable energies, such as photovoltaic, tidal and wind energy, and their use and application fields in the HVAC&R industry. To visualize this endeavor, the organizers of ACREX India will be establishing an Innovation Gallery – a pavilion constructed from reusable bamboo poles and jute rope, showcasing India's first (Self-) Sustainable Township of its kind. The pavilion will highlight both passive and active design strategies to be used on an architectural as well as on an urban design scale. Furniture made from waste material will decorate the pavilion along its axis, transforming the passage into a comfortable stay. Interplay of corridor space and niches on both sides, created by varying the width of the structure, will provide zones where one can rest and enjoy the local scenery and exhibition. Ashish Rakheja says: “It is our aim to encourage the industry to follow the principle of three Rs in their business as much as possible: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse!”

Thinking the future at ACREX India 2014

The exhibition not only provides an internationally renowned setting to showcase products and developments; concurrent to ACREX, India ISHRAE also organizes a rich workshop and conference program. One of the key conferences is on “Green Buildings”, supported by the Indian Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. Its aim is to raise interest among engineers, students and industry experts towards energy-efficient buildings. There will be several other workshops on topics like Geothermal Systems – Design Considerations, Energy Security – Renewable or Hydrocarbon, Hospitals & Critical Healthcare Facilities – HVAC systems design, Cool Thermal Energy Storage in the Era of Sustainability, BIM – Building Information Modelling and Seismic Considerations in Building Design.

A powerful duo: ACREX India in parallel to fensterbau/frontale india

fensterbau/frontale india will again be held concurrent to ACREX India at the Pragati Maidan Exhibition Centre in New Delhi. The international exhibition for windows, doors, façades and related technologies, machinery and services is organized by NürnbergMesse India. With their complementary themes they are equally appealing to architects, planners and building experts. In 2013, 70 international exhibitors presented their latest products and technologies to an increased audience of about 5,640 qualified visitors.