Partners

How can the right choice of technology help protect the environment? Which policies can countries choose to get on a climate-friendly path? How can we reverse ozone layer depletion? In times of climate emergency, HEAT provides advisory and engineering services as well as capacity building for the future. Supporting Germany and developing countries in their fight against the depletion of the Earth’s protective ozone layer and the sustainable transition of the refrigeration and cooling sector is at the core of HEAT’s work. The consulting firm, based in Germany, has carried out more than 300 project assignments in over 25 years, and is currently engaged in projects in 30 countries.

One of HEAT's main focuses is to develop capacity building and training related to know-how on climate friendly and energy efficient technologies. In particular, the company provides emission inventories and mitigation pathways, advice on the development of laws, regulations and standards, and engineering services. Our team of staff are made up of engineers, and natural and social/economic scientists.

HEAT runs the secretariat of Refrigerants, Naturally!, a global non-profit association for climate-friendly refrigerants and energy efficiency registered in Germany that will be a key tool for the Ref, Nat! for LIFE project.

In the Ref, Nat! for LIFE project, HEAT is the project leader and responsible for managing the majority of the project, for seeing through the different activities and for communication and dissemination activities.

Contact:

Britta Pätzold

Email: Britta.paetzold@heat-international.de 

Web: www.heat-international.de

shecco is a global market accelerator helping companies bring their climate-friendly solutions to market more quickly. In the heating, cooling and refrigeration sector, we specialise in natural refrigerants. We believe that innovation, sustainability and business success are intimately linked. Our tagline “Sustaining our Atmosphere” reflects this commitment, while our services and products are optimised to drive the reduction of potent greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances. We work with 150+ clients around the world seeking to advance the business case for Natural Refrigerants. shecco’s business portfolio comprises market research (sheccoBase), public affairs, B2B industry platforms, news magazines, events management, grants and funding.

In the Ref, Nat! for LIFE project, shecco is the co-lead for communication and dissemination activities. shecco is also involved in all other activities, especially in the implementation of the RAC online market survey, the compilation of case studies for best RACHP practices in the OFR sector and the directory of available RAC training and material in Europe.

Contact:

Pauline Bruge

Email: pauline.bruge@shecco.com 

Web: www.shecco.com

AgroBio, established in 1985, is a pioneer institution and a leader in the dissemination and development of Organic Farming in Portugal. It is a non-profit and non-governmental environmental organization, recognized by law as a public utility. AgroBio is a member of IFOAM and while being primarily focused on agriculture, the company has extended its mandate towards broader environmental protection and consumer protection. Its main role is to help actors in the organic food value chain with technical and commercial support, including training consumers, technicians and store owners. AgroBio also conducts a series of training workshops on aspects of sustainability that are of great value to the dissemination of project results to the intended target group, the organic food retailers. 

In the Ref, Nat! for LIFE project, AgroBio is actively involved in all activities targeting the OFR sector, leading on their implementation, dissemination and communication in Portugal. 

Contact:

Inês Efigénia

Email: comunicacao@agrobio.pt

Web: www.agrobio.pt

Bundesverband Naturkost Naturwaren (BNN) e.V. is the German Association of Organic and Natural Produce, representing the interests of the organic food and natural goods sector at a political and economic level. The association participates in the draft of national and international legislative proposals, for example in the enhancements of the EU-organic regulation. Furthermore, it is active in public relations and stakeholder outreach. Among its members are producers, wholesalers, retailers, and importers of organic and natural foods. BNN is a member of IFOAM, the international umbrella organization for the organic food sector. The association adopts special guidelines and develops services for its members, e.g. monitoring the companies’ sustainability indicators. BNN represents Europe's largest organic food sector.

In the Ref, Nat! for LIFE project, BNN is actively involved in all activities targeting the OFR sector, leading in implementation, dissemination and communication in Germany.

Contact:

Hans-Josef Brzukalla

Email: nachhaltigkeit@n-bnn.de 

Web: www.n-bnn.de 

SEAE, the Spanish Society for Organic Agriculture / Agroecology, is a private non-profit organisation that was created in 1992. Its goal is to combine the efforts of individuals, associations and other entities interested in promoting organic agriculture and agroecology. Therefore, its most important asset is its members, including technicians who advise or issue certificates, trainers and researchers in sciences such as agronomy, biology, veterinary medicine, ecology, rural environment, sociology, health professionals and other related fields, organic operators (farmers, processors, retailers, distributors, importers) and other agents (rural facilitators, consumers, environmentalists, educators, etc.) as well as entities, institutions and companies related to this sector or other associations.

Thanks to the union of such diverse profiles, the SEAE has become a reference entity in the sector of Organic Agriculture and the field of agro-ecology in areas such as research, training and dissemination of technical information, both nationally and internationally. As a scientific-technical entity, the SEAE strives to respond to issues related to organic agriculture and agro-ecology, promoting, coordinating and facilitating research, training and advice on organic agriculture, agro-ecology, healthy eating habits and rural development and sustainable food systems. SEAE is a member of IFOAM and works actively to follow the development of the organic production subsidy and the European and Spanish policies related to food systems, rural development and the environment.

In the project Ref, Nat! for LIFE, SEAE actively participates in all activities aimed at the organic food retail sector, leading its implementation, dissemination and communication in Spain.

Contact:

Aina Calafat Rogers

Email: international@agroecologia.net

Web: www.agroecologia.net 

BIV represents the enterprises responsible for the design, installation, maintenance and repair of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in Germany. It supports the interests of its members in the skilled crafts of refrigeration plant construction in accordance with legal requirements. As a member of the Central Guild of German Trades (ZDH), BIV develops its own trade on the political, national and commercial level. The officially recognized trade of "refrigeration craftsman" was established in 1978. The formation of national and regional guilds is based on German trading legislation. BIV was founded in Ratingen in 1982. Traditionally, the work of the guilds and BIV focuses mainly on professional trades. The objective of BIV is to increase the expertise of its member companies in terms of technological, design and commercial quality and to create a positive public image for the refrigeration and air conditioning trade. The continuous increase of technical standards in refrigeration and air conditioning technology, the constantly growing requirements for new applications and the more stringent legal aspects of environment, health and safety have ensured an increased demand for refrigeration plants. To accommodate the large demand for highly trained members, BIV owns seven technical colleges and numerous technical classes. BIV with its Training Committee supports and promotes the development of an independent trade. 

In the Ref, Nat! for LIFE project, BIV is actively involved in all activities targeting the RACHP sector, leading in implementation, dissemination and communication in Germany. 

Contact:

Dr. Matthias Schmitt

Email: matthias.schmitt@biv-kaelte.de

Web: www.biv-kaelte.de 

KNVvK is the recognised registered association of professionals in the Dutch refrigeration and heat pump sector, founded in 1908. It brings together specialists, researchers, scientists, trainers, contractors, suppliers, end-users, engineers and students. KNVvK has individual members and company members and provides them and the wider community with guidance on sustainable technologies, innovation, natural refrigerants, energy saving, and encourages collaboration between all parties concerned. KNVvK represents this community nationally and internationally and contributes to the development of national and European regulations and standards. KNVvK is a recognised partner of the International Institute of Refrigeration IIR/IIF. 

In the Ref, Nat! for LIFE project, KNVvK plays an active role in all activities targeting the RACHP sector and leads in implementation, dissemination and communication in the Netherlands and beyond. 

Contact:

René van Gerwen

Email: rene@entropycs.net

Web: www.knvvk.nl

In the early 1990s, the Dutch government started the CFC Action program. After consultation with all branches using these CFCs, arrangements were made to implement the international obligations outlined in the Montreal and Kyoto protocols. The main objective was to prevent the leakage of CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs from refrigeration and air conditioning units. STEK was designated by the Ministry of Environment as a qualification system for both companies and individuals (skills), to ensure the implementation of international guidelines in the Netherlands. STEK has over 25 years’ experience in quality assurance, sustainability and safety in the sector. The STEK scheme also served as a blueprint for policy makers in Brussels and for the European Commission in drawing up the European F-gas regulation EU 842/2006 and its successor, EU 517/2014. At the moment, STEK is the main testing organization in the Netherlands for professionals in the refrigeration and HVAC business. Since the new F-gas legislation was implemented in the Netherlands in 2010, STEK has continued to operate as an independent foundation with a scheme based on proven and certified quality, sustainability and safety. Although the STEK scheme is optional for companies in the refrigeration and HVAC business, it still has the largest market share in the Netherlands. Nowadays, it includes modules for F-gases (both for stationary and transport systems), EPBD-air-conditioning, CO2, heat pumps and (natural) flammable refrigerants.   

In the Ref, Nat! for LIFE project, STEK is actively involved in all activities targeting the RACHP sector, carrying out implementation, dissemination and communication in the Netherlands. 

Contact: 

Wim den Boer; Jan Verkade

Email: info@stek.nl wimdenboer@stek.nl; jan@verkade.name 

Web: www.stek.nl