ATF 2026 Assembly Looks Ahead to Training, Innovation and International Cooperation

The ordinary General Assembly of the Associazione Tecnici del Freddo (ATF) was held recently in Casale Monferrato, providing the Association with its annual opportunity to review its activities and discuss the strategies that will guide its work over the coming months.

During the meeting, the Association’s leadership was also confirmed for the 2026–2027 term. Prof. Alfredo Sacchi of Politecnico di Torino remains President, supported by Vice President Marco Carlo Masoero, also from Politecnico di Torino. Marco Buoni, Board Member and Head of International Affairs at AREA, was likewise confirmed as Secretary.

The Board of Directors will continue to include Enrico Buoni, Chiara Bertelli and Simone Portalupi. Federico Riboldi, Councillor for Health of the Piedmont Region, also remains involved in the Association’s activities and attended the meeting remotely.

Training and New Skills at the Heart of ATF’s Activities

One of the main topics addressed during the Assembly was training and professional development, an area that continues to play a strategic role for ATF.

The refrigeration sector is currently undergoing significant transformation, driven both by the gradual introduction of new refrigerants and by the evolution of the technical skills required by industry professionals. This is further compounded by the implementation of the new European F-Gas regulatory framework, which requires technicians and professionals to keep their knowledge and qualifications up to date.

Training therefore represents one of the key tools through which the Association aims to support technicians and industry professionals throughout this period of change.

An Increasingly International Role

The Assembly also provided an opportunity to review ATF’s international activities carried out in 2026. These include training programmes developed as part of initiatives with the United Nations, as well as programmes aimed at technicians and trainers working in different countries.

ATF has also participated in European projects addressing some of the sector’s most pressing issues, including safety and the use of alternative refrigerants.

These activities reflect the Association’s growing international role and its involvement in initiatives aimed at strengthening professional qualifications and promoting technical expertise across the refrigeration sector.

Partnerships and European Projects

The Assembly also discussed ATF’s role within AREA, as well as activities developed in cooperation with the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR).

Particular attention was also given to the SKILLSAFE and REAL Alternatives projects, which form part of broader initiatives focused on training, safety and the safe management of refrigerants.

Looking Ahead

The evolution of F-Gas legislation will continue to be one of the key areas requiring ongoing attention from ATF and professionals across the sector.

The Assembly in Casale Monferrato therefore highlighted the Association’s priorities for the coming months: training, technical development, safety, new refrigerants and international cooperation will remain central to its future activities.

The latest developments in industrial and commercial refrigeration, logistics, frozen food, and cryogenics will also be explored at REFRIGERA, the international event dedicated to the sector, which will be held at BolognaFiere from 10 to 12 November 2027, under the patronage of ATF.