ACREX India 2026 Opens in Mumbai as India’s HVAC Market Surges Toward USD 29.4 Billion by 2030

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 14: ACREX India, South Asia’s largest platform for HVAC and intelligent building excellence, commenced today at the Bombay Exhibition Centre. Organised by the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE), the three-day exhibition, being held from 12–14 March 2026, brings together leading global and domestic manufacturers, policymakers, and industry experts to showcase next-generation technologies and drive industry collaboration. The event comes at a pivotal time as India emerges as one of the fastest-growing HVAC markets globally, driven by rapid urbanisation, infrastructure expansion, and rising cooling demand. Reflecting this momentum, the Indian HVAC market is projected to reach $29.4 billion by 2030, highlighting the growing need for industry platforms that accelerate innovation and support sustainable sectoral growth.

The exhibition kicked off in the presence of distinguished dignitaries including Mr. Mukundan Menon, Managing Director, Voltas Limited, Mr. RaviChandran Purushothaman, President, Danfoss Industries Private Limited; Mr. Jayanta Kumar Das, Society President, ISHRAE; Mr. Amod Dikshit, Chairman, ACREX; Mr. Anoop Ballaney, Chairman, ISHRAE Trade Fairs; Mr. Himanshu Chitnis, Head, ISHRAE Trade Fairs; Mr. Vishal Kapur, Chairman, Advocacy, ISHRAE, along with several other eminent industry leaders. Their presence reflected on the expanding influence of the exhibition as a key meeting point for thought leadership, technological advancement, and strategic dialogue, shaping the future of the HVAC ecosystem.

Highlighting the strong growth trajectory of the HVAC industry, Mr Mukundan Menon, Managing Director, Voltas Limited, said, “The Indian HVAC industry is at the cusp of significant expansion, with the sector expected to grow at nearly 15% annually, potentially doubling within the next five years. Currently, about 15 million residential AC units are sold in India each year, and this is projected to reach around 30 million units by 2030. On the commercial side, India continues to build rapidly, creating strong opportunities across data centres, district cooling and infrastructure development. The recent GST reduction on ACs from 28% to 18% is a welcome policy step that will stimulate demand, with the first visible impact expected during the summer of 2026. While the industry is managing cost pressures from rising copper prices, currency fluctuations and increased logistics costs due to geopolitical developments, most manufacturers have already secured supplies for the upcoming season. Overall, the demand outlook for India remains extremely strong with significant opportunities ahead.”

Emphasizing the strong transformation and long-term growth potential of the HVAC industry in India, Mr Ravichandran Purushothaman, President, Danfoss Industries Private Limited, said, “Over the past three years, the HVAC industry in India has nearly doubled in size, with a significant shift toward local manufacturing, reflecting the momentum of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the government’s focus on reducing import dependence in the cooling sector. Looking ahead, the opportunity is substantial. As per the India Cooling Action Plan, cooling demand in India is expected to grow eightfold by 2038. On the commercial side, rapid expansion in semiconductor facilities, advanced manufacturing and data centres is driving demand for high-performance cooling solutions. At the same time, the industry is focusing on energy-efficient, water-efficient and carbon-efficient technologies, increasing localisation in electronics and strengthening new skill capabilities. Together, these developments are shaping a resilient and innovation-driven cooling ecosystem for India’s future growth.”

Mr Jayanta Kumar Das, Society President, ISHRAE, said, “ACREX India brings the entire HVAC ecosystem onto one platform, enabling companies to showcase innovations and engage with the broader industry community. As cooling demand grows rapidly in India, the focus must move beyond equipment to the entire lifecycle of systems, where installation, operation and maintenance account for nearly 90% of the total cost. Through nationwide training programs, research and industry partnerships across 55+ locations, ISHRAE is working to strengthen skills, encourage innovation and support the sector’s mission of delivering more cooling with lower energy consumption and reduced environmental impact.”

Mr Amod Dikshit, Chairman, ACREX India, said, “India’s rapid infrastructure expansion and growing dependence on cooling across sectors such as data centres, district cooling, airports, hospitals, hotels and metro rail projects is creating a significant opportunity for the HVAC industry over the next decade. As this demand accelerates, the industry is focusing on localising the production of key sub-assemblies, strengthening capabilities and advancing more energy-efficient technologies. Cooling already accounts for nearly 40% of India’s electricity demand, which makes efficiency and sustainability critical priorities. With the Bureau of Energy Efficiency progressively upgrading standards every two years by about 7–10%, the industry continues to move towards more energy-efficient solutions. At this juncture, ACREX India provides the industry with an important platform to accelerate innovation, strengthen collaboration and shape the future of sustainable cooling in India.”

Mr. Sanjeev Seth, Sr Vice President and Business Head, Systems Air Conditioning Division, LG Electronics India Limited said, “India’s HVAC sector is on a strong growth trajectory, driven by rapid urbanization, infrastructure expansion and increasing demand for efficient climate control. At the same time, AI is beginning to revolutionize HVAC system management in India, as customers seek higher energy efficiency and reduced downtime. Technologies such as predictive maintenance, cloud-based remote monitoring and intelligent controls are improving reliability and optimizing energy consumption in VRF and chiller systems. This integration of digital technologies will significantly boost system performance and operational efficiency. At ACREX India 2026, LG Electronics India is showcasing its latest intelligent HVAC innovations designed for India’s evolving cooling landscapes. LG Electronics India has launched its AI based VRF system Multi Vi and also showcased its Innovative One way cassettes and 4 way cassettes along with round cassettes”

The HVAC industry continues to record strong growth momentum, with analysts estimating a compound annual growth rate between 12% and 16%. Reflecting this trajectory, the 2026 edition is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors and would feature more than 400 exhibitors from over 40 countries, making it one of the most significant global gatherings for the HVAC and refrigeration sector. Participating nations include Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the Netherlands, UAE, UK, Uzbekistan and the USA, among others. Leading industry players such as Daikin Industries Ltd, Voltas Limited, Danfoss A/S, Schneider Electric, Panasonic, Carrier, ABB, and Johnson Controls, among others, are showcasing advanced technologies and solutions that reflect the latest developments shaping the global HVAC landscape.

The exhibition is further strengthened by the support of leading national and international industry bodies, reflecting the strong collaborative ecosystem driving the HVAC sector. Supporting associations include the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Trades Association (RATA), All India Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association (ACRA), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), ASSOCHAM India, Indian Plumbing Association, India Green Building Council (IGBC), Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI), UN Environment Programme, International Copper Association India, Contamination Control Society of India (CCSI), Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA), IIFIIR, ISKID, and the Green Business Certification Institute (GBCI), among others. Their participation reinforces the exhibition’s role as a global knowledge and collaboration platform for advancing sustainable and energy-efficient HVAC solutions.

ACREX India 2026 also features a dynamic line-up of knowledge platforms, innovation showcases, and live demonstrations designed to highlight the latest advancements shaping the HVAC industry. A key attraction is ACREX HVAC Shark, a first-of-its-kind stage dedicated to HVAC game changers, where companies presented breakthrough technologies and practical solutions through live demonstrations.  Adding a distinctive engagement element to the exhibition is Climo, the official mascot of ACREX India, connected with visitors and industry stakeholders, bringing a relatable identity to the highly technical HVAC ecosystem.

The event also hosted a series of technical seminars and industry knowledge sessions focusing on critical themes such as targeted ventilation to enhance indoor climate, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency. Complementing these initiatives, the Innovation Zone and product demonstration areas provided attendees with a first-hand look at emerging technologies and solutions, all aligned with the event’s overarching theme of “Unlocking Business Potential, Enhancing Opportunities, Accelerating Growth, Building a Better World.”