Cold Storage in 2026: Efficiency and Export Opportunities
The initial construction cost is only one part of a cold storage investment. Energy use over the facility’s working life matters too. Industry events and trade activities between March and September 2026 highlighted the value of clear insulation performance data and closer attention to export markets.
Sustainable cold chains take centre stage
The International Institute of Refrigeration’s ICCC 2026 conference, held in Istanbul in April, brought together more than 130 researchers and industry professionals. Discussions covered energy efficiency, food quality, environmental impacts and digitalisation across the cold chain.
A cold room’s performance depends on more than its refrigeration equipment. Panel insulation, joints, door seals and how often the door opens can all affect energy demand. Panels, doors and refrigeration equipment should therefore be considered as parts of one system.
Demonstrating technical performance
A pilot study on laboratory testing of walk-in cold rooms was presented in the ICCC 2026 proceedings. It does not establish a new legal requirement, but it points to growing interest in measuring and comparing cold room performance.
Panel thickness alone does not tell the full story. Thermal performance, joint design, door sealing and installation quality also matter. By presenting these specifications clearly in its proposals, Karsey Industry can help customers assess potential operating costs alongside the purchase price.
New export contacts
Türkiye’s HVAC-R industry continued to develop contacts in several markets during the summer of 2026. A Turkish trade delegation to Lithuania in June included 19 companies. Further sector activities took place in South Africa in August and at the Aquatherm Almaty exhibition in Kazakhstan in September. These activities create opportunities to meet potential partners; they do not, by themselves, confirm demand for a particular product.
For Karsey, a practical next step is to identify cold storage contractors, food producers and logistics companies in each market, then match relevant projects with panel, door or turnkey cold room solutions.
Check product classification for EU projects
The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026. It covers certain iron, steel and aluminium goods. A cold room panel or door should not be assumed to fall within its scope without checking the product’s customs classification.
Reviewing product codes and the material information an EU customer may request is a useful part of export preparation.
Conclusion: Developments over the past six months point to a practical priority: describe cold storage solutions through verifiable performance data and the needs of each project. For Karsey Industry, that means strengthening panel and door technical documentation, checking EU product classifications and building targeted relationships in promising export markets.