The Natural Refrigeration

Each year, IIAR recognizes the best technical paper presentations offered at the annual Natural Refrigeration Conference. This year’s event took place March 15 – 18 in San Antonio, Texas.

The IIAR Award for Presentation Excellence, offered to the top English and non-English language technical papers and previously named the “Andy Ammonia Award,” was created to acknowledge the crucial role that education and information-sharing play within the natural refrigeration industry, and to provide acknowledgment of the expertise that is generously shared by association volunteers.

Award recipients receive a free registration for next year’s conference, and perhaps most importantly, the acknowledgment from their peers for a job well done. Award selection is based on attendee evaluations, and scores are weighted based on attendance.

The 2026 Natural Refrigeration Conference featured many outstanding technical papers and presentations, but after extended consideration, the two 2026 winners (English language and non-English language) were:

• Giacomo Pisano received the 2026 award for the technical paper presentation that focused on Superheat Control in CO2 Transcritical Systems: Mastering the Challenges During Full-Load and Part-Load Operation.

• Catalina Aragón Azofeifa received the 2026 award for the technical paper presentation that focused on Prevención de emergencias en sistemas de refrigeración con amoníaco: la clave está en la normative.

IIAR acknowledged the participation of international natural refrigeration professionals who contribute non-English papers to the program, noting that it wouldn’t be an international organization without the dedication of these industry experts.