Kälte Luft & Klimatechnik reports on refrigerant-free industrial building cooling at Metallbau Götzl
The trade journal Kälte Luft & Klimatechnik (Issue 04/2026) highlights how Metallbau Götzl in Erbendorf has managed to control the heat in its production hall. The focus is on refrigerant-free hall cooling: INFRANORM®’s “Sustainable Hall Conditioning,” which improves working conditions and reduces operating costs. The article demonstrates that hall cooling can be achieved even without traditional refrigeration technology when the building, airflow, and heat loads are considered together. We are particularly pleased that a trade journal specializing in refrigeration, ventilation, and air conditioning technology has taken up this project.
Key Facts about the press article:
- Publication: Kälte Luft & Klimatechnik
- Issue: 04/2026
- Technology: Sustainable Hall Conditioning by INFRANORM®
- Publisher's Online Portal: kaelte-luft-klima.de
The project in detail:
Metallbau Götzl manufactures metal components ranging from individual parts to complex assemblies made of steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. In the summer, the temperature in the production hall rose to as high as 35 °C due to solar radiation and waste heat from the machines. Managing Director Peter Götzl specified a maximum temperature of 24 °C, with low operating costs and the option to expand the system later.
During the consultation, it became clear that while this requirement was feasible, it was not the most cost-effective solution in terms of the total investment. We therefore worked together to develop an optimized concept using simulations based on hourly weather data. The internal heat loads from production (230.4 kW) and the loads caused by solar radiation were taken into account. The original six cooling units were reduced to five; a sixth can be added later if needed. The system, which has been in operation since February 2024, uses a two-stage adiabatic cooling process - that is, cooling exclusively through evaporation - and does not use any F-gases.
A glance at the results at Metallbau Götzl:
- Better working conditions: According to Peter Götzl, fresh outdoor air at a comfortable temperature makes strenuous work in the summer much easier
- Lower operating costs: According to the report, Metallbau Götzl saves about 78 % on operating costs
- Refrigeration without refrigerants: Two-stage adiabatic cooling, no F-gases, and no direct refrigerant emissions
- Clean air in the hall: Continuous filtration keeps the new hall virtually dust-free
- Ready for Growth: As cooling demand increases, a sixth unit can be added
„The entire facility is outstanding. The indoor climate control is a comprehensive system that runs automatically 24/7.“
Peter Götzl, Managing Director of Metallbau Götzl
Why this approach is relevant to the industry
Heat in a warehouse is rarely just a temperature issue. It results from the interplay of machine waste heat, solar radiation, airflow, and fresh air supply. That is why the system at Metallbau Götzl was integrated into the planning of the new facility from the very beginning: airflow, equipment placement, and the clearance required for the overhead crane were coordinated early on. This is the core of our THINK INFRANOMIC® Engineering approach: first understand how buildings, processes, and technology interact, then select the appropriate solution.
During operation, the system uses the cool outside air at night. Only when daytime outdoor temperatures rise and nighttime cooling is no longer sufficient does the adiabatic cooling system kick in. Textile supply air hoses distribute the air evenly and without drafts; an SHC control system continuously adjusts the air volume and fresh air percentage; and in winter, the recirculation mode recovers the heat stored under the roof and returns it to the facility. This allows a facility to be heated or cooled economically even without a traditional air conditioning system. This is not meant to dismiss traditional refrigeration technology outright; the appropriate solution depends on the facility’s actual requirements.
About the trade journal Kälte Luft & Klimatechnik
Kälte Luft & Klimatechnik is a German-language trade journal for refrigeration, ventilation, and air conditioning technology, with the subtitle “Engineering Knowledge in Research and Practice.” Now in its 62nd year of publication, it is published by Schlütersche Fachmedien GmbH in Hanover as a print magazine with a digital edition. The magazine covers practical applications as well as scientific research and standardization. The article was written by Alicia Barth. We would like to thank the editorial team for the case study.
