Always there for you

Founded in 1909, the DKV has been at the forefront of refrigeration, cryogenics, air conditioning, and heat pump technology in Germany. Our mission is to advance the industry through research, collaboration, and innovation.

Goals

Connecting Knowledge. Driving Innovation. Shaping the Future.

The DKV promotes science and research in the fields of refrigeration, cryogenics, air conditioning and heat pump technology. Through conferences, seminars and other events, the DKV creates opportunities for professional and personal exchange, supports the next generation of scientists and engineers, and helps make knowledge and expertise accessible within the professional community and beyond.

We promote scientific and technical work and support research and the next generation of professionals in our fields.

We bring together experts from academia and industry and create opportunities for professional, personal and international exchange.

We recognize outstanding scientific and technical achievements through awards and distinctions, highlighting significant contributions to our fields.

Future

Shaping the future of our fields together

Refrigeration, cryogenics, air conditioning and heat pump technology are undergoing major changes. Climate action, the energy transition and technological developments are opening up new opportunities while also presenting us with new challenges. The DKV supports this transformation by bringing together knowledge, experience and new perspectives.

New technologies and efficient solutions for a climate-friendly future.

Bringing together academia, industry and the next generation to actively shape developments.

History

2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DKV conference is held entirely online.

2020

The DKV relocates to larger premises within Hanover.

2019

125 issues of the member magazine “DKV aktuell“.

2015

Publication of the “Bildungsatlas” with regular updates. The publication is issued four times a year.

2014

DKV regional events at seven locations on current industry topics.

2012

Publication of a regular newsletter “NiM-DKV” for members. The newsletter is published twice a month.

2012

Strategic process culminating in the adoption of the “Vision 2020”: Becoming the leading scientific and technical association in the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump industry in Europe for informed and motivated members.

2009

The DKV celebrates its 100th anniversary at its place of founding in Berlin. A chronicle covering this period is published.

2008

On April 1st, the administrative office is newly staffed with Ms. Carmen Stadtländer, and Ms. Irene Reichert is bid farewell into her well-deserved retirement. The office relocates to Hanover.

2004

Our history book “Der DKV und die Geschichte der Deutschen Kälte- und Klimatechnik” is published.

1998

The DKV launches its own website.

1996

First DKV conference held in the new federal states in Leipzig.

1992

Formation of the Commission for “Honors and Awards”.

1990

Founding of the regional associations Sachsen and Halle/Saale.

1989

Renaming of Department II into:

II.1: Fundamentals and substances of refrigeration and heat pump technology
II.2: Systems and components of refrigeration and heat pump technology

1986

Establishment of the first DKV student group at the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences.

1984

Division of Department II into:

II.1: Industrial Refrigeration Systems and Large Heat Pumps
II.2: Commercial Refrigeration Systems and Small Heat Pumps

1984

A new publication series, “DKV-Statusberichte”, is launched.

1982

In February, the first member magazine “DKV aktuell” is published.

1979

The DKV publishes “DKV-Forschungsberichte”.

1976

A new distinction is established: the Rudolf Plank Medal.

“For very special and outstanding services to the internal affairs of the association, to the realization of the association’s professional objectives, and for a significant impact externally for the benefit of the association.”

1973

Due to the growing importance of air conditioning technology, the DKV decided to change its name to “Deutscher Kälte- und Klimatechnischer Verein (DKV)”.

1947

Re-establishment of the DKV under the name “Deutscher Kältetechnischer Verein” at the suggestion of Rudolf Plank, who was elected as the first chairman.

1939

The DKV is incorporated into the VDI as the “Refrigeration Technology Working Group.”

1935

The association is now called VDI-DKV; the independent existence of the DKV has ceased.

1934

he affiliation of the DKV with the VDI as a special professional group is carried out.

With an amendment to the statutes, the Führer principle is introduced.

1909

Foundation of the German Refrigeration Association (DKV) in Berlin.
The chairmanship was assigned to Carl von Linde.

Structure

This is how the DKV is structured

The DKV Board consists of a Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, the Representative of the Regional Associations, the Heads of the Working Divisions, and the Immediate Past Chair.

Division 1: Cryogenics

Division 2: Fundamentals

Division 3: Systems and Components
of Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology

Division 4: Refrigeration Applications

Division 5: Air Conditioning Technology

Division 6: Heat Pump Applications

The association supports its members through 13 regional and sub-regional associations as well as six student groups.

The DKV headquarters is located in Hanover.

[Image source division 6: Everllence]

Executive Board

Meet the DKV executive board members

Holger Neumann

Chairman

Marek Miara

Deputy Chairman

Peter Eßlinger

Treasurer

Yves Wild

Former Chairman

Robin Langebach

Secretary

Andreas Binder

Spokesperson district associations

Christoph Haberstroh

Head D1

Stefan Elbel

Head D2

Stefan Elbel

Head D3

Nicholas Lemke

Head D4

Christian Friebe

Head D5

Christiane Thomas

Head D6

Carmen Stadtländer

Head Office

Awards

Type of honors and awards

Further information on honors and records can be found in the Award Regulations. Members can access them in the members’ area. Interested parties are welcome to contact the DKV office.

Carl von Linde Commemorative Medal of the DKV

For special and outstanding contributions in science, research, or technology in the association’s fields of work:

1950 – Dr.-Ing. E. h. Edmund Altenkirch
1952 – Prof. Dr. Dir. Francis Simon
1956 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Johann Kuprianoff
1959 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. E.h. mult. Rudolf Plank
1964 – Prof. Dr. Walther Meißner
1967 – Prof. Dr. Helmuth Hausen
1970 – Prof. Dr. Gustav Lorentzen
1973 – Prof. Dr. Dr.-Ing. E.h. Peter Grassmann
1976 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. E.h. Helmuth Glaser
1987 – Prof. Dr. John Michael Prausnitz
1992 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. E.h. Hans Dieter Baehr
1998 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Horst Kruse
1999 – Prof. Dr. sc. techn. Karl Petzold
2001 – Prof. Dr. Ole Fanger
2007 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Gorenflo
2021 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Felix Ziegler
2024 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Quack
2025 – Professor Günter Heinrich

DKV Medal

*) Previously: Award for Outstanding Achievements in Technology and Practice

For special and exceptional contributions in translating scientific and technical knowledge and principles into practical application, or in promoting this implementation in the association’s fields of work.

1985* – Dozent Karl Breidenbach
1986* – Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Erich Gottfried
1988* – Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Scholten
1989* – Ing. grad. Günther M. Keller
1996* – Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Dietrich
1997 – Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Adolph
1999 – Dipl.-Phys. Martin Streich
2001 – Peter Weissenborn
2004 – Dipl.-Ing. Holm Gebhardt
2005 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Johannes Reichelt
2006 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tibor Rakoczy
2007 – Dipl.-Ing. Ewald Preisegger
2008 – Institut für Thermodynamik und Wärmetechnik, Universität Stuttgart
2011 – Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Hans-Jürgen Breidert
2011 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Rudolf Engelhorn
2014 – Dipl.-Ing. Hermann Renz
2021 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Achim Bothe
2025 – Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Müller

DKV Award for Science and Technology

The award is presented for an outstanding achievement in one of the DKV’s fields of work. This includes exceptional research projects as well as technical developments that lead to innovations or the advancement of the discipline.

2024 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sylvia Schädlich

DKV Student Award

For outstanding bachelor’s, master’s, or diploma theses in the association’s fields of work.

1989 – cand. mach. Alfred Erhard
1991 – cand. mach. Bernhard Bieger
1995 – cand mach. Frank Grässlin
1995 – cand. mach. Armin Hafner
2000 – cand mach. Claus Decker
2002 – Markus Schwarz
2002 – Dirk Butz
2009 – cand. mach. Björn C. F. Müller
2012 – B.-Eng. Jascha Ruebeling
2013 – Dipl.-Ing. Carolin Heidt
2013 – B. Eng. Frank Humpfer
2014 – Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Frauke Poblotzki
2014 – Dominic Dedering
2015 – Chris Fattroth, B.Sc.
2016 – Manuel Unger, M.Sc.
2019 – Hannah Krützfeldt, M.Sc.
2021 – Dipl.-Ing. Larissa Schaan
2022 – Tarek Deeb, M. Sc.
2022 – Carina Knieps, B. Sc.
2022 – Dipl.-Ing. Hannes Trumpf
2023 – Tim Rudzik
2024 – Tom-Alexander Müller
2024 – Jonas Hielscher
2024 – Simon Kruse
2025 – Dipl.-Ing. Cerrigan Rose
2025 – Niels Peters

DKV Young Researcher Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievements

*) Previously: Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievements

For exceptional scientific work, such as dissertations, habilitations, or comparable written research in the association’s fields of work.

1953* – Dr. rer.nat. Heinz Steinle
1954* – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Helmuth Hausen
1957* – Dr.-Ing. habil. Theodor Emil Schmidt
1958* – Obering. Ernst Hoffmann
1959* – Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebergall
1960* – Dr.-Ing. habil. Helmuth Glaser
1961* – Dr.-Ing. habil. Hans-Jürgen Löffler
1964* – Dr.-Ing. habil. Karl Stephan
1965* – Dr.-Ing. Jost Hänny
1969* – Dipl.-Ing. Johannes Gutschmidt
1976* – Dr.-Ing. habil. Dieter Gorenflo
1984* – Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Pfeiffenberger
1996 – Dr.-Ing. Kjeld Kraft
2000 – Dr.-Ing. Matthias Wettermann
2002 – Dr.-Ing. Dirk Müller
2002 – Dr.-Ing. Jens Philipp
2003 – Dr.-Ing. Andreas Fröba
2011 – Dr.-Ing. Rita Streblow
2016 – Dr.-Ing. Philipp Rollmann
2016 – Dr. Oleksandr Gryshkov
2018 – Dr. Bernd Wunderlich
2022 – Dr. Riley Barta
2022 – Dr. Christian Vering
2024 – Dr.-Ing. Niklas Buchholz

Rudolf Plank Medal of the DKV

For very special and outstanding services to the internal affairs of the association, to the realization of the association’s professional objectives, and for a significant impact externally for the benefit of the association.

1976 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kurt Linge
1977 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Theodor Emil Schmidt
1980 – Prof. Dr. Hermann Linde
1986 – Dr. Herbert Baldus
1989 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fritz Steimle
1996 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Helmut Lotz
2000 – Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Scholten
2003 – Dipl.-Ing. Eckart Prandner
2012 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Loewer
2018 – Dr.-Ing. Rainer M. Jakobs
2021 – Dr.-Ing. Josef Osthues
2023 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Arnemann

DKV Honorary Membership

For dedication and exceptional services to the internal affairs of the association. A prerequisite for the award is typically a minimum of 20 years of membership in the association.

1950 – Dr. Richard Linde
1951 – Dipl.-Ing. Alfred Teves
1952 – Dipl.-Ing. Christoph Fischer
1953 – Prof. Dr. Walter Pohlmann
1955 – Dipl.-Ing. Otto Hippenmeyer
1956 – Dipl.-Ing. Alfred Leupold
1957 – Dipl.-Ing. Walther Koeniger
1957 – Dipl.-Ing. Richard Plersch, sen.
1959 – Dipl.-Ing. Hugo Ombeck
1960 – Prof Dr. Paul Glansdorff
1960 – Dipl.-Ing. Carl F. Kayan
1960 – Dr. phil. Friedrich Linde
1964 – Dipl.-Ing. Ernst Richter
1965 – Prof. Dr. Peter Grassmann
1967 – Dipl.-Ing. Hugo Paul
1968 – Dipl.-Ing. Henni George Veenstra
1970 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eduard Emblick
1970 – Dipl.-Ing. Erich Fink
1971 – Dipl.-Ing. Victor Warchalowski
vor’74 – Dipl.-Ing. Svend Andersen
vor’74 – Dr. Friedrich Linde
vor’74 – Dipl.-Ing. Oyvind Helgerud
vor’74 – Dipl.-Ing. Eduard Metzenhauer
1974 – Dir. Christian Matthiesen
1976 – Dipl.-Ing. Karl Heinze
1978 – Dipl.-Ing. Franz Lieding
1978 – Dr. Heinz Steinle
1979 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Valerius Füner
1983 – Werner Jensen
1986 – Dipl.-Ing. Karl-Heinrich Richter
1986 – Obering. Irmhild Sauerbrunn
1989 – Dr. Hannes Hünemörder
1990 – Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Anton Frank
1990 – Prof. Dr. Heinz Jungnickel
1999 – Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Kruft
2001 – Ernst Lücke
2006 – Dipl.-Ing. Werner Kolbe
2008 – Ing. Karl Breidenbach
2009 – Dipl.-Ing. Adalbert Stenzel
2010 – Ing. Bernhard Fischer
2014 – Irene Reichert
2016 – Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Adolph
2024– Dip.-Ing. Roland Handschuh