U-3ARC U-3ARC Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
U-3ARC Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

“The Art of Cooling” A New Reference Manual for African Technicians, Reviewed by the President of U‑3ARC

Engineer Marcello Collantin, a historic figure at Centro Studi Galileo, releases a practical guide to refrigeration maintenance and repair, adapted to the continent's realities through the expert review of Madi Sakandé.


“The Art of Cooling” A New Reference Manual for African Technicians, Reviewed by the President of U‑3ARC

"A good technician doesn't just fix things. He diagnoses, he anticipates, he knows every component of his circuit."

It is with this conviction that Marcello Collantin – an engineer and internationally renowned trainer – wrote "L'art du froid. Réparation et maintenance (Vol. 1)" (The Art of Cooling. Repair and Maintenance, Vol. 1).

A technical book, yes. But one that arrives at exactly the right time for Africa. 

As the Kigali Amendment mandates a transition to low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants, and the Kampala Declaration sets the target of reducing post‑harvest losses by 50% by 2035, the training of refrigeration technicians has become a strategic priority.

This book is a concrete response.

An author dedicated to knowledge transfer

Marcello Collantin is no stranger to the world of refrigeration. A mechanical engineering graduate (1970, Rome), he has designed industrial systems for major brands including CAREL, Carrier, and Climaveneta. He is an active member of ASHRAE and AICARR's Refrigeration Committee.

But his true passion is training.

For decades, he has been passing on his knowledge at the Centro Studi Galileo (CSG), a long‑standing partner of the United Nations for technician training in developing countries. 

Above all, he has long been involved alongside Madi Sakandé and U-3ARC. In November 2025, he served as speaker at CIVUFA, the first international conference on promoting refrigeration in Africa, organized by U‑3ARC in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. 

A review by Madi Sakandé, President of U‑3ARC

What sets "The Art of Cooling" apart from imported technical manuals is that it has been reviewed chapter by chapter by Madi Sakandé.

President of U‑3ARC, international refrigeration expert, Madi Sakandé is equally familiar with European standards (F‑Gas, certification exams) and the realities on the ground in Africa: extreme climates, parts availability, local skills, and the challenge of training at scale.

Thanks to this review, the book does not merely replicate European diagrams. It incorporates best practices adapted to the equipment commonly found in Africa, and it effectively prepares technicians for certification exams whether aiming for local or international recognition.

Where to get the book

Title: L'art du froid. Réparation et maintenance (Vol. 1)
Author: Marcello Collantin (reviewed by Madi Sakandé)
Format: 50 pages, paperback, in French
Price: €20.99
Available on Amazon Italy: https://bit.ly/3QbNpgk