Updated whitepaper published
The so-called F-gases have long been subject to strict regulations due to their greenhouse effect. These include a ban on the production of certain refrigerants, upper limits on production quantities, bans on use in systems, stricter leak tests, recovery, etc.
The new version of the regulation, which came into force on March 11, 2024, implements significant tightening measures to accelerate the phase-out of refrigerants with medium and high global warming potentials (GWP values). F-gases are mainly used as refrigerants in refrigeration systems, air conditioning systems and heat pumps. The massive expansion in the use of heat pumps will also lead to the displacement of F-gases with high GWP in the coming years.
The EU Regulation No. 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gas Regulation) aims to massively reduce emissions of these very harmful greenhouse gases. By 2030, emissions of climate-damaging gases from refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps should be reduced to 21 percent of the reference quantity, the annual allowable amount of new fluorinated greenhouse gases introduced into the European market. The amendment reduces the target to 5.1 percent.
The aim is to save 40 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalents by 2030 and a total of 310 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalents by 2050. From 2030, this would reduce HFC consumption by a further 20 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year. This affects more than 2 million refrigeration and air conditioning systems in industry and commerce, as well as the refrigerants used in heat pumps.
Apart from an ambitious and faster phase-down of available refrigerant quantities and a significantly expanded list of affected substances, the planned bans in the F-Gas Regulation have a direct impact on use in existing and new systems:
Natural refrigerants such as CO2, propane, isobutane, ammonia and water are sustainable. New hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants, such as R1234 yf / ze/ zd and R1233zd whose GWP values are below 10, are offered as alternative refrigerants, but are also subject to the regulation.
We recommend that you already now redesign the refrigeration supply in your company to be future-proof. When assessing existing systems and planning new systems, ask the manufacturers about the future viability of the refrigerants used. We have compiled the most important information and tips for you in the following whitepaper.
For more detailed information, we’ve created a free whitepaper. You will find out:
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