*This article has been updated on September 22 with the logos received until that day
European companies supporting the safe and streamlined uptake of natural refrigerants in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps sector (RACHP) have drafted a letter (below) with detailed requests for EU policymakers gathering after the summer recess to carve out the final provisions of the EU F-gas Regulation. Signatures for the letter are sought from like-minded stakeholders. The statement counts on the support of already over 40 companies.
Policymakers from the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission will convene during the coming weeks in three-way negotiations known as a trilogue to find compromises and make the regulation operational as soon as January 1, 2024.
The letter will be delivered to policymakers active on the revision of the EU F-gas Regulation in September and October 2023. The letter will also be shared with EU policymakers at the ATMOsphere Europe Summit 2023 in Brussels September 19–20, which will be one of the latest possibilities to interact with policymakers. Secure your ticket by registering at this link. ATMOsphere, organizer of the conference, is publisher of Hydrocarbons21.com.
The companies are seeking support from like-minded manufacturers, universities and associations. Expression of interest to sign the letter can be sent to the ATMOsphere LinkedIn account, as well by filling in the Typeform below. The names of the interested entities will be added upon receipt on a rolling basis.
Natural refrigerants are considered energy-efficient solutions that can technologically replace fluorinated refrigerants. For example, hydrocarbons are widely found in refrigerators and heat pumps across Europe. In particular, isobutane (R600a) is the standard refrigerant in home fridges and propane (R290) has become the standard for commercial (supermarket) display cases.
A recent market report by ATMOsphere has found that an increasing number of manufacturers are promoting R290-based solutions for residential heat pumps, whether in single split or monobloc systems, to reduce the high global warming potential of HFCs and avoid PFAS pollution related to HFOs used as refrigerants. Over 20 European universities and training institutions also support this shift towards hydrocarbons, having released a statement explaining the possibilities of these refrigerants across a variety of heat pump technologies.
