Dr Heinz Jürgensen: Whenever possible, we at BITZER recommend that our customers design and construct new systems in the EU for all applications to operate with the natural refrigerants described above, which are available in the long term. BITZER has been building up its portfolio and expertise in handling natural refrigerants for decades. For example, the company has been selling compressors for R744 (CO₂) since 2003 and is the only compressor manufacturer to offer reciprocating, screw and scroll compressors for R290 (propane).

If the use of natural refrigerants is not possible for technical reasons, for example, we always recommend choosing a refrigerant with a GWP < 10, such as R1234yf. If this is also not possible, the limit value GWP < 150 can be considered. However, caution is advised here: This value could already be considered too high for new systems if the proposed phase down values after 2030 are taken into account. Where refrigerants with a higher global warming potential are absolutely necessary, they should only be used for the maintenance of existing systems. According to our estimates, the quotas will only be sufficient for this from 2027 at the latest, despite increasing recycling.

Dr Heinz Jürgensen: It is possible that functioning systems will have to be replaced by new ones, as the refrigerants no longer fulfil the legal requirements. According to our information, the operation and maintenance of existing systems with HFCs will still be possible for around 10 to 15 years. However, there will be limits to the permitted GWP values and the quantity of fluorinated refrigerants available. We expect significant price increases from 2025, and refrigerant shortages cannot be ruled out from 2027. Significant price increases for refrigerants with a GWP > 150 are inevitable from this point onwards.

BITZER therefore strongly recommends converting or retrofitting existing systems with high maintenance requirements or refrigerant loss to the lowest GWP values that are technically and economically feasible. We also offer our customers and partners support, for example through training, guidelines and special calculations

Dr Heinz Jürgensen: Natural refrigerants usually require special training to ensure safe use. Hydrocarbons like R290 propane and R600a isobutane, for example, are highly flammable, whilst R744 CO₂ operates with high pressure in the system. It’s important to develop an in-depth understanding of the refrigerants of the future. We provide support in the form of information – for example, in the Refrigerant Report – and practical training courses at the SCHAUFLER Academy. The system components themselves need to be designed for the corresponding refrigerant, too. BITZER has many years of experience in the use of natural refrigerants in its products and continues to develop its portfolio in that direction. One example is our new 8-cylinder reciprocating compressor for CO₂ as a refrigerant, which is up to 10 % more energy-efficient than conventional 6-cylinder compressors on the market. Generally speaking, alternative refrigerants in combination with new compressors and components can offer a high degree of energy efficiency and potential for savings.

Dr Heinz Jürgensen: Unsaturated partly fluorinated F-gases (HFO) were developed as an important tool to reduce the direct impact of greenhouse gas emissions. Recently developed to reach the emission quotas of the F-Gas Regulation, these substances could be affected by a potential PFAS ban. It would then be more difficult to achieve emission targets. At this moment, we believe that a PFAS ban is all but certain. But it’s difficult to predict exactly which substances will be affected, which is why we so strongly recommend using natural refrigerants in as many systems as possible.

Dr Heinz Jürgensen: Well-founded opinions were accepted during the input phase from March to September 2023. BITZER was also involved in the process. The European Chemical Agency received more than 5,600 entries from all over the world covering a wide range of applications involving different PFAS, from fluorinated gases, solvents and textile finishes to fluoroplastics for gaskets and hydrodynamic bearings. It’s important to highlight the relationship between environmental protection and technical and economic feasibility. The inputs will after evaluation by two expert committees in 2024 be processed by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council. Countries have influence again during this phase. We’re also in contact with the German Environmental Agency. We don’t expect a decision before 2025.

Dr Heinz Jürgensen: The rest of the world is closely watching current developments in European regulations. The Kigali Amendment also calls for a gradual reduction in F-gas emissions globally, but with a delayed time frame and country group-specific targets. Traditional developed countries are required to reduce their consumption and production emissions by 40 % by 2024 compared to the base years of 2011 to 2013. Other countries have more time. For example, so-called Article 5 countries don’t have to begin restricting their emissions until 2024. Like the EU with its F-Gas Regulation, many countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and Norway, are aiming for an even bigger reduction than prescribed by the Kigali Amendment. Individual countries can choose to accelerate reduction, with financial support provided by the Multilateral Fund. If all members agree, the prescribed time frames can also be shortened as a whole. But that’s not likely to happen before 2028.

Dr Heinz Jürgensen: It’s true that the defined quotas do not take into account the growing demand for refrigerants associated with heat pumps. Whilst small systems for residential buildings are often imported into Europe prefilled, the importing company must demonstrate compliance with the quota in Europe. But thankfully for them, there’s a share of the quotas reserved for so-called new market participants. This share is reduced at a lower rate than the share for manufacturers inside Europe.

Dr Heinz Jürgensen: Water is an interesting refrigerant for special applications such as high temperature heat pumps above 140°C. For more conventional applications, there will be new hydrocarbon blends and blends with CO₂ on the market. The temperature glide of blends like these can be used to increase condenser and evaporator efficiency. Hydrocarbons can be mixed together in different compositions to achieve the same pressure level as another refrigerant. Non-flammable blends can be produced with carbon dioxide. Conversely, hydrocarbons can be added to CO₂ to raise the critical point, which enables condensation at higher temperatures than with pure CO₂ and, in turn, expands the application range. And on the low pressure side, these blends allow condensation at lower temperatures, as hydrocarbons maintain their liquid form at lower temperatures than CO₂. Blends also enable lower pressure levels than pure CO₂, which increases efficiency.