HFC phase-down according to the EU F-Gas Regulation
- Due to the requirements of the EU F-Gas Regulation 517/2014, especially the gradual reduction of the of consumtion (phase-down) and the resulting prohibitions of use, refrigerants with high GWP (Global Warming Potential) will widely have to be withdrawn from the European market.
- The higher the GWP of the refrigerant, the higher the impact of the HFC phase-down.
- Consequently, refrigerants with high GWP such as R404A and R507A, as well as HFC blends with lower GWP, will become increasingly scarce.
- In many cases a conversion to refrigerants with "low GWP" is possible.
- These "low GWP" refrigerants are expected to be available on the market for a longer period of time and in sufficient quantities.
2015 | 100% |
2016-2017 | 93% |
2018-2020 | 63% (56%)* |
2021-2023 | 45% (40%)* |
2024-2026 | 31% (28%)* |
2027-2029 | 24% (21%)* |
2030 | 21% (19%)* |
* Values in brackets consider the quota for imported refrigerants and pre-charged systems which have to be accounted for since 2017.
Development of the average GWP values due to quantitative limit (phase-down)
Looking closer at the average GWP value (approx. 2100) of the refrigerants consumed in the EU in the reference year 2015 (see figure below), the quantitive limitation to 21% results in an average GWP significantly below 500, based on the simplified assumption of a constant refrigerant amount for the same tasks and applications.
- All refrigerants with GWP < 500 currently available as alternative, with exception of CO2, are flammable, some are also toxic.
- This already low average value allows the conclusion that reduction of consumption by means of the planned use bans (from 2020 and 2022) alone will not be sufficient to reach the quantitative limit.
- This means that alternative refrigerants and/or technologies will have to be used also in fields of application that are not directly affected by the bans.
