International Institute of Refrigeration

Bans on horizon for common refrigerants


All eyes are on a European proposal to limit for each- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that may perhaps outcome in bans on quite a few greatly applied refrigerants.

Alex Pachai, who chairs the Eurammon specialized committee, the Global Institute of Refrigeration working team on safety, and the industrial heat pump manufacturer’s group at the Danish Heat Pump Association, clarifies the proposal and its potential impacts.


The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has released a proposal for the regulation of substances that add to the development of for every- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – referred to as PFAS. There are approximately 10,000 different PFAS from quite a few different sources, but all include fluorine molecules of CF2, CF3 or better buildings. The problem with these substances is that no recognised all-natural breakdown paths exist, and the substances are therefore also named “forever chemicals”. Carbon-fluorine bonds are one particular of the strongest in chemistry. They have also been identified to bring about well being complications for humans and animals.

Of program, regulation of fluorinated and chlorinated gases is not new to the industry. The most widely regarded instrument, the Montreal Protocol, controlled substances that contains chlorine that impacted the ozone layer and was signed in 1987.

Even at that time it was now comprehended that the upcoming problem for the sector would be the world-wide warming probable (GWP) of the choice gases. Some corporations targeted on non-fluorinated compounds this kind of as carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia (NH3) and hydrocarbons (HCs), when others started off to seem for synthetic compounds. As a outcome, additional than 100 blends of distinctive compositions have emerged in the market place.

In recent years, experiences from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the media have pointed to the discovery of different fluorine compounds in mother nature, for illustration, from ski wax, firefighting foam, and non-adhere pans. This has brought on additional issues about PFAS.

Now, five European nations around the world – Germany and the Netherlands foremost, strongly supported by Norway, Sweden and Denmark – have set ahead a proposal for regulating PFAS beneath the ECHA umbrella. Coming at the same time as the revision of the F-gasoline directive (the European legislation for phasing down superior-GWP HFC refrigerants), this has led to heated debate.

The Greens in the European Parliament have proposed which include PFAS in the up to date F-gasoline regulation. The situation is that the F-gasoline regulation focuses on GWP, when the ECHA focuses on health and basic safety of humans and nature. Placing the two restrictions alongside one another will not be effortless.

What does the PFAS regulation signify for the HVAC&R marketplace?

A number of the additional widely applied factors of blends that will be impacted are:

HFC125
HFC134a
HFC143a
HFO1234yf
HFO1234ze(E)
HFO1336mzz(E)
HFO1336mzz(Z)
HCFO1224yd
HCFO1233zd(E)

Some broadly made use of refrigerants, these types of as R32, will not be influenced. But the F-fuel laws is wanting at limiting the GWP at 750, which issues R32.

What is hardly ever mentioned in the warmth of discussions is the update of the ODP (ozone-depleting prospective) regulations, which is seeking at banning substances that contain chlorine. This will also implement to R1233 and R1224.

There are two implementation timeframes: five many years and 12 a long time. The five-12 months timeframe will implement in which solutions are currently in the industry. The 12-12 months timeframe is for the place there are no recognised solutions.

There is a sensible possibility that the proposal will be approved. It states: “Evidence has been cited that techniques making use of alternate options are price-competitive, which matches their emergence in the market in current years.”

Price tag effectiveness is one particular of the drivers for choice of the timeframe. In this author’s humble belief, it can take place somewhat promptly. For instance, 5 many years from the day the method finishes, which means successful in 2030.

What arrives up coming?

A final result is predicted by 2025. The initiative is in line with the EU Environmentally friendly Offer, as promoted by the EU fee.

The proposal will now go to scientific committees and consultations, with the adhering to timetable laid out:

  • Begin of consultation: March 22, 2023
  • Online info session: April 5, 2023
  • Finish of 6 months’ session: September 22, 2023
  • Committees provide views: 2024
  • Conclusion enters into force: 2025
  • Restriction gets to be successful: 2026–27.

Several gurus are already recommending that the field commence adapting to a future devoid of fluorinated substances, for the reason that there are alternate options in the sector. The quicker we start out, the a lot less high-priced it results in being to make the swap. Ready right until 2030 is actively playing a hazardous game.

The media briefing on the proposal to prohibit FPAS chemical compounds the EU is offered on YouTube.



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Women in cooling survey reveals global challenges


The Global Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has released a new report surveying 810 women around the world functioning in the HVAC&R sector, to far better comprehend their occupations, worries, determination, and possibilities.

According to the report, more than 15 million people are utilized around the world in the HVAC&R industry, with the below-illustration of females evidenced by the reality that only 6 for every cent of members of nationwide refrigeration organisations are gals.

“As the need for [HVAC&R] professionals continues to mature, a substantial opportunity can be unleashed by encouraging girls to pursue training and career prospects in this sector,” suggests the report.

Of the respondents, 59 for each cent have been underneath 40 decades of age, and most respondents labored in Asia (34 for each cent) and Europe (33 for each cent).

50 % of the women surveyed held postgraduate levels, indicating a small proportion of respondents doing work in servicing (8 for every cent). 50 % worked in both structure or R&D (22 per cent), in product sales and internet marketing (15 for every cent), or held tutorial and instructing roles (13 per cent).

The report also discovered seemed at longevity, and found that 47 for every cent of women functioning in the HVAC&R sector have finished so for a lot more than 10 decades. Nevertheless, only 1 out of 5 females had been promoted two times in the final 10 many years, while 24 for each cent had in no way been promoted, suggesting limited occupation development options.

Females discovered the best 5 difficulties of performing in the marketplace as trouble with perform-lifestyle harmony, absence of job progression chances, stereotypes or prejudice about women of all ages (from clients or customers), absence of feminine colleagues, and restricted instruction possibilities.

The report encouraged further more surveys and initiatives to defeat these problems, and to motivate ladies in their field of fascination within the sector – frequently associated to the setting and sustainability.

It also advised focused campaigns to attract extra young people today and ladies to educational and coaching disciplines or signing up for the HVAC&R workforce, as effectively as enhanced engagement with the Global Network of Girls in Cooling (INWIC).

Study the whole report right here.

Photograph by Mikael Blomkvist.



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Sustainable development in refrigeration – HVAC&R News



The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has released its corporate Exercise Report, detailing how the Institute has set its tactic and actions inside of the framework of the sustainable advancement of the refrigeration sector.

The IIR states refrigeration is existing in most parts of human action, and is totally needed for lifetime. The Institute defines its objectives and steps by working toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Aims (SDGs).

According to the report, its intent is to disseminate data, contribute to the intensification of scientific and complex exchanges and stimulate investigation and enhancement to sustainability in this sector. The purpose is to deploy these systems all around the earth for the profit of humanity, as properly as to boost existing systems to deal with the threats of environmental harm and resource depletion.

The IIR achieves its plans by keeping comprehensive databases and files on refrigeration, publishing scientific journals and by holding conferences, seminars and workshops.

The report details what the IIR attained during 2021 and is obtainable to down load in this article.



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ICCC2022 announces program – HVAC&R News



The Global Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has introduced the system for the 2022 International Meeting on Sustainability and the Chilly Chain.

Remaining held just about from April 11–13, the convention will examine chilly chain innovation, alongside with developments in refrigeration technological innovation and layout.

The software attributes a lot more than 50 shows and a few keynote speakers, like James Curlin (Head of Ozon Motion at UNEP), Steve Cowperthwaithe of Defra, and Elizabeth Warham from the Section for Global Trade.

The main session themes cover:

  • Innovation in the cold chain
  • Retail refrigeration, engineering advancement and layout
  • Creating a sustainable chilly chain in developing nations.

The convention will also include things like a mix of live talks, Q&A with speakers, hosted dialogue conferences and networking all over. The Institute of Refrigeration is introducing the networking platform Gather.town to allow attendees to interact with fellow delegates.

Delegates will have the opportunity to obtain an online library of presentations right up until December 31, 2022.

The total program conference is obtainable to check out here.



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IIR Congress 2023 calls for abstracts



The Global Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is web hosting the 26th IIR Global Congress of Refrigeration (ICR 2023) in Paris on August 21–25, 2023. The IIR is now contacting for abstracts.

The function will be organised by the French Affiliation of Refrigeration (AFF) and will have the theme “Towards productive, controlled and sensible refrigeration”. The organisers intention to reunite critical international stakeholders and give views on the potential of the market, in line with the UN Sustainable Enhancement Plans.

Field is invited to submit abstracts less than the adhering to critical themes:

  • Cryophysics and cryoengineering
  • Liquefaction and separation of gases
  • Thermodynamics and transfer procedures
  • Refrigerating devices
  • Cryobiology, cryomedicine and well being products
  • Foods science and engineering
  • Refrigerated storage
  • Refrigerated transportation
  • Air conditioning
  • Warmth pumps and strength recovery.

Abstracts of up to 250 terms can be submitted by June 29, 2022 by means of the Congress internet site.

The IIR Congress can take spot each 4 a long time, and supplies a forum to current and disseminate the outcomes of investigate, advancement and innovation.

For more details, go to the web-site.



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Global survey on women in HVAC&R



The global Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and UNEP OzonAction have launched the to start with global survey on gals in HVAC&R.

“In current decades, the refrigeration, air conditioning and warmth pumps sector has been paying expanding interest to the worth of gender mainstreaming and giving equivalent alternatives for equally girls and gentlemen,” says IIR Director Typical Didier Coulomb.

“This parallels dialogue by governments, organisations and civil society about how to further more contribute to UN Sustainable Growth Purpose 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women of all ages and girls by 2030.”

The survey aims to collect baseline details and develop a improved comprehending on the history, drive, difficulties, and opportunities confronted by gals operating in the HVAC&R sector on different continents. The effects will support create applications and things to do to fill in gaps and prevail over obstructions towards bigger participation of gals in the marketplace.

“If you get the job done in this sector, sharing your knowledge will elevate awareness of occupations and options and will inspire a new generation of gals to comply with in your footsteps,” states Coulomb.

The study follows on from a UNEP venture in 2019, which introduced stories of girls all-around the globe doing work in HVAC&R. It is supported by many companions, together with AIRAH in Australia.

Responses will be collected right up until January 31, 2022. To finish the survey, click here.



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