ACR Journal

December 2020 | January 2021 REFRIGERANTS 32 Volume 7 No.1 Working towards a sustainable future Georgina Hillier, Sales & Marketing Co-ordinator at Climalife UK, looks at some of the factors that will help to develop an eco-efficient industry for the generations to follow. Refrigeration is essential to our modern world with the cold chain and cooling being key to supporting national markets and continuous global development. There have been significant changes in the industry over recent years since the introduction of F-Gas regulations in 2007 and the industry continues to evolve in line with regulation, legislation and a transition towards increased consumer environmental awareness. We are already seeing a shift in the industry as the market moves towards lower GWP (Global Warming Potential) alternative refrigerants, such as the low GWP A2L refrigerants. This is a vital element to ensure the sustainability of the industry and the markets it serves. However, there are other elements that are just as important and influential too. Considering an array of key factors will help us collectively build a sustainable and eco-e†cient industry for the generations to come. Low GWP alternatives There are a wide range of low GWP refrigerants and refrigerant blends that serve as alternatives to high GWP refrigerants that are now banned if they fall into the category of >2500 GWP and with no one solution being the same for all applications. There is a requirement for various diŠerent alternative options to be available in the marketplace, for both new equipment and retrofit. Refrigerant producers have worked to develop new refrigerants and blends with very low GWP. There are now a wide range of refrigerants available for the market to use. As an industry, we must take advantage of these solutions to ensure we future proof our systems and work to achieve a more sustainable world. Meanwhile, we as an industry must be forward thinking in our approach to diŠerent refrigerant options and make significant moves to ensure the uptake of lower GWP refrigerants continues in order to meet industry quota restrictions that will see a 79% reduction in CO 2 tonnes equivalent by 2030 from the base set in 2015. Suppliers of refrigerant such as Climalife aim to provide support to customers with the change to diŠerent refrigerant options. We understand the potential challenges some businesses may face and we are here to help guide them through the transitional period with technical support and advice. Refrigerant choice will no doubt have the biggest influence on industry sustainability, however there are other factors to consider that support the wider goal in reducing CO 2 emissions and are equally important Refrigerants Climalife .indd 32 03/12/2020 11:58

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