Date and time

Date: 5th March  2026

Time: 16:00-17:00

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The paper will be available in February 2026

Overview

Where we are now, and where we need to get to in 2050. 

Currently, the formal list of refrigerants has exceeded R499. In addition to the 66 pure substances listed in ISO 817, there are 186 refrigerant blends listed, of all these 205 are non-ozone depleting and can thus be potentially used in new systems. Of these non-ozone depleting fluids, 100 have low GWP (below 300) and of these 89 are flammable (to some extent). Of the non-flammable blends with no ODP, GWP < 150 and no TFA production, there are none. Recent technical literature reports on numerous more blends, which marginally lower GWP, marginally less flammable and with fewer or no components that pose environmental degradation concerns. 

In parallel, the new European F-gas regulation includes various placing on the market (POM) bans for equipment using fluorinated refrigerants with various GWP thresholds and a rather tight GWP phasedown schedule, approaching zero by 2050. 

Considering these activities, it raises the question: What might we expect to see as the refrigerant landscape in the decades to come?

This paper will address various factors influencing the future refrigerant landscape:

Developments with new refrigerants, including: mixtures with HFO-1132a, HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1123 and issues with blends such as internal reactions and fractionation, status of mixtures with flammability suppressant fluoroiodicarbons, and the renewed interest in R744-rich blends to reduce freezing point and to increase critical point.

Legislative drivers: F-gas regulation, possible controls on PFAS (TFA), legislation governing flammable substances, as well as developments of RACHP safety standards and approach to risk assessment.

Increased use of naturals refrigerants (R744, R717 and hydrocarbons, R290, R1270, R600a, etc.) across a wide variety of systems and applications.

Within the context of so many new alternative refrigerants, what is currently being used and proposed for use in new systems and applications.

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Authors 

A. L. Vonsild, Vonsild Consulting, Vejle, Denmark

D. Colbourne, Re-phridge Ltd, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom