F-Gas and Refrigeration: GWP Under 150 as a New European Reference

The F-Gas regulation revision process is entering a decisive phase for the European refrigeration sector. The new regulatory framework not only introduces specific bans, but also outlines a structural shift in approach , in which a GWP value lower than 150 will gradually become the reference standard for new applications.

Rather than a single deadline, this is a comprehensive assessment of the state of the market, the technologies already available, and the choices that manufacturers, designers, and operators are called upon to make in the medium term.

A regulatory budget that guides the market

The evolution of F-Gas regulations clearly demonstrates the direction the European Union is taking: drastically reducing the climate impact of refrigeration , guiding the sector towards solutions that are already technically mature. The GWP limit below 150 does not come as a sudden surprise, but rather as the result of a process that began years ago, progressively narrowing the scope for high-GWP refrigerants.

The current assessment shows that many commercial and industrial refrigeration applications have already undertaken this transition, demonstrating that the use of low-impact refrigerants is technically feasible and industrially sustainable. In this sense, the regulation consolidates an existing market trend, rather than imposing a radical change overnight.

Low-GWP refrigerants: between availability and system adaptation

The move towards GWP below 150 implies a careful evaluation of the solutions already on the market, which include natural refrigerants and low-impact blends .

The report highlights how the challenge is not so much the lack of alternatives, but the need to adapt design, components, and skills to the characteristics of the new fluids.

CO₂, hydrocarbons, and other low-GWP solutions are now an integral part of the refrigeration landscape , but they require thoughtful management of aspects such as operating pressures, safety, and maintenance. In this scenario, regulations become a factor accelerating plant innovation , pushing the industry to consolidate more advanced technical standards consistent with climate objectives.

A transition that redefines the sector's strategies

From the assessment of the application of the F-Gas regulations, it's clear that a GWP below 150 is not just a regulatory requirement, but a strategic criterion for the future development of European refrigeration. Companies are required to plan investments, product development, and technical training with a medium- to long-term perspective, avoiding temporary solutions that risk quickly becoming obsolete.

This phase marks a moment of consolidation: those who have already invested in low-GWP technologies are in an advantageous position , while for others the current regulatory framework offers clear indications on where to direct their next design and industrial choices.