Developments in refrigeration

GROWTH in Asia’s food and beverage industry has made an impact on the industrial refrigeration sector.  As in 2015, demand in the APAC region remains strong. Thanks to newer technologies, energy efficiency has advanced well over the last five years, while better compressors have also led to better refrigeration products, according to a report by consulting firm, P&S Market Research. It said the phase out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the region, and specifically in China and India, will bring growth opportunities to the industrial refrigeration market, and boost the adoption of natural refrigerants.

Environmental issues such as ozone layer depletion have pressured companies to use natural refrigerants. In developed countries, ammonia has taken the place of fluorochemicals.

Food processors and small to medium size refrigerated warehouses in Asia’s developing countries have begun to comply with F-gas regulations. In developing countries, HFCs will be replaced by ammonia-based refrigeration system.

In a recent development, the Board of The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), a parity-based industry network consisting of members (retailers and manufacturers) from 70 countries, announced a resolution to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The resolution is driven by environmental concerns, specifically to keep the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C. It focuses on (1) the installation of new refrigeration equipment in markets where viable (2) the engagement with key stakeholders to overcome barriers in markets where installation is not currently viable, (3) the reduction of the environmental impact of existing refrigeration systems, and (4) the development of individual targets and action plans to measure the first three points.

Alan Clark, CEO of SABMiller, said, “Positive actions by leading global consumer goods companies over the last six years have proved the commercial and operational viability of low carbon refrigeration systems in many parts of the world. As part of our Prosper sustainable development ambition, SABMiller has a 2020 target to purchase no new HFC fridges. This new Refrigeration Resolution will help the whole industry move towards eliminating high global warming-potential refrigerants from our sector, as part of our active commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.”

Eventually, they see the permanent removal of HFCs from operational systems globally, as current testing of new natural refrigerants looks positive.