Cosmotec's response to the new F-Gas EU Regulation 2024/573

On March 11, 2024, the new F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 entered into force, limiting the placing on the market and the export of fluorinated gases and equipment containing such gases. Fluorinated gases (including hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs) are greenhouse gases with a high Global Warming Potential (GWP), used in common equipment such as refrigerators, liquid chillers, air conditioners, and heat pumps. The new Regulation provides for a gradual reduction in HFC consumption quotas between 2024 and 2049, with a complete ban on their use starting from 2050.

In particular, regarding cosmotec air conditioners and chillers, the restrictions set out in Annex IV of the Regulation are as follows:

MAINTENANCE
EU F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 does not introduce any ban on maintenance or spare parts for units placed on the market before the dates defined in Annex IV.

DEROGATIONS
They are foreseen in cases where alternatives are not available or cannot be used for technical or safety reasons, or if the use of such alternatives entails disproportionate costs.

The procedure for requesting a derogation is still being finalised. Furthermore, risk assessments are based on national or local standards, which are inconsistent with each other. For these reasons, it is unclear whether a derogation will be a viable option.

EXPORT BAN
From the same date of entry into force of the F-Gas Regulation in the European Union, the export outside the EU of stationary refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and heat pumps referred to in Annex IV, which contain fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 1000 or greater, is prohibited.

Impact on solutions for the European market from 1 January 2027

The GWP limit of 150 for chillers with a capacity below 12 kW and monobloc air conditioning units necessitates the use of slightly flammable A2L or flammable A3 refrigerants. This requires technical measures to make the product safe. However, Cosmotec doesn't stop there: with the customer-centric approach that forms the basis of our value proposition, when designing cooling solutions, we do not overlook the safety of the systems into which they will be integrated and the installation site. An example of this approach is the air conditioning units for electrical panels. In the event of a refrigerant leak into the internal side of the panel, the limited space does not allow for sufficient dilution. This could create an explosive atmosphere in the presence of ignition sources. This risk guides our research for future solutions. In the coming months, we will introduce new air-to-water heat exchangers, as a safe alternative in line with the F-Gas Regulation.

Impact on solutions for the extra-European market from 1 January 2027

The GWP limit of 1000 permits the use of refrigerant R513A (GWP = 631) for both chillers and air conditioners, as an alternative to the current R134a and R410A.

Cosmotec's roadmap

cosmotec has already begun updating its products to provide the market with the solutions required to meet these new regulations.

In the field of enclosure cooling, Compact Protherm units using R513A refrigerant will soon be available, followed by Protherm and Slim In models using the same refrigerant. These products will form our future offering for non-European markets.

For European Union countries, the new Watherm air-to-water heat exchangers are about to be launched. We are also continuously researching cooling solutions that comply with the Regulation while ensuring the highest levels of safety for our customers’ applications.

Inline process chillers compliant with the F-Gas Regulation are already available. In detail:

In the coming months, we will also be introducing small and medium-sized chillers: