The Industrial Refrigeration Industry Faces Change: The 2024 F-Gas Regulation for 2025

The industrial refrigeration industry is undergoing a pivotal transformation. With the entry into force of the F-Gas 2024 regulations, companies must adapt to new environmental standards that not only aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promote sustainability and energy efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore how this transition is impacting the sector and how Coreco is positioning itself as a leader in implementing innovative and responsible solutions.

1. Changes to the 2024 F-Gas Regulations for 2025 and Their Impact on the Industry

2. The reasons behind the change: Sustainability and energy efficiency

The main objective of the F-Gas Regulation is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the use of refrigerants with low GWP. The hydrocarbons R290 and R600a are viable alternatives that offer an environmental advantage due to their considerably lower GWP low (3) compared to traditional refrigerants, such as HFCs (values well above 1,400). This measure is in line with the European Union's commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability in the industry.

For example, energy efficiency is key to the future of refrigeration, especially in applications such as Grab & Go spaces. On this very blog, we have an article about how Coreco’s high-performance equipment is designed to meet sustainability and functionality expectations in high-turnover environments. Read the full article here

To view the full text of the F-Gas Regulation, please refer to the FEDA website, which details all the provisions and deadlines set forth in the regulations.

3. Major Changes in the Refrigeration Industry: What the F-Gas Regulation Means for 2025

The F-Gas 2024 Regulation introduces several key provisions that directly affect manufacturers, distributors, and technicians in the refrigeration sector:

• Tuition Reduction: The regulations limit the quantities of fluorinated gases that can be placed on the market in Europe, which will lead to a gradual decline in the use of high-GWP refrigerants on the market.
• Specific Prohibitions: Effective March 12, 2025, the export of stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and stationary heat pumps containing fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP of 1,000 or higher will be prohibited.
• Focus on Natural Gas: The use of hydrocarbons (such as R290 and R600a) and CO₂ in refrigeration equipment is encouraged, enabling the industry to adapt to the sustainability standards required by the European Union.

For a detailed analysis of these changes and their implications, the website FEGECA It provides an in-depth look at the impact of the 2024 F-Gas Regulation on the refrigeration industry in 2025.

4. Coreco in the European Working Group on the Transition to Environmentally Friendly Refrigerants

Coreco benefits from the experience and leadership of its Product Manager, Manuel Mellado, who represents the company on the committees and working groups of the Spanish Federation of Associations of Manufacturers of Machinery for the Hospitality, Institutional, and Related Industries (FELAC) at both the national and European levels.

This involvement is crucial for Coreco and its industry, as FELAC plays a strategic role in various national and international forums that address environmental standards and regulations in the sector.

• UNE Technical Standardization Committee «CTN 200/Subcommittee 111», focused on environmental standards for electrical and electronic products.

• CEOE Committees on the Circular Economy, Industry, and Ecological Transition.

• Circular Hospitality Guide developed by INEDIT in collaboration with FELAC.

• CEOE Fluorinated Gases Working Subgroup, addressing the transition to refrigerants with low global warming potential.

• EFCEM Working Group WG2 (European Federation of Hospitality Equipment Manufacturers) for Fgas 2024 and energy labeling.

• Orgalim Green Transition WG representing EFCEM.

• EFCEM WG1 BIM and Connectivity Working Group

Coreco's participation in these forums reinforces its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the industrial refrigeration sector, ensuring that its products not only comply with the strictest regulations but also contribute to a more environmentally friendly and efficient future for the hospitality industry.

5. Education and Training on the New Regulations

The transition to low-GWP refrigerants requires not only changes in equipment design but also thorough training for installers and technicians. At Coreco, ongoing training is a priority, and the company offers support to ensure that technical staff are prepared to handle R290 and R600a refrigerants as safely and efficiently as possible.

Coreco also works closely with industry associations to provide training and guidance to installers and technicians, facilitating a smooth transition to these new refrigerants while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

6. Challenges in Complying with F-Gas Regulations 2024 for the year 2025

The transition to sustainable refrigerants has presented significant challenges for both manufacturers and end consumers. Some of the main challenges include:

• Transition Costs: Manufacturers must make significant investments in research and development, which can affect product prices.
• Equipment Redesign: The industry must adapt its products to ensure efficient and safe operation with refrigerants such as R290 and R600a, which have technical characteristics that differ from those of HFCs.
• International Competition: European regulations are among the most restrictive in the world. European manufacturers, such as Coreco, must comply with these regulations while competing with companies from other regions where regulations are less strict.

7. Advantages of R290 and R600a Refrigerants for the Market

The adoption of refrigerants such as R290 and R600a not only complies with environmental regulations but also offers significant benefits for consumers and the industry as a whole:

• Greater energy efficiency: These gases allow refrigeration equipment to operate with lower energy consumption, thereby reducing operating costs and environmental impact.
• Lower environmental impact: R290 and R600a refrigerants have a significantly low GWP, making them sustainable alternatives that are aligned with greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
• Better preservation: These refrigerants offer greater thermal stability, ensuring optimal performance in the preservation of food and perishable goods.

8. Conclusions: Sustainability as the New Standard in Industrial Refrigeration

The industrial refrigeration industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation, in which sustainability and energy efficiency have become essential pillars.

As the market adopts refrigeration solutions based on natural gases such as R290 and R600a, the hospitality sector and food manufacturers will be able to benefit from equipment that not only complies with current regulations but also provides long-term value.

Companies like Coreco are leading this transition by offering innovative and sustainable products that comply with the F-Gas 2024 regulations and ensure safe and efficient operation in accordance with the standard by 2025.

The implementation of these regulations not only presents a challenge but also an opportunity for the refrigeration industry to position itself at the forefront of sustainability.

Sustainability is a fundamental pillar, for example, in the food and industrial refrigeration industries. In our article on the Gourmet Market Trends in 2025, we examine how these demands are transforming the industry, from responsible consumption to the use of advanced refrigeration technologies. Read more here.