Refrigerant GWP: why naturals win
In five years, the refrigerant question has gone from a technical discussion between refrigeration engineers to a central commercial argument. The EU F-Gas framework (Regulation (EC) No 517/2014, replaced in 2024 by Regulation (EU) 2024/573) sets out the progressive phase-out of HFCs with a high global warming potential. For anyone buying a cold room in 2026, it is a decision with regulatory, economic and asset-value impact over 15 years.
This article describes what the regulation requires, what R290 (propane) does technically, where its limits are (ATEX, charge), and what we use when R290 no longer fits (R744, transcritical CO₂).
GWP in 2 minutes
GWP = Global Warming Potential. It is the unit that measures a gas’s greenhouse effect, referenced to CO₂ which equals 1. The higher the GWP, the greater the climate impact of a leak. The table below compares the refrigerants common in cold rooms:| Refrigerant | Type | GWP (100 years) | EU status 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| R290 (propane) | Natural | 3 | Permitted, preferred |
| R744 (CO₂) | Natural | 1 | Permitted, preferred |
| R134a (HFC) | Synthetic | 1,430 | Restricted, banned for some uses |
| R404A (HFC) | Synthetic | 3,922 | Banned in new equipment since 2020, recharge phasing out |
| R407F (HFC) | Synthetic | 1,825 | Temporarily permitted, phase-out 2030 |
| R448A (HFO+HFC) | Synthetic | 1,387 | Permitted, transitional alternative |
| R513A (HFO+HFC) | Synthetic | 631 | Permitted, low-pressure alternative |
R290 and R744 are the only commercial refrigerants that meet the 2050 regulatory horizon without question.
F-Gas timeline 2024-2030
The revised F-Gas Regulation imposes a quota system on HFCs placed on the EU market. The overall quota shrinks by 35% in 2025, 70% in 2030 and 90% in 2050 against the 2015 baseline. In concrete terms:- 2025: ban on manufacturing new equipment containing HFCs with a GWP ≥ 2,500 (R404A, R507A) - already in force since 2020 for commercial and industrial cold rooms.
- 2027: ban on HFCs with a GWP ≥ 750 in self-contained equipment ≤ 50 kW (air conditioning, small commercial refrigeration).
- 2030: ban on HFCs with a GWP ≥ 150 in all new equipment sold in the EU. This targets R134a (GWP 1,430), R407F (GWP 1,825) and anything that is not a pure HFO or a natural refrigerant.
- 2035-2050: progressive phase-out of all HFCs and HFOs, except specific uses (medical, fire safety).
For anyone buying a cold room today (15-20 year life cycle), only equipment running on a natural refrigerant is future-proof. That is our central argument.
R290 in practice
R290 is propane (C₃H₈) - yes, the same gas as in your barbecue or camping stove, at a higher purity grade (≥ 99.5%). Its thermodynamic properties are excellent:- Evaporation temperature at atmospheric pressure: -42 °C (covers all our commercial refrigeration applications).
- Latent heat of evaporation: 426 kJ/kg (vs 165 kJ/kg for R134a - 2.5× more energy-dense).
- Compatible with scroll, rotary and piston compressors (with suitable seals).
- GWP = 3, ODP = 0 (zero ozone-layer destruction), flammable A3 (ASHRAE classification).
Typical charge in a 20 m³ positive container: 1.5 to 2 kg of R290 - the equivalent of a small camping cylinder. Sealed circuit, silver-brazed joints, integrated IR leak detector.
ATEX and safety
R290 is classified flammable A3. That is its main constraint. The ATEX framework (Directive 2014/34/EU) classifies the zones where an explosive atmosphere can form. In practice on an R290 cold room:- Charge < 5 kg in an enclosed space: zone 2 (explosive atmosphere unlikely). No special measure beyond the ATEX design of the refrigeration unit (IP54 enclosure, dry contacts, earthing).
- Charge > 5 kg in an enclosed space: forced ventilation required, ATEX zoning, mandatory leak detector, user training. This is our switchover threshold to empty delivery.
- Installation outdoors or under an open canopy: no particular ATEX constraint (natural dispersion prevents any accumulation).
In the field: no serious accident in a professional R290 cold room in Europe since 2015 (sector statistics from ARMINES + Eurammon). The few documented incidents involved non-compliant installations or external impacts (building fires) - not the fluid itself.
R744 (CO₂), the alternative
When the R290 charge exceeds the limits (large freezer volume > 30 m³), we switch to transcritical R744. CO₂ as a refrigerant:- GWP = 1 (by definition - it is the baseline).
- Non-flammable, non-toxic (asphyxiant at concentrations > 5% by volume of air, but easily detected).
- High pressure: 70-120 bar on the high side. Requires a specific refrigeration unit (high-pressure components).
- Excellent performance in low-temperature freezing (down to -50 °C).
- Drawback: investment 25-35% higher than an equivalent R290 or HFC unit.
R744 is the future-proof solution for industrial freezers > 40 m³. Our catalogue offers it as an option from the 40 m³ freezer upwards.
What ecofrost does
Our policy is clear-cut: zero fluorinated gas, ever. Every piece of equipment leaves the factory either pre-charged with R290 (volumes ≤ 30 m³) or delivered empty for on-site gas charging with R290 or R744 by a partner Category I refrigeration engineer.No HFCs, no HFOs, anywhere in the catalogue. It is a commercial and asset-protection stance: we protect your investment over 15 years, follow the regulatory trajectory, and avoid future administrative battles tied to quotas and bans.
To understand exactly how this applies to your case, see our commitment page or request a quote - the design office will explain the fluid-vs-capacity matrix in the configuration sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is R290 really safer than an HFC?
Environmentally, yes (GWP 3 vs 1,400-3,900). In immediate safety terms, R290 is flammable and classified A3, whereas HFCs are A1 (non-flammable). But in a sealed cold room circuit with a charge < 5 kg and compliant ventilation, the risk is controlled by design. Sector statistics: no serious R290 accident in a professional cold room in Europe since 2015.
Is my old R404A cold room already illegal?
No. The F-Gas Regulation does not require you to replace existing equipment. It progressively bans the placing on the market of new high-GWP HFC equipment. You can keep using your R404A until the equipment reaches end of life, but recharging is becoming difficult and expensive (shrinking quota, soaring prices).
Does R290 degrade performance compared with an HFC?
On the contrary. At equal refrigeration capacity, R290 is 10 to 15% more energy-efficient than R404A. The refrigerant charge is also 2 to 3× smaller (propane is more energy-'dense'). It is a thermodynamically superior fluid - we did not use it before because of flammability, but modern engineering (sealed circuit, ventilation, leak detector) has removed that obstacle.