Insights and Key Takeaways from the ATMO Summit Europe by Dominik Flikweert (Systemair, REHVA Supporter)
Dominik Flikweert, representing REHVA at the ATMO Summit Europe, shared valuable insights from the event, which focused on the current and future trends in the refrigeration and HVAC sectors, with a particular emphasis on natural refrigerants.
Investor Panel Discussion: Challenges and Opportunities in Global Investments
One of the key topics of the event was the regulatory landscape affecting investments in Europe. A notable panel, including Friedrich Ysenburg and Ted Amyuni (Triton), Timo Kilivaht (Kelvion), and Frank Jansing (bluu unit), moderated by Marc Chasserot, discussed the impact of inconsistent and ever-changing regulations on sustainability objectives. Non-EU companies are increasingly looking toward Europe to set global standards but are reluctant to invest here due to the unpredictable regulatory environment. For example, Carrier is investing US$ 850 million in a factory in the US that will produce refrigerants to meet EU standards, even though these standards do not currently apply in the US market. This trend of investing outside the EU also extends to Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
An interesting sideline was the mention of an association for refrigerants containing natural PFAS, highlighting the complexity and ongoing evolution of the refrigerant market.
During a Q&A session, a member of the audience questioned why CO2 is still being chosen as a refrigerant, given its lower efficiency compared to Propane. The panel’s responses were somewhat vague but underscored the importance of a technology-neutral approach. The consensus was that refrigerants should be selected based on the specific application, with competition between natural refrigerants remaining essential.
Manufacturer Perspectives: Growth in Natural Refrigerants
The event featured presentations from key industry players, offering a global view of the natural refrigerant market. Nadine Neuberger (TEKO), Alessandro Zudek (Zudek Group), and Olivier Liégeois (Copeland), moderated by Marc Chasserot, discussed the growing role of natural refrigerants.
TEKO, a Germany-based manufacturer, noted the significant global growth in CO2-based heat pumps. However, this observation was challenged by an EHPA audience member, who pointed out that Propane is still the dominant choice for many new heat pumps, a fact also observed at Chillventa. Despite this, the ATMOsphere moderator found the growth projections for CO2-based systems to be ambitious.
Zudek Group, an Italian manufacturer specializing in ammonia-based refrigerants, highlighted the potential for ammonia-based units in the HVAC sector, especially given the anticipated growth in cooling applications. With a turnover of €25 million and two plants in Italy, Zudek has already sold 330 ammonia-based industrial chillers/heat pumps.
Copeland, a US-based company with US$ 4.5 billion in annual sales, acknowledged the growing demand for natural refrigerants. They reported selling over 100,000 heat pumps running on R290 (Propane) and expressed interest in exploring R1270 for low-temperature applications, along with CO2 scroll technology for proximity stores. However, they also voiced concerns about regulatory uncertainty, a recurring theme throughout the event.
An interactive session allowed the audience to weigh in on which sector they believed would be disrupted next by natural refrigerants in Europe. Interestingly, the “Other” category emerged as a contender, with some suggesting district heating might be the next sector to undergo significant changes, a viewpoint also advocated by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA).
Policy Panel: F-Gas Regulation and the Future of Refrigerants
A policy panel led by Arno Kaschl (DG CLIMA), Jana Mašíčková (CZ Ministry of Environment), Clare Perry (Environmental Investigation Agency, EIA), and Asbjørn Vonsild (Vonsild Consulting) addressed the future of refrigerants, focusing particularly on the EU’s F-gas Regulation. While many aspects of the regulation were familiar, Kaschl’s presentation offered valuable insights into market trends, with updates on the timeline for service bans on certain refrigerants.
Clare Perry’s presentation from the EIA provided a sobering perspective on the real-world impact of refrigerants, especially low-GWP natural refrigerants. While Ammonia, CO2, and Propane are considered truly natural options, Perry warned against alternatives that could be considered environmentally damaging due to their production and disposal processes.
Asbjørn Vonsild shared updates on EN 60335-2-40, the European standard for the safety of refrigerants, with a particular focus on flammability safety, a critical consideration for natural refrigerants. His insights underscored the ongoing evolution of safety standards in response to new technologies.
End-User Session: Real-World Applications of Natural Refrigerants
The end-user session, moderated by Jan Dusek, highlighted how companies are already benefiting from the adoption of natural refrigerants.
Olaf Schulze from Metro shared that 75% of their cooling equipment in Belgium is now refrigerated with CO2, which has achieved a return on investment (ROI) of just 8 months. This example demonstrates the growing commercial viability of natural refrigerants.
Nestlé is also pushing for ammonia and CO2-based air conditioning and heat pump systems, aligning with the broader trend toward sustainable refrigerants.
One particularly interesting presentation came from Michael Reiserer of Bierbichler, who discussed how natural refrigerants have improved the working environment for their employees. The use of natural refrigerants in storage facilities and trucks has led to reduced noise and vibration levels, contributing to better physical and mental health for staff.
Innovative Refrigeration Case Studies
The event also showcased innovative refrigeration technologies, such as the PX G1300 ERC technology for CO2 systems in Europe, presented by Darren Lacroix (HVA Energy Recovery) and Stefaan Bostyn (Fieuw Koeltechniek). Currently deployed in retail outlets across Belgium, including Carrefour, this technology can be retrofitted into existing systems or integrated into new refrigeration packs. It represents a forward-looking solution for improving the energy efficiency of CO2-based refrigeration systems in Europe.
Conclusion
The ATMO Summit Europe highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the natural refrigerants sector, particularly with regard to regulatory uncertainties and market growth. As non-EU companies look to Europe for leadership in sustainability, the need for consistent, long-term policies is more pressing than ever. Meanwhile, manufacturers and end-users alike are already making significant strides in adopting natural refrigerants, demonstrating the growing acceptance and potential of these solutions across diverse applications. The discussions at the summit will undoubtedly influence the direction of the industry in the years to come.