At Chillventa 2026 in Nuremberg, one topic was present at almost every stand: the refrigerant. Compressor manufacturers showed new series for propane and CO₂, chiller suppliers promoted natural refrigerants, heat pump manufacturers high flow temperatures without F-gases. Behind this are two regulatory developments that put the industry under pressure at the same time: the new F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 and the planned EU-wide PFAS restriction.
This article gives an overview of which refrigerants are in demand, which deadlines apply, and why this feeds directly into datasheets, operating envelopes and design software.
Which refrigerants are in demand?
The direction is clear: natural refrigerants such as R290, R744 and R717 are becoming the standard. Synthetic low-GWP refrigerants remain in some applications, but their future depends on the PFAS decision:
| Refrigerant | Typical application | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| R290 (propane) | Heat pumps, plug-in cabinets, condensing units, chillers up to medium capacity | strongly growing |
| R744 (CO₂) | Supermarket booster systems, industrial refrigeration, high-temperature and district-heating heat pumps | strongly growing |
| R717 (ammonia) | Industrial refrigeration, cold stores, food industry, large heat pumps — increasingly with low charge | established |
| R600a (isobutane) | Household appliances, small plug-in units | standard |
| R1234ze(E), R1233zd(E) | Turbo and screw compressors, chillers, high-temperature heat pumps | under pressure (PFAS) |
| R1234yf | Car air conditioning (EU standard) | under pressure (PFAS) |
| R32, R454B, R513A, R515B | Air conditioners, chillers | transitional |
| R404A, R134a, R410A | Existing systems | phasing out |
F-Gas Regulation 2024/573: the next steps
The new F-Gas Regulation gradually bans the placing on the market of new equipment with refrigerants above certain GWP limits. Existing systems may continue to operate. For manufacturers, 1 January 2027 is the next key date:
- 11 March 2024Regulation (EU) 2024/573 applies, replacing Regulation 517/2014.
- 1 January 2027 — next key dateChillers above 12 kW: no refrigerant with GWP ≥ 750. Chillers up to 12 kW: no refrigerant with GWP ≥ 150. Lower limits also for monoblock heat pumps and air conditioners — R32 (GWP 675) drops out in several categories.
- From 2032Small chillers without F-gases altogether.
- By 2050HFC quotas fall to zero.
The consequence: many manufacturers are bringing new product generations to market right now, or converting existing series to new refrigerants.
PFAS: the next question mark for HFO refrigerants
In recent years, many manufacturers have moved from conventional HFCs to HFO refrigerants such as R1234yf or R1234ze. They have a very low GWP and are therefore F-gas compliant. Under the broad definition of the planned EU restriction, however, they count as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Status of the procedure as of October 2026:
- 2023Five EU states, including Germany, submit a broad PFAS restriction proposal to ECHA.
- March 2026RAC adopts its final opinion, SEAC a draft — both support a broad restriction with targeted, time-limited derogations. For refrigerants, many derogations are to be dropped or shortened.
- End of 2026Final SEAC opinion expected.
- AfterwardsProposal by the European Commission, vote by the member states.
- 2028–2030 at the earliestExpected application, including transition periods.
Will R1234yf stay in cars?
In the short term, yes. R1234yf has been the standard in the air conditioning of all new cars in the EU since 2017. In the atmosphere, however, it breaks down almost completely into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a very persistent substance that accumulates in the water cycle. In 2025, German authorities applied to ECHA to classify TFA as toxic to reproduction (BfR, Umweltbundesamt).
A quick ban of R1234yf is not expected, but the pressure is rising in the medium term. Some car manufacturers already use R744 (CO₂) in the heat pumps of electric vehicles, and solutions with R290 and a secondary circuit are being developed.
What this means for design
A new refrigerant is not just a new line in the datasheet. It changes the entire technical design:
How compressor performance data is calculated in detail is shown in EN 12900 Explained: How a Compressor Selector Calculates Performance Data.
Why many design tools are reaching their limits
In refrigeration and air conditioning, many manufacturers work with design software that is 10 to 20 years old. Every refrigerant change means a new software release, new installations at planners and dealers, and often outdated versions in circulation. Right now, as new series for R290, R744 and R717 come to market, is the right time to switch:
Typical design tool today
- Windows program to download, Excel sheet or old web form with login
- Every refrigerant change means a new release
- Outdated versions in circulation at planners and dealers
- Operating envelopes as static PDFs
Web selector
- Always the current version — no installation, also on mobile
- Refrigerants, coefficients and envelopes maintained centrally as data
- Operating point shown directly in the envelope diagram
- Datasheet as PDF in your corporate design, complete enquiry to sales
With a web selector, refrigerants, polynomial coefficients and envelopes are maintained in a database — without a new software release (see Product Rules Belong in Data). Charge limits, safety classes and F-gas compliance are checked automatically during selection.
The digirom configurator and selector also works for compressors and refrigeration units.
Frequently asked questions
Which refrigerants are still allowed from 2027?
For new chillers above 12 kW, a GWP limit below 750 applies from 1 January 2027, up to 12 kW below 150. Natural refrigerants such as R290, R744 and R717 and HFO refrigerants are below that. Existing systems may continue to operate.
Is R1234yf a PFAS?
Yes, under the broad definition of the planned EU restriction. A decision by the European Commission is still pending; application is expected from 2028 to 2030 at the earliest.
Do cars use R1234ze?
No. Car air conditioning uses R1234yf, some electric cars also R744 (CO₂). R1234ze is mainly used in chillers and heat pumps.
What is EN 12900?
The standard defines how manufacturers state the performance data of refrigerant compressors — as a polynomial with ten coefficients over evaporating and condensing temperature. In the USA, AHRI 540 corresponds to it. More on EN 12900 →
Why is CO₂ harder to design for?
CO₂ often operates transcritically at normal ambient temperatures, i.e. without condensation. The optimum high pressure has to be calculated for each operating condition.
Status: October 2026. This article gives a general overview and is not legal advice. The Regulation (EU) 2024/573, in particular Annex IV, and the publications of ECHA are authoritative.
Converting series to new refrigerants? We build web selectors for compressors, chillers and heat pumps — with central data, operating envelopes and F-gas checks built in.