ASEDAS says supermarkets in Spain have modern refrigeration infrastructure that maintains food safety and product quality during high temperatures. However, the association has raised concerns about the timetable set by the EU F-Gas Regulation (2024/573), which requires an accelerated transition to refrigerants with low global warming potential.
The technical adaptation will require an estimated investment of €2.5 billion. This comes as the sector has already renovated 40% of its network, covering more than 10,500 stores, between 2020 and 2025.
ASEDAS identifies three main obstacles to meeting the new deadlines: a structural shortage of almost 10,000 qualified technicians in Spain, a risk of shortages of transitional gases from 2027 due to quota reductions, and the need to recover investments in recently refurbished infrastructure.
The association supports the EU’s climate objectives for 2040 but is calling for strategic planning and a more realistic timetable extending to 2032. It says this would support a fair transition while protecting the viability of all operators.
