27 trainers prepared to teach 700 technicians in safe handling of R-290 systems.
Brazil has launched its first national “Training of Trainers” program for flammable refrigerants, equipping 27 instructors to teach safe handling practices for low-GWP alternatives in air conditioning systems. The initiative, held in March and April as part of the country’s HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP), supports Brazil’s transition to sustainable cooling technologies.
The training took place at SENAI-SP in São Paulo and CTGAS-RN in Rio Grande do Norte, involving participants from five states. It was coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, implemented by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), and led by international refrigeration consultant Dennis Frieske.
Each course lasted 40 hours and included theoretical and practical modules on flammable refrigerants such as propane (R-290). Topics covered included safety standards (EN 378, ISO 5149), refrigerant charging and recovery, electrical safety, leak detection, installation techniques, tightness testing, and system commissioning.
The newly trained instructors will return to their regional SENAI partner schools in São Paulo, Goiânia, Porto Velho, Toledo, and Natal. By the end of 2025, they are expected to collectively train 700 refrigeration technicians nationwide.
“This training initiative is critical for ensuring the safe adoption of flammable refrigerants in Brazil’s HVACR sector,” said Dennis Frieske, international consultant and course leader. “The instructors demonstrated strong technical knowledge and commitment to advancing sustainable refrigeration.”
The program promotes the use of natural refrigerants and supports Brazil’s compliance with international environmental agreements, including the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, by reducing reliance on high-GWP substances.
