Arneg backs roadmap for sustainable cold chain at Italian press event

On May 13, 2025, Arneg participated in the press conference “For Sustainable Italian Refrigeration – Proposals to Accelerate the Ecological Transition in the Cold Chain,” held at the Press Room of Palazzo Montecitorio.

The event, organized by Legambiente and Assocold with the support of Hon. Patty L’Abbate, Vice President of the VIII Environment Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, focused on the shift toward sustainable practices in commercial refrigeration.

Eng. Zambotto, Refrigeration Engineering Director at Arneg, highlighted the importance of energy efficiency and the use of natural refrigerants such as CO2 and propane. He emphasized their role in reducing environmental impact and supporting a low-emission refrigeration supply chain.

The intervention also addressed the integration of HVAC and refrigeration systems, along with the application of artificial intelligence as key tools for enhancing system efficiency and sustainability.

Despite Italy’s leadership in natural refrigerant-based technologies, the country holds the European record for HFC emissions in commercial refrigeration. An estimated 700 tons of F-gases are released annually, significantly contributing to climate change.

This situation challenges the goals of the European F-gas Regulation 2024/573, which aims to phase out HFCs by 2050. In response, Legambiente presented a roadmap outlining four proposals to accelerate the transition:

• Financial incentives in the 2025 Budget Law to replace high-emission systems;

• Training and awareness campaigns targeting technicians, citizens, and businesses;

• Regulatory simplifications to support natural refrigerants;

• A carbon credit for companies investing in low-impact technologies.