ATMOsphere has released its 2024 Market Report, "Natural Refrigerants: State of the Industry/Refrigeration in Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America." The report presents data on commercial and industrial refrigeration trends, confirming the continued global adoption of natural refrigerants such as CO₂ (R744), ammonia (R717), and hydrocarbons (R290).
Expansion in Established Markets
The report details significant growth in natural refrigerant adoption across Europe, North America, and Japan.
Commercial Refrigeration Highlights (as of December 2024):
- Europe: 90,700 stores have installed transcritical CO₂ racks and condensing units, with a market penetration of 30%. Additionally, 17 million self-contained hydrocarbon cabinets are in operation.
- North America: 4,100 supermarkets and grocery stores use transcritical CO₂ systems, with 2,800 in the U.S. and 1,300 in Canada. The region also has 4.4 million self-contained hydrocarbon cabinets (3.6 million in the U.S. and 800,000 in Canada).
- Japan: 11,500 transcritical CO₂ systems, mainly condensing units, have been installed in convenience stores, achieving a 20% market penetration.
Industrial Refrigeration Highlights:
- Europe: Industrial sites using transcritical CO₂ systems increased from 3,300 in 2023 to 4,900 in 2024.
- North America: 1,230 industrial sites operate low-charge ammonia systems, with packaged units growing by 38% year-over-year.
- Japan: The number of industrial sites using transcritical CO₂ systems grew by 17%, reaching 470 sites.
Solid Foundations in Emerging Markets
Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America have established a strong foundation for natural refrigerants in commercial refrigeration.
- Australia/New Zealand: 330 and 240 supermarkets, respectively, use transcritical CO₂ systems, representing a market penetration of 7.7% in Australia and 22% in New Zealand.
- Latin America: 580 supermarkets and grocery stores use transcritical CO₂ systems, with Ecuador leading adoption at 13% market penetration (125 store installations). Additionally, 2.6 million self-contained hydrocarbon cabinets are installed in Mexico, while Central and South America have 5.9 million units.
The report also covers regulatory developments on f-gases, PFAS, and TFA, and its findings will be presented at major HVAC&R trade shows, including AHR Expo, IIAR, and FMI Energy in the U.S., ISH in Germany, and the Supermarket Trade Show in Japan. ATMOsphere will also share insights at upcoming ATMO Conferences in Latin America, Australia, the U.S., and Europe.
“The market for commercial and industrial refrigeration has moved to natural refrigerants – and there is no going back,” said Marc Chasserot, Founder and CEO of ATMOsphere.
The report can be downloaded for free here.
