The ATMO Summit Europe 2024, a leading event focused on natural refrigerant technologies, showcased key developments and challenges in the HVAC&R industry. Representing REHVA (Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations), Dominik Flikweert of Systemair shared insights on the event’s diverse panels, presentations, and discussions, emphasizing the transition to sustainable cooling and heating solutions.
Key Takeaways from the Summit
Investment and Market Trends
- Global investment disparities: While Europe sets high sustainability standards, regulatory inconsistencies deter investments in the region. Companies like Carrier are investing heavily in U.S. facilities for refrigerant production adhering to EU standards, though these are intended for non-European markets.
- Natural refrigerant adoption: The use of natural refrigerants such as CO2, Ammonia, and Propane continues to grow, though industry debates persist about efficiency and application suitability.
Innovations in Natural Refrigerants
- CO2 Systems: TEKO reported significant global growth in CO2-based heat pumps, though industry experts highlighted Propane’s dominance in newer systems.
- Ammonia Applications: Italian manufacturer Zudek shared their advancements in ammonia-based industrial chillers, noting substantial growth in the cooling HVAC market.
- R290 and R1270: Copeland showcased its sales of over 100,000 heat pumps using Propane (R290) and opportunities for Propylene (R1270) in low-temperature applications.
Policy and Regulatory Updates
- F-Gas Regulation: DG CLIMA outlined new EU F-Gas rules, including timelines for service bans and market trends. The session emphasized the importance of transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants while addressing regulatory uncertainties.
- Safety Standards: Updates on EN 60335-2-40 developments highlighted advancements in flammability safety for natural refrigerants.
End-User Insights
- Carrefour Belgium: Achieved 75% CO2 refrigeration coverage with a return on investment (ROI) of just 8 months.
- Nestlé: Promotes Ammonia and CO2-based systems for sustainable cooling and heating solutions.
- Bierbichler: Noted significant improvements in employee well-being due to quieter, low-vibration natural refrigerant systems in trucks and storage facilities.
Innovative Case Studies
- Darren Lacroix of HVA Energy Recovery and Stefaan Bostyn of Fieuw Koeltechniek presented PX G1300 ERC technology, a cutting-edge solution for CO2 systems, currently deployed in retail refrigeration across Belgium.
A Unified Push for Natural Refrigerants
The ATMO Summit reinforced the growing momentum behind natural refrigerants as essential components of sustainable HVAC&R systems. With innovation driving efficiency and policy pushing for decarbonization, the HVAC&R industry is poised to meet evolving environmental and regulatory challenges.
