Sustainability at the heart of the new era of industrial refrigeration

The increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is one of the main reasons for the onset of the current cycle of climate change on the planet. Much of the refrigerants used in refrigeration equipment, and the mode of production and energy consumption is largely responsible for the release of these gases.

The European Union is actively working to reduce the environmental impact of refrigerant gases that are highly harmful to the environment and increase global warming.

The Montreal Protocol (1992) included fluorocarbons as controlled substances with the objective of stopping their manufacture by 2020 and achieving their disappearance by 2030, according to the Kyoto Protocol, where they are already included in the group of greenhouse gases.

Technological change being experienced by the refrigeration sector is focused on energy efficiency and reduction of emissions by refrigeration installations. Likewise, the emergence in the market of natural refrigerants in more and more systems and applications is also a reality.According to AEFYT (Association of Refrigeration Companies and their Technologies),

• Refrigeration will become increasingly natural and sustainable. Work is being carried out on more environmentally friendly natural refrigerants (R290 or C02). These new gases, in addition to their low environmental impact, provide other benefits such as greater energy efficiency or the reduction of direct emissions, thanks to their thermodynamic properties.
• Eco-design introduces values of energy efficiency and waste treatment in order to promote a circular economy. Both concepts will help create more efficient and environmentally friendly systems.
• Electronification and digitization of refrigeration components. After digitization, connectivity, the internet of things (IoT) artificial intelligence and augmented reality, with the introduction of simulation in refrigeration processes, will offer levels of energy efficiency that are hard to quantify and open the doors to industry 4.0.
• The convergence of different specialists in multiple technologies will allow more than twice as many people to benefit from the same resources.