Refrigerant phase down is no longer something on the horizon — it is happening now.
HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerants have long been used in cooling and refrigeration equipment, but if they escape from a closed system, they are extremely damaging to the environment due to their high Global Warming Potential (GWP). This has been recognised worldwide, and governments are taking decisive action.
From January 2027, refrigeration units under 12.5kW will only be permitted to be manufactured using refrigerants with a GWP of 150 or lower. Many manufacturers are considering R454C (GWP 145) as a compliant solution.
But at SMC, the question was simple:
Why stop at 145 GWP when the long-term goal is to eliminate harmful HFC gases altogether?
The 2030 target aims to significantly reduce — and ultimately remove — high-GWP HFC refrigerants from new equipment. Rather than taking a short-term step, SMC Corporation has chosen to go further.
SMC has invested heavily in research and development of CO₂ (R744) refrigerant technology.
Unlike HFC gases, CO₂:
This positions CO₂ as a genuine future-proof solution.
SMC’s European R&D and testing facility is based in Milton Keynes, right here in the UK.
For over a year, SMC engineers have been designing, testing, and refining CO₂ chiller technology. The result? A proven solution that is already gaining strong traction with customers who are serious about sustainability and regulatory compliance.
CO₂ operates at significantly higher pressures than traditional HFC refrigerants. As a result:
However, this investment reflects a commitment to long-term environmental responsibility.
SMC is successfully providing customers with a genuine alternative — one that aligns not just with current legislation, but with the direction governments and industries are moving toward.
Refrigerant phase down is not just about meeting the next compliance milestone. It is about taking meaningful steps to protect our environment.
By choosing CO₂ technology now, businesses can:
SMC’s decision shows that innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.