Recent Agreements to Shape the Future of Refrigeration

Two recent agreements reached among refrigeration industry stakeholders promise to shape the way commercial refrigeration is designed and utilised in future. The first agreement, between Eurovent and eurammon, is designed to push for faster and wider adoption of natural refrigerants. The second agreement deals with the safe handling of refrigerants, both now and in the future; it was reached between the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). We expect the results of both agreements to eventually affect what we do at Icecool Trailers in a very positive way.

Eurovent and eurammon filed Memorandum of Understanding in late July (2015) that will result in the two organisations combining their efforts to promote the use of natural refrigerants. Officials from both organisations say that the evolution of refrigerant regulations and increased environmental awareness is the driving force behind looking for natural replacements of current products. They believe now is the best time to heavily advocate for natural refrigerants as Europe embarks on an ambitious plan to move away from HCFCs as quickly as possible.

Likewise, the UNEP and the AHRI have proposed establishing a 'refrigerant driving licence' with the aim of ensuring the safe management of all refrigerants. Their plan calls for developing a global qualification standard that would apply to the entire refrigeration supply chain for management and use of refrigerants. The two organisations recently completed an Exchange of Letters at the July meeting of a Montreal Protocol working group held in Paris.

Positive Industry Impact

You may be wondering how these two agreements affect the temporary refrigeration industry. Quite simply, if the plans for both agreements come to fruition they will change not only the kinds of refrigerants we use in our industry but also how those refrigerants are handled. Such changes will indirectly impact our customers by way of the kinds of equipment they rent from us.

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Icecool Trailers will continue renting walk-in cold rooms and freezers along with refrigerated and freezer trailers of different sizes. The difference between the new equipment and old would be the refrigerants used to keep stored products cold. Whether future cold storage is based on the compression cycle using natural refrigerants or absorption refrigeration that makes compressors obsolete is of no matter. The results to the customer will be the same: temporary refrigerator and freezer capacity for emergencies and scheduled events.

It is important to address the use of natural refrigerants in light of ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. It makes no sense to continue using dangerous chemicals if natural alternatives capable of doing the same work without so much damage to the environment can be found. Similarly, dealing with these new refrigerants will require certain standards for handling. Why? Because no refrigerant is 100% safe. New refrigerants may be less damaging to the environment, but they still need to be handled correctly to minimise risk as much as possible.

Icecool Trailers is excited to see where the future of refrigeration goes. As the industry evolves, we will continue to work as hard as ever to provide our clients with reliable temporary refrigeration hire. Whether you need emergency service in London or you are planning a big event elsewhere in England or Wales, we can provide the trailers and walk-in rooms you need, when you need them.

Sources:

1.RAC Magazine – http://www.racplus.com/news/cooling-bodies-agree-co-operation-over-promotion-of-natural-refrigerants/8686500.article?blocktitle=EDITOR%27S-PICK&contentID=12260

2.RAC Magazine – http://www.racplus.com/news/-ahri-and-unep-agree-global-program-for-refrigerant-supply-chain-networks/8686975.article?blocktitle=EDITOR%27S-PICK&contentID=12260