MONTREAL PROTOCOL

ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE

THE OZONE LAYER

UNEP

REPORT OF THE

TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT PANEL

SEPTEMBER 2015

DECISION XXVI/9 UPDATE TASK FORCE REPORT

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVES TO 

OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report iii

UNEP

SEPTEMBER 2015 REPORT OF THE

TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMIC

ASSESSMENT PANEL

DECISION XXVI/9 UPDATE TASK FORCE REPORT 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVES

TO OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES
iv September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Montreal Protocol

On Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

Report of the

UNEP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel

September 2015

DECISION XXVI/9 UPDATE TASK FORCE REPORT:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVES TO ODS

The text of this report is composed in Times New Roman.

Co-ordination: TEAP and its XXVI/9 Task Force

Composition and layout: Lambert Kuijpers 

Final formatting: Ozone Secretariat and Lambert Kuijpers

Reproduction: UNON Nairobi

Date: September 2015

Under certain conditions, printed copies of this report are available from:

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

Ozone Secretariat, P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya

This document is also available in electronic form from http:// ozone.unep.org/en/assessmentpanels/technology-and-economic-assessment-panel

No copyright involved. This publication may be freely copied, abstracted and cited, with 

acknowledgement of the source of the material.

ISBN: 978-9966-076-14-4
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report v

UNEP

SEPTEMBER 2015 REPORT OF THE

TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMIC

ASSESSMENT PANEL

DECISION XXVI/9 UPDATE TASK FORCE REPORT 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVES 

TO OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES
vi September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

DISCLAIMER

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel 

(TEAP) co-chairs and members, the Technical Options Committee, chairs, co-chairs and members, the TEAP 

Task Forces co-chairs and members, and the companies and organisations that employ them do not endorse 

the performance, worker safety, or environmental acceptability of any of the technical options discussed. 

Every industrial operation requires consideration of worker safety and proper disposal of contaminants and 

waste products. Moreover, as work continues - including additional toxicity evaluation - more information on 

health, environmental and safety effects of alternatives and replacements will become available for use in 

selecting among the options discussed in this document.

UNEP, the TEAP co-chairs and members, the Technical Options Committee, chairs, co-chairs and members, 

and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel Task Forces co-chairs and members, in furnishing or 

distributing the information that follows, do not make any warranty or representation, either express or 

implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or utility; nor do they assume any liability of any kind 

whatsoever resulting from the use or reliance upon any information, material, or procedure contained herein.

Although all statements and information contained in this XXVI/9 report are believed to be accurate and 

reliable, they are presented without guarantee or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. Information 

provided herein does not relieve the reader from the responsibility of carrying out its own tests and 

experiments, and the reader assumes all responsibility for use of the information and results obtained. 

Statements or suggestions concerning the use of materials and processes are made without representation or 

warranty that any such use is free of patent infringement and are not recommendations to infringe on any 

patents. The user should not assume that all toxicity data and safety measures are indicated herein or that other 

measures may not be required.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The UNEP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and the XXVI/9 Task Force co-chairs and members 

wish to express thanks to all who contributed from governments, both Article 5 and non-Article 5, 

furthermore in particular to the Ozone Secretariat and the Multilateral Fund Secretariat, as well as to a large 

number of individuals involved in Protocol issues, without whose involvement this Update Task Force report 

would not have been possible.

The opinions expressed are those of the Panel and its Task Force and do not necessarily reflect the reviews of 

any sponsoring or supporting organisation.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report vii

Foreword

This report is an update of the June 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report, which was Volume 3 of 

the TEAP June reports published.

This September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force report is being independently submitted by 

the TEAP to the 27th Meeting of the Parties, Dubai, November 2015. 

The UNEP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP):

Bella Maranion, co-chair USA Fabio Polonara I

Marta Pizano, co-chair COL Roberto Peixoto BRA

Ashley Woodcock, co-chair UK Jose Pons-Pons VEN

Mohamed Besri MOR Ian Porter AUS

David Catchpole UK Helen Tope AUS

Marco Gonzalez CR Dan Verdonik USA

Sergey Kopylov RF Masaaki Yamabe J

Lambert Kuijpers NL Shiqiu Zhang PRC

Kei-ichi Ohnishi J Jianjun Zhang PRC

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report ix

UNEP

SEPTEMBER 2015 REPORT OF THE

TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT PANEL

DECISION XXVI/9 UPDATE TASK FORCE REPORT 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVES 

TO OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

Table of Contents Page

FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................................................VII

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................1

ES1. INTRODUCTION 1

ES2. KEY HIGHLIGHTS 1

ES3. STATUS OF ODS ALTERNATIVES IN REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT PUMPS APPLICATIONS 3

ES4. BAU AND MITIGATION DEMAND SCENARIOS 3

ES5. DEMAND, BENEFITS AND COSTS 5

ES6. CONSIDERATIONS FOR HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS 5

ES7. FIRE PROTECTION 6

ES8. MEDICAL USES 7

ES9. AEROSOLS 7

1 SCOPE ..........................................................................................................................................................9

2 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................11

2.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE XXVI/9 TASK FORCE REPORT 11

2.2 SCOPE AND COVERAGE 11

2.3 COMPOSITION OF THE TASK FORCE 12

2.4 THE SEPTEMBER 2015 UPDATE XXVI/9 TASK FORCE REPORT 14

3 UPDATE OF THE STATUS ON REFRIGERANTS..............................................................................15

3.1 INTRODUCTION 15

3.2 OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED REFRIGERANTS 15

3.2.1 Data sources for tables 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 ..............................................................................20

3.3 REFERENCES 21

4 PRESENT STATUS OF ALTERNATIVES FOR ODS IN REFRIGERATION, AIR

CONDITIONING AND HEAT PUMPS APPLICATIONS ...................................................................23

4.1 DOMESTIC APPLIANCES 24

4.2 COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION 24

4.3 INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS 25

4.4 TRANSPORT REFRIGERATION 25

4.5 AIR-TO-AIR AIR CONDITIONERS AND HEAT PUMPS 25

4.6 WATER HEATING HEAT PUMPS 26

4.8 VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING 27

5 BAU AND MIT SCENARIOS FOR ARTICLE 5 AND NON-ARTICLE 5 PARTIES .......................31

5.1 OVERVIEW OF UPDATES 31

5.2 REVISION OF SCENARIOS 31

5.3 METHOD USED FOR CALCULATION 33

5.4 HFC CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION DATA 36

5.5 NON-ARTICLE 5 SCENARIOS 38

5.5.1 BAU scenario ................................................................................................................................38

5.5.2 MIT-3 scenario..............................................................................................................................40

5.5.3 MIT-5 scenario...................................................................................................................................42

5.6 ARTICLE 5 SCENARIOS 44

5.6.1 BAU scenario ................................................................................................................................44

5.6.2 MIT-3 scenario..............................................................................................................................46
x September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

5.6.3 Impact of manufacturing conversion periods in the MIT-3 scenario ............................................48

5.6.4 MIT-4 scenario..............................................................................................................................49

5.6.5 Impact of manufacturing conversion periods in the MIT-4 scenario ............................................51

5.6.6 MIT-5 scenario..............................................................................................................................52

5.6.7 Impact of manufacturing conversion periods in the MIT-5 scenario ............................................53

5.7 BAU – GLOBAL SUMMARY FOR BOTH FOAMS AND R/AC FROM THE XXV/5 REPORT 54

5.8 REFERENCES 55

6 DEMAND, BENEFITS AND COSTS.......................................................................................................57

6.1 REFRIGERANT DEMAND FOR BAU AND MITIGATION SCENARIOS 57

6.2 ARTICLE 5 R/AC SUB-SECTOR DEMAND FOR BAU, MIT-3, MIT-4 AND MIT-5 61

6.3 CONVERSION COSTS FOR THE VARIOUS SCENARIOS 63

7 HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.............................................................................67

7.1 HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND CLIMATE ZONES 67

7.2 RESEARCH RELATED TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS 69

7.2.1 Earlier research ............................................................................................................................69

7.2.2 Collective regional research projects............................................................................................70

7.2.3 Cooperative international research ..............................................................................................71

7.2.4 Additional research – US DoE project..........................................................................................73

7.2.5 Comparison table of the different research projects.....................................................................73

7.3 DESIGNING FOR HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS 74

7.3.1 Heat exchangers............................................................................................................................75

7.3.2 Compressor types and availability ................................................................................................75

7.3.3 Safety standards ............................................................................................................................75

7.4 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CAPACITY CONSEQUENCES 76

7.4.1 Energy efficiency for certain cases................................................................................................76

7.4.2 Capacity for certain cases and impact on limits of use .................................................................77

7.5 HOW TO BALANCE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES 78

7.5.1 Measures that can improve energy efficiency and capacity..........................................................78

7.6 CURRENT AND NEAR FUTURE ALTERNATIVE CHEMICALS FOR HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS 78

7.6.1 Fluorocarbons...............................................................................................................................78

7.6.2 Other refrigerants..........................................................................................................................80

7.7 ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS 81

7.8 REFRIGERATION AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS 81

7.9 REFERENCES 84

8 INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVES TO ODS IN THE FIRE PROTECTION SECTOR ...........87

8.1 INTRODUCTION 87

8.2 ALTERNATIVES FOR FIXED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS 87

8.3 ALTERNATIVES FOR PORTABLE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS 88

8.4 REVISED SCENARIOS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE DEMAND 89

9 INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVES TO ODS IN MEDICAL USES.............................................91

9.1 METERED DOSE INHALERS 91

9.1.1 Technical and economic assessment of alternatives to CFC MDIs...............................................91

9.1.2 Current and future demand for ODS alternatives.........................................................................92

9.1.3 Costs and benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives.................................................................94

9.2 OTHER MEDICAL AEROSOLS 97

9.2.1 Alternatives to ODS-containing medical aerosols (excluding MDIs) and their assessment using 

criteria...........................................................................................................................................98

9.2.2 Current and future demand for ODS alternatives.......................................................................102

9.2.3 Costs and benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives...............................................................103

9.3 STERILANTS 103

9.3.1 Alternatives to ODS sterilants and their assessment using criteria .............................................104

9.3.2 Current and future demand for ODS alternatives.......................................................................104

9.3.3 Costs and benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives...............................................................104

10 INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVES TO ODS IN NON-MEDICAL AEROSOLS.....................105

10.1 INTRODUCTION 105
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report xi

10.2 ALTERNATIVES TO CFC-CONTAINING AEROSOLS (NON-MEDICAL) AND THEIR ASSESSMENT USING CRITERIA

106

10.3 CURRENT AND FUTURE DEMAND FOR ODS ALTERNATIVES 111

10.1.3 Costs and benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives...............................................................113

11 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................115

ANNEX 1 – REPORT TO OEWG-36 ON UPDATES TO THE XXVI/9 REPORT...................................117

A1.1 CONSIDERATIONS FOR UPDATED REPORT – DECISION XXVI/9 TASK FORCE REPORT 117

A1.2 SCENARIOS 117

A1.3 COSTS 117

A1.4 HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (HAT) CONDITIONS 118

A1.5 ALTERNATIVES 118

ANNEX 2 - ADDITIONAL TABLES FOR TOTAL, NEW MANUFACTURING, AND SERVICING 

DEMAND..................................................................................................................................................119

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 1

Executive summary

ES1. Introduction

 In response to Decision XXVI/9, this September 2015 report provides an update from TEAP 

of information on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances listed in June 2015 XXVI/9 

report. The report provides updates considering the specific parameters outlined in the 

current Decision for various sectors and sub-sectors of use. As these parameters were similar 

to past Decisions (XXIV/7 and XXV/5), TEAP followed the same methodological approach, 

where no quantitative threshold or importance of one parameter over others was necessarily 

assumed. 

 With a specific focus on the refrigeration and air conditioning (R/AC) sector, particularly the 

dramatic, growing demand for this equipment in Article 5 Parties and the resulting increased 

refrigerant demand, the report also provides further consideration on topics related to energy 

efficiency and ongoing testing programs on the viability of low-GWP options at high ambient 

temperature conditions. It is important reiterating that decisions on the selection of 

alternative technologies may vary depending on the sector being addressed, and the 

outcomes, even within the same sector, may be very different depending on the local 

conditions. Ultimate alternative selection has to be made on a case-by-case basis.

 This September 2015 update report provides revised scenarios of avoiding high-GWP 

refrigerants to include updated assumptions on the GWP of the alternatives to be used and 

considers how the start date for conversion (2020 versus 2025), and the length of conversion 

(6 years versus 12 years) affect climate and overall costs. Technology transitions that 

coincide with other process upgrades are more likely to occur, and be more cost-effective. 

The costs will be lowest with early implementation of R/AC manufacturing options that 

avoid high-GWP refrigerants. The scenario analyses indicate that by either delaying and/or 

extending the conversion period, the climate impacts and overall costs will be increased. 

Once conversion has taken place, the increased costs relate to continuing servicing needs for 

the extended period. Both early and rapid manufacturing conversion would reduce overall 

costs and minimize climate impacts. 

 Finally, this September 2015 update report also provides further, new information on the 

alternatives listed in the previous Decision XXV/5 report for the fire protection sector, 

metered dose inhalers (MDIs), other medical, and non-medical aerosols sectors. 

The following section ES2 provides key highlights of this report, and sections ES3 to ES9 further 

elaborate on the highlights and provide the technical summaries of the report’s main chapters.

ES2. Key highlights 

 Refrigerant options: New information on existing refrigerant options has been obtained 

from assessments of additional reports and publications. Updates include the following:

 Information is presented on 70 fluids under consideration for testing in industry test 

programs or proposed for inclusion in standards, with emphasis on the commercial 

refrigeration and stationary AC subsectors. 

 By 2020 about 75% of new domestic refrigeration production will use HC-600a.

 In supermarket refrigeration systems CO2 system costs are decreasing, and strong growth 

is continuing. 

 Split AC systems using HFC-32 are being commercialized in Japan and other countries. 

HCFC-22 equipment production capacity is being converted to HC-290 in China and 

HFC-161 is being tested there.
2 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

 Revised R/AC scenarios: The revised scenarios in this report include new assumptions on 

the GWPs of alternatives to be used and an analysis on the impact of the conversion period of 

new manufacturing 

o MIT-3: conversion of new manufacturing by 2020 (start in Article 5 Parties) 

o MIT-4: same as MIT-3 with delayed conversion of stationary AC to 2025 

o MIT-5: conversion of new manufacturing by 2025 (start in Article 5 Parties)

 These scenarios for the R/AC sector were cross-checked against the best estimated global 

2015 production of the four main high-GWP HFCs, used in the R/AC sector.

 BAU predicts a large growth in the demand for HFCs between 2015 and 2030 for the 

R/AC sector (i.e., 300% further increase in Article 5 Parties, mainly in stationary air 

conditioning).

 The longer the conversion period, the greater the climate impacts (see MIT-3 from 6 to 

12 years) and the overall costs because of continuing servicing needs.

 The later the conversion starts, the greater the climate impact and overall costs. MIT-3 

assumes that conversion in all sub-sectors starts in 2020, MIT-5 assumes that conversion 

starts in 2025. In terms of overall climate impact, the total integrated HFC demand for the 

R/AC sector in Article 5 Parties over the period 2020-2030 has been estimated in the 

different scenarios. The approximate values are:

o BAU: 16,000 Mt CO2 eq.

o MIT-3: 6,500 Mt CO2 eq.

o MIT-4: 9,800 Mt CO2 eq.

o MIT-5: 12,000 Mt CO2 eq.

 Total estimated costs for the manufacturing conversion alone in Article 5 Parties are 

estimated at 

o MIT-3: US$ 2300 ± 310 million

o MIT-4: US$ 3010 ± 370 million

o MIT-5: US$ 3220 ± 430 million

 Servicing provides an additional cost, estimated at US$ 40-60 million per three year 

period for MIT-3, US$ 100-150 million per three year period for MIT-5. 

 The proportion of costs for the conversion of new manufacturing in MIT-3 (more or less 

the same in case of MIT-5) in Article 5 Parties are estimated to be 78% for stationary air 

conditioning, 7% for commercial industrial and transport refrigeration, and 11% for 

mobile air conditioning.

 High ambient temperature conditions: Designing for high ambient temperature conditions 

needs special care to avoid extreme operating conditions, which would complicate meeting 

minimum standards. This report details advantages and limitations of the available 

refrigerants suitable for use in high ambient temperature conditions. Four separate testing 

projects are assessing refrigerant performance at high ambient temperature conditions. Data 

will not become available until late in 2015.

 Fire protection, Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs), other medical and non-medical 

aerosols: Even with the halon transition well underway for new installations in fire 

protection (with the exception of civil aviation), some reliance on high-GWP HFC solutions 

is expected for the foreseeable future. Similarly, at present, it is not technically or 

economically feasible to avoid HFC MDIs, even though all classes of drugs are available in 

Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs). While consumption of HFCs in non-medical and technical 

aerosols sector is the third largest after the R/AC and foams sectors, low-GWP propellants 

and solvents are commercially and widely available, and “not-in-kind” alternatives are 

commercially available where they are suited for the purpose.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 3

ES3. Status of ODS alternatives in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps 

applications 

 The options for replacing ODS and high-GWP refrigerants have not changed since the 

finalization of the XXV/5 Task Force report in October 2014 and the completion of this 

XXVI/9 (update) Task Force report. Nevertheless, new information on these existing options 

has been obtained from Parties and assessments of additional reports and publications. 

 In summary, in the period available for the development of this report the following updates 

are highlighted:

 Information is presented on 70 fluids under consideration for testing in industry test 

programs or for inclusion in the ASHRAE 34 and ISO 817 standards, including recently 

published thermodynamic data for 11 of the fluids taking part in the high ambient test 

programs (with 5 of these refrigerants proposed to replace HCFC-22, while 6 are 

proposed to replace R-410A).

 The testing activities of unsaturated HFCs (HFOs), and blends containing these 

compounds, continue to be carried out in many companies, independent laboratories, and 

systems manufacturers.

 Special test programs are being performed with a focus on high ambient temperature 

conditions.

 Some refrigerants have now been assigned a refrigerant number and their composition 

now publicly disclosed. 

 Regarding R/AC applications, the main points are:

o Domestic refrigeration: No new ODS alternatives have emerged. By 2020 about 

75% of new production is predicted to use HC-600a.

o Commercial refrigeration: No new ODS alternatives have emerged; hydro-carbons 

are being used in condensing units for smaller capacities; in supermarket refrigeration 

systems there is confirmation of the strong growth in CO2 systems; information is 

available that CO2 system costs are decreasing. 

o Transport refrigeration: blends containing unsaturated HFCs are considered to play 

a role for retrofitting and new systems, and non-conventional eutectic systems are 

becoming more applied. 

o Air conditioners: Split systems using HFC-32 are being commercialized in Japan and 

other countries; a wide range of blends containing unsaturated HFCs are also being 

proposed. Split units using HC-290 have been available in Europe and Australia, and 

are in production in India. HCFC-22 equipment production capacity is being 

converted to HC-290 in China and HFC-161 is being tested there.

o MAC: Industry is now reporting more testing data on the blend R-445A.

ES4. BAU and mitigation demand scenarios 

 Decision XXV/5 requested an assessment of various scenarios of avoiding high-GWP 

alternatives to ODS, and the TEAP Task Force report which responded to that Decision 

provided projections for high-GWP HFC use for BAU, and two mitigation scenarios (MIT-1 

and MIT-2), for R/AC and foams sectors, and for non-Article 5 and Article 5 Parties. MIT-1 

and MIT-2 assumed a phase-out date of 2020 for the use of high GWP substances in 

manufacturing for most R/AC sub-sectors. The XXVI/9 Task Force is unaware of any 

significant technical uptake that would require a complete revision of these parameters in the 

scenarios. However, the XXVI/9 Task Force has revised the scenarios for the R/AC sector to 

include the following new assumptions: 

 specific GWPs for specific low-GWP refrigerants and an average GWP of 300 for a 

range of low-GWP refrigerant blends of which a number are expected to be used; 
4 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

 manufacturing conversion periods of 3 years for non-Article 5 Parties, and 6 years for 

Article 5 Parties; 

 conversion commencing in 2020 to make the MIT-3 scenario, and delayed conversion of 

manufacturing for all sub-sectors to 2025 to make a new scenario, MIT-5. The scenario 

MIT-4 considers the specific delay of manufacturing conversion in the stationary AC 

sector and can be considered as an “intermediate” one. 

 In the preparation of this report, these scenarios (in principle for the R/AC sector only) were 

cross-checked against current estimated HFC production data that became available in May 

2015 (June XXVI/9 TF report) and shortly thereafter. Estimates made for the 2015 global 

production of the four main HFCs1are presented in the table below; it shows an upper limit 

for the combined totals of about 475 ktonnes.

Chemical Best estimate for global HFC 

production in year 2015 (ktonnes)

HFC-32 94

HFC-125 130

HFC-134a 223

HFC-143a 28

 BAU: Over the period 2015-2030, the revised BAU scenario shows a 50% growth in the 

demand for high GWP HFCs in non-Article 5 Parties, and an almost 300% growth in Article 

5 Parties, particularly in the stationary AC and commercial refrigeration sub-sectors, where 

the stationary AC sub-sector is the important one for determining the total HFC demand for 

the (four) main HFCs. The total demand is calculated to be about 510 ktonnes for the year 

2015 for these four HFCs. 

 By 2030, under a BAU scenario, the high-GWP HFC demand for the R/AC sector, expressed 

in CO2 eq., is expected to be 25-30 times larger than the HFC demand for foams.

 In terms of overall climate impact, the total integrated HFC demand in Article 5 Parties over 

the period 2020-2030 has been determined. The approximate values are:

o BAU: 16,000 Mt CO2 eq.

o MIT-3: 6,500 Mt CO2 eq.; a 60% reduction to BAU (2020-2030)

o MIT-4: 9,800 Mt CO2 eq.; a 40% reduction to BAU (2020-2030)

o MIT-5: 12,000 Mt CO2 eq.; a 30% reduction to BAU (2020-2030)

Different percentages (for the reduction to BAU) can be calculated for different time periods 

(other than 2020-2030) for these three mitigation scenarios. 

 The MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios are given for all Parties, but focus on demand in Article 5 

Parties: 

 MIT-3 substantially reduces the high-GWP HFC demand compared to BAU since it 

addresses all manufacturing conversions in all R/AC sub-sectors as of 2020. As 

manufacturing with high-GWP refrigerants is phased down, the servicing demand 

becomes dominant. The stationary AC sub-sector is determining the HFC demand.

 MIT-5 delays manufacturing conversion of all sub-sectors, including the rapidly 

expanding stationary AC sector from 2020 until 2025, so that HFC demand initially rises, 

but then falls as of the year 2025. Servicing rises substantially as a consequence, and 

persists for much longer than MIT-3. MIT-5 defers the conversion periods for R/AC subsectors and shows the impact of the pertaining servicing needs as a result..

 The following is also of importance: 

 

1 These are the four main HFCs used in the R/AC sector; HFC-134a is also used in foams, MDIs, aerosols. 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 5

 MIT-3 results in a reduction of about 80% in the year 2030, if compared with BAU, 

down to a level of 400 Mt CO2-eq. (on a BAU 2030 total of about 2,030 Mt CO2-eq.).

 By shifting the start of the conversion of all sectors including stationary AC to the year 

2025 in the MIT-5 scenario, the reduction in HFC demand, if compared to BAU, is 

reduced to 1,200 Mt CO2-eq. in the year 2030, to the level of 850 Mt CO2-eq. per year 

(compare to MIT-3 above, where the reduction is slightly more than 1,600 Mt CO2-eq.). 

 Delaying and extending the conversion period especially for the dominant stationary AC 

sector significantly increases the climate impact. Until the year 2025 the effect is 

somewhat modest, but the longer term impact of the delayed conversion is substantial 

(2025-2030 and beyond).

ES5. Demand, benefits and costs 

 Costs have been determined from bottom-up calculations for the R/AC sector conversion in 

Article 5 Parties. The total demand determined for non-Article 5 and Article 5 Parties for the 

R/AC sector has been shown to be somewhat higher than expected based on currently 

available HFC production estimates. For stationary AC, this may have a certain impact on 

estimated costs. 

 For MIT-3, the HFC amounts estimated for the year 2020 are taken to be the HFC amounts in 

new manufacturing that require conversion. The conversion can be modelled during 6-12 

years; it does not make a difference how long the conversion period would be for the total 

amounts to be converted. The conversion period, however, would have major impacts on the 

servicing amounts. Estimates for the conversion in US$ per kg that vary from US$ 4-7 for 

commercial refrigeration field assembly, to US$ 11-13 for stationary AC. All conversions are 

based on conversion to low GWP refrigerants, with an average GWP for a number of 

refrigerant blends of 300. For the costs of the conversion of new manufacturing, 78% is 

estimated to be for stationary air conditioning, 7% for commercial, industrial and transport 

refrigeration, and 11% for mobile air conditioning, for all Article 5 Parties. 

 Costs for manufacturing conversion only. The total costs calculated for manufacturing 

conversion in Article 5 Parties are estimated as follows

MIT-3 US$ 2300 ± 310 million

MIT-4 US$ 3010 ± 370 million

MIT-5 US$ 3220 ± 430 million

 Additional costs for servicing. Costs for reducing the demand via the servicing demand can 

be estimated on the basis of estimates for the period 2020-2030 (and beyond). Estimates are 

based on current experience and are done on the basis of US$ 4.5 per kg reduction.

 For MIT-3, with early conversion, the servicing amounts are in the order of 100-200 ktonnes 

during 2020-2030. The amounts decrease substantially between 2025 and 2030, due to the 

fact that equipment has reached its end of life. Provided that 40-60 ktonnes of high-GWP 

HFC consumption can be reduced in the servicing sector, spread over at least four triennia, it 

would imply costs of US$ 40-60 million per triennium. 

 For MIT-5, with conversion delayed until 2025, the costs for (necessary) reductions in the 

servicing sector increase to US$ 100-150 million per triennium. 

ES6. Considerations for high ambient temperature conditions

 A definition is given for temperature zones, including high ambient temperatures, following 

an ASHRAE definition. A world map defining which zones fall in certain temperature ranges

is presented. Further options on how to define high ambient temperatures and high ambient 

temperature zones will be studied and these could be elaborated upon in future.
6 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

 Designing for high ambient temperature conditions needs special care to avoid excessively 

high condensing temperatures and approaching the critical temperature for each type of 

refrigerant considered in order to meet minimum energy performance standards. Other issues, 

such as safety and refrigerant charge quantity, also have to be taken into consideration. 

 The range of suitable refrigerants for high ambient temperatures has not changed since the 

Task Force XXV/5 report in October 2014. Additional research and assessment of those 

refrigerants at high ambient temperatures has been undertaken, for example, through the 

recent project by the US Department of Energy (DoE), the UNEP/UNIDO PRAHA and 

EGYPRA projects, and the AHRI initiative of AREP-II for high ambient temperature 

conditions.

 The schedule for completion of the mentioned projects are as follows:

 AHRI-AREP II: Autumn 2015;

 US DoE: Preliminary report - July 2015; Final report - October 2015;

 UNEP/ UNIDO - PRAHA: 4th quarter 2015;

 UNEP/ UNIDO - EGYPRA: Early 2016.

 This report details advantages and limitations of the available refrigerants suitable for use in 

high ambient temperatures and they are discussed as follows:

 For air conditioners: R-407C, R-410A, HFC-32, HC-290, HC-1270, R-446A and R447A, and R-444B. The use of HFC-1234yf, and especially HFC-1234ze(E), has not

been seriously considered for ACs because their volumetric capacity is low, which 

would require bulkier systems along with high anticipated refrigerant price.

 For chillers: R-447A, R-410A, R-717, R-718, and HCFC-1233zd(E). The use of R744 is not suitable for high temperature climates due to excessive cost. 

 For commercial refrigeration: Refrigeration systems at high ambient temperature 

conditions have the same issues as air conditioning systems; compressor discharge 

temperatures increase with increasing ambient and condensing temperatures, leading 

to possible reliability issues and lower efficiency. Unlike AC, refrigeration 

applications are already subject to high discharge temperatures and use mitigation 

methods like compressor liquid or vapor injection to improve performance and 

reliability.

ES7. Fire protection

 The process for assessing and qualifying new fire protection agents for use is complex, time 

consuming, and is also application specific. Whilst the phase-out of ODS in this sector is well 

underway, there will be some reliance of high-GWP HFC solutions for the foreseeable future. 

Control of avoidable emissions continues to improve, thereby minimising impacts. 

 Two chemicals are at an advanced stage of testing and development and may be 

commercialised as fire extinguishing agents in the future. It is not anticipated that high 

ambient temperatures or high urban densities will affect market uptake of these agents. These 

new chemicals are

 FK-6-1-14

 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene

Note, civil aviation is trying to meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) 

31st December 2016 deadline for the replacement of halon handheld portable extinguishers 

using 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. The required regulatory process for commercialisation 

/ manufacturing in Europe (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of 

Chemicals - REACH registration) has been completed but in the United States the required 

listing as acceptable under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program and 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 7

approval under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is not yet completed. If successful, 

from a performance and environmental perspective, this agent will likely be the most 

effective replacement for halon 1211 applications. However, according to its manufacturer, 

the agent is anticipated to be at least double the cost of other clean agent alternatives, and 

will require stabilisers to maintain the material in long-term storage. For these reasons, the 

agent is only likely to fill the needs of niche applications where its lower weight and superior 

fire protection performance justify the higher cost.

ES8. Medical uses

 Metered dose inhalers: Inhaled therapy is essential for the treatment of asthma and chronic 

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are two main types of inhalers for the delivery 

of respiratory drugs: the metered dose inhaler (MDI) and the dry powder inhaler (DPI). HFC 

MDI and DPI alternatives are available for all key classes of drugs used in the treatment of 

asthma and COPD. Under a business as usual model, for the period 2015 to 2030, cumulative 

HFC consumption in MDI manufacture is estimated as 249,000 tonnes (232,000 tonnes HFC134a; 17,000 tonnes HFC- 227ea), corresponding to direct emissions with a climate impact of 

approximately 360 Mt CO2-eq. This impact would be significantly less than the climate 

impact of CFC MDIs had they not been replaced. At present, it is not yet technically or 

economically feasible to avoid HFC MDIs completely in this sector.

 Other medical aerosols: Medical aerosols, excluding MDIs, are estimated as a small 

percentage (1-2 per cent) of total aerosol production. These medical aerosols include a wide 

range of uses from simple numbing of pain, nasal inhalation, to the dosage of corticosteroids 

for the treatment of colitis. Technically and economically feasible alternatives to ozonedepleting propellants and solvents (CFCs and HCFCs) used in non-MDI medical aerosols are 

available. Most aerosols use hydrocarbons and DME propellants. HFCs are used where a 

non-flammable or safe to inhale propellant is needed, or where emissions of volatile organic 

compounds (VOCs) are controlled. It is estimated that less than 10 per cent of non-MDI 

medical aerosols use HFC propellants (-134a, -152a), i.e., less than 1,000 tonnes per year. 

 Sterilants: There is almost non-existent use of HFCs in the sterilants sector, where a wide 

variety of alternatives available and the impact of avoiding HFCs would be minimal. 

ES9. Aerosols

 Aerosols can be divided into three main categories: consumer aerosols; technical aerosols; 

and medical aerosols. Technically and economically feasible alternatives to ozone-depleting 

propellants and solvents (CFCs and HCFCs) are available for aerosol products. 

 In 2010, the total GWP-weighted amount of HFCs used in aerosol production was estimated 

as 54 Mt CO2-eq., or 5 per cent of total GWP-weighted HFC consumption. Consumer and 

technical aerosols are estimated to account for about three-quarters of GWP-weighted HFC 

consumption in aerosol production, and medical aerosols, including MDIs, for the remaining 

quarter. Global production of HFC-containing aerosols is likely to be growing very slowly, if 

at all. Nevertheless, there may be individual countries where HFC aerosol production is 

growing. Production is likely to increase in Article 5 Parties while it flattens or declines in 

non-Article 5 Parties.

 HFC consumption in this sector is ranked as the third largest after the R/AC and foams 

sectors, and aerosols are a totally emissive use. There could be significant environment 

benefits in avoiding high-GWP propellants and solvents. Low-GWP propellants and solvents 

are commercially and widely available, and “not-in-kind” alternatives are commercially 

available where they are suited for the purpose. In some markets or for some products there 

may be significant challenges in adopting low-GWP options, and their use may not be 

feasible. Reformulation would incur costs to industry. 

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 9

1 Scope 

Decision XXVI/9 is the latest in a series of Decisions on alternatives to ozone depleting substances to 

request TEAP to develop and assess - on the basis of latest information on alternatives to ODS - the 

impact of specific mitigation scenarios as part of its reporting back to the Parties. In responding to 

this mandate, TEAP is seeking to draw from its earlier evaluations of alternatives (Decisions XXIII/9, 

XXIV/7 and XXV/5 and the various TOC assessment reports). The information is being updated 

where appropriate, although the principle changes are generally expected to be minor because of the 

short time period between the finalisation of the June XXVI/9 Task Force report. 

It should be noted that quantitative information on (HFC) consumption was only available for the 

refrigeration, air conditioning, foam, and medical use sectors in the June report. Discussion on fire 

protection and solvents is more qualitative. Nevertheless, for each of these sectors, efforts have been 

on-going to address major inputs requested from TEAP in the Decision XXVI/9, namely: 

 An update on alternatives available, highlighting significant differences between non-Article 5 

and Article 5 regions (para 1(a)) in the Decision)

 A revision of scenarios and an update of the (qualitative/quantitative) discussion on future 

demand for alternatives to ozone depleting substances (para 1(c) in the Decision) 

 A (qualitative/quantitative) discussion on the costs and environmental benefits of various 

(mitigation) scenarios (para 1(c) in the Decision).

The XXVI/9 Decision contains a specific request related to high ambient temperature countries in 

para 1(b) in the Decision. This XXVI/9 update Task Force report contains first information on the 

definition of high ambient temperatures (and zones), on refrigerants for high ambient temperature 

conditions, plus an elaboration on the design of equipment as well as an explanation on experimental 

information to be obtained shortly in various demonstration projects.

The XXVI/9 report provided updated information and expanded on topics primarily related to the 

refrigeration and air conditioning sector as outlined in the decision. While many of the options for 

replacing ODS and high-GWP refrigerants did not change since the finalization of the XXV/5 TEAP 

Task Force report in October 2014 and the completion of the June 2015 report, the XXVI/9 Task 

Force considered updated information on these existing options obtained through comments from 

Parties and review of information from several additional reports and publications: the 2014 RTOC 

Assessment report, and several reports from workshops and conferences including documents from 

the “2015 Workshop on Management of Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)”. Updated information was 

also provided for the fire protection, medical uses, and non-medical aerosols sectors.

Parties gave comments and suggestions for an updated version of the June XXVI/9 Task Force report 

during the OEWG-36 plenary, both in writing and during informal consultations on Wednesday 22 

July. All these comments have been taken into consideration when deciding on how to draft this 

September 2015 Update XXVI/9 Task Force report. A complete rewrite has been done for chapters 5 

and 6, additional information is provided in chapter 7 on high ambient temperature conditions, and 

updated information is provided in the refrigerants chapter 3 as well as in the medical uses and nonmedical aerosols sector chapters. No additional updates were available for the foams and solvents 

sector, but these may be considered in any future reports of this kind. This report is being submitted 

to the 27th Meeting of the Parties in Dubai, November 2015.

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 11

2 Introduction

2.1 Terms of Reference for the XXVI/9 Task Force report

Decision XXVI/9 of the Twenty-sixth Meeting of the Parties requested the Technology and 

Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) to prepare a draft report for consideration by the Open-ended 

Working Group at its 36th meeting and an updated report for the Twenty-seventh Meeting of the 

Parties in 2015.

2.2 Scope and coverage

The text of Decision XXVI/9 (“Response to the report by the Technology and Economic 

Assessment Panel on information on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances”), as it 

relates to this report is as follows:

Noting with appreciation volume 2 of the 2012 task force progress report which responded to 

decision XXIII/9, volume 2 of the 2013 progress report of the Technology and Economic 

Assessment Panel which responded to decision XXIV/7 and volume 4 of the 2014 progress report 

which responded to decision XXV/5

1. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, if necessary in consultation 

with external experts, to prepare a report identifying the full range of alternatives, including not-inkind technologies, and identifying applications where alternatives fulfilling the criteria identified in 

paragraph 1 (a) of the present decision are not available, and to make that report available for 

consideration by the Open-ended Working Group at its thirty fifth-meeting and an updated report to 

be submitted to the Twenty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties that would:

(a) Update information on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances in various sectors and subsectors and differentiating between parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 and parties not so 

operating, considering energy efficiency, regional differences and high ambient temperature 

conditions in particular, and assessing whether they are:

(i) Commercially available;

(ii) Technically proven;

(iii) Environmentally sound;

(iv) Economically viable and cost effective;

(v) Safe to use in areas with high urban densities considering flammability and toxicity 

issues, including, where possible, risk characterization;

(vi) Easy to service and maintain;

and describe the potential limitations of their use and their implications for the 

different sectors, in terms of, but not limited to, servicing and maintenance 

requirements, and international design and safety standards;

(b) Provide information on energy efficiency levels in the refrigeration and air-conditioning 

sector referring to high-ambient temperature zones in international standards; 

(c) Taking into account the uptake of various existing technologies, revise the scenarios for 

current and future demand elaborated in the October 2014 final report on additional information on 

alternatives to ozone-depleting substances of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel’s task 

force on decision XXV/5, and improve information related to costs and benefits with regard to the 

criteria set out in paragraph 1 (a) of the present decision, including reference to progress identified 

under stage I and stage II of HCFC phase-out management plans; 

2. To convene a two-day workshop, back to back with an additional three-day meeting of the 

Open-Ended Working Group in 2015, to continue discussions on all issues in relation to 

hydrofluorocarbon management, including a focus on high-ambient temperature and safety 
12 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

requirements as well as energy efficiency, taking into account the information requested in the 

present decision and other relevant information;

3. To encourage parties to continue to provide to the Secretariat, on a voluntary basis, 

information on their implementation of paragraph 9 of decision XIX/6, including information on 

available data, policies and initiatives pertaining to the promotion of a transition from ozonedepleting substances that minimizes environmental impact wherever the required technologies are 

available, and to request the Secretariat to compile any such submissions received;

4. To request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to consider providing 

additional funding to conduct inventories or surveys on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances in 

interested parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 upon their request;

2.3 Composition of the Task Force

The TEAP established a Task Force to prepare the report and the update report responding to 

Decision XXVI/9. The composition of the Task Force is as follows:

Co-chairs

 Lambert Kuijpers (The Netherlands, co-chair RTOC)

 Bella Maranion (USA, co-chair TEAP) 

 Roberto Peixoto (Brazil, co-chair RTOC)

Members:

 Daniel Colbourne (UK, member RTOC)

 Martin Dieryckx (Belgium, member RTOC)

 Rick Duncan (USA, member FTOC)

 Bassam Elassaad (Lebanon, member RTOC)

 Samir Hamed (Jordan, member RTOC)

 Yilhan Karaagac (Turkey, member FTOC)

 Tingxun Li (PR China, RTOC member)

 Richard Lord (USA, outside expert)

 Carloandrea Malvicino (Italy, member RTOC)

 Keiichi Ohnishi (Japan, co-chair CTOC)

 Alaa A. Olama (Egypt, RTOC member) 

 Fabio Polonara (Italy, co-chair RTOC) 

 Rajan Rajendran (USA, RTOC member)

 Helen Tope (Australia, co-chair MTOC)

 Dan Verdonik (USA, co-chair HTOC)

 Samuel Yana-Motta (Peru, outside expert)

 Asbjørn Vonsild (Denmark, member RTOC)

 Shiqiu Zhang (PR China, Senior Expert TEAP)

Denis Clodic (who resigned from the RTOC, January 2015) has been involved as an outside expert in 

revising the R/AC scenarios together with his assistant Xueqin Pan.

The structure of the TEAP XXVI/9 June Task Force Report was considered by the Task Force and 

also by TEAP prior to the final formulation of the Report. The factors considered include:

 The relatively short period between the delivery of the final XXV/5 Report (October 2014) 

and the preparation of the XXVI/9 Report (February-May 2015).

 The publication of the various TOC Assessment reports with a large amount of updated and 

well-reviewed technical information by January-February 2015.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 13

 The similarity of the criteria set out within Decision XXV/5 and Decision XXVI/9 (and 

within the earlier Decision XXIV/7), already noted in the XXV/5 Task Force report.

 The importance of avoiding too much repetition and bringing focus on what is either new or 

of growing importance. 

 Recognition that some sectors (specifically refrigeration, air conditioning and foam) have 

data which allow for the characterisation of a Business-As-Usual (BAU) case and related 

mitigation scenarios. Recognition that other sectors (specifically fire protection, solvents and 

medical uses) do not have reliable data from which relevant mitigation scenarios can be 

derived or for which mitigation scenarios were not derived. 

 Recognition that Decision XXV/5 sought to generate an analysis of the Article 5 and nonArticle 5 implications of avoiding high-GWP alternatives to ODS, and that this issue is 

further investigated in the XXVI/9 Task Force report. 

This played a role in the finalisation of the June 2015 Task Force report. The above also applied to 

the composition of this September 2015 update report. The chapter layout of the June report has also 

been followed for this September 2015 Update XXVI/9 Task Force report:

Chapter 1 ‘Scope’

Chapter 2 ‘Introduction’ 

Chapter 3 ‘Update of the status on refrigerants’ 

...which gives information on alternatives, including for high ambient application. 

Chapter 4 ‘Present status of alternatives for ODS in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps 

applications

...which provides information on the trends in alternative selection within the 

refrigeration, air conditioning sector. 

Chapter 5 ‘BAU and MIT scenarios for Article 5 and non-Article 5 Parties’

...which considers the revision of the BAU and MIT-2 scenarios from the XXV/5 report 

for the R/AC sector. It describes the BAU and three mitigation scenarios (MIT-3, MIT-4 

and MIT-5) for refrigeration and air conditioning, where the difference between MIT-3 

and MIT-5 is related to different starting points in time for all R/AC sub-sectors. The 

BAU scenario for foams has not been adjusted comparted to the one published in the 

XXV/5 Task Force report.

Chapter 6 ‘Demand, benefits and costs’

...which provides quantitative information on the demand in non-Article 5 and Article 5 

Parties for various scenarios, looks at the benefits in going to mitigation scenarios and 

derives the funding required to realise a MIT-3 and -5 mitigation scenario in Article 5 

Parties (independent from conversion periods for new manufacturing) over a period of 6 

and 12 years (2-4 triennia). 

Chapter 7 ‘High ambient temperature conditions’

...which provides information on design of equipment for high ambient temperature 

conditions. It deals with the design conditions for a number of demonstration projects, 

and the refrigerants that were tested or that are going to be tested. 

Chapter 8 ‘Information on alternatives to ODS in the fire protection sector’

...which provides information on the trends in alternative selection within the fire 

protection sector with reference to information previously contained in the Decision 

XXV/5 Task Force Report. 
14 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Chapter 9 ‘Information on alternatives to ODS in medical uses’

...which provides further information on the alternatives available for medical uses and 

the implications of technology choices. It also gives information on current and future 

demand as well as cost information. 

Chapter 10 ‘Information on alternatives to ODS in non-medical aerosols’

...which provides information on the alternatives available for non-medical aerosols and 

the implications of technology choices. It also gives information on current and future 

demand as well as cost information. 

2.4 The September 2015 Update XXVI/9 Task Force report

In the June XXVI/9 report, the Task Force summarised a number of aspects that could be considered 

in the September 2015 XXVI/9 report. During the OEWG-36 in July, an informal discussion session 

was organised for Parties to give comments and suggestions for the update September 2015 XXVI/9 

report. The summary, which was also presented to the OEWG-36 plenary, can be found as Annex 1 

to this report. 

In this September 2015 XXVI/9 update report the major things that have changed, include:

 Additional updates on refrigerants in chapter 3;

 Adjustment of bottom-up calculations for the R/AC sector, in order to be in agreement with best 

guesses for production amounts, which means that all graphs and numbers have changed;

 Introduction of the three scenarios MIT-3, MIT-4 and MIT-5, the first two were already 

considered in the June 2015 report, MIT-5 considers a conversion of all R/AC sub-sectors by 

2025;

 Revised cost calculations, specifically taking into account the MIT-3 and MIT-5 demand 

calculations (i.e., for conversion of new equipment manufacturing);

 Options to consider in defining high ambient temperature countries or regions in chapter 7; and

 Additional information provided in the chapters 9 and 10, on alternatives to ODS for medical 

uses and on alternatives to ODS in non-medical aerosols.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 15

3 Update of the status on refrigerants

3.1 Introduction

Developing a fluid is a process where uncertainties are addressed, both regarding what is technically 

feasible and regarding what can be accepted by the market. The technical uncertainty includes how to 

produce the fluid, and whether the preferred properties can be attained. The market uncertainty 

includes uncertainty about what properties the customer prefers, and what fluids the competitors will 

market.

The development process requires a series of investments, such as researching the toxicity of 

candidate fluids, or doing field tests at potential customers with a candidate fluid. The investment 

pattern is similar from fluid to fluid, and companies therefor manage the process with a state-gate 

process (Cooper, 1988). The state-gate process is a process, where a “gate” is placed just in-front of 

each major investment, and a “gate” is simply a decision point where management evaluates whether 

or not to accept the next investment or stop the development project. While the exact gates are not 

visible from outside the company, some of the step will be visible in the market. Examples of such 

steps could be:

- Research, possibly in collaboration with a few selected system builders;

- Fluid released for small scale testing in industry test programs (with a research name);

- R-number applied for through ASHRAE 34 (or ISO 817) and is typically rewarded;

- Testing in the market to see whether the market is interested in larger capacities;

- Broad market launch (large scale production set-up);

- Market adoption, where the market actually starts using the refrigerant in larger 

quantities.

The investment sizes and time needed for each step for new molecules (pure refrigerants) are much 

larger and longer than for refrigerant mixtures. Especially the research and toxicity evaluation are 

expensive in the early phases, and the production set in the later stages, are expensive for new 

molecules. While for new mixtures, the major uncertainty is related to the market, and the large 

investments are primarily on research, especially market research, to find a composition which 

matches the needs of the customers as well as possible, and on the market launch with investments in 

marketing. 

This means that the commercialisation of a new fluid can take 10 years, while for mixtures the 

commercialisation takes closer to 5 years. A complication for low-GWP mixtures is that many are 

based on two new molecules (HFC-1234yf and HFC-1234ze(E)).

3. 2 Overview of proposed refrigerants

A total of 70 fluids have been proposed for testing or are being tested in industry programmes or are 

pending publication in ISO 817 (ISO 817:2014) or ASHRAE 34 (ASHRAE 34:2013). Of the 70 

fluids, 10 are pure substances, of which 9 have been published in ISO 817 or ASHRAE 34, while of 

the 60 mixtures, 40 have publicly know compositions, but only 10 have been published in the ISO 

817 or ASHRAE 34 standards, and therefore been included in the RTOC report (UNEP, 2015)2.

It expected that, after the first introduction of all 70 fluids, testing, development and 

commercialization will decrease the number of viable candidates. The subsequent, increasing number 

of experiences from the market will likely further narrow down the number of viable low-GWP 

candidates in future.

 

2 GWPs used here are the ones from the IPCC AR5 report. In the RTOC report (UNEP, 2015) values were used 

as given in the SAP (2014) (WMO, 2015) report. The issue of GWP values to be used remains an issue that 

needs to be addressed. 
16 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

The industry test programs are further described below (and especially in chapter 7). For ease of 

referencing the names are given here:

 AHRI Low-GWP Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Program (AREP). This project is divided 

into two phases: Phase I which is finished and phase II which is ongoing.

 “Promotion of Low-GWP Refrigerants for the Air-Conditioning Industry in Egypt” (EGYPRA)

 “Promoting low-GWP Refrigerants for Air-Conditioning Sectors in High-Ambient Temperature 

Countries” (PRAHA)

 US DoE “Oak Ridge National Laboratory High-Ambient Testing Program for Low-GWP 

Refrigerants” (ORNL HAT)

The fluids participating in these programmes and the refrigerants proposed under ASHRAE 

(ASHRAE, 2015), are presented in Table 3-1 for pure fluids and Table 3-2 for blends with publicly 

known compositions. For ease of reference, key properties for selected commonly used refrigerants 

are given in Table 3-3 and Table 3-4.

The fluids where the composition is not yet public are (with safety class in brackets):

 ARC-1 (A1) and LPR1A (A2L) for replacing HCFC-123;

 BRB36 (A1) for replacing HFC-134a;

 ARM-32c (A1), D542HT (A1), DR-91 (A1), DR-93 (A1), N-20b (A1) and DR-3 (A2L) for 

replacing HCFC-22, R-407C;

 ARM-20b (A2L) for replacing HCFC-22, R-404A, R-407C;

 ARM-32b (A1), ARM-35 (A1), D42Yb (A1), D42Yz (A1), ARM-20a (A2L), HDR110 (A2L) 

and ARM-25a (A2) for replacing R-404A;

 ARM-71a (A2L), DR-55 (A2L) and HPR2A (A2L) for replacing R-410A.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 17

Table 3-1: Pure substances proposed under various test programs and in the ASHRAE 34. Refrigerant Designation Proposed to replace (from AREP phase I) Safety Class AREP program Participation in High ambient programmes for HCFC-22 and R-410A alternatives Chemical Formula Chemical Name Molecular Weight Boiling Point (°C) ATEL/ODL (kg/m3

)

LFL (kg/m3

)

GWP 100 Year (IPCC)

GWP 100 Year (RTOC)

Phase 1Phase 2

PRAHA

EGYPRA

US DoE

HFC-32 R-404A, 

R-410A× A2L X X X X X CH2F2

Difluoromethane 

(methylene 

fluoride)

52,0 −52 0,30 0,307 677 704

HC-290

HCFC22, 

R-404A, 

R-407C

A3 X X X X CH3CH2CH3 propane 44,1 −42 0,09 0,038 5

HC-600a HFC134a A3 X

CH(CH3)2-

CH3

2-methylpropane 

(isobutane)

58,1 −12 0,059 0,043 ~20

R-717

HCFC22, 

R-407C

B2L X NH3 ammonia 17,0 −33 0,000 22 0,116

R-744 R-404A, 

R-410A A1 X CO2

carbon 

dioxide 44,0 −78◊ 0,072 NF 1 1

HCFC1233zd(E)HCFC123 A1 XCF3CH=

CHCl

trans-1-

chloro-3,3,3-

trifluoro-1-

propene

130,5 18,1 0 NF 1 1

HFC1234yfHFC134a A2L X X CF3CF=CH2

2,3,3,3-

tetrafluoro-1-

propene

114,0 −29,4 0,47 0,289 <1 <1

HFC1234ze(E) HFC134a A2L X XCF3CH=

CHF

trans-1,3,3,3-

tetrafluoro-1-

propene

114,0 −19,0 0,28 0,303 <1 <1

HC-1270

HCFC22, 

R-407C

A3 X CH3CH=CH2

propene 

(propylene) 42,1 −48 0,001 7 0,046 1,8

HFC1336mzz

(Z)*

HCFC123 A1 CF3CH=CHCF3

cis1,1,1,4,4,4-

hexafluoro-2-

butene

164,1 33,4 0 NF 2 2

Notes:

× HFC-32 was proposed to replace R-404A and R-410A in phase I of the AREP program, but is only proposed to 

replace R-410A in phase II of same and later projects.

◊ For CO2 the sublimation temperature is given instead of boiling point. Triple point is −56,6 °C at 5,2 bar.

* HFC-1336mzz(Z) is pending official ASHRAE 34 publication.
18 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Table 3-2: Blend refrigerants proposed under various test programs and in the ASHRAE 34.

Refrigerant Designation

Refrigerant development name

Proposed to replace 

(from AREP phase I)

Safety Class

Participation in AREP 

program

High ambient programmes 

for HCFC-22 and R-410A 

alternatives

Composition

Molecular Weight

Bubble point/dew or 

Normal boiling point (°C)

GWP 100 Year (IPCC5)

GWP 100 Year (RTOC)

Phase 1Phase 2

PRAHA

EGYPRA

US DoE

— ARM-41a HFC134a A1 X R-134a/1234yf/32 (63/31/6) 99,5 860 900

R-513A XP10 HFC134a A1 X X R-1234yf/134a (56/44) 108,4 −29,2 570 600

— N-13a HFC134a A1 X

R-134a/1234ze(E)/1234yf 

(42/40/18) 108,7 550 570

R-450A N-13b HFC134a A1 X X R-1234ze(E)/134a (58/42) 108,7 –23,4/

–22,8 550 570

— D-4Y HFC134a A1 X X R-1234yf/134a (60/40) 108,9 520 540

— AC5X HFC134a A1 X X

R-1234ze(E)/134a/32 

(53/40/7) 100,9 570 590

— ARM-42a HFC134a A2L X X

R-1234yf/152a/134a 

(82/11/7) 104,8 110 110

R-444A AC5 HFC134a A2L X X

R-1234ze(E)/32/152a 

(83/12/5) 96,7 –34,3/–24,3 89 93

R-445A AC6 A2L R-744/134a/1234ze(E) 

(6/9/85) 103,1 –50,3/–23,5 120 120

— R290/R600a HFC134a A3 X R-600a/290 (60/40) 51,6 14

— LTR4X

HCFC22, 

R-407C

A1 X X

R-1234ze(E)/32/125/134a 

(31/28/25/16) 85,1 1 200 1 300

— N-20

HCFC22, 

R-407C

A1 X X

R-134a/1234ze(E)/1234yf/

32/125 

(31,5/30/13,5/12,5/12,5)

96,7 890 950

— D52Y

HCFC22, 

R-407C

A2L X X R-1234yf/125/32 (60/25/15) 97,8 890 970

— L-20

HCFC22, 

R-407C

A2L X

R-32/1234ze(E)/152a 

(45/35/20) 67,8 330 350

— LTR6A

HCFC22, 

R-407C

A2L X X

R-1234ze(E)/32/744 

(63/30/7) 77,6 200 210

R-444B L-20a

HCFC22, 

R-407C

A2L X X X X

R-32/1234ze(E)/152a 

(41,5/48,5/10) 72,8 –44,6/–34,9 300 310
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 19

— ARM-32a

HCFC22, 

R-404A, 

R-407C

A1 X

R-125/32/134a/1234yf 

(30/25/25/20) 86,9 1 400 1 600

R-442A

HCFC22, 

R-404A, 

R-407C

A1 X

R-32/125/134a/152a/227ea 

(31,0/31,0/30,0/3,0/5,0) 81,8 –46,5/–39,9 1 800 1 900

R-449B*

HCFC22, 

R-404A, 

R-407C

A1 X

R-32/125/1234yf/134a 

(25,2/24,3/23,2/27,3) 86,4 −46,1/−40,2 1 300 1 400

R-449A DR-33 

(XP40) R-404A A1 X X

R-32/125/1234yf/134a 

(24,3/24,7/25,3/25,7) 87,2 –46,0/–39,9 1 300 1 400

— N-40a R-404A A1 X

R-32/125/134a/1234ze(E)/

1234yf (25/25/21/20/9) 87 1 200 1 300

— N-40b R-404A A1 X

R-1234yf/32/125/134a 

(30/25/25/20) 87,1 1 200 1 300

R-452A DR-34 

(XP44) R-404A A1 X R-1234yf/32/125 (30/11/59) 103,5 −47,0/−43,2 1 900 2 100

R-448A N-40c R-404A A1 X

R-32/125/1234yf/134a/

1234ze(E) 

(26,0/26,0/20,0/21,0/7,0)

86,3 –45,9/

–39,8 1 300 1 400

— R32/R134a R-404A A2L X R-32/134a (50/50) 68,9 990 1 000

— ARM-31a R-404A A2L X

R-1234yf/32/134a 

(51/28/21) 83,9 460 480

— L-40 R-404A A2L X X

R-32/1234ze(E)/1234yf/

152a (40/30/20/10) 73,6 290 300

R-454A* DR-7

◊ R-404A A2L X X R-1234yf/32 (65/35) 80,5 −48,4/

−41,6 240 250

R-454A* D2Y-65 R-404A A2L X X R-1234yf/32 (65/35) 80,5 −48,4/

−41,6 240 250

— ARM-30a R-404A A2L X R-1234yf/32 (71/29) 84,7 200 200

— R32/R134a R-410A A2L X R-32/134a (95/5) 53,3 710 740

— R32/R152a R-410A A2L X R-32/152a (95/5) 52,6 650 680

— DR-5 R-410A A2L X R-32/1234yf (72,5/27,5) 61,2 490 510

— L-41a R-410A A2L X

R-32/1234yf/1234ze(E) 

(73/15/12) 61 490 510

— L-41b R-410A A2L X R-32/1234ze(E) (73/27) 61 490 510

— ARM-70a R-410A A2L X

R-32/1234yf/134a 

(50/40/10) 70,9 470 490

— HPR1D R-410A A2L X X

R-32/1234ze(E)/744 

(60/34/6) 63 410 420

— D2Y-60 R-410A A2L X X R-1234yf/32 (60/40) 77,2 270 280

R-454B* DR-5A R-410A A2L X X X X R-32/1234yf (68,9/31,1) 62,6 −50,9/

−50,0 470 490

R-446A L-41-1 R-410A A2L X

R-32/1234ze(E)/600 

(68,0/29,0/3,0) 62 –49,4/–44,0 460 480

R-447A L-41-2 R-410A A2L X X X X

R-32/125/1234ze(E) 

(68,0/3,5/28,5) 63 –49,3/–44,2 570 600

notes:

*

Indicates refrigerants pending official publication in ASHRAE 34.

◊ DR-7 has changed nominal composition slightly from originally R-1234yf/32 (64/36) to R-1234yf/32 (65/35).
20 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Table 3-3: Currently commonly used pure substances for reference.

Designation

Refrigerant 

Safety Class

Chemical Formula

Chemical Name

Molecular Weight

Boiling Point (°C)

ATEL/ODL (kg/m3

)

Atmospheric Lifetime 

(Years)

Radiative Efficiency 

(W/m/ ppm)

GWP 100 Year 

(IPCC5)

GWP 100 Year 

(RTOC)

ODP

HCFC-22 A1 CHClF2 chlorodifluoromethane 86,5 -41 0,21 12 0,21 1 760 1 780 0,034

HCFC-123 B1 CHCl2CF3

2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-

trifluoroethane 152,9 27 0,057 1,3 0,15 79 79 0,01

HFC-134a A1 CH2FCF3

1,1,1,2-

tetrafluoroethane 102,0 -26 0,21 14 0,16 1 300 1 360

Table 3-4: Currently commonly used blend refrigerants for reference.

Designation

Refrigerant 

Safety Class

Composition 

Refrigerant 

(Mass %)

Molecular 

Weight

Normal Boiling 

Bubble / Dew or 

Point (°C)

ATEL/ODL 

(kg/m3)

GWP 100 Year 

(IPCC)

GWP 100 Year 

(RTOC)

ODP

R-404A A1 R-125/143a/134a 

(44,0/52,0/4,0) 97,6 -46,6/-45,8 0,52 3 900 4 200

R-407A A1 R-32/125/134a (20,0/40,0/40,0) 90,1 -45,2/-38,7 0,31 1 900 2 100

R-407C A1 R-32/125/134a (23,0/25,0/52,0) 86,2 -43,8/-36,7 0,29 1 600 1 700

R-407F A1 R-32/125/134a (30,0/30,0/40,0) 82,1 -46,1/-39,7 0,32 1 700 1 800

R-410A A1 R-32/125 (50,0/50,0) 72,6 -51,6/-51,5 0,42 1 900 2 100

R-507A A1 R-125/143a (50,0/50,0) 98,9 -47,1/-47,1 0,53 4 000 4 300

3.2.1 Data sources for tables 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4

In the past, GWP values have been published in various IPCC and WMO reports, starting before 

1996. In reporting to the UNFCCC it is not yet clear which values should be used, where there is 

ongoing discussion on whether to use current GWP or GTP values. It is likely that this issue will not 

be resolved until 2016 or later, given the emphasis of current UNFCCC talks on preparations for the 

Paris December Climate COP/MOP.

UNFCCC reporting is been done using the GWP values from the 1996 IPCC Second Assessment. 

There is an emerging trend to refer to the IPCC values from the 2014 AR5 report (IPCC, 2014), 

although it is not yet clear.

There are now updated GWP values from both the IPCC AR5 (IPCC, 2014) report and from the 

UNEP/WMO report which was published later, at the end of 2014 (WMO, 2014). The UNEP/WMO 

values were updated from IPCC (2014) taking into account different lifetimes for various HFC 

chemicals, and resulted overall, in an increase of about 15-30% compared to the IPCC (2014) values. 

In both the IPCC AR5 and the UNEP/WMO report no GWP values on HFC mixtures (blends) are 

reported.

In the RTOC report (UNEP, 2014) the deliberate choice was made to use the 2014 UNEP/WMO 

values.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 21

It was considered desirable to report here on both the GWP values from the IPCC AR5 and the 

UNEP/WMO and RTOC reports.

The data sources for tables 3-1 through 3-4:

 “GWP (RTOC)” values are taken from the RTOC report (UNEP, 2014) where available; 

where not available the value is calculated based on the values for pure fluids from the RTOC 

report (UNEP, 2014). 

 “GWP (IPCC5)” values are taken from the IPCC5 report (IPCC, 2014) for pure fluids; for 

mixtures values are calculated based values for pure fluids from the IPCC5 report (IPCC, 

2014).

 For table 3-1 and 3-2, Refrigerant names, safety classes and compositions are taken from the 

AHRI AREP program where available, and where not available from ASHRAE 34 public 

review (ASHRAE, 2015).

 All other data in tables 3-1 through 3-4 are taken from the RTOC report (UNEP, 2014).

3. 3 References

AHRI, 2015 AHRI Low GWP Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Program, (Low-GWP 

AREP), Participants Handbook, 2015

ASHRAE 34-2013 ANSI/ASHRAE, 2015. Standard 34- 2013 with addenda a to n, Designation and 

Safety Classification of Refrigerants American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, 

and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Atlanta, GA, USA

ASHRAE, 2015 Online Standards Actions & Public Review Drafts, 

https://osr.ashrae.org/default.aspx (documents only available during the review 

period)

Cooper, 1988 Cooper, R. G., The New Product Process: A Decision Guide for 

Management. Journal of Marketing Management 2:238-255, 1988.

IPCC, 2014 Myhre, G., D. Shindell, F.-M. Bréon, W. Collins, J. Fuglestvedt, J. Huang, D. 

Koch, J.-F. Lamarque, D. Lee, B. Mendoza, T. Nakajima, A. Robock, G. 

Stephens, T. Takemura and H. Zhang, 2013. Anthropogenic and Natural 

Radiative Forcing. In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. 

Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. 

Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and 

P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom 

and New York, NY, USA

ISO 817:2014 ISO 817: 2014. Refrigerants — Designation and safety classification. 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

UNEP, 2014 UNEP Nairobi, Ozone Secretariat, 2015. 2014 Report of the Refrigeration, Air 

Conditioning and Heat Pumps Technical Option Committee, 2014 Assessment. 

ISBN: 978-9966-076-09-0.

WMO, 2014 Assessment for Decision-makers, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 

2014. WMO Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project - Report No. 56, 

published online September 2014, in print January 2015, ISBN 978-9966-076-00-

7.

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 23

4 Present status of alternatives for ODS in refrigeration, air 

conditioning and heat pumps applications 

Since the finalization of the XXV/5 Task Force report in October 2014 and the completion of this 

XXVI/9 Task Force report, the options for replacing ODS and high-GWP refrigerants have not 

changed. However, new information of these existing options have been obtained through

collaboration with Parties and assessments of several additional reports and publications: the 2014 

RTOC Assessment report completed the beginning of 2015, several reports from workshops and 

conferences, and the documents from the “2015 Workshop on Management of Hydrofluorocarbons 

(HFCs)”3. 

In summary, in the period available for the development of this report the following updates can be 

highlighted:

 The testing activities of the unsaturated HFCs (HFOs) and blends containing these compounds 

continue to be carried out in many companies, independent laboratories, and systems 

manufacturers.

 Special tests programs are being performed with the focus on high ambient conditions (this is 

described in details in Chapter 7).

 Some refrigerants have now been assigned a refrigerant number and their composition now 

publicly disclosed (described in Chapter 3). 

 New information regarding the main refrigerants applications is presented in Table 4-1 below 

(updated from Table 3-1 in the XXV-5 Task Force report) at the end of this chapter.

 Regarding the R/AC applications, the main points to be taken into account are:

–Domestic refrigeration: no new ODS alternatives emerged. It is predicted that, by 2020, 75% 

of new production will use HC-600a;

–Commercial refrigeration: no new ODS alternatives emerged; hydrocarbons are being used 

in condensing units for smaller capacities; in supermarket refrigeration systems there is a 

confirmation of the strong growth of CO2 systems, and information of the starting of 

implementation of trans-critical systems in warmer countries using ejector technology; 

information is available that CO2 systems costs are decreasing. More information about 

comparison of cascade systems (the preferred option for these countries) and trans-critical 

systems with the new developments is expected to come forward in the coming years; 

distributed systems are gaining market share.

–Transport refrigeration: blends containing unsaturated HFCs are considered to play a role 

for retrofitting and new systems, and non-conventional eutectic system are becoming more 

applied 

–Air conditioners: split systems using HFC-32 are being commercialized in Japan and many 

countries; there is a wide range of blends containing unsaturated HFCs being proposed. 

Split units using HC-290 have been available in Europe and Australia and are in 

production in India. In China, HCFC-22 equipment production capacity is being converted 

to HC-290. HFC-161 is being tested. 

–MAC: industry is now reporting more testing data on R-445A.

 

3 The “Workshop on Management of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)” was convened in accordance with decision XXVI/9 and

it was held in Bangkok, 20 and 21 April 2015. The workshop included issues in relation to HFC management, incorporating 

a focus on high-ambient temperature and safety requirements, as well as energy efficiency. The workshop involved wide 

participation of technical experts and industries as overview speakers, panellists. The sessions included all the relevant 

market and industry sectors and sub-sectors and all regions with a specific focus on high-ambient temperature conditions, 

where relevant. Fact sheets were developed for the refrigeration and air conditioning applications and were presented and 

discussed in the workshop. The panellists have been drawn from the “technology providers” and “implementers of 

technologies” groups from around the world, from both non-Article 5 and Article 5 countries.
24 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

The following sections briefly describe, for each R/AC sub-sector, a synthesis of the present status of 

the alternatives for ODS.

4. 1 Domestic appliances 

Globally, new refrigerator production conversion from the use of ODS was essentially completed by 

2008. HC-600a or HFC-134a continue to be the main choice of refrigerant for new production. No 

other new refrigerant has matured to become an energy-efficient and cost-competitive alternative. 

Refrigerant migration from HFC-134a to HC-600a is expected to continue, driven either by local 

regulations on HFCs or by the desire for reduced global warming impact from potential emissions. 

Excluding any influence from regulatory interventions, it is still projected that by 2020 about 75% of 

new refrigerator production will use HC-600a (possibly with a small share by unsaturated HFC 

refrigerants - HFOs) and the rest will use HFC-134a. HC-600a refrigerators have proved to be a 

reliable and highly efficient option; flammability issues have been fully addressed. More than 500 

million domestic refrigerators using HCs are already operating globally. Certain countries including 

the US are still using HFC-134a, however, the US market includes products applying HC-600a, and 

recent regulations allow products applying HC-290. 

4. 2 Commercial refrigeration

On a global basis, HCFC-22 continues to represent a large refrigerant bank in commercial 

refrigeration, and the most widely used HFC is R-404A. Both refrigerants are used at all temperature 

levels. Over the last decade, HCs --for stand-alone low refrigerant charge systems-- and R-744 (CO2) 

--for supermarkets-- have taken significant market share, especially in Europe. In parallel, progress 

has been made to improve energy efficiency and leak tightness especially for centralized systems. 

Commercial refrigeration sub-sector is constituted by three groups of equipment that are discussed 

below.

Stand-alone Equipment: This equipment that is technically comparable to domestic refrigerators, but 

with refrigerant charge often larger than in domestic refrigeration. For this type of equipment, HFC134a and R-404A can be expected to be phased-out progressively in developed countries. Lower 

GWP HFC (HFOs) and HFC blends, hydrocarbons such as HC-290, and R-744 are replacing R-404A 

and HFC-134a in new stand-alone equipment, and some plug-in units such as bottle coolers and 

vending machines are using R-744. Minimum energy standards that have been issued or updated in 

many countries have to be considered in the equipment design for alternative refrigerants

Condensing Units: For new systems, R-404A is still the leading choice, and intermediate blends such 

as R-407A or R-407F are proposed as immediate options to replace this refrigerant. Global 

companies are now offering hydrocarbon condensing units for smaller capacities. One can also 

expect lower GWP HFC and HFC blends and R-744 to grow in acceptance in this application in the 

future. R-744 is a non-flammable option, where it should be mentioned that capital costs for small 

condensing units using R-744 are currently quite high.

Supermarket systems: In Article 5 Parties, HCFC-22 is still the dominant refrigerant used in 

centralised systems. In Europe, new systems have been mainly charged with R-404A; R-744 is now 

taking a significant market share with improved energy efficiency. Several thousand supermarkets are 

already using R-744 systems, in both transcritical and cascade configurations. A two-stage system is 

an option well known from industrial refrigeration. For supermarkets at low to medium ambient 

temperatures, the so-called “booster system” has been designed to use R-744 at the low and the 

medium temperature levels. For supermarkets at medium to high ambient temperatures, the cascade 

system is preferred with R-744 at the low temperature level and R-744 or HFC-134a at the medium 

temperature level. The efficiency of transcritical systems is very high in cool ambient conditions and 

new developments allow efficient operation in warmer ambient conditions. In high ambient 

conditions it is more efficient to use a cascade system. Capital costs were originally higher than those 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 25

of HFC systems but are decreasing. R-744 systems require enhancements to achieve competitive 

seasonal efficiency in hot climates.

For centralized systems, considering the amount of refrigerant charge, flammable or toxic refrigerants 

are not an option inside the supermarket , but small plug-in HC-290 units cooled by a water circuit 

are used in some types of supermarkets. Non-flammable lower GWP HFCs can be an option for 

centralized systems.

Distributed systems are also quite common, gaining market share with improved energy efficiency, 

lower charge levels and lower emission rates. Indirect systems are also popular in order to limit the 

refrigerant content by more than 50% and to drastically lower refrigerant emission levels. Flammable 

refrigerants such as HC-290 or ammonia can be used together with a secondary fluid system (such as 

glycol or pumped R-744. Development trends for ammonia are leading to use of compact heat 

exchangers, semi-hermetic compressors and systems with a very low charge.

For developing countries, the important issue remains the replacement of HCFC-22, either for retrofit 

or for new installations. Blends such as R-407A or R-407F as well as lower GWP HFC and HFC 

blends constitute options offering a significantly lower GWP than R-404A or R-507A. These 

alternatives often save energy, however, there are also cases know where the efficiency went down.

Moderate and low-GWP HFCs, HFC/unsaturated HFCs (HFOs) blends and unsaturated HFCs 

(HFOs) have been recently introduced, but commercial experience is limited.

4. 3 Industrial systems

The majority of large industrial systems use R-717 as the refrigerant. When R-717 is not acceptable 

in direct systems, options include R-744 or glycol in secondary systems or HCFCs or HFCs in direct 

systems. In countries where R-717 has not been the preferred solution, or in market segments with 

smaller systems, the transition from HCFC-22 is not straightforward. It requires acceptance of higher 

cost fluorocarbons in systems similar to the types used with HCFC-22 or the adoption of more 

expensive systems with cheaper refrigerants R-717 or R-744. HFC-1234ze(E) has been demonstrated 

in large district heating systems (in chillers) as a possible replacement for HFC-134a.

4. 4 Transport refrigeration

For new systems, hydrocarbons offer high energy efficiency, but the safety risks in transport 

refrigeration applications appear significant and must be mitigated. Evaluation of the safety of HCs in 

transport refrigeration is underway and market introduction could occur by around 2018. On the other 

hand, R-744 has been field-tested since 2011. Its non-flammable characteristics make R-744 

attractive, but the gap in efficiency at high ambient temperatures and the limited component supply 

base are limiting market penetration. 

HFC blends are likely to play a role as a replacement to R-404A: their GWP is significantly lower 

than R-404A and performances are relatively close. Candidates include but are not limited to R407A, R-407F, R-448A, R-449A, R-450A, and R-452A.

One also sees “non-conventional” solutions such as open loop systems or eutectic systems. 

4. 5 Air-to-air air conditioners and heat pumps

R-410A is the dominant alternative to HCFC-22 in air-conditioners and is being used in 

manufacturing in most non-Article 5 and several Article 5 Parties. 

A wide range of different low-GWP alternatives are described in the RTOC 2014 Assessment Report. 

Some of these are already becoming commercially established in certain countries, while others are in 

an earlier stage of development. There is currently less availability of lower GWP alternatives in 
26 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Article 5 Parties, although this is likely to change significantly during the next few years as 

technologies used in non-Article 5 Parties are made more widely available.

Except for R-744, all of the medium and low GWP alternatives are flammable and should be applied 

in accordance with appropriate regulations and/or safety standards (under continuous development), 

considering refrigerant charge amount, risk measures and other special construction requirements. 

Some safety standards limit the system charge quantity of any refrigerant within occupied spaces.

HC-290 and HC-1270 are mainly considered for systems with smaller charge sizes, whilst the 

operating pressures and capacities are similar to HCFC-22 and the efficiency is higher than HCFC22. Split air conditioning systems using HC-290 have been available in Europe and Australia, are in 

production in India and HCFC-22 equipment production capacity is being converted to HC-290 in 

China (however, with limited output at present). R-744 is considered to have limited applicability for 

air conditioning appliances in Article 5 Parties, due to the reduced efficiency when the ambient 

temperature approaches or exceeds about 30°C. There is continuing research on cycle enhancements 

and circuit components, which can help improve the energy efficiency under such conditions, 

although they will impact system costs. 

HFC-161 is currently under evaluation for systems with smaller charge sizes only, due to its 

flammability. The operating pressure and capacity is similar to HCFC-22 and the efficiency is at least 

as high as HCFC-22, although there is concern in relation to its stability. 

HFC-32 is currently on the market for various types of air conditioners and has recently been applied 

in split units in several countries and some OEMs are also considering it for other types of systems. 

The operating pressure and capacity are similar to R-410A and its efficiency is similar or better than 

that of R-410A. 

There are various proprietary mixtures targeted for air conditioning applications, which comprise, 

amongst others, HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFC-152a, HFC-161, HFC-1234yf, HFC-1234ze, 

HC-600a, HC-600, H-1270 and HC-290. Some mixtures have been assigned R-numbers, such as R444B, R-446A and R-447A, whilst most are still under development. These mixtures tend to have 

operating pressures and capacities similar to HCFC-22 or R-410A, with GWPs ranging from 150 to 

around 1000 and flammability class 1 (for higher GWPs) and class 2L (medium GWPs). Currently, 

most of these mixtures are not commercially available on a broad scale and adequate technical data is 

not yet in the public domain. Other low-GWP single component HFCs, such as HFC-1234yf and 

HFC-152a, are unlikely to be used extensively as a replacement for HCFC-22 in air conditioners 

principally because of their low volumetric refrigerating capacity.

4. 6 Water heating heat pumps

Refrigerants used are R-410A, HFC-134a, R-407C, HC-290, HC-600a, R-717 and R-744. The 

majority of new equipment uses R-410A. In some Article 5 Parties, HCFC-22 is being used due to its 

favourable thermodynamic properties and high efficiency. There are no technical barriers in replacing 

HCFC-22 by a non-ODS. The technical and process changes related to pressure, lubrication and 

contamination control are well known. Replacements are commercially available, technically proven 

and energy efficient. All replacements have a similar or lower environmental impact. R-410A has a 

slightly higher GWP but the required charge is less than HCFC-22. Replacements such as HFC-32 

and other low-GWP HFC blends are under way to become commercially available. 

HFC-134a, R-744 and HFC blends R-407C, R-417A and R-410A are commercially available 

solutions R-410A is most cost effective for small and medium size systems, while for large systems 

HFC-134a is most efficient. R-407C and R-417A are the easiest alternatives for HCFC-22 from a 

design point of view, but cannot compete with the other HFC-solutions.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 27

4. 7 Chillers

The refrigerants that were used in the transition from ODS refrigerants generally were HFCs with 

GWPs that are sufficiently high to cause environmental concerns, so a second transition has begun. 

Major efforts have been launched to propose and test new, lower GWP refrigerants. A number of 

candidates have been proposed and are in the early stages of testing as possible replacements for 

higher-GWP HFCs.

The new candidates generally are unsaturated HFCs or blends, which may contain HFCs, HCs, and/or 

unsaturated HFCs. Options for new equipment include: R-717, R-744, HC-290, HC-1270, HFC1234ze(E), HCFC-1233zd(E), HFC-1336mzz(Z), HFC-32, R-444B, R-446A, R-447A, and R-450A.

District cooling: district cooling could provide a high efficiency solution that would avoid the 

installation of multiple pieces of small equipment, addressing some of the difficulties described 

above. Whilst it was agreed that such systems may be applicable under certain circumstances (e.g. 

when a major property development was being planned) it is not likely to be a solution for structures 

where already a majority of small systems have been installed. It is also being pointed out that district 

cooling may not be applicable in regions with a water shortage.

4. 8 Vehicle air conditioning

Currently, all modern MAC systems in cars and other small vehicles use HFC-134a as the refrigerant. 

In recent years there has been a significant activity in the area of development of new low-GWP

refrigerants (<150) as alternatives to HFC-134a. This was stimulated by the 2006 EU MAC Directive 

that bans the use of refrigerants with a GWP above 150, and by the US EPA (credit for reducing 

refrigerant-related GHG emissions).

The increasingly rapid evolution of hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles with reversible air 

conditioning and heat pump cycles, which use semi hermetic electrically driven compressors 

introduces new challenges for any new alternative refrigerant.

At present, no regulations exists that control the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases as refrigerants 

for MAC systems in buses and trains. It is likely that the choice of refrigerant of passenger car air 

conditioning systems, as well as developments in the stationary heat pump market, will influence the 

choice of refrigerant for air conditioning systems in buses and trains.

It looks likely that more than one refrigerant will be used in the coming years for car and light truck 

air conditioning: HFC-134a will remain largely adopted worldwide, HFC-1234yf will continue 

expanding in new model cars. At the end of 2014, three million cars were assumed to be on the road 

using HFC-1234yf. R-744 is expected to be implemented in some regions on a commercial scale by 

2017. For large MAC systems using R-744 as an alternate refrigerant, ejector systems should be used 

to enhance the performance of the system at high ambient temperatures.

All options have GWPs below the 150 threshold and can achieve fuel efficiencies comparable to 

modern HFC-134a systems. Currently it cannot be forecast whether or not all these refrigerants will 

see parallel use in the market for a long period of time. It is also unclear whether the bus and train 

sector will follow these trends.

Due to patent issues, HFC-1234yf is only manufactured by two refrigerant companies. The current 

cost of this refrigerant is 15 to 20 times that of HFC-134a. A few OEMs and suppliers have 

investigated hydrocarbons (HC-290, HC-600a) for direct expansion and HFC-152a in a secondary 

loop. These can provide good thermal performance, but car manufacturers are reluctant to consider 

them due to flammability concerns.
28 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

A few other new refrigerant mixtures for MAC have been developed (e.g. R-445A, GWP=120).

Some OEMs and suppliers have conducted extensive testing with R-445A for performance, material 

compatibility, flammability and risk assessment. However, these systems have not yet been 

commercialized. For electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles heat pump systems are needed for 

passenger heating - both R-744 and R-445A have shown good performance in heat pump mode. 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 29

Table 4-1: Status of the various refrigerants in R/AC sub-sectors

GWP 0 <1 <1 1 1 2 1 – 5 4 4 8 9 120 290 300 460

R-717 HFC-1234yf HFC1234ze(E)R-744 HCFC1233zd(E)

HFC1336mzz(Z)HC-290, HC1270

HC-600a HFC-161 R-444A R-445A “L-40” R-444B R-446A

Domestic 

refrigeration F C

Commercial 

refrigeration

— Stand alone 

equipment L F C C C F F F

— Condensing 

units F L L F F F F

— Centralised 

systems

L F C L F F F

Transport 

refrigeration F C C F F F

Large size 

refrigeration C F C L F F F

Air conds and 

heat pumps

— Small self 

contained F L C F F F

— Mini-split 

(non-ducted) L C F F L

— Multi-split

L F L

— Split 

(ducted) F F F F

— Ducted 

split comm. & 

non-split

F L F F

— Hot water 

heating HPs C F F C C C F F F

— Space 

heating HPs C F F L C L F F F

Chillers

— Positive 

displacement C L L C C F F L

— Centrifugal

L L L F L

Mobile air 

conditioning

— Cars

C F F F F F

— Public 

transport

L F F F
30 September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report

GWP 490 550 570 570 677 1300 1300 1370 1600 1820 1900 1900 2100 3900

“DR-5” R-450A R-447A R-513A HFC-32 R-448A R-449A HFC-134a R-407C R-407F R-452A R-410A R-407A R-404A

Domestic 

refrigeration F F C

Commercial 

refrigeration

— Stand alone 

equipment F F F F F L F C F F F F C

— Condensing 

units F F F F F L F C F F F F C

— Centralised 

systems

F F F L F L F C F C F C C

Transport 

refrigeration F F F F F F F C F F F C F C

Large size 

refrigeration F F F F F F F F C C C C C

Air conds and 

heat pumps

— Small self 

contained F F F F L F F C C F C F F

— Mini-split 

(non-ducted) F F L F C F F F C F C F F

— Multi-split

F F L F L F F F C F C F F

— Split 

(ducted) F F F F L F F F C F C F F

— Ducted split 

comm. & nonsplit

F F F F L F F C C F C F F

— Hot water 

heating HPs F F F F L F F C C F C F F

— Space 

heating HPs F F F F L F F C C F C F C

Chillers

— Positive 

displacement F L L L L F F C C F C F C

— Centrifugal

C

Mobile air 

conditioning

— Cars

F F C

— Public 

transport

F F C C C

Note: C = Current use on a commercial scale. L = Limited use such as for demonstration trials, niche applications etc. F = Use is potentially feasible, based on fluid characteristics
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 31

5 BAU and MIT scenarios for Article 5 and non-Article 5 

Parties

5. 1 Overview of updates

 In accordance with Decision XXVI/9, a report has been made available to the 

meeting of the 36th OEWG, and an update report will be submitted to the TwentySeventh Meeting of the Parties, that addresses the information requested by Parties in 

that decision.

 Considerations for the updates have been submitted in writing and were discussed 

with Parties during an informal discussion session at OEWG-36, Wednesday 

lunchtime. TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force members discussed with interested Parties the 

feasibility of potential updates considering both the update requested within the 

scope of Decision XXVI/9 as well as the timeline for completing the updated report 

in early September to meet the deadline for submission of documents to the 27th 

MOP. At the OEWG-36, considerations for updates to the TEAP Decision XXVI/9 

Task Force Final Report (May 2015) were submitted in writing to the OEWG-36 

plenary meeting and are part of the meeting report of OEWG-36. The considerations 

for the updated report are summarized in Annex 1.

 This chapter 5 update to the TEAP Decision XXVI/9 Task Force Final Report 

incorporates changes to address the following topics related to scenarios:

 More precise HFC production data for Article 5 and non-Article 5 Parties, to be 

available to cross-check R/AC calculations up to the years 2014-15;

 A much better explanation of all assumptions used for the scenario calculations. 

Furthermore, a clear definition of which low GWP value is to be used in 

scenarios (if a GWP around 300, then a good analysis why 300 would be the best 

average);

 Investigation whether it would be feasible to expand scenarios to the year 2050; 

and

 Consideration of which specific sector transitions would need to be considered 

critical in R/AC in order for HFC reductions to be achieved.

This chapter is organized as follows:

5.1 Overview of updates 

5.2 Revision of scenarios

5.3 Method used for calculation

5.4 HFC consumption and production data

5.5 Non-Article 5 scenarios

5.6 Article 5 scenarios

5. 2 Revision of scenarios

In the XXV/5 Task Force report, BAU scenarios were developed for R/AC and foams for 

non-Article 5 and Article countries. The HFC consumption (demand) for R/AC was 

estimated to be 5 times larger than for foams in the year 2010, and using a simple 

extrapolation to 2030, it is expected that, by 2030, R/AC increases exponentially to 95% of 

the total demand for R/AC and foams.

Mitigation measures were investigated in MIT-1 and MIT-2 scenarios in the XXV/5 Task 

Force report. Bans on the use of certain high-GWP chemicals were assumed to enter into 

force in new manufacturing as of 2020. 
32 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

 In non-Article 5 Parties, the MIT-1 scenario predicts a moderate growth to the year 

2030, the MIT-2 scenario a decrease of 40% from 2015 to 2030 in the R/AC sector.

 For Article 5 Parties, the MIT-2 scenario predicts a reduction of about 70%, from 

2400 to 800-1000 Mt CO2-eq. for the same period 2015-2030.

Decision XXVI/9 asks to revise the scenarios in paragraph 1 (c): “Taking into account the 

uptake of various existing technologies, revise the scenarios for current and future demand 

elaborated in the October 2014 final report on additional information on alternatives to 

ozone-depleting substances of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel’s task force 

on decision XXV/5, and improve information related to costs and benefits with regard to the 

criteria set out in paragraph 1 (a) of the present decision, including reference to progress 

identified under stage I and stage II of HCFC phase-out management plans”.

The Task Force is unaware of significant technical uptake that would require a complete 

revision of the previous mitigation scenarios. The mitigation scenarios in the XXV/5 Task 

Force report have already assumed a phase-out date of 2020 for the use of high-GWP

substances in the manufacturing for most R/AC sub-sectors, which date is challenging. One 

option to consider would be a slower phase-in of the manufacturing conversions according to 

feasibility. 

The Task Force has not been able to change the BAU scenarios for the foams sector in both 

non-Article 5 and Article 5 Parties.

The following scenarios have been calculated, which apply to the R/AC sector only.

a. A BAU scenario: In Article 5 Parties, small downward adjustments were made based 

on recent (economic) growth percentages expected for the period 2015-2030, in 

particular related to future growth in larger Article 5 Parties. The change in 

assumptions had major consequences for the HFC demand in the commercial 

refrigeration and stationary AC sector. 

b. An MIT-3 scenario: This is the same as the MIT-2 scenario described in the XXV/5 

report, but with an adjustment of the average GWP for certain replacement 

refrigerants of 300 for both the commercial refrigeration and the stationary AC 

sectors.

c. An MIT-4 scenario: This is the same as the MIT-3 scenario, but with the assumption 

of 2025 for the start of the manufacturing conversion for stationary AC in Article 5 

Parties.

d. An MIT-5 scenario: This is the same as the MIT-3 scenario, but with the assumption 

of a 2025 completion of conversion in non-Article 5 Parties of all R/AC sub-sectors 

and the start of the manufacturing conversion of all R/AC sub-sectors in 2025 in 

Article 5 Parties.

The MIT scenarios described in the XXV/5 Task Force report assumed that bans for certain 

refrigerants in R/AC sub-sectors would have immediate effect in 2020, but this is not realistic 

at all. Therefore in this XXVI/9 report, manufacturing conversion periods have been built in 

of 3 years for non-Article 5 Parties before a ban on certain refrigerants would become 

effective, and 6 years for Article 5 Parties after a control on a refrigerant would become 

effective. Next to the assumption of 6 years, the length of the manufacturing conversion 

period has been varied to study the impact on the demand scenario in CO2-eq. terms.

For Article 5 Parties, manufacturing conversion projects would need preparation to be 

funded; it would also cost a certain period before conversion projects would have been 

approved by a funding authority. Finally, experience with CFCs and HCFCs has shown that, 

the slower the conversion of manufacturing, the longer the servicing tail will be, i.e., the 

longer servicing of equipment will be required. 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 33

In this chapter the scenarios will be given in the following sequence. First the BAU scenario 

for non-Article 5 Parties will be dealt with, which will be analysed in tonnes and ktonnes 

CO2-eq. This is then followed by the MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios for non-Article 5 Parties; 

new manufacturing and servicing analysis is only done in ktonnes CO2-eq. (not in tonnes). As 

a next step the Article 5 scenarios are given. Again, first the BAU scenario for Article 5 

Parties will be dealt with, which will be analysed in tonnes and ktonnes CO2-eq. This is then 

followed by the MIT-3, MIT-4 and MIT-5 scenarios for Article 5 Parties; new manufacturing 

and servicing analysis is done in tonnes and in ktonnes CO2-eq. 

5.3 Method used for calculation

As requested by parties in comments to the Decision XXVI/9 report, additional information 

on the method used for calculation is provided in this updated report as below.

A “bottom-up” method has been used to predict the demand for R/AC equipment. The RTOC 

2010 Assessment Report (RTOC, 2010) describes the bottom-up method used here. A bottom 

up method derives the size of banks from information obtained from outside (accountancy 

reports on trade and exports, if possible, supplemented with a trend analysis). The banks 

serve to calculate emissions using agreed emission parameters. As a result, the demand (or 

“consumption”) can be calculated, which consists of (1) what is supplied to the existing 

banks (i.e., to compensate for leakage), and (2) what is added to the bank (i.e., in new 

equipment that has been charged). In a spreadsheet analysis, this can be seen as one stream of 

refrigerant into a bank with equipment that has been manufactured over a number of years. In 

summary, the refrigerant demand or the annual sales of new or virgin refrigerant are equal to 

the amount of refrigerant introduced into the refrigeration and AC sector in a country (or 

region) in a given year. It includes all the chemicals used for charging or recharging

equipment, whether the charging is carried out in the factory, in the field after installation, or 

whether it concerns recharging with the appropriate equipment during maintenance 

operations.

In this type of “bottom-up” approach, one therefore evaluates the consumption of a certain 

refrigerant based on the numbers of equipment in which the fluid is charged, e.g. 

refrigerators, stationary air-conditioning equipment, and so on. It requires the establishment 

of an inventory of the numbers of equipment charged with substances (which then forms the 

total inventory, or the “bank”), and the knowledge related to their average lifetime, their 

emission rates, recycling, disposal, and other parameters. The annual emissions are estimated 

as functions of all these parameters during the equipment lifetime. 

The refrigeration and air-conditioning sectors are disaggregated in six sub-sectors in this 

report. However, due to the diversity of equipment that can be found within the same sector, 

a more disaggregated level is needed in order to calculate the emission factors and the 

activity data, such as equipment lifetime, average charge, and refrigerant type. For example, 

if one considers the commercial refrigeration sector, the emission factor varies widely 

between the different refrigerating systems that can be found within this sector: the emission 

factor for standalone equipment is in the range of 1% and, for large centralised systems, it 

can reach up to 30%. The mass-balance approach shows limitations especially when the 

recharge frequency is not on annual basis as for MAC systems: what enters for the servicing 

in a given year is not equivalent to what has been emitted. A delay of 5 to 8 years could be 

observed. In a mature market, where the average charge of the MAC system does not change 

and emission characteristics are also constant along time, this model could be applied since 

vehicle characteristics are identical, and the refrigerant stock does not change, which means 

that what is emitted 8 years ago is equal to what is emitted that year. This is not very realistic 
34 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

due to e.g. the leak tightness improvements observed in MAC systems since the introduction 

of HFC-134a.

Equations used for the emission-factor approach of the Tier 2 method are the basis of the 

general calculation method in the program used. Still, some particular issues might appear for 

each sub-sector, which would require specific input parameters and therefore some 

modifications to the main calculation algorithm. The method has been adapted to the subsectors based on the availability of the activity data and the emission factors. For example, 

for the commercial centralized systems, chillers, and industrial refrigeration, emission factors 

are established based on purchase invoices of refrigerants. The amount of refrigerant 

purchased includes the refrigerant used to replace the losses from leakages and the losses 

during the system servicing, and therefore both types of emissions are considered within the 

emission factor, which is then applied to the refrigerant bank. The same methodology is not 

possible for MAC or stationary air-conditioning systems. Sources of information of emission 

factors for sectors are often scarce; some studies provide numbers on the initial Leak Flow 

Rate (LFR) and others give numbers on the LFR of a fleet of vehicles from different 

vintages. 

The calculation method considers that the installed base in operation from the period 1975-

1990 will have gradually disappeared in the year 2000, so that estimates for the banks and 

emissions (from which the demand is calculated) after the year 2000 are based on the amount 

of equipment that was manufactured after 1990. In this way, choices for certain new 

refrigerants can be gradually introduced in the total demand (either expressed in tonnes or in 

CO2-eq.), consisting of both the new manufacturing (i.e., charging of new equipment) and the 

servicing demand.

The GWP for low GWP replacement refrigerants has been constructed as follows. In 

domestic refrigeration the use of isobutane is assumed with a very low GWP. In cases where 

the replacement refrigerant is known (ammonia, hydrocarbons) the very low GWP factors

have been used. In case of commercial refrigeration one can assume the use of carbon 

dioxide, pure low-GWP refrigerants or refrigerant blends in supermarkets, low GWP 

hydrocarbons in mass produced units, blends or carbon dioxide in condensing units (where 

an average GWP of 300 is used). For stationary AC as a whole, an average GWP of 300 has 

also been used. In MACs, replacement refrigerants are assumed to have negligible GWP. 

Table 5-1: Growth rates for high-GWP HFCs in the various R/AC sub-sectors during the 

periods 2010-2020 and 2020-2030 (a negative growth rate may still imply a positive growth 

in the number of equipment, but assumes that low-GWP alternatives are increasingly 

applied in a BAU scenario, and also in MIT scenarios until conversion starts in certain 

years) 

Period Sub-sector non-Article 5 Article 5

2010-2020 Domestic refrigeration -3.9% 5.8%

Industrial refrigeration 5.1% 1.8%

Transport refrigeration 0.9% 1.8%

Commercial refrigeration -4.4% 1.8%

Stationary AC 1.2% 1%

Mobile AC 0.54% 5%

2020-2030 Domestic refrigeration

3%

5.8%

Industrial refrigeration 3.7%

Transport refrigeration 4.5%

Commercial refrigeration 4.5%

Stationary AC 1%

Mobile AC 5%
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 35

Growth rates for equipment production have been changed compared to the rates used in the 

XXV/5 report. In this report, the growth rates apply as given in Table 5-1 above.

A number of considerations substantially complicate the calculations. This includes the 

preference to apply certain alternatives in specific equipment (and often under certain 

conditions), combined with the fact that the R/AC banks -the amounts present in the 

equipment- need recharging (i.e., servicing) over the entire lifetime of the equipment. Further 

details are given in Table 5-2.

In Table 5-2, the percentage ranges given for most sub-sectors are related to equipment in 

sub-sub-sectors, which are assumed to show different annual leakage percentages (e.g. in 

transport it would be refrigerated trucks, containers, other types of products, in stationary 

AC, one can separate between many types of equipment, each with specific leakage rates). 

Next to a description of the bottom-up method used, (RTOC, 2010) gives estimates for the 

uncertainties in banks, emissions and demand calculated. 

Table 5-2: Lifetime and leakage per year for equipment assumed in the various R/AC subsectors for non-Article 5 and Article 5 Parties. The lifetimes and percentages in the two 

groups of countries vary dependent on the specific country. 

Country Sub-sector Lifetime (year) Leakage/year

non-Article 5 Domestic refrigeration 15 1%

Industrial refrigeration 15-30 15%

Transport refrigeration 9-30 15-30%

Commercial refrigeration 15 15-30%

Stationary AC 10-25 2-10%

Mobile AC 15-16 10g/y for cars 

15% for other

Article 5 Domestic refrigeration 20 2%

Industrial refrigeration 15-30 15-30%

Transport refrigeration 9-30 15-30%

Commercial refrigeration 20 15-40%

Stationary AC 10-25 2-10%

Mobile AC 15-20 10g/y for cars 

10-20% for 

other

In Table 5-2, the percentage ranges given for most sub-sectors are related to the equipment in 

sub-sub-sectors, which are assumed to show different annual leakage percentages (e.g. in 

transport it would be refrigerated trucks, containers etc.). Next to a description of the bottomup method used (RTOC, 2010) gives estimates for the uncertainties in banks, emissions and 

demand calculated. 

Depending on the application sector, uncertainties are different either because activity data 

include different uncertainties or because emission factors may vary significantly from one 

country to the other. (RTOC, 2010) describes a simple approach that gives a quality index 

expressed in percentages. For activity data the market, the refrigerant charge and the 

equipment lifetime are the main elements that define the data quality. For emission factors, 

fugitive emissions and recovery efficiency at end of life are the two key parameters. 

Uncertainties on input parameters are based on expert judgements of the different sectors. 

These values are given in Table 5-3. 
36 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Table 5-3: Uncertainties on input parameters for the various R/AC sub-sectors

Uncertainties on input MAC Stat AC Industrial Transport Commerc. Domestic

Equipment market (a) 2.50% 2.50% 10% 12.50% 7.50% 2.50%

Equipment lifetime (b) 7.50% 2.50% 7.50% 2.50% 7.50% 12.50%

Equipment aver. charge (c) 2.50% 12.50% 10% 7.50% 7.50% 2.50%

Emission rate (d) 10.00% 7.50% 10% 7.50% 10% 12.50%

Recovery efficiency (e) 10.00% 7.50% 12.50% 7.50% 12.50% 2.50%

Uncertainties in banks are estimated at 12.5-22.5%, uncertainties in emissions 12.8-37%, 

specific numbers are dependent on the sub-sector. For the total R/AC sector, the uncertainty 

range in the demand calculated is estimated at -10/+30%.

The calculation method goes from 1990 until 2030, since it is thought that calculations into a 

further future would not make much sense, since many unknown variables regarding type of 

equipment, charge and leakage will determine the demand, emissions and banks calculated. 

For the scenario calculations reported here, expansion until 2040 or 2050 would certainly be 

useful to see the long term trends, in particular if conversion processes take a long time. It 

has therefore been investigated how much work it would cost to adapt the calculation 

method; this would cost more than 3 weeks and the time and budget required for this 

information (for this XXVI/9 update report) were simply not available. 

Estimates should be cross-checked with reported HFC consumption and production data, 

specified per refrigerant (or refrigerant blend). However, for non-Article 5 Parties, annual 

emissions and demand reporting via UNFCCC is not very reliable, and for Article 5 Parties, 

it is not available on an annual basis, if at all. The following section provides some more 

detail.

5.4 HFC consumption and production data

If not used for emissive applications, HFCs produced are built up in installed equipment and 

products and are used for re-charging during maintenance. In reality, the HFC “bank” is 

growing in equipment, where each type of equipment has a specific lifetime and is 

characterised by a certain leakage rate. It is thus very difficult to equate emission data with 

production. However, estimates for global 2012 and 2015 HFC production can be made by 

combining UNFCCC data, manufacturer’s estimates for production capacity as well as global 

emission data. This is given below. 

Data on HFC emissions are reported annually by developed countries, the Annex I Parties 

under the UNFCCC Kyoto Protocol; these emission data are estimated (calculated) by 

national agencies. HFC consumption and production data are also reported to the UNFCCC. 

Even when certain consumption and production data are missing (i.e., data not reported by 

some countries, or reported as HFCs in general), a reasonable estimate for the production of 

most HFCs in the Annex I Parties can be made.

However, HFC production data are not reported by developing countries, i.e., the non-Annex 

I Parties under UNFCCC (apart from perhaps some information in national communications). 

Zhang and Wang (2014) published a paper, which gave data for the production of 8 HFCs in 

China for the period 2005-2009; production shows an increase by a factor four from 50 Mt 

CO2-eq. in 2005 to more than 200 Mt CO2-eq. in 2009. Data were collected from industrial 

surveys, supplemented with data from other sources. Production for 2009 was given for HFC125 (18 ktonnes), HFC-134a (60 ktonnes), HFC-143a (5 ktonnes) and HFC-32 (17 ktonnes). 

It is not clear what the uncertainty in these values is. However, extrapolation towards 2014-

2015 is too difficult from the data as given by Zhang and Wang (2014).
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 37

Estimates for HFC production in the developing countries are often made by developed 

country chemical manufacturers (Kuijpers, 2015). Based on global consumption calculations, 

estimates for HFC production were also made by McCulloch (2015). Furthermore, global 

emissions data for several HFCs are available from certain literature sources, e.g. from 

Montzka (2015). Recently, Chinese HFC (and HCFC) production data up to the year 2013 

were reported by Kaixiang (2015). Further HFC production estimates from Chinese 

manufacturers were also obtained through May-July 2015 (Kuijpers, 2015). 

This report gives estimates for HFC production of the four main HFCs in Table 5-4 below 

(based on the 2012 UNFCCC data and a large number of estimates for the production in 

Article 5 Parties, i.e., mainly China). These HFCs are the ones used in the R/AC sector. It 

shows a total production of about 475 ktonnes, forecast for the year 2015 for these four main 

HFCs (about 910 Mt CO2-eq., if calculated in climate terms). The global production capacity 

for these HFCs is estimated much higher, at a level of 750 ktonnes (Campbell, 2015). 

It needs to be emphasised that the global HFC production (for the four main HFCs) 

determined in this way is estimated to have a ± 10% uncertainty for the separate HFC 

chemicals. These production data are reasonably reliable global estimates and can be used in 

order to check the demand data determined via the bottom-up method used, which are given 

in the sections below for the R/AC sector. It would then apply to the following HFCs (used in 

the R/AC sector): HFC-32, -125, -134a and -143a.

Table 5-4: Estimates for global HFC production (for HFC-32, -125, -134a and -143a)

Gg 

(ktonnes) 

for HFCs

(per year)

(Montzka, 

2015)

Emissions 

year 2012

UNFCCC

based 

estimate for

non-A5 prod. 

(2012)

Estimate for 

non-A5 

production 

(for 2015)

Estimate 

from various 

sources A5 

production 

(for 2015)

Estimate 

global 

production 

year 2015 (*)

HFC-32 16 (21**) ≈ 22 23 71 94

HFC-125 41 < 30 31.5 98.5 130

HFC-134a 173 < 100 97 126 223

HFC-143a 21 <10 11 17 28

Note: (*) Global production is equal to non-Article 5 plus Article 5 country (China, minor other) production 

Note: (**) Estimate from Rigby (2013) 

The production amount of HFC-32 is assumed to be rapidly growing, mainly due to 

production in Article 5 Parties. The same would apply to HFC-125. HFC-143a production is 

assumed to be 28 ktonnes in 2015, and cannot be much larger due to the few facilities 

producing that have been investigated. The HFC-134a amount produced is in the order of 

220-230 ktonnes (223 ktonnes determined above), this may be slightly underestimated, 

amounts could be in the order of 240-250 ktonnes in the period 2015-2017.

The bottom-up method, of which the numerical results are reported below gives a global 

result of about 28 ktonnes for HFC-143a, which seems to be consistent. Values for HFC-134a 

estimated in the R/AC sector are in the order of 170-180 ktonnes, which would be consistent 

with total estimates for R/AC and other (non R/AC) HFC-134a uses. The production quantity 

of HFC-32 and HFC-125 together would be in the order of 225 ktonnes in 2015. The bottom 

up method calculates 250-260 ktonnes for the year 2015, which seems to be too high. This 

may be due to particular assumptions for the use of R-410A for stationary AC in the bottomup method, specifically for the rapid conversion from HCFC-22 in 2008-2010. Production 

might also be slightly underestimated. Differences may be small, however, this needs further 

investigation, which could not be done with the current calculation procedure and within the 

timeframe that applied for the Update XXVI/9 Task Force report. For the time being, the best 
38 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

procedure is to analyse the stationary AC sector for the various MIT scenarios on its own 

merits. Some adjustments downward in future calculations are not expected to change the 

conclusions for this sub-sector.

5. 5 Non-Article 5 scenarios

5.5.1 BAU scenario 

In the figures below the results of the BAU scenario calculations are shown:

 Non-Article 5 BAU scenario with subdivision for refrigerants.

 Non-Article 5 BAU scenario with subdivision for the various R/AC sub-sectors.

 

 

Figure 5-1: Non-Article 5 BAU scenario with subdivision for the various refrigerants or 

refrigerant blends

Figure 5-1 shows the current and projected future non-Article 5 refrigerant BAU demand, 

with a subdivision for the commonly used high-GWP refrigerants and low-GWP refrigerants. 

The demand is given in tonnes and in GWP weighted terms (in CO2-eq.). Low-GWP

refrigerants in the BAU scenario account for about 10% by weight by 2030, but have a very 

low GWP, since it mainly concerns ammonia, hydrocarbons and some carbon dioxide. Over 

the period 2010-2030, the importance of R-410A and R-407C for stationary AC becomes 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 39

quite dominant, with a 30% increase by weight, but a 50% increase over the 2015-2030 

period in GWP weighted tonnes. The calculation may be showing a somewhat high demand 

in 2015 (about 200 ktonnes) due to the increase assumed between 2010 and 2012 (i.e., HCFC 

conversions); also the demand of 380 Mt CO2-eq. for the year 2015 seems a bit high.

Figure 5-2: Non-Article 5 BAU scenario; subdivision for the various R/AC sub-sectors

Figure 5-2 shows the non-Article 5 refrigerant BAU demand, with a subdivision for the 

different R/AC sub-sectors (n.b., all graphs start in the year 1990). The demand is given in 

tonnes and in kt CO2-eq.). By 2030, stationary AC accounts for almost 70% of the GWP 

adjusted tonnage (even when using low growth percentages, as given in Table 5-1).
40 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Figure 5-3: New manufacturing and servicing parts of the non-Article 5 BAU scenario 

with a subdivision for the various R/AC sub-sectors

The above figures, in particular the one for the manufacturing demand needs some 

explanation. In the bottom-up calculation (which for BAU assumes no HFC measures, but 

has to include HCFC controls and assumptions on HCFC replacement in Non-Article 5 

Parties) the result of an assumption of certain change-overs from HCFCs to HFCs is assumed 

to be a given in the BAU scenario. Assumptions used for a rapid HCFC-22 transfer to, in

particular, R-410A in stationary AC, result in the profile as shown, i.e., a 30% increase in a 

period of 1-3 years, after which the usual BAU profile starts again. The assumption of the 

HFC (R-410A) increase (related to the HCFC -22 decrease) may be too high, but that is the 

main reason why, in these investigations, the estimated demand for stationary AC for 2015-

2030 may be high compared to the production capacity that has been realised up to 2015.

5.5.2 MIT-3 scenario 

This is an update on the MIT-2 scenario developed for the XXV/5 Report. The following 

figures are for the MIT-3 scenario, for non-Article 5 Parties, in the various R/AC sub-sectors.

This is the scenario where all sub-sectors are assumed to have converted by the year 2020. 

The total demand, the new manufacturing and the servicing demand are shown in Figs 5-4, 5-

5 and 5-6.

Figure 5-4: Total demand for the Non-Article 5 MIT-3 scenario with a subdivision for the 

various R/AC sub-sectors
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 41

In MIT-3, the conversion in all sub-sectors to replace high-GWP refrigerants with a variety of 

refrigerants with an average GWP of 300 is assumed to be complete by 2020. Manufacturing 

capacity is converted in equal portions per year during the period 2017-2020. 

Figure 5-4 shows the steep decrease in the years before 2020, after which the curve flattens 

due to continued servicing needs. Since some high-GWP equipment will have been 

manufactured until 2020, and has an average 12 year lifetime, supplies of high-GWP

refrigerants will continue to be required in decreasing amounts until about 2032.

During 2010-2015, stationary AC and commercial refrigeration demands are assumed to 

increase quickly (see above). With bans on new manufacturing as of 2020, high-GWP

refrigerants in these sector decrease, being replaced by low-GWP refrigerants which will 

account for 80% of total demand between 2020 and 2030. 

This is a large improvement in climate impact, although with GWP of 300, the large 

refrigerant volumes considered still have a certain climate impact (note: this is a change 

compared to the MIT-2 scenario in the XXV/5 Task Force report, where a GWP of 600 was 

chosen), the relative importance of these refrigerants is much lower in the GWP weighted 

graph. However, this demand still represents a small amount in climate weighted terms. 

In Figure 5-5, the new manufacturing demand for the R/AC sub-sectors for high-GWP

chemicals is given. 

By 2020, the demand for high-GWP refrigerants in new equipment manufacture falls to < 5% 

of the 2019 peak. 

Figure 5-5: Non-Article 5 MIT-3 scenario for new manufacturing demand for high-GWP

refrigerants in the various R/AC sub-sectors (assuming manufacturing conversion over a 

period of 3 years, 2017-2020).
42 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Figure 5-6: Non-Article 5 MIT-3 scenario with the servicing demand for the various subsectors (assuming manufacturing conversion over the period 2017-2020)

Figure 5-6 shows the volumes of high-GWP refrigerants that will be needed for servicing the 

installed equipment in the MIT-3 scenario. This varies between sectors (see table in section 

above) and decreases rapidly between 2020 and 2030.

For non-Article 5 Parties, the MIT-4 scenario has also been calculated, but is not presented 

here in graphs, due to a lack of real “insight giving” results with the conversion of stationary 

air conditioning by 2025. More interesting results can be found in the MIT-5 scenario for a 

conversion of all R/AC sub-sectors completed by 2025. 

5.5.3 MIT-5 scenario

This is the scenario where, for non-Article 5 Parties, all sub-sectors are assumed to have 

converted by the year 2025. The total demand, the new manufacturing and the servicing 

demand are shown in Figs 5-7, 5-8 and 5-9.

Figure 5-7: Non-Article 5 MIT-5 scenario by R/AC sub-sectors in kt CO2-eq. (compare 

Figure 5-4 for MIT-3)
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 43

Figure 5-7 includes both manufacturing and servicing, and is similar to Fig 5-5 for MIT-3. 

MIT-5 parameters are otherwise identical to MIT-2 (apart from the replacement refrigerants 

with a GWP of 300 that was assumed at 600 before, in the XXV/5 report). 

Figure 5-8 shows the same data for HFCs used in new manufacturing only. The sectors are 

calculated to decline to 30-40,000 ktonnes demand after 2025, mainly due to the remaining 

demand for certain low-GWP chemicals in the stationary AC sector. 

Figure 5-8: Non-Article 5 MIT-5 scenario for new manufacturing demand for the various 

R/AC sub-sectors in GWP weighted terms (compare Fig. 5-5 for MIT-3)

Figure 5-9: Non-Article 5 MIT-5 scenario with the servicing demand for the various subsectors in GWP weighted terms (compare Fig. 5-6 for MIT-3)

In 2020, demand for new manufacturing is at about 200 Mt CO2-eq, and demand for servicing 

is also at about 200 Mt CO2-eq, but by 2030, the picture has become different. Servicing 

demand decreases to somewhat more than 100 Mt CO2-eq, while new manufacturing demand 

has already decreased to less than 50 Mt CO2-eq. This is an issue that needs to borne in mind, 

i.e., that servicing will be hampering non-Article 5 reductions expressed in Mt CO2-eq. This 

is particularly clear in this case, due to the late conversion of the stationary AC sector 

(assumed to rely on R-410A and to a lesser extent, on R-407C).
44 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

5.6 Article 5 scenarios

5.6.1 BAU scenario

Figure 5-10 below shows the Article 5 refrigerant BAU demand, with a subdivision for the 

different high GWP refrigerants and the low-GWP group, both in tonnes and in GWP 

weighted terms (in CO2-eq.). The low-GWP refrigerants applied here are only visible in 

tonnes and cannot be really seen in these scale when adjusted for GWP, shown in GWP 

weighted terms. In the 2020-2030 period, the high-GWP refrigerant R-404A, which is used in 

commercial refrigeration, becomes increasingly important in GWP weighted terms. 

The demand calculated for the year 2015 is about 300 ktonnes, a higher value than calculated 

for the BAU demand in non-Article 5 Parties (210-220 ktonnes, see above). The growth 

assumed between 2010 and 2015 is mainly based on the economic growth assumed before 

the year 2015 (see Table 5-1). Total 2015 global demand is assumed to be about 510 ktonnes

(for both non-Article 5 and Article 5 regions).

Figure 5-10: Article 5 BAU scenario with a subdivision for the various refrigerants and 

refrigerant blends in tonnes and ktonnes CO2-eq.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 45

The combined demand for non-Article 5 and Article 5 Parties of 510 ktonnes (see also the 

tables in chapter 6) is somewhat higher than the 475 ktonnes estimate for global HFC 

production in 2015 (about 7% higher). However, this is likely to be caused by differences 

between production and calculations for stationary AC (see above; for the specific sub-sector

the differences between amounts produced and calculated will be larger). 

The HFC-134a demand values do not include HFC-134a demand for foams and aerosols 

including MDIs. When looking at the total calculated demand for HFC-134a for R/AC in 

2015 (about 170 ktonnes globally), it leaves about 55,000 ktonnes for other uses, which is 

thought to be “satisfactory”, i.e., covering other sector demands.

Figure 5-11 shows the Article 5 refrigerant BAU demand for the different sub-sectors. The 

demand is given in tonnes and in GWP weighted terms (in CO2-eq.). The BAU model 

predicts that between 2015 and 2030, overall demand increases by a factor of about 3.3. 

Stationary AC increases substantially, but the commercial refrigeration sub-sector also 

becomes important in GWP terms, due to the use of the high-GWP R-404A.

Figure 5-11: Article 5 BAU scenario with a subdivision for the various sub-sectors in 

tonnes and ktonnes CO2-eq.
46 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Figure 5-12: Article 5 BAU scenario with new manufacturing and servicing demand for 

the various sub-sectors (both in ktonnes CO2-eq.)

Figure 5-12 shows the demand for new manufacturing and for servicing. When 

manufacturing increases rapidly, the demand for servicing initially lags behind the volumes 

used for manufacturing. However, after a certain period it catches up, the servicing volumes 

become comparable to those used in manufacturing as can be seen from these BAU examples 

(in ktonnes, not in ktonnes CO2-eq.): 

 2015: new manufacturing 195 ktonnes, servicing 100 ktonnes

 2020: new manufacturing 300 ktonnes, servicing 200 ktonnes 

 2030: new manufacturing 540 ktonnes, servicing 505 ktonnes

5.6.2 MIT-3 scenario

This is an update on the MIT-2 scenario developed for the XXV/5 Report. In MIT-3, as of 

2020, the conversion is assumed to start in all sub-sectors to replace high-GWP refrigerants 

with a variety of refrigerants, with refrigerant blends having an average GWP of 300. 

Conversion has been assumed to take 6 years for Article 5 Parties, and in the model, the 

manufacturing capacity is converted in equal portions per year during the period 2020-2025 

(6 years). The following graphs are for the Article 5 MIT-3 scenario, split into in the various 

R/AC sub-sectors.

Figure 5-13: Article 5 MIT-3 scenario with the demand for the R/AC sub-sectors, 

including both new manufacturing and servicing
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 47

Figure 5-13 shows the steep decrease in the first 6 years as of 2020, after which the curve 

flattens due to continued servicing needs only. Since some high-GWP equipment will have 

been manufactured until 2025, and has an average 12 year lifetime, supplies of high-GWP 

refrigerants will be continue to be required --in decreasing amounts-- until about 2035-37.

During 2010-2015, stationary AC and commercial refrigeration demands increase rapidly. 

With controls assumed on new manufacturing as of 2020, the high-GWP refrigerant demand 

in these sector decreases, being replaced by low-GWP refrigerants, which will account for 

80% of total demand between 2020 and 2030. This is a large improvement in climate impact, 

although with this GWP of 300, the large refrigerant volumes considered still have a certain 

climate impact (note: this is a change compared to the MIT-2 scenario in the XXV/5 Task 

Force report, where a GWP of 600 was chosen), the relative importance of these refrigerants 

is now much lower in the GWP weighted graph. 

In Figure 5-14, the new manufacturing demand for the R/AC sub-sectors for high-GWP 

chemicals is given. By 2026, the demand for high-GWP refrigerants in new equipment 

manufacture falls to <20% of the 2019 peak value (numbers given in the Annex 2).

Figure 5-14: Article 5 MIT-3 scenario for new manufacturing demand for high-GWP

refrigerants in the various R/AC sub-sectors (compare Fig. 5-5 for non-Article 5 demand)

Figure 5-15: Article 5 MIT-3 scenario with the servicing demand for the various subsectors (compare Fig. 5-6 for non-Article 5 servicing demand)
48 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Figure 5-15 shows the amounts of high-GWP refrigerants in kt CO2-eq. that will be needed 

for servicing the installed equipment. This varies between sectors and according to the speed 

of the manufacturing transition (the slower the manufacturing transition, the longer the 

servicing tail).

5.6.3 Impact of manufacturing conversion periods in the MIT-3 scenario

Figure 5-16 shows the demand dependent on the rate of conversion or the length of the 

conversion period. The six years conversion period in manufacturing for all sub-sectors 

results in a decrease of approximately 40% by the year 2026, and about 50% by 2030. After 

2026, the remaining demand is for servicing, and only declines by about 10% over the 

following four years (2026-2030).

At the other extreme, a twelve years manufacturing conversion period only leads to a 

negligible reduction by 2026, and a 25% reduction by 2030. There is a difference of about 

350 Mt CO2-eq. between the 6 and 12 year manufacturing conversion periods after 2025. 

Figure 5-16: Article 5 MIT-3 demand scenario for all R/AC sectors for new 

manufacturing conversion periods of 6-8-10-12 years 

A twelve years conversion period does not yield a lower demand until after 4-5 years after 

the start of the conversion in the year 2020. The build-up of the servicing demand (from the 

manufacturing that has not yet been converted) causes this increasing profile in the demand 

curve (2020-2025). 10 years after the start of the conversion in 2020, a demand reduction of 

20-25% can be observed in this case.

In the year 2026, the demand for the 12 years conversion period is almost twice as high as for 

the six years conversion period, which underscores that a rapid conversion will be very 

important. 

It will be clear that there is a direct relation of the shape of the curves to the conversion 

period. There are cost implications. A 6 years conversion period would imply twice the costs 

in the first 6 years after 2020 (2021-2026), compared to the 12 years conversion period, 

where the same amount will be spread over 12 years (see further in chapter 6). 

Of course, there are differences by sector. Domestic refrigeration has a low servicing 

demand. Figure 5-17 shows the effect of four different periods of manufacturing conversion 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 49

from the high-GWP HFC-134a to HC-600a (6, 8, 10 and 12 years). The lack of servicing 

demand means that the graphs go down to zero. However, the time to zero use is delayed by 6 

years, with a 6 year conversion timetable versus a 12 year conversion strategy.

Figure 5-17: Article 5 MIT-3 domestic refrigeration demand scenario for new 

manufacturing periods of 6-8-10-12 years 

5.6.4 MIT-4 scenario 

Figure 5-18: Article 5 MIT-4 total demand scenario by R/AC sub-sectors in kt CO2-eq. 

(compare Figure 5-13 for MIT-3)

Figure 5-18 includes both manufacturing and servicing, and is the same as Fig 5-13 for MIT3, except for the stationary AC sub-sector graph (in green), which continues to increase until 

2025, before declining. MIT-4 parameters are otherwise identical to MIT-3 (replacement 

refrigerant blends GWP 300; 6 year manufacturing conversion). 

Figure 5-19 also shows the data for HFCs used in new manufacturing only. The various subsectors now decline to zero new manufacturing demand at different times. 
50 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Figure 5-19: Article 5 MIT-4 scenario for new manufacturing demand for the various 

R/AC sub-sectors in GWP weighted terms (compare Fig. 5-14 for MIT-3)

Figure 5-20: Article 5 MIT-4 scenario with the servicing demand for the various subsectors (stationary AC starting in 2025, and assuming a conversion of manufacturing over 

a period of 6 years) (compare Fig. 5-15 for MIT-3)

In 2020-2025, demand for new manufacturing peaks at about 550 Mt CO2-eq, and demand for 

servicing is about 300 Mt CO2-eq, but by 2026, these values are reversed. Servicing demand 

peaks around 2027, at a high level of about 560 Mt CO2-eq., due to the late conversion of the 

stationary AC sector (assumed to rely on the refrigerants R-410A and R-407C).

The above graphs give a good impression of the impact of the stationary AC sector. This 

scenario is further elaborated upon with numbers in chapter 6, but not to the same degree as 

scenarios MIT-3 and MIT-5. There the emphasis is on scenario MIT-5 (with a conversion of 

all sub-sectors as of 2025), which gives a good insight concerning the totals in all sub-sectors 

when converting late, in 2025.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 51

5.6.5 Impact of manufacturing conversion periods in the MIT-4 scenario

Figure 5-21: Article 5 MIT-4 demand scenario for all R/AC sectors combined for new 

manufacturing conversion periods of 6-8-10-12 years (compare to Figure 5-16 for the 

MIT-3 scenario)

Impact of the rate of manufacturing conversion: a long period of manufacturing conversion 

will result in an enhanced and long-lasting demand for high-GWP HFCs for servicing. 

Fig. 5-21 gives the 4 curves for the 6, 8, 10 and 12 years manufacturing conversion periods 

for all refrigeration and AC sub-sectors together. The delayed manufacturing conversion for 

stationary AC from 2020 to 2025 makes a large difference in the high-GWP demand.

For a 6 year conversion period, the HFC demand is projected for 2030 as:

 MIT-3 (stationary AC conversion starting at 2020) - 410 Mt CO2-eq

 MIT-4 (stationary AC conversion starting at 2025) - 640 Mt CO2-eq 

The delay of 5 years for stationary AC conversion to 2025 results in a more than 50% 

increase in annual HFC climate impact by the year 2030.

The MIT-4 scenario has a major adverse climate impact compared to MIT-3. There are cost 

implications of the MIT-4 scenario. A delay of 5 years for starting SAC conversion, and a 6 

year manufacturing conversion period, means that the overall costs have to be considered 

over a longer period than 6 years (i.e., over 12 years (rather than 6 years)). See further the 

considerations in chapter 6.
52 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

5.6.6 MIT-5 scenario 

Figure 5-22: Article 5 MIT-5 scenario by R/AC sub-sectors in kt CO2-eq. (compare Figure 

5-13 and 5-18 for MIT-3 and MIT-4)

Figure 5-22 includes both manufacturing and servicing, and is similar to Figs 5-13 and 5-18 

for MIT-3 and MIT-4 (replacement refrigerant blends at a GWP of 300; 6 year manufacturing 

conversion). 

Figure 5-23 also shows the same data just for HFCs used in new manufacturing. The subsectors decline to zero new manufacturing demand at the same time.

Figure 5-23: Article 5 MIT-5 scenario for new manufacturing demand for the various 

R/AC sub-sectors in GWP weighted terms (manufacturing conversion over a period of 6 

years) (compare Figure 5-14 and 5-19 for MIT-3 and MIT-4)
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 53

Figure 5-24: Article 5 MIT-5 scenario with the servicing demand for the various subsectors (assuming a conversion of manufacturing over a period of 6 years) (compare 

Figure 5-15 and 5-20 for MIT-3 and MIT-4)

In 2025, demand for new manufacturing peaks at about 760 Mt CO2-eq, and demand for 

servicing is about 600 Mt CO2-eq, but after 2030, manufacturing demand has gone down to 

about 100 Mt CO2-eq., while servicing demand is still higher than 700 Mt CO2-eq., due to the 

late conversions of all sub-sectors.

5.6.7 Impact of manufacturing conversion periods in the MIT-5 scenario

Figure 5-25: Article 5 MIT-5 demand scenario for all R/AC sectors combined for new 

manufacturing conversion periods of 6-8-10-12 years (compare to Figures 5-16 and 5-21 

for the MIT-3 and MIT-4 scenarios)

The impact of the rate of manufacturing conversion is: a long period of manufacturing 

conversion will result in an enhanced and long-lasting demand for high-GWP HFCs for 

servicing. 
54 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Fig. 5-25 gives the 4 curves for the 6, 8, 10 and 12 years manufacturing conversion periods 

for all refrigeration and AC sub-sectors together. The delayed manufacturing conversion for 

all sub-sectors as of 2025 makes a large difference. While demand for a 6 year conversion 

period decreases substantially between 2025 and 2030, a 12 year conversion period only 

results in a small decrease between 2025 and 2030 (about 100 Mt CO2-eq.).

For a 6 year conversion period HFC demand is projected for 2030 for MIT-3 and MIT-5 as:

 MIT-3 (all conversions starting at 2020) - 410 Mt CO2-eq

 MIT-5 (all conversions starting at 2025) - 810 Mt CO2-eq 

The delay of 5 years for all sub-sector conversions to 2025 results in roughly a 100% 

increase in annual weighted climate impact by the year 2030.

The MIT-5 scenario has a major adverse climate impact compared to MIT-3 (and also to 

some degree to MIT-4). Furthermore, cost implications of the MIT-5 scenario are larger than 

for MIT-3 and MIT-4. In the case of a 6 year manufacturing conversion period, overall costs 

will have to be covered over 6 years (expansion to 12 years does not seem desirable given 

climate impact numbers).

5. 7 BAU – global summary for both foams and R/AC from the XXV/5 

report

The XXVI/9 Task Force has not updated the foams BAU scenarios in the 2014 XXV/5 Task 

Force report because no new information was available . The XXV/5 Task Force report 

considerations were that it could be important to bring some perspective to the BAU 

scenarios. In that report it is mentioned that “although comparisons can be made in both 

actual tonnages and ODP tonnes, the most meaningful from the perspective of this report is 

to assess the consumption (potential emissions) in climate terms (tonnes CO2-eq.) “. 

Figure 5-26: Comparative BAU scenarios for foams & R/AC in Article 5 and non-Article 5 

regions (source: XXV/5 Task Force report, October 2014) 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 55

Figure 5-26 does this and provides an assessment of the actual situation through to 2012 and 

then projections through to 2030 using the assumptions spelled out in earlier parts of this 

chapter. 

From the XXV/5 Task Force report: “It can be seen that consumption of refrigerants in R/AC 

applications dwarfs the consumption as taking place in the various foam sub-sectors. It is also 

evident that the growth in Article 5 Parties, if left unchecked, will have significant climate 

impact by 2030, especially if emission rates from installed equipment cannot be significantly 

limited to reduce on-going servicing demand”. This important point is shown in the graph 

from the XXV/5 report, reproduced here as Fig. 5-26.

5.8 References

Campbell, 2015 Campbell, N., Presentation at OORG meeting World Bank, “HFC 

Production and Demand”, May 2015

Kaixian, 2015 Kaixian, W., Presentation at OORG meeting World Bank, 

“HCFCs/HFCs Production in China”, May 2015

Kuijpers, 2015 Kuijpers, L., Private communications from chemical manufacturers, 

May-July 2015

McCulloch, 2015 Private communications with L. Kuijpers, May 2015

Montzka, 2015 S. A. Montzka, M. McFarland, S. O. Andersen, B. R. Miller, D. W.

Fahey, B. D. Hall, L. Hu, C. Siso, and J. W. Elkins, Recent Trends in 

Global Emissions of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons and 

Hydrofluorocarbons: Reflecting on the 2007 Adjustments to the 

Montreal Protocol, J. Phys. Chem., dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp5097376, 2015 

Rigby et al., 2013 M. Rigby, R.G. Prinn, S. O’Doherty, B.R. Miller, D. Ivy, J. Muehle, 

C.M . Hart, P.K. Salameh, T. Arnolds, R.F. Weiss, P.B. Krummel, L.P. 

Steele, P.J. Fraser, D. Young and .P. Simmonds, “Recent and future 

trends in synthetic greenhouse gas radiative forcing”, Geophysical 

Research Letters, 10.1002/2013GL059099

RTOC, 2010 UNEP, Refrigeration, AC and Heat Pumps Technical Options 

Committee, 2010 Assessment Report, ISBN 978-9966-20-002-0

Zhang and Wang, 2014 Zhang, Junjie and Can Wang, “China’s Hydrofluorocarbon Challenge”, 

Nature Climate Change, Vol.4, November 2014, pp.943-945

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 57

6 Demand, benefits and costs 

6.1 Refrigerant demand for BAU and mitigation scenarios

The Decision XXVI/9 mentions “...and improve information related to costs and benefits 

with regard to the criteria set out in paragraph 1 (a) of the present decision, including 

reference to progress identified under stage I and II of HCFC phase-out management plans”.

The XXV/5 Task Force report gave a number of tables with current and future refrigerant 

demand in tables. On the basis of the development of the demand for the various 

replacements for the various sub-sectors (high-GWP and low-GWP alternatives), total 

demand in tonnes, as well as in GWP based CO2-eq. tonnes can be calculated. The tables 

below give the non-Article 5 and Article 5 updated demand in tonnes and Mt-CO2 eq. for 

BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios, with also some data on MIT-4, being an “intermediate”.

Table 6-1: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives (BAU

scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in non-Article 5 Parties (ktonnes)

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

nA5 BAU

HFC-134a 79.097 77.977 72.872 76.869 82.356

R-404A + R-507 17.084 18.376 18.584 19.357 22.780

R-407C 11.195 26.802 34.942 43.946 50.402

R-410A 39.385 77.354 94.230 114.001 131.319

Low GWP 7.360 11.844 13.907 16.802 20.538

Total 154.121 212.353 234.535 270.975 307.395

Table 6-2: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives (BAU 

scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in non-Article 5 Parties (kt CO2 equivalent)

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

nA5 BAU

HFC-134a 102.825 101.370 94.733 99.930 107.064

R-404A + R-507 67.397 72.490 73.312 76.367 89.875

R-407C 18.135 43.419 56.606 71.193 81.652

R-410A 75.619 148.520 180.922 218.882 252.133

Low GWP 8 10 13 19 27

Total 263.984 365.809 405.586 466.391 530.751

Tables for total demand, which includes manufacturing and servicing demand for the various 

R/AC sub-sectors can be found in the Annex 2. Following can be observed for BAU:

 The demand for various HFCs in non-Article 5 Parties is assumed to increase by 

about 50% in the BAU scenario between 2015 and 2030;

 The growth assumed in stationary AC is the one that is most pronounced (40% 

growth between 2020 and 2030); this may need further analysis in any future reports.

Table 6-3: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives 

(MIT-3 scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in non-Article 5 Parties (ktonnes)

MIT-3 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

nA5 3-year 

conversion 

2018

HFC-134a 43.350 43.059 18.758 13.415 7.154

R-404A + R-507 17.084 18.376 12.882 5.531 2.046

R-407C 11.195 26.802 13.987 10.417 2.716

R-410A 39.385 77.354 22.337 15.831 4.127

Low GWP 7.011 11.844 133.007 189.570 252.410

Total 118.025 177.435 200.971 234.764 268.453
58 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Table 6-4: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives 

(MIT-3 scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in non-Article 5 Parties (kt CO2 equivalent)

MIT-3 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

nA5 3-year 

conversion 

2020

HFC-134a 56.353 55.976 24.384 17.441 9.301

R-404A + R-507 67.397 72.490 50.811 21.816 8.072

R-407C 18.135 43.419 22.660 16.876 4.401

R-410A 75.619 148.520 42.886 30.396 7.923

Low GWP 8 10 29.826 43.478 58.396

Total 217.512 320.415 170.568 130.007 88.093

The following can be observed for non-Article 5 Parties and the MIT-3 scenario, which 

results in the conversion of manufacturing by the year 2020.

 The demand for various HFCs in non-Article 5 Parties is assumed to decrease 

substantially between 2015 and 2030, by more than 70% in climate weighted terms;

 The demand for the stationary AC sub-sector decreases enormously between 2025 

and 2030, because virtually all requirements for high-GWP refrigerants disappear, 

however, the amount of low-GWP refrigerants in climate terms becomes relevant

(due to the remaining GWP of 300 assumed for low-GWP refrigerant blends).

Calculations have also been done for a MIT-5 scenario, with all sub-sector conversions 

starting in 2025. The numbers are not further analysed here, they can be found in the tables in 

the Annex to the report (Tables A2-1 to A2-3 for tonnes, and tables A2-4 to A2-6 for CO2 

equivalents). With the rapid conversion of new manufacturing by 2025, the new 

manufacturing demand decreases to small values in the MIT-5 scenario by 2030, similar to 

the MIT-3 scenario. However, due to the late start, the servicing demand builds up and 

remains at a much higher level than in the MIT-3 scenario during the period 2025-2030. 

Below, a number of tables containing the demand data in tonnes and ktonnes CO2-eq. for the 

BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios in Article 5 Parties are given.

Table 6-5: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives (BAU 

scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in Article 5 Parties (tonnes)

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

A5 BAU

HFC-134a 54.393 74.524 100.162 127.267 161.107

R-404A + R-507 13.085 36.404 63.963 111.927 167.690

R-407C 16.543 55.278 101.216 174.433 285.500

R-410A 40.975 106.661 192.770 284.682 364.845

Low GWP 22.430 29.318 39.132 51.975 69.915

Total 147.426 302.185 497.243 750.284 1.049.057

Table 6-6: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives (BAU 

scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in Article 5 Parties (kt CO2 equivalent)

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

A5 BAU

HFC-134a 70.712 96.880 130.210 165.447 209.440

R-404A + R-507 51.584 143.511 252.168 441.229 661.025

R-407C 26.799 89.550 163.971 282.581 462.511

R-410A 78.671 204.789 370.118 546.589 700.502

Low GWP 62 115 203 314 469

Total 227.828 534.845 916.670 1.436.160 2.033.947
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 59

The following can be observed for the Article 5 Parties and a BAU scenario: 

 There are differences in the BAU scenario compared to the XXV/5 report; this is due 

to small changes in the (BAU) assumptions (see section 5.3);

 The demand for various high-GWP HFCs in Article 5 Parties is (still) calculated to 

increase by a factor 3-4 in the BAU scenario in climate terms during 2015-2030;

 The BAU scenario shows a large growth in demand for the high-GWP refrigerants 

R-404A, R-407C and R-410A, mainly due to the external (economic growth) factors;

Table 6-7: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives 

(MIT-3 scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in Article 5 Parties (tonnes)

MIT-3 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

A5 6-year 

conversion 

2020

HFC-134a 54.393 74.649 91.265 48.357 39.331

R-404A + R-507 13.085 36.679 58.259 36.123 12.751

R-407C 16.543 55.278 92.804 58.029 20.684

R-410A 40.975 106.661 170.273 65.015 18.972

Low GWP 22.430 29.318 87.522 562.500 991.332

Total 147.426 302.585 500.123 770.024 1.083.070

Table 6-8: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives 

(MIT-3 scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in Article 5 Parties (kt CO2 equivalent)

MIT-3 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

A5 6-year 

conversion 

2020

HFC-134a 70.712 96.880 117.959 61.810 49.670

R-404A + R-507 51.584 143.511 227.693 141.897 50.899

R-407C 26.799 89.550 150.343 94.007 33.508

R-410A 78.671 204.789 326.924 124.828 36.425

Low GWP 62 115 11.394 123.925 230.156

Total 227.828 534.845 834.313 546.467 400.658

The following can be observed for the Article 5 Parties, in the case of the MIT-3 scenario: 

 There are differences in the MIT-3 scenario compared to the XXV/5 report; this is due to 

small changes in assumptions for the present MIT-3 scenario;

 The demand for various high-GWP HFCs in Article 5 Parties is estimated to increase by 

more than 50% between 2015 and 2020 in climate terms, however, decreases again to the 

2015 level in the year 2025;

 The most astonishing result is that the demand in climate terms is reduced by only 20-

25% in the year 2030, compared to 2015. This is due to the high growth assumed in 

particular for stationary AC, where, for all sub-sectors together, the use of replacement 

refrigerant blends with a GWP of 300 (at one million tonnes) is calculated to represent a 

climate impact of 230 Mt CO2-eq. in 2030; 

 It should be realised that the proposed MIT-3 manufacturing conversion will be very 

demanding and the assumptions used here are based on the fact that institutional and 

industrial capacities can completely deal with the conversion in this timeframe.

The MIT-4 scenario assumes a conversion for all sub-sectors starting by 2020, except for the 

stationary AC sector (by 2025). This is an “intermediate” scenario between MIT-3 and MIT5. One could have given specific values for the new manufacturing and servicing, however, 

for the purpose of cost calculations (and the ranges that apply) the focus has been on the two 

scenarios MIT-3 and MIT-5 here (while still giving overall data for the MIT-4 scenario).
60 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Table 6-9: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives 

(MIT-5 scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in Article 5 Parties (tonnes)

MIT-5 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

A5 6-year 

conversion 

2025

HFC-134a 54.393 74.524 100.162 115.545 60.851

R-404A + R-507 13.085 36.404 63.963 101.843 54.014

R-407C 16.543 55.278 101.216 160.942 108.166

R-410A 40.975 106.661 192.770 254.067 104.162

Low GWP 22.430 29.318 39.132 117.161 714.856

Total 147.426 302.185 497.243 749.558 1.042.049

Table 6-10: Current and future refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives

(MIT-5 scenario) for the period 2010-2030 in Article 5 Parties (kt CO2 equivalent)

MIT-5 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

A5 6-year 

conversion 

2025

HFC-134a 70.712 96.880 130.210 150.208 79.106

R-404A + R-507 51.584 143.511 252.168 401.490 213.054

R-407C 26.799 89.550 163.971 260.727 175.229

R-410A 78.671 204.789 370.118 487.808 199.992

Low GWP 62 115 203 16.637 166.480

Total 227.828 534.845 916.670 1.316.870 833.861

In Tables 6-9 and 6-10 above, the following can be observed for the Article 5 Parties and a 

MIT-5 scenario: 

 As already observed in chapter 5, the MIT-5 scenario represents a much higher climate 

impact than the MIT-3 scenario. The question remains, for the future, which scenario 

could or would be the most likely one that Article 5 Parties can follow;

 The demand for various high-GWP HFCs in Article 5 Parties is calculated to increase by 

about 80% between 2015 and 2020 and by about 140% by 2025, in kt CO2 eq. (this 

corresponds to the growth in refrigerant demand in tonnes);

 The above leads to the result that the demand in climate terms will be reduced in the year 

2030, but only by a small percentage compared to the year 2020. This is due to the high 

growth assumed in particular for the stationary AC sub-sector, while, for all sub-sectors 

together, the remaining use of high-GWP refrigerants plus the use of replacement 

refrigerant blends with a GWP of 300 (at one million tonnes) is calculated to represent a 

climate impact of about 830 Mt CO2-eq. in 2030; 

 One may say that the proposed MIT-5 manufacturing conversion is not expected to be 

demanding and that institutional and industrial capacities should be able to deal with the 

conversion in this timeframe, if not before. This, of course, assumes the gradual 

acceptance of alternatives for all sub-sectors before 2025, which seems to be slow 

compared to the pace of acceptance for many alternatives anticipated at present. 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 61

Table 6-10: Refrigerant demand for (refrigerant) ODS alternatives in the BAU, MIT-3, 

MIT-4 and MIT-5 scenarios for the period 2020-2030 in Article 5 Parties (n.b., in Mt CO2

equivalent), for all separate years (values for 2020, 2025 and 2030 have been taken from 

the tables in Annex 2 (for 6 year manufacturing conversion))

In Mt CO2 eq.

Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Total

A5 BAU 917 1016 1119 1227 1331 1442 1555 1670 1792 1913 2034 16016

A5 MIT-3 834 777 720 662 604 546 481 462 441 421 401 6349

A5 MIT-4 882 928 963 997 1029 988 922 866 802 731 653 9762

A5 MIT-5 917 1016 1119 1227 1331 1317 1222 1126 1029 931 834 12069

Table 6-10 shows the following (rounded) integrated total refrigerant demand for the three 

scenarios for the period 2020-2030 in Mt CO2-eq.:

BAU: 16,000 Mt CO2-eq.

MIT-3: 6,500 Mt CO2-eq.

MIT-4: 9,800 Mt CO2-eq.

MIT-5: 12,000 Mt CO2-eq.

The MIT-3 reduction from BAU of 9,500 Mt CO2-eq. represents a saving of 60%. In case of 

the MIT-4 scenario, with a reduction of about 6200 Mt CO2-eq., there is a saving of 40% 

from BAU. The MIT-5 reduction of 4,000 Mt CO2-eq. represents a saving of 30% from BAU

only.

6.2 Article 5 R/AC sub-sector demand for BAU, MIT-3, MIT-4 and MIT-5

Where the Decision XXVI/9 mentions “...and improve information related to costs and 

benefits with regard to the criteria set out in paragraph 1 (a) of the present decision, including 

reference to progress identified under stage I and stage II of HCFC phase-out management 

plans”, it has been considered useful to put tables in for the demand (in ktonnes) for the 

various scenarios (BAU, MIT-3, MIT-5) for Article 5 Parties. This has been done for the 

various sub-sectors and refrigerants in these Parties. Tables show total demand, plus the total 

demand split up in new manufacturing and servicing; they are given in Annex 2. 

In the case of the various sub-sectors, HFC-134a is assumed to be converted in domestic 

refrigeration and in mobile air conditioning, however not in commercial refrigeration and in 

stationary air conditioning. New manufacturing using high-GWP refrigerants R-404A and R507 is assumed to be converted in commercial, industrial and transport refrigeration, whereas 

new manufacturing using R-407C and R-410A is assumed to be converted in the stationary 

air-conditioning sub-sector. It will be clear that this applies to both mitigation scenarios MIT3 and MIT-5. As has been mentioned above, the difference between MIT-3 and MIT-5 is the 

5 year later start of conversion in new manufacturing for all R/AC sectors (with MIT-4 being 

an “intermediate”, with only stationary AC converting as of 2025). 

Table 6-11: Amounts to be converted in new manufacturing for the MIT-3 scenario (see 

also Table A2-8)

Sub-sector Refrigerant (tonnes) 2020

A5 MIT-3 

Domestic HFC-134a 12238

Commercial R-404A + R-507 26172

Industrial R-404A + R-507 2132

Transport R-404A + R-507 1311

SAC R-410A 113983

R-407C 36495

MAC HFC-134a 34293
62 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

It is worth noting that the conversion start (5 year later) will cause a substantial increase of 

the demand for servicing in the period after 2025 - as has already been shown in the graphs in 

chapter 5. In the case of the MIT-3 scenario, the amounts given for the year 2020 are taken as 

the amounts in new manufacturing that need to be converted. Table 6-11 shows the amounts 

for the various sub-sectors of the refrigerants concerned. 

In the case of the MIT-5 scenario, the amounts given for the year 2025 are taken as the 

amounts used for new manufactured equipment that need to be converted for all sub-sectors. 

Table 6-12 shows the amounts for the various sub-sectors of the refrigerants concerned.

Table 6-12: Amounts to be converted in new manufacturing for the MIT-5 scenario (see 

also Table A2-8)

Sub-sector Refrigerant (tonnes) 2025

A5 MIT-5 

Domestic HFC-134a 14533

Commercial R-404A + R-507 44426

Industrial R-404A + R-507 4696

Transport R-404A + R-507 1402

SAC R-410A 150481

R-407C 58838

MAC HFC-134a 43830

The conversion can be done during 6 years (up to 12 years); in principle it does not make a 

difference which conversion period is used for the amounts to be converted. That also 

implies that the conversion period, in principle, does not affect total costs for the conversion 

for Article 5 Parties to be considered. However, the major impact the conversion period will 

have will be on the servicing amounts to be considered. How this should be addressed is 

difficult to estimate. On overall climate impact, it will be clear that the faster the conversion 

will occur, the better. Note that the MIT-4 values are identical to the values for the subsectors in Table 6-11, with the exception of the SAC subsector, where the SAC values from 

Table 6-12 apply. 

From the above, it is possible to make a calculation of the high-GWP refrigerant demand in

new manufactured equipment and in servicing for the years 2020, 2025 and 2040, for Article 

5 Parties (only). Table 6-13 below shows the results. The results for new manufacturing will 

be the main elements for the cost calculations based upon the demand in the various subsectors.

Table 6-13: Demand (amounts in ktonnes and Mt CO2-eq.) for new manufacture and 

servicing for high-GWP refrigerants for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios for the 

years 2020, 2025 and 2030 

In ktonnes (new manufacturing) In konnes (servicing)

A5 2020 2025 2030 A5 2020 2025 2030

BAU 297 415 543 BAU 200 335 506

MIT-3 297 411 539 MIT-3 203 359 544

MIT-5 299 418 547 MIT-5 198 331 495

In Mtonnes CO2-eq.(new manufacturing) In Mtonnes CO2 eq. (servicing)

A5 2020 2025 2030 A5 2020 2025 2030

BAU 555 797 1049 BAU 361 639 985

MIT-3 482 157 148 MIT-3 353 389 253

MIT-5 555 690 196 MIT-5 361 663 638 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 63

It should be borne in mind that the amounts in tonnes given in Table 6-13 do include the 

tonnes of low-GWP refrigerants in the various years. For this reason there is no decrease in 

new manufacturing amounts (in tonnes) as shown, when going from 2020 to 2030.

Table 6-14: Demand of low-GWP refrigerants (in ktonnes) for new manufacture and 

servicing (total demand) for the various scenarios for the years 2020, 2025 and 2030 

ktonnes (A5) 2020 2025 2030

BAU 39 52 70

MIT-3 75 563 990

MIT-5 39 108 714

-- In new manufacturing, it will be clear that the amounts decrease after 2020 in the MIT-3 

scenario, with the remainder mainly for HFC-134a demand that is assumed not to be 

converted in some sub-sectors. The demand increases substantially for the year 2025, if the 

sub-sectors are not assumed to start to convert until this year (MIT-5). 

-- In the servicing sector, the amounts increase in the BAU scenario during 2020-2030, 

following the usual trend. In the MIT-3 scenario the amounts for servicing increase between 

2020 and 2025, because, in this period, there is still (ongoing, but decreasing) manufacturing 

of high-GWP equipment, which adds refrigerant amounts to the total bank. 

In MIT-3, the major change starts to occur after 2025 when new manufacturing has been 

completely converted and the products that have been manufactured between 2010 and 2015 

start to reach their end of life (i.e., the refrigerant bank then decreases substantially). It is 

clearly shown that the shift of the start of conversion for all sub-sectors to 2025 (following 

the MIT-5 scenario) has significant effects on the amounts for servicing. The amounts 

increase from 2020 to 2025 by 50%; the decrease between 2025 and 2030 is only very 

modest due to the large bank of (mainly stationary AC) high-GWP equipment that still 

requires servicing. This trend is not expected to really change in the MIT-5 scenario until the 

period 2035-2040. 

6. 3 Conversion costs for the various scenarios

The amounts for conversion can be derived for the various sub-sectors:

 Domestic refrigeration;

 Commercial refrigeration;

 Industrial and transport refrigeration;

 Stationary AC;

 Mobile AC.

The following estimates would apply for new manufacturing conversion costs per kg:

 Domestic refrigeration: US$ 7-9 per kg (based upon MLF 

experience) 

 Commercial refrigeration (HFC-134a): US$ 7-9 per kg (assuming similar 

operations as for domestic) (although not further considered here)

 Commercial refrigeration: US$ 4-7 per kg (estimate based 

upon experience in the CFC period and upon the expected 2020 refrigerant cost; it 

should be borne in mind that current conversions from HCFCs in this sub-sector are 

done at a maximum of US$ 4.5 per kg (the costs for addressing servicing per kg of 

refrigerant).

 Industrial refrigeration: US$ 4-7 per kg

 Transport refrigeration: US$ 6-8 per kg

 Stationary AC: US$ 11-13 per kg (estimate based 

on MLF experience with HCs, combined with expectations for low-GWP refrigerant 

costs)
64 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

 Mobile AC: US$ 4-10 per kg (much related to 

the expected costs for certain chemical refrigerant alternatives) (by the way, 

conversion costs are assumed to be higher in the case of phase-in of carbon dioxide 

equipment).

Taking into account the amounts to be converted in new manufacturing in the MIT-3 scenario 

in Article 5 Parties (independent from the length of the conversion period), costs can be 

estimated. It needs to be mentioned that, in certain cases, the parameter of US$/kg of 

refrigerant used for cost estimates does not represent all costs, and in this case the cost

estimates may be underestimated. 

Table 6-15: Manufacturing conversion quantities (demand) in 2020 and costs for complete 

conversion of this new manufacturing to low-GWP refrigerants in all refrigeration and AC 

sub-sectors (MIT-3, compare Table 6-11)

Sub-sector Manufacturing 

conversion demand 

( tonnes)

Costs

(US$ million)

Costs

(in % of total)

(approximate)

Domestic 12,238 85.7-110.1 4%

Commercial 26,172 104.7-183.2 6%

Industrial-large size 2,132 8.5-14.9 0.5%

Transport 1,311 7.9-10.5 <0.5%

Stat. AC (R-410A) 113,983 1253.8-1481.8 59%

Ibid., (R-407C) 36,495 401.4-474.4 19%

MAC 34,293 137.2-342.9 11%

Total 226,624 1999.2-2617.8 100%

Taking into account the amounts to be converted in manufacturing in the MIT-3 scenario in 

Article 5 Parties (independent from the length of the conversion period), as given in Table 6-

11, as well as in Table 6-15), the costs can be calculated per sub-sector.

The first observation that can be made from Table 6-15 is that for the costs of the conversion 

of new manufacturing, 78% of the total is estimated to be for stationary air conditioning, 7% 

for commercial, industrial and transport refrigeration, and 11% for mobile air conditioning. 

Uncertainty in the conversion costs for stationary air conditioning is therefore the most 

important factor.

The total cost calculated for manufacturing conversion in Article 5 Parties is in the range 

US$ 2000-2618 million; the amount can also be given as US$ 2300 ± 310 million. If this 

would be spread over six years it would mean costs of about US$ 1150 ± 155 million per 

triennium; this for the next two triennia after 2019, i.e., 2020-2022 and 2023-2025.

If the conversions would be spread over 12 years it would be a cost of about US$ 575 ± 78 

million per triennium (a longer period than 12 years would lead to even higher servicing 

amounts than for a conversion period of 12 years (higher than following any schedules that 

were considered in chapter 5).

The abovementioned costs would change in the case of the MIT-5 scenario. All the amounts 

would then be larger for all sub-sectors, since one looks at the year 2025 (see Table 6-16). At 

that moment in time, the new manufacturing demand is estimated (compare Tables 6-11 and 

6-12) to have increased by about 92,000 tonnes, for both R-404A, R-410A and R-407C. 

Using the cost effectiveness ranges applied above, this would translate into a cost range of 

US$ 2780-3650 million, or about US$ 3220 ± 430 million. This would mean a huge increase 

compared to MIT-3 conversion costs, i.e., the costs would be about US$ 920 million higher, 

i.e., 40% higher than the costs for an MIT-3 conversion. 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 65

Table 6-15: Manufacturing conversion quantities (demand) in 2025 and costs for complete 

conversion of this new manufacturing to low-GWP refrigerants in all refrigeration and AC 

sub-sectors (MIT-5, compare Table 6-12)

Sub-sector Manufacturing 

conversion demand 

( tonnes)

Costs

(US$ million)

Costs

(in % of total)

(approximate)

Domestic 14,533 101.7-130.8 4%

Commercial 44,426 177.7-311.0 6%

Industrial-large size 4,696 18.8-32.9 0.5%

Transport 1,402 8.4-11.2 <0.5%

Stat. AC (R-410A) 150,481 1655.3-1956.3 57%

Ibid., (R-407C) 58,838 647.2-764.9 22%

MAC 43,830 175.3-438.3 10%

Total 318,206 2784.5-3645.3 100%

On the basis of Tables 6-15 and 6-16 the total costs for the MIT-4 scenario can be calculated. 

The range is US$ 2640-3380 million, or US$ 3010 ± 370 million.

Table 6-16: Costs involved in new manufacturing conversion and cost ranges derived for 

the mitigation scenarios MIT-3, MIT-4 and MIT-5

Scenario Manufacturing 

conversion demand 

( tonnes)

Costs

(US$ million)

Costs

(relative to MIT-3)

MIT-3 226,624 2300 ± 310 -

MIT-4 285,465 3010 ± 370 +31%

MIT-5 318,206 3220 ± 430 + 40%

It is difficult to make an estimate what the costs for servicing would be. In the case of the 

MIT-3 scenario, the servicing amounts are in the order of 100-200 ktonnes during 2020-2030. 

The amounts decrease substantially between 2025 and 2030 (from 198 to less than 100 

ktonnes, a 50% decrease) due to the fact that equipment reaches its end of life. Servicing is 

much higher in the MIT-5 scenario, in particular after 2025 until somewhere in the 2030’s. 

A reasonable assumption would be that a decrease of 40-60 ktonnes can be addressed via the 

servicing sector, by improving a wide range of practices including recovery and recycling. If 

one would use the (historical) number of US$ 4.5 per kg, as for HCFCs under the Montreal 

Protocol, this amount per kg would translate into costs of US$ 180-270 million. Assuming 

that this amount would be spread over at least four triennia, it would imply US$ 40-60 

million per triennium. It is useful to compare this amount to the amount of US$ 575 million 

per triennium calculated for a 12 year conversion of high-GWP manufacturing (or the amount 

of US$ 1150 million per triennium calculated for a 6 year conversion).

In a first instance, servicing amounts, and costs to address servicing will increase when going 

from MIT-3, to MIT-4 and MIT-5. In the case of MIT-5 they could well be 40-160% larger

dependent on which three year period one considers (compare Figs. 5-15 and 5-24); the best 

estimate would be US$ 100-150 million per triennium. 

It should be clear that this cost analysis does not address the costs for any institutional or 

administrative arrangements to deal with an HFC phasedown. The amount of about US$ 

2300 million seems very high, if one would compare the number to the current HCFC phaseout. However, the (HCFC) funding amounts of about US$ 400-500 million committed so far 

are meant for a 25-35% reduction of HCFC consumption. Manufacturing amounts (foam and 

R/AC without servicing) were of the same order in 2013 for HCFCs as they are estimated to 

be for HFCs in the year 2020. 
66 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Furthermore, it should also be clear that this is a cost calculation for the conversion of all

manufacturing operations situated in Article 5 Parties. It does not take into account aspects 

such as multinational ownership, which will play a role in (future) funding calculations (once 

guidelines for this funding will have been developed and agreed). This could decrease 

possible HFC conversion funding by up to about US$ 500 million, compared to the costs 

determined above. Not enough data on foreign (multinational) ownership is available to make 

any further statements here. 

Conversion costs for HFCs are estimated at a factor of 1.5-2 higher than current HCFC 

funding experience. These two aspects together (25-35% addressed so far of HCFC 

consumption and 1.5-2 times higher costs for HFC conversions, taking into account the 

amount so far used for HCFC conversions), will lead to a total amount in the range of US$ 

2200-2800 million. This is comparable to (and therefore consistent with) the funding range 

determined for the conversion of HFC new manufacturing in the MIT-3 scenario (and lower 

than for the MIT-4 and MIT-5 scenarios).

Note: Costs have been determined on the basis of the bottom-up calculations for the R/AC 

sector in Article 5 Parties. The demand determined for non-Article 5 and Article 5 Parties

for the stationary AC sub-sector has been shown to be high (if HFC production estimates are 

reliable). It needs further investigation how these numbers can be made consistent with 

(maybe better) estimates for HFC production for the year 2015. This will have to be done in 

a possible future report describing this type of scenarios. 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 67

7 High ambient temperature conditions

7.1 High ambient temperatures and climate zones

High ambient temperature conditions are an important issue for the design of refrigeration 

and AC systems. As ambient temperature increases, system load increases and capacity 

decreases. With increasing ambient temperature, the condensing pressure and compressor 

discharge temperatures also increase, thus leading to possible reliability issues.

While 35°C has been designated as standard ambient, there is no definition currently for what 

constitutes a High Ambient Temperature (HAT) and consequently a high ambient 

temperature country (or region). Ambient temperatures are used for cooling load calculation 

and building envelope design.

A high ambient temperature can be defined as the incidence over a number of hours per year

of a certain temperature. If this temperature is set above the standard ambient of 35°C, the 

question becomes at what incidence will this occurrence be considered to constitute a high 

ambient condition. HAT countries could then be defined as the countries where a certain 

percentage of the population lives in areas where the HAT conditions are prevalent.

The industry defines values of ambient dry bulb, dew point, wet bulb temperature, and wind 

speed corresponding to the various annual percentiles of 0.4%, 1%, 2%, and 5% that are 

exceeded on average by the indicated percentage of the total number of hours in a year (8,760 

hours). These values correspond to 35, 88, 175, and 438 hours per year respectively, for the 

period of record. The design values occur more frequently than the corresponding nominal 

percentile in some years and less frequently in others.

Standards define design temperature conditions based on one of the incidences listed above.

There are arguments for using the 2% or 5% incidence for the definition of HAT in order to 

preclude areas that experience an unusual period of hot summer temperatures.

There are methods to define climate zones based on meteorological data that has been

collected over the years. A typical meteorological year (TMY) is a collation of 

selected weather data for a specific location generated over a period of 15 to 30 years to give 

a typical average year. The most recent data is TMY 3 for the period 1991-2010. TMY data 

is frequently used in building simulation in order to assess the expected heating and cooling 

costs for the design of the building. 

One method is to define climate zones ranging “extremely Hot and Humid” to “subArctic/Arctic” based on TMY 3 data. The definition of a zone is based on the criteria of 

Cooling Degree Days or CDD. This indicator uses daily temperature data from thousands of 

weather stations to compare the daily average outdoor temperature with a defined baseline 

temperature for indoor comfort, in this case 65°F (18.3°C). For example, if the average 

temperature on a particular day is 78°F (26°C), then that day counts as 13 cooling degree 

days, as a building’s interior would need to be cooled by 13°F to reach 65°F. 

In some countries where building codes are not followed and no thermal insulation is used, 

cooling capacity at high ambient temperatures is a critical issue.

Based on the above, zones were defined in ASHRAE Standard 162-2013 as per Table 7-1,

resulting in a mapping of the world as per Figure 7-1. 
68 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Table 7-1: An example of zone definitions

Zone 

Reference Description Zone Reference Description

0A Extremely Hot Humid 4B Mixed dry

0B Extremely Hot Dry 4C Mixed Marine

1A Very Hot Humid 5A Cool Humid

1B Very Hot Dry 5B Cool Dry

2A Hot Humid 5C Cool Marine

2B Hot Dry 6A Cold Humid

3A Warm Humid 6B Cold dry

3C Warm marine 7 Very Cold

4A Mixed Humid 8 Sub-Artic/Arctic

Figure 7-1: The world according to the Climate Zones (Table 7-1)

Other examples of climate zone definition based on the Bin Weather method which offers a 

micro analysis that is more helpful for system design requirements are also available but not 

included in this update report.

While normally systems are designed for 35°C (T1 in ISO 5151:2010) with appropriate 

performance (cf. standards requirements) up to 43°C; in some countries, the high ambient

temperature condition requires a design at 46°C (T3 in ISO 5151:2010) with appropriate 

operation up to 52°C.

In high ambient temperature conditions, peak loads can occur at temperatures where the 

impact of city heat islands, increased roof temperatures and localised sun traps have to be 

taken into account in the determination of the way of operation at the highest temperatures 

occurring; these can result in air temperatures exceeding the expected shade temperature

Considerations for equipment that will be operated at high ambient temperature conditions 

must be based on more than the choice of refrigerant but also on overall system design 

to obtain optimum and reliable performance under those conditions.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 69

7.2 Research related to high ambient temperature conditions

Most of the research and development has traditionally been made at the “standard ambient” 

of 35°C dry bulb temperature. The performance of units at different ambient temperatures 

would then be simulated or extrapolated. Countries with high ambient temperatures were 

faced with the challenges of: 

 An unclear global trend about refrigerant alternatives for each category of 

application particularly those suitable to operate in high-ambient conditions; 

 The limited availability of components, mainly compressors, that are suitable for 

various low-GWP alternatives and designed for high-ambient temperature 

conditions; and 

 The general fact that the behaviour of HVAC systems and their efficiencies (not 

related to refrigerant choices) has so far not been clearly determined when operated 

at high ambient temperatures. 

 These challenges were accentuated by the absence of national/regional 

codes/standards that could facilitate the introduction of low-GWP alternatives and 

deal with flammability (where applicable) and the new energy efficiency rating 

schemes that were being introduced simultaneously with the phasing out of HCFC 

systems.

7.2.1 Earlier research

The need for research into alternatives suitable for high ambient became more urgent and 

some research effort surfaced (Colbourne, 2013), both in modelling and lab research, some 

done in high ambient temperature regions.

 Earlier modelling by Chin and Spatz (1999) conducting simulations comparing R410A to HCFC-22 at 52°C ambient showing a 6% drop in capacity and 7% drop 

COP, respectively for R-410A. 

 Domanski and Payne (2002) carried out measurements of a unitary air conditioner to 

compare HCFC-22 and R-410A, with two different compressors. R-410A indicated a 

7-8% reduction in capacity at 52°C and around 14 – 20% drop in COP. 

 Devotta et al. (2005a) found a 2-8% drop in capacity and 8-14% increase in COP 

when a window type HCFC-22 air conditioner was retrofitted with R-407C. 

 Tu, Liang, and Zhuang (2011) compared the performance of HFC-32 and R-410A 

with actual tests carried at 43°C and 48°C ambient. Results showed that the 

volumetric capacity of HFC-32 increased by 6.96 to 8.87% at standard conditions, 

and at high ambient, HFC-32 had a 14.95% higher cooling capacity and 6.01% 

higher EER than R-410A.

 Biswas and Cremaschi (2012) measured the performance of some unassigned 

mixtures at fairly high ambient temperatures. At about 46°C the fluids “DR-4” and 

“DR-5” (72.5% HFC-32/27.5% HFC-1234yf) had a COP about 5% higher than R410A, but had the same COP at 35°C. The capacity of these mixtures was about 2-

3% above R-410A for “DR-5” and 15% lower for “DR-4”, but there was again 

negligible difference to the capacity at 35°C. 

 Chen (2012) reported a number of tests on split air conditioners using HCFC-22, HC290, R-410A and HFC-32, with an additional test using HFC-32 where the 

compressor had an injection circuit in order to help reduce the discharge temperature. 

The results show that the capacity of R-410A drops by 9% and the COP by 6% 

relative to HCFC-22 at 52°C. With regards to HC-290, it was found to have a very 

similar capacity and COP to HCFC- 22 at higher ambient conditions, always within 
70 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

±1.5%. By using an injection circuit (to reduce excessively high discharge 

temperature, in excess of 137°C, HFC-32 improved to almost 5% drop in capacity 

relative to HCFC-22 instead of 10% with no injection. (The injection benefit is in 

reducing discharge temperature to 115°C instead of 137°Cat high ambient. By 

comparison, the discharge temperature for both HCFC-22 and R-410A is 110°C.)

 In the high ambient countries, Hamed (2012) also reported on tests with HC-290, 

HCFC-22, HFC-134a, R-407C and R-410A in an air-to-air (rooftop) air conditioner. 

The test used the same compressor for HCFC-22, R-407C, and HC-290; 38% bigger 

capacity compressor for HFC-134a; and an optimized compressor for R-410A. The 

results gave almost same performance at 50 °C and 52 °C for all refrigerants, except 

for HC-290 which suffered a loss in capacity by about a 25%. Then and after 

optimizing the compressor of HC-290, there was an enhancement of both capacity 

and COP, but still lower than HCFC-22. Other tests with HCFC-22, HFC-32, R410A, HFC-134a, R-407C and HC-290 for split air conditioner with optimized and 

dedicated compressors showed a better performance at standard ambient for HFC-32 

compared to HC-290 but a higher COP at high ambient for HC-290 over HFC-32. 

The cooling capacity degradation at high ambient is highest for R-410A.

7.2.2 Collective regional research projects

To shed light into what can be considered as sustainable technologies for high ambient 

temperature conditions. UNEP and UNIDO launched a project to study and compare 

refrigerants working in machines specifically built for those refrigerants and operating at 

high ambient temperatures. The project, “Promoting low GWP Refrigerants for AirConditioning Sectors in High-Ambient Temperature Countries” (PRAHA) was launched in 

2013 with a target completion in 2015. The project is implemented at the regional level in 

consultation with National Ozone Units of Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi 

Arabia, and the UAE to ensure incorporating the project outputs within the HPMPs 

particularly for the preparation of post 2015 policies and action-plans

Building up on PRAHA and the linkage to country phase-out plans, Egypt adopted a similar 

initiative as part of the HPMP to test refrigerant alternatives for air-conditioning units built in 

Egypt. The initiative, “Promotion of Low-GWP Refrigerants for the Air-Conditioning 

Industry in Egypt” (EGYPRA) proposes to test more blends in different applications. The 

initiative was launched back in June 2014 and is expected to have the results by early 2016.

Local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will build prototypes running with the 

different refrigerant alternatives and ship other “base units’ operating with HCFC and HFC 

for comparison purposes. Testing will be done at 35, 46, and 50°C ambient temperatures with 

an “endurance” test at 55°C ambient to ensure no tripping for two hours when units are run at 

that temperature. The proposed refrigerants are:

 HC-290

 HFC-32

 R-444B (former L-20), replacing HCFC-22

 R-447A (former L-41), replacing R-410A

 DR-3, replacing HCFC-22

 R-454B (former DR-5A), replacing R-410A

 ARM-32, replacing HCFC-22

 ARM-71d, replacing R-410A
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 71

In August 2015, at the International Congress on Refrigeration (ICR) in Yokohama, PRAHA 

project managers gave a glimpse of some of the preliminary findings from 40% of the test 

results. The main finding is that some of the alternative refrigerants with higher relative 

volumetric capacity than R-22 show better COP than was theoretically expected. These 

preliminary results indicate a way forward in the search for efficient low-GWP alternatives 

for high ambient temperatures especially when coupled with a full system redesign. The 

results however need to be corroborated with the findings after 100% of the tests have been 

finalized before they are published in the project report which is expected to be ready by end 

of 2015.

The work by PRAHA and EGYPRA will facilitate the technology transfer and experience 

exchange of low-GWP alternatives for air-conditioning applications operating in highambient temperature countries. The other indirect objective is to encourage the development 

of local/regional codes and standards that ease the introduction of alternatives needing 

special safety or handling considerations, and to ensure that national and regional energy 

efficiency programs are linked to the adoption of low-GWP long term alternatives PRAHA 

(2013).

7.2.3 Cooperative international research

AREP (Alternative Refrigerant Evaluation Program), a project launched by the AirConditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is a cooperative research program 

to identify suitable alternatives to high GWP refrigerants without prioritizing them. 

In the first phase of the project, 21 companies tested 38 refrigerant candidates for replacing 

HCFC-22 and three other HFCs, R-410A, HFC-134a, and R-404A (Amrane, 2013), in 

applications varying from air conditioners and heat pumps (both package, split and VRF), 

chillers (screw and centrifugal), refrigeration (commercial and ice machines), transport, and 

bus air-conditioning.

Phase II is testing more refrigerants plus doing all tests at high ambient temperature 

conditions, which phase I did not do.

 AREP and PRAHA signed a joint declaration to set the criteria and conditions for 

testing and to identify and assist in setting the parameters to be reported, such that, 

results can be useful to both projects. The declaration includes sharing the results and 

the outputs for possible comparison. Eltalouny (2014) described the differences 

between PRAHA and AREP as:

 AREP is focused on studying refrigerant characteristics, while PRAHA is focused on 

performance and efficiency comparison;

 AREP is based on soft optimization (drop-in) only while PRAHA includes custom 

built prototypes designed for the new alternatives;

 AREP testing is conducted in manufacturers’ labs while PRAHA will be tested at one 

independent 3rd party lab;

 PRAHA is focused on high-ambient conditions (T3 (ISO 5151:2010) design 

conditions) and is linked to local MEPS as reference design and test guides.

AREP concluded its first phase in 2013 and the second phase began in early 2014. Twenty 

three entities are members of this second phase, with compressors, air conditioners and heat 

pumps, rooftop units, chillers and refrigeration products being evaluated. Twenty five 

refrigerant candidates have been proposed and are shown in the table below:
72 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

In Phase I of the AREP some -limited- higher than normal ambient temperature conditions 

were tested as given the Table 7-2 below.

Table 7-2: Matrix for AREP Phase I low-GWP High Ambient testing 

Product Test 

companies

High 

Ambient 

conditions

Report 

Baseline 

refrigerant

R1234yf R32 D2Y60 L-41a L-40 N-40b AC5 N-13a L-20 D-52Y

3.5-ton split 

system HP

Lennox 115F

AREP Report 

No. 10

410A X

3.5-ton split 

system HP

Lennox 115F

AREP Report 

No. 4

410A X

3-ton split 

system HP

Uni. of 

Maryland 115F

AREP Report 

No. 20

410A X X X

3-ton split 

system HP

Uni. of 

Maryland 115F

AREP Report 

No. 32

410A X

Ice machine (selfcontained) Manitowoc 110FAREP Report 

No. 2

404A X X

Ice machine 

(split system) Manitowoc 120F

AREP Report 

No. 2

404A X X

Bus AC system ThermoKing 120F

AREP Report 

No. 12

134a X X

Bus AC system ThermoKing 120F

AREP Report 

No. 13

407C X X

Low-GWP AREP Phase I High Ambient Test Matrix-Completed

It was recognized at the end of Phase I that high ambient countries needed additional effort 

and this was recognized by the tests dedicated to this application as given in Table 7-3.

Table 7-3: Matrix proposed for AREP Phase II low-GWP High Ambient testing

Product Test 

companies

High 

Ambient 

condition

s

Current 

Testing Status

Baseline 

refrigerant

ARM20bARM71a

DR-5A HPR2A L-41-1 L-41-2 N-40c R-32

10kW water 

chiller Armines 115F in testing 410A X X X X

11.3 EER 10-ton 

rooftop unit Carrier 125F in testing 410A X X X X

14 SEER 3 Ton 

HP

Carrier 125F in testing 410A X X X X X

13 SEER 3-ton 

HP

Danfoss 115F and 

125F

in testing 410A X X X

14SEER 3-ton 

split HP Goodman 115F and 125F

completed 410A X

Commercial 

package unit Lennox 115F in testing 410A X X X X

split ice machine Manitowoc 120F completed 404A X X

4-ton packaged 

rooftop Trane 125F in testing 410A X X

Rooftop 

packaged unit Zamilac 125F in testing 410A X

Low-GWP AREP Phase II High Ambient Test Matrix-Porposed

This second phase of the AREP study is well underway with much of the testing completed 

and reports being worked on. The progress of the study can be tracked on the AHRI website,

where updates are published on a regular basis.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 73

7.2.4 Additional research – US DoE project

In response to questions that have been raised by several countries about the performance and 

efficiency of low-GWP refrigerants in high-ambient temperatures, the U.S. government is 

establishing a testing program in close cooperation with international equipment 

manufacturers and refrigerant producers, and government representatives from other 

countries. The testing program will seek to test the performance of different kinds of air 

conditioning units that use low-GWP refrigerants in high-ambient temperatures and to show 

that it is possible to achieve comparable or better performance than existing equipment in 

terms of energy efficiency and cooling capacity. In particular, the effort will focus on mini 

splits – and potentially also rooftop units – given their prevalence in high-ambient 

temperature regions. The testing of mini splits will take place at Oak Ridge National 

Laboratory (ORNL) and the intended testing of rooftop units will take place at another thirdparty laboratory, as resources allow.

7.2.5 Comparison table of the different research projects

Table 7-4: Comparison of DoE, EGYPRA and PRAHA projects 

Program

1 Type of test

2

Number of 

prototypes

Split unit Split unit Split Split Split Central micro 

Channel

Window Mini Split Ducted Packaged

18 MBH R22 

eq.

18 MBH R-410A 

eq.

12 MBH 18 MBh 24 MBH 120 MBH 120 MBH 18 MBH 24 MBH 36 MBH 90 MBH

4

Testing 

Conditions

5

Prototypes 

supplied and 

Tests 

performed 

8 Constraints 

9

Other 

components

ANSI/AHRI Standard 

210/240 and ISO 5151 T3 

(2010) condition

EOS 4814 and 3795 (ISO 5151), T1, T2, and T3 

conditions.

ANSI/AHRI Standard 210/240 and ISO 5151 at 

T1, T3 and T3+ (50°C) and a continuity test for 

2 hours at 52°C

ORNL (Oak Ridge National 

Laboratory), one supplier 

– soft optimisation in situ

US DoE EGYPRA (UNEP, UNIDO) Egypt PRAHA (UNEP, UNIDO) high-ambient 

countries

50 Hz

Soft optimization tests, 

comparing with base 

units: HCFC-22 and R410A

Individual test prototypes, comparing with base units: 

HCFC-22 and R-410A

Individual test prototypes, comparing with 

base units: HCFC-22 and R-410A

2 commercially available 

units, soft modified to 

compare with base 

refrigerants: HCFC-22 and 

R-410A

2 8 prototypes, each specific to one capacity and one 

refrigerant, compared with the base refrigerants: HCFC22 and R-410A 

1 8 prototypes, each specific capacity and 

refrigerant built by two OEMs, compared with 

base refrigerants: HCFC-22 and R-410A

Prototypes built at eight OEMs, test at NREA (Local test 

laboratory in Egypt)

Prototypes built at seven OEMs, test at 

Intertek.

3

No. Of 

categories

60 Hz 50Hz 60 Hz

HFC-32, HC-290

HFOs (2 types) eq. to HCFC-22

HFOs (3 Types) eq. to R-410A. HFOs (1 type) eq. to R-410A

4

t h quarter of 2015

HFC-32, HC-290 

HFOs (3 Types) eq. to HCFC-22

6

Refrigerants 

tested 

HFC-32, HC-290

HFOs (>3 types) eq. to 

HCFC-22

HFOs (> 3 types) eq. to R410A

7

Expected 

Delivery 

Dates. 

Preliminary report, July 

2015

Final Report October 2015

Early 2016

To change some 

components of the two 

prototypes to 

accommodate the 

different refrigerants 

characteristics, within a 

“soft optimisation” 

process

To build new prototypes with dedicated compressors for 

the selected refrigerants with the condition to meet the 

same design capacities of the selected models in 

comparison to the HCFC-22 or R-410A designs

To build new prototypes with dedicated 

compressors for the selected refrigerants 

fitting in the same box dimensions as the 

original design and comparing performance 

and efficiency to base models with HCFC-22 

and R-410A units

N/A N/A

The project includes other non-testing 

elements to assess relevant issues of energy 

efficiency (EE) standards, technology transfer 

and economics in addition to special reporting 

on the potential of District Cooling to reduce 

the use of high-GWP alternatives.
74 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

7. 3 Designing for high ambient temperature conditions

It is important to note that any change of refrigerant in an existing design requires careful 

considerations. Theoretical calculations can give an idea about what is generally to be 

expected with a change in refrigerant, but specific details on the system design, for instance 

design and sizing of heat exchanger, will impact how the system capacity and energy 

efficiency is influenced by a change in refrigerant. For system builders this means that each 

system design needs to be optimized after the change of refrigerant. This requires an 

investment similar to what has been spent on optimizing the system for the current 

refrigerant, and for highly cost optimized systems this investment might be considerable. 

In theory, high energy efficiency and safety can be achieved in almost any application with 

any refrigerant. The challenge is to choose a refrigerant that allows high enough energy 

efficiency and sufficient safety to be achieved at a cost which is low enough for the system 

builder to compete with other system builders. The total system cost and total system energy 

has to be considered, not only the refrigerating circuit cost and energy consumption. Besides 

cost, installation space and sound levels are other challenge for the system designer that may 

limit the choice of systems and refrigerant. What constitutes an optimal design is highly 

dependent on the ambient temperatures. In high ambient conditions there will be a tendency 

towards larger systems due to the higher heat load, larger heat exchangers compared to the 

rest of the systems, and refrigerants with low critical point have much lower performance 

than in colder climates. The higher the energy level the higher the cost and size impact of 

refrigerants and systems that are not optimal in view of energy efficiency. In most regions 

with high ambient the water consumption of the system has to be considered carefully which 

limits in several cases the choice of the system. Based on future tendencies designers have to 

take more and more care for the efficient use of the available resources. High energy 

efficient, compact units with low weight and high recyclability will become the future 

tendency. This will be even more important for larger equipment as needed for high ambient 

zones. 

Another aspect that requires consideration is that attention to safety is important when 

changing from a non-flammable refrigerant to a flammable refrigerant, for instance avoiding 

ignition sources and conducting risk assessments. The availability of qualified service 

personnel will be part of this assessment.

A general rule of thumb is that lowering the GWP increases the flammability or lowers the 

capacity. It should however be remembered that:

 Safety considerations limit how far flammability can be accepted in a given 

application. Safety considerations are especially limiting in high ambient where the 

higher heat load requires higher capacities and larger refrigerant quantities per 

system. It is possible to increase safety by adding extra features, which increases 

cost, but also increase the number of applications which can use flammable 

refrigerants; 

 While safety considerations are often focused on the consumer safety, there can also 

be a significant investment cost in converting production lines, so workers can safely 

build systems with flammable refrigerants;

 A change of the volumetric capacity of the refrigerant requires changes in the system 

design. Where the change is large the design changes have large impacts or are not 

feasible. Lowering the capacity will increase the system size and thereby system cost, 

which might not yield a competitive solution. Changing from HCFC-22 to HFC1234yf is such an example, and for centrifugal chiller systems the change from HFC134a to HCFC-1233zd(E) may also be such an example. Lower capacity may also 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 75

lead to higher refrigerant charges and consequently the amount of kgs multiplied by 

the GWP has to be considered;

 A decrease of the emissions from electricity production may increase the relative 

importance of refrigerant emissions but energy efficiency will remain an important 

factor to realise the reduction of emissions form electricity production.

Changes which do not require large investments in R&D will be preferred by most system 

builders as they minimize the economic risk related to the change. Such changes include:

 Changes from non-flammable to another lower GWP non-flammable refrigerant. 

Especially for refrigeration, avoiding the use of R-404A but using non-flammable 

alternatives such as R-407A/F or even lower GWP refrigerants like R-448A, R-449A 

or R-449B.

 Change to lower flammability substances for smaller systems or systems placed 

outdoors. For instance for A/C prefer using lower GWP HFC-32, R-447A or R-454B 

over R-410A, or for chillers prefer using R-454A or HFC(HFO)-1234ze(E) over 

HFC-134a.

 Changes to higher flammability substances for small systems with a few 100g of 

refrigerant or systems placed outdoors. For instance using R-600a in place of HFC134a or using HC-290 in place of R-404A or R-407C.

The design for high ambient temperature conditions needs special care to avoid excessive 

condensing temperatures and getting close to the critical temperature for each type of 

refrigerant. Other issues like safety, refrigerant charge quantity, and improving the energy 

efficiency for both partial and full load have to be taken into consideration.

7.3.1 Heat exchangers 

In regions with high ambient temperature conditions, special care in selecting and designing 

of the heat exchangers must be taken into consideration by using smaller tube diameters of 5 

or 7 mm with larger primary and secondary surface areas or by using micro-channel type of 

heat exchangers to increase heat transfer and to reduce the condensing temperature. A major 

factor in the design of chilled water systems is the use of brazed plate-type heat exchangers

for both condenser, in a water cooled system, and evaporator to increase efficiency and 

reduce the refrigerant charge. Reducing the refrigerant charge is important to meet safety 

standards requirements.

7.3.2 Compressor types and availability

Compressor manufacturers offer scroll, reciprocating, and screw compressors for small and 

medium size units running with low-GWP refrigerants. The trend of using multi compressors 

is becoming an option for A/C manufacturers in the high ambient countries and compressor 

manufacturers are now offering compressors with HC-290, HFC-32 and HFC-1234yf with 

energy efficiency levels that can meet or exceed the new MEPS in the region. These 

compressors are ATEX (Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosives) 

certified for flammable refrigerants.

7.3.3 Safety standards 

Standards for the new refrigerants (that are mostly flammable), like ISO 5149, EN 378, IEC 

60335-2-40 for air conditioners and heat pump systems and IEC 60335-2-89 for commercial 

refrigeration appliances, are available, although IEC 60335-2-89 need to be adapted to allow 

larger charges of flammable refrigerants. IEC standards are a de facto legal requirement in 

several countries as the Certification Body (CB) scheme is the actual requirement for import 

and sales of products. In some countries, the implementation of old standards in the 
76 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

legislation, for instance building codes or other mandatory safety regulations, blocks the 

uptake of especially flammable refrigerants.

Updating legislation is a slow process due to the thoroughness needed; this creates a delay in 

the adaptation of new standards. On top of this, standards, including safety standards, are 

written by industry participants largely based on general use; this also means that they do not 

cover specific manufacturer situations. The practice of writing safety standards into 

legislation as mandatory therefore tends to slow down the up-take of new technology such as 

flammable refrigerants together with the necessary safety practices. 

An implementation strategy used in some countries is to make specific safety standards 

mandatory, but allow for risk assessments to be used as alternative, often combined with a 

certification body scheme. In this way newer safety methods can be used since doing a risk 

assessment is relatively easy when basing the design on published safety standards, besides, 

even when following a safety standard a risk assessment should always be carried out to 

ensure safety.

Another important aspect of safety standards is that they only have value if they are followed, 

and this makes training of system builders and service technicians an important part of 

implementing safety standards.

7. 4 Energy efficiency and capacity consequences

7.4.1 Energy efficiency for certain cases

In regions with high ambient conditions, legislations which set minimum energy efficiency 

values on air conditioners are emerging quickly. Most of the countries require third party 

verification of declared performance. Table 7-5 shows the legislations in force and the 

upcoming legislations applicable to multi-split, split (ducted) and ducted split commercial 

and non-split air conditioners.

Table 7-5: Air Conditioners

Country Number of 

the standard

Status Type of 

requirements

Products in 

scope

Climate 

conditions

Test standard to be used

Saudi SASO 

2007/2006

In force Safety All NA IEC 60335-2-40:1995

SASO 

2663/2014

In force minimum 

energy 

performance 

values 

non-ducted 

splits and 

package units 

< 70000 Btu/h

35°C (T1) 

and 46°C 

(T3)

SASO 2681/2007

SASO 2682/2007

SASO 

XXXX/2015

Being 

drafted

minimum 

energy 

performance 

values

all other units 35°C (T1) ANSI/AHRI 110-2012, 

ANSI/AHRI 210/240-2008, 

ANSI/AHRI 340/360-2007, 

ANSI/AHRI 1230-2010,

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 127-

2007, ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 

90.1/2010, 

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES90.1/2013,

ISO 15042/2011

United 

Arab 

Emirates

UAE.S.5010-

1:2011

In force minimum 

energy 

performance 

values and 

energy label

residential and 

commercial 

single 

package and 

non-ducted

split type air 

conditioners

46°C (T3) ISO 5151:2011

UAE.S.5010-

1:2014

Published 

(will 

replace 

minimum 

energy 

performance 

residential 

single 

package and 

46°C (T3) ISO 5151:2011
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 77

2011 

version)

values and 

energy label

non-ducted 

split type air

conditioners

UAE.S.5010-

5: 2014

Published minimum 

energy 

performance 

values

residential, 

commercial 

and industrial 

ducted split 

and multiple 

split-system 

airconditioners 

and heat 

pumps

46°C (T3) ISO 13253:2011 

ISO 15042:2011

Kuwait In force Safety All NA IEC 60335-2-40

In force Minimum 

energy 

performance 

values and 

energy label

Packaged, 

ducted and 

non-ducted air 

conditioners

48°C AHRI standards

Legislations which set minimum energy efficiency values in high ambient regions also 

include chillers. The following table shows the legislations in force and the upcoming 

legislations applicable to chillers.

Table 7-6: Positive displacement chillers

Country Number of 

the standard

Status Type of 

requirements

Products 

in scope

Climate 

conditions

Test standard to be 

used

Saudi SASO 

2007/2002

In force Safety All NA

SASO 

XXXX/2015

Being 

drafted

minimum 

energy 

performance 

values

Chillers

Absorption 

chillers

35°C (T1) ANSI/AHRI 550/590(IP)-2011, 

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 

90.1/2010, 

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 

90.1/2013, ANSI/AHRI 

560(I-P)-2000

United 

Arab 

Emirates

UAE.S.5010-

5: 2014

Published minimum 

energy 

performance 

values

watersource heat 

pumps and

waterchilling 

packages

46°C (T1) AHRI 550/590

7.4.2 Capacity for certain cases and impact on limits of use

In high ambient conditions, the cooling load of a conditioned space can be up to three times 

that for moderate climates. Therefore larger capacity refrigeration systems may be needed 

which implies a larger refrigerant charge. In high ambient countries, it is typical to select 

refrigeration and air conditioning systems for ISO T3 conditions (46°C outdoor temperature) 

while ISO T1 conditions (35°C outdoor conditions) are used for moderate climates, which 

also results in larger refrigerant charges in the system. Due to the requirements for charge 

limitation according to certain safety standards, the possible product portfolio suitable for 

high ambient conditions is more limited than for average climate conditions when using the 

same safety standards.
78 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

7. 5 How to balance possible consequences

7.5.1 Measures that can improve energy efficiency and capacity

Some factors which can be improve the system Energy Efficiency (EE) and capacity at high 

ambient conditions: 

 Using different types of heat exchangers for both condensers and evaporators: using 

bigger condensers can improve the EE of the system by reducing the condensing 

temperature. This is especially true for refrigerants with low critical temperature as 

the reduction in the condensing temperature will reduce the compressor lift and will 

also reduce the compressor power consumption. The same positive results can be 

achieved using micro channel condensers;

 Using high efficiency evaporators (shell and tube or brazed plate). Recently many 

evaporator manufacturers are reducing the approach temperature between the 

evaporating temperature and the fluid temperature (air or water) which leads to 

higher evaporating temperatures in the air conditioning units. This will increase both 

the cooling capacity and EE; 

 Using high efficiency scroll type compressors with compressor speed control 

(invertor) will increase the partial load efficiency for the whole system. These 

compressors are now available for low-GWP refrigerants;

 Using special electronic type expansion valves will lead to have higher energy 

efficiency for the system especially when the system is designed for a wide ambient 

temperature range for the high ambient countries. 

7. 6 Current and near future alternative chemicals for high ambient

temperature conditions

7.6.1 Fluorocarbons

Multi-split, Split (ducted) and Ducted split commercial and non-split air conditioners:

 R-407C is chosen as an alternative to HCFC-22 by some manufactures in the Middle 

East. Whilst many of the proposed blends are seldom used, R-407C has been 

demonstrated to be an acceptable retrofit refrigerant and has seen widespread use in 

some regions. This is especially the case in regions with high ambient temperatures 

as the capacity drop at elevated temperatures is relatively lower than that of R-410A, 

although there is some loss in capacity and efficiency compared to HCFC-22. 

 The use of R-410A is getting more and more popular. Operation at high ambient is 

achieved by proper selection of heat exchanger. R-410A units use typical invertor 

driven compressors allowing the equipment to optimize its operation for the different 

outdoor temperatures. The lower critical temperature results in lower efficiency than 

HCFC-22 at same condensing temperatures. A larger condenser can resolve this 

issue, but relative cost increment is inevitable. 

 HFC-32 is suitable for regions with high ambient temperatures in most types of split, 

multi-split and ducted ACs although necessary consideration is needed to provide 

suitable training for the service sector to handle the lower flammability aspects. First 

split models were launched in the Middle East in May 2015. The refrigerant 

properties, including better heat transfer, has resulted in more compact units for the 

same capacity and efficiency or higher capacity and efficiency for the same size of 

unit.

 Both R-446A and R-447A have higher critical temperature of around 84C and 83°C, 

respectively, compared to 71C for R-410A. This higher critical temperature enables 

them to have a higher efficiency at high ambient temperature (Sethi, 2013). The cost 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 79

implications should be comparable to those of R-410A, although marginally greater 

due to the higher refrigerant price at present. Necessary consideration is needed to 

provide suitable training for the service sector to handle the flammability aspects.

 R-444B has a critical temperature similar to HCFC-22 and thus substantially higher 

than R-410A, which implies that it should show performance at high ambient 

temperatures similar to HCFC-22. Preliminary test results indicate that R-444B 

shows similar capacity and efficiency to HCFC-22 (Sethi et al, 2014). The cost 

implications should be comparable to that of HCFC-22 although probably greater due 

to the higher refrigerant price at present. Necessary consideration is needed to 

provide suitable training for the service sector to handle the flammability aspects.

 As highlighted in TEAP (2013), the use of single component unsaturated HFCs, such 

as HFC-1234yf and especially HFC-1234ze(E), have not been seriously considered 

for multi-split and ducted ACs because their volumetric capacity is low , implying 

bulkier systems and – along with high anticipated refrigerant price –a considerable 

increase in product cost. Some exceptions may exist for niche situations in systems 

intended for regions with very high ambient temperatures

Positive displacement chillers:

 Due to its good efficiency at high ambient temperatures, systems with R-444B would 

have power consumption lower relatively to other options. The direct cost of this 

refrigerant may be similar to current HFCs such as R-407C. It works well with 

existing POE lubricants.

 Due to its relative higher critical point compared to other refrigerants, DR-5 performs 

well at high ambient temperatures. The direct cost of this refrigerant would be 

slightly high as it contains HFC-1234yf which has an expensive manufacturing cost. 

It works well with existing POE lubricants. Due to its good efficiency at high 

ambient temperatures, power consumption would be lower relative to R-410A.

 Due to its relative higher critical point compared to other refrigerants, R-447A 

performs well at high ambient temperatures and its energy efficiency at high ambient 

temperatures is better than R-410A. It works well with existing POE lubricants, 

while the direct cost is similar to R-410A. 

 The use of HFC-32 imply that some mitigation device or controls may be necessary 

for handling the discharge temperature of the compressor especially at high ambient 

temperatures. Where screw compressors are used this is not an issue as they are 

generally provided with an oil cooler or liquid injection to maintain the discharge 

temperature within a reasonable range. The good heat transfer of the refrigerant will 

show good performance for chillers as the heat transfer depends mainly on the 

refrigerant heat transfer coefficient (except for flooded type evaporators). HFC1234ze might also be an interesting option for larger chillers. Besides it is easier to 

produce large pipes and components for low pressure refrigerants than for high 

pressure refrigerants. 

Centrifugal chillers:

 HCFC-1233zd(E) is an alternative in low pressure centrifugal chillers, and should 

produce efficiency levels slightly better than HCFC-123, both at moderate and high 

ambient temperatures. One chiller manufacturer has released a chiller working with 

HCFC-1233zd(E) chiller, while others are offering HFC-1234ze for centrifugal 

chillers.
80 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

7.6.2 Other refrigerants

Multi-split, Split (ducted) and Ducted split commercial and non-split air conditioners

 The use of R-744 is not suitable for high temperature climates due to the inability or 

excessive cost necessary to achieve desired efficiencies. There is continuing research 

on cycle enhancements and circuit components, which can help improve the 

efficiency under such conditions, although they may be detrimental to system cost.

 In multi-split, split (ducted) and ducted split commercial and non-split air 

conditioners, both HC-290 and HC-1270 perform well at high ambient. However, 

due to charge amount limitations, they are not easily applicable and require expert 

consideration as to suitability of cases. Manufacturers in high ambient countries are 

experimenting with hydrocarbons in rooftop units (see item 6).

Positive displacement chillers:

 R-717 chillers can and are used in regions with high ambient temperatures, although 

the very high discharge temperatures need to be accommodated for through interstage and oil cooling. 

 Due to the low critical temperature, the use of R-744 presents several technical 

barriers, mainly performance degradation of capacity and efficiency at high ambient 

temperatures. Although components for high pressure do exist, their use leads in an 

incremental cost increase. For an ambient temperature of 35°C the efficiency of a 

basic cycle is about 50-60% of HCFC-22. 

Figure 7-2: Rooftop chilled water packaged unit

Centrifugal chillers:

R-718 (water) chillers are in use in several installations in Europe and are now commercially 

available in Japan in capacities of up to 350 kW using a special axial type compressor. In 

principle R-718 chillers should perform well under high ambient temperat ures. R-718 has 

excellent properties for heat exchange in the liquid phase. Due to its lower molar mass and 

lower saturation pressure, compression is not so easy. The volumetric rate is 20 times higher 

than HCFC-123 while the required velocity to compress water 3 times higher than HFCF123. It cannot operate below zero °C due to freezing. Fouling can have a devastating impact 

on the performance. The required tightness is extremely high, but difficult to achieve due to 

the negative pressure even at the high pressure side. Air entering the system can have severe 

impacts due to corrosion inside the system.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 81

7. 7 Alternative technologies for high ambient temperature conditions

Countries in high ambient areas have been experimenting with small and medium size 

chilled-water systems for residential and light commercial use meeting the new minimum 

energy performance requirements (MEPS) regulations for the high ambient Gulf countries. 

Two such designs are under experimentation:

 A rooftop chilled water packaged unit (see Fig. 7-2) including an air-cooled chiller, a 

chilled water air handling unit (AHU) and a water pump in one package that is 

installed outdoors. The system uses multi circuit compressors working with either 

HC- 290 or HFC-32. The advantages of this system are: A) chilled water is only 

circulated to AHU to prevent the flammable, and or toxic refrigerant to be in direct 

contact with the air stream which is circulated to inside the building. By applying this 

compact design, the refrigerant is totally isolated from the inhabited space in case of 

a leakage from the heat exchanger coil of the AHU. In a traditional direct expansion 

(DX) rooftop packaged unit, a leakage will cause the refrigerant to circulate inside 

the building causing safety concerns from some of the new alternatives being 

proposed. B) Another advantage is by using multi circuits, the integrated part load 

efficiency is much higher than a standard traditional rooftop unit using single circuit. 

Most of the A/C equipment are working 99% of the time partially loaded; 

consequently, an important factor in evaluating the performance of the A/C system is 

Integrated Part Load Values ( IPLV) values not just efficiency at full load. 

 A custom made air cooled outdoor chiller with multi-circuit compressor using HC290 refrigerant to meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements. The use of 

multi circuit compressor is to increase the integrated partial load values and to reduce 

the refrigerant charge to make it possible to use with flammable and or toxic 

refrigerants. 

7. 8 Refrigeration and high ambient temperature conditions

The refrigerated cold food chain, an important consumer of refrigerants, is often overlooked 

especially in high ambient temperature countries.

Source: Cold Hard Facts (ref. in Australia)

Figure 7-3: Electricity consumption by refrigerant sub-sectors

Typically, the refrigerated cold food chain consumes between 30 and 40 % of a nation’s 

electric power generated for stationary R/AC. 
82 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Domestic refrigeration at high ambient temperature conditions

The design considerations associated with high ambient temperatures are those associated 

with the introduction of HC (HC-600a) and unsaturated HFCs/HFOs (HFC-1234yf and HFC1234ze) to domestic refrigeration. The RTOC 2014 assessment report estimates that 75% of 

new domestic refrigeration appliances globally, will use HC-600a by 2020.

Thermodynamically, refrigerators using HC-600a will operate with a better efficiency than 

using HFC-134a in high ambient temperatures, since its condensing pressures/temperatures 

are lower. In countries where the charge of refrigerant exceeds 150 grams, because of 

flammability issues and local standards, HFOs will most likely be the preferred choice. Their 

thermodynamic properties are close to those of HFC- 134a. HFC-1234yf has a slightly lower 

COP and HFC-1234ze a lower volumetric capacity, attention must be paid for the safety 

classification A2L for both. Domestic refrigerators are usually stand-alone self-contained 

compressors/assemblies located inside the indoor conditioned envelope and therefore not 

directly affected by the deterioration of capacity and high discharge temperatures associated 

with high ambient temperature conditions, although the rejected heat load will be an added 

burden on the space air conditioning load. 

Domestic absorption refrigerators design will not be affected by high ambient temperature 

conditions for the same above reasons, but lower efficiencies are expected. They will still be 

available for niche markets when noise of is an issue and where electric power supply is 

unreliable or none existent.

Commercial refrigeration at high ambient temperature conditions.

When commercial stand-alone refrigeration units are installed the in air conditioned envelope 

the issue is shifted to the air conditioning system of the commercial application. 

Refrigeration systems at high ambient conditions have the same issues that air conditioning 

systems do – as ambient temperature increases, system load increases and capacity decreases. 

With increasing ambient and condensing temperatures, compressor discharge temperatures 

also increase thus leading to possible reliability issues. Unlike in air conditioning, 

refrigeration applications are already subject to high compressor discharge temperatures and 

use mitigation methods like liquid or vapour injection for the compressors. These methods to 

control discharge temperature will continue to be required in refrigeration applications with 

any new alternatives that are being considered.

In non-Article 5 Parties, as HCFC-22 was phased out, refrigeration applications migrated to 

R-404A, R-507A and HFC-134a in the different types of systems. In the United States, about 

five years ago, large supermarkets chose R-407A as an alternate to R-404A. At present, R407A and R-407F are widely used in supermarket systems in the United States. Both of these 

refrigerants will work as alternates to HCFC-22 as high ambient countries consider phasing 

out HCFC-22. HFC-134a is an option in small close-coupled systems as well as the medium 

temperature refrigerant in a cascaded supermarket system. Cascade refrigeration systems can 

also be an option for high ambient countries where CO2 is used as the low temperature 

refrigerant and rejects heat to a medium temperature system like one that uses HFC-134a as 

the refrigerant.

There are other lower GWP options in refrigeration that are soon to be introduced in the 

United States and Europe that can be future options for high ambient countries. Some of 

these are R-448A, R-449A and R449B which are all replacements for R-407A, R-407F, R404A, and R-507A; R-450A and R-513A which are replacements for HFC-134a. While these 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 83

refrigerants are non-flammable A1, there are mildly flammable refrigerants that are also in 

the process of being released for production – HDR110, DR3 and ARM20a, etc. These less 

than 150 GWP refrigerants and the HFOs are more suited for self-contained, factory charged 

applications and other small charge systems in supermarket and cold room applications.

In the hydrocarbon category of refrigerants, HC-290 is the one that is most commonly used in 

low charge commercial refrigeration systems in Europe. Larger systems use secondary 

coolants that exchange heat with the HC-290 which is typically located in a machine room 

where access is controlled. Both small self-contained refrigeration systems and these larger 

secondary HC-290 systems are options for high ambient countries in refrigeration. Similar to 

air conditioning, the standards, codes and technician training and certification are not well 

developed for flammable refrigerants and that has to be a consideration in the choice being 

made.

In absorption refrigeration applications, an absorption chiller and CO2 cascade are trialled, 

for supermarkets. In this case, the concept is to base the system around a combined heat and 

power (CHP) plant for a self-contained system, but waste heat or solar energy could be used 

with the absorption chiller. The refrigeration system uses CO2 as a secondary (volatile) 

refrigerant for the medium temperature (MT) cabinets and direct expansion (DX) for the low 

temperature (LT) cabinets. In designing the system, this maximises the system efficiency as 

the compressor power for MT refrigeration, which is the predominant load in a supermarket, 

is replaced by a much lower pump power to pump the liquid refrigerant to the refrigerated 

cabinets. 

Figure 7-4: A commercial refrigeration system using reject heat and absorption 

refrigeration (Source: http://dea.brunel.ac.uk/rdco2/press-en.htm)

Industrial refrigeration in high ambient temperature conditions

R-717 is an important refrigerant for high ambient temperature industrial applications. CO2

cascaded systems are also being introduced. Because a trans-critical CO2 solution it is not 

adapted to a high ambient temperature climate, only cascade systems are possible. When 

outdoor temperature is higher than 25°C (Tcondensation > 31°C) the efficiency of trans-critical 

CO2 quickly deteriorates. For instance, at 38°C ambient temperature, the efficiency of a basic 

cycle is lower from 40 to 50 % than that of R-404A.

In food processing, ammonia is already largely used; the cascade architecture, with CO2 at 

the low temperature (from -35°C to -50°C) and ammonia at the medium temperature (-20°C 

to -10°C), allows ammonia charge limitation. This means the facilities are safer, there is a 
84 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

limited risk of ammonia leaking in the premises. Manufacturers of refrigeration systems have 

developed solutions based on a cascade sequence between HFC-134a and CO2 refrigeration 

cycles, mainly for installation in high ambient temperature countries where outdoor 

temperatures are too high to allow a simple trans-critical CO2 refrigeration cycle.

Solar refrigeration cascade with CO2

Waste heat

Absorption machine

Cooling tower Evaporator

Cold Solar concentrator Water cooled transcritical CO2

CO2 refrigeration circuit Chilled water circuit

Solar thermal cascade refrigeration

Figure 7-5: Solar thermal cascade refrigeration cascaded with CO2 circuit

Cascaded solar-fired absorption units are being considered in high ambient temperatures 

conditions, cascaded with a CO2 refrigeration circuit. An HFO mechanical vapour 

compression system can also be used instead of the CO2 system. Both systems require 

additional testing.

Cooling tower

Chilled water storage tank 8C

Conventional refrigeration system with water cooled condenser Absorption chiller Hot water buffer

Solar collector

Figure 7-6: Solar thermal cascade refrigeration cascaded with vapour compression circuit

7. 9 References

Amrane, 2013 Amrane, K. Overview of AHRI Research on Low-GWP 

Refrigerants. Webinar Aug 2013

Biswas and Cremaschi, 2012 Biswas, A and Cremschi, L. Performance and Capacity 

Comparison of Two New LGWP Refrigerants Alternatives to 

R410A in Residential Air Conditioning Applications. Proc. 

2012 International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 

Conference at Purdue, USA.

Chen, 2012 Chen, Z.H., Research on Rotary Compressors Based on R-290 

Technology. Proc. UNEP conference on technologies for high 

ambient conditions, Dubai, 2012.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 85

Chin and Spatz, 1999 Chin, L., Spatz, M.W., Issues Relating to the Adoption of R410A in Air Conditioning Systems, 20th International Congress 

of Refrigeration, IIR/IIF, Sidney, Australia.

Colbourne, 2013 Colbourne, C., HC-290 as an Alternative Refrigerant for Split 

Air Conditioning Systems in High Ambient Temperatures. 

Papiernicka 2013

Devotta et al, 2005a Devotta, S., Padalkar, A.S., Sane, N. K., 2005a. Performance 

assessment of HCFC-22 window air conditioner retrofitted with 

R-407C. Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 25, Issue 17–18, 

2937–2949.

Domanski and Payne, 2002 Domanski, P.A., Payne, W., Properties and cycle performance 

of refrigerant blends operating near and above the refrigerant 

critical point. Task 2: Air conditioner system study, Final report. 

ARTI-21CR/605-50010-01-P.2., 2002

Eltalouny, 2014 Eltalouny, A., Challenges in Identifying Low-GWP 

Refrigerants for High Ambient Temperature Climates. 

International Conference on Efficient Building Design, October

2014, Beirut, Lebanon. 

Hamed, 2012 Hamed, S., “Using HC and HFC refrigerants in rooftop package 

units Which refrigerant is the future?”, Proc. UNEP conference 

on technologies for high ambient conditions, Dubai, 2012.

ISO 5151:2010. Non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps -- Testing and 

rating for performance. International Organization for 

Standardization (ISO).

PRAHA 2013. PRAHA project document, 2015

Sethi, 2013 Sethi, A., Low GWP Replacements for R-410A in Air 

Conditioning Applications., Proc. 2013 ASHRAE Summer 

Meeting, Denver, CO, USA.

Tu et al., 2011 Tu, X. et al., Study of R-32 Refrigerant for Residential AirConditioning Applications, International Conference on 

Refrigeration, Prague 2011.

UNEP, 2014. 2014 Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps 

Technical Options Committee Assessment Report, edition 

published 2015

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 87

8 Information on alternatives to ODS in the fire protection 

sector

8.1 Introduction

This section addresses the halon alternative requirements of Decision XXVI/9: Response to 

the report by the Technology and Economics Assessment Panel on information on 

alternatives to ozone-depleting substances. The Halons Technical Options Committee 

(HTOC) has provided these responses at the request of the Task Force addressing the 

Decision.

The production and consumption of halons used in fire protection ceased in non-Article 5 

Parties on January 1, 1994 and ceased world-wide prior to January 1, 2010. The production 

and consumption of HCFCs for use in fire protection continues. Ozone depleting substances 

(ODS) used as fire extinguishants possess unique efficacy and safety properties that serve as 

a basis of fire protection systems where the application of water (by hose stream or sprinkler 

heads), dry chemical agents, or aqueous salt solutions is problematic. This is especially true 

in high-value commercial electronics environments and in military systems, to name only two 

of many applications where non-gaseous systems had many serious technical disadvantages. 

Development of alternatives to ODS fire extinguishing agents, beginning in the late 1980s, 

has progressed steadily and is now relatively mature. Interest still remains, however, in 

development of new alternatives that offer further advancements in efficacy, safety, and 

environmental characteristics.

8. 2 Alternatives for fixed fire protection systems

The proven alternatives to ODS for total flooding fire protection using fixed systems remain 

unchanged from those fully described in HTOC Technical Note #1, which was updated 

during the HTOC 2014 Assessment process and is available on the Ozone Secretariat 

website. These agents are as follows.

a) Halocarbon agents:

FK-5-1-12

HFC-23

HFC-125

HFC-227ea

b) Inert Gas agents

IG-01

IG-100

IG-55

IG-541

c) Carbon dioxide (for use in unoccupied areas only)

d) Water Mist technologies

e) Inert Gas generators

f) Fine solid particles

Although the above alternatives are available in both Article 5 and non-Article 5 Parties, 

their use pattern depends on the hazard threat to be protected against as well as local 

regulations and relative costs. High ambient temperature and high urban density have not 

been shown to affect the use patterns of these agents but extremely low ambient temperatures 

such as those found in arctic regions or the outside of aircraft at high altitude do. Extremely 

low temperatures pose significant challenges for currently commercialised alternatives 

seeking to replace halon in these environments. They are also challenged by other constraints 
88 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

in civil aviation, such as space and weight limitations because all the alternatives require 

more agent to suppress a fire than the halon being replaced.

Other halocarbon agents are in the early stages of testing and development. However, due to 

the lengthy process of testing, approval and market acceptance of new fire protection 

equipment types and agents, it is not anticipated that these agents can have any appreciable 

impact in the near-term. Phosphorous tribromide (PBr3) has been commercialised for use as a 

fire extinguishant in one small aircraft engine application but it is not being considered for 

any other application at this time owing to its toxicity and corrosiveness.

8.3 Alternatives for portable fire protection systems

The proven alternatives to ODS for local application fire protection using portable systems 

remain unchanged from those fully described in the HTOC Technical Note #1, which was 

updated during the HTOC 2014 Assessment process and is available on the Ozone Secretariat 

website. These alternatives are as follows: 

a) Halocarbon agents

HFC-236fa

HFC-227ea

FK-5-1-12

b) Carbon dioxide

c) Dry chemical

d) Straight stream water

e) Fine water spray

f) Aqueous salt solutions

g) Aqueous film-forming foam

High ambient temperatures and high urban densities have not been shown to affect the use 

patterns of these agents.

Two chemicals are at an advanced stage of testing and development and may be 

commercialised as fire extinguishing agents in the future. It is not anticipated that high 

ambient temperatures or high urban densities will affect market uptake of these agents. These 

new chemicals are as follows.

h) FK-6-1-14

i) 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene

Note, civil aviation is trying to meet the International Civil Aviation 

Organisation’s (ICAO) 31st December 2016 deadline for the replacement of 

halon handheld portable extinguishers using 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. 

The required regulatory process for commercialisation / manufacturing in 

Europe (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals -

REACH registration) has been completed but in the United States the required 

listing as acceptable under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) 

program and approval under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is not 

yet completed. If successful, from a performance and environmental 

perspective, this agent will likely be the most effective replacement for halon 

1211 applications. However, according to its manufacturer, the agent is 

anticipated to be at least double the cost of other clean agent alternatives, and 

will require stabilisers to maintain the material in long-term storage. For these 

reasons, the agent is only likely to fill the needs of niche applications where its 

lower weight and superior fire protection performance justify the higher cost.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 89

For local, non-portable, applications such as the protection of floating roof tank rim seals, 

CF3I (iodotrifluoromethane) has re-emerged as an acceptable alternative for halon 1211 or 

halon 2402. 

Although the above alternatives are available in both Article 5 and non-Article 5 Parties, 

their use pattern depends on the hazard threat to be protected against as well as local 

regulations and relative costs. Of concern are reports of the introduction of some clean agent 

portable extinguishers in some Article 5 Parties that are not rated by internationally 

recognised testing laboratories.

8. 4 Revised scenarios for current and future demand

The principle chemical alternatives to ODS are HFCs and a fluoroketone. As was the case 

reported in the TEAP response to Decision XXV/5, the production of these agents for use in 

fire extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers is performed by very few 

manufacturers, all of whom treat the information on their historical, present and projected 

production and costs as proprietary. Without a clear understanding of these production levels 

and costs there is no basis on which to create scenarios to assess economic costs and 

implications and any potential environmental benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives to 

ODS. Making such an assessment with no factual data may in fact provide results that are 

misleading. 

On a relative scale, the manufacturers provided the following trends on usage and growth of 

their agents.

A) HFCs

The split of HFC sales for fire protection between Article 5 and non-Article 5 Parties is 

approximately 70:30.

Sector Growth: HFC Sales for fire protection according to one manufacturer are:

 US: flat

 Middle East: growing

 Asia Pacific: growing

 Latin America: flat

 Europe: flat

B) Fluoroketone

The split of fluoroketone sales for fire protection between Article 5 and non-Article 5 Parties 

is approximately 50:50.

Sector Growth: Fluoroketone sales for fire protection according to the manufacturer are:

Sales continue to grow substantially in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America and 

South East Asia. In addition, sales are increasing in Latin America.

It should be noted that all of the alternative systems have their own special characteristics, 

such as effectiveness, cost, weight, space and environmental properties to name a few. 

Energy efficiency is not a key consideration between alternatives, however system cost is one 

of the most important considerations in system selection. In cases where space and weight are 

not limiting factors, there is recent, but limited, information that in some parts of the world 

inert gas systems can be cost competitive with halocarbon systems, a heretofore 

unanticipated situation. The HTOC is continuing its investigation into this development, 

which may provide additional clarity on market penetration options for low environmental 

impact agents in the future.

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 91

9 Information on alternatives to ODS in medical uses

9.1 Metered Dose Inhalers

Inhaled therapy is essential for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary 

disease (COPD). There are two main types of inhalers for the delivery of respiratory drugs: 

the Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) and the Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI). The choice of the most 

suitable inhaler is a complex decision taken between doctor and patient.

CFC-propelled MDIs were historically the inhaled delivery device of choice. They have been 

replaced as follows: 

 HFC MDIs: the CFC propellant in MDIs has been gradually replaced with HFCs 

(HFC-134a and to a lesser extent HFC-227ea), and there are now HFC MDI 

alternatives available to cover all key classes of drugs used in the treatment of asthma 

and COPD. Approximately 690 million HFC MDIs (with an average 15g HFC/MDI) 

are currently manufactured annually worldwide, using about 10,300 tonnes of HFCs 

and accounting for a relatively small proportion of global HFC usage.

 Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs): do not require a propellant, are a not-in-kind alternative 

to MDIs. DPIs fall into two categories: single-dose DPIs, which have been in use for 

more than 60 years, and multi-dose DPIs, which have been in use for more than 20 

years. There are two main types of multi-dose DPI, reservoir and multi-unit dose 

devices. New drugs continue to be developed in the DPI format, sometimes 

exclusively. 

 Nebulisers: are used to inhale drug solutions and account for about 10 per cent or 

less of the market on a dose basis. 

 Propellant-free aqueous mist inhalers have been recently launched by one company. 

 Emerging alternatives are in the earlier stages of development, commercialization or 

marketing, such as iso-butane propelled MDIs. These include applications for 

systemic delivery of drugs by the inhaled route.

9.1.1 Technical and economic assessment of alternatives to CFC MDIs

An assessment was presented of the technical and economic feasibility, and the potential 

limitations, of the two main alternatives to CFC-propelled MDIs, HFC MDIs and DPIs, in the 

previous TEAP XXV/5 Task Force Report October 2014, which remains current and 

relevant. The criteria established in Decision XXVI/9 are similar to those for Decision 

XXV/5, and a further analysis is not considered necessary here. More recently published 

information on the range of alternatives is also available elsewhere4. A summary of 

conclusions follows.

There are now HFC MDI and DPI alternatives available for all key classes of drugs used in 

the treatment of asthma and COPD. HFC MDIs and DPIs have been subjected to extensive 

regulatory assessments for safety, efficacy and quality. Clinical evidence also indicates that 

MDIs and DPIs are equally effective for the treatment of asthma and COPD for patients who 

use both devices correctly. 

DPIs are technically and economically feasible alternatives that could minimise the use of 

HFC MDIs. New drugs are mainly being developed as DPIs. Nebulisers and emerging 

technologies may also be technically feasible alternatives for avoiding the use of some HFC 

 

4 2014 Assessment Report of the UNEP Medical Technical Options Committee, 2014, pp.7-38.
92 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

MDIs. The exception is for salbutamol; currently salbutamol HFC MDIs account for the large 

majority of HFC use in inhalers, and are significantly less expensive per dose than multi-dose 

DPIs, making them an essential and affordable therapy. At present, it is not yet technically or 

economically feasible to avoid HFC MDIs completely because there are economic 

impediments in switching from HFC MDIs to multi-dose DPIs for salbutamol, and because a 

minority of patients (10-20 per cent or less), notably the very young and very old, cannot use 

available alternatives to HFC MDIs. Healthcare professionals continue to consider that a 

range of therapeutic options is important. Any consideration of policy measures to control 

HFCs should carefully assess patient health implications with the goals of ensuring patient 

health and maintaining a range of therapeutic options. Each country has its own unique and 

complex makeup in terms of availability of medicines, overarching health care systems, and 

patient preferences. Nevertheless, DPIs may play an increasing role over the next decade. 

9.1.2 Current and future demand for ODS alternatives

The combined patient prevalence of asthma and COPD worldwide is 600 million, and rising; 

the acceptance and use of inhalers are also increasing. These two factors combined mean that 

the overall numbers of inhalers used worldwide are also increasing, especially in Article 5 

Parties. 

The current and future demand for ODS alternatives has been presented in the recent TEAP 

XXV/5 Task Force Report October 2014 and 2014 Assessment Report of the Medical 

Technical Options Committee5. Since the June XXVI/9 Task Force Report, HFC 

manufacturing industry data have been reviewed and revised to take account of recent 

industry developments and to make predictions for an additional five years, to the year 2030. 

A detailed presentation of findings can be made in 2016. A summary of conclusions follows. 

The International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium (IPAC)6 provided IMS Health7 market 

data of global inhaler usage from 2007-20128. Worldwide usage of CFC MDIs is declining, 

and is less than either DPI or HFC MDI usage, based on dose equivalence. Meanwhile there 

has been an increased overall use of inhalers due to the increased use of both MDIs and DPIs. 

The data show an increase in the total consumption of all MDIs during the period 2007-2012 

(2.1 per cent per annum), and an increase in the consumption of DPIs (3.0 per cent per 

annum). In 2012, CFC MDIs accounted for about 16 per cent of all inhaled medication 

globally, based on dose equivalence, HFC MDIs for about 43 per cent, DPIs about 32 per 

cent, and nebulised solutions about 8 per cent. Based on IMS Health market data, 

approximately 300 million DPIs are manufactured annually worldwide.

Based on HFC manufacturing industry estimates9, approximately 690 million HFC based 

MDIs (with an average 15g/MDI)10 are currently manufactured annually worldwide, using an 

 

5 2014 Assessment Report of the UNEP Medical Technical Options Committee, 2014, pp.21-24, 36-38.

6 The International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium is a group of companies (Astrazeneca, 

Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Glaxosmithkline, Teva) that manufacture medicines for the 

treatment of respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and COPD. 

7

IMS Health is a respected company that has been gathering and analyzing pharmaceutical market data 

for decades. IMS Health; IMS MIDAS granted IPAC permission to submit this data to MTOC/TEAP. 

8 While data on trends is available until 2012, substantial changes have been taking place from 2013 

onwards, with CFC MDI phase-out almost completed worldwide.

9 T.J. Noakes, Mexichem Fluor, United Kingdom, personal communications, 2015. HFC consumption 

data derived from this HFC industry source differs from that derived from IMS Health market data. For 

the purposes of this report, the “top-down” HFCindustry data has been used to derive HFC 

consumption. 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 93

estimated 10,300 tonnes of HFCs in 2015. HFC-134a makes up the major proportion of MDI 

manufacture (~9,500 tonnes in 2015), with HFC-227ea accounting for about 7 per cent (~760

tonnes in 2015). This corresponds to direct emissions with a climate impact of approximately 

15 million tonnes CO2- equivalent, which is about 3 per cent of global GWP-weighted 

emissions of HFCs used as ODS replacements in 201411. HFC emissions from MDIs are 

estimated as about 0.03 per cent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions12.

Under a business as usual model, global HFC demand in MDI manufacture (HFCs -134a and 

-227ea) has been estimated by industry for the period from 2015 to 2030 (see Figure 9-1). It 

is worthwhile noting that accuracy is likely to decline beyond about 2020. This modelling 

does not allow, other than in the flattening of demand for HFC-227ea due to the European 

Union F-gas regulations13, for any other regulatory impact. Neither does it allow for the ongoing trend towards smaller metering chambers14, which may have a net effect of a 25-30 per 

cent reduction in future HFC demand. Nevertheless, based on these predictions, global HFC 

demand for MDI manufacture is estimated to increase annually by 5 per cent over the period. 

This is higher annual growth than previously predicted, and reflects a recent surge in 

developing country market growth. It is worth noting that this short term surge may result in 

an over-estimation of consumption when extrapolated out to 2030. 

10 This compares with industry data indicating sales of 750 million cans in 2015, which might imply 

that MDI charge size is smaller than 15 grams as previously thought.

11 Assessment for Decision-Makers: Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2014, World 

Meteorological Organization, Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project—Report No. 56, 

Geneva, Switzerland, 2014. Global GWP-weighted emissions of HFCs used as ODS replacements (0.5 

Gt CO2-equivalent) specifically exclude HFC-23 emissions. These emissions are currently growing at a 

rate of about 7% per year and are projected to continue to grow. 

12 WRI, CAIT 2.0. 2014. Climate Analysis Indicators Tool: WRI’s Climate Data Explorer. Washington, 

DC: World Resources Institute. http://cait2.wri.org. Accessed February 2014. Total greenhouse gas 

emissions (~43 GtCO2-equivalent in 2011) exclude land use change and forestry. Total HFC 

consumption in MDIs was estimated based on data from T.J. Noakes for 2011, and used as a surrogate 

for emissions. GWP-weighted HFC emissions from MDIs in 2011 are estimated as 0.011 GtCO2-

equivalent. 

13 The European Union F-gas regulations prescribe, inter alia, reductions in HFCs permitted on the 

market in the European Union from 2015 onwards. Reductions will apply to MDIs until 2018 onwards, 

after which MDIs are currently exempted from on-going HFC reductions. 

14 Some companies have reduced the size of the metering values on the canisters (to ~25 or 30μl) from 

an historically larger size (50-65μl) to deliver the same dose, allowing a reduction in the amount of 

propellant used per can and per dose. Many companies have also reduced the number of doses in each 

inhaler (from 200 to 120), which reduces the amount of propellant used per can. Both of these changes 

will increase the number of inhalers made per tonne of HFCs. 
94 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

0	

2000	

4000	

6000	

8000	

10000	

12000	

14000	

16000	

18000	

20000	

2015	 2016	 2017	 2018	 2019	 2020	 2021	 2022	 2023	 2024	 2025	 2026	 2027	 2028	 2029	 2030	

Forecast	global	HFC	(134a	&	227ea)	requirements	for	MDIs,	2015-2030	

Developing	countries	227ea	

Developed	countries	227ea	

Developing	countries	134a	

Developed	countries	134a	

Figure 9-1: Forecast global HFC (134a and 227ea) requirements for MDIs, 2015-2030

HFC-134a accounts for about 93 per cent of total global demand for MDI manufacture over 

the period, with annual growth of 5 per cent. Under a business as usual model, HFC-227ea 

demand accounts for about 7 per cent of HFC demand for MDI manufacture over the period, 

with annual growth of 4 per cent. However, it is possible that, in reality, the manufacture of 

HFC-227ea for use in MDIs may become non-viable as industrial use declines. HFC-227ea 

MDIs are unlikely to expand significantly due to expected increasing HFC-227ea prices and 

uncertainty in the long-term viability of the industrial HFC-227ea business as a result of HFC 

regulations. 

Under a business as usual model, for the period 2015 to 2030, the total cumulative HFC 

consumption in MDI manufacture is estimated as 249,000 tonnes (232,000 tonnes HFC-134a; 

17,000 tonnes HFC- 227ea), corresponding to direct emissions with a climate impact of 

approximately 360 million tonnes CO2-equivalent, which would be significantly less than the 

climate impact of CFC MDIs had they not been replaced.

9.1.3 Costs and benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives

Projected HFC emissions, and associated environmental impacts, could be avoided under a 

hypothetical mitigation scenario where the MDI sector was required to phase down its HFC 

emissions. However, in the short to medium term, this would have adverse health and 

economic implications for patients, pharmaceutical companies, and countries.

Early in the CFC MDI transition to ODS-free alternatives, healthcare professionals, Price, 

Valovirta and Fischer15, observed that measures potentially affecting patient use of HFC 

MDIs should be carefully considered, especially if measures were imposed while the 

transition of patients from CFC MDIs was still in progress. They also noted the importance 

of maintaining a choice of inhaler devices in providing effective treatment. Regulatory 

authorities appear to be proceeding cautiously with controls for HFCs with regard to MDIs. 

Recent amendments to the European Union’s F-Gas Regulations exclude MDIs from 

mandated HFC reductions from 1st January 2018 onwards.

DPIs are technically and economically feasible alternatives that are already avoiding the use 

of some high-GWP HFC MDIs by meeting demand for a significant proportion of inhaled 

therapy. Nebulisers and other emerging technologies may also be technically and 

 

15 D. Price, E. Valovirta, and J. Fischer, The Importance of preserving choice in inhalation therapy: the 

CFC transition and beyond, Journal of Drug Assessment 2004; 7: 45-61.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 95

economically feasible alternatives for avoiding some use of HFC MDIs, both now and in the 

future. The exception is for salbutamol; salbutamol HFC MDIs are currently an essential and 

affordable therapy. It is not yet technically or economically feasible to avoid HFC MDIs 

completely in this sector because, currently:

 HFC MDIs are less expensive than multi-dose DPIs for salbutamol;

 10-20 per cent, or probably less, of patients cannot use available alternatives to HFC 

MDIs;

 The role for traditional nebulisers in replacing MDI use is limited, mainly because of 

convenience and portability.

Therefore, the main challenges are the current availability of affordable alternatives to 

salbutamol HFC MDIs, and treating patients with low inspiratory flow and for acute attacks, 

for which, currently, MDIs with a spacer and nebulisers may be the only suitable devices. 

Some argue that there may be more opportunities associated with the replacement of HFC 

MDIs containing preventer medicines such as corticosteroids, where there is little difference 

in cost between DPIs and HFC MDIs. Others disagree, contending that some therapies, 

particularly corticosteroids, have been shown to be more effective when delivered as 

ultrafine HFC MDI aerosols than DPI aerosols. However, some other experts do not believe 

that the ultrafine HFC MDIs have gained a clinically significant advantage. Despite these 

differences, MTOC experts have agreed that a range of therapeutic options is important 

because some devices, and/or drug products, are more effective for some patients.16

The availability of affordable alternatives to salbutamol HFC MDIs varies from country to 

country. In Article 5 Parties, single-dose DPIs are relatively affordable and available for the 

short-acting bronchodilator salbutamol, as well as other inhaled therapies such as 

beclomethasone. Patients buy the re-usable inhaler device once and generally that device will 

last for up to 24 months, and buy the medicines (capsules) for the inhaler as needed. Singledose DPIs have the advantage that they permit low-income patients to afford a limited 

number of individual dose units of their medication, where they might otherwise be unable to 

afford the expense of buying MDIs or multi-dose DPIs, which often contain 100 or more 

doses per unit. However, this purchasing behavior has the potential to undermine compliance 

for products that are required on a daily basis (e.g. corticosteroids or combination therapies). 

In India and Bangladesh, doctors prefer single-dose DPIs for the majority of their 

economically challenged patients. In India, for example, single-dose DPIs account for more 

than 50 per cent of inhaled therapy, and DPIs generally for about half of the market value 17. 

While affordable based on the monetary outlay needed to acquire a limited number of doses, 

the use of single-dose DPIs for daily use medications may not be as cost effective over the 

long term as MDIs or multi-dose DPIs when considered as cost-per-dose. 

In non-Article 5 Parties, multi-dose salbutamol DPIs are more commonly used than singledose salbutamol DPIs, with the former generally more expensive than salbutamol HFC MDIs. 

Despite this, in some markets, multi-dose salbutamol DPIs are used in preference to MDIs 

e.g. Sweden, where a proactive campaign successfully promoted this technology. 

The profitability of DPIs is lower than MDIs for pharmaceutical companies (which was also 

a barrier in the transition from CFC MDIs to HFC MDIs, where profitability of the latter was 

relatively lower for pharmaceutical companies). Patents also protect DPI device technologies, 

so any company wanting to manufacture DPIs must either in-license the technology or 

 

16 2014 Report of the UNEP Medical Technical Options Committee, 2014 Assessment Report.

17 D Waite, Comparison of OIP Experiences in Different Markets. IPAC-RS Respiratory Conference, 

March 18-20, 2014. 
96 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

undertake its own research and development. Consequently, the current economics for 

patients and pharmaceutical companies are an impediment in switching from HFC MDIs to 

multi-dose DPIs, especially for salbutamol. 

The hypothetical cost of switching MDIs to DPIs has been estimated previously. Multi-dose 

salbutamol DPIs are generally more expensive than salbutamol HFC MDIs, in part because 

many of these MDIs are off patent. MDIs containing salbutamol constitute about 50 per cent 

of all MDIs, or about 315 million HFC MDIs. Switching these to an equivalent salbutamol 

DPI would incur significant costs to health care systems. In 2000, the cost effectiveness of a 

gradual switch from MDIs to DPIs in the European Union was estimated at the time to cost 

more than €500/tonne of CO2 equivalent saved, greater than a range of low cost opportunities 

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors, such as energy efficiency measures 18. 

An accelerated transition19 was estimated to be even less cost effective at more than 

€710/tonne of CO2 equivalent saved. In 2005, the hypothetical cost of a complete shift from 

HFC MDIs to multi-dose DPIs was estimated as US$ 150-300 per tonne of CO2-equivalent, 

assuming a minimal twofold increase in price, with an estimated emission reduction of about 

10 Mt CO2-equivalent per year by 201520. In 2015, a salbutamol DPI, where commercially 

available, is roughly estimated as 2 times the cost of a salbutamol MDI on a per dose basis. In 

about ten years, by about 2025, when patents expire, or even despite patent protection, there 

is likely to be more competition and more widespread DPI manufacture, such as in Article 5 

Parties like China, and more affordable DPIs. These factors are likely to improve the cost 

effectiveness of DPIs compared with HFC MDIs.

In transitioning patients from MDIs to DPIs, or to other non-MDI devices, there are costs and 

implications associated with patient re-training, such as physician visits, marketing by 

pharmaceutical companies, and guidance provided by healthcare agencies and patient 

advocacy groups. Costs are borne by patients, pharmaceutical companies, government and/or 

private health insurance. These may not be significant additional costs where there is ongoing patient education, rather than with one-off or intermittent advice, regarding the use of 

inhalers. Patient and physician preferences and resistance to switching medication, when 

current medication is already effective, is likely to be a potential barrier to change. 

Some countries completed their manufacturing transitions from CFC MDIs to CFC-free 

alternatives before 2010 (including Australia, Canada, Croatia, Cuba, Hungary, Japan, 

Poland, Ukraine), while other countries completed in 2010 or later (including Argentina, 

Bangladesh, Egypt, European Union, India, Iran, Mexico, United States, Venezuela). China, 

Pakistan and Russia are in the final stages of manufacturing transitions, with China likely to 

be the last country to complete its manufacturing transition in 2015-2016.

Development costs for pharmaceutical companies for the transition of MDIs from CFCs to 

HFCs have been in excess of US$1 billion, with investment still continuing. The return on 

investments depends on the size of the investment, and the potential within the market to 

make profit with inhaler sales. The length of time to recover investments will vary for each 

company and for each product. In general, a favourable return on investment is already likely 

to have been achieved by large multinational pharmaceutical companies, especially in nonArticle 5 Parties. However, smaller companies, especially in Article 5 Parties and in other 

 

18 Study on the Use of HFCs for Metered Dose Inhalers in the European Union, September 2000, 

undertaken by Enviros March for the International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium (IPAC).

19 A gradual transition was assumed to be 8-12 years, and an accelerated transition, 5-8 years. 

Transition was taken to 80 percent DPI market share, assumed to be the maximum technically feasible 

at that stage.

20 IPCC/TEAP Special Report on Safeguarding the Ozone and the Global Climate System, 2005.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 97

countries that only recently transitioned, may take longer to achieve a positive return on 

investment. Recovery of investment may also take longer in markets with price controls or 

other market regulations. While it is possible some instances of transition from CFC to HFC 

technology may never achieve a positive return on investment, more broadly, a phase-down 

of HFCs in the MDI sector would have adverse economic impacts for companies where a 

favourable return on investment is possible, but not yet achieved.

9. 2 Other medical aerosols

Aerosols, in general, are used in a wide range of different applications. The term aerosol 

product describes a product pressurized with a propellant that expels its contents from a 

canister through a nozzle. Propellants include compressed gases (nitrogen, nitrous oxide, 

carbon dioxide), or liquefied gases, which are a liquid inside the pressurized container; these 

liquefied gas propellants include CFCs, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC-22) and HFCs (-

134a, -152a), HFO-1234ze, hydrocarbons, dimethyl ether (DME). Some aerosol products 

also contain solvents, including CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs (-43-10mee, -365mfc, -245fa), 

hydrofluoroethers, aliphatic (e.g. heptane, hexane) and aromatic solvents, chlorinated 

solvents, esters, ethers, alcohols, ketones, and low-GWP fluorinated chemicals. There are 

also “not-in-kind” (NIK) technologies that compete with aerosol products to perform the 

same or similar functions, including trigger sprays, finger pumps, squeeze bottles, roll-on 

liquid products (e.g. for deodorants), and non-sprayed products (e.g. for polishes and 

lubricating oils). Aerosols are often preferred for ease of use.

Aerosols can be divided into three main categories:

 Consumer aerosols, including cleaning products, tyre inflators, personal care

products, spray paints, pesticides, novelty aerosols, food products;

 Technical aerosols, including lubricant sprays, dusters, contact cleaners, safety horns,

degreasers, mould release agents; and

 Medical aerosols, including MDIs that are the major medical application for aerosol 

products. There are also medical aerosols that deliver treatment for other medical 

purposes e.g., nasal and topical aerosol sprays. These “other medical aerosols” are 

used to deliver topical medication mostly onto the skin, but also to the mouth, and 

other body cavities.

Medical aerosols, excluding MDIs, are estimated as a small percentage (1-2 per cent) of total 

aerosol production in terms of units, with approximately 250-300 million cans per year. 

These medical aerosols include a wide range of uses from simple numbing of pain, nasal 

inhalation, to the dosage of corticosteroids for the treatment of colitis. In general, HFC-134a 

has been used for applications where there is a risk of the propellant inadvertently being 

inhaled.

Since 1978, when the aerosol market was the dominant source of all ODS emissions, CFCs 

used in aerosols as propellants and as solvents have gradually been phased out in response to 

concerns about ozone depletion. MDIs will be the last category to be phased out in 2015-

2016. When the Montreal Protocol identified essential uses of CFCs, allowing for 

exemptions from CFC production phase-out schedules, it differentiated oral inhalation into 

the lungs (MDIs) from other medical aerosols, for which CFCs were considered nonessential. Small quantities of CFCs21 and HCFCs are reportedly still used for other medical 

aerosol products such as topical anaesthetic sprays and coolants to numb pain respectively. 

 

21 For example, Cetacaine spray, for numbing the airways, still contains CFCs. 

http://www.cetacaine.com/dental/about/prescribing-information , accessed March 2015.
98 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

HCFC use is estimated as about 200 ODP tonnes22 or less worldwide (HCFC-22 and HCFC141b), with the majority used in China.

Technically and economically feasible alternatives to ozone-depleting propellants and 

solvents (CFCs and HCFCs) are available for all other medical aerosols. Most aerosols, 

including other medical aerosols, replaced CFC propellants with hydrocarbons and DME

propellants. HFCs are used where a non-flammable or safe to inhale propellant is needed, or 

where emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as hydrocarbons and DME, are 

controlled owing to concerns about air quality. 

In 2010, the total amount of HFCs used for all aerosol products was estimated as 54 million 

tonnes CO2-equivalent, or 5 per cent of total GWP-weighted HFC consumption.

23 Medical 

aerosols, including MDIs, are estimated to account for about one quarter of GWP-weighted

HFC consumption in all aerosol production. Medical aerosols, predominantly MDIs, use 

about 11,000 metric tonnes per year of mainly HFC-134a and also HFC-227ea (about 16 

million tonnes CO2 equivalent). It is estimated that less than 10 per cent of other medical 

aerosols (excluding MDIs) use HFC propellants, or less than 1,000 tonnes per year. The 

majority are for nasal inhalation, throat topical medication, and nitroglycerin sublingual 

application. “Not-in-kind” alternatives include hand-pumped aqueous sprays, drops and 

creams. However, aerosol products are often favoured due to their ease of use.

9.2.1 Alternatives to ODS-containing medical aerosols (excluding MDIs) and their 

assessment using criteria

An assessment follows of the technical and economic feasibility of the various alternatives to 

ODS-containing medical aerosol propellants (excluding MDIs) (Table 9-1). An assessment of 

aerosol solvent alternatives is described in the Chapter on Aerosols. Not all of the criteria 

established in Decision XXVI/9 are relevant to an assessment of medical aerosols. In 

particular, energy efficiency and easy to service and maintain are not relevant in an 

assessment of the suitability of other medical aerosols. An assessment of “easy to use” was 

undertaken rather than an assessment of “easy to service and maintain”, as ease of use is an 

important consideration that affects the choice of technology in medical applications. An 

assessment of “safe to use in areas of high urban densities considering flammability and 

toxicity issues, including where possible risk characterisation”, has been broadened to assess 

safety in production and in use, which are both relevant issues for medical aerosols.

Aerosol production developed differently in each country due to, inter alia, the respective 

regulations for fire protection and occupational safety; VOC controls; and the availability 

from suppliers of ODS, HCFCs or HFCs for aerosol production. The availability and number 

of different medical aerosol products varies within countries and regions, and is closely 

related to the development of the local aerosol industries. Hence, the alternative technologies 

assessed below are not necessarily interchangeable because of regional or local differences, 

and, in the space available, are crudely assessed against each criterion on their own merit, 

unless otherwise specified.

 

22 Updated data compared with recently published 100 ODP tonnes estimated by MTOC in its 2014 

Assessment Report, based on new estimates from industry in China.

23 US EPA, Transitioning to Low-GWP Alternatives in Non-Medical Aerosols, EPA 430-F-13-013, 

April 2013.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 99

Alternatives

to CFCcontaining

aerosols Products

Commercially availableTechnically provenEnvironmentally sound

Economically viable and cost effectiveSafety in production and use

Easy to use

Propellants

HCFC-141b

HCFC-22

Topical coolants to numb pain

  1   

HFC-134a Metered dose corticosteroid 

spray, throat/mouth topical 

sprays (disinfectants, antiinflammatories, anaesthetics), 

anaesthetic, analgesic, calamine 

sprays for minor blunt injuries 

or itches, nitroglycerin 

sublingual sprays

  1 2  

HFC-152a Sprays for diaper rash for 

babies, nitroglycerin sublingual 

sprays, sunscreen sprays.

    3 

Blends of: 

Propane

n-Butane

iso-Butane 

Anaesthetic, analgesic, 

calamine sprays for minor blunt 

injuries or itches; cut or wound 

sprays; sprays to prevent 

bedsores; foot sprays and other 

anti-fungal products; vaginal 

hygiene sprays, rectal foams for 

treatment of colitis; foams for 

scalp hair loss; sunscreen 

sprays.

  3  2 

Dimethyl ether 

(DME)

Anaesthetic, analgesic, 

calamine sprays for minor blunt 

injuries or itches; anti-fungal 

products; sunscreen sprays.

  4  3 

Carbon 

dioxide

Anaesthetic, analgesic, 

calamine sprays for minor blunt 

injuries or itches

 5    

Nitrogen Throat/mouth topical sprays 

(disinfectants, antiinflammatories, anaesthetics), 

sterile saline solutions

 5    

Table 9-1: Technical and economic assessment of alternatives to CFC-propelled medical 

aerosols (excluding MDIs) 24

 

24 Medical aerosols (excluding MDIs) cover a wide range of uses from simple numbing of pain to the 

dosage of corticosteroids for the treatment of colitis. Some traditional Chinese medicines may also be 

administered using aerosol products. Therefore, it is difficult to make an all-inclusive list of medical 
100 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Alternatives

to CFCcontaining

aerosols Products

Commercially availableTechnically provenEnvironmentally sound

Economically viable and cost effectiveSafety in production and use

Easy to use

“Not-in-kind” Alternatives

Pump sprays Variety of medical applications      6

Drops      6

Creams      6

Table 9-1: (cont.): Technical and economic assessment of alternatives to CFC-propelled 

medical aerosols (excluding MDIs)

Legend: Column 1 lists sterilisation methods, and Columns 2-7 indicate the qualitative assessment of 

each method according to each criterion, using the following indicators:

 Yes or More acceptable;  Not always or Less acceptable;  No or Unacceptable.

1. The use of CFCs, HCFCs and high-GWP HFCs for production of medical aerosols (excluding MDIs) 

can be restricted by government or actively discouraged by suppliers in many non-Article 5 Parties. 

CFCs, HCFCs and HFC-134a are non-flammable propellants. CFCs and HFCs are used when 

flammability and/or toxicity are a consideration. 

2. HFCs -134a and -227ea are expensive compared with hydrocarbons, and hence are only used when 

their safety properties are necessary for the specific product (non-flammability, very low toxicity), and 

the benefits outweigh the increased cost. 

3. Hydrocarbons and DME are highly flammable propellants. HFC-152a has low to moderate

flammability, and is often used alone or in blends with hydrocarbons to lower their flammability. HFC152a can also be blended with HFC-134a propellant to produce a propellant with lower GWP and 

lower flammability. Flammable propellants require special equipment, training and handling in 

production, and special precautions in use.

4. Hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute 

to photochemical smog generation in areas of high urban density. In some jurisdictions, strict VOC 

controls (e.g. in California) can have an impact on the choice of propellant, where hydrocarbons are 

avoided, although medical aerosols have been largely exempted from these requirements. 

5. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are gaseous propellants, not liquefied propellants, and as such are 

technically suitable for some but not all aerosol product applications.

6. Aqueous sprays and drops are well-established “not-in-kind” alternatives to nasal aerosol products. 

Aqueous formulations in general and other “not-in-kind” alternatives, such as creams, are used in many 

medical applications. “Not-in-kind” alternatives can sometimes be less convenient to use. Aerosols can 

be favoured due to their ease of use.

Commercially available— Technically and economically feasible alternatives to ozonedepleting propellants (CFCs and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)) are available for all 

other medical aerosols. Other medical aerosol products were reformulated to use CFC-free 

propellants, mainly hydrocarbons (butane, propane, isobutane, dimethyl ether (DME)), but 

also HCFCs and HFCs in specific applications. “Not-in-kind” alternatives, including handpumped aqueous sprays, drops and creams, are also used for medical applications where CFC 

propellants might have been used previously. Many external factors affect the selection of a 

given propellant or alternative, including regulatory approval of products, industry codes of 

products that are not oral inhalers, but the following table presents the most common applications of 

this group of products.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 101

conduct, Volatile Organic Compounds controls, supplier controls of HCFCs and HFC-134a, 

ease of use, and propellant properties, such as flammability or safety for certain uses.

Regulatory controls for HFC alternatives used as aerosol propellants and solvents are 

increasingly limiting and/or prohibiting their use where other suitable alternatives are 

available. Recent regulatory developments affecting HFC use in aerosol products are 

summarised in the Chapter on Aerosols.

Technically proven— Extensive respiratory toxicological studies were conducted for HFC134a (IPACT-1) and HFC-227ea (IPACT-2) for their use as propellants in inhaled 

medications (MDIs) to prove their acceptability as replacements for CFC propellants. Any 

other propellant intended for inhalation medical use would presumably require similar 

toxicological evaluation. The Task Force is unaware of toxicology studies having been 

undertaken for HFC-152a for inhalation use and therefore its safety has not been proven for 

use in respiratory medications. It is not clear whether the reported use of HFC-152a as a 

propellant in nitroglycerin sublingual sprays would require the same rigour of toxicological

evaluation as would use in a chronic respiratory medication. One company in Argentina, 

Pablo Cassara, is undertaking research and development to use iso-butane as the propellant, 

planning to launch a salbutamol MDI in 2016. Previous studies have reported toxicological 

concerns for iso-butane used in combination with a beta-agonist 25. However, many medical 

aerosols are used for topical application where respiratory safety is not a requirement. 

Propane or iso-butane (and their blends) tend to cause an "oily" or slightly stinging taste, and 

so are not favoured for nasal or oral use. Most other pressurised medical aerosol products 

tend to use propane/butane mixtures or DME and compressed gases to a lesser extent.

Medical aerosol products for use on or near the nose or mouth, and also on babies, where 

flammability and safety are of importance, tend to use HFCs or nitrogen. For treatments 

where there is a significant risk of inhalation into the respiratory tract, HFCs are preferred, 

where safety has been proven for HFCs -134a and -227ea.

In most countries, there are no regulatory requirements for the use of specific propellants for 

medical aerosols. However, a change in propellant for products approved for a medical use

(like the nasal MDIs) would necessitate a new development programme and regulatory 

approval. In the United States, some products, while regulated by FDA, may not require prior 

approval following the over-the-counter (OTC) monograph system (also known as 

“grandfather clause” for products with a long time of use), provided they do not change 

propellant. In Japan, the Japanese pharmacopoeia codex for additives, and other official 

compendia limit propellants for medical aerosols. If a pharmaceutical company uses a new 

propellant in an aerosol product, necessary toxicity data on both propellant and the aerosol 

product are required for registration. All aerosols in the European Union are regulated, 

especially with regard to flammability, under the Aerosol Dispensers Directive 75/324/EEC 

and subsequent amendments.

Environmentally sound— Aerosols are a totally emissive use, and so the propellant and 

solvent can have a direct environmental impact. In some countries, CFCs and HCFCs are 

prohibited for use in the manufacture of aerosol products. In the United States, and other 

countries, where use of CFCs from pre-1996 stockpiles is not prohibited, some products are 

still filled with CFCs; these are being phased out, with final revisions to US regulations 

underway to address remaining products.

In Article 5 Parties, where the use of HCFCs in aerosols is not prohibited, HCFC-141b is 

used in medical aerosols to numb pain, using its cooling effect as it evaporates, despite the 

 

25 Final report of the Safety Assessment of isobutane, isopentane, n-butane, and propane. Int. J. 

Toxicology, 1; 4: 127-142, 1982.
102 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

fact that the same result can be achieved with hydrocarbon blends. In addition to HCFC141b, HCFC-22 is also used in China. Other than in Article 5 Parties, it is unlikely that 

HCFCs are used in medical aerosols elsewhere in any significant quantities. For example, in 

the United States, sale and distribution of aerosols using HCFCs was banned in 1994 with 

few exceptions.

HFC-134a, which is the major HFC propellant used in medical applications, has a high GWP 

(GWP 1360). In some medical aerosol applications, HFC-152a is used because it has a lower 

GWP (GWP 148) than HFC-134a and lower flammability than hydrocarbons. HFC-152a can 

also be blended with HFC-134a propellant to produce a propellant with lower GWP and 

lower flammability. When considering direct climate impacts, the climate-friendly alternative 

propellants include hydrocarbons and their blends, DME, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and 

“not-in-kind” alternatives.

In areas with high urban densities, photochemical smog generation can be a major 

environmental and health problem. Hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as 

DME, are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to photochemical smog 

generation. In some jurisdictions, strict VOC controls (e.g. in California) can have an impact 

on the choice of propellant, where hydrocarbons are avoided, although medical aerosols have 

been largely exempted from these requirements.

Economically viable and cost effective— Hydrocarbons and their blends are the most 

affordable propellant for aerosol products. HFCs are more expensive, and are therefore used 

by manufacturers for specific applications where a propellant with low flammability and 

proven safety is needed.

Safety in production and use— The flammability of hydrocarbons, DME, HFC-152a and 

their flammable blends makes safety a priority in the production and use of medical aerosols 

containing these ingredients. Flammable propellants and solvents require special equipment, 

training and handling in aerosol production, and special precautions in aerosol use.

Easy to use— Pressurised aerosols, using propellants, are sometimes considered more 

convenient products to use than “not-in-kind” alternatives such as aqueous sprays, drops and 

creams. Flammable propellants and solvents require safety precautions in the use of aerosol 

products to ensure safety.

9.2.2 Current and future demand for ODS alternatives

Non-MDI medical aerosols are estimated to represent around 1 per cent globally of all 

aerosol products, with production of approximately 250-300 million cans per year. This 

estimate has been derived using data from the North American Consumer Specialty Products 

Association (CSPA) and the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association (BAMA) that 

excludes MDIs. When compared with the estimated 690 million HFC MDIs, and estimated 

HFC consumption, MDIs are likely to be the major medical application for aerosol 

products26. 

Other medical aerosols use about 200 ODP tonnes HCFCs or less worldwide (HCFC-22 and 

HCFC-141b), with the majority in China.

In 2010, the total GWP-weighted HFC consumption for all aerosol products was estimated as

54 million tonnes CO2-equivalent, or 5 per cent of total GWP-weighted HFC consumption 27.

 

26 2014 Assessment Report of the UNEP Medical Technical Options Committee, 2014.

27 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 430-F-13-013, www.epa.gov, April 2013.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 103

A quarter of this GWP-weighted amount was estimated to be used for medical aerosols

(including MDIs)28. Medical aerosols, mainly MDIs, are estimated to use about 11,000 metric 

tonnes HFCs, or about 16 million tonnes CO2-equivalent. Less than an estimated 10 per cent 

of non-MDI medical aerosols use HFC propellants, close to 25-30 million cans per year, with 

less than 1,000 tonnes per year. The aerosol industry in the United States considers HFC use

to be flat or declining 29. Global production of HFC-containing aerosols is likely to be 

growing very slowly, if at all, and this is not likely to change in the near future. Nevertheless, 

there may be individual countries where production is growing.

Medical aerosol products are common in China where production has been growing rapidly. 

For other medical aerosols, production was between 120-130 million units in 2014, with 

some HFC propellants (300-400 tonnes), and also DME, carbon dioxide and HCFCs (2,300 

tonnes HCFC-22 and 600 tonnes HCFC-141b, which is used as a blend with HCFC-22) 30.

The number of non-MDI medical aerosols is relatively large when compared with the total 

1.5 billion aerosols produced in China in 2013.

9.2.3 Costs and benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives

The majority of HFCs used for other medical aerosols is for nasal inhalation, throat topical 

medication, and nitroglycerin sublingual application. HFC use is often limited by the market 

itself, either owing to cost, safety or regulatory reasons, or to applications where VOC 

controls might limit hydrocarbon use, or where a propellant with low flammability and/or 

proven safety is needed. Nevertheless, there could be significant environment benefits in 

selecting more low-GWP and climate-friendly alternatives and by avoiding high-GWP 

propellants and solvents. In many cases, HFC propellants and solvents can be substituted 

with low-GWP options. Suitable alternatives to avoid using HFC propellants include nitrogen 

or “not-in-kind” metered pump sprays. Registration of new HFC-free formulations would be 

costly and would require time. In the absence of flammability and safety risks, the only 

reason for not using hydrocarbons would be if the formulation did not work with these 

propellants. It is worth noting that the Montreal Protocol did not authorise these uses as 

essential when it considered similar CFC-containing aerosols, except MDIs.

It is difficult to quantify the costs of conversion of high-GWP HFC-containing aerosol 

products to low-GWP and “not-in-kind” alternatives. Costs may include reformulation, 

redesign, production re-engineering, safety, training and education, product testing, and 

consumer information, and will depend on the application, the market and its regulatory 

environment.

9. 3 Sterilants

There is a range of commercially available sterilization methods including: heat (moist heat 

or dry heat), ionizing radiation (such as gamma electron beam, x-ray radiation), alkylating 

processes (such as ethylene oxide (EO), formaldehyde) and oxidative processes (including 

hydrogen peroxide gas, gas plasma systems, liquid or gaseous peracetic acid, and ozone). 

 

28 This market breakdown of GWP-weighted HFC consumption updates information provided in the 

2014 Assessment, 2014 Report of the UNEP Medical Technical Options Committee, which was 

originally based on data contained in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 430-F-13-013, 

www.epa.gov, April 2013. Further work is underway to re-evaluate global HFC consumption in 

aerosols, and may become available next year.

29 Market Characterization of the U.S. Aerosols Industry. ICF International May 2014 for the 

Stratospheric Protection Division, Office of Air and Radiation, US EPA.

30 Updated data compared with recently published tonnages estimated by MTOC in its 2014 

Assessment Report, based on new estimates from industry in China.
104 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

Further sterilization methods based on these and other chemicals are now available or are 

under investigation for commercialization. 

Sterilization using humidified EO under controlled cycle conditions is used to treat heat and 

moisture sensitive medical devices, which are packaged in breathable materials that maintain 

sterility once the product is removed from the sterilization chamber. EO can be used as a 

sterilant either alone or diluted with other gases (e.g. CFC-12, HCFCs -124 and -22, HFC134a, CO2) to make non-flammable mixtures. 

Total global use of CFCs for sterilisation is believed to be zero. Estimated global use of 

HCFCs in sterilization is less than 500-700 metric tonnes, which amounts to less than 25 

ODP tonnes worldwide. EO/HCFC use in Article 5 Parties is estimated to be less than 200-

400 tonnes. The use of HFCs for sterilisation is believed to be rare, and globally almost nonexistent.

9.3.1 Alternatives to ODS sterilants and their assessment using criteria

An analysis was presented of the technical and economic feasibility, and the potential 

limitations, of the various alternatives to ODS-consuming sterilants in the previous TEAP 

XXV/5 Task Force Report October 2014, which remains current and relevant. The criteria 

established in Decision XXVI/9 are similar to those for Decision XXV/5, and a further 

analysis is not considered necessary here. More information on alternative sterilants is also 

available elsewhere 31.

9.3.2 Current and future demand for ODS alternatives

The future demands for sterilization technology are likely to rise with increasing demands for 

healthcare, economic development, aging populations and increases in chronic conditions. 

Methods for sterilization of medical devices have developed differently in each country, 

meaning that the availability of alternatives varies in different countries. Considering the 

range of sterilization methods in routine application in healthcare and industrial facilities, the 

use of EO/CFC and EO/HCFC sterilants are no longer required and can be phased out. 

Existing capital equipment using EO/HCFC or, in very rare cases, EO/HFC sterilants could 

remain in use if a source of gas could be secured for perhaps the next ten years. However, 

there is no technical or economic reason for EO/HCFC or EO/HFC sterilants to be in used in 

non-Article 5 Parties beyond 2020, and in Article 5 Parties beyond 2030 or possibly earlier.

9.3.3 Costs and benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives

Due to the wide variety of technically and economically feasible alternatives available in 

sterilisation, and the almost non-existent use of high-GWP alternatives, there are very few 

implications for the sterilisation sector in avoiding high-GWP alternatives to ODS. 

 

31 (1) 2014 Report of the UNEP Medical Technical Options Committee, 2014 Assessment Report, 

pp.49-54; (2) US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthcare Infection Control Practices 

Advisory Committee, Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008, US 

CDC http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/Disinfection_Sterilization/13_0Sterilization.html; (3) G. McDonnell, 

Antisepsis, Disinfection and sterilization: Types, Action and Resistance, 2007, ASM press, Washington 

DC.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 105

10 Information on alternatives to ODS in non-medical aerosols 

10.1 Introduction

Aerosols are used in a wide range of different applications. The term aerosol product 

describes a product pressurized with a propellant that expels its contents from a canister 

through a nozzle. Propellants include compressed gases (nitrogen, nitrous oxide, carbon 

dioxide), or liquefied gases, which are a liquid inside the pressurized container; these 

liquefied gas propellants include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons 

(HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (-134a, -152a), HFO-1234ze, hydrocarbons, and 

dimethyl ether (DME). Some aerosol products also contain solvents, including CFCs, 

HCFCs, HFCs, hydrofluoroethers, aliphatic and aromatic solvents, chlorinated solvents, 

esters, ethers, alcohols, ketones, and low-GWP fluorinated chemicals. 

Aerosols can be divided into three main categories:

 Consumer aerosols, including cleaning products, tyre inflators, personal care 

products, spray paints, pesticides, novelty aerosols, food products;

 Technical aerosols, including lubricant sprays, dusters, contact cleaners, safety horns, 

degreasers, mould release agents; and

 Medical aerosols, including MDIs that are the major medical application for aerosol 

products. There are also medical aerosols that deliver treatment for other medical 

purposes e.g., nasal and topical aerosol sprays. These “other medical aerosols” are 

used to deliver topical medication mostly onto the skin, but also to the mouth, and 

other body cavities.

In the late 1970s, the aerosols sector was the major source of all ODS emissions (about 75 

per cent). CFCs used in aerosols as propellants and as solvents have gradually been phased 

out in response to concerns about ozone depletion, predominantly migrating to nonfluorocarbon alternatives. Small quantities of HCFCs (and possibly a very small quantity of 

CFCs) are reportedly still used. HCFC use is estimated as about 200 ODP tonnes32 or less 

worldwide (HCFC-22 and HCFC-141b) for medical aerosols, with the majority used in 

China. Consumer and technical aerosols are estimated to use another 100 ODP tonnes of 

HCFCs -22, -141b, and -225ca/cb.

Technically and economically feasible alternatives to ozone-depleting propellants and 

solvents (CFCs and HCFCs) are available for aerosol products. A significant proportion of 

aerosol propellants have migrated to hydrocarbons and DME, which dominate in the 

consumer aerosol market. Hydrocarbons and DME are highly flammable propellants. They 

are also used in technical aerosols where flammable propellants can be used safely. 

Hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that 

contribute to photochemical smog generation, which is of concern in areas of high urban 

density. In some jurisdictions, strict VOC controls (e.g. in California) can have an impact on 

the choice of propellant, where hydrocarbons are avoided.

A smaller proportion migrated to HFC propellants where:

 Emissions of VOCs, such as hydrocarbons and DME, are controlled;

 A non-flammable propellant is needed; and/or 

 A propellant is necessary that is safe to inhale, such as HFC-134a.

 

32 Updated data compared with recently published 100 ODP tonnes estimated by MTOC in its 2014 

Assessment Report, based on new estimates from industry in China.
106 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report

CFC and HCFC solvents (CFC-113, methyl chloroform, HCFC-141b) used in aerosols have 

migrated to hydrofluorocarbons (HFC -43-10mee, -365mfc, -245fa), hydrofluoroethers 

(HFEs), aliphatic and aromatic solvents, chlorinated solvents, oxygenated organic chemicals, 

and low-GWP fluorinated chemicals, e.g. hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) HCFC-1233zd(E).

There are also “not-in-kind” (NIK) technologies that compete with aerosol products to 

perform the same or similar functions, including trigger sprays, finger pumps, squeeze 

bottles, roll-on liquid products (e.g. for deodorants), and non-sprayed products (e.g. for 

polishes and lubricating oils). Aerosols are often preferred for ease of use.

Total aerosol production is estimated at 14 billion cans per year. In 2010, the total GWPweighted amount of HFCs used in aerosol production was estimated as 54 million tonnes 

CO2-equivalent, or 5 per cent of total GWP-weighted HFC consumption.

33 Consumer and 

technical aerosols are estimated to account for about three-quarters of GWP-weighted HFC 

consumption in aerosol production, and medical aerosols, including MDIs, for the remaining 

quarter.34

Medical aerosols, predominantly MDIs, use about 11,000 metric tonnes per year of mainly 

HFCs -134a, and also HFC-227ea (about 16 million tonnes CO2 equivalent). Medical 

aerosols, excluding MDIs, are estimated as a small percentage (1-2 per cent) of total aerosol 

production in terms of units, with approximately 250-300 million cans per year. It is 

estimated that less than 10 per cent of medical aerosols (excluding MDIs) use HFC 

propellants, or less than 1,000 tonnes per year. MDIs and other medical aerosols are assessed 

further in the Chapter on Medical Uses.

10. 2 Alternatives to CFC-containing aerosols (non-medical) and their 

assessment using criteria

Table 10-1 summarises a range of alternatives to CFC-containing non-medical aerosols, their 

ODP, GWP, flammability, and the types of aerosols where they are commonly used and/or 

under what conditions. The list is not inclusive of the full range of available alternatives.

 

33 US EPA, Transitioning to Low-GWP Alternatives in Non-Medical Aerosols, EPA 430-F-13-013, 

April 2013.

34 This updates information provided in MTOC’s 2014 Assessment report. Further work is underway to 

re-evaluate global HFC consumption in aerosols, and may become available next year.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report 107

Alternatives to CFCcontaining aerosols ODP GWP Flammability Comments

Propellants

HCFC-22 0.055 1760 Non-flammable at atmospheric temperature and 

pressure

Recommendations for exposure limits.

HFC-125 0 3170 Non-flammable -

HFC-134a 0 1300 Non-flammable Approved for use in asthma inhalers. Very low 

acute inhalation toxicity.

HFC-152a 0 138 Flammable, less so than HCs 

(LEL 3.9 % volume in air)

Not approved for inhaled medical aerosols. Low 

acute inhalation toxicity. Recommendations for 

exposure limits.

HFC-227ea 0 3350 Non-flammable

Approved for use in asthma inhalers. Very low 

acute inhalation toxicity. Due to cost and high 

GWP, probably used exclusively in MDIs.

HFO-1234ze (E) 0 <1 Non-flammable. Exhibits flame limits at elevated 

temperatures.

Used as replacement for aerosols (e.g. novelty) 

previously using higher GWP HFC propellants. 

Recommendations for exposure limits.

Hydrocarbons and blends 

(propane, n-butane, isobutane)0 ≤4 High flammability

(iso-butane, LEL 1.8 % volume in air) Recommendations for exposure limits.

Dimethyl ether (DME) 0 1 Highly flammable -

Compressed gases

- CO2

- N2

- Air

- N2O

0

0

0

0.017

1

0

-

265

Non-flammable

Recommendations for exposure limits.

-

-

Recommendations for exposure limits.

“Not-in-kind”, e.g.,

- Pump sprays

- Liquids

- Roll-on 

liquids/sticks

0

0

0

0

0

0

Non-flammable where liquid dispensed is nonflammable Indirect life cycle climate impacts
108 September 2015 TEAP Update XXV/5 Task Force Report 

Alternatives to CFCcontaining aerosols ODP GWP Flammability Comments

Solvents

HCFC-141b 0.11 782 Non-flammable Recommendations for exposure limits.

Blends of HCFC-225ca/

HCFC-225cb

0.025

0.033

127

525 Non-flammable Recommendations for exposure limits.

HCFO-1233zd(E) ~0 1 Non-flammable Recommendations for exposure limits.

HFC-43-10mee 0 1650 Non-flammable Recommendations for exposure limits.

HFC-365mfc 0 804 Flammable Recommendations for exposure limits.

HFC-245fa 0 858 Non-flammable Recommendations for exposure limits.

Hydrofluoroethers

HFE-449s1 (HFE-7100)

HFE-569sf2 (HFE-7200)

0

0

421

57

Non-flammable

Non-flammable

None.

Recommendations for exposure limits.

Aliphatic and aromatic 

solvents (e.g. Hexane, 

Heptane)

0 ≤3 Highly flammable Recommendations for exposure limits.

Chlorinated solvents e.g.

Trichloroethylene

Perchloroethylene

Methylene chloride

~0

~0

~0

140

Low

9

Non-flammable

Non-flammable

Non-flammable (combustible at high temperature)

Recommendations for exposure limits.

Oxygenated organic 

compounds (e.g. Esters, 

Ethers, Alcohols, 

Ketones)

0 <20 Flammable Check any recommendations for exposure limits.

Water-based formulations 0 0 Non-flammable Indirect life cycle climate impacts

“Not-in-kind” (see above) 0 0

Non-flammable where liquid dispensed is nonflammable Indirect life cycle climate impacts

Table 10-1: Alternatives to CFC-containing non-medical aerosols
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 109

An assessment follows of the technical and economic feasibility of the various alternatives to ODScontaining non-medical aerosols. Not all of the criteria established in Decision XXVI/9 are relevant 

to an assessment of non-medical aerosols. In particular, energy efficiency and easy to service and 

maintain are not relevant in an assessment of the suitability of aerosols. An assessment of “easy to 

use” was undertaken rather than an assessment of “easy to service and maintain”, as ease of use is an 

important consideration that affects the choice of technology in medical applications. An assessment 

of “safe to use in areas of high urban densities considering flammability and toxicity issues, 

including where possible risk characterisation” has been broadened to assess safety in production 

and in use, which are both relevant issues for aerosols.

Aerosol production has developed differently in each country due to, inter alia, the respective 

regulations for fire protection and occupational safety; VOC controls; and the availability from 

suppliers of ODS, HCFCs or HFCs for aerosol production. The availability and number of different 

aerosol products varies within countries and regions, and is closely related to the development of the 

local aerosol industries. Hence, alternatives are not necessarily interchangeable because of regional 

or local differences.

Commercially available— Technically and economically feasible alternatives to ozone-depleting 

propellants (CFCs and HCFCs) are available for all aerosols. Aerosol products were reformulated to 

use CFC-free propellants, mainly hydrocarbons (butane, propane, isobutane, DME), but also HCFCs 

and HFCs in specific applications. NIK alternatives, including hand-pumped aqueous sprays, drops 

and creams, are also used where CFC-containing aerosols might have been used previously. Many 

external factors affect the selection of a given propellant or alternative, including regulatory approval 

of products, industry codes of conduct, VOC controls, supplier or regulatory controls on HCFCs and 

HFC-134a, ease of use, and propellant properties, such as flammability or safety for certain uses.

Regulatory controls for HFC alternatives used as aerosol propellants and solvents are increasingly 

limiting and/or prohibiting their use where other suitable alternatives are available. Recent regulatory 

developments affecting HFC use in aerosol products are summarised below.

Recent changes to Japan’s Fluorocarbon Recovery and Destruction Law will lead to a phase-down of 

HFCs. In addition to scheduled HFC phase-down requirements, EU F-gas Regulations, promulgated 

in 2006 and 2014, specifically prohibit the use of HFCs with GWPs above 150 for the market entry of 

new aerosols as follows: 

 One component foams, from 2008 onwards;

 Novelty aerosols and signal horns, from 2009 onwards; and

 Technical aerosols, from 2018 onwards, except where the aerosol is needed to meet national 

safety standards or for medical applications.

Technical aerosols containing HFCs are subject to a ban under Swiss legislation. In addition, the 

European aerosol industry voluntarily began transitioning away from HFCs under a Code of Practice

adopted in 2002. HFCs are now only used in aerosols where there are no other safe, practical, 

economic, or environmentally acceptable alternatives available.

In response to President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, US EPA has promulgated a final rule35 to 

prohibit certain high-GWP HFC alternatives that were previously listed as acceptable under its 

Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP), based on information that suitable alternatives are 

now available. The final rule for aerosol propellants establishes that, from specified dates in 2016 

onwards:

 

35 http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/regulations.html
110 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

 HFC-125 would become an unacceptable alternative;

 HFC-134a would be acceptable only in specific technical and medical aerosols (e.g. MDIs), 

and would be prohibited in consumer aerosols;

 HFC-227ea would be acceptable only in metered dose inhalers.

Technically proven— Aerosols incorporate propellants and solvents with the appropriate technical 

properties and characteristics in formulations designed to deliver a product for its intended purpose. 

The alternatives listed in Table 10-1 are technically proven for use in aerosols, although sometimes 

only for certain product types depending on the properties of the alternatives and/or the intended 

product purpose. Some alternatives will not be technically suitable for some formulations.

Hydrocarbons and DME are highly flammable chemicals that are also VOCs that contribute to 

photochemical smog generation. Like CFCs before them, non-flammable and non-toxic HFCs are 

often used in aerosols when flammability or toxicity is a consideration. HFCs are also used where 

emissions of VOC are controlled. However, HFCs are more expensive than hydrocarbons and are 

therefore mostly used when their properties are necessary for the aerosol product and the advantages 

outweigh the costs.

HFC-134a is used more commonly as a propellant in technical aerosols where its non-flammable 

properties have advantages. Extensive respiratory toxicological studies were conducted for HFC-134a 

(IPACT-1) and HFC-227ea (IPACT-2), which proved their safety as propellants in respiratory use 

(e.g. MDIs). Any propellant intended for respiratory use, or inhaled medications, requires 

toxicological tests.

HFC-152a is used more commonly as a propellant in consumer aerosols. HFC-152a has low to 

moderate flammability, and is used alone, or in blends with hydrocarbons to lower their flammability. 

HFC-152a is also blended with HFC-134a to produce a propellant with lower GWP and lower 

flammability. It is also used in jurisdictions that have VOC emission controls.

NIK alternatives are sometimes not as easy to use or achieve lower performance for some 

applications.

Environmentally sound— Aerosols are a totally emissive use, and so the propellant and solvent can 

have a direct environmental impact. In some countries, CFCs and HCFCs are prohibited for use in the 

manufacture of aerosol products. In the United States, and other countries, where use of CFCs from 

pre-1996 stockpiles is not prohibited, some products are still filled with CFCs; these are being phased 

out, with final revisions to US regulations underway to address remaining products.

In Article 5 Parties, where the use of HCFCs in aerosols is not prohibited, HCFC-141b is used in 

medical aerosols, using its cooling effect as it evaporates, despite the fact that the same result can be 

achieved with hydrocarbon blends. In addition to HCFC-141b, HCFC-22 is also used in China. Other 

than in Article 5 Parties, it is unlikely that HCFCs are used in medical aerosols elsewhere in any 

significant quantities. For example, in the United States, sale and distribution of aerosols using 

HCFCs was banned in 1994 with few exceptions.

Some HFCs, such as HFC-125, -134a, -227ea, -43-10mee, have high GWPs. In some applications, 

HFC-152a is used because it has a lower GWP than HFC-134a and lower flammability than 

hydrocarbons. When considering direct impacts, the more climate-friendly alternative propellants 

include hydrocarbons and their blends, DME, HFO-1234ze(E), carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and NIK

alternatives. The more climate-friendly alternative solvents include hydrofluoroethers, oxygenated 

organic compounds, aliphatic and aromatic solvents, chlorinated chemicals, low-GWP fluorinated 

chemicals, and NIK alternatives.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 111

In areas with high urban densities, photochemical smog generation can be a major environmental and 

health problem. Hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as DME, are VOCs that 

contribute to photochemical smog generation. In some jurisdictions, strict VOC controls (e.g. in 

California) can have an impact on the choice of propellant, where hydrocarbons are avoided.

Economically viable and cost effective— Hydrocarbons and their blends are the most affordable 

propellant for aerosol products. HFCs are more expensive, and are therefore used by manufacturers 

for specific applications where a propellant with low flammability and proven safety is needed.

Safety in production and use— The flammability of hydrocarbons, DME, HFC-152a and their 

flammable blends makes safety a priority in the production and use of aerosols containing these 

ingredients. Flammable propellants and solvents require special equipment, training and handling in 

aerosol production, and special precautions in aerosol use.

Easy to use— Pressurised aerosols, using propellants, are sometimes considered more convenient 

products to use than NIK alternatives such as aqueous sprays, drops and creams. Flammable 

propellants and solvents require safety precautions in the use of aerosol products.

10. 3 Current and future demand for ODS alternatives

Global aerosol demand is currently estimated at about 14 billion units (cans) per year, with a market 

size of about USD 55 billion. Recent market analysis36 indicates that global demand is likely to 

exceed 18 billion units by 2020, reaching USD 70 billion. Personal care aerosol products accounted 

for the largest application, with over 40 per cent of global market demand in 2013. Household 

aerosols were the second largest application, with growing demand for products such as stain 

removers, water repellents for furnishings, and pre-wash sprays. Growth in personal care and 

household aerosol products is expected to drive the overall growth in the global market. This analysis 

also expects demand in asthma inhalers to be limited owing to their HFC use. 

Europe was the largest regional aerosol market in 2013, with estimated demand of 5 billion units, 

accounting for more than 35 per cent of global demand. North America was the second largest 

regional market. Both of these markets are expected to lose market share to Asia Pacific and Latin 

America by 2020, owing to regulations controlling VOCs, CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs in the European 

Union and the United States. Larger market participants, Procter and Gamble, S. C. Johnson, Henkel, 

and Reckitt Benckiser, are making extensive efforts to develop sustainable alternatives, using less 

raw material and energy, with lower carbon footprints and high recyclability. Asia Pacific is expected 

to be the fastest growing regional market owing to its economic development, a growing demand for 

personal care and household products, and a less stringent regulatory environment. 

According to publicly available information on the intended application of net supply of fluorocarbon 

gases from the European Environment Agency, the European Union’s net HFC supply intended for 

aerosol production was 8,400 tonnes in 2013, accounting for about 10 per cent of total net HFC 

supply and 11 million tonnes CO2-equivalent, at an average GWP for constituent HFCs of 1286.37

 

36 Aerosol Market Analysis by Application (Personal Care, Household, Paint, Medical) and Segment Forecasts 

to 2020, Grand View Research, December 2014, ISBN 978-1-68038-288-4, 

http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/aerosol-market, accessed May 2015. Aerosol Market To Be 

Worth $70.15 Billion, Growing At CAGR Of 3.1% From 2014 To 2020: New Report By Grand View Research, 

Inc., GlobeNewswire, http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/12/09/689728/10111568/en/AerosolMarket-To-Be-Worth-70-15-Billion-Growing-At-CAGR-Of-3-1-From-2014-To-2020-New-Report-By-GrandView-Research-Inc.html, accessed May 2015.

37 Aggregated data reported by undertakings on the production, import and export of fluorinated greenhouse 

gases (HFCs, PFCs and SF6) in the European Union. The European Union Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 on 

certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (the 'F-Gas Regulation') introduced requirements for producers, importers

and exporters of F-gases to report to the European Commission on the quantities produced, imported and 

exported in each calendar year, including information on the main intended applications of the F-gases quantities 
112 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

These data include quantities used in MDI production (HFC-134a and HFC-227ea). The Consumer 

Specialty Products Association (CSPA) of the United States estimated that in 2008, the majority of 

aerosol products using HFC-152a were consumer aerosols, with total use of 21,417 tonnes, and the 

majority of aerosol products using HFC-134a were technical products, with total use of 3,242 tonnes. 

These data do not include quantities used in MDI production. Based on these data, while the 

European Union’s aerosol market is the largest overall, its HFC consumption for aerosols is smaller 

than in the United States. This might reflect market variations in aerosol propellant and solvent 

choices based on the different industry and regulatory environments for HFCs and VOCs. In 2013, 

Japan used about 170 tonnes HFC-134a and 320 tonnes HFC-152a in non-MDI aerosol applications. 

China produced about 1.5 billion aerosol units in 2013. In technical aerosols, China used several 

hundred tonnes HFC-134a, mainly as a propellant for holiday ribbon sprays for export, which is 

expected to migrate to lower GWP propellants owing to export market pressure. HFC-152a is also 

used in technical aerosols, with estimates ranging from 100-1,000 tonnes. Medical aerosol products 

are common in China where production has been growing rapidly. For non-MDI medical aerosols, 

production was between 120-130 million units in 2014, with some HFC propellants (300-400 tonnes),

and also DME, carbon dioxide and HCFCs (2,300 tonnes HCFC-22 and 600 tonnes HCFC-141b, 

which is used as a blend with HCFC-22).38 The number of non-MDI medical aerosols is relatively 

large when compared with the total 1.5 billion aerosols produced in China in 2013.

In 2010, the total GWP-weighted amount of HFCs used in aerosol production has been estimated as 

54 million tonnes CO2-equivalent, or 5 per cent of total GWP-weighted HFC consumption39.

Consumer and technical aerosols are estimated to account for about three-quarters of GWP-weighted 

HFC consumption in aerosol production, and medical aerosols, including MDIs, for the remaining 

quarter40. 

reported. Net supply takes into account production, imports and exports for the intended application. HFC data 

for solvents used in aerosols may be included in the aerosols or the solvents category. The solvents category has 

an order of magnitude lower figure for HFC consumption. This dataset uses GWPs from IPCC’s Fourth 

Assessment Report, 2007. http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/fluorinated-greenhouse-gasesaggregated-data-1. Accessed April 2015. European Environment Agency, Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2013, 

Aggregated data reported by companies on the production, import and export of fluorinated greenhouse gases 

in the European Union, EEA Technical report, No 15/2014. http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/f-gases2013/.

38 Updated data compared with recently published tonnages estimated by MTOC in its 2014 Assessment Report, 

based on new estimates from industry in China.

39 US EPA, Transitioning to Low-GWP Alternatives in Non-Medical Aerosols, EPA 430-F-13-013, April 2013. 

40 This market breakdown of GWP-weighted HFC consumption updates information provided in the 2014 

Assessment, 2014 Report of the UNEP Medical Technical Options Committee, which was originally based on 

data contained in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 430-F-13-013, www.epa.gov, April 2013. 

Further work is underway to re-evaluate global HFC consumption in aerosols, and may become available next 

year.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 113

Medical aerosols, mainly MDIs, are estimated to use about 11,000 metric tonnes HFCs, or about 16 

million tonnes CO2-equivalent. Based on an analysis of greenhouse gas data available from the 

UNFCCC41, fluorocarbon gas data available from the European Environment Agency, and industry 

HFC consumption data for global MDI production42, a rough estimate of global HFC-134a 

consumption in aerosols excluding MDIs would be about 10,000 tonnes, or 13 million tonnes CO2-

equivalent. Similarly, an analysis of global aerosol production, aerosol weight, and propellant charge, 

results in a rough estimate of global HFC-134a consumption of about 9,500 tonnes43.

Non-MDI medical aerosols are estimated to represent around 1 per cent globally of all aerosol 

production, with approximately 250-300 million units per year. HFC propellants are used in less than 

10 per cent of these aerosols, with less than 1,000 tonnes HFCs per year. 

The aerosol industry in the United States considers HFC consumption to be flat or declining 44. 

Global production of HFC-containing aerosols is likely to be growing very slowly, if at all, and this is 

not likely to change in the near future. Nevertheless, there may be individual countries where HFC 

aerosol production is growing. Production is likely to increase in Article 5 Parties while it flattens or 

declines in non-Article 5 Parties.

10.1.3 Costs and benefits of avoiding high-GWP alternatives

The majority of aerosols migrated to non-fluorocarbon alternatives. HFC use is often limited by the 

market itself, either owing to cost, safety or regulatory reasons, or to applications where VOC 

controls might limit hydrocarbon use, or where a propellant with low flammability and/or proven 

safety is needed. Nevertheless, HFC consumption in this sector is ranked as the third largest after the 

refrigeration and air conditioning and foams sectors, and aerosols are a totally emissive use. There 

could be significant environment benefits in selecting more low-GWP and climate-friendly 

alternatives and by avoiding high-GWP propellants and solvents. In many cases, HFC propellants and 

solvents can be substituted with low-GWP options. Low-GWP propellants and solvents are 

commercially and widely available, and NIK alternatives are commercially available where they are 

suited for the purpose. 

The reformulation of aerosols to use alternative low-GWP propellants and solvents, or the 

development of NIK technologies as replacements, would incur costs to industry. It appears that it is 

technically feasible to replace HFC-134a used in consumer aerosols with alternatives, based on the 

US EPA proposal to prohibit its use in this application. It also appears that it is technically feasible 

for new technical aerosols to begin to transition away from high-GWP HFCs based on the European 

Union’s 2018 prohibition, except where the aerosol is needed to meet national safety standards or for 

medical applications. It seems industry analysts consider it possible that, as the European Union and 

the United States introduce HFC restrictions, some production may shift to countries with more 

relaxed regulatory environments, with expectations for declining growth in the European Union and 

the United States and increasing growth elsewhere, particularly Asia Pacific. Global export markets 

may challenge these predictions as producers shift production to suit export markets, such as 

indicated by China moving away from HFC-134a use in technical aerosols. 

 

41 http://unfccc.int/ghg_data/ghg_data_unfccc/items/4146.php

42 T.J. Noakes, Mexichem Fluor, United Kingdom, personal communications, 2015.

43 Aerosol weight and propellant charge vary greatly. However, if it is assumed that 0.5% of all aerosols use 

HFC-134a, that those aerosols have an average weight of 300 grs and a propellant charge of 45%, this results in 

a rough estimate of 9,450 metric tonnes HFC-134a.

44 ICF International, Market Characterization of the U.S. Aerosols Industry, May 2014 for the Stratospheric 

Protection Division, Office of Air and Radiation, US EPA.
114 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

In some markets or for some products there may be significant challenges in adopting low-GWP 

options to existing HFC uses in aerosols, and their use may not be feasible. High-GWP HFCs may be 

difficult to avoid for some technical products where their properties are currently needed and no 

suitable alternative exists. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the Montreal Protocol did not 

authorise these uses as essential when it considered similar CFC-containing aerosols, except MDIs.

It is difficult to quantify the costs of conversion of high-GWP HFC-containing aerosol products to 

low-GWP and NIK alternatives. Costs may include reformulation, redesign, production reengineering, safety, training and education, product testing, and consumer information, and will 

depend on the application, the market and its regulatory environment. 
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 115

11 List of acronyms and abbreviations

AHRI American Heating and Refrigeration Institute 

AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association

ANSI American National Standards Institute

ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers 

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

CEFIC European Chemical Industry Council

CEN European Committee for Standardisation

CFC Chlorofluorocarbon

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

COP Coefficient of Performance

DPI Dry Powder Inhaler

EPA US Environmental Protection Agency

EU European Union

FIC Fluoroiodocarbon

FK Fluoroketone

GWP Global Warming Potential

HCFC Hydrochlorofluorocarbon

HCFO Hydrochlorofluoroolefin

HCO Oxygenated hydrocarbon

HFC Hydrofluorocarbon

HFE Hydrofluoroether

HFO Hydrofluoroolefin

HTOC Halons Technical Options Committee

IIR International Institute for Refrigeration

IMO International Maritime Organisation

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

ISO International Organisation for Standardisation

LCA Life Cycle Analysis

LCCP Life Cycle Climate Performance 

MBH Thousand BTUs per Hour

MDI Metered Dose Inhaler

MTOC Medical Technical Options Committee

NFPA National Fire Protection Association

ODP Ozone Depletion Potential

ODS Ozone Depleting Substance

OEL Occupational Exposure Limit 

R/AC Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (also RACHP)

RTOC Refrigeration, AC and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee

SNAP Significant New Alternatives Policy

TEAP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel

TEWI Total Equivalent Warming Impact

TLV Threshold Limit Value 

UL Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

VOC Volatile Organic Compound

September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 117

Annex 1 – Report to OEWG-36 on updates to the XXVI/9 report

A1. 1 Considerations for updated report – Decision XXVI/9 Task Force report

In accordance with Decision XXVI/9, a report has been made available to the meeting of the 36th

OEWG, and an update report will be submitted to the Twenty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties, that 

addresses the information requested by Parties in that decision.

Considerations for the updates have been submitted in writing and were discussed with Parties during 

an informal discussion session, Wednesday lunchtime. TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force members 

discussed with interested Parties the feasibility of potential updates considering both the update 

requested within the scope of Decision XXVI/9 as well as the timeline for completing the updated 

report in early September to meet the deadline for submission of documents to the 27th MOP. The 

considerations can be summarized as follows:

A1. 2 Scenarios

1. In general, all assumptions made in scenarios should be well explained, so that Parties are 

fully aware how scenarios are constructed, in how far these scenarios might reflect reality, or 

whether they are mainly used to demonstrate the impact of certain parameters –or the impact 

of changing parameters-- on high GWP HFC demand during the period 2010-2030. 

2. Further explanation why the GWP of 300 had been selected was considered as one of the first 

requirements. This would also hold for other parameters and why they were chosen. 

3. One Article 5 Party asked to consider longer conversions periods (6 years was considered too 

short), later starts of conversion than 2020 or 2025 as well as conversion of only certain 

percentages of manufacturing equipment, since there was not yet evidence that alternatives 

would be fully available in 2020 or soon thereafter. The lag was noted from when Article 2 

countries adopt the alternatives in the market before the Article 5 Parties transition; this lag 

should be about 10 years. A sensitivity analysis was suggested.

4. Introduction of a longer time period than up to 2030, e.g. until 2050, was also considered 

necessary, in particular also if longer conversion periods would be studied. This is also 

related to the fact that certain amendment proposals consider time schedules that go far 

beyond 2030. 

5. One Party mentioned that it would be revealing if a separate study could be made for the 

update report which identified crucial sectors that would be important to transition in order to 

meet a certain reduction obligation in a certain year. 

6. Where the XXVI/9 report shows many results for Article 5 Parties, expansion of the scenario 

material for non-Article 5 Parties was considered necessary (a suggestion already made 

directly after the XXVI/9 presentation). It was asked whether market interactions related to 

equipment (exports, imports) had been considered, if not, whether this could be investigated 

for the update report.

A1. 3 Costs

1. Costs calculations for non-RAC and production sectors need to be clearer, while taking into 

account relevant ExCom decisions, such as the ones related to financing stage II HPMPs and 

demonstration projects. This is also related to the costs of the alternatives on the market and 

those not yet on the market. 

2. Costs should also be analysed dependent on the start of the conversion and the duration of the 

conversion period. A global estimate of costs and benefits up to the year 2050 was also 

considered desirable.

3. One request was submitted to present the non R/AC costings in a clearer way. 
118 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

A1. 4 High Ambient Temperature (HAT) Conditions

1. A more precise analysis and parameters for definition of a high ambient temperature country 

or region was considered desirable. 

2. Another Party mentioned the consideration of the alternatives for HAT countries or regions, 

the HCFC consumption by sector of these countries/regions as well as the types of equipment 

used. 

3. Testing data of projects, if completed, should be listed and analysed if possible. Performance 

of various alternatives will be important, however, a Life Cycle Climate Performance 

evaluation of possible alternatives was considered even more important. 

A1. 5 Alternatives

1. The status of the various alternatives as well as their markets should be more precisely 

described. This in particular related to the 70 alternatives mentioned. Expansion of 

information on regional and international standards in the update report was also emphasized 

by several Parties.
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 119

Annex 2 - Additional Tables for Total, New Manufacturing, and Servicing 

Demand

Below tables are given for the total demand, new manufacturing and servicing demand (used for cost 

calculations in chapter 6):

- for non-Article 5 and Article 5 Parties

- for all R/AC sub-sectors

- for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios:

- Table A6-1: Demand in tonnes for new manufacturing plus servicing (total demand) for nonArticle 5 Parties for the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, 

MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-2: Demand in tonnes for new manufacturing only for non-Article 5 Parties for the 

period 2010-2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-3: Demand in tonnes for servicing only for non-Article 5 Parties for the period 

2010-2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-4: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for new manufacturing plus servicing (total 

demand) for non-Article 5 Parties for the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors 

for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-5: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq.for new manufacturing only for non-Article 5 

Parties for the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 and 

MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-6: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq.for servicing only for non-Article 5 Parties for the 

period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-7: Demand in tonnes for servicing and new manufacturing (total demand) for 

Article 5 Parties for the period 2010-2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, 

MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-8: Demand in tonnes for new manufacturing only for Article 5 Parties for the 

period 2010-2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table: A6-9: Demand in tonnes for servicing only for Article 5 Parties for the period 2010-

2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-10: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for new manufacturing plus servicing (total 

demand) for Article 5 Parties for the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for 

the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

- Table A6-11: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for new manufacturing only for Article 5 Parties 

for the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 

scenarios

- Table A6-12: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for servicing only for Article 5 Parties for the 

period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios
120 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Table A6-1: Demand in tonnes for new manufacturing plus servicing (total demand) for nonArticle 5 Parties for the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 

and MIT-5 scenarios
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 121

Table A6-2: Demand in tonnes for new manufacturing only for non-Article 5 Parties for the 

period 2010-2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios
122 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Table A6-3: Demand in tonnes for servicing only for non-Article 5 Parties for the period 2010-

2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 123

Table A6-4: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq.for new manufacturing plus servicing (total demand) for 

non-Article 5 Parties for the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, 

MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios

 
124 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Table A6-5 Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for new manufacturing only for non-Article 5 Parties for 

the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 125

Table A6-6: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for servicing only for non-Article 5 Parties for the period 

2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios
126 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Table A6-7: Demand in tonnes for servicing and new manufacturing (total demand) for Article 5 

Parties for the period 2010-2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 

scenarios
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 127

Table A6-8: Demand in tonnes for new manufacturing only for Article 5 Parties for the period 

2010-2030 for the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios
128 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Table: A6-9 Demand in tonnes for servicing only for Article 5 Parties for the period 2010-2030 for 

the six major sub-sectors and for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 129

Table A6-10: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for new manufacturing plus servicing (total demand) 

for Article 5 Parties for the period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT3 and MIT-5 scenarios
130 September 2015 TEAP XXVI/9 Task Force Report

Table A6-11: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for new manufacturing only for Article 5 Parties for the 

period 2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios
September 2015 TEAP Update XXVI/9 Task Force Report 131

Table A6-12: Demand in ktonnes CO2-eq. for servicing only for Article 5 Parties for the period 

2010-2030 and for the six major sub-sectors for the BAU, MIT-3 and MIT-5 scenarios