India’s Refrigerant Transition: Paving the Path to Climate-Friendly Cooling
India is set to undergo a crucial phase in its refrigerant transition, focusing on phasing down high global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by the end of this decade. This process, scheduled to begin with a freeze in 2028, aligns with India’s obligations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Simultaneously, the country is progressing toward the complete phase-out of ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2030.
Among the potential alternatives, low-GWP natural refrigerants have emerged as a promising solution, with technologies already available that offer both climate-friendly cooling and enhanced energy efficiency. Despite their advantages, these technologies are still on the fringes of the market, with high-GWP refrigerants and traditional technologies continuing to dominate.
Phased Transition to Climate-Friendly Refrigerants
India ratified the Montreal Protocol in 1992 and has made significant progress in phasing out CFCs. The country successfully completed the phase-out of CFCs by 2010, as required by the Protocol. Currently, India is in the second stage of its HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP), which aims for a complete phase-out of HCFCs by 2030. In addition, India is working towards meeting its commitments under the Kigali Amendment, which mandates a reduction in HFCs starting with a 10% decrease by 2032 and progressively increasing to 85% by 2047. Although HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, they are potent greenhouse gases with a high Global Warming Potential (GWP), and India is transitioning to more climate-friendly alternatives.
India is currently phasing out HCFCs under the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP). Stage-II (2017-2024) focused on eliminating HCFCs in foam manufacturing, with India becoming the first developing country to achieve a 44% reduction in HCFC consumption by 2020, surpassing its target of 35%. Stage-III (2023-2030) will focus on phasing out HCFCs in new equipment, with the goal of eliminating their use in new installations by 2024. This phase aims to reduce emissions by over 19 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually from 2030 onwards.
The Role of Natural Refrigerants
Natural refrigerants, such as hydrocarbons (HC-290), ammonia, and CO2, are being promoted for their significantly lower climate impact and their ability to enhance energy efficiency. Unlike conventional refrigerants, which contribute to both direct and indirect emissions, natural refrigerants can help reduce these emissions substantially. However, their widespread adoption faces several challenges, including the need for better infrastructure, safety standards, and awareness.
The Indian Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) safety guidelines for natural refrigerants are important steps toward supporting this transition. Natural refrigerants like ammonia (GWP 0) and propane (R-290, GWP 3) are increasingly used in industrial refrigeration and small-capacity systems, though flammability concerns limit their broader adoption. Synthetic refrigerants such as R-32 (GWP 675), commonly used in small and medium commercial applications, and R-410A (GWP 2088), a popular option in air conditioning, offer better efficiency but have higher GWPs. Alternatives like R-454B, R-454C, R-455A, and R-466A, which are blends of HFCs and HFOs, show promise for replacing higher-GWP refrigerants like R-22 and R-410A but face challenges such as flammability and temperature glide, with commercial availability still under development.
Overcoming Barriers to Adoption
To accelerate the adoption of natural refrigerants, it is essential to address several barriers, including technological, financial, and knowledge gaps. Key actions include:
Raising Awareness: Both industry professionals and consumers need to be informed about the environmental and efficiency benefits of natural refrigerants.
Research and Development: More R&D is needed to optimize the performance and safety of natural refrigerant-based technologies.
Capacity Building: Training programs for technicians and engineers are crucial to ensure they are equipped with the skills necessary to handle and maintain these new systems.
Policy and Financial Support: A supportive policy framework, including financial incentives, is essential to create a competitive market for natural refrigerants. Collaboration among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and research institutions will be key to this effort.
Industry associations can play a significant role in facilitating knowledge sharing and promoting best practices to encourage the transition to natural refrigerants.
India’s HCFC Phase-Out Progress
India’s HCFC phase-out timeline was accelerated in 2007, advancing the complete phase-out date from 2040 to 2030. Key reduction milestones include a 10% reduction by 2015, 35% by 2020, 67.5% by 2025, and 97.5% by 2030, with a 2.5% service tail allowed until 2040. As the second-largest producer and consumer of HCFCs globally, India’s efforts are vital for protecting the ozone layer and mitigating climate change.
The HPMP Stage-II (2016–2023) successfully reduced HCFC consumption by 60%, focusing on sectors such as polyurethane (PU) foam and room air-conditioning (RAC) manufacturing. In the PU foam sector, 160 enterprises phased out 2,630 metric tonnes of HCFC-141b by transitioning to alternatives like Cyclopentane and Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs). The RAC sector eliminated 1,140 metric tonnes of HCFC-22 by shifting to HFC-32, while an additional 1,250 metric tonnes of HCFC-22 were phased out in the servicing sector through technician training and technical assistance programs.
Under HPMP Stage-III (2023–2030), India is implementing five sector-specific plans to phase out HCFCs sustainably. These include converting 13 companies in the RAC manufacturing sector to HFC-32, assisting 48 MSMEs in refrigeration to adopt low-global warming potential (GWP) alternatives like HC-290, and expanding technician training programs for the servicing sector. The overarching goal is to phase out HCFCs while transitioning to climate-friendly alternatives, ensuring compliance with global environmental commitments.
India’s refrigerant transition presents a unique opportunity to reduce the country’s carbon footprint while improving the efficiency and sustainability of the cooling sector. By phasing out high-GWP refrigerants and embracing natural refrigerants, India can make significant strides toward achieving its climate goals.
Source: Parvesh Chordiya & Geetika Tandon, BRG Research
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