By 2026, refrigerators in China will enter an era of \"fluorine-free\" refrigerants

30 Years of Progress – From Passive Compliance to Global Leadership: China’s Pace in Compliance Accelerates. The replacement of refrigerants in refrigerators began in the 1990s, and by 2007 China had completed the replacement of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in its refrigerators. However, this does not mean that these refrigerators are completely free of fluorine; hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which contain fluorine, are still used to some extent as substitutes for CFCs in foam materials and refrigerants. True elimination of fluorine in refrigerator refrigerants will be fully achieved by 2026. ”Wang Lei explained that in earlier years, some companies referred to refrigerators that used hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as refrigerants as \"fluorine-free refrigerators.\" However, although HFCs do not destroy the ozone layer, they are still potent greenhouse gases; therefore, they are not truly environmentally friendly \"fluorine-free refrigerators.\" True \"fluorine-free\" status means that both the refrigerant and the foam agent in the refrigerator are free of fluorine; all fluorine-containing substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are completely eliminated. Only in this case can it be considered truly \"fluorine-free\". The path toward \"fluorine-free\" refrigerators in China’s refrigerator industry is the result of nearly 30 years of relentless efforts by the country’s refrigerator sector; it also relies on firm commitment to fulfilling relevant obligations at the national level, as well as systematic planning. Since joining the Montreal Protocol in 1991, China has always regarded compliance with the Protocol as an important responsibility, and has established a full-chain compliance system ranging from **leadership to implementation by industries. From a top-level design perspective, **special agencies such as a leadership group for ozone layer protection were established, and regulations on the management of ozone-depleting substances along with over a hundred accompanying policies were introduced. These measures transformed the requirements of international conventions into clear domestic laws and regulations, thereby creating a full-life-cycle management approach that encompasses source control, process supervision, and end-stage treatment. In terms of financial and technical support, through international cooperation, a total of $1.463 billion in grants from multilateral funds was obtained, which helped thousands of enterprises to undertake upgrades to alternative technologies. As a result, 32 industry-wide phase-out plans were successfully implemented, with the refrigerator industry being one of them. Let’s go back to the year 1994. At that time, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was being implemented worldwide. In China, the refrigerator industry was still in the “perfluorocarbon era”—100% of refrigerators used CFC-12 as a refrigerant and CFC-11 as a blowing agent. These CFC substances are the main culprits behind the depletion of the ozone layer. “At that time, we were faced with a technological gap, and the industry still needed to develop rapidly. To achieve sustainable development, the association took the lead in formulating the \"Study on a Phased Outward Elimination Strategy for CFCs in China’s Refrigeration Industry\" (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Elimination Strategy’), embarking on a difficult path of transformation. ” Wang Lei recalled. After thorough research, the elimination strategies adopted at that time recommended to the industry hydrocarbon refrigerants R600a and HFC134a as alternatives to the refrigerant CFC12, and cyclopentane and HCFC141b as alternatives to the blowing agent CFC11, in line with market demands and technological trends. As enterprises continue to explore and experiment, and as the technology matures, the environmentally friendly R600a and cyclopentane have become the preferred alternatives to fluorocarbons in China’s refrigerator industry. In particular, R600a’s favorable physical properties as a refrigerant have laid a solid foundation for improving the energy efficiency of refrigerators. The pace of substitution accelerated continuously after 2000. Today, zero-fluorine technology is fully mature, with products using hydrocarbon refrigerants (R600a, R290) and cyclopentane as blowing agents accounting for over 94% of the market. What is even more praiseworthy is that, thanks to the successful selection of alternative technologies at that time, the refrigerator industry was able to meet the requirements of the Kigali Amendment regarding the control of HFCs ahead of schedule, thus avoiding the need for large-scale replacement of HFCs. “This is not merely a simple technical upgrade; it represents the responsible attitude of China’s refrigerator industry and an embodiment of its long-term commitment to green and low-carbon principles. ”Wang Lei said that China is a major global producer and exporter of refrigerators and freezers, and the significance of such a large-scale transition to fluorine-free products for global environmental governance is self-evident. Strong confidence thanks to mature technology – the entire industry chain is in place, and a fluorine-free lifestyle is within reach

Robust technical maturity provides confidence – the entire industrial chain is in place, and a fluoro-free lifestyle is within reach. “Although the ban is set to take effect in 2026, we are already fully prepared.” ”Facing the impending era of completely fluorine-free refrigerants, Wang Lei, who has been involved in the green transformation of China’s refrigerator industry for decades, is full of confidence. “Our confidence stems from the technological maturity of China’s refrigerator industry.” ” In fact, the transition to completely fluorine-free refrigerants in China’s refrigerator industry is no longer a “work in progress”; it has already been completed. From production to the market, the entire industrial chain operates smoothly. On the production side, all production lines of domestic refrigerator manufacturers now have the capability to operate without fluorinated substances. The R&D capabilities of leading enterprises have long been at the international first-class level. “Today, the laboratory equipment in enterprises is highly advanced; whether it comes to testing the compatibility of refrigerants or optimizing foaming processes, the standards are very high. ”Wang Lei explained that in terms of standards, not only are the product safety standards, performance standards, and energy efficiency standards for refrigerators in line with international norms, but in order to effectively implement the transition to fluorine-free refrigerants and blowing agents, we began as early as 2006 to develop industry standards related to the production process, transportation, installation, and maintenance of refrigerators using these new refrigerants and blowing agents, and these standards have been continuously revised as technology improves. To meet the needs of different markets, companies have also developed a range of completely fluorine-free solutions: household refrigerators primarily use the 600a refrigerant, which offers high cooling efficiency and energy savings ； Most commercial freezers use R290 refrigerant; their cooling temperature can reach as low as -40°C, thus better meeting the storage requirements for frozen foods ； Export products are flexibly adapted to various zero-fluorine solutions based on the requirements of the target markets. Today, on the market side, fluorine-free refrigerators have long become the mainstream. Data shows that in 2024, the annual domestic sales volume of refrigerators and freezers in China reached 61 million units, among which products free of fluorinated gases accounted for over 99%. Even in remote rural areas, over the past decade or so, newly purchased refrigerators have largely been non-CFC products; the number of old CFC-containing refrigerators is steadily decreasing. At the end of their useful life, \"for fluorine-containing refrigerators, relevant departments established a comprehensive recycling system over a decade ago; after the refrigerators are discarded, specialized agencies handle the recovery and disposal of the refrigerant.\" ” Wang Lei said. In terms of export markets, China’s fully fluorine-free refrigerators have gained recognition from most ** countries, and have become the alternative technology route chosen by many ** in the refrigerator industry. “Previously, we ‘passively adapted’ to international standards; now we have reached internationally advanced standards. ”Wang Lei told the reporter. In 2024, China exported over 77.8 million refrigerators and freezers to more than 100 countries and regions around the world, with products that do not contain fluorine accounting for over 90% of these exports. 　 A win-win situation for environmental compliance and industry development – Phasing out fluorinated substances is not a way to \"cut off one’s own path\", but rather to \"find an alternative route\"”

A win-win situation for environmental compliance and industry development – Replacing fluorinated substances is not about \"cutting off one’s own path\", but rather about \"finding an alternative path\". By doing so, we can protect the environment while simultaneously achieving rapid development for the industry. ”Wang Lei’s words capture the core logic behind the green transformation in the refrigerator industry. The transformation process over the past 30 years has shown that environmental protection and development are not opposing forces; rather, they can promote each other to achieve a win-win outcome. To meet the requirements of the Montreal Protocol and to protect the global environment, China’s refrigerator industry has embarked on a decades-long journey toward replacing fluorine-based substances. In this process, by adhering to a long-term perspective and choosing green, low-carbon alternative technology pathways, significant environmental benefits have been achieved. With the widespread adoption of fully fluorine-free refrigerators and their demonstration effect, China’s refrigerator industry has reduced substantial amounts of fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions each year. This is of great significance both for slowing global warming and protecting the ozone layer, and it also contributes to the goals set out in the Kigali Amendment. For the industry, the green transition has served as a “catalyst” for technological innovation, driving its leapfrog development. In 1994, China’s annual refrigerator production was only around 5 million units, with exports accounting for less than 1 million units ； Today, with an annual production of nearly 100 million units and exports exceeding 51 million units, it is the world’s largest base for refrigerator production and export. “If we had not insisted on choosing an environmentally friendly alternative path back then, we would not have been able to adapt to the environmental transformation in international markets, nor would the industry have reached its current scale. ”Wang Lei said that during the process of transformation, enterprises’ R&D capabilities, production processes, and management levels have all seen significant improvements, giving rise to a number of leading companies with international competitiveness. Among the world’s top ten refrigerator manufacturers, at least six are Chinese companies. Looking to the future, the green transformation of China’s refrigerator industry will advance to an even deeper level. At the technical level, companies will continue to improve the performance of refrigerants and blowing agents, and develop more energy-efficient, fully fluorine-free technologies. At the standard level, standards such as energy efficiency will be further improved to drive continuous improvement in product quality. At the industrial chain level, a green lifecycle system will be established, covering raw material production, product manufacturing, and end-of-life recycling, to achieve a closed-loop environmental protection approach of \"production-use-recycling\". At the same time, the industry will also actively participate in the development of international standards, promoting China’s technologies and experiences worldwide to provide a \"Chinese solution\" for the green transformation of the global refrigeration industry. The green transition also opens up new avenues for development in the industry. As awareness of global environmental protection continues to rise, low-carbon and eco-friendly features have become important criteria for consumers when purchasing home appliances, leading to a steady increase in demand for fluorine-free refrigerators. “It now seems that environmental protection is not a bonus but a necessity; in the future, only green and low-carbon products will be able to achieve long-term success in the market. ”Wang Lei said. The arrival of an era free of fluorinated refrigerants by 2026 is not only a milestone for the refrigerator industry but also a vivid reflection of China’s commitment to the concept of green development and its active participation in global environmental governance. From the technological explorations of those years to the widespread adoption of green, low-carbon technologies today, China’s refrigerator industry has, through 30 years of persistent effort, achieved a green transformation from fluorine-containing products to those that are completely free of fluorine, thus securing a win-win situation for both environmental compliance and industry development.

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