66 // Policy
HFC prices T skyrocketing in the EU
he new EU F-Gas Regulation, finalised in 2014 and in force since 2015, aims to reduce the European Union’s use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 79% by 2030. It has already been having a pronounced impact on prices, according to a study by Öko-Recherche and CITEPA.
Öko-Recherche and CITEPA, organisations dedicated to environmental research, are monitoring HFC prices on behalf of the European Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of the EU F-Gas Regulation and its quota system. 1 January 2018 heralded a 37% cut in the quota of HFCs available in the European Union.
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) prices rose from less than €2 per ton of CO 2 equivalent (/t CO 2eq) in 2014 to an average of €23/t CO 2eq at the beginning of 2018, according to a study carried out for the European Commission. — By Marie Battesti
Average purchase prices of R134a, R410A and R404A were under €2/t CO 2 eq in 2014, but jumped to between €7/t CO 2 eq and €23/t CO 2 eq at the beginning of the first quarter of 2018, the study said. In a webinar entitled ‘Monitoring of refrigerant prices against the background of the F-Gas Regulation (EU)’, Barbara Gschrey of Öko-Recherche spoke of price increases for R134a, R410A and R404A throughout the supply chain (gas producers, OEMs, and service companies). For instance, service companies’ selling price for R134a has increased by €23 per kilogram (/kg) since the new EU F-Gas Regulation was adopted, while their selling price of R410 has risen by €46/kg. Soaring HFC prices are creating more opportunities in Europe for natural refrigerant-based technologies to serve as inexpensive, future-proof and environmentally friendly solutions for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R). In August, EU HVAC&R industry group AREA warned of growing illegal imports and black market trade in refrigerants in some European countries. Higher prices and imminent shortages of these refrigerants have been attracting the attention of criminals, who are increasingly stealing HFC cylinders. MB
Accelerate Europe // Autumn 2018