The F-Gas phase-down in the UK continues to accelerate, bringing significant changes to refrigerant availability, cost, and compliance requirements. With further reductions expected in 2027, businesses need to understand what’s coming next.
Since 2015, both the EU and the UK have operated under F-Gas quota restrictions to reduce the use of high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants.
In 2024, the EU overhauled its F-Gas phase-down framework, significantly tightening and accelerating the reduction schedule. This was more than a routine update—it marked a clear shift in direction, introducing steeper cuts and reinforcing the path toward a full phase-out by 2050.
Great Britain currently sits at 31% of its baseline quota, while the EU has already reduced to 24%, with a further planned drop to 13.1% next year—almost halving the available supply.
By comparison, UK legislation currently targets a reduction to 24% by 2027. However, this is under review, with proposed changes suggesting a further cut to 16.2%, representing close to a 50% reduction in available quota.
These reductions are expected to tighten supply and push prices higher for traditional, high-quota-consuming refrigerants. Price increases are already being felt and are likely to continue throughout the year.
As the F-Gas phase-down UK progresses, the challenge will shift from finding the best price to simply securing supply.
The coming years will be increasingly demanding as the industry enters the final stages of the phase-down toward full phase-out.
Refrigerants such as R404A were once the primary phase-out targets and have largely been replaced by interim alternatives like R448A, R449A and R452A. However, these options are now also under pressure from tightening quotas, with availability and cost becoming key concerns.
Businesses should now be actively evaluating long-term, sustainable alternatives. This transition will not be without challenges, as many lower-GWP solutions involve higher operating pressures or increased flammability classifications—often requiring system redesign or complete equipment replacement.
To support this transition, National Refrigerants has developed a simple refrigerant route planner, outlining viable long-term options by application. It is available at https://nationalref.com/ or from any National Refrigerants wholesaler.
For more industry insights, see the full article on Cooling Post.