From 3-4 June 2013, the UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit brought together decision makers from developing and developed countries to discuss the technical and commercial viability of natural refrigerants. Light-commercial refrigeration systems supplier AHT and consumer brand Red Bull stressed the ongoing success story of HCs around the world, and air-conditioning supplier Midea is expected to launch an R290 air-conditioning system soon.

From 3-4 June, the UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit was held at the UNIDO headquarters in Vienna. The conference attracted more than 150 industry stakeholders and decision makers from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East as well as North and South America to discuss practical solutions for overcoming the challenges developing countries face while introducing natural substances.

Most developing countries are in the process of choosing HCFC replacement technologies. Minimising the climate impact of these replacement technologies is an aspect receiving more and more attention by countries when setting out their phase-out plans. The increasing availability of replacement technologies with low-GWP natural substances, as well as the urgency to address climate change, provides the opportunity to “leapfrog” HFCs and transition directly to natural-based solutions.

530,000 HC cabinets around the world; 50% energy savings in Thailand

Reinhold Resch, representing Austrian manufacturer AHT, provided an overview of the company’s successful global strategy in rolling out commercial freezers using R290 refrigerants in developing countries like China, Thailand, Brazil and India. The company’ factories in Austria and China have so far supplied more than 530,000 R290 cabinets to countries around the world. In Thailand, AHT has already installed a total of 2,750 (64 units per store on average) R290 cabinets across the country.

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