HFC SUPPLY WITHIN THE EU DROPS BY 29 % IN 2015

According to a new report published by the European Environment Agency( EEA) in December 2016, the supply of HFCs within the EU declined by 29 % to 183.3Mt of CO 2 e in 2015— the first year of the phase-down mechanism— compared to 2014. However, this figure is nearly 12 % up on 2013, suggesting massive prephase-down stockpiling in 2014.

In November 2016, the EEA reported that the total amount of compliancerelevant HFC refrigerant placed on the market in 2015 amounted to 168Mt CO 2 e, and within the cap amount for the year of 183Mt CO 2 e. These latest figures from the EEA include the HFCs contained in pre-charged equipment, which are not included in the phasedown figures until 2017.

In terms of CO 2 e, HFCs account for 85 % of total F-gases supplied to the market. Total F-gas supply, which includes PFCs, SF6, and other perfluorinated compounds, was 214.5Mt CO 2 e.

R134a and R125— a component of R404A— continued to be the largest quantities of HFCs supplied in bulk in 2015, followed by R143a and R32.

EEA

Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2015

Summary of data reported by companies on the production, import and export of fluorinated greenhouse gases in the European Union

ISSN 1977-8449

The EEA’ s Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2015 report.

Comparison with previous figures reveals an increase in the use of R32 and a reduction in the use of R404A.

WORLD REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT MARKET

By considering the cost of equipment, construction, and services, JARN predicts that the global refrigeration market value amounted to USD90-billion in 2015, with commercial applications representing 63.3 %, industrial applications 31.1 %, and transportation 5.6 %.

Regarding commercial applications, by considering refrigeration equipment only, the global market value amounted to USD38-billion, with refrigerated display cases representing 49 %, beverage coolers 14 %, ice machines 8 %, and vending machines 6 %. In terms of regions, North America is the largest market, accounting for 32.8 % of the global commercial refrigeration market, followed by Europe( 24.2 %) and Asia( 23.9 %). However, it is the explosive growth in several Asian countries, including China and India, which has boosted the development of the global market.

TUNISIAN COLD CHAIN STATUS

During the IIR seminar on the‘ Logistics for Transport of Foodstuffs under Controlled Temperatures in Hot Countries’ in October 2016 in Tunis, some valuable figures were provided concerning the situation of the cold chain in Tunisia.

There are 784 cold stores in Tunisia, 590 of which are owned by companies employing less than 10 people. There are also over 10 000 controlled-temperature vehicles, including near 40 % insulated ones. Furthermore, there are five

mapsof. net

There are 784 cold stores in Tunisia.

refrigerated bodies manufacturing companies, but only certain manufacturers are complying with ATP international agreement requirements, while Tunisia signed the ATP agreement in 2007. The Tunisian cold chain sector employs around 15 000 people.

EVALUATING LUBRICANTS FOR LOWER GWP REFRIGERANT COMPRESSOR OPERATION

Lubricants are an essential component to refrigerant compressor operation, regardless of the refrigerant used. But to maintain a reliable and efficient