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NEW REFRIGERANTS
LEADING THE TRANSITION IN SA’ S PATH TO SUSTAINABLE REFRIGERANTS
By Werner Terblanche, business development manager, A-Gas South Africa voices
As the global focus intensifies on climate change and environmental responsibility, the HVAC & R industry finds itself at a critical point.
Driven by international frameworks like the Montreal
Protocol and its Kigali Amendment, the refrigerants sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation – one that is no longer optional, but imperative.
At a recent SAIRAC TechTalk, I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of A-Gas South Africa about our journey and our vision for a lower-carbon future. This article builds on that discussion, providing a deeper dive into the challenges, opportunities and necesssary actions surrounding refrigerants in South Africa and beyond.
Refrigerants have come a long way in the last few decades. From ozone-depleting CFCs( Chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs( Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) to high global warming HFCs( Hydrofluorocarbons), and now to lower-GWP( global warming potential) alternatives such as HFOs( Hydrofluoroolefins) and natural refrigerants, the chemical evolution of cooling has been dramatic. South Africa, as an Article 5 country under the Montreal Protocol, is among the last to fully phase out HCFCs like R22. By January 2026, we will only be allowed to import 2.5 % of our original HCFC quota. Similarly, HFCs such as R134a, R404A and R507 are now under strict import caps, with a 10 % phasedown scheduled to begin in 2029 and an 80 % reduction expected by 2045.
Yet, even as new refrigerants emerge, the legacy of past gases remains. If not properly managed, the environmental damage of these substances will continue long after their use is officially ended.
• Leak reduction: Regular maintenance and leak prevention have a direct and immediate effect on emissions reduction
• Reporting and enforcement: Industry self-regulation must be coupled with accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance
• Workforce development: Ongoing training and certification are essential, particularly as we transition to flammable and higher-pressure refrigerants
• Proper installation and servicing: A system ' s entire life cycle begins at installation. Poor practices at this stage can undermine all downstream efforts
Werner Terblanche, business development manager, A-Gas South Africa.
It is estimated that one kilogram of R404A released into the atmosphere is equivalent to four metric tons of CO₂. Multiply that by thousands of systems and millions of kilograms, and the magnitude of our challenge becomes evident.
Supplied by A-Gas South Africa
LRM IS THE CRUCIAL MISSING LINK Adopting new refrigerants is only half the battle. The other half is managing existing ones responsibly.
This is where Life Cycle Refrigerant Management( LRM) comes into play. At A-Gas, we view LRM as an actionable framework that goes beyond policy, encompassing recovery, reclamation, reuse and safe disposal of refrigerants at every stage of their use.
There are six pillars of LRM that guide this approach:
• Enhanced product stewardship: Everyone – from manufacturers to contractors – must take responsibility for refrigerants through their full life cycle
• Increased recovery and reclamation: Reusing what we already have is a cornerstone of circular economy thinking – this reduces both emissions and costs
RACA Journal I January 2026
BUILDING A RECOVERY ECOSYSTEM IN SA In response, A-Gas has established a national refrigerant recovery network backed by a team of qualified technicians and a fleet of returnable cylinders. Our Rapid Recovery service supports contractors and end-users by offering fast, compliant and certified refrigerant recovery directly on-site.
Returnable cylinders are central to this model. Unlike disposable cylinders – still widely used in South Africa – returnable cylinders reduce the risk of emissions, eliminate landfill waste and are fully trackable through the recovery process. Where disposable cylinders are still in use, A-Gas offers an end-of-life service that ensures any residual gas is recovered, the cylinder vacuumed, and the steel responsibly recycled.
The long-term goal is clear: move toward refrigerants with no ozone depletion potential and minimal GWP. However, this
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