Year in Review: Read the best of hydrocarbons21.com from 2016

2016 has been an action-packed year for natural refrigerants. Here at hydrocarbons21.com, as we head home to friends and family and look forward to 2017, it’s time to take stock of the past year and naturally (pun intended!) to reflect on the highlights of 2016 – from promising new policy developments and exciting events to cutting-edge technology advancements.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our loyal readers!

Policy: New opportunities for hydrocarbons

Global deal reached to limit use of HFCs
On 15 October, close to 200 countries struck a landmark deal to phase down the production and use of HFCs.

EU urges easing of hydrocarbons restrictions
Standards, codes and legislation must be adapted to encourage the wider rollout of hydrocarbons as HFC alternatives, argues an upcoming European Commission report.

Hydrocarbon safety standards high on global agenda
Outdated international standards are increasingly seen as a barrier to wider uptake of hydrocarbons in HVAC&R applications, it emerged during Montreal Protocol talks in Vienna.

How will Trump election influence hydrocarbon adoption?
Industry observers believe propane refrigeration's energy advantages would protect it from any DOE rollback.

SECOP CEO Søholm: HFC phase-down triggering hydrocarbons growth
The market for hydrocarbon technology is ripe for growth – particularly in the United States, SECOP CEO Mogens Søholm told hydrocarbons21.com.

U.S. group seeks sponsors for hydrocarbon flammability research
The Fire Protection Research Foundation wants to evaluate the fire hazard posed by flammable refrigerants.

New report sheds light on effects of EU F-Gas Regulation
The report shows a marked increase in companies that are working with natural refrigerants.

EPA brings more SNAP changes to the table
Under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) programme, the EPA proposed to list propane as acceptable refrigerant in commercial refrigeration applications.

CARB posts revised draft of HFC-reduction strategy
The California agency will assess the impact of the Kigali Amendment on its HFC phase-down plans.

End users: Progressive customers counting on hydrocarbons

EXCLUSIVE: Carrefour Belgium opens its first propylene water-loop store
Carrefour Belgium has opened its first ever store fitted with a propylene water-loop refrigeration system.

Whole Foods pushes the propane envelope
The organic/natural food retailer, which has installed small-charge propane cases in many stores, is the first in the U.S. to test a centralised propane/CO ₂ cascade system.

Coca-Cola to allow hydrocarbons in smaller cooler equipment
The beverage giant will open the door to hydrocarbon refrigerants for smaller cooler equipment.

Colruyt charts course for 100% hydrocarbons in stores
Natural refrigerants are helping the leading Belgian retailer to save money and deliver its environmental targets.

SABMiller: Blazing a trail for natural refrigerants
Brewing giant SABMiller is making natural refrigerants a key component of its sustainability strategy – and demonstrating how natrefs are a winning recipe for corporate success as well as the environment.

Movers & Shakers in Hydrocarbon Refrigeration
For eight Movers & Shakers, hydrocarbons represent a key part of their work.

Market/Technology: Scaling new heights with hydrocarbons

R290 outperforms HFOs, new research finds
Propane (R290) boasts superior heat transfer potential than R32, R1234ze and a combination of R32 and R1234ze, according to a paper from the University of Padova, Italy.

R290 vs. HFCs in warm ambients: who comes out on top?
Researchers working for the Montreal Protocol-funded PRAHA project found that R290 air-conditioning has a higher cooling capacity and is more energy efficient than HFCs.

True owner bullish on award-winning R290 foodservice equipment
Receiving the U.S. EPA’s 2016 Energy Star Emerging Technology Award was a moment of triumph for Steve Trulaske, owner of True Food Service Equipment.

Frascold USA backs propane chillers for U.S. market
Frascold USA, a division of Italian compressor maker Frascold, is supporting the adoption of propane/glycol chillers using its compressor technology in the United States.

Events: Natrefs in the spotlight around the world

Propane chillers find myriad uses in Europe
Frascold’s screw compressors are supporting propane/glycol chillers used in commercial air conditioning and medium-temperature supermarket cases.

China’s HCFC phase-out ambitions under spotlight at Gustav Lorentzen
Experts attending the Edinburgh conference were optimistic that China’s HCFC phase-out plan will trigger wider uptake of natural refrigerants across the Asian powerhouse.

Manufacturers see openings for natural refrigerants in China
Food processing, cold storage and residential air conditioning are among the applications with the greatest potential to grow the market for natural refrigerants in China, according to manufacturers at China Refrigeration in Beijing.

Natural refrigerant technologies under limelight at MCE
Mostra Convegno Expoconfort saw manufacturers unveil new technologies for a range of hydrocarbon applications.

U.S. demand for propane components surging
Interest in components for propane refrigeration systems was much in evidence at the AHR Expo.