High GWP gases face 30% price increase

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UK/EUROPE: Refrigerant users face new price increases of as much as 30% as Europe transitions away from high GWP HFCs. The UK’s leading refrigeration wholesaler and one of the world’s main refrigeration manufacturers have both announced large increases in the price of refrigerants from next month. The latest increases follow 20% price hikes by a number of suppliers at the beginning of the year and suggestions that there may be more to come this year.

UK wholesaler Dean & Wood, part of the Beijer Ref group, has announced price increases of 30% on high GWP refrigerants like R404A and R507 and the R22 transitional blend R422D. The new prices, which come into effect on April 1, also include 20% increases on a number of common gases including R134a, R410A and R407C, and so-called interim gases R407A and R407D.

Refrigerant manufacturer Chemours wrote to its customers this month announcing price increases across Europe of 25% on R404A and R507 and 20% rises on the other base HFCs R134a, R410A, R407A and R407C.

At the beginning of the year, refrigerant manufacturer Mexichem announced 20% price rises on R404A and R507 and 15% increases on R134a, R410A and R407C. Supplier National Refrigerants announced similar increases from January 1.

The “perfect storm” of swingeing cuts in HFC availability next year and suppliers’ needs to juggle production and import quotas is behind the latest increases. Industry leaders have long urged a rapid transition away from high GWP gases and warned of high price rises and possible scarcity of some gases.

Credit: coolingpost