VATIS UPDATE Article

China recently announced plans for 2016 to indicate a significant shift towards a sustainable HVAC&R industry, by issuing the list of recommended substitutes for HCFCs, finalising proposals for Stage II of the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) and revising national standards for natural refrigerants. Zhong Zhifeng from China’s Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (FECO) released policy developments affecting natural refrigerants in China. With several policy developments in the pipeline, in 2016 China will repeatedly underline its intention to facilitate a comprehensive market shift towards natural refrigerant technology.

The draft document had already been published in June 2015, listing 12 substitutes for HCFC refrigerants, foaming agents and detergents – 10 of which are natural chemicals including CO2, ammonia, hydrocarbons and water. Although the list is not mandatory for the industry, it clearly indicates a significant shift in mindset towards a sustainable HVAC&R industry in China, and is likely to be swiftly followed by a substantial policy evolution further promoting natural refrigerants. Since 2011, China has been implementing the first stage of its HPMP in industrial and commercial refrigeration.

FECO has been undertaking a series of activities including investing in the conversion of production lines to natural refrigerants, conducting studies on alternative technologies, revising standards, and providing training and workshops for natural refrigerant technology. While implementing the first stage, the Chinese government has been also working on its proposal for the Stage II HPMP. The proposal may be discussed for about a year before it gets final approval from the Executive Committee. Although the proposal might be modified during the process, Zhifeng claimed that its focus will remain on natural refrigerant technologies.