The ATMOsphere America Summit 2024, held in Washington, D.C., on June 10^th and 11^th, brought together industry leaders, environmental advocates, and policymakers to address critical challenges and innovations in refrigeration technology. With a predominant focus on the shift towards natural refrigerants and the environmental impacts of synthetic alternatives, the conference provided a comprehensive overview of current trends and future directions in the industry. Here are Team Henderson’s key takeaways from the event:

Rising Demand Amid Environmental Concerns

The global refrigeration landscape is currently dominated by synthetic refrigerants, with a staggering 95% dependency worldwide. However, the environmental footprint of these chemicals and their impact on global warming and contamination of our water supply has raised significant alarms. As temperatures soar globally, the demand for refrigeration, crucial for human comfort and health, is set to skyrocket. This demand is further compounded by the increasing adoption of heat pumps to eliminate natural gas, highlighting the critical need for sustainable refrigerant solutions.

Environmental and Legal Perspectives

Keynote speaker Robert Bilott, a renowned environmental lawyer and the subject of the Netflix movie “Dark Waters” and the documentary “The Devil We Know,” highlighted the pressing issue of PFAS contamination. The carbon-fluorine bond in PFAS compounds presents a significant environmental challenge, with emerging studies in Europe suggesting connections to human diseases. The EPA does not currently categorize refrigerants as PFAS, but Europe takes a contrasting view, potentially influencing global regulatory frameworks.

Technological Advancements and Industry Initiatives

A central theme of the conference was the rapid technological advancements in natural refrigerants. Retail giants like Grocery Outlet and Amazon are leading the charge towards sustainability, with ambitious plans to expand their use of natural refrigerants across stores and warehouses. Original equipment manufacturers are committed to natural refrigerants, each developing new innovative technologies to advance the efficiency of equipment using naturals. Manufacturers are far less interested in developing new products around the next generation of synthetic refrigerants.

Regulatory Landscape and Future Outlook

Looking ahead, regulatory challenges remain a significant hurdle in the widespread adoption of flammable natural refrigerants in the United States. Clarity around building codes is likely still three years away. While Europe leads in embracing R290 heat pumps for space heating, these regulatory constraints in the US have slowed growth. The EPA’s presentation on the AIM Act provided insight into current and future regulations. The AIM Act will phasedown and eventually eliminate high global warming potential synthetic refrigerants, but in its current form will not regulate synthetic refrigerants based on PFAS.

A Call to Action

As the conference drew to a close, there was a clear consensus among attendees on the urgency of transitioning towards natural refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP). Initiatives like California’s $65 million grant for ultra-low GWP technologies in existing facilities aim to accelerate this transition, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The commitment to achieving a 10 GWP or less standard by 2035 in California and New York reflects a growing recognition of the need for stringent environmental regulations and sustainable practices.

Conclusion

The ATMOsphere America Summit 2024 served as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and advocate for sustainable refrigeration solutions. As the industry navigates towards a greener future, technological innovation, regulatory alignment, and collaborative efforts will be instrumental in overcoming challenges and realizing the potential of natural refrigerants. With continued momentum and collective action, the vision of a sustainable, environmentally conscious refrigeration industry is within reach.

In summary, the conference not only highlighted the current state of the refrigeration industry but also set a clear path forward towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.