The refrigerant recovery and reclamation sector is striving to keep up with the changes taking place in the world of refrigerants, which means it is constantly creating new products to seamlessly adapt to the latest batch of regulations and refrigerant phaseouts.

What long-term implications will this have on the refrigerant-recovery industry, which has been built on recovering chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — refrigerants that are increasingly being phased out? The answer: Change is on the horizon, but demise is not imminent.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has published research project AHRI 8018: Review of Refrigerant Management Programs. This project looked at refrigerant management and recycling programs implemented in key regions of the world.

Diversified Pure Chem (DPC) has launched a nationwide initiative to purchase recovered R-410A. Through this program, DPC reimburses HVACR professionals based on the refrigerant’s weight and purity, and issues a payment within 30 days of receiving the gas.

A-Gas Americas has acquired Refri-Claim, an EPA-certified reclaimer, from ICOR International. The acquisition includes all the assets of the existing Refri-Claim business.

Alfa Cantor, Dallas, has earned U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification as a refrigerant reclaimer. Alfa Cantor, as an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer, focuses on the direct buyback and sale of refrigerants to the contractor and refrigerant recovery markets nationally.

Trends in supermarkets can often provide insights into changes to come for the rest of the commercial refrigeration world, and — as is the case industry-wide — refrigerants are on the minds of many in the supermarket sector.

The new products, which are based on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology, are recognized as low-GWP refrigerants.