The European Parliament is set to put a total ban on use of hfc refrigerants by 2015. It has recently adopted the F Gas directive which will drive up the cost of HFC equipment, thereby reducing demand.

At a meeting of Eurammon, an organisation of businesses, institutions and individuals which advocates increased use of natural refrigerants, manufacturers were urged to act now to avoid a scramble to get out HFCs.

According to Eurammon, attempts to reduce reduce leakage rates by improving system containment have failed. Eric Johnson, scientific advisor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said at the meeting: “Containment doesn’t work and it is costly. History shows that banning substances works.”

The UK’s annual consumption of refrigerant gases is 9000 tonnes – with as much as 60% used to top up leaking systems.