Fish and seafood processors with refrigeration systems running on the common HCFC R22 refrigerant have been urged to act now to secure the future of their businesses.
R22 is used widely in refrigeration systems for ice production, blast and spiral freezing, storage and transport.
However, ozone depleting HCFC refrigerants are being phased-out under EU legislation. The use of R22 and R22 containing blends in new plant has already been banned. The next stage is a ban on the use of 'virgin' or new HCFCs for topping up existing systems – which comes into effect from the end of 2009.
From the beginning of 2010, only recycled R22 may be used to top up plant. After the end of 2014, top-up with any R22 will become illegal. And there are now suggestions that the European Commission may bring this final date forward by up to three years.
Dr John Davey of refrigerant specialist Harp International says: “There is a vast amount of equipment out there still running on R22. It is estimated that up to a third of the cooling systems in the UK depend on it. For many fish and seafood producers, it is critical to their operations. They must act now, as time is running out.”
A Carbon Trust survey of 350 food and drink producers showed that 70 per cent have at least one refrigeration system using R22. It warns: “In most cases, these refrigeration plants are of strategic importance, as they provide crucial process cooling or freezing.”
The price of R22 is expected to escalate rapidly as the chemical manufacturers wind-down production of R22 over the next 18 months. In the US, the cost of R22 has already risen by a factor of five - and is still increasing.
Dr Davey says: “Those with R22 plant have three main options: Strip out systems and replace with new; keep existing plant and retrofit to run on an alternative refrigerant; or manage existing plant to keep operating on with recycled R22 up to deadline.
“There is no single right answer here. The most cost-effective solution will depend on a number of factors, including the age of plant and the comparative cost of each alternative.”
He adds: “It is vital that those with R22 systems act now. Those who delay could find that, come the deadline, there simply won’t be the capacity in the refrigeration industry to cater for the surge in demand.”
o help refrigeration users make the right decisions, Harp International has launched an advice service for fish and seafood processors exposed on R22. The Total R22 Solution provides advice, management support and technical back-up to ensure that those with R22-based cooling plant make the right, cost-effective decisions for the future.
Dr John Davey says: “From our experience helping major clients through this minefield, we know how important and pressing decisions on plant are for businesses that rely on R22.
“The key thing is to address the problem now, determine the best solution and have a plan in place. Those who do this can rest easy, knowing their business is safe. Those who bury their heads in the sand will pay a high price, and, in some cases, it could prove disastrous.”
