What is Global Warming Potential (GWP)?

Global Warming Potential (GWP) refers to a measurement used in the hydrofluorocarbons industry. GWP has become a hot topic in the face of continued pressure to reduce the environmental impact of the industry.

GWP is a measure of the total contribution from the emission of one unit of that gas relative to one unit of the carbon dioxide (CO₂).

What is the importance of GWP?

GWP is important as it determines how much a gas will contribute to global warming, when used. It is also a method to compare products and their impact on the environment. A gas with a higher GWP will have a larger, negative impact on the environment than a product with a low GWP.

As mentioned above, the refrigerant industry has been under pressure to reduce the environmental impact of products . At the start of 2020, the European Union (EU) enacted the latest F-Gas regulations and the production of refrigerants containing a GWP of 2,500 or higher were halted. 

Is GWP an accurate measure for the environment?

While comparing the GWP of different gases can help to indicate which one will have less environmental impact, there are other considerations which need to be accounted for. Natural refrigerants, such as CO₂, may have a low GWP, however their total contribution to global warming and the climate crisis includes their energy consumption.

This is quantified by the ‘Total Equivalent Warming Impact’ (TEWI). TEWI illustrates a clearer picture for comparing the environmental impact of natural refrigerants to hydrofluorocarbons.

Next-gen refrigerants

We’ve combined our drive for sustainability and innovation to develop a range of low GWP refrigerants. Our next-gen refrigerants deliver a lower environmental impact with a significantly improved level of performance. Our LFR3 product has been developed as an alternative to CO_2, and is suitable for a range of applications; such as heat pumps, commercial refrigeration systems, cold chain and transport refrigeration and air conditioning for vehicle and passenger transport.

Our R-473A refrigerant has been developed as an alternative to R-23, which has a GWP of 14,800. R-473A has a GWP of 1,800, which is a 90% reduction of the current offering. It’s effective down to -70°C and when tested against R-23, offers an improved cooling capacity and energy efficiency.

To find more about our latest innovations, get in touch with our team today.