More than two centuries ago, William Cullen laid the foundation for artificial refrigeration by boiling ethyl ether to create a partial vacuum. Since then, temperature control technology has advanced dramatically, becoming essential in both everyday life and laboratory settings. But much of this progress has come with an environmental toll, creating a need for more sustainable solutions, such as natural refrigerants.
“The shift to natural refrigerants is not just an environmental responsibility; it's an investment in a sustainable future.”
The combined forces of regulatory pressure, industry innovation, and consumer demand are propelling a rapid transition to natural refrigerants. Regulatory changes help drive systemic change, but it’s typically slow—product design and manufacturing changes can take years to reach the market. Fortunately for sustainability-minded labs, products featuring natural refrigerants are already hitting the shelves thanks to early adoption by industry leaders like PolyScience.
“Natural refrigerants are very important to our customers, to us, and to the environment,” explains Philip Preston, president of PolyScience. “The laboratory industry has always been keenly aware of environmental concerns, and so it’s been very important for PolyScience to stay on top of this through our ISO 14001 certification and now through the launch of natural refrigerant chilling systems.”
Environmental impact of traditional refrigerants
Early refrigeration systems commonly relied on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as refrigerants. Four decades later, scientists discovered that chlorine—a key component of these refrigerants—damages the ozone layer.1 Along with their high ozone depletion potential (ODP), both CFCs and HCFCs have extremely high global warming potentials (GWPs). The GWP of R22, the most common HCFC, is nearly 2,000 times higher than that of carbon dioxide.2
Recognizing these environmental threats, countries worldwide adopted the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. While the original treaty called for a 50 percent reduction in CFC production and use, subsequent amendments mandated the global phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, including CFC and HCFC refrigerants.
“R290 represents a significant advancement in our quest to create more sustainable products.”
The need for a chlorine-free alternative led to the introduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), such as R134a. Despite being "ozone-friendly," HFCs are still potent greenhouse gases with a high GWP. In 2016, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFC production and consumption worldwide by 80 to 85 percent by 2047. The EPA estimates that this amendment will reduce emissions equivalent to 876 million metric tons of CO2 by 2050 and that eliminating HFC emissions could limit warming up to 0.5°C by the end of the century.3
As Andrew Witt, engineering manager at PolyScience, explains, “The shift to natural refrigerants is not just an environmental responsibility; it's an investment in a sustainable future. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we take a crucial step towards preserving our planet for future generations.”
In addition to these regulations, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop guidelines for the phasedown of HFCs. The AIM Act also promotes the adoption of alternative refrigerants and next-generation technologies through the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. The SNAP program evaluates refrigerants based on their overall risk to human health and the environment and publishes lists of acceptable and unacceptable alternatives for different end-uses.
The rise of alternative refrigerants
As countries phase out HFCs, natural hydrocarbon refrigerants are gaining popularity due to their widespread availability and reduced environmental impact. Several leading manufacturers have begun adopting R290—a non-toxic, SNAP-approved, refrigerant-grade propane—for low-to-medium temperature applications. Like HFCs, R290 has zero ODP, but boasts a significantly lower GWP. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report, R134a has a GWP of 1,530, while R290’s GWP is just 0.02 over 100 years.
Reflecting on these benefits, Mark Cruickshank, head of global sales for PolyScience, notes, “R290 represents a significant advancement in our quest to create more sustainable products.” Its excellent thermodynamic performance also allows for more efficient cooling with less than half the charge of commonly used refrigerants.4
“Its lower environmental impact aligns with our commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and improving energy efficiency,” explains Cruikshank, advantages that also translate to labs. This enhanced efficiency reduces operational costs and electricity demands, lowering carbon emissions and supporting lab managers in meeting broader sustainability goals.
Although natural hydrocarbon refrigerants are inherently flammable (classified as A3 by ASHRAE Standard 34), technological advancements and rigorous safety measures—such as sophisticated leak detection systems, adequate ventilation, and comprehensive user training—have paved the way for their safe application. In 2024, the EPA added new applications for R290 and increased charge limits in their SNAP Rule 26, reaffirming its safety and enabling wider adoption.
Pedro Serna, PolyScience general manager, described how these requirements impacted operations while preparing for the transition. "In order to be ready for the use of natural refrigerants, we’ve undergone a lot of changes in our manufacturing facility. Not only we’ve completely revamped the floor line so that we have a system and a line ready and set up to charge our units with that natural refrigerant but also we have performed extensive training and reinforce the company culture focusing on safety."
Sustainable refrigeration in action
Early adoption and innovation within the industry are key to rapid progress. The transition to natural refrigerants is a complex process, requiring significant investment and reengineering—from redesigning components and overhauling manufacturing processes to ensuring safety at every step. Because of this, there is often a delay between regulatory changes and the availability of compliant products.
In 2018, PolyScience began transitioning to natural refrigerants, proactively adapting its production facilities to charge R290 safely. This effort included extensive planning and testing, establishing a dedicated R290 area, implementing rigorous training programs, and reinforcing a strong safety culture.
Due to this early commitment, PolyScience’s natural refrigerant systems are already on the market. PolyScience has successfully converted the DuraChill Benchtop Chiller to R290 and plans to transition the PolyTemp line of circulators this year. They are also working towards converting their entire product line to natural refrigerants in the near future. These efforts are expected to reduce the carbon footprint of each unit by up to 50 percent, providing labs with high-performing, energy-efficient solutions.
"We are proud to lead the way in the transition to natural refrigerants," says Preston. "As a company that values sustainability and innovation, we believe it is our responsibility to prioritize the use of environmentally friendly materials in our products. By adopting natural refrigerants, we are not only protecting the environment but also ensuring the long-term viability of our products."
From Cullen’s early experiments to today’s advanced systems, refrigeration has continuously evolved to meet the needs of science and society. The shift to natural refrigerants marks a pivotal moment in this evolution. Building on years of preparation, PolyScience continues to drive innovation in refrigeration technology, delivering enhanced efficiency, environmental responsibility, and safety, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
To learn more, visit polyscience.com.
References
- American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks. “Chlorofluorocarbons and Ozone Depletion.” https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/cfcs-ozone.html
- California Air Resources Board. “High-GWP Refrigerants.” https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/high-gwp-refrigerants
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Frequent Questions on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons.” https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction/frequent-questions-phasedown-hydrofluorocarbons
- Bonneville Power Administration. “Roadmap for Overcoming Barriers to Using Natural Refrigerants in the United States.” https://www.bpa.gov/-/media/Aep/energy-efficiency/emerging-technologies/202401_e3t_natural_refrigerant_policy_whitepaper_final.pdf
