High-GWP refrigerant prices rise in EU
As the phase-out of F-gases in the EU continues, there have been reports of significant price increases for refrigerants with a high global warming potential in the European market.
According to Öko-Recherche data for the first quarter of 2023, prices increased on average by 75% for R410A, 67% for R404A and 48% for R134a, compared to the first quarter of last year. In the European Union, prices for R134a and R410A differ significantly from world prices: the price of R134a remained the same, while the price of R410A decreased. Prices for alternative refrigerants, such as HFC/HFO blends, also rose at the distributor level compared to the previous quarter. Prices for R404A alternatives (R448A and R449A) increased by 17% and 11% respectively.
It also became known that the prices of quotas increased slightly – on average, to 14.8-16 euros / ton of CO2-eq. or approximately EUR 15.5/tonne CO2-eq.
The EU phase-out of F-gases is driving significant price increases for both high-GWP refrigerants and their alternatives.