SMC sets new standards in environmental protection: Sustainable refrigerant ensures long-term safety in the industry

With CO₂ as a natural cooling agent and a GWP of 1, the HRSC series from SMC sets new standards in industrial climate protection. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

Whether in the electronics and semiconductor industry, general automation, or specialized applications such as laser, X-ray, or MRI devices: only powerful and precise cooling enables reliable operation. The refrigerants used in cooling and temperature control devices not only provide the necessary cooling capacity—they also determine whether a device is environmentally friendly and thus complies with legal regulations. One of these regulations is the significant EU F-Gas Regulation 2024/573. According to this, manufacturers and users within the European Union must ensure by the end of 2025 at the latest that the refrigerants used have a GWP (Global Warming Potential) value of no more than 150. To make a unique mark on the market, SMC has therefore begun gradually retrofitting its cooling and temperature control devices to use the refrigerant R744 (CO2), which has a GWP value of only 1. The versatile HRSC series is the first to be converted.

Environmentally friendly, safe, and long-lasting

In addition to a GWP value of a maximum of 150, the F-Gas Regulation requires operators of cooling and temperature control devices to ensure, among other things, the recovery and disposal of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Thanks to the refrigerant CO2 now used by SMC, this effort and its associated costs are eliminated, as the medium is contained within a closed cycle and cannot be released into the environment. Furthermore, only small amounts of the refrigerant are needed for operation: approximately the same as a household soda maker. With a GWP of 1, SMC's new devices are not only compliant with the EU F-Gas Regulation. They also meet international standards: in addition to the USA (max. GWP 700) and the US state of California (max. GWP 750), regular inspections are required, as mandated by the Fluorocarbon Emissions Act in Japan.

While most refrigerants are partly toxic or flammable, this is not the case for R744. Due to its properties, it is classified as A1 according to the ASHRAE-34 standard. Devices equipped with this refrigerant can therefore also be transported by air freight to ensure quick supply. The non-flammability—an important property of CO2—also significantly increases operational safety, especially in electronics or semiconductor industries.

Thanks to its low GWP of 1 and the non-critical properties of the refrigerant, companies benefit in many ways: they enjoy long-term legal certainty—even in the face of future tightening of regulations—and simultaneously reduce maintenance effort and costs. Additionally, the non-flammable devices facilitate easy air freight transport and offer more flexibility in installation space.

Well equipped—now and in the future

With the HRSC series, SMC has taken an important first step: nine models of cooling and temperature control devices are available, offering cooling capacities from 1.3 to a maximum of 11.5 kW. These cover a wide range of applications across industries, while also saving energy thanks to efficient regulation of compressor and pump.

Gradually, SMC is also retrofitting its other series, such as HRR and HRZ, to the efficient CO2 refrigerant and integrating them into the new generation. Users remain flexible: there continues to be a selection of devices with lower GWP values, including the HRZF series, which is also compliant with the F-Gas Regulation thanks to the use of refrigerant R454C (GWP 146). Devices with Peltier elements instead of refrigerants for lower power ranges will also remain part of the SMC portfolio.

By switching to a sustainable refrigerant, SMC makes an important contribution to environmental and climate protection. This reaffirms the leading manufacturer, partner, and solutions provider for pneumatic and electrical automation's responsibility, which it has actively fulfilled for years through various measures for sustainable CO2 management.