R422D disposal: the 2025 servicing ban and what next
R422D has a GWP of 2729, which puts it under the servicing ban: virgin R422D may not be used in refrigeration since 1 January 2025, nor in air conditioning and heat pumps since 1 January 2026. Reclaimed or recycled R422D remains allowed until 2030 in refrigeration and until 2032 in air conditioning and heat pumps. The market for reclaimed R422D is small; Gaia Cooling collects recovered R422D and looks at the price lot by lot.
- GWP
- 2729
- Type
- HFC blend
- Destination
- Limited reuse
What applies to R422D
- 2020
Servicing refrigeration equipment with a charge of 40 tonnes CO₂ equivalent or more (for R422D, from about 15 kg) with virgin R422D is banned. New refrigeration equipment using R422D may no longer be placed on the market, except for applications below -50 °C.
- 2025
The ban on virgin R422D now applies to all refrigeration equipment, whatever the charge size. Top-ups are only allowed with reclaimed or recycled R422D.
- 2026
The same ban now applies to air conditioning and heat pumps. There, R422D may only be topped up as reclaimed or recycled gas.
- 2030
From 1 January 2030, reclaimed and recycled R422D may no longer be used to service refrigeration equipment either. The only exceptions are military equipment and applications that cool products below -50 °C.
- 2032
Reclaimed or recycled R422D may no longer be used to service air conditioning and heat pumps either.
R422D was widely used as a replacement for R22 when converting existing systems: cold rooms, direct-expansion refrigeration and older air conditioners.
Replacement systems use CO₂ (R744) or propane (R290) for refrigeration, and R32 or propane for air conditioning and heat pumps. To keep an existing system, it can be converted to a refrigerant with a GWP below 2500. Which one fits depends on the application and the oil in the system.
Offering R422D
We collect recovered R422D from installers, wholesalers and equipment owners. Collection goes through a licensed carrier and we handle the paperwork. We look at the price lot by lot. Because demand for reclaimed R422D is limited, the terms are less favourable than for the main HFCs. You hear that upfront.
Questions about R422D
Can I still top up R422D?
Only with reclaimed or recycled R422D: in refrigeration until 1 January 2030, in air conditioning and heat pumps until 1 January 2032. Virgin R422D may no longer be used for servicing since 2025 (refrigeration) and 2026 (air conditioning and heat pumps).
Is R422D still a good replacement for R22?
Not for the long term. With a GWP of 2729, R422D itself falls under the servicing ban. Anyone converting an R22 system today usually picks a refrigerant with a GWP below 2500, or replaces the system.
What sets the price for recovered R422D?
Demand is limited, because reclaimed R422D may only be used until 2030 (refrigeration) and 2032 (air conditioning and heat pumps). Gas type, purity, quantity and location set the price. We look at each lot separately and you know where you stand upfront.