R449A after 2032: servicing rules and recovered gas
You may still top up R449A today, including with virgin gas. From 1 January 2032, stationary refrigeration equipment using R449A may only be serviced with reclaimed or recycled gas, because its GWP is above 750. Many R404A and R507A systems have been converted to R449A, so demand for reclaimed R449A continues after 2032; Gaia Cooling collects recovered R449A.
- GWP
- 1396
- Type
- HFC/HFO blend
- Destination
- Reuse after reclamation
Calculated under Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 using the GWP values in Annexes I and II. Older sources and labels give 1397.
What applies to R449A
- 2025
The servicing ban on virgin refrigerant with a GWP of 2500 or more hits R404A and R507A. R449A is not covered and is a widely used conversion choice.
- 2027
The maximum amount of new HFCs allowed on the EU market roughly halves, from 42.9 to 21.7 million tonnes CO₂ equivalent per year. Gas recovered in the EU and then reclaimed or recycled sits outside the quota.
- 2030
New refrigeration equipment (other than chillers) containing F-gases with a GWP of 150 or more may no longer be placed on the market, unless safety requirements at the site make it necessary.
- 2032
Servicing stationary refrigeration equipment with virgin R449A is banned. Reclaimed and recycled R449A remains allowed, with no end date in the Regulation. Chillers, air conditioning and heat pumps are not covered by this ban.
R449A is mainly found in supermarkets, cold rooms and cold stores, for medium and low temperatures. It is a widely used replacement when converting R404A and R507A systems.
New systems usually use CO₂ (R744), smaller cabinets propane (R290) and industrial plants ammonia (R717). From 2030, new refrigeration equipment using R449A may no longer be placed on the market, unless safety requirements make it necessary.
Offering R449A
We collect recovered R449A from installers, wholesalers and equipment owners. Collection goes through a licensed carrier, we handle the paperwork and we look at the price lot by lot. The gas goes to a licensed reclamation plant and returns to the market for servicing existing systems, including after 2032.
Questions about R449A
Can I top up R449A after 2032?
Yes, but only with reclaimed or recycled R449A. From 1 January 2032, virgin R449A may no longer be used to service stationary refrigeration equipment. The Regulation sets no end date for reclaimed and recycled gas.
Is the GWP of R449A 1396 or 1397?
Under the current F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 it is 1396, because the Regulation uses a newer value for the HFO in the blend. Under the previous Regulation it was 1397. In practice the difference does not matter.
Can I put R448A and R449A in the same cylinder?
Better not. They are similar, but they are different blends. A mix of the two is harder to reclaim and so worth less. Use a separate cylinder per gas type. If it is mixed anyway, we still take it. That may cost money, and you hear that upfront.
What sets the price for recovered R449A?
That depends on gas type, purity, quantity and location. With a blend like R449A, the composition can shift after a leak. So we look at each lot separately, and you know where you stand upfront.