The new-generation refrigerant R-452A will become the standard for new Carrier Transicold transport refrigeration units in North America beginning later this year, helping customers improve sustainability profiles and achieve regulatory compliance. 

Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Global Corporation.

“Carrier Transicold truck and trailer refrigeration units have been qualified for R‑452A since 2017, and it has been available as a customer-specified option for several years,” said Bill Maddox, senior manager, product management, Carrier Transicold. “R‑452A is already standard with some of our newer units, and we’re pleased to expand this standardization to the broader array of Carrier Transicold products, effectively halving the refrigerant GWP of our transport refrigeration offerings.”

Beginning in October, R-452A with a GWP of 2,140, will become the standard refrigerant for all Carrier Transicold models that currently use R-404A, which has a GWP of 3,922.

The timing of the transition will help California customers placing orders for 2023. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) this year approved a measure requiring all new transport refrigeration units placed into service in 2023 to use a refrigerant with a GWP of less than 2,200.

In 2025, Canada will require refrigerants with a GWP of less than 2,200 in new transport refrigeration units, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Kigali Agreement of the Montreal Protocol.

Previously, there was a significant cost differential between the new and traditional refrigerants, however over the last several years that has diminished with changing demand and refrigerant production trends, helping to encourage adoption of the more sustainable R-452A.