Eurovent Middle East issues guidance on refrigerant transition

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 5 November 2025: Eurovent Middle East said it has published its first industry guidance on the upcoming refrigerant transition in the region following discussions held during its HVACR Next Generation Congress in Riyadh on 28 October 2025. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Eurovent Middle East stated that the guidance follows concerns raised regarding potential supply shortages of HFC-based refrigerants.

Eurovent Middle East explained that with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ratifying the Kigali Amendment in September, GCC region countries will begin phasing down hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants starting with a baseline freeze in 2028 and further reductions from 2032. Eurovent Middle East noted that although the phase down will take place in steps of 10% every five years initially, economic growth and increasing cooling demand in the region may contribute to supply pressures.

Eurovent Middle East highlighted remarks shared during the congress by its Managing Director, Markus Lattner, who warned that the phase down will be calculated from HFC production and consumption levels between 2024 and 2026. Eurovent Middle East quoted Lattner as saying, “The phase down will start from a baseline of HFCs produced or consumed over the period from 2024 to 2026. This means that if we add the accumulated growth in the building sector in the next years to the 10% reduction in the first step, we can very likely look at a sudden shortage of HFC based refrigerants in excess of 30%, when the first reduction happens in 2032. To prevent wider shortfalls and bottlenecks, it is imperative that industry and governments act now!”

Eurovent Middle East said its new position paper outlines alternatives and provides recommendations to both industry and government stakeholders. Eurovent Middle East stated that the document encourages the use of low global warming potential refrigerants wherever it can be done safely. Eurovent Middle East added that the guidance calls for upskilling programmes to ensure the workforce is prepared to handle alternative refrigerants. Eurovent Middle East also said it is urging the implementation and harmonisation of safety standards and regulatory frameworks across the region to support the transition.

Eurovent Middle East said the guidance aims to help the sector avoid future bottlenecks and ensure continuity of cooling supply as the phase down progresses.

Contact person: Eurovent Middle East <office@eurovent.me>