Aurora Netherlands, a vehicle HVAC manufacturer, has developed and tested a dual secondary loop propane (R290) heat pump HVAC system for electric buses with the involvement of the German technical inspection association TÜV Süd in the safety approach, according to Aurora’s Sales Director, Paul van Rooijen. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

Hillphoenix, the leading manufacturer of transcritical CO2 (R744) systems in North America, has announced the launch of its first industrial rack platform for a transcritical CO2 system, the AdvansorUltra. The AdvansorUltra builds on Hillphoenix’s experience in developing transcritical CO2 rack platforms for commercial refrigeration, such as AdvansorFlex Max, AdvansorFlex and AdvansorFlex Mini. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

A proposal by the EU and Switzerland aimed at reducing the emissions of ozone-depleting feedstocks used to produce refrigerants like HFOs was blocked in a contact group meeting at the 37th Meeting of the Parties (MOP37) to the Montreal Protocol in Nairobi, Kenya, held November 3–7, according to environmental groups that attended the meeting. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

Contractors have been touted as one of the reasons why EU policymakers should proceed cautiously with regulating f-gases and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Regarding the recently revised EU F-gas Regulation, there were questions about whether contractors would be able to install and service natural refrigerant-based equipment once f-gas alternatives were phased out. Read the full story on Natural/refrigerants.com.

In addition to what we published this week, these stories caught our eye. Konvekta brings CO2 MAC tech to Agrictechnica 2025Panasonic CO2 condensing units used in low-temp aerospace applicationSWEP’s BPHEs help CERN upgrade its particle detectorsEnerblue’s newest propane heat pump case studyRead the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com

The articles in the podcast are as follows: U.K. Government Asks for Input on Revised HFC Phase-Down RegulationFive CO2 Heat Pumps from Clade Replace Gas Boilers at Leisure Center in Northern EnglandATMO MAC: In-Vehicle Tests Demonstrate High Performance of CO2 Compressor for EVs, Says ThyssenkruppTecumseh Launches Mobile Refrigeration R290 Compressor Under Masterflux BrandGIZ to Host Webinar Showcasing Benefits of Natural Refrigerant-Based Heating and Cooling in Building Retrofits

The U.K.’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is seeking input from industry stakeholders on newly a published proposal to revise the country’s HFC phase-down regulations. The proposed change adjusts the existing HFC phase-down schedule starting on January 1, 2027. It extends the end target, moving it from 79% reduction by 2030 to a 98.6% reduction by 2048. The consultation period opened on November 5 and will close on December 17. Read the full story on NaturalRefrige...

The GIZ (the German Society for International Cooperation) is hosting a webinar on November 26 to showcase the climate action benefits of natural refrigerants in existing building renovations and retrofits through its global nonprofit, the Green Cooling Initiative (GCI). ⁠Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com⁠

A leisure center in northern England has replaced its gas boilers and combined heat and power (CHP) plant with five CO2 (R744) heat pumps supplied by U.K. HVAC&R manufacturer Clade Engineering. The installation at the Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub in Warrington comprises five Maple SN/300 heat pumps, providing a total heating output of 1.5MW (426.5TR). Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

U.S.-based manufacturer Tecumseh is launching a new propane (R290) compressor under its Masterflux brand compatible with several mobile refrigeration platforms, including traditional combustion engine light commercial trucks and electric delivery vehicles. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

In-vehicle testing of thyssenkrupp Dynamic Components’ CO2 (R744) compressor for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) demonstrates high performance and efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions, including in ambient temperatures above 40°C (104°F), according to the manufacturer. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

Fionnuala Walravens, Senior Climate Campaigner, of the U.K. division of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), is urging investors in large public food retailers in Europe to “really care about cooling” as they evaluate and potentially influence the environmental practices of these companies. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

German OEM ebm-papst has announced that its oil-free, compact propane (R290) turbo compressor has won the 2026 ⁠German Sustainability Award (GSA)⁠ for products in the climate category. The CompaNamic compressor ⁠was unveiled in October 2024⁠ and is designed for refrigeration and heat pump applications. ⁠Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.⁠

American retailer Target is prioritizing the use of Skycool’s reflective heat rejection panels to subcool and precool its refrigeration systems, including those using CO2 (R744), according to the group’s Director of Refrigeration Shawn Holzschuh. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

The articles in the podcast are as follows: Strabag Building 165MW Isobutane Heat Pump for District Heating Network in Mannheim, GermanyEbm-papst Wins 2026 German Sustainability Award for Its Propane Oil-Free Turbo CompressorMakro Opens ‘First-of-Its-Kind’ Integrated 1.6MW CO2 Store in South AfricaPressure Exchanger Device for CO2 Refrigeration Found to Cut Energy and Water Use at Stores in U.S. and EuropeFMI 2025: Target Prioritizing Skycool Heat Rejection Panels for Subcooling and Desuperhe...

U.K.-based Lloyds Bank is offering a free propane (R290) heat pump to U.K. households eligible for the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) when they take out or renegotiate a mortgage by November 24. As part of the deal, Lloyd’s partner, Octopus Energy, will inspect the home to determine if it qualifies for the BUS grant and install an air-to-water unit that provides space heating and hot water. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

German utility MVV Energie has commissioned Austrian construction and engineering firm Strabag to build a 165MW (46,920TR) isobutane (R600a) heat pump, which will provide district heating to 40,000 households in Mannheim using the Rhine River as the heat source. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

Energy Recovery, a San Leandro, California-based component manufacturer, on October 29 released recent operational data from transcritical CO2 (R744) refrigeration installations in North American and European supermarkets showing that its pressure exchanger device can help these systems perform more efficiently in hot climates and reduce water consumption. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.

Wholesale retailer Makro, part of the Massmart Group, has opened an integrated 1.6MW (455TR) CO2 (R744) store in New London, South Africa, which it calls a “first-of-its-kind” for the country. The central CO2 plant, designed by South Africa-based engineering firm Future Green Now (FGN), meets all of the store’s thermal energy loads, which include low- and medium-temperature refrigeration, air-conditioning and heating for the retail area and administrative offices, and domestic hot water. Read...

Italian component manufacturer Castel has announced that both its ball valves and solenoid valve lines have obtained Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) from the International EPD System (IES). An EPD requires an in-depth life cycle assessment of the product line, evaluating the environmental impacts of the product from production through use to disposal. Read the full story on NaturalRefrigerants.com.