World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Electrolux welcomes US hydrocarbon move

SWEDEN: Moves to revise US safety standards and allow the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants in US domestic refrigerators have been welcomed by white goods manufacturer Electrolux.

The recent adoption of a new safety standard by the US Underwriters Laboratories that could ultimately allow domestic fridges and freezers to use up to 150g of hydrocarbon refrigerants has been described by the company “as a huge step forward”.

“Due to their high global warming potential, HFCs in appliances have been a priority for us and the industry to address,” commented Henrik Sundström, head of sustainability affairs.

“The objective at Electrolux is to phase out HFCs in all markets by 2020 but while we have already eliminated the use of HFCs in other regions where non-polluting alternatives are allowed, the process has been more challenging in North America for their own safety standard reasons. North America is our largest market and this development is a big step for Electrolux and the entire industry in the quest to reduce greenhouse gases.”

Electrolux says it is phasing out HFCs in all markets by 2020 and this development in North America will help Electrolux achieve the company’s overall target to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2020.

Related stories:

US closer to adopting hydrocarbon fridges1 May 2017
USA: The use of hydrocarbon refrigerants in domestic refrigerators in the USA has moved a step closer after the approval of a new safety standard by the US Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Read more…

Latest News

27th April 2026

Training providers join forces on low carbon careers

UK: West Nottinghamshire College and training provider NAPIT have joined forces to create a stronger, more effective pathway into qualifications within the building services, renewable energy and low-carbon sectors.
27th April 2026

Exploring why heat pumps can underperform

UK: A new technical book explores the engineering, hydraulic and control issues that prevent heat pump systems from delivering expected performance in real buildings and plantrooms.
27th April 2026

Vertiv buys liquid-cooling technology business

UK: Critical digital infrastructure Vertiv has acquired Strategic Thermal Labs, a US specialist in advanced liquid-cooling technologies. 
27th April 2026

Daikin UK expands Quiet Mark certified products

UK: Daikin UK has expanded its portfolio of products certified to the Quiet Mark programme of products delivering exceptional acoustic performance.
26th April 2026

All-in-one heat pump undergoes trials

UK: A Bristol-based UK startup company has announced trials of a new heat pump that combines a water cylinder with a heat pump in one unit, to sit outside a…
26th April 2026

Cool Intelligence is WRD 2026 theme

UK: Cool Intelligence is the theme for this year’s World Refrigeration Day 2026, focused on how cooling and sustainable heating systems are designed, installed, operated and maintained intelligently.