Illegal HFC traders fined €200,000

GREECE: Fines of over €200,000 are said to have been levied on Greek companies accused of trading in “illegal” and “counterfeit” HFC refrigerants.

A confused press release from the Greek Ministry of Development claims that a fine of €106,500 has been levied on a company in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece after 8,247kg of “imitation” hydrofluorocarbons were discovered. The owner of the unnamed company is said to have been arrested.

The announcement also describes the discovery of 6,270kg of “illegal” hydrofluorocarbons in the Thessaly region of northern Greece. In addition, 1,046kg of “counterfeit” refrigerant was found and a fine of €100,000 imposed on the company involved.

It is not known if the two seizures were linked or if those involved will be facing criminal charges. It is also not revealed in what way the refrigerant was “illegal”, “imitation” or “counterfeit”. The Cooling Post has so far been unable to obtain any clarification from the Greek authorities involved.

Photos suggest that some of the seized refrigerant was in disposable cylinders, while other images suggest a packaging operation of some sort.

The announcement adds that the seized refrigerant will be transported to a recycling facility in the Netherlands.