Westfalen opens R290 plant

GERMANY: Industrial gases manufacturer and retailer the Westfalen Group has opened a new plant to produce high-purity refrigerant R290 at its site in Münster-Gelmer.

After an 18-month construction period and an investment said to be in the low double-digit millions, the plant was officially commissioned in the presence of Gitta Connemann, parliamentary state secretary to the Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation.

Commenting on the new plant, Westfalen’s chief production officer Meike Schäffler said: “We are convinced that the heat pump will continue to establish itself as an important technology for future heat supply. With the new plant, we are creating the conditions to reliably supply our customers with the required refrigerant even if the heat pump market continues to grow.” 

“We see long-term growth potential for natural refrigerants in Germany and want to actively shape this market. That’s why we’re investing here in Münster,” said Westfalen CFO Jesko von Stechow.

“At the same time, we are increasingly focusing on our activities in neighbouring European countries because the conditions there are now more favourable than in Germany. For Germany to become a more competitive investment location again, it primarily needs affordable energy, less bureaucracy, and reliable political framework conditions.”