Dear subscriber,

Welcome to the November 2025 edition of the EFCTC Newsletter!

This issue brings together recent developments shaping the fluorocarbon and refrigerant landscape across Europe and beyond. From enforcement actions against illegal HFC trade to advances in recovery, reclamation, and containment practices, the past months have underscored the industry’s continued progress toward environmental compliance and circularity.

We’re also delighted to announce the launch of our new EFCTC website🌞 , redesigned with a fresh format, improved navigation, and updated content.

Fluorocarbons.org was recreated from scratch to offer clarity where confusion often dominates. You will find fact-based articles, updates on European and global regulations, innovations in refrigerant technology, and insight into how the industry is transitioning toward lower-emission, more sustainable alternatives.

Our mission is simple: to promote understanding through credible, transparent information.
Explore the site today: www.fluorocarbons.org

During the month of November, we will be presenting our new website, stay tuned and learn how it can be useful for your questions.

In this edition, we highlight the role of the 2024/573 F-gas Regulation in strengthening the EU’s response to illegal imports, including several significant seizures across Member States. Complementing enforcement, the latest data from VDKF demonstrate measurable improvements in refrigerant containment and emission reduction. Innovative approaches to recovery, including new solutions for foam blowing agents, illustrate how technology and regulation are driving sustainable change.

Elsewhere, we examine trends in fluorocarbon use in high-performance applications such as data centre cooling, where efficiency and low-GWP refrigerant options continue to advance rapidly. This edition also reviews findings from the Scientific Assessment Panel’s 2025 report on HFC-23 emissions and provides an overview of the European Chemicals Agency’s updated PFAS restriction dossier — a landmark proposal that will influence manufacturing practices across many sectors.

Together, these updates, alongside our freshly new digital presence, reflect a shared commitment across industry and regulators to achieving climate and environmental goals through innovation, transparency, and responsible management of fluorinated substances.

Thank you and enjoy!

Illegal Trade Round-up

The EU’s F-gas Regulation 2024/573 targets illegal HFC trade. In 2025, authorities intercepted over 100 tonnes of illegal refrigerants, often mislabelled. Major seizures occurred in Moldova, Serbia, and Italy. Reports can be made anonymously to OLAF.

Click on "read more" to read the full article. 

Recovery, reclamation and containments of refrigerants and foam blowing agents

While recovery and reclamation of refrigerants is routine in the EU, some recent reports demonstrate the capacity of industry to deliver F-gas Regulation 2024/573 measures and similar requirements around the world. Data published earlier in the year, by VDKF shows further improvements in containment in Germany. In addition, recovery of foam blowing agents from electric water heaters is possible with a dedicated solution.

Click on "read more" to read the full article. 

Fluorocarbon refrigerants used in data centre chillers

Air and water chillers have been selected for data centres in the Netherlands and South Korea providing a total cooling capacity of over 90 MW from 42 chillers. Depending on the chiller model and customer requirements, according to manufacturer’s information, four refrigerant options may be available: R-515B (GWP 288), R-134a (1430), R-513A (630) and R-1234ze (1.37).

Click on "read more" to read the full article. 

Trifluoroacetic Acid- Review article: Scientists and regulators are divided over the threat posed by rising levels

A review article ‘There’s a new acid in our rain-should we be worried?’  discusses the important issues for TFA emissions and their potential toxicological and environmental effects. Link to the original article is available.

Click on "read more" to read the full article 

What you need to know about the updated PFAS restriction dossier

A recent update to the European Union’s proposed restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) was published in August 2025[1] and it represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious environmental regulatory initiatives ever developed within the REACH framework. This process has the potential to significantly influence manufacturing practices across a wide range of industries throughout Europe, including the automotive and cosmetics sectors. What is the problem and the path forward?

Click "read more" to read the full article