26/06/2020 (Agence Europe) – On the occasion of World Refrigeration Day, Friday 26 June, the European Fluorocarbon Technical Committee (EFCTC), which represents European fluorocarbon manufacturers, sounded the alarm on the consequences of the European black market in HFC refrigerant gases. 34 million tonnes CO2 equivalent of HFCs are imported into the EU, or 33% of the legally permitted quota, finding their way easily into legal supply chains, thereby benefitting criminal gang activities. HFCs, used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, have a very high global warming potential. Inadequate application of the European ‘F-gas’ regulation has led to this flourishing black market. The EFCTC calls for a review of the implementation of this legislation, with a further reduction of the quota planned for January 2021. (HD)