New US Regulations on Refrigerants: Implications for Intermodal Containers

Starting January 1, 2025, intermodal containers sold for domestic use in the United States must comply with new regulations mandating the use of refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 700. This regulatory change, driven by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, aims to reduce the environmental impact of high-GWP refrigerants traditionally used in refrigerated containers.

Implications for the Industry
The regulatory change is expected to significantly impact the intermodal container industry, which imports several thousand reefers annually into the US. While most machines use R134a as refrigerant, the GWP of 1430 makes it non-compliant to the regulation.

R513A as a Compliant Refrigerant
Among the refrigerants that meet the new criteria, R513A stands out as a suitable replacement for the industry’s leading refrigerant, R134a. R513A has a GWP of 630, significantly lower than R134a’s GWP of 1430. This makes R513A compliant with the upcoming regulations and a viable option for updating existing systems designed for R134a. MCI has been proactive in preparing for these regulatory changes with its Star Cool machines. Since mid-2017, all reefers from MCI are optimized for R513A, delivering full capacity in all operating conditions, this accounts to approx. 1/3 of all Star Cools ever produced. Approx. 2/3 of Star Cools can operate with R513A, but at 8-10% lower capacity. This may be sufficient for many stationary applications. If more capacity is needed, these units can be optimized with a conversion kit, delivering full capacity. Only a small number of Star Cool reefers, equivalent to 6%, are not capable to operate with R513A and have seen 15+ years in operation until today.

The following data outlines the production and readiness of these machines:

Looking Ahead
The new regulations underscore the importance of reducing the environmental impact of refrigerants in the intermodal container industry. R513A emerges as a key solution, providing a compliant alternative to R134a. MCI’s readiness with its Star Cool machines and upgrade kits demonstrates a proactive approach to compliance and operational efficiency. As the industry adapts to these changes, the focus will remain on sustainable refrigeration practices and innovative solutions to meet regulatory requirements.

R513A conversion kit

Kit to convert a unit from running on R134a to run on R513A.

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Looking ahead even further, the combination of low power consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions makes R1234yf charged reefers the most climate-friendly choice for the refrigerated container industry. This viewpoint was widely shared by Reefer Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) during the Container Owner Association meeting in Antwerp, 2023.