On 22 March 2025, the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was commemorated. Over the past four decades, the home appliance industry has made significant contributions to global compliance for ozone-depleting substance (ODS) phase-out, especially in pioneering the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants (such as R600a), which are organic compounds. The industry continues to push for the adoption of natural refrigerants like R290 (propane) in air conditioning systems as part of its commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
Ahead of this milestone, on 21 March 2025, the “Promoting R290 Air Conditioning Marketization Seminar” was held during the Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE) in Shanghai, organized by the China Household Electrical Appliances Association (CHEAA) and supported by GIZ. Representatives from several governmental bodies attended the seminar, such as from the Atmospheric Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the MEE (FECO), as well as international organizations like Energy Foundation. Over 30 experts and technical professionals from research institutions and companies participated in the event to discuss the progress of R290 air conditioning marketization and strategize ways to accelerate its adoption in compliance with the Kigali Amendment and global ozone layer protection efforts.
The current state of R290 air conditioning
R290 production lines are ready
China’s focus on developing R290-based air conditioning systems began in 2010, and significant advancements have been made in both production and research since then.
For instance, MEE has supported the modification of 30 R290 production lines tailored for different industrial uses, with a total capacity exceeding 18 million units, and has transformed eight R290 compressor lines.
R290 research is underway
Research on the safety, performance, and energy efficiency of R290 has also been a key focus, leading to breakthroughs in addressing common technical challenges.
Professor Wang Ruixiang from Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, who has been involved in R290 air conditioning R&D projects, highlighted several key studies during the seminar. These include projects on R290-specific refrigerants, energy-efficient air conditioning technologies, and safety risk assessments for R290-based systems. The progress in R290 air conditioning technology has led to impressive performance gains, with energy efficiency achieving levels above Grade 1 for several models.
R290 sales have started
As of 2024, over 10 million R290 air conditioners have been produced and sold in China, with about 600,000 split ACs (ACs that contain both an indoor and an outdoor unit). Midea and Haier are key players in the market. Midea has launched 83 R290 air conditioning models, while Haier has sold nearly 200,000 units globally.
Government support and international collaboration
The Chinese government has been an active participant in the push for R290 adoption. Since 2019, MEE has provided over 103 million yuan (over 13 million euros) in subsidies to encourage the marketization of R290 air conditioning systems.
Additionally, international initiatives are playing a crucial role in this global transition. Mr. Philipp Denzinger, component leader of Proklima at GIZ, presented two major projects aimed at promoting R290 air conditioning in developing regions: the Ghana Green Cooling Project and the Southern Africa Cooling Program. These projects aim to introduce tens of thousands of R290 air conditioning units in the coming years, with significant funding to support the shift to more energy-efficient and climate-friendly solutions.
The role of enterprises in advancing R290 technology
Enterprises like Midea are at the forefront of integrating R290 technology into their product lines. Midea’s performance manager, Mr. Qi Wenduan, emphasized the importance of linking R290 marketization with sustainable development goals. Midea’s research shows that the total carbon emissions over the lifecycle of an R290 air conditioner are significantly lower compared to conventional refrigerants such as HFC-32 and R410A. This demonstrates R290’s potential in reducing global carbon footprints.
Training for installation and maintenance of R290 systems is also a critical element in driving its market penetration. Both Midea and Haier have established comprehensive training systems to ensure that technicians are equipped to safely handle and maintain R290-based air conditioners.
The role of compressors in R290 air conditioners is also pivotal, with significant advancements in compressor technologies from manufacturers such as GMCC, which has developed compact, low-oil, high-safety R290 rotary compressors that are widely used in air conditioning and heat pump applications.
Challenges in accelerating R290 marketization
Despite the progress made, R290 air conditioners still only account for a small fraction of the overall air conditioning market. China’s annual production of room air conditioners is approaching 200 million units, creating significant demand for refrigerants. With prices of currently widely used refrigerants such as HFC-32 soaring in 2024, the pressure on air conditioning manufacturers to comply with the Kigali Amendment is intensifying.
The shift to R290 is not just a matter of regulatory compliance, but also a crucial step in ensuring the sustainability of the air conditioning industry. In this context, companies are encouraged to embrace R290 technology and to integrate it into their long-term business strategies.
MEE’s final recommendations and call to action
Mr. Shi Xiaoqun, Department of Atmospheric Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, emphasized that global air conditioning companies are starting from the same point in promoting R290. With China holding over 85% of the global market share in room air conditioners, the country must lead the way in adopting R290 for a greener, low-carbon future. He suggested four key areas for companies to focus on: accelerating R&D to improve safety and reduce refrigerant leakage, lowering costs by further R&D, exploring diverse applications beyond room air conditioners, and providing installation and maintenance training to ensure safety. These steps are vital for advancing R290 adoption and ensuring its sustainability.
Conclusion
The 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention marks a significant milestone in the global journey toward protecting the ozone layer and reducing the impacts of climate change. With R290 technology, China is positioning itself to lead in the development of sustainable cooling solutions. However, to fully realize the potential of R290 split air conditioners, continued collaboration among governments, enterprises, and international organizations is essential. The shift to R290 represents not only a regulatory necessity but also a strategic opportunity for the air conditioning industry to embrace a greener, more sustainable future.
