Pfannenberg USA updates cooling portfolio with low-GWP refrigerants

Pfannenberg, Inc. has announced a strategic transition of its industrial cooling units and chillers to support lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) requirements. Emphasizing safety and compliance, the company is shifting its portfolio to utilize R513A, a non-flammable A1 refrigerant, to help manufacturers meet strict new environmental regulations across North America while maintaining long-term operational reliability.

Regulatory compliance and safety focus
The updated product lineup addresses impending federal mandates, including U.S. requirements for chillers and data center cooling systems to utilize refrigerants with a GWP below 700 starting in 2026 and 2027, as well as Canadian regulations demanding a GWP below 750 for installed chillers by 2025. By selecting R513A, Pfannenberg provides a safe, non-flammable pathway for environments where combustion risks are a primary concern. The comprehensive transition encompasses the DTS 3000 Series, ActiveCool™ 5000 Series, and DTS 6000 cooling units, alongside CCE compact chillers, EB large packaged chillers, and BESS-focused (Battery Energy Storage Systems) DMC 8.0 and VLV models.

An application-driven approach
Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all refrigerant policy, Pfannenberg employs a technology-neutral strategy. The company evaluates the complete cooling requirement, machine architecture, and lifecycle expectations to determine the optimal thermal management solution before defaulting to a specific gas. According to Bradley Johnson, NEMA Product Management at Pfannenberg USA, this methodology allows customers to balance aggressive environmental goals with critical factors like temperature stability, energy efficiency, and serviceability. Depending on specific operational demands, the company can also deploy ultra-low-GWP alternatives or completely refrigerant-free technologies.

Additional Context: The A1 vs. A2L refrigerant challenge in control cabinets
This section details technical specifications and regulatory analysis not included in the original product announcement.

In the ongoing transition away from high-GWP legacy hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) like R134a, industrial manufacturers face a complex choice between A1 (non-flammable) and A2L (mildly flammable) refrigerants. While some ultra-low GWP alternatives fall into the A2L category, integrating mildly flammable gases into enclosed industrial control cabinets, automation panels, or Battery Energy Storage Systems introduces severe safety and compliance hurdles. Electrical arcing from standard contactors, relays, or variable frequency drives within a sealed cabinet could theoretically ignite a concentrated A2L leak. By adopting R513A—an A1-classified hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blend—manufacturers achieve a nearly 56 percent reduction in GWP compared to R134a, safely staying below the 700 GWP regulatory threshold. Crucially, this allows integrators to bypass the costly explosion-proof engineering, ATEX-style zoning, and stringent risk assessments that would be legally required when deploying A2L refrigerants in highly active electrical environments.

Edited by an industrial journalist, Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.

www.pfannenberg.com