--- title: Natural Refrigerants — The Environmentally Friendly Alternative description: "In the following decades, F-gas refrigerants will continue their decline, driving constant sector transformation and uncertainty. \nNatural refrigerants are here to stay — and Messer supplies them with pinpoint accuracy and in the highest quality." image: https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/Gases%20for%20Life/2026-10/iStock-2207731489.webp --- [![messer\_logo](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Messer%20-%20Gases%20for%20Life/images/messer_logo.svg)](https://messergroup.com/) - en - [de](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/natürliche-kältemittel-die-umweltfreundliche-alternative?hsLang=de) [![toggle](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Messer%20-%20Gases%20for%20Life/images/icon_user-white.svg)](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/home?p_p_id=com_liferay_login_web_portlet_LoginPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&saveLastPath=false&_com_liferay_login_web_portlet_LoginPortlet_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Flogin%2Flogin) ![toggle](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Messer%20-%20Gases%20for%20Life/images/icon_toggle-white.svg) ![close](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Messer%20-%20Gases%20for%20Life/images/icon_close-white.svg) - [COMPANY](https://www.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/about-messer) - [MANAGEMENT & SUPERVISORY BOARD](https://www.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/management-supervisory-board) - [HISTORY](https://www.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/history) - [MISSION STATEMENT OF MESSER](https://www.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/mission-statement) - [DIVERSITY & INCLUSION](https://www.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/diversity-inclusion) - [KEY FIGURES](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/key-figures) - [ANNUAL REPORT](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/annual-report) - [ANNUAL REPORTS](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/annual-reports) - [CAREER](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/career) - [MESSER AS EMPLOYER](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/employer) - [VACANCIES / APPLICATION](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/vacancies-application) - [KURZBESCHREIBUNG](https://newsroom.messergroup.com/de/kurzbeschreibung/) - [EDUCATION AND TRAINING](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/education-and-training) - [RESPONSIBILITY](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/responsibility-2023) - [STRATEGIC INTEGRATION OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/strategic-integration-of-cr-2023) - [SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/sustainable-business-2023) - [THE MESSER TEAM](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/the-messer-team-2023) - [ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE PROTECTION](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/environmental-climate-protection-2023) - [CUSTOMER LOYALTY](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/customer-loyalty-2023) - [SAFETY & HEALTH](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/safety-health-2023) - [COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE](https://corporate.messergroup.com/en/web/guest/commitment-to-education-social-justice-2023) - [NEWSROOM](https://newsroom.messergroup.com/en) - [NEWS](https://newsroom.messergroup.com/en/?h=1&t=press%20releases) - [TECHNICAL PRESS ARTICLES](https://newsroom.messergroup.com/?h=1&t=technical%20press%20articles) - [SHORT DESCRIPTION](https://newsroom.messergroup.com/short-description-of-messer/) - [VITAE](https://newsroom.messergroup.com/vitae-en/) - [CUSTOMER MAGAZINE](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/) - [HISTORY](https://newsroom.messergroup.com/100-percent-messer/) - [MEDIATHEK](https://newsroom.messergroup.com/media-library/) - [![icon\_home](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/Gases%20for%20Life/Images/icon_home.svg)](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/en/gases-for-life) - [![icon\_envelop](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/Gases%20for%20Life/Images/icon_envelop.svg)](https://messergroup.com/en/contact) - [Gases for Life magazine](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/en/gases-for-life) - Natural Refrigerants — The Environmentally Friendly Alternative ![A woman pulls a pre-packaged item from a refrigerated grocery store display case while holding a shopping basket.](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gases%20for%20Life/2026-10/iStock-2207731489.webp?width=1920&height=1080&name=iStock-2207731489.webp) # Natural Refrigerants — The Environmentally Friendly Alternative [Environmental & Climate Protection](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/en/gases-for-life/tag/environmental-climate-protection) October 6, 2026  |  Reading time: approx. 12 minutes **Generically called F-Gases, conventional fluorinated refrigerants contribute to the global warming effect directly and irreversibly. As a result, they are increasingly being phased down and replaced by environmentally safer solutions. Messer supplies Natural Refrigerants with the highest quality and pinpoint accuracy.** **Protection for the climate** The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer was a milestone in global environmental protection. It was adopted as early as 1987 and successfully phased out the use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Nowadays, we are in full phase-down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a more recent generation of fluorinated gases, destructive due to their significant global warming potential (GWP). They are being gradually phased-out by the F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573, so more eco-friendly alternatives with very low GWPs are now rewriting the technological landscape in refrigeration. Cooling systems manufacturers have constantly transformed their technologies to accommodate new and improved generations of refrigerants. As of today, Natural Refrigerants — although their use in the industry is not new — have increasingly become the preferred choice for a very wide range of applications. These natural solutions mostly refer to three types of gases: - - R744 Carbon dioxide - R717 Ammonia - Hydrocarbons (non-fluorinated): R290 Propane, R600a Isobutane, R1270 Propylene, etc. Although carbon dioxide is itself a greenhouse gas, it is typically recovered from already existing industrial processes for technical applications. Its use as a refrigerant has therefore a much lower climate impact compared to conventional F-gases. Gases like ammonia and hydrocarbons require very strict safety precautions when used, as they are toxic and/or flammable, but their use is environmentally safe in terms of global warming and ozone depletion potential alike. **Natural Refrigerants for Every Application** [R744 Carbon dioxide](https://specialtygases.messergroup.com/r744-co2) is now the most widely used natural refrigerant in commercial refrigeration. In Europe alone, it is used in more than 100,000 supermarkets and retail stores. Moreover, it is now a recognized technical solution adopted by several automotive producers for their AC systems in vehicles. Its strengths include a combination of efficiency in heat transfer and eco-friendliness: even if the refrigerant was to escape completely, the environmental impact is still much lower than that of F-gases. Hydrocarbons (like R290 Propane) are primarily used in low-capacity refrigeration systems, such as freestanding refrigerated display cases, beverage coolers, vending machines, but also for heat pumps designed for residential use or appliances such as tumble dryers. In large-scale systems, e.g. in food and beverage production, logistical centers and industrial cold facilities, ammonia is the best choice for high-capacity refrigeration and freezing processes. In some cases it is used in cascade systems in combination with R744. Messer supplies the gases in the required quantities and appropriate containers, with a clear understanding of customer expectations regarding reliability and timely delivery. In addition, refrigerant buyers can benefit of all other gases they need for the manufacture, installation, and maintenance of their systems — whether it is for welding, brazing, or leak testing.  **R744** — **High Demand under High Pressure** R744 systems operate under transcritical conditions, so pressure in parts of the system can reach and even exceed 120 to 130 bar. The refrigerant can escape the closed system by unavoidable leakage points, but R744 is lost more significantly by pressure relief discharge and during repairs. The demand for fresh carbon dioxide refrigerant grade is correspondingly high — and very often urgent. In the event of a refrigerant loss at a supermarket, make-up gas must be available for refilling within the shortest possible time. Recognizing that every hour of downtime matters, Messer is ready to meet the challenge. Thanks to its extensive industrial gas infrastructure and proven logistics network, the company can largely guarantee fast and reliable access to R744, thereby helping customers ensure the uninterrupted operation of their refrigeration systems. In addition, the quality of the gas plays a crucial role, as residual moisture damages the compressors. Messer’s R744 has extremely low moisture content; with a purity of 99.995 percent and a maximum moisture content of 5 ppmw (parts per million by weight), it represents the top end of the quality spectrum on the market. Messer’s natural refrigerants, R717 Ammonia and R290 Propane, are also high purity gases with outstanding specifications. ***Natural refrigerants from Messer*** **R744 (CO2)** is available in 10- and 50-liter cylinders with dual valves, as well as in bundles of 12 cylinders with a net weight of 450 kg. Customized solutions are available for large quantities. The dual-valve cylinders allow for a seamless transition between the gas and liquid phases during dispensing. **R717 (ammonia)** is used in large-scale facilities in the food and beverage industry for high-performance cooling and freezing processes. Messer supplies R717 in 1,000-liter drums as well as in smaller quantities for the commissioning of new facilities. For smaller projects and refilling, 79-liter cylinders are also available. For **R290 (propane)**, there is a wide range of delivery options, including cylinders with capacities of up to 33 kg, as well as drums and bulk supply for industrial customers.  *For more than 125 years, Messer, the today’s world's largest privately owned company for industrial gases, medical gases, specialty gases, and gases for electronics, committed to its guiding principles of safety, focus on customers and employees, responsibility for our society, sustainability, trust, and respect. Messer's Gases for Life and patented gas applications are essential for environmental protection, climate protection, decarbonization, and innovation.*   Share article: - [![linkedin](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Messer%20-%20Gases%20for%20Life/images/icons/social-icons/icon_linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/en/gases-for-life/natural-refrigerants-the-environmentally-friendly-alternative) - [![whatsapp](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Messer%20-%20Gases%20for%20Life/images/icons/social-icons/icon_whatsapp.svg)](https://wa.me/?text=https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/en/gases-for-life/natural-refrigerants-the-environmentally-friendly-alternative) - [![mail](https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Messer%20-%20Gases%20for%20Life/images/icons/social-icons/icon_mail.svg)](mailto:info@example.com?&subject=&cc=&bcc=&body=https://gases-magazine.messergroup.com/en/gases-for-life/natural-refrigerants-the-environmentally-friendly-alternative) For further information, questions or to subscribe to our Gases for Life newsletter, please use our contact form at any time. 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