What Is PFAS?

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. However, they are extremely persistent in the environment and do not easily break down — which is why they are often called “forever chemicals.”
In the HVAC and refrigeration industry, certain synthetic refrigerants (such as HFCs and HFOs) and their degradation byproducts are increasingly being discussed in relation to PFAS concerns.

Why Are PFAS Regulations Important?

PFAS substances can accumulate in water, soil, and living organisms, raising concerns about long-term environmental and health impacts.

As a result, governments around the world are strengthening regulations:

• Japan: Gradual tightening through chemical regulations and water quality standards
• Europe: Considering comprehensive PFAS bans covering thousands of substances
• United States: Expanding drinking water and state-level PFAS regulations

For companies operating globally, understanding and preparing for these regulations is becoming essential.

The Relationship Between Refrigerants and PFAS

Low-GWP refrigerants such as HFOs have been widely adopted as part of climate change mitigation strategies. However, some HFO refrigerants can degrade into TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), a persistent PFAS compound that accumulates in the environment.

This has led to growing industry awareness that:

Choosing refrigerants must consider not only global warming potential (GWP), but also future PFAS regulatory risks.

Why CO₂ Compressors (R744) Are a Future-Proof Solution

CO₂ (R744) Is PFAS-Free

• CO₂ refrigerant (R744) is a natural substance that does not contain fluorinated compounds.
  • - Naturally occurring refrigerant
  • - Contains no PFAS or fluorinated chemicals
  • - Not subject to PFAS regulations
• Outstanding Environmental Performance
  CO₂ has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 1, making it one of the most environmentally friendly refrigerants available today.
  Unlike synthetic refrigerants, CO₂ does not contribute to PFAS pollution and is not expected to face future regulatory restrictions.

Key Benefits of CO₂ Compressors

CO₂ compressors designed for R744 systems offer several strategic advantages:

• Long-term compliance with PFAS regulations
• Ultra-low GWP for climate change mitigation
• No risk of future refrigerant bans or supply constraints
• Growing adoption in Europe and global markets
• High performance and energy efficiency when properly designed

CO₂ refrigeration systems are already widely used in supermarkets, cold storage facilities, and industrial applications, especially in regions with strict environmental regulations.

The Best Solution in the PFAS Regulation Era: CO₂ Compressors

To fully mitigate PFAS-related risks, the most reliable strategy is to adopt refrigerants that are completely PFAS-free.

CO₂ compressors are increasingly recognized as a future-proof solution because they deliver:

• Regulatory security
• Environmental sustainability
• Proven global track record

Companies investing in CO₂ refrigeration systems today can significantly reduce long-term compliance risks and avoid costly future retrofits.

Summary

• PFAS regulations are expected to become stricter globally
• Synthetic refrigerants may face additional regulatory risks
• CO₂ (R744) is a PFAS-free natural refrigerant
• CO₂ compressors offer a future-proof solution for both environmental and regulatory challenges

Contact Us for CO₂ Compressor Solutions

In the era of PFAS regulations, CO₂ compressors represent a highly sustainable and forward-looking solution for refrigeration and HVAC systems.

Carrier Japan, supported by Toshiba’s engineering expertise, offers a full range of CO₂-compatible compressors designed for reliable and efficient operation.

If you have any questions about PFAS regulations or refrigerant selection, please feel free to contact us.

* Toshiba Carrier Corporation was renamed Carrier Japan Corporation in 2023. We continue to offer rotary compressors under the Toshiba brand.