Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-04-18 Origin: Site
1. Refrigerant Market Overview in Israel (Quantitative & Qualitative Data)
A. Market Size & Consumption Trends
Total Refrigerant Consumption (Estimate): ~3,000–4,000 metric tons/year (HVAC, industrial, automotive).
HVAC Sector (Largest Consumer): ~50–60% of total refrigerant demand (R-22, R-410A, R-32).
Commercial Refrigeration (Supermarkets, Cold Storage): ~20–25% (R-404A, R-407C, CO₂).
Automotive A/C: ~15–20% (R-134a transitioning to R-1234yf).
Industrial & Medical Cooling: ~5–10% (Ammonia, CO₂, specialty gases).
B. Key Refrigerants & Their Market Share
| Refrigerant Type | Common Uses | Market Share (%) | Regulatory Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-134a | Automotive A/C, chillers | ~25% | Phasing down (EU F-Gas rules influence Israel) |
| R-410A | Residential/commercial AC | ~20% | Still dominant but declining (high GWP) |
| R-404A | Commercial refrigeration | ~15% | Being phased out (GWP = 3,922) |
| R-32 | New AC systems | ~10% | Growing (lower GWP than R-410A) |
| R-1234yf | Automotive (new models) | ~5% | Rapid growth (GWP = 1) |
| CO₂ (R-744) | Supermarkets, industrial | ~5% | Expanding (natural refrigerant) |
| Ammonia (R-717) | Industrial refrigeration | ~5% | Stable (used in large systems) |
| Others (R-407C, R-507, hydrocarbons) | Various | ~15% | Niche applications |
C. Import Dependency & Local Production
Israel imports ~90% of refrigerants (no major local production).
Main Import Sources:
China (~40% of imports, competitive pricing)
EU (Germany, Italy, France) (~30%, higher-quality blends)
USA & Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) (~20%, specialty refrigerants)
Others (India, South Korea) (~10%)
A. Israel's Compliance with International Agreements
Montreal Protocol & Kigali Amendment: Israel ratified the Kigali Amendment (2018), committing to phase down HFCs by 80–85% by 2045.
EU F-Gas Regulation Influence: Israel aligns with EU standards, meaning:
Ban on high-GWP refrigerants (e.g., R-404A, R-507) in new equipment.
Mandatory leak checks for large refrigeration systems.
Quota system for HFC imports (likely to be implemented).
B. Phase-Out Schedule for Key Refrigerants
| Refrigerant | GWP | Phase-Out Status in Israel | Replacement Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-22 (HCFC) | 1,810 | Banned since 2020 (Montreal Protocol) | R-407C, R-410A (temporary) |
| R-404A | 3,922 | Restricted since 2020, full ban expected by 2025–2030 | R-448A, R-449A, CO₂ |
| R-134a | 1,430 | Gradual phase-down (still used but declining) | R-1234yf (auto), R-513A (industrial) |
| R-410A | 2,088 | No ban yet, but declining due to high GWP | R-32 (lower GWP) |
| R-1234yf | <1 | Growing demand (mandatory in new EU cars, influencing Israel) | Future-proof option |
C. Growth of Low-GWP & Natural Refrigerants
HFOs (R-1234yf, R-513A): Expected 10–15% annual growth (automotive & commercial).
CO₂ (R-744): Used in supermarket chains (Shufersal, Victory) – ~5–10% annual increase.
Hydrocarbons (R-290, R-600a): Used in small systems (domestic fridges, portable ACs).
Ammonia (R-717): Stable demand in food processing & chemical plants.
✔ Shift to Low-GWP Refrigerants: R-32, R-1234yf, and natural refrigerants (CO₂, ammonia) are growth areas.
✔ Decline of HFCs: R-404A and R-134a face restrictions, creating replacement demand.
✔ EU & Chinese Suppliers Dominate: Price vs. quality trade-offs.
✔ Regulatory Risks: Future HFC quotas may affect supply chains.
3. Importation Potential & Market Opportunities
A. Current Import Scenario:
Israel imports most refrigerants due to limited local production.
Main suppliers: China, EU (Germany, Italy), USA, and Gulf countries.
Competitive pricing from Chinese suppliers, but EU/US offers higher-quality blends.
B. Opportunities for New Importers:
✔ Growing Demand for Low-GWP Refrigerants:
R-32 (replacing R-410A in ACs)
R-1234yf (automotive sector)
Natural refrigerants (CO₂, ammonia, hydrocarbons) for industrial use.
✔ Reclamation & Recycling Market:
Israel lacks large-scale refrigerant recycling facilities.
Potential to import reclaimed gases or set up recycling partnerships.
✔ Price Competitiveness:
Chinese suppliers dominate with lower prices, but EU/US alternatives may appeal to quality-conscious buyers.
Bulk imports could reduce costs.
✔ Regulatory-Driven Shifts:
Companies will need alternatives as HFCs are phased out.
Early entry into HFOs and natural refrigerants can secure long-term contracts.
4. Challenges & Considerations
⚠ Regulatory Compliance:
Strict customs checks on refrigerants (especially flammable ones like R-290).
Need for proper licensing (Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection).
⚠ Competition from Established Suppliers:
Existing importers have strong relationships with HVAC companies.
Price wars with Chinese suppliers may affect margins.
⚠ Logistics & Storage:
Refrigerants require proper handling (some are flammable or high-pressure).
Storage facilities must meet safety standards.
5. Strategic Recommendations
✅ Focus on Eco-Friendly Refrigerants: Prioritize HFOs (R-1234yf, R-513A) and natural refrigerants.
✅ Partner with European/US Suppliers: For high-quality, compliant refrigerants.
✅ Bulk Purchasing & Long-Term Contracts: Secure better pricing and stable supply.
✅ Explore Niche Markets: Medical, military, and high-tech cooling applications.
✅ Invest in Customer Education: Help clients transition to new refrigerants smoothly.
Conclusion
Israel's refrigerant market is evolving due to environmental regulations, creating opportunities for importers of low-GWP alternatives. By focusing on eco-friendly refrigerants, ensuring regulatory compliance, and establishing strong supplier relationships, your wholesale business can capitalize on this growing demand.
