F-gases

Trends in fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions in the Industrial Process and Product Use (IPPU) sector have been recorded since 1990 and represent a significant source due to the high global warming potentials of these gas categories.

More information on trends in fluorinated emissions from IPPU in Slovakia.

Greenhouse gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and CO2 eq.)

Greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere – the most common are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, the concentrations of which are increasing due to anthropogenic activity. Other greenhouse gases are created synthetically – chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs), as well as sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆). While chlorofluorocarbons are no longer used industrially, other gases are still filled and serviced within the facilities, import, export and use of F-gases in Slovakia.

Fluorinated gases (F-gases) have no natural sources and originate only from anthropogenic activities. Emissions are released through their use as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used as refrigerants), industrial processes such as the production of aluminium and semiconductors. Many fluorinated gases have very high GWPs compared to other greenhouse gases, so even small atmospheric concentrations can have a disproportionately large impact on global warming. They can also have long atmospheric lifetimes, in some cases thousands of years. Like other long-lived greenhouse gases, most fluorinated gases are highly miscible in the atmosphere and, once emitted, are dispersed around the world. Many fluorinated gases are only removed from the atmosphere if they are destroyed by sunlight high in the upper atmosphere. Fluorinated gases are generally the most potent and persistent type of greenhouse gas emitted by human activity. The increasing use of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps has a major impact on emissions in this area. HFCs are the fastest growing emitters in this sector, driven by industrial demand for these devices.

There are four main categories of fluorinated gases – hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). However, the development of new industrial gases is practically unstoppable and may expand the emission categories and their reporting in the future. There is no production of fluorinated gases in Slovakia yet.

Total anthropogenic emissions of F-gases in recent years represent approximately 400-500 Gg CO₂ eq., with more than 95% of emissions coming from HFCs. HFC emissions have decreased since 1995 due to reduced consumption and replacement of PFCs and HFCs. Since then, the first decrease occurred in the inventory year 2016, which was repeated in 2018 and the significant decrease continued in 2023. The decrease occurred for all F-gases and is a consequence of the implemented EU legislation in line with the F-gas Regulation. The trend of PFC emissions is decreasing and SF6 emissions are decreasing slightly due to decreasing consumption in industry. The decrease in F-gas emissions since 2016 was due to the half-yearly servicing interval of equipment. Nevertheless, F-gas emissions decreased compared to the previous year 2022.

The decrease was expected due to Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on fluorinated greenhouse gases. However, due to the decommissioning of equipment with high GWP gases, only a small decrease has occurred in recent years. The overall trend in recent years (since 2017) has fluctuated but has been slowly decreasing. From 2022, the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 will be fully apparent.

F-gases notion means the emissions of substances that, because of their effects, can be added to the greenhouse gases group. However, before COP3 in Kyoto F-gases were not considered in the GHG emissions inventory or GHG emission projections.

At the present, following gases are included into inventory submission of the Slovak Republic:

• HFCs – hydrofluorocarbons (23, 32, 125, 134a, 152a, 143a, 227ea, 236fa, 245fa, 365mfc);
• SF₆ – sulphur hexafluoride;
• PFCs – per fluorocarbons (CF₄ for the period 1997 – 2005; C₂F₆).

The PFC emissions (CF₄ and C₂F₆) from metal production are reported in 2.C.3 – Aluminium Production. The inventory of F-gases is complicated due to a high number of substances. These gases are components of different mixtures and are used in more than 15 different applications. Each application has its own development of consumption and emissions trend. To ensure environmental integrity, the post-2012 agreement includes additional fluorinated gases (NF₃, hydrofluoroethers and perfluoropolyethers) with lower GWPs. There are two additional HFCs gases already reported in the Slovak inventory under memo items: HFC 245fa and HFC 365mfc. These gases are used in industry as foam agent (polyurethane-foam blowing agent – PU closed cell foam and integral PU-foam) with the highest consumption as PU spray foam for roof insulation.

The most common use of F-gases is in refrigeration and air conditioning technology (more than 90%), construction (foaming agents), fire extinguishers and in aerosols (usually industrial).