We share our environmental initiatives, such as transitioning to refrigerants that are gentle on the earth and have a low environmental impact.

Transition to Natural Refrigerants, Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) Refrigerants!

Fluorocarbons refer to gases composed of compounds of fluorine and carbon. Because they are chemically extremely stable, easy to handle, and have low toxicity to the human body, fluorocarbons have been widely used as refrigerants in air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers. However, “specified fluorocarbons” classified as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) have been confirmed to have adverse effects in destroying the ozone layer, and their production and import are now regulated.

Replacing these are refrigerants known as HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), or “alternative fluorocarbons.” Although HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, it has become clear that they have a significant greenhouse effect. In recent years, from the perspective of preventing global warming, the adoption of natural refrigerants or low-GWP refrigerants with small greenhouse effects has been demanded. We are committed to transitioning to natural and low-GWP refrigerants that take the global environment into consideration.

Source: Ministry of the Environment, “Fluorocarbon Emissions Control Act Portal Site”

What is GWP?

GWP stands for Global Warming Potential, which is a metric expressing “the potential of other greenhouse gases to drive global warming relative to carbon dioxide.” It estimates the ratio to CO² of the cumulative radiative impact exerted on the Earth over a given time horizon (e.g., 100 years) when a unit mass (e.g., 1kg) of a greenhouse gas is released into the atmosphere.

Source: JCCCA (Japan Center for Climate Change Actions), “Want to Know About Global Warming Potential (GWP)”

We are also keeping an eye on the trends in the European Union (EU), where environmental regulations are strict

The EU F-gas Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 517/2014) is aimed at protecting the global environment by reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), originally established in 2006 and further tightened in 2015. The F-gas Regulation prohibits the marketing of devices and equipment using high-GWP fluorocarbons (GWP of 2,500 or higher) and also bans the use of high-GWP gases in servicing and maintenance. We are advancing the introduction of low-GWP (GWP below 2,500) fluorocarbons and non-fluorocarbon alternatives.

Natural Refrigerant Products Lineups

The lineup includes Low temperature circulators and baths, Cold traps, Freeze dryers, and others.

Products using natural refrigerants are marked with a dedicated label. Please use this label for identification.

▶▶▶ Introducing eco-friendly, natural refrigerant chillers

Advantages of legal management and disposal for natural refrigerants

Because it is exempt from the periodic and simple inspection obligations for refrigeration equipment under the Japan’s Fluorocarbon Emissions Control Act, administrative management tasks are eliminated, and no costs or time/effort are incurred upon disposal.

Safety of natural refrigerants

• Propane (R290), ethane (R170), and ethylene (R1150), which are adopted as natural refrigerants, are hydrocarbon refrigerants and therefore flammable.
• Our natural refrigerant products comply with Japanese Industrial Standards JIS C 9335-2-89 (requirements regarding the application of flammable refrigerants).
• In addition, their safety is guaranteed through certification by a third-party organization (JET: Japan Electrical Safety and Environment Technology Laboratories).

Products using natural refrigerants

Natural Refrigerant	Applicable Models
R704 Helium GWP : 0	Aluminum block low temperature bath w/ magnetic stirrer PSL-2500A · B · P Freeze dryer FDS-2100 · 2200
R290 Propane /R170Ethane GWP : 3/6	Freeze dryer FDM-2010 PSL-1900
R290 Propane GWP : 3	Low temperature circulator CCA-1123A · 1123S CA-1117A CA-1331 Freeze dryer FDM-1010 Colt trap UT-1100 Low temperature bath NCB-1230
R290 Propane / R1150 Ethylene GWP : 3/4	Cold trap UT-2100

Products using natural refrigerants are marked with a dedicated label. Please use this label for identification.

• Other products utilizing thermoelectric cooling devices include Dry Block Baths (Aluminum Block Baths), Models MG-1300 and MG-1400, and Personal Low Temp. Incubators, Models LTI-2100 and LTI-2100C.
• GWP Value: Based on the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report
• The GWP value for R170 is based on the “Official Journal of the European Union GWP value: 6”.
• IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Products utilizing low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants

We are working to transition from products that conventionally use fluorocarbon refrigerants with a high GWP of 2,500 or more to low-GWP refrigerants (with a GWP of less than 2,500).

Low-GWP refrigerants	Model
R448A GWP : 1386	Incubators MTI-1000 · 1100
R134a GWP : 1430	Low Temperature Circulator CTP-1000 ACE-2000 Low temperature incubator LTE-510 · 1010, LTI-400E · 700E Environmental Chambers KCL-2000A · 2000W Constant temperature chamber FMC-100 · 1000 Immersion cooler ECS-0 · 0SS Cold trap UT-500A · 500B
R407C GWP : 1770	Low temperature circulator CA-1116A CA-1113 CA-1330 CA-1115 Series CA-2610 · 2610S · 2600C · F NCA-1000 Programmable Precision Low Temperature Bath NCB-3120 · 3220 · 3320 CA-3110 · 4110 Series CA-3310 · 4310 Series CA-H · WH Series Programmable Thermostatic Circulator PCC-7010
R410A GWP : 2090	Cooling and Heating Circulators NCC-3000A · B · C · D NCC-3100A · B · C · D Low temperature circulator CAE-1020A · S CAE-1310A
R452A GWP : 2140	Low temperature bath NCB-1220A · B, NCB-3120 · 3320 Cold trap UT-3010A · L

To identify products utilizing low-GWP refrigerants, our refrigeration-equipped products manufactured from February 2016 onward include the GWP value on the serial number label.
Additionally, starting with products manufactured in August 2020, a dedicated label is affixed to units with a GWP value of less than 2,500. Please use these as a guide to identify low-GWP refrigerant products.

GWP values: Based on the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report

Actively promoting the further transition to Natural Refrigerants!

We are actively transitioning our most popular models—which have received exceptional acclaim from many customers—to more environmentally friendly “Natural Refrigerants“. Our refrigeration-equipped products include our flagship refrigerated circulators (chillers), as well as freeze dryers, low-temperature incubators, and low-temperature constant-temperature water baths. In the future, we plan to transition all of these products to Natural Refrigerants.