THE move by many major supermarkets to alternative 'natural' refrigerants provided a major boost to the UK refrigeration market in 2010, according to the latest market statistics report from the BRA.
Despite the depressed market, sales of system components and controls for hydrocarbon and CO2 refrigerants showed a marked upward trend.

A move to electronic controls - especially required for CO2 systems - saw a consequent decline in sales of electro-mechanical controls, although some of this was due to a decline in OEM sales.

In line with this, the market for refrigerant gas declined, partly due to the complete phase out of R22 but also due to the move towards smaller more efficient systems and lower system leakage.
As might be predicted, the decline in new build led to a marked increase in service and repair activity.

This unique annual report into the sales of refrigeration equipment and components provides an invaluable insight into market trends.

The report covers all the product categories: airside, compression products and controls, gases and refrigerants, cabinets and coldstores, heat exchangers and pressure vessels and miscellaneous products which covers things like copper, fittings, insulation, service equipment and oils.

Copies can be ordered via the website www.brastats.co.uk quoting reference ACR01.