Tunisia Establishes National System for Recovery, Recycling, and Regeneration of Fluorinated Refrigerants
Tunisia has set up a national system for the recovery, recycling, and regeneration of fluorinated refrigerants, in line with the requirements of the Montreal Protocol. This project is led by the National Ozone Unit (UNO) at the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
According to the UNO, this system will enable the recovery and reuse of these refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. It will have a positive impact on the environment and the economy, contributing to the transition towards a circular economy.
Fluorinated refrigerants are essential substances in cooling systems due to their thermodynamic properties. They are divided into several categories, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are subject to strict global regulations. These substances have harmful effects on the environment: CFCs and HCFCs deplete the ozone layer, while all three categories are potent greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential (GWP) up to 10,000 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2).
The recovery of fluorinated refrigerants involves collecting and storing these gases during maintenance, servicing, or before the disposal of equipment that contains them. This process limits their release into the atmosphere and promotes their reuse.
A Step Forward in the National Strategy
The launch of this system in Tunisia dates back to 2021, following the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in August of the same year. It is part of the national strategy for the elimination of HCFCs, implemented by UNIDO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), under the coordination of the UNO, for the period 2024-2029.
Last September, UNIDO praised Tunisia's progress in reducing HCFCs. The country recorded a consumption of 325 metric tons of these substances in 2023, a 55% decrease compared to the reference level, equivalent to 723,703 tons of CO2.
Tunisia has also established a national certification system for technicians and companies in the refrigeration sector. Four companies have already converted their installations, eliminating 80.46 tons of HCFC-141b, equivalent to 58,332 tons of CO2. Furthermore, 386 technicians have been trained in good practices for handling fluorinated refrigerants, and 83 customs agents have been trained in controlling imports of these substances.
