Information about refrigerant R404A
R404A is a synthetic, multi-component HFC refrigerant that has been used for decades, particularly in commercial and industrial refrigeration applications. R404A is specifically designed for medium- and low-temperature applications.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Status
- Reclaimed
- GWP
- 3922
- ODP
- 0
- SAFETY CLASS
- A1
- UN-NUMBER
- UN 3337
- PACKAGE SIZES
- 12,5 · 61 · 950 L
- COMPOSITION
- R134a 4 %; R125 44 %; R143a 52 %
Refrigerant R404A overview
Its excellent cooling performance and stability at low temperatures made R404A an industry standard for freezers and cold rooms. However, due to its high global warming potential (GWP), the use of virgin R404A refrigerant has been heavily restricted. Due to its high climate impact, the use of R404A has been strictly limited under the EU F-gas Regulation:
New equipment: Installation of new stationary refrigeration systems using R404A has been prohibited since 2020
Service ban: The use of virgin (new) R404A is prohibited in systems with a charge size above 10.2 kg (40 tonnes COâ‚‚ equivalent) from the beginning of 2020
Exception: Recycled or reclaimed R404A may be used for servicing existing equipment until the end of 2029
Typical applications of R404A:
- Commercial refrigeration (e.g. supermarket freezer cabinets, display cases and glass-door refrigerators)
- Cold storage (e.g. large cold and frozen storage facilities for food and pharmaceuticals)
- Refrigerated transport (e.g. freezer-equipped trucks and shipping containers)
- Industrial applications (e.g. ice machines, blast freezers in the food industry and morgue refrigeration systems)
Alternatives:
- R448A or R449A, R452A (for refrigerated transport), as well as natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide (R744) or propane (R290).
Additional information
2025–2029: Virgin refrigerants >2500 GWP are banned. Only reclaimed/recycled >2500 GWP allowed (new appliances). Reclaimed refrigerants with GWP <2500 can still be used for servicing and maintenance after 2032.
Differences in refrigerants
| Refrigerant | Status | GWP | ODP | Safety Class | UN Number | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R134a | Reclaimed | 1430 | 0 | A1 | UN 3159 | 100 % R134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) |
| R32 | Reclaimed | 677 | 0 | A2L | UN 3252 | 100 % R32 (difluoromethane) |
| R404A | Reclaimed | 3922 | 0 | A1 | UN 3337 | R134a 4 %; R125 44 %; R143a 52 % |
| R407C | Reclaimed | 1774 | 0 | A1 | UN 3340 | R32 23 %; R125 44 %; R134a 52 % |
| R410A | Reclaimed | 2088 | 0 | A1 | UN 3163 | R32 50 %; R125 50 % |
| R449A | Virgin | 1397 | 0 | A1 | UN 1078 | R32 24.3 %; R125 24.7 %; R134a 25.7 %; R1234yf 25.3 % |
| R448A | Virgin | 1387 | 0 | A1 | UN 3163 | R32 26 %; R125 26 %; R134a 21 %; R1234yf 20 %; R1234ze 7 % |
| R1234yf | Virgin | 4 | 0 | A2L | UN 3161 | 100 % R1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) |
| R1234ze | Virgin | 7 | 0 | A2L | UN 3161 | 100 % R1234ze (trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) |
| R452A | Virgin | 2140 | 0 | A1 | UN 1078 | R32 11 %; R125 59 %; R1234yf 30 % |
| R513A | Virgin | 573 | 0 | A1 | UN 3163 | R134a 44 %; R1234yf 56 % |
| R454B | Virgin | 466 | 0 | A2L | UN 3161 | R32 68.9 %; R1234yf 31.1 % |
| R455A | Virgin | 146 | 0 | A2L | UN 3161 | R32 21.5 %; R1234yf 75.5 %; R744 (COâ‚‚) 3 % |
Explore these topics
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Collection, transport, and proper handling at no cost. F-gases returned to circulation as reclaimed refrigerants.
F-gas regulation 2026
What the tightening EU F-gas regulation means for the use and procurement of refrigerants.
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