Refrigerated maritime containers—known as reefers—are the backbone of global trade, ensuring the safe transport of temperature-sensitive goods like food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. However, their reliance on high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants that contain “forever chemicals” and energy-intensive cooling systems poses a significant environmental challenge.
The latest white paper, “Greener Reefers: Accelerating the transition to climate- and environmentally friendly reefers,” outlines the urgent need for the reefer industry to adopt sustainable alternatives already widely used in other sectors. With demand for refrigerated transport projected to grow at 8% annually, the industry faces a critical moment: will it embrace proven green technologies from other sectors or continue contributing to emissions and PFAS pollution?
The Challenge: A Growing Industry with a Growing Footprint
While reefers make up only 15% of the global container fleet, they account for a disproportionately high share of emissions due to their reliance on HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerants like R134a and R404A, which have GWPs of 1,530 and 4,728, respectively. These chemicals not only trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change but also break down into PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—toxic “forever chemicals” that contaminate soil and water.
In 2018 alone, refrigerant leaks from reefers resulted in 3.74 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions—a stark reminder of the sector’s impact.
The Solution: Proven Technologies, Ready for Reefer Adaptation
The good news? The technology for greener reefers is already widely used —it just needs to be adapted for use at sea . Natural refrigerants like R290 (propane) and R744 (CO₂) are already used successfully in other cooling industries, including supermarkets, domestic appliances, and industrial refrigeration.
Key Findings from the White Paper:
Natural Refrigerants Work – R290 and R744 offer similar or better performance than traditional refrigerants, with significantly lower GWPs (below 3).
Improving Energy Efficiency – Smart insulation, optimized temperature control, and logistics improvements could cut energy consumption by up to 20%.
Eliminating PFAS from the Supply Chain – HFC refrigerants break down into persistent pollutants, while natural alternatives do not contribute to PFAS contamination.
Regulatory and Market Readiness – Policies like the EU F-Gas Regulation, the Kigali Amendment, and IMO climate goals are accelerating the need for sustainable reefer technologies.
Scalability is the Key – Industry collaboration, financing mechanisms, and regulatory support can speed up adoption and ensure cost-effective transitions.
The Time to Act is Now
With global climate commitments tightening, the reefer industry has a chance to lead the transition toward a sustainable cold chain. Companies that invest in green refrigeration solutions today will not only reduce their climate impact but also future proof their business in an increasingly regulated landscape and meet customer expectations.
The Greener Reefers white paper provides a comprehensive roadmap for stakeholders—including manufacturers, shipping companies, policymakers, and investors—to drive meaningful change.
Download the full report and join the movement toward greener reefers!
www.kuehne-stiftung.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Greener_Reefers_final.pdf