On March 8, 2018, the China Home Appliances and Consumer Electronics Expo (AWE2018) kicked off at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. As one of the world’s top three home appliance and consumer electronics exhibitions, AWE drew over 800 leading companies from across the industry chain, including key players in air conditioning compressors. This event highlighted the latest trends in green technology and sustainable development within the sector.
Energy efficiency, environmental protection, and low carbon emissions have always been central to the evolution of home appliances. This year, the AWE featured a significant focus on eco-friendly refrigerants. Three major Chinese air conditioner compressor manufacturers—GMCC, Lingda, and Haili—jointly showcased their R290-based compressors, which use natural refrigerant HC-290, known for its ozone-friendly and low-carbon properties.
At the AWE Epland Awards Ceremony on March 10th, GMCC’s R290 Green Environmental Constant Speed Compressor was honored with the “Epland Environmental Award.†The award was presented by Wang Lei, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Household Appliances Association, and Yu Lifeng, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Environmental Protection's Environmental Protection Foreign Cooperation Center.
Globally, the air conditioning industry is accelerating the phase-out of R22, an ozone-depleting refrigerant under the Montreal Protocol. However, alternatives like R410A and R32, while less harmful to the ozone layer, have high global warming potential and were added to the Kigali Amendment control list in 2016.
As the world’s largest air conditioning manufacturer and market, China’s choice of R290 as a refrigerant replacement has drawn international attention. After extensive research and technical evaluation, China’s industry chose R290 due to its environmental benefits and superior performance.
R290 offers significant advantages over other refrigerants. It has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and nearly zero global warming potential (GWP). Additionally, it performs well in high-temperature conditions and uses less charge, making it more energy-efficient.
Under the collaboration of the Chinese government, industry associations, and enterprises, China has made remarkable progress in R290 application research and commercialization. Its technical route has gained recognition from international agencies and other countries.
GMCC, the largest air conditioner compressor manufacturer in China, began R&D on R290 compressors in 2008 and launched the first R290 production line in 2011. Since 2013, GMCC has mass-produced R290 compressors, which are now used in split air conditioners, mobile units, and heat pump water heaters.
Highly, another key player, started its R290 compressor project in 2013. By 2014, it completed its first R290 production line and received approval from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. To date, Highly has shipped tens of thousands of R290 compressors.
In addition to air conditioners, Highly expanded R290 applications to heat pump water heaters and dehumidifiers by 2017, broadening the use of this environmentally friendly refrigerant.
Lingda, another early adopter of R290 compressors, has developed a full range of products applicable to air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pump water heaters, and low-temperature refrigerators.
During AWE2018, the three major compressor manufacturers displayed their R290 technologies, reinforcing the event’s green theme. With the second phase of China’s HCFC phase-out plan officially launched last year, the adoption of R290 is expected to accelerate. In the future, both R290 compressors and air conditioners will likely feature prominently at AWE, showcasing the country’s leadership in sustainable innovation.
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