PFAS-Free Future: Konvekta Sets New Standards In Sustainable Climate Technology

The debate  about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is picking up speed. These chemicals, found in countless everyday products—including refrigerants—are considered as negatively long lasting  and harmful to the environment. One particular decomposition product, TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), accumulates in waters and drinking water. A study  of BUND (Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany) revealed that PFAS were detected in nine out of ten tap water  tests and in three out of five mineral waters.

The negative environmental and health impacts are increasingly  the subject of regulatory action. But alternatives do exist—and Konvekta is a pioneer in this field.

PFAS-Free Climate Technology: CO₂ a Sustainable Alternative

For years, Konvekta has relied on natural refrigerants and was the first company worldwide  having developed a CO₂ heat pump system for electric buses. CO₂ (R744) is not only environmentally friendly, but also an efficient refrigerant. Many current systems still rely on synthetic refrigerants with high global warming potential—but CO₂ offers  impressive advantages:

Advantages of CO₂ as a Refrigerant:

• PFAS-free: Unlike synthetic refrigerants, CO₂ does not produce harmful  decomposition products that accumulate in the environment.
• GWP of 1: While F-gases have a significantly higher global warming potential, CO₂ is nearly climate-neutral.
• High efficiency: Konvekta’s CO₂ heat pump saves significant energy  on basis of direct heat transfer and can reduce thermal management energy  consumption by more than 50%.
• Safe and durable: CO₂ is non-toxic, non-flammable, and can be extracted from natural sources —making it a sustainable and future-proof solution.
• No long-term bans or regulations: CO₂ is not subject to legal restrictions and offers a secure, long-term perspective for users.

Konvekta as an Active Member of the “Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling & Heating”

To make the HVAC&R industry (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) more environmentally friendly in the long run, Konvekta is a member of the Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling & Heating. This international initiative  stands up for strict PFAS restrictions in the European Economic Area and promotes the use of natural refrigerants such as CO₂, ammonia, and hydrocarbons. The coalition provides scientifically based data to support regulatory decisions and  is pushing the transition to sustainable alternatives.

Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Mobility

The industry is at a turning point. New regulations, such as the EU’s REACH chemical regulation, are pushing the phase-out of PFAS-based refrigerants. Companies that adopt natural alternatives will  have a clear advantage. Konvekta recognized this trend very early and offers not only a proven but also a market-ready solution with its CO₂ heat pump systems.

Today, numerous European public transport operators do already benefit from more than 6,000 energy-efficient and environmentally friendly CO₂ systems delivered by Konvekta.

To achieve a sustainable future, abandoning PFAS-based refrigerants is absolutely essential. Konvekta’s CO₂ technology proves that an eco-friendly and future-proof solution is already reality.

Conclusion

• The industry is increasingly moving towards PFAS-free heating and cooling technology.
• Stricter regulations such as REACH and new EU requirements will  speed up this transition and ultimately ban PFAS in many applications.
• Companies must act early to comply with upcoming legal requirements and establish sustainable technologies.