Nuno Roque (APIRAC): The transition to new refrigerants marks a milestone in the sector’s evolution

Which companies does APIRAC represent, and in which areas does it operate?

APIRAC is the Portuguese sectoral business association representing companies within the thermal, energy, electronics, and environmental sectors. As part of its scope, it operates in areas such as promoting competitiveness, business and professional training and certification, as well as standardisation and quality in refrigeration and air-conditioning across its various regulatory dimensions.

Founded in 1975, it has 560 members distributed across mainland Portugal and its autonomous regions. The sector’s value chain is worth €3 billion, or 1% of national GDP. It generates 25,000 jobs and accounts for 3% of national machinery exports. Thousands of market actors are aligned towards reducing energy consumption, enhancing performance, driving environmental responsibility, and delivering end-customer satisfaction.

What objectives and actions has the association set out to deliver in 2026?

We begin 2026 with many compelling reasons for association work, whether through completing projects initiated in the previous year or ensuring continuity in actions arising from commitments and developments affecting our sector's businesses. Factors such as political decisions, regulation and supervision are of great relevance. Traditionally, the latter factor arises a posteriori, with a view to preventing the use of new technologies from generating situations of unfair competition and, above all, to protect the rights of entrepreneurs and consumers.

The European Commission has been promoting highly ambitious targets that are not easy for economic operators at any link in the value chain to implement, and which lack specificity at both European and national levels. This implementation places the responsibility on government authorities not to distort the process and to make speedy, informed decisions that defend the interests of those who invest (businesses) and those who buy (end consumers), thereby fulfilling the global commitment to the necessary transformations during this cycle.

In this context, legislative proposals must be appropriate and supplemented by monitoring procedures to effectively drive process improvements and facilitate the adoption of technological innovation. Imposting the adoption of such technology on consumers without providing adequate incentives to reward the effort involved in the transition is unsustainable. 

What specific challenges face the HVAC&R sector, and how should they be addressed?

As we have consistently maintained, APIRAC fully supports the objective of the new F-Gas Regulation, which consists of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through an ambitious transition towards alternatives.
 Nevertheless, we face considerable challenges. The refrigerant transition marks a milestone in the evolution of the sector and its technological applications, requiring the participation of the whole sector in ongoing training programmes, the acquisition of required skills certifications, and preparation for an F-gas-free future.

Furthermore, Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (EPBD) sets decarbonisation and energy efficiency targets, alongside the phase-out of public and state incentives for marketing fossil-fuel-based equipment and technologies. 

What is the role of construction in this context?

The construction sector has a vital role to play, as it accounts for 36% of total energy consumption in the European Union and 40% of total energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023, 52% of natural gas consumed in the European Union was used directly or indirectly in buildings; therefore, savings in this sector will also contribute to reducing current reliance on imported fossil fuels.
 Moreover, energy-efficient homes are more affordable, decent, and sustainable. Almost 75% of the building stock does not comply with current building standards, and between 85% and 95% of today’s buildings will still be standing in 2050. However, the weighted annual energy renovation rate stands at only around 1%.

Consequently, the renovation rate must at least double, and its depth must be increased to ensure the sector contributes to 2030 targets. By 2030, all new buildings must be zero-emission buildings, whereas existing buildings must be transformed into zero-emission buildings by 2050. The reform of the EPBD Directive is the delivery mechanism for the "Renovation Wave" strategy. Its primary objective is to increase the rate and depth of renovations across the European Union, particularly in the worst-performing buildings.

Technological innovation has been a driver of economic development and quality of life. From a technological perspective, and for environmental and energy reasons, the path to business differentiation for the sector will point towards continued growth and competitiveness. However, it will also impose significant demands based on the new reality that must be addressed: heightened competition to meet the challenges that innovation will entail in adopting new technological solutions. Nevertheless, safety is now the primary concern, as the new substances are highly flammable (hydrocarbons), handled under high pressures (CO₂), or toxic (ammonia).

What other urgent obligations arise from regulatory challenges?

The promotion of indoor air quality (IAQ), which constitutes one of the core objectives of Directive (EU) 2024/1275.
 The EPBD requires Member States to mandate regular inspections of ventilation systems in large buildings, alongside continuous IAQ monitoring and enhanced inspections of HVAC systems.
 It also mandates that zero-emission buildings (ZEB) and major renovations guarantee high IAQ standards through technologies such as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, monitoring sensors and efficient filtration systems. The focus has shifted to operational performance: the building must be efficient at maintaining clean air.

Until now, ventilation in Portugal has been overlooked as a fundamental and essential element of IAQ in buildings. Preventive measures that existed in the recent past and were eliminated for no apparent reason must be reinstated. Hence, the transposition of the EPBD presents a new opportunity to make IAQ a national priority.

Throughout this process, how important are training and professional certification?

The F-gas phase-out timeline dictates that the use of alternative refrigerants requires developing a uniform language regarding technical and safety aspects - particularly given the ongoing transition towards A2L and A3 flammable fluids, as well as fluids exhibiting high pressure (CO₂) and toxicity (NH₃).

 The methodology used for F-gas regulations should serve as the reference for the correct application of the EPBD and REDIII directives.

The importance of regulations over directives lies in establishing objective criteria that Member States, businesses, and professionals must satisfy. From this perspective, professional certification is the only viable answer. Without diminishing the absolute necessity of truly qualifying training from a skills-and-knowledge-transfer perspective, it is professional certification that ensures everyone speaks the same language and that individual competencies are confirmed and proven to meet task requirements - valid in Portugal, Spain, or any other EU Member State.

The technical upskilling of workforce and technology must also be accompanied by the reinforcement of soft skills and leadership capabilities. Effective communication, adaptability and teamwork will be essential as the sector evolves, particularly with the integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and building management systems.

Across all these dimensions, heat pumps and alternative fluids will be predominant features of the "new reality" to which businesses must adapt. In this context, APIRAC will continue - in line with its long-standing commitment - supporting its members in transitioning towards greener solutions, ensuring that the sustainability of the HVAC&R sector is properly considered in energy-related legislation and regulation.