Not everyone thinks about commercial refrigeration when talking about climate change — but maybe it’s time we do.
Epta partners with UNEP to for Advancing Greener Refrigeration ,On May 14th, Epta joined the 38th regional meeting organized by UNEP’s OzonAction program. This wasn’t just another webinar. It brought together voices from Europe, Central Asia, and transition economies to discuss one big thing: how we cool our world without heating the planet.
Epta was right in the middle of that conversation.
The company’s message? We can (and should) cool things differently. Their tech doesn’t rely on harmful refrigerants. Instead, they’ve committed fully to natural alternatives — which can be up to 4,000 times less harmful to the environment. On top of that, their systems are roughly 20% more efficient. It’s a win-win: better for business, and better for the planet.
A Real Push for Action
Francesco Mastrapasqua, who represents Epta on the policy front, shared how they’re aligning innovation with responsibility. He highlighted how companies — especially big ones — can shape the future by choosing smarter, greener technologies.
And Epta’s not 4 it halfway.
Their commitment to sustainable solutions runs through everything: from product design to energy usage, to how they help retailers build more eco-friendly operations. Mastrapasqua also talked about upcoming regulations and how the company is staying ahead of them — instead of waiting to be forced into change.
No Silver Bullets, Just Smarter Choices
It’s easy to feel like the climate challenge is too big. But progress often starts with conversations like the one UNEP hosted. What made this event different was how clear it was that collaboration matters. Epta’s presence wasn’t just symbolic — it showed what it looks like when a company takes responsibility seriously.
Their core belief? Innovation has to be paired with intention. Otherwise, it’s just more noise
If you’re still clinging to HFC-based refrigeration in your retail operation, this news isn’t just a polite nudge — it’s a shot across the bow.
Epta, one of Europe’s cold chain heavyweights, has teamed up with UNEP’s OzonAction programme to push the message loud and clear: natural refrigerants aren’t a trend — they’re the new baseline.
The partnership made its presence felt at the 38th OzonAction seminar, held online on May 14, where stakeholders from Europe, Central Asia, and CEIT (Countries with Economies in Transition) were brought face to face with one blunt truth: sustainability isn’t optional anymore — not in refrigeration, and definitely not in retail.
What’s New? Not the Tech — the Message
Let’s be honest. Natural refrigeration tech has been around for years. CO₂-based systems? Been done. Hydrocarbon chillers? Not news.
So what makes this seminar matter?
The narrative has shifted.
This wasn’t about showing off flashy new equipment. It was about aligning governments, retailers, and manufacturers on a common front — one that forces the conversation toward policy, standards, and urgency.
And Epta showed up with receipts. Their lineup, fully transitioned to natural refrigerants, was front and center. With numbers that matter:
- Up to 4,000x lower environmental impact compared to HFCs
- 20% more energy efficiency built-in
That’s not fluff. That’s future-proof engineering with regulatory muscle behind it.
The Elephant in the Cold Room? Retail’s Role
While policymakers and industry reps made their rounds, Epta’s Francesco Mastrapasqua dropped the cold truth: big retail can no longer wait for legislation to catch up.
Retailers are no longer just consumers of refrigeration — they’re co-authors of the cold chain’s carbon footprint.
Mastrapasqua framed Epta not just as a supplier, but as a “Green Transition Enabler.”
That’s not marketing jargon. It’s a call to responsibility. Retailers who delay retrofits, upgrades, or investments in clean cooling tech are essentially stalling the climate agenda.
And UNEP didn’t pull any punches either. Their message was clear:
- The refrigeration sector is a climate multiplier
- HFCs are already being phased down under international law
- Natural refrigerants aren’t the future — they’re the standard
Why Retailers Should Actually Care
If you’re a supermarket operator, category manager, or supply chain strategist, here’s what this means for you:
- You will be regulated. Maybe not today, maybe not next quarter — but soon. If your stores or warehouses still use legacy systems, the cost of upgrading will only climb.
- Sustainability sells. Consumers are watching more than ever. That “green” sticker on your storefront won’t mean much if your chillers leak F-gases with 1,300x the warming power of CO₂.
- Energy savings = margin savings. Epta’s newer systems are proving 20% more efficient. Over a multi-site portfolio, that’s real money — not PR fluff.
Forget Theory. It’s Time for System-Level Change
This isn’t just about replacing gases. It’s about redesigning the cold chain — from display cabinets to storage facilities — around sustainability.
And Epta, unlike many in the space, is treating this as a business strategy, not a side initiative.
Mastrapasqua’s speech went deeper: aligning with UNEP’s triple planetary emergency — climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss — and showing how refrigeration plays an active role in each.
Retail doesn’t get to sit this one out.
The Bottom Line
This story isn’t about compressors. It’s about accountability.
When a manufacturer like Epta stands beside UNEP and says, “We’re done with HFCs,” they’re not just patting themselves on the back — they’re throwing the gauntlet to the rest of the industry.
Retailers, the next move is yours.
- Will you wait for the law to drag you into compliance?
- Or will you become a co-author of a smarter, cleaner cold chain?
