Lifecycle Refrigerant Management: A-Gas' vision for the future of refrigeration

Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM) , or managing the entire life cycle of refrigerants , is a circular economy solution in which A-Gas has long been investing. This strategy has led the company, founded in the United Kingdom in 1993, to become a global leader in the provision of this innovative and effective service, designed to facilitate the ecological transition and achieve Net-Zero in the HVAC-R sector.

In this interview, Enzo D'Alessio, Commercial Director Europe at A-Gas , and Matteo Mangiarotti, Head of Rapid Recovery at A-Gas Italia , delve into how the LRM model works, its strategic value for the market, and the regulatory perspectives that are redefining the future of refrigerants in Europe.

Lifecycle Refrigerant Management: The value of refrigerants throughout their life cycle

The LRM model is based on a clear principle: no kilogram of refrigerant, once produced, should be released into the atmosphere. When maintaining, decommissioning, or modernizing systems, it is therefore essential that the product is safely recovered and then recycled .

" This occurs through a process that ranges from the recovery of the exhausted gas to its regeneration and reintroduction to the market, with performance equivalent to that of a new product ," explains Enzo D'Alessio, Commercial Director Europe at A-Gas. " Furthermore, we also supply new refrigerant to customers, who can choose from a wide range of products, both virgin and regenerated ."

To make recovery increasingly efficient and accessible, A-Gas has developed a specific offering: Rapid Recovery is a direct recovery service from the customer's system, designed for complex interventions and large systems, while Rapid Exchange is a more streamlined solution that allows small-scale maintenance workers to quickly exchange cylinders, without the need for interventions on the system.

The end-of-life gas is then regenerated in compliance with the global quality standard AHRI 700 , as required by the industry sector.

“ The result is a product that, in terms of performance, is indistinguishable from virgin water, ” continues Enzo D'Alessio. “ In this regard, we have just completed a strategic technological investment at our site in the Netherlands, testing new cutting-edge distillation columns capable of treating even mixed refrigerants and complex waste .”

A-Gas across the country: evolution of the structure and services

The company is constantly investing to increase its presence in Italy as well.

" We've seen significant growth over the past two years. Our workforce has nearly doubled, and our operational network has been expanded with dedicated resources and personnel, now covering nearly 100% of the country, " emphasizes Matteo Mangiarotti, Head of Rapid Recovery at A-Gas Italia . " Being more present means not just collecting refrigerant, but supporting customers throughout the entire waste management process ."

An aspect that will become increasingly central with the introduction of the National Electronic Register for Waste Traceability (RENTRI) in February 2026 .

“ Having our own operator in the field allows us to offer a more complete service, also helping companies with regulatory and documentary aspects, such as the electronic form .”

The decision to internalize the telephone assistance service also fits into this direction: those who call A-Gas are no longer entrusted to an external call center, but come into direct contact with the company. " It's a concrete way to be closer to customers and provide even faster and more direct responses ."

Another fundamental aspect in which A-Gas strongly believes is that of training , through the dissemination of information materials and the organization of meetings, also in partnership with institutions and associations.

We operate in a sector that is constantly evolving from a regulatory perspective: sharing knowledge is the way to grow together. To this end, we have partnered with ADA, the Italian Association of Vehicle Dismantler, to meet the needs of this industry, and with CNA, the National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, to support even small businesses and artisans .

The new regulatory framework and its impact on the HVAC-R market

Looking to the future, changes in the regulatory framework will make Lifecycle Refrigerant Management an increasingly indispensable tool.

“ By 2027, we estimate a cut of approximately 50% in European quotas for the release of refrigerant gases onto the market: this will lead to a drastic reduction in the availability of virgin products and will make it essential to recover every kg of existing refrigerant, in order to regenerate it and make it available again ,” concludes Enzo D'Alessio.

Not only that: further reductions are expected for 2030. “ This confirms that the push towards Lifecycle Refrigerant Management is destined to grow, because it will be the only way to guarantee continuity to the refrigeration cycle and access to refrigerants in a market characterised by ever-increasing scarcity ”.