Instead of CFCs, the Greenfreeze refrigerator uses a small amount of propane and butane.

In 1992, Greenpeace initiated the development of Greenfreeze, an ozone and climate safe refrigeration technology. Greenfreeze uses a mixture of propane (R290) and isobutane (R600a), or isobutane as a pure gas, for the refrigerant, and cyclopentane for blowing the insulation foam. While hydrocarbons are flammable, the content of propane or butane in a domestic Greenfreeze refrigerator only equals the content of two cigarette lighters.

GREENFREEZE: A Superior Technology for Refrigeration

The energy efficiency of hydrocarbon refrigerators has proved to be as good as, or better than those cooled with CFCs or HFC-134a. Similarly, the efficiency of cyclopentane blown insulation foam compares favorably with foam blown with HCFC-141b. Greenfreeze refrigerators are technologically reliable. They use mineral oil for lubricant, and unlike the HFC-134a technology, present no great difficulties in servicing.

Since 1992, Greenfreezehas become the dominant technology in North Western Europe, having taken over nearly 100% of the German market. There are over 12 million hydrocarbon refrigerators in the world today, and it is estimated that by the year 2000, over 40 million Greenfreeze refrigerators will have been built in Europe alone.

Projected share of the market for hydrocarbon refrigerants in Western and Northern Europe is 80% by 1997, up from 40% in 1995. HFC-134a is expected to have 20% of the market in 1997, down from 50% in 1995.

The use of hydrocarbons in polyurethane foam blowing and as refrigerants has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol. Worldwide, of all the conversion projects approved under the Multilateral Fund, up to June 1996, out of a total of 8,070,800 refrigerator units, 5,884,400, or approximately 70% will have hydrocarbon (cyclopentane) as blowing agent for the insulation.

Greenfreeze refrigerators are available in many sizes, and a wide variety of models, including no-frost freezer compartments. There are over 100 different Greenfreeze models on the market. Greenfreeze refrigerators are now on sale in most parts of Europe. All of the major European companies, Bosch/Siemens, Electrolux, Liebherr, Miele, Quelle, Vestfrost, Whirlpool, Bauknecht, Foron, AEG are marketing Greenfreeze.

The technology has also spread to other parts of the world. Greenfreeze is produced in Australia. Kelon, the largest company in China, will produce up to 700,000 Greenfreeze units in 1997, and plans to convert other production lines to using hydrocarbons. Four other companies in China also have plans to convert to hydrocarbons with funds from the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol. Six companies in Argentina are in the process of converting their production facilities to Greenfreeze. Cuba has decided in 1997 to convert its existing refrigerator factory to Greenfreeze technology. Companies in Argentina, Turkey, and Russia are also set to produce Greenfreeze. Strong interest in the technology has also been expressed by companies in Tunisia, India, Bangladesh, Ukraine and Belarus

The hydrocarbon technology has not yet made it to North America due to the opposition of the chemical industry and their corporate allies in the manufacturing sector. However, based on feedback from the public, Greenpeace is convinced that an eager market and a positive business opportunity awaits the first company that will introduce Greenfreeze to the North American consumer.