The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration (IIAR) has released two new fact sheets – the Hydrocarbon and Ammonia fact sheets to meet growing demand for accessible, technically

sound guidance on natural refrigerants. The newly released fact sheets are part of a trio of refrigerant summaries, including one previously released for CO₂. All three cover safety considerations, system guidelines, and design considerations.

The IIAR Marketing Committee developed fact sheets to help business owners and stakeholders navigate the growing landscape of natural refrigerants alongside IIAR’s other resources, such as the Refrigerant Evaluator Tool, released earlier this year, said Stephanie Smith, IIAR’s Marketing Committee Chair.

Smith said the proliferation of regulations around refrigerants and the growing number of refrigerants available as options make the challenge of simplifying the decision process more important than ever. “Whether you’re an end user evaluating options or someone new to natural refrigerants trying to learn the basics, these IIAR fact sheets offer clear, accessible information that IIAR is uniquely positioned to provide,” said Smith.

IIAR’s new fact sheets are part of a bigger effort led by IIAR to communicate safety standards that support the adoption of ammonia, CO₂, and hydrocarbons. With a robust library of technical resources, the new refrigerant-specific fact sheets offer a streamlined way to compare refrigerants and understand their applications.

“Hydrocarbons and ammonia are both gaining traction across sectors, and there’s a real need for broader understanding,” said Smith. “A one-pager that highlights the essentials is a great way to introduce the benefits and considerations of these refrigerants. It’s a gateway to IIAR’s deeper technical guidance, like standards.”

Hydrocarbons—such as propane and butane—have long been used in industrial settings, but their role in refrigeration is expanding rapidly.

IIAR’s hydrocarbon refrigerant summary advances several main ideas essential to the adoption and wider use of these refrigerants.

Hydrocarbons are successfully being used and expanding in commercial and residential applications.

In the past year, industrial refrigeration projects have increasingly adopted hydrocarbons—especially propane and isobutane – as low-GWP alternatives to HFCs. This shift is evident across Europe, North America, and Latin America, where manufacturers have expanded the use of hydrocarbon-based systems in large-scale applications. And hydrocarbon chillers have been deployed in industrial facilities across Europe, with over 4.6 million hydrocarbon refrigerated display cases now in use across North American commercial and industrial sites, according to Natural Refrigerants: State of the Industry 2024, a report from ATMOsphere. These projects reflect a broader trend toward climate-friendly refrigerants that meet both performance and regulatory demands.

Most new home appliance refrigerators and drink coolers use isobutane as a refrigerant.

Isobutane has rapidly become the refrigerant of choice in new home appliance refrigerators and drink coolers over the past few years, driven by its ultra-low global warming potential and ozone-friendly profile. Manufacturers worldwide have embraced isobutane as a replacement for high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), especially in compact, self-contained systems.

According to a report by research company 24 Chemical Research, the global R-600a refrigerant market has seen steady growth, with widespread adoption in household refrigeration equipment across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile, innovations in vapor compression cycle design — such as those led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Whirlpool — have further improved energy efficiency and system performance using isobutane, according to the Department of Energy.

Hydrocarbon refrigerants are increasingly being used in large-charge industrial applications worldwide due to their ultra-low global warming potential.  Their adoption reflects a global shift toward sustainable, high-performance cooling solutions that meet both environmental and operational goals, said the International Institute of Refrigeration in a statement.

IIAR’s hydrocarbon fact sheet complements IIAR’s forthcoming Hydrocarbon Safety Standard, which is currently undergoing final review. The standard outlines best practices for system design, installation, startup, inspection, and maintenance, and is modeled after IIAR’s CO₂ standard. It also addresses training and general safety needs, making it a critical resource for facilities transitioning to hydrocarbons or expanding their use.

Alongside the hydrocarbon fact sheet release, IIAR is also publishing a new Ammonia Refrigerant Fact Sheet—an updated overview of the refrigerant that has long been the backbone of industrial refrigeration. The ammonia fact sheet offers a clear summary of its properties, applications, and safety considerations, reinforcing its continued relevance in a low-GWP future.

The ammonia fact sheet complements IIAR’s existing suite of ammonia standards and technical handbooks, offering a quick-reference guide for engineers, technicians, and facility managers who need to evaluate ammonia’s role in new or existing systems.

The release of IIAR’s hydrocarbon, ammonia, and CO₂ fact sheets comes at a pivotal moment. With regulatory pressure mounting—from the HFC phase-down to state-level climate mandates—industry professionals are seeking refrigerants that balance performance, safety, and sustainability, said IIAR. Natural refrigerants like ammonia and hydrocarbons fit that profile, but their unique characteristics demand specialized knowledge.

IIAR’s fact sheets bridge the gap between technical depth and practical accessibility. They’re tailored for engineers, technicians, facility managers, and policymakers who need reliable snapshots of refrigerant capabilities—without wading through hundreds of pages of standards.

“IIAR’s fact sheets are a great place to start,” said Smith. “They help normalize natural refrigerants and give stakeholders the confidence to explore them further.”