North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council and ASHRAE Launch Strategic Collaboration
Published: 14 May 2026
Author: Towards Healthcare
The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council, a nonprofit working to facilitate the transition to natural refrigerants, has announced that it has entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ASHRAE. The agreement states that a three-year collaboration will focus on research, knowledge sharing, workforce development, and advanced education to accelerate the adoption of natural refrigerants.
NASRC executive director Danielle Wright said that this collaboration strengthens the connection between technical standards, real-world industry experience, and workforce needs. He also stated that by aligning research, education, and outreach, NASRC and ASHRAE can provide the resources stakeholders need to navigate the transition to sustainable refrigerants with confidence.
According to Towards Healthcare, the sustainable refrigeration technology market is projected to experience significant growth, with estimates suggesting the market size will increase from USD 52.93 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 114 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2026 to 2035. Growth is driven by the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly refrigeration systems, leading to the adoption of natural refrigerants and energy-efficient systems. Innovations in IoT, AI, and cloud-based solutions are enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization, enhancing the efficiency and capabilities of refrigeration systems.
About ASHRAE
ASHRAE plays a vital role in promoting sustainability within the built environment. The organization actively engages in research and development projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. ASHRAE's initiatives include educational programs, scholarships for engineering students, and resources for professionals to stay updated on best practices in HVAC&R.
ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. said 2025-26, ASHRAE is committed to helping the refrigeration industry transition to lower global warming potential refrigerant options while maintaining safety for building occupants and service technicians.
The partnership with NASRC will provide an opportunity to leverage our knowledge and global reach to co-develop and deliver training materials that provide technicians with the skills to safely use low global warming refrigerant options.
A recent report by Towards Healthcare highlights that the sustainable refrigeration technology market is witnessing growth due to the shift towards natural refrigerants like CO2, ammonia, and propane, which are gaining traction, offering improved energy efficiency and significantly lower GWP compared to traditional synthetic refrigerants. The shift towards natural refrigerants like CO2, ammonia, and propane is gaining traction, offering improved energy efficiency and significantly lower GWP compared to traditional synthetic refrigerants.