Have you ever considered the environmental footprint of your morning banana or that sleek, imported electric vehicle? While carbon emissions might be the first thing that comes to mind—often referred to as the carbon footprint—there’s another, less visible threat linked to global trade: ‘forever chemicals’. But what exactly is the connection?
Global maritime transport and PFAS
As the global demand for temperature-controlled shipping rises—whether it's for fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, or batteries—the spotlight is turning to the environmental cost of refrigerated containers, commonly known as “reefers.” These containers are essential to modern logistics but come with a hidden downside.
Most reefers currently rely on synthetic refrigerants like R-134a, which not only have a high global warming potential (GWP) but also degrade into a persistent toxic compound— trifluoroacetic acid, a PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Roughly 10% of R 134a emitted to the atmosphere breaks down into this ‘forever chemical’, which is known to resist degradation and accumulates in the environment.
The concern grows with the industry’s increasing interest in using R1234yf, a refrigerant already common in car air conditioning systems. While R1234yf boasts a lower GWP than its predecessors, it has one serious drawback: : being a PFAS itself, it breaks down 100% into TFA, contributing even more heavily to this growing chemical burden. But what exactly are PFAS, and namely TFA—and why are they so problematic?
Refrigerants and PFAS: Understanding their health impact and upcoming EU regulation
During the Greener Reefers – The Future of Refrigerated Maritime Transport webinar (Ouvrira une nouvelle fenêtre) on April 29, 2025, Dr. Daniel de Graaf from the German Environment Agency (UBA) offered a detailed look into the world of PFAS. These substances—short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—comprise a vast group of around 10,000 synthetic chemicals, widely used across industrial and consumer applications. Among their many uses, some PFAS are used as refrigerants, making the reefer industry a significant contributor to their spread.
Often dubbed 'forever chemicals', some PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment. They don’t break down naturally, and instead build up in water, soil, and living organisms—including humans. One PFAS of particular concern is it breaks dowthe already mentioned TFA, a direct breakdown product of the refrigerant R1234yf, which breaks down 100% to TFA - i.e. every single molecule of R1234yf released into the atmosphere eventually transforms into a molecule of TFA.
Dr. de Graaf stressed the urgent need for stronger regulation. He pointed to a proposed EU-wide ban under the REACH regulation, led by Germany and four other member states. If adopted, most PFAS-containing products could be banned as of 2028, with the reefer sector granted a 6.5-year transition period—meaning a full phase-out by 2035.
The problem isn’t abstract. TFA contamination is already widespread across the European Union, turning up in drinking water, soil, plants, and even in human blood and urine. Because TFA is both water-soluble and non-degradable, it moves easily into groundwater and the food chain. A recent study observed growing TFA concentrations in European wines. Based on scientific studies on animals such as rabbits, TFA is not just persistent—it is also toxic, with animal studies linking it to liver damage and reproductive harm. In Germany, refrigerants have already become the leading source of environmental TFA, surpassing even the contribution of pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
Fortunately, alternatives exist. Natural refrigerants such as R290 (propane) and R744 (CO₂) offer climate- and health-safe cooling without contributing to PFAS pollution. While R290 is flammable, it is already regulated under international safety standards and can be used safely with proper precautions.
UBA identified refrigerants such as R290 (propane) and R744 (CO₂) as safe and environmentally friendly alternatives. These substances do not generate TFA or contribute to PFAS pollution.
The Future of Refrigerated Maritime Transport webinar
Dr. Daniel de Graaf’s presentation was part of the Greener Reefers - The Future of Refrigerated Maritime Transport webinar on 29.04.2025. The event brought together environmental experts, industry representatives, and regulators to discuss sustainable alternatives, particularly natural refrigerants like R290 and R744, which have significantly lower environmental impacts. You can check out Daniel’s full presentation as part of the Greener Reefers White paper presentation here: The Future of Refrigerated Maritime Transport (Ouvrira une nouvelle fenêtre)
For downloading the slides including the presentations on the white paper and the Greener Reefers Transition Alliance please click here: LINK (Ouvrira une nouvelle fenêtre)
The jointly developed white paper “Accelerating the transition to climate and environmentally friendly reefers” by the Kuehne Climate Center (Ouvrira une nouvelle fenêtre) and the GIZ implemented project Greener Reefers thanks to all contributions by the shipping and container industry to sharpen the content and providing insights to the maritime freight transport and logistics. The Greener Reefers (Ouvrira une nouvelle fenêtre) project is financed through the International Climate Initiative by German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).