In June, the first training laboratory in Brazil simulating a mini-supermarket with natural refrigerants CO₂ and R-290 was inaugurated at FAPRO-ETP Technical School, in Curitiba (PR), in the framework of the Brazilian HCFC Phase-out Management Programme (HPMP). The initiative marks an important step in the country’s transition towards sustainable refrigeration in the commercial sector.
Inauguration ceremony
The inauguration ceremony brought together key actors from the sector, including representatives from MMA, GIZ, UNDP, UNIDO, private sector associations, such as ASBRAV, ABRAVA, and APRAS, and the technology provider Eletrofrio, highlighting the relevance and high expectations for the training.
Developed under the HPMP, coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA/NOU) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the modern lab consists of a cascade refrigeration system and will offer the new free-of-charge course “Training for the Safe and Efficient Use of CO₂ and R-290 in Commercial Refrigeration Systems.”
Training of Trainers
In preparation for the course, a “Training of Trainers Workshop” took place from June 10 to 14 with eight instructors from FAPRO-ETP. Led by Dr. Gutenberg da Silva Pereira, a mechanical engineer and professor, the sessions included theoretical and hands-on content based on international safety standards and practices. Guest speakers from industry partners such as Eletrofrio, Bitzer, and Carel contributed to the sessions, together with a technical visit to a local supermarket.
The course will be delivered by trained teachers from FAPRO-ETP and includes 40 hours of in-person training, with 70% practical content carried out in the new lab. Pedagogical materials were developed with support from international experts, and the first classes begin in July 2025. Registration is open and free-of-charge for technicians and engineers working in the commercial refrigeration sector, particularly in supermarkets and similar establishments.
The goal is to train at least 150 professionals by December. Additional mini-supermarket labs are planned under the HPMP, including a second one to be inaugurated this year at SENAI-RJ in Rio de Janeiro, with two more planned for other regions of the country in the next few years.
The initiative is part of HPMP’s strategy to phase out HCFCs and reduce HFCs. It aligns with Brazil’s international commitments under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment and promotes the use of climate-friendly natural refrigerants.
