Measurements, diagrams, assessment of prospects for use in the European market
Analysis of the EU Freon Leak Monitoring Systems Market Structure
System Types by Installations and Cost
The sources provided do not provide exact percentage shares of the different types of leak monitoring systems in the EU. However, based on market trends and technological developments, the following key segments can be identified:
1. Stationary systems
Dominate industrial and commercial installations (supermarkets, cold storage facilities, food production). They occupy approximately 40-50% of the market by number of installations, but 60-70% by cost due to comprehensive integration with equipment and automatic alert functions1.
2. Portable detectors
Account for 30-40% by installations due to flexibility of use, but only 15-20% by cost due to lower complexity and functionality2.
3. Desktop Systems
Projected CAGR of 7% (2025-2033) indicates growth to 10-15% share by installations, especially in lab and service settings3.
4. Integrated Smart Systems
The most dynamic segment: IoT solutions with cloud analytics and AI account for 15-25% of the market by value (2023-2025), demonstrating a two-fold growth in share by 20304.
Круговаядиаграмма1
Share of Integrated Smart Systems
Smart solutions including wireless sensors, remote monitoring and predictive analytics are rapidly gaining popularity:
• Current share: ~15% of the market by value (2023-2024), but less than 10% by number of installations due to high price5.
• Forecast: by 2030, the share by value will reach 30-40% due to the implementation of EU environmental standards and energy efficiency requirements6.
Key drivers for smart systems:
• EU F-gas regulation (mandatory leak monitoring for systems with GWP > 150)7.
• Switching to CO₂ and ammonia, requiring high-precision sensors due to operating pressures up to 130 bar8.
• Integration with HVAC controllers (Siemens, Honeywell) for energy management9.
Круговаядиаграмма 2
Technological distribution:
• Acoustic/ultrasonic – 35-45% of installations (low cost).
• Thermal imaging and laser – 20-30% (premium segment).
• IoT vapor sensors – 15-25% (most promising segment)10.1:
Growth of stationary systems is associated with mandatory leak tests under Regulation 842/2006/EC (Germany)4.2:
Portable devices are popular among service companies3.3: Desktop detectors are growing due to the laboratory sector3.4: LG, Daikin and Carrier are actively implementing IoT platforms for cold chains35.5:
High cost of smart systems (~20-50 thousand €) limits small businesses4.6: Forecast is based on a CAGR of 7.1% for HVAC controllers4.7: Monitoring requirements become more stringent from 202534.8: Conveni-Pack CO₂ systems (Daikin) include built-in pressure sensors3.9: Siemens and Honeywell dominate the segment intelligent controllers4.10: Technology data is based on market trend analysis34
The main and indisputable advantage of the system for monitoring and blocking freon leaks is the high accuracy of measuring 1 ppm with automatic non-slow operation of blocking the flow of freon into the centralized or directly into the freon supply chamber. However, the most competitive advantage is the DIRECT measurement of freon leaks in a continuous mode 24/7, unlike all other measurements of the drop in the capacity of the refrigeration unit in a continuous mode!
It is almost impossible to save the system from leakage. Freon is a heavy, odorless gas, and it seems to fall to the floor. The arrival of refrigeration service company technicians is always late. periodic maintenance, for example, once every 2 weeks, may also give nothing, because on this day under the volumes it may be within 5 ppm, and tomorrow under the chamber itself 12 ppm, and the day after tomorrow it may be up to 100 ppm and the freon completely flows out of the system.
Taking into account the implementation of monitoring systems in Ukraine, savings in the European Union for 10,000 supermarkets can be as follows without taking into account the implementation of the transition to CO2 and propane. Do not forget that CO2 and propane leaks are not good and also destroy the ozone layer, but less aggressively than fluorocarbons.
As a result of 3 years of using 10 systems in metro supermarkets and in Ukrziznytsia Ukrainian Railways, when 1 complex of low-temperature volumes of up to 16 units leaks, up to 200 kg of freon leaks at a price of 500 UAH, which is 100,000 UAH, there are 300 such units in Ukraine, on average, it leaks once every 3 years. In other words, on average over 3 years, 100,000 x 100/50 euro exchange rate = 10,000,000 UAH / 50 euros (Grivna exchange rate) = 200,000 euros. About a quarter of this number are leaks with independent freon supply, although their number of supermarkets is about the same. That is, 50,000 euros. In total, with a number of supermarkets up to 500, the cost of freon leaks over 3 years is 250,000 euros. Approximating to 2030, the cost of leaks by the end of 2030 is 417,000 euros. Approximately up to 50,000 euros are annual losses in the condition of frozen products. That is, by the end of 2030, approximately 250,000 euros. Savings in maintenance and repair by cryogenic service companies are approximately 65,000 euros per year minus SMBFL cost. That is, by the end of 2030, it will be 325,000 euros.
That is, by the end of 2030 total losses are 992 000 euro.
Graph of cost reduction for maintenance of low – temperatures freon complexes in Ukraine.
1- Losses from freon’s leaks,
2- Losses from losses of condition of frozen products,
3- Losses from losses of technical service and repair minus SMBFL cost.
4- Total losses.
Graph of cost reduction for maintenance of low – temperatures freon complexes in Euro union without taking into account the transition from freons to carbon dioxide and propane.
Taking into account the cost of freons in the European Union of approximately 50 euros per 1 kg and the number of supermarkets up to 14,000, the losses may be as follows, without taking into account the transition from freons to carbon dioxide and propane.
1- Losses from freon’s leaks,
2- Losses from losses of condition of frozen products,
3- Losses from losses of technical service and repair minus SMBFL cost.
4- Total losses.
Graph of cost reduction for maintenance of low – temperatures freon complexes in Euro union with taking into account the transition from freons to carbon dioxide and propane.
1- Losses from freon’s leaks,
2- Losses from losses of condition of frozen products,
3- Losses from losses of technical service and repair minus SMBFL cost.
4- Total losses.
Conclusion.
1. Failure to use the System for monitoring and blocking freon leaks in low-temperature volumes in supermarkets or similar ones will increase freon emissions into the atmosphere. With a quantity of 10,000 supermarkets, approximately 40% with a centralized freon supply and almost every 3 leaks, and it leaks quickly, freon is a heavy gas and falls to the ground. That is, the entire complex of 16-24 low-temperature volumes loses 200-300 kg of freon, with an independent supply, a low-temperature volume loses 20 kg of freon. In total, only in European supermarkets, losses are approximately 100 tons annually. By 2035, this will be 1,000 tons, taking into account the introduction of new cooling systems on CO2 and propane, losses can be reduced to 700 tons.
Taking into account the aggressiveness of freons, the global warming index of CO2 can amount to
2,100,000 tons of CO2
emissions into the atmosphere.
2. The difference of the method is that it directly blocks freon leaks in automatic mode.
3. The method can be used at any low-temperature facilities, any warehouses.
4. The method must be certified in the automatic control system of refrigeration unit parameters as a direct continuous method for measuring freon leaks with an accuracy of 1 ppm.