Top 10 Companies in the Central Air Conditioning Refrigerant Market (2026): Leading the Global Shift to Sustainable Cooling

In Business Insights
January 18, 2026


The Global Central Air Conditioning Refrigerant Market was valued at USD 16.8 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 25.3 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.7% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This expansion is primarily driven by increasing global demand for climate control solutions, stringent environmental regulations phasing out high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants, and the accelerating transition to next-generation, low-GWP alternatives across residential and commercial sectors.

As the HVAC industry undergoes a significant transformation toward environmental sustainability and higher energy efficiency, the focus shifts to the chemical manufacturers and suppliers pioneering the next wave of refrigerants. This blog profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Central Air Conditioning Refrigerant Industry—a group of global chemical giants, fluorocarbon specialists, and innovation leaders shaping the future of thermal management.


🔟 1. The Chemours Company

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Freon™, Opteon™ (XL Series)

Chemours is a leading global provider of performance chemicals, including a comprehensive portfolio of refrigerants. The company is at the forefront of developing and supplying low-GWP solutions like its Opteon™ series, designed to replace older, environmentally harmful refrigerants like R-22.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Major investment in hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology
  • Commitment to achieving a 60% reduction in fluorinated organic compound emissions by 2030
  • Active participation in global refrigerant reclamation and responsible disposal programs

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Central Air Conditioning Refrigerant Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Honeywell International Inc.

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Solstice® (ze, N41, N15)

Honeywell is a diversified technology giant with a strong presence in advanced materials. Its Solstice® portfolio includes a range of low-GWP refrigerants that are non-ozone depleting and offer high energy efficiency, making them suitable for modern central air conditioning systems.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneer in HFO technology with multi-billion-dollar investment in R&D and manufacturing
  • Partnerships with major HVAC OEMs to integrate Solstice® refrigerants into new equipment
  • Goal to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2035

8️⃣ 3. Arkema S.A.

Headquarters: Colombes, France
Key Offering: Forane® (FX series, 407A, 407F)

Arkema is a global specialty chemicals company with a significant footprint in fluorochemicals. Its Forane® brand offers a wide array of refrigerants, including HFCs and the newer, lower-GWP HFO blends, catering to the replacement needs of the global market.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of fluorogas solutions with up to 99.9% lower GWP than previous generations
  • Investment in bio-circular raw materials for chemical production
  • Commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

7️⃣ 4. Orbia (formerly Mexichem)

Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico
Key Offering: Genetron®, Zentrol®

Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business is a key global player in refrigerant production. The company manufactures a broad portfolio of HFCs and is actively investing in the development and scaling of next-generation products to meet evolving regulatory standards.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on refrigerant lifecycle management and recovery/recycling services
  • Development of lower-GWP formulations for air conditioning applications
  • Corporate sustainability targets aligned with climate action frameworks

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Central Air Conditioning Refrigerant Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Daikin Industries, Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: R-32, HFO-based blends

Daikin is a world-leading HVAC manufacturer that also produces its own refrigerants. The company has been a major proponent of R-32, a single-component HFC with a significantly lower GWP than R-410A, and is developing new low-GWP solutions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Global promotion of R-32 as a medium-term solution for residential and commercial AC
  • R&D into non-fluorinated and natural refrigerant alternatives
  • Environmental Vision 2050 targeting net-zero emissions

5️⃣ 6. Linde plc

Headquarters: Guildford, UK (Operating) / Dublin, Ireland (Registered)
Key Offering: Refrigerant gases, specialized blends

Linde is a global industrial gases and engineering company that supplies high-purity refrigerants to various industries, including HVAC. The company offers a range of products and provides expertise in gas handling and supply chain management.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on energy-efficient production processes
  • Development of technologies for carbon capture and utilization
  • Commitment to science-based targets for emissions reduction

4️⃣ 7. Airgas, an Air Liquide company

Headquarters: Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Refrigerant distribution, recovery, and reclamation

As a leading U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, Airgas is a critical link in the refrigerant supply chain. The company provides a wide range of refrigerants and related services to contractors and service providers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Extensive refrigerant reclamation and purification services to promote circularity
  • Partnerships for responsible end-of-life refrigerant management
  • Alignment with Air Liquide’s ADVANCE strategic plan, which includes climate objectives

3️⃣ 8. Ineos Group

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Fluorochemicals, including HFCs

Ineos is a major multinational chemicals company with production capabilities for a variety of fluorinated compounds used as refrigerants. The company supplies key intermediates and finished products to the global HVAC market.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in process efficiencies to reduce the carbon footprint of chemical manufacturing
  • Exploration of new molecules with improved environmental profiles

2️⃣ 9. Solvay S.A.

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Specialty fluorinated compounds

Solvay is a advanced materials and specialty chemicals company. Its portfolio includes fluorinated products that serve as base materials or additives for refrigerant formulations, contributing to performance and stability.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Solvay One Planet sustainability framework with clear environmental targets
  • R&D focused on sustainable solutions across all business segments
  • Commitment to circular economy principles

1️⃣ 10. SRF Limited

Headquarters: Gurugram, India
Key Offering: Genetron® (licensed), specialty refrigerants

SRF is a leading Indian chemical conglomerate with a strong fluorochemicals division. The company is a significant manufacturer of refrigerants for both domestic and international markets and holds licensing agreements for global brands.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of refrigerant production capacity, including newer, lower-GWP alternatives
  • Focus on energy and water conservation in manufacturing operations
  • Active role in India’s transition away from high-GWP refrigerants

Get Full Report Here: Global Central Air Conditioning Refrigerant Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Central AC Refrigerants is Greener and Smarter

The central air conditioning refrigerant market is in the midst of a fundamental transition. While established HFCs still dominate the installed base, the industry is rapidly pivoting towards ultra-low GWP alternatives, driven by international agreements like the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated phase-down of HFCs (R-410A, R-404A) in North America, Europe, and Asia
  • Rising adoption of A2L (mildly flammable) refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B in new equipment
  • Growing R&D investment in HFOs, HFO blends, and natural refrigerants (e.g., CO2, hydrocarbons)
  • Enhanced focus on refrigerant lifecycle management, reclamation, and circular economy models

Get Full Report Here: Global Central Air Conditioning Refrigerant Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled are not just supplying chemicals—they are enabling the sustainable cooling revolution, ensuring comfort and climate goals can be achieved in harmony.