Top 10 Companies in the R-717 Ammonia Industrial Refrigeration Secondary Fluid Loop Market (2026): Market Leaders Powering Global Industrial Cooling

MARKET INSIGHTS

Global R-717 ammonia industrial refrigeration secondary fluid loop market size was valued at USD 1.84 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 1.96 billion in 2026 to USD 3.41 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period.

R-717 Ammonia Industrial Refrigeration Secondary Fluid Loop Market – View in Detailed Research Report

R-717, commonly known as ammonia (NH₃), is a naturally occurring refrigerant widely recognized for its exceptional thermodynamic properties and near-zero global warming potential (GWP). In industrial refrigeration systems, secondary fluid loop configurations utilize ammonia as the primary refrigerant in a contained machine room circuit, while a secondary fluid—such as glycol, brine, or CO₂—circulates through the process or storage areas. This design significantly reduces the overall ammonia charge within a facility, enhancing safety while maintaining high energy efficiency across food processing, cold storage, chemical, and pharmaceutical applications.

The market is gaining strong momentum driven by increasingly stringent environmental regulations phasing out high-GWP synthetic refrigerants, rising energy efficiency mandates, and growing cold chain infrastructure investments globally. Ammonia’s zero ODP and negligible GWP make it a preferred choice as industries transition away from HFCs under frameworks such as the Kigali Amendment. Leading system integrators such as Johnson Controls, GEA Group, and Mayekawa are actively expanding their ammonia-based secondary loop solution portfolios to meet evolving industrial demand.

Top 10 Companies in the R-717 Ammonia Industrial Refrigeration Secondary Fluid Loop Market (2026)

🔟 1. Johnson Controls (Sabroe / Frick)

Headquarters: Irving, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Ammonia-based secondary fluid loop systems, evaporators, compressors, heat exchangers

Johnson Controls, through its Sabroe and Frick brands, is a global leader in industrial refrigeration solutions. The company offers integrated ammonia systems with low-charge secondary loops, advanced controls, and digital monitoring capabilities that deliver superior energy efficiency and safety compliance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investment in low‑charge ammonia technologies to reduce environmental impact
• Digital platforms for real‑time leak detection and performance analytics
• Commitment to carbon‑neutral operations by 2030

9️⃣ 2. GEA Group AG

Headquarters: Nuremberg, Germany
Key Offering: Ammonia compressors, heat exchangers, secondary loop components

GEA Group is a world‑leading industrial engineering company providing turnkey ammonia refrigeration solutions. Its portfolio includes modular secondary fluid loop systems designed for large food processing and cold storage facilities.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of energy‑efficient ammonia compressors
• Integration of waste‑heat recovery modules
• Partnerships with OEMs to promote circular economy principles

8️⃣ 3. Mayekawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Custom evaporators, secondary fluid coils, safety instrumentation

Mayekawa delivers specialized ammonia refrigeration equipment tailored for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. Its focus on low‑charge designs and robust safety systems positions it as a trusted partner for high‑volume applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Zero‑GWP refrigerant solutions for all product lines
• Implementation of IoT‑enabled monitoring for predictive maintenance
• Collaboration with government agencies on cold‑chain development

7️⃣ 4. Frigopol Kältetechnik GmbH

Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: Secondary fluid coil design, low‑charge evaporators

Frigopol specializes in custom coil and evaporator solutions for ammonia systems, enabling high‑efficiency heat transfer in a variety of industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Use of recyclable materials in component manufacturing
• Optimization of coil geometry for reduced energy consumption
• Support for retrofitting projects in existing facilities

6️⃣ 5. Thermofin GmbH

Headquarters: Berlin, Germany & Toronto, Canada
Key Offering: Ammonia-compatible heat exchangers, secondary loop pumps

Thermofin provides high‑performance heat exchangers and pumping solutions that enhance the reliability and efficiency of ammonia secondary loop systems.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Design for minimal refrigerant charge
• Energy‑efficient pump technologies
• Participation in industry standards development

5️⃣ 6. Güntner Group GmbH

Headquarters: Munich, Germany
Key Offering: Low‑charge ammonia evaporators, modular compressors

Güntner delivers compact, low‑charge ammonia evaporators that are ideal for retrofit projects and new installations requiring stringent safety compliance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Reduced refrigerant charge through advanced design
• Use of corrosion‑resistant materials to extend service life
• Collaboration with HVAC‑R training institutes

4️⃣ 7. Vilter Manufacturing LLC (Emerson)

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Ammonia evaporators, safety instrumentation, service solutions

Vilter provides robust ammonia evaporators and a comprehensive service network, ensuring reliable operation across North American industrial sites.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Support for low‑charge system deployment
• Integration of predictive maintenance tools
• Training programs for ammonia technicians

3️⃣ 8. Grasso (part of GEA Group)

Headquarters: Eindhoven, Netherlands
Key Offering: Ammonia evaporators, heat exchangers, secondary loop components

Grasso, under the GEA umbrella, focuses on high‑capacity ammonia systems for food and beverage processing, offering scalable solutions for large facilities.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Carbon‑neutral manufacturing processes
• Optimization of system layouts for energy savings
• Collaboration with research institutes on ammonia safety

2️⃣ 9. Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC)

Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Key Offering: Ammonia evaporators, heat exchangers, secondary fluid pumps

BAC offers a broad range of ammonia components, emphasizing durability and performance in harsh industrial environments.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Use of high‑efficiency heat exchangers
• Development of low‑charge evaporators
• Support for energy‑efficiency certification programs

1️⃣ 10. HillPhoenix (Dover)

Headquarters: Dover, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Ammonia compressors, evaporators, system integration

HillPhoenix provides end‑to‑end ammonia refrigeration solutions, focusing on large‑scale food and beverage processing facilities.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Low‑charge system design for reduced risk
• Integration of digital control systems
• Commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions across product lines

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Market Outlook

Over the forecast period, the R-717 ammonia secondary fluid loop market is expected to maintain steady growth, driven by regulatory momentum and the expansion of cold‑chain infrastructure in emerging economies. The adoption of digital technologies, such as IoT sensors and predictive maintenance platforms, is anticipated to further accelerate deployment by reducing operational complexity and improving safety management.

Future Trends

Key emerging trends include the integration of heat‑recovery modules for waste‑heat utilization, the development of hybrid systems combining ammonia with CO₂ or other natural refrigerants, and the widespread adoption of digital twin technologies to optimize system performance and reduce lifecycle costs. These innovations will position ammonia secondary loop solutions as the preferred choice for sustainable, high‑capacity industrial refrigeration.