About Wijbenga

Wijbenga’s slogan – “Naturally the best solution” – clearly expresses what we stand for and where we are headed.

The environmental and climate impact of chemical refrigerants is so significant that their continued use is simply no longer an option. We all understand why chemical refrigerants are being phased out, yet they are still in use.

Today, HFOs are being promoted and widely applied in countless installations worldwide. They are claimed to have a low GWP (Global Warming Potential) and no ozone depletion potential, presenting them as safe for people and the environment. But have we learned nothing from previous generations of refrigerants? Or are we falling into the same trap again?

Increasing research shows that HFOs are not without risks. For example, R1234ze partly breaks down into R23 – a substance with an extremely high GWP of 12,400. When this effect is taken into account, the actual GWP of R1234ze is much higher than the official value of 7. Moreover, these fluorinated substances are classified as PFAS – the so-called “forever chemicals.” They do not break down in nature, contaminate drinking water and soil, and accumulate in humans and animals.

The conclusion is clear: these chemicals must be banned. The new European F-Gas Regulation accelerates the phase-out of HFCs through a quota system. From 2050 onwards, no F-gases may be produced or imported within the EU. HFOs are also covered by this regulation. However, now that we know the true impact of these substances, the phase-out should happen much faster and more effectively.

Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for that. We are already choosing the natural alternative today: natural refrigerants. Because naturally, we won’t wait until 2050.

A well-functioning and reliable refrigeration system is essential for preserving perishable goods. The cooled products stored in refrigerated and freezer warehouses often represent significant value. Therefore, the system must ensure optimal storage conditions 24/7.

In the past, I thoroughly enjoyed working as a service engineer, a period in which I learned a great deal. One of the most important lessons from that time was: design systems to be clear, robust, and reliable. When maintenance is required or a malfunction occurs, the technician must have control over the system — not the other way around. Even after ten years, the design should still be understandable. In a time when there is an impending shortage of qualified professionals, these core values are more important than ever.

At Wijbenga, the use of natural refrigerants has formed the basis of our success for 40 years. After the rise and fall of CFCs, HFCs, and HFOs, it is ultimately natural refrigerants that our industry must continue to embrace. We need to make conscious choices to keep the planet livable for future generations. Unfortunately, commercial interests too often prevail, leaving little room for sustainable solutions in the long term. Large-scale consumption is still rewarded to protect economic interests — and this hinders the urgency for sustainability.

When you say Wijbenga, you say ammonia — for 40 years now. Additionally, over twenty years ago, we played a key role in the successful rise of CO₂ as a refrigerant — a development that has now become indispensable within refrigeration technology and has largely made the use of harmful refrigerants obsolete.

I am proud of the contribution we have made over the past 40 years to the sustainability of refrigeration technology. In the future, we will continue to strive for the best possible solutions — naturally with natural refrigerants as our starting point.