A new survey highlights how UK manufacturers are struggling to meet tightening environmental rules while maintaining ageing cooling infrastructure, risking operational disruption and higher costs.
A new survey by Aggreko suggests UK manufacturers are struggling to keep pace with F-Gas compliance while also trying to modernise ageing cooling systems, as tighter environmental rules collide with operational pressure and rising weather-related risk.
The industrial energy specialist said 94% of the 334 plant managers it questioned expected F-Gas rules to have a moderate or major effect on their ability to maintain and upgrade cooling equipment. The respondents all worked at companies with annual turnover of at least £50 million, underscoring the scale of the challenge in larger industrial sites where temperature control is tied closely to output, product quality and resilience.
Aggreko’s Temperature Check report points to several overlapping barriers. Alongside ageing assets and volatile market conditions, manufacturers are also contending with limited internal knowledge of the regulation, uncertainty over suitable replacement technologies and the cost of moving to lower-global-warming-potential refrigerants. The company says these pressures are slowing decisions on equipment replacement at precisely the point when compliance requirements are tightening.
That matters because the UK’s F-gas phasedown is moving into a more demanding phase. Government guidance already restricts the use of certain high-GWP gases in refilling some refrigeration systems, and wider rules cover the use, servicing, labelling and sale of equipment containing fluorinated gases. Under the consultation now under way, the UK is seeking a 98.6% cut in HFC use by 2048 against 2015 levels.
For manufacturers, the practical implication is clear: low-GWP alternatives will become increasingly important for new installations, even if the current proposals do not introduce fresh product bans or immediate changes to leak-checking and recovery rules. As supply tightens over time, businesses that delay upgrades may find the transition harder and more expensive.
Chris Smith, head of temperature control at Aggreko UK, said manufacturers were dealing with a difficult mix of worn-out infrastructure and tougher environmental demands, and argued that site managers need more support to navigate the shift. He said the firm commissioned the report because cooling is often overlooked until it becomes a production risk.
Aggreko also says temporary cooling systems could help firms bridge the gap, allowing them to test different configurations without committing capital upfront and giving them more flexibility around seasonal demand spikes. In an industrial setting where unplanned downtime can quickly hit margins, that kind of staged approach may appeal to operations teams looking to balance compliance with continuity.
The broader message from the survey is that cooling has become a strategic issue for UK manufacturing, not just a maintenance one. With regulatory pressure intensifying and extreme weather adding further strain, manufacturers that can align compliance planning with equipment renewal may be better placed to protect both production and decarbonisation goals.
- https://www.chemicalindustryjournal.co.uk/chemical-manufacturing-struggling-with-f-gas-compliance?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chemical-manufacturing-struggling-with-f-gas-compliance – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.aggreko.com/en-gb/resources/temperature-check-report – Aggreko’s ‘Temperature Check’ report reveals that 94% of UK manufacturers anticipate F-Gas legislation will significantly impact their ability to maintain and upgrade cooling equipment. The study highlights challenges such as ageing infrastructure, volatile market conditions, and the threat of extreme weather. It also discusses the F-Gas phasedown, aiming for a 98.6% reduction in HFC use by 2048 compared to 2015 levels, and the need for manufacturers to transition to low-GWP alternatives to meet these regulations.
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/banned-f-gas-for-refilling-equipment – The UK government provides guidance on banned F-Gases for refilling equipment, specifying that virgin F-Gases with a global warming potential above 2,500 must not be used to refill refrigeration systems containing 40 tonnes or more of CO₂ equivalent. This regulation aims to reduce the environmental impact of high-GWP refrigerants and encourages the adoption of more sustainable alternatives in the industry.
- https://industrialnews.co.uk/cooling-upgrades-stall-as-f-gas-pressure-mounts/ – An article from Industrial News discusses how cooling upgrades in UK manufacturing are stalling due to mounting F-Gas pressure. It highlights findings from Aggreko’s survey, indicating that 94% of UK manufacturers believe F-Gas legislation will moderately or majorly impact their ability to maintain and upgrade cooling equipment. The piece also addresses challenges such as ageing assets, volatile budgets, and the looming compliance shift, making routine replacement decisions more difficult.
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bans-on-f-gas-in-new-equipment – The UK government outlines bans on the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) in new equipment, including refrigeration systems. The bans, introduced by the EU, affect various applications such as refrigerants, insulating foam, air conditioning, and heat pump systems. The guidance provides details on the specific bans, exemptions, and the timeline for implementation, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of high-GWP refrigerants and promote the use of more sustainable alternatives.
- https://www.aggreko.com/en-GB/Resources/Effective-temperature-control-for-manufacturers – Aggreko discusses the challenges manufacturers face in maintaining effective temperature control, including ageing, inefficient equipment, managing higher ambient temperatures, and supply chain disruptions. The article emphasizes the importance of precise temperature control for product quality, process efficiency, and regulatory compliance, and offers solutions to address these challenges, such as upgrading to more efficient equipment and implementing effective temperature management strategies.
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/f-gas-in-refrigeration-air-conditioning-and-fire-protection-systems – The UK government provides guidance for users, producers, and traders of fluorinated gases (F-Gases) in refrigeration, air conditioning, and fire protection systems. The document outlines requirements for producing, importing, exporting, using, servicing, and labelling F-Gas equipment. It also details banned F-Gases and the responsibilities of those working with these substances, aiming to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and promote the use of more sustainable alternatives.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article references Aggreko’s ‘Temperature Check’ report, which is dated 2024. The Chemical Industry Journal article was published on 8 May 2026, indicating recent coverage. However, the content appears to be based on Aggreko’s report, which may have been disseminated earlier. Without access to the original report’s publication date, it’s challenging to confirm the freshness of the information. The Chemical Industry Journal is a niche publication, which may limit the reach and impact of the information. Given these factors, the freshness score is moderate.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article includes a direct quote from Chris Smith, head of temperature control at Aggreko UK. Without access to the original ‘Temperature Check’ report, it’s difficult to verify the authenticity and context of this quote. If the quote is not independently verifiable, it raises concerns about the reliability of the information. The lack of independent verification sources further diminishes the credibility of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The Chemical Industry Journal is a niche publication, which may limit the reach and impact of the information. The article appears to be based on Aggreko’s report, which is a corporate source. Without access to the original report, it’s challenging to assess the accuracy and completeness of the information. The reliance on a single source without independent verification raises concerns about the reliability of the content.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article discusses challenges faced by UK manufacturers in complying with F-Gas regulations, which aligns with known industry concerns. However, without access to the original ‘Temperature Check’ report, it’s difficult to assess the accuracy and completeness of the information. The reliance on a single source without independent verification raises concerns about the plausibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article summarises Aggreko’s ‘Temperature Check’ report, highlighting challenges faced by UK manufacturers in complying with F-Gas regulations. However, the reliance on a single corporate source without independent verification raises significant concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information. The lack of access to the original report further diminishes the ability to assess the credibility of the claims. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a FAIL with MEDIUM confidence.
