Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems (HIES) is taking on invisible greenhouse gases—hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
We provide air compressor systems and peripheral equipment, including refrigerated air dryers that use refrigerants to remove moisture from compressed air.
For the first time in the industry*¹ we have introduced a new system to recover and reuse refrigerants used in these refrigerated air dryers. This initiative aims to reduce environmental impact throughout the entire product lifecycle and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
It embodies Reuse, one of the key principles of our 5R—Remanufacture, Rebuild, Repair, Reuse, and Recycle—by maximizing the use of limited resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
From CFCs to HFCs — A Shift in Regulation and a New Challenge
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were once widely used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and industrial
equipment. Known for their stability and ease of handling, they were once hailed as “miracle chemicals.” However, they were later found to deplete the ozone layer, leading to their gradual phase-out under the Montreal Protocol in 1987.
Their replacements, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), do not harm the ozone layer—but they have an extremely high global warming potential (GWP). For example, HFC-R407C has a GWP of about 1,620, and HFC-R410A about 1,920—hundreds to thousands of times greater than CO₂.
Although invisible, these gases accelerate global warming when released through leakage or disposal. Recognizing this, the Kigali Amendment of 2016 added HFCs to the list of regulated greenhouse gases, marking a global shift from protecting the ozone layer to mitigating climate change.
HIES’s Initiative — Realizing Refrigerant Circularity
Against this backdrop, Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems has become the first in the air compressor industry to establish a circular system for recovering,reclaiming, and reusing refrigerants.
Traditionally, refrigerants were destroyed during disposal and replaced with newly manufactured ones—both processes generating significant CO₂ emissions.
Under the new system, refrigerants are collected from aged refrigerated air dryers within air compressor systems and purified by specialized partners to high purity.
By reusing the reclaimed refrigerant, both disposal and new production become unnecessary.
This circular model reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 86% compared to conventional destruction and production processes.
It is estimated to reduce emissions by about 19 tons of CO₂ equivalent annually, equivalent to the amount absorbed by approximately 1,360mature cedar trees in a year.
Building an Ecosystem Through Collaboration
This achievement was made possible through close collaboration with specialized partners responsible for recovery and reclamation.
Collected refrigerants are refined through advanced reclamation facilities, reborn as resources that can be safely reused.
This partnership marks the beginning of a “circular ecosystem” within the air compressor industry—one where resources are continuously utilized rather than discarded.
Position Within the 5R
This refrigerant reuse initiative represents Reuse, one of the five pillars of HIES’s 5R.
By addressing an “invisible emission source” like refrigerants, HIES demonstrates that the 5R approach is not just a concept, but a tangible, actionable framework.
Beyond refrigerants, we also contributes to a circular economy by disassembling and remanufacturing air compressors and rebuilding major components to meet the same high standards as brand new units. This reduces the number of newly manufactured parts, ensures stable supply to customers, and supports the realization of a resource-efficient society.
Looking Ahead
Refrigerant reuse is more than an environmental measure—it is an infrastructure model that underpins a circular society.
Air compressors play a vital role as the driving force behind manufacturing and many other industries, meaning that reducing emissions in this field has a broad ripple effect across society.
We will continue expanding this circular model of refrigerant reuse, extending it to other product categories and regions.
Amid the global movement toward net zero, this initiative aims to become a pioneering model from Japan that drives change across industries.
Conclusion
As a company that supports industry, this refrigerant reuse initiative is just one example of how HIES advances its 5R.
We will continue to create environmental value across the entire product lifecycle and open pathways to a more sustainable future.
This effort is also a step forward for the generations to come—an invitation to face invisible challenges together and pass on a better society to the next.
*1 Source: Internal survey by Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems on Japan’s air compressor industry (JSIM member companies).
