Sahawatthanakit (1988) Co., Ltd.
SAHAWATTHANAKIT(1988) · Make It Smart
Natural refrigerant comparison

R-290 vs R-600a vs R-744Natural refrigerants — future-proof for Kigali

3 natural refrigerants replacing HFCs — propane / isobutane / CO₂. GWP ≤ 3 vs R-32 (675) + R-410A (2088). Choose by application + safety class + capex

Calculate retrofit energy costRefrigerants we sell

This is a knowledge page — we do not sell R-290, R-600a or R-744 (CO₂).

Refrigerants we sell

In short — choose by application

The Kigali Amendment requires Thailand to cut HFCs -10% by 2029 + -50% by 2045 — natural refrigerants are the path with no further phase-out

Commercial AC/chiller

R-290 Propane

  • GWP = 3 — future-proof against the Kigali HFC phase-down
  • High COP — lower electricity vs R-32 (3-5%) + R-410A (8-12%)
  • A3 flammable — requires hermetic sealing + a ventilated room
  • Charge limit 150g per room per IEC 60335-2-40
Best for

Commercial chiller, heat pump, light commercial AC

Household fridge default

R-600a Isobutane

  • 95% of household refrigerators worldwide run R-600a (since 2015)
  • Low charge ≤ 57g per system — safe in a hermetic circuit
  • Lower capex than R-290 + low pressure → durable compressors
  • Used in small commercial cabinets (mini bars, display chillers)
Best for

Household + small commercial fridge / freezer

Supermarket + deep-freeze

R-744 CO₂

  • A1 non-flammable — no explosion risk + safe in any location
  • Transcritical 90-120 bar — needs high-pressure compressors + piping
  • Sweet spot: deep-freeze (-40°C) + supermarket chiller chains
  • Highest capex but low OPEX (high COP + CO₂ costs 10-20% of HFC)
Best for

Supermarket, deep-freeze, cold-climate heat pump

12-row comparison table

ItemR-290R-600aR-744
Common namePropane (C₃H₈)Isobutane (C₄H₁₀)Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
GWP (IPCC AR4, 100-yr)331
ODP000
Safety class (ASHRAE 34)A3 (highly flammable)A3 (highly flammable)A1 (non-toxic, non-flammable)
Critical temperature (°C)96.7134.731.0 (transcritical)
Operating pressure (bar)8-151-660-120 (transcritical)
Charge limit per IEC 60335-2-40≤ 150g (small room)≤ 57gUnlimited (A1)
Main applicationCommercial chiller, heat pump, ACHousehold fridge (95% worldwide)Supermarket, deep-freeze, heat pump
Suitable systemHermetic sealed, no field brazingHermetic sealed onlyTranscritical CO₂ + ejector
Capex vs HFC baseline+20-35%+15-25%+30-50%
Service technician specBS EN 13313 spark-proof trainingBS EN 13313 spark-proof trainingHigh-pressure cylinder + leak detection
Thai complianceHazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535 + UN 1978Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535 + UN 1969UN 1013 + pressure vessel cert

Specs per EN 378-1 + IEC 60335-2-89 + ASHRAE 15 (May 2026). The Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535 requires a permit before import. Send your application + charge size for actual pricing

We do not sell natural refrigerants

This page is for reference. The refrigerants we sell are on our refrigerant page — by grade, with pack sizes and MSDS/COA for every lot.

Calculate retrofitRefrigerants we sell
Related comparisons

Decide with confidence — compare from several angles

Read the related comparison tables — full specs, real prices, and a recommendation for each use.

HFC vs HFO Refrigerant Transition

Kigali phase-down + ESG roadmap

R-32 vs R-410A vs R-22

Refrigerants — which fits the job

Recovery vs Recycle vs Reclaim Refrigerant

Handling used refrigerant — choose by EPA rules + cost

FAQ

Common Questions

Q1.How do natural refrigerants differ from HFC/HFO?+
**Natural refrigerants** = substances found in nature — propane (R-290), isobutane (R-600a), CO₂ (R-744), ammonia (R-717), not synthetic. Near-zero GWP (R-290=3, R-600a=3, R-744=1) vs R-32 (675), R-410A (2088). **Kigali Amendment phases out HFC** → naturals are future-proof.
Q2.R-290/R-600a are Class A3 flammable — are they safe?+
A3 = highly flammable (IEC 60335-2-89 / EN 378-1). LFL 1.7-1.8% air. Safe when: • **Charge limit:** small room ≤ 150g (R-290) / 57g (R-600a) per IEC 60335-2-40 • **Hermetic sealed system** — no field-brazed joints • **Spark-proof tools** during service **Used in:** household fridges (95% R-600a worldwide), commercial chillers, heat pumps.
Q3.What is CO₂ transcritical and where is it used?+
R-744 (CO₂) runs transcritical (above 31°C critical point). Pressure 90-120 bar (vs HFC 20-30) requires high-pressure compressor + piping. **Sweet spot:** commercial deep refrigeration (-40°C), supermarket chillers, cold-climate heat pumps. **Standards:** EN 378-1, ASHRAE 15. Capex 30-50% higher than HFC but OPEX lower (high COP + cheap CO₂ at 10-20% of HFC).
Q4.Does Sahawatthanakit sell natural refrigerants (R-290 / R-600a / R-744)?+
No — the 15 refrigerant grades we carry are R32 · R410a · R22 · R417a · R404a · R407c · R449A · R452A · R134a · R1234yf · R513A · R454B · R454C · R123 · R23; see Refrigerants (/en/refrigerant)
Q5.Why does the Thai market still favor HFC?+
Reasons: 1. **Cost** — natural refrigerant equipment capex +20-40% 2. **Service** — spark-proof R-290 technicians (BS EN 13313 trained) are scarce 3. **Standards lag** — Thai EIT/IIET have not issued full natural-refrigerant code 4. **Regulation** — Department of Industrial Works safety-distance rules unclear **Changing** — supermarket chains (Big C, Lotus's) began R-744 pilots 2024-2025. Prices expected to drop 15-20% over 3-5 years.
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