Secondary Refrigerants Market Report

Global Secondary Refrigerants Market Size

The global secondary refrigerants market size was valued at USD 685.87 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1,643.91 million by 2034 from USD 755.83 million in 2026, growing at a CAGR of 10.2%.

Secondary refrigerants are usually liquids that transport heat from the substance being cooled to a heat exchanger where the heat is absorbed by a primary refrigerant. These transport Thermal Energy from one point to another. These are used in air conditioning systems where they do not undergo any phase change because they transport energy from one place to another. Secondary refrigerants are also called heat transfer fluids. These must be environmentally friendly and chilled water is generally used as a secondary refrigerant in air conditioners. The call for natural refrigerants has lightly escalated the industry for secondary refrigerants. Secondary refrigerants help reduce primary coolants harmful to the environment. They are relatively non-toxic and non-combustible, which makes them safer to adopt. Unlike primary refrigerants, they do not undergo any phase modifications. Secondary refrigerants offer several advantages, for example, they help minimize pressure losses in the steam compression cycle, increasing efficiency. Secondary coolants also control the intermittent increase in thermal loads by providing the retention effect.

MARKET OVERVIEW

The growth of the manufacturing sector and industrialization should stimulate the market for secondary refrigerants. The rise in the call for air conditioning and the oil and gas industry supports the demand for secondary refrigerants. Pharmaceutical and healthcare factories use these refrigerants to maintain the process temperature of their ovens and equipment, thereby stimulating the market. The desire for natural, less toxic coolants is also an important factor in driving the market growth. A lower environmental impact and phasing out of HCFC and HFC refrigerants are also expected to stimulate the market. The fact that it is relatively expensive compared to the direct cooling system is a limiting cause for the market. High energy efficiency, non-toxicity, and flammability have helped increase the demand for these refrigerants over time. Marketing and the expansion of the manufacturing sector are also contributing to market growth. Strengthening cold chain infrastructure and government initiatives should contribute to market growth.

The glycol sub-segment is foreseen to record the most substantial share across the globe. Increasing consumer awareness of carbon emissions and the harmful effects associated with the use of chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbons increases the demand for alternatives, increasing the demand for secondary refrigerants. The need for environmentally friendly and less toxic refrigerants is one of the main factors expected to drive growth in the global secondary refrigerants market over the forecast period. The global secondary refrigerants market is supposed to experience strong growth in the coming years due to the rising call for these refrigerants due to stringent environmental standards and the increasing need to reduce the primary refrigerant charge. The high investment in the initial stage is identified as the main challenge in the secondary refrigerants market. For example, supermarkets use carbon dioxide as a refrigerant due to their high energy efficiency. However, the expenses related to installation may be higher because of the emissions of carbon dioxide.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

By Type Insights

The glycol-type segment is expected to lead the secondary refrigerants market in the future in value terms. This can be attributed to the ability of glycols to provide frost protection for closed-circuit refrigeration systems, water-based heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and cooling systems. They help lower the freezing point of water.

By Application Insights

The industrial refrigeration applications segment is expected to lead the secondary refrigerant market in 2020. This can be attributed to the adoption of greener refrigerants and the need to reduce carbon emissions in developed and developing countries.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Europe is estimated to be the largest secondary refrigerants market in 2024 in terms of value and volume. This market in Europe is expected to experience the highest growth during the forecast period. The secondary refrigerants market in Europe is foreseen to develop because of environmental concerns and government support initiatives. The regional market is driven by the increasing need for secondary refrigerants from food processing, dairy and ice cream, and others. Europe is predicted to lead the worldwide secondary refrigerants market owing to well-advanced industrialization and advanced solar power industries that target energy requirements. The glycol sector is predicted to have the biggest industry share as glycol offers freeze protection for closed-loop systems.

APAC is expected to post significant growth due to the development of the renewable energy sector and the growing demand for low PCA and PAO refrigerants, in line with government initiatives. North America is expected to experience stable growth in the end-user sector. The Asia-Pacific secondary refrigerants market is supposed to grow at a rapid rate during the outlook period due to the region's rapid industrialization. The secondary market for refrigerants in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa is estimated to rise at a slow rate throughout the foreseen period.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS

The major key players in the Global Secondary Refrigerants Market are The Linde Group (Germany), A-Gas International (UK), TAZZETTI S.P.A (Italy), The Dow Chemical Company (US), Eastman Chemical Company (US), Clariant AG (Switzerland), Arteco Coolants (Belgium), Temper Technology AB (Sweden), SRS Frigadon (UK), Hydratech (UK), Dynalene (US), Environmental Process Systems (UK), Gas Servei SA (Spain), Climalife Groupe Dehon (France), Nisso Shoji Co. Ltd. (Japan), and others.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET

Indirect cooling systems or secondary cooling releases by Arteco. The main dissimilarity between direct cooling and indirect cooling lies in the physical separation between the primary circuit and the secondary system.

MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report on the global secondary refrigerants market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on type, application, and region.

By Type

• Glycols
• Salt brines
• Carbon dioxide
• Others

By Application

• Commercial refrigeration
• Industrial refrigeration
• Heat pumps
• Air conditioning
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa