What to Do with a Chiller: Scrap or Sell? Certified Refrigerant Disposal

Each year, over 150,000 industrial chillers are decommissioned across Europe. Many companies scrap these units without considering the environmental impact:

• Release of greenhouse gases (refrigerants)

• Soil and water contamination by oils

• Toxic waste from electronics and plastics

• Loss of valuable resources (energy, materials, production input)

Legal Context:

European legislation (EU Regulation No. 517/2014 and WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU) mandates strict disposal procedures.

Why Uncontrolled Disposal Is Dangerous:

An industrial chiller is not just “a box filled with refrigerant.” It’s a complex system that includes:

• Refrigerants (typically R410A, R407C, R134a, R32, etc.)

• Compressor oils (mineral, synthetic, PAO, etc.)

• Copper and aluminum heat exchangers

• Steel and non-ferrous metals

• Insulating materials (polyurethane foam, polystyrene)

• Electronic components (PCBs, sensors, wiring, power modules)

• Plastics

Each of these components presents unique environmental risks when improperly discarded.

Key Environmental Risks

1. Refrigerant — the Invisible Threat
The primary greenhouse gas hazard comes from refrigerants.
Global Warming Potential (GWP):

Practical example:
1 kg of leaked R410A = 2088 kg of CO₂ released into the atmosphere — equivalent to driving a diesel car for ~15,000 km.
Improper refrigerant removal guarantees release into the environment.

2. Oils — Soil and Water Contaminants
Compressor oils — even “biodegradable” ones — can:

• Disrupt water oxygen balance

• Harm microbial ecosystems

• Persist in the environment for 5–15 years

Regulations (WEEE Directive & EC Regulation 1013/2006) require complete extraction and certified disposal by licensed operators.

3. Electronics and Insulation
Control boards and power modules contain:

• Lead

• Cadmium

• Brominated flame retardants

• Mercury-based components

Insulating materials release fine plastic particulates during incineration or degradation.
Burning 1 ton of plastic insulation = 2+ tons of CO₂ + toxic gases.

4. Resource Waste
Each chiller represents major manufacturing input:

• Electricity for metal processing

• Heat exchanger fabrication

• Complex electronics production

According to the IIAR (International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration), a new chiller (~350–500 kW) emits up to 20–25 tons CO₂-eq. during production.
Refurbishment saves up to 80–90% of those inputs.

Conclusion (Midpoint):

Scrapping a chiller without proper disposal:

• Releases CO₂ via refrigerants

• Contaminates soil and water via oils

• Leaves toxic electronic and plastic residues

• Wastes decades of industrial effort and resources

How EVROPROM Handles Refrigerant Disposal:

We strictly follow European regulations.
Before disposal or dismantling:

• All refrigerant is extracted using specialized recovery systems

• Gas is collected in certified cylinders

• System pressure is checked to confirm full removal

The refrigerant is then transferred to a licensed facility for:

• Recovery and reuse (if possible), or

• Thermal plasma destruction

We provide an official refrigerant disposal certificate upon request — suitable for internal audits or compliance with ISO 14001 or CSR reporting.

Why Proper Disposal Matters:

Neglecting refrigerant recovery can result in:

• Fines up to €200,000 in some EU countries (e.g., Germany, Netherlands)

• Violation of environmental standards

• Significant climate impact

Proper Disposal — Step-by-Step:

1. Refrigerant Extraction:

   • Use of dedicated recovery units

   • Certificate required for reporting

2. Oil Removal and Handover:

   • Draining oils for licensed processing

   • Separate documentation needed

3. Dismantling and Material Sorting:

   • Manual disassembly of heat exchangers, compressors, condensers

   • Separate disposal streams for metals, plastics, electronics

4. Documentation and Decommissioning Records:

   • Full audit trail for environmental compliance

   • Certificates and protocols for each stage

Proper disposal is complex, resource-intensive, and often costly.

The Alternative: Sell Your Chiller
Instead of bearing disposal costs, you can sell your chiller.

Benefits for Your Business:

• No removal or disposal expenses

• Recover part of your investment

• Environmentally responsible reuse

• Fast, simple transaction with full documentation

Why Sell to EVROPROM?

EVROPROM is Europe’s largest refurbishment and resale center for used and outlet chillers.

✔️ Professional Evaluation
Based on condition, specs, and configuration.

✔️ Certified Refrigerant Disposal
We handle all required paperwork for non-restorable units.

✔️ Quick Dismantling & Pickup
Turnkey logistics by our team.

✔️ Financial Efficiency
Transparent terms, prompt payment.

✔️ Documentation Support
Full set of documents for accounting and compliance.

How to Sell Your Chiller to EVROPROM — 4 Simple Steps:

1. Contact Us
   Share basic unit info: model, brand, year, condition

2. Receive Preliminary Quote
   Fast market valuation from our team

3. Confirm the Terms
   We align on all logistics and paperwork

4. Dismantling & Transport
   We handle everything, professionally and quickly

EVROPROM helps businesses make smart decisions.
Selling your chiller is not only a smart financial move — it’s also an environmentally responsible one.

evroprom.purchasing@evroprom.com

Author of the article:

Iryna Bilokon, Head of Procurement Department

June 18, 2025