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SINTEF Launched F-MAP Project to Replace F-gases

The international consortium aims to develop an open-source tool to accelerate the transition to natural refrigerants.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Environmental

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a geometric refrigerant valve assembly, evoking a transition to sustainable cooling technology.
SINTEF has launched the EU-funded F-MAP project, an initiative designed to provide open-source tools for transitioning away from climate-harming fluorinated gases. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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SINTEF has officially launched the three-year F-MAP project, which is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme. The initiative seeks to create an open-source modelling tool to help authorities and companies transition away from climate-harming fluorinated gases.

Why it matters

Fluorinated gases contribute significantly to global warming when they leak into the atmosphere. This project aims to provide a standardized, reliable method to compare transition costs and alternative cooling technologies.

The F-MAP consortium consists of 9 partners across 6 countries and is building a tool based on the EnergyModelsX open-source framework. Researchers will harmonize data on current equipment, leakage rates, and market prevalence of F-gases.

The players

SINTEF

This is a large independent research organization based in Norway that focuses on technology and natural science.

European Union

This political and economic union funds the Horizon Europe programme which is providing the financial backing for this research.

The details

The project addresses the challenge of illegal F-gas trade, which accounts for up to 30 percent of some markets. By analyzing installed equipment quantities and usage patterns, the tool will offer stakeholders a clear path to phase out synthetic refrigerants in favor of natural alternatives.

Timeline

  1. SINTEF and NTNU began natural refrigerant research in the late 1980s.

  2. The consortium held a project kickoff meeting on 22 September 2026.

  3. The first version of the F-MAP tool is expected within 18 months.

  4. Europe will ban SF6 gas in electrical switchgear starting in 2031.

  5. Global air-conditioning units are projected to increase 2.5-fold by 2050.

Deeper Dive

This project aligns with the 2031 ban on SF6 gas in European electrical switchgear by providing the industry with the tools needed to facilitate a compliant transition. It marks a shift toward harmonized, open-source methodology for managing the phase-out of high-GWP synthetic gases.

The development of these tools could lead to more affordable and efficient natural refrigerant cooling systems for consumers. This research aims to reduce the long-term environmental costs associated with maintaining current air-conditioning and refrigeration technologies.

The takeaway

As global demand for cooling systems grows, the transition to natural refrigerants becomes a critical component of industrial climate strategy. Industry stakeholders can look toward the upcoming F-MAP tool as a future standard for managing the complex shift away from synthetic F-gases.

What happens next

The consortium expects to release the initial version of the F-MAP modelling tool in approximately 18 months, following the initial data collection and harmonization phase.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest innovations in Environmental research and policy.

Source note: This article includes information reported by SINTEF.

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