Tokyo Tatemono moves to recycle air con refrigerants across its properties

Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd. announced a new policy last month to recover and recycle air conditioning refrigerants across its long-term property holdings. The new policy covers office buildings, residential properties, hotels, and logistics facilities, aimed at mitigating supply risks caused by international regulations and contribute to a circular economy.

International fluorocarbon regulations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol are tightening. These regulations gradually restrict the manufacture and import of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Tokyo Tatemono identified that the supply of newly manufactured refrigerants, particularly R410A which is currently mainstream in office buildings, may become insufficient. The company views the recycling of recovered refrigerants as essential for maintaining stable social infrastructure and ensuring the continued operation of air conditioning systems.

Resource protection and economic security are also major conisderations. The primary raw material for refrigerants is fluorite, and it is a finite resource with a supply chain concentrated in specific regions. Tokyo Tatemono intends to reduce geopolitical risks and supply instability by promoting the internal circulation of these materials. The company will ensure that all recovery and regeneration processes comply with legal standards to maintain the quality of the recycled refrigerants.

Tokyo Tatemono estimates that if all refrigerants are recovered and recycled from 18 of its major office buildings, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will reach approximately 35.04 tonnes of CO2, which has a major environmental impact. The developer also plans to consider the active use of recycled refrigerants when refilling or charging equipment in the future.