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Around $5 million will be made available to accelerate the replacement of existing refrigeration systems with lower-climate-impact solutions. This is the budget for a new funding programme launched by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the environmental agency of the State of Minnesota, aimed at supporting the adoption of natural refrigerants in the food sector.
The programme is primarily intended for food retailers, cold storage warehouses and food assistance programmes, with the aim of encouraging the replacement of equipment using refrigerants with a high global warming potential (GWP).
Grants of Up to $750,000
The programme provides funding of up to $500,000 or $750,000, depending on the type of beneficiary and the characteristics of the project. Applicants are required to provide a 50% cash match.
The funding is intended to support system upgrades and encourage the adoption of technologies using natural refrigerants. Eligible solutions include centralised refrigeration systems and remote condensing units, provided they meet the programme requirements and replace existing systems based on high-GWP refrigerants.
CO₂, Ammonia and Propane at the Heart of the Transition
The programme promotes the use of three natural refrigerants: carbon dioxide (CO₂, R744), ammonia (R717) and propane (R290).
The choice of these substances is part of the broader effort to reduce the climate impact of commercial and industrial refrigeration. Their global warming potential is very low compared with that of many synthetic refrigerants traditionally used in refrigeration systems.
Eligible technologies can be applied across various stages of the food supply chain, from product preservation in retail outlets to storage in cold warehouses. The programme therefore aims to support investments that combine technological upgrades to refrigeration systems with reductions in emissions associated with refrigerant use.
Applications Open Until 27 May 2027
Applications will be accepted until the available funds are exhausted or until 27 May 2027, at 4:00 p.m. local time, whichever comes first.
The availability of funding and the eligibility conditions make the programme an opportunity for operators looking to plan the replacement of existing refrigeration systems and invest in solutions based on natural refrigerants.
Potential applicants should therefore check the eligibility requirements, the funding cap applicable to their project type and the matching-fund arrangements specified in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s programme.
Discussions on the future of refrigeration are also part of a calendar of events dedicated to innovation and industry development. Topics including industrial and commercial refrigeration, cold-chain logistics, freezing and cryogenics will also be explored at REFRIGERA, the international event dedicated to the sector, taking place at Bologna Exhibition Center from 10 to 12 November 2027.
For further information: www.refrigera.show
