Expanding Eco-Friendly Environmental Test Chamber Lineup with CO2 Refrigerant 'R-744' to Comply with European Regulations: 8 Models Launched for European Market

Especk Corporation (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka City; President and CEO: Tomo Arata) has launched eight new environmental test chamber models for the European market, featuring the natural refrigerant 'R-744' (CO2) to comply with European environmental regulations. The lineup includes four models from the Platinum J Series of low-temperature temperature (humidity) chambers and four rapid temperature change models from the AR Series of high-power temperature (humidity) chambers—both recognized as global standard models.

The European Union (EU) has strengthened its F-gas regulations※1 as part of efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, mandating a transition to refrigerants with lower environmental impact. For environmental test chambers, the use of refrigerants with a GWP (Global Warming Potential)※2 value of 150 or less is now required.

The eight newly launched models come standard with CO2 refrigerant 'R-744', a natural refrigerant with an extremely low GWP value of '1'. This represents a significant reduction compared to conventional models using R-449A (GWP value: 1,397). Despite minimizing environmental impact, these new models maintain temperature and humidity control performance equivalent to previous models, enabling compliance with various international testing standards as before.

Under its mid-term management plan 'PROGRESSIVE PLUS 2027' (2025–2027), the company has positioned the European market as a key region for capturing demand in advanced technology sectors. Especk will continue to expand its product lineup, including environmentally conscious products, aiming for sustained growth in the European market.

※1 F-gas Regulation: EU rules restricting the phasedown of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and the sale of equipment containing F-gases.

※2 GWP (Global Warming Potential): A metric indicating the global warming impact of greenhouse gases relative to carbon dioxide. A lower value indicates less environmental impact.

Platinum J Series Low-Temperature Temperature (Humidity) Chambers AR Series High-Power Temperature (Humidity) Chambers – Rapid Temperature Change Type

<Model Types and Series>

Low-Temperature Temperature (Humidity) Chamber: Platinum J Series

High-Power Temperature (Humidity) Chamber: AR Series – Rapid Temperature Change Type

*Compliant with IEC 60068-3-5

<Key Product Features>

1. Standard-equipped with CO2 refrigerant 'R-744' to comply with EU F-gas regulations

Equipped with CO2 refrigerant 'R-744', a natural refrigerant with an extremely low GWP value of '1', ensuring compliance with the increasingly stringent EU F-gas regulations. This significantly reduces environmental impact caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Compliant with global testing standards

Achieves temperature and humidity control performance equivalent to conventional models, despite using CO2 refrigerant.

Complies with international testing standards such as temperature-humidity cycling tests per IEC 60068-2-30 and 2-38, and temperature change tests per IEC 60068-2-14Nb.

3. Compliant with international safety standards

Meets mechanical safety and EMC safety standards, and is compliant with RoHS and Pressure Equipment Directives.

ISO 12100: Safety of machinery

IEC 60204-1: Electrical equipment of machines

IEC 61000-6-2, IEC 61000-6-4, EN 55011: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)