[jeff5may]

The refrigeration industry has been having a very hard time in the last few decades. The patents have run out on the current batch of gases and the profit margin has dropped. Considering the gwp issue, along with flammable gas concerns, there are not many viable options. R-410a was a stretch back when it got vetted.

In Europe and Asia, the powers that be have decided that stuff like propane and butane is ok for small appliances. The commercial market is especially all in on building refrigerator and freezer units that are filled with hydrocarbon refrigerant. The supermarket industry is leaning on the government to increase the limit on the refrigerant charge, so they can run the freezer aisle and back of house coolers with natural refrigerant.