REFRIGERANTS
Disrupting commercial cooling
As the refrigeration sector responds to shifting regulations, rising energy costs and ambitious decarbonisation goals, one refrigerant is quietly disrupting the process cooling landscape. Here, James Graham, Sales Director at Bitzer UK, explains more about how ammonia can be an effi cient and sustainable option for commercial cooling in the form of the AMChill ultra-low-charge ammonia chiller.
James Graham L
ong relied upon in industrial settings, ammonia is now being applied in a new generation of compact, energy-effi cient systems that are
reshaping how manufacturers, pharmaceutical fi rms and processors approach their cooling needs. Ammonia (NH₃) is a natural refrigerant with
zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) and one of the lowest Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) ratings of any refrigerant. It’s highly effi cient, which results in lower energy consumption and reduced emissions. Regulatory shifts are also accelerating this
transition. The revised EU F-Gas Regulation and the global Kigali Amendment are reducing the availability and use of high-GWP synthetic refrigerants. Meanwhile, concerns are growing over the potential PFAS classifi cation of some hydrofl uoroolefi ns (HFOs), adding further complexity for operators relying on fl uorinated gases. In response, industries such as HVAC, pharmaceuticals, food production, plastics manufacturing and extensive cold storage facilities are adopting natural refrigerants, such as ammonia, as a long- term solution that supports both compliance and sustainability objectives. Innovations in system design and manufacturing
are driving wider adoption. Modular ammonia systems, built under factory-controlled conditions, now off er enhanced safety, installation simplicity and digital integration. These features are enabling facility managers to meet cooling demands while supporting long-term environmental goals. Developed by KGM Refrigeration with support
from Bitzer UK, the AMChill ultra-low-charge ammonia chiller is built around Bitzer’s open- drive W-series compressors, which have been
22 September 2025 •
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optimised specifi cally for ammonia’s thermodynamic properties.
The AMChill’s design removes the need for
a fl ooded evaporator, allowing it to operate on a signifi cantly reduced refrigerant charge. For example, a 150kW AMChill system requires only 10kg of ammonia, compared to 40kg in traditional setups. This charge is expected to fall even further in future iterations.
“Our goal with AMChill was to create an ammonia system that combines technical excellence with real- world practicality,” said Amar Marwaha, Engineering Director at KGM Refrigeration. “By reducing the charge and simplifying the installation footprint, we’re making ammonia a more accessible and compelling option for modern cooling applications.” The AMChill package is compact – less than the size of two pallets. It is designed for rooftop mounting and can be transported via a standard lift. This format eliminates the need for plant room space or heavy lifting equipment, reducing installation time and site disruption. Safety is reinforced through ATEX-rated leak detection with automatic system shutdown and enclosure ventilation.
High performance in pharmaceutical production The AMChill is already delivering high performance. A pilot project at Sterling Pharma Solutions’ manufacturing facility in Cramlington, near Newcastle, demonstrated its capabilities under highly variable load conditions. The chiller, operating continuously for more than fi ve thousand hours, provided supplementary process cooling alongside existing plant infrastructure.
Sterling’s Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety, Brian Peutherer, said, “Refrigeration is a key part of our environmental roadmap. With zero GWP and excellent effi ciency, ammonia systems are sustainable and resilient. The AMChill also minimises potential risks through its low-charge, packaged format and rooftop design.”
The success of this initial installation has led Sterling to adopt additional AMChill units at the site in the UK. Central to the AMChill’s performance is its use of a variable-speed drive paired with a high-effi ciency IE5 synchronous reluctance motor, which is thought to be one of the fi rst refrigeration applications of its kind in the UK. This confi guration allows the compressor to modulate speed and precisely match output to load, resulting in higher effi ciency under part-load conditions. At a standard duty point, 150kW output, +12°C/+6°C evaporator, +30°C/+35°C condenser, the AMChill delivers a Coeffi cient of Performance (COP) of 5.43, compared to 4.95 for a comparable unit running on synthetic refrigerant R-513A. With an expected working life in the region of 20–25 years, combined with lower energy use and reduced maintenance requirements, the AMChill off ers a lower total cost of ownership compared to other chillers. For installers, the chiller’s packaged format, minimal pipework and quick-connect water and electrical interfaces simplify commissioning. Ammonia is a technically mature refrigerant with well-understood properties, capable of delivering reliable, effi cient cooling in a wide range of applications. Its distinct smell enables rapid leak detection at safe concentrations, and it naturally disperses upward in the event of a leak,
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