The Future of Refrigeration: AIM Act & Natural Refrigerants with Hussmann

Matt di Cicco, a sales manager with Hussmann took the time to present at the 4/2/2026 club meeting. Hussmann is a company that designs and manufactures commercial refrigeration systems and display cases primarily used by supermarkets, convenience stores, and food retailers.

The Federal AIM Act is resulting in the largest change in the refrigeration industry since the advent of mechanical refrigeration itself. The next 10 years will see wholesale change from manufacturers, technicians, and end-users due to the AIM regulation. While the law accommodates for the operation of older systems in perpetuity, AIM effectively reduces supply and increases costs of these older HFC refrigerants. A technology
transition requirement within the law eliminates the types of HFC-based compressor systems that may be built. Together, different components of the law move the industry toward low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and systems.

Refrigeration end-users are fatigued from decades of retrofitting HFO and HFC refrigerants in their systems with each regulation change. The answer to future-proofing a refrigeration purchasing strategy is natural refrigerants. R-290 Propane and R-744 CO2 are the two lowest GWP refrigerants available today, and their use, and applications, are now expanding dramatically. Less than 5% of the refrigeration end uses in the US are currently utilizing natural refrigerants, and there will be a growing demand for qualified engineers and technicians to support this transition. Recession and AI-proof career opportunities exist in the natural refrigerant space for the next generation that will implement the change.

If any students are interested in the expanding refrigeration industry, Hussmann and a selection of other companies encourage attending the FREE, NASRC student training and career development event, April 17th 2026.