NASRC, ASHRAE Partner to Accelerate Natural Refrigerant Adoption
Key Highlights
- The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of natural refrigerants through joint research, education, and outreach efforts.
- Workforce development is a key focus, with plans for online training, certifications, seminars, and workshops to prepare technicians and industry professionals.
- The collaboration seeks to enhance system performance, safety, and technical guidance across the refrigeration ecosystem.
MILL VALLEY, California — The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) announced it has entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ASHRAE. The agreement outlines a three-year collaboration focused on research, knowledge sharing, workforce development and advanced education to accelerate natural refrigerant adoption.
“This partnership strengthens the connection between technical standards, real-world industry experience and workforce needs,” said Danielle Wright, NASRC executive director. “By aligning research, education and outreach, NASRC and ASHRAE can provide the resources stakeholders need to navigate the transition to sustainable refrigerants confidently.”
Together, the organizations aim to advance practical, field-informed solutions that enhance system performance, strengthen technical guidance and expand adoption of sustainable refrigerant technologies. The collaboration combines ASHRAE’s global leadership in research, standards, publishing and continuing education with NASRC’s deep industry engagement and network spanning more than 55,000 food retail locations.
“ASHRAE is committed to helping the refrigeration industry transition to lower global warming potential refrigerant options while maintaining safety for building occupants and service technicians,” said 2025-26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “The partnership with NASRC will provide an opportunity to leverage our knowledge and global reach to co-develop and deliver training materials that provide technicians with the skills to safely use low global warming refrigerant options.”
Workforce development is a central focus of the partnership. The MOU calls for joint exploration of online training modules, certification programs, seminars and workshops to expand access to hands-on training and strengthen career pathways. These efforts aim to prepare the next generation of refrigeration professionals to work with natural refrigerant systems.
“This partnership is positioned to deliver meaningful benefits across the refrigeration ecosystem—from engineers and contractors to retailers, educators and policymakers,” Wright added.