Secondary Refrigerants Market (2026 - 2033)

Secondary Refrigerants Market Summary

The global secondary refrigerants market size was valued at USD 873.7 million in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 937.7 million in 2026 to USD 1,466.7 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2026 to 2033. Asia Pacific dominated the market, accounting for a revenue share of 50.9% in 2025. The industry is expected to experience significant growth due to rising demand for energy-efficient cooling systems.

Source: Grand View Research, IR Documents, Primary Interviews, Paid Databases

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Government regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the increasing adoption of sustainable cooling technologies are primary drivers of the market. Secondary refrigerants are liquids that transmit heat from the substance being cooled to the heat exchanger, where the primary refrigerant absorbs the heat. Typically, secondary refrigerants are non-corrosive, non-toxic, incombustible, inexpensive, and chemically stable. They possess several advantageous properties, including high specific heat, excellent heat transfer characteristics, low viscosity, and enhanced safety during use. Additionally, secondary refrigerants help to reduce harmful environmental impacts.

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Secondary refrigerants, such as propylene glycol, calcium chloride brine, and oils, are utilized in various low-temperature applications, including commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, and heat pumps. Chilled water is a secondary refrigerant in high-temperature applications, such as air conditioning. Additionally, these refrigerants help minimize pressure losses in the vapor compression cycle, thereby increasing efficiency. They are widely employed across several end-user industries, including food and beverages, oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and plastics.

Market Dynamics

The secondary refrigerants market is driven by the global transition toward environmentally sustainable cooling technologies and increasing regulatory pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Growing adoption of indirect refrigeration systems across commercial, industrial, and district cooling applications is accelerating the demand for efficient heat transfer fluids with low environmental impact. Rising investments in cold chain infrastructure, food processing facilities, pharmaceuticals, and data centers are further supporting market expansion. Technological advancements have led to the development of high-performance secondary refrigerants offering improved thermal conductivity, corrosion protection, and extended operational life, enhancing system efficiency while reducing maintenance costs. In addition, the increasing integration of heat pumps and energy-efficient HVAC systems in residential and commercial buildings is creating new growth opportunities for manufacturers. However, the market faces challenges related to higher initial installation costs, compatibility concerns with existing refrigeration systems, and fluctuations in raw material prices.

Analyst Perspective

The secondary refrigerants market is increasingly prioritizing energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and operational safety in cooling systems. Demand is being supported by the transition toward low-GWP refrigeration technologies and the expansion of cold chain infrastructure, food processing, and district cooling projects. Glycol-based fluids continue to dominate due to their proven performance, while carbon dioxide-based solutions are gaining traction as sustainable alternatives. Product innovation focused on thermal efficiency, corrosion resistance, and extended service life is strengthening competitive differentiation. Although higher installation costs remain a challenge, long-term regulatory support and investments in sustainable HVAC and refrigeration infrastructure are expected to sustain market expansion.

Product Insights

Based on product, the glycols segment accounted for the highest market share, representing 45.5% of total revenue in 2025. The effectiveness of glycols in providing freeze protection for closed-loop ventilation, refrigeration systems, air conditioning (HVAC), water-based heating, and cooling systems is driving demand in the market.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is increasingly recognized as a sustainable and eco-friendly option in the secondary refrigerant market. It operates efficiently at low temperatures and is non-toxic, making it suitable for various applications, including food preservation and commercial refrigeration. Additionally, compared to many traditional refrigerants, CO2 has a low global warming potential, aligning with environmental regulations and sustainability goals.

End-use Insights

By end use, heat pumps held a dominant position, contributing 47.2% of total revenue in 2025. Heat pumps serve as a key application segment in the secondary refrigerant market by efficiently transferring heat from one area to another, often using a refrigerant to facilitate the process. They can be used for heating and cooling, making them versatile in residential and commercial applications. By leveraging secondary refrigerants, heat pumps enhance energy efficiency and performance while reducing environmental impact.

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Air conditioning represents a significant segment in the market, where secondary refrigerants transfer heat away from the cooling loads. These refrigerants, often water or glycol solutions, facilitate efficient temperature regulation in air conditioning systems, enhancing performance and energy efficiency. Using secondary refrigerants, systems can operate with lower energy costs and reduced environmental impact.

Regional Insights

North America secondary refrigerants market is experiencing growth. The North America region is expected to grow due to a rise in construction activity leading to a rise in demand for air conditioning in the region. The increasing food & beverage industry is also expected to positively impact the demand for products in the market.

U.S. Secondary Refrigerants Market Trends

Thesecondary refrigerants market in the U.S. is driven by a well-established industrial base and advancements in commercial refrigeration, heat pumps, and industrial refrigeration. Strong demand for secondary refrigerants in sectors such as food & beverage, commercial space, and industrial refrigeration support market growth.

Asia Pacific Secondary Refrigerants Market Trends

Asia Pacific dominated the secondary refrigerants market with the highest revenue share of 50.9% in 2025. The growing demand for refrigeration and air conditioning systems in countries like China and India supports this dominance. Additionally, the push for energy-efficient solutions and stricter environmental regulations further boosts the market's growth in this area. The increasing focus on sustainable practices also enhances the adoption of secondary refrigerants in various sectors.

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China accounted for 37.4% of the Asia Pacific secondary refrigerants market in 2025. China secondary refrigerants market is driven by rapid industrialization in metallurgy, chemicals, and food and beverage sectors. These industries rely on secondary refrigerants for processes such as cooling and preservation, further boosting market growth.

Europe Secondary Refrigerants Market Trends

The secondary refrigerants market in Europe is experiencing significant growth and is expected to expand the market substantially during the forecast period. Environmental regulations and government support initiatives drive this rapid growth. Additionally, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit significant growth due to the development of the renewable energy sector and an increasing demand for refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP) and ozone depletion potential (ODP), in line with government initiatives.

Latin America Secondary Refrigerants Market Trends

Thesecondary refrigerants market in Latin America is expected to grow, due to its growing industrial sector and the increasing demand for efficient cooling solutions. The region's focus on sustainable practices and regulatory support for eco-friendly refrigerants further strengthens its position in the global market.

Middle East & Africa Secondary Refrigerants Market Trends

Thesecondary refrigerants market in the Middle East and Africa region is experiencing growth due to the rising demand for energy-efficient cooling solutions and the expansion of the industrial and commercial sectors. Additionally, increasing temperatures and a focus on sustainable practices drive the adoption of secondary refrigerants in various applications, including HVAC systems and food processing.

Key Secondary Refrigerants Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Dow and Linde Plc

• Linde plc is a global leader in industrial gases and engineering, providing high-purity gases, technologies, and solutions across various industries, including commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, energy, and chemicals. Headquartered in the UK, the company operates in over 100 countries, delivering essential gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Linde is also a key player in carbon capture, hydrogen energy, and sustainable industrial solutions. Its advanced engineering division specializes in cryogenic and gas processing technologies. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, Linde continues to drive efficiency and environmental progress in the global industrial sector.

• BASF SE is a chemical manufacturing company with a presence across Asia Pacific, North America, Central & South America, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. The company operates through six business segments, namely chemical, material, industrial solutions, surface technologies, agricultural solutions, and nutrition & care. The chemical segment includes petrochemicals and intermediaries. The material segment comprises performance polymers and monomers. The Industrial Solutions segment includes performance chemicals and dispersions & pigments. The agricultural solution segment includes products for farming, landscape management, and pest control. The nutrition & care segment is further sub-segmented into nutrition & health and care. The company provides a wide range of surfactants for textile, paint & coatings, homecare, and food processing industries.

Key Secondary Refrigerants Companies:

The following key companies have been profiled for this study on the secondary refrigerants market.

• Dow

• BASF SE

• Evonik Industries

• Eastman Chemical Company

• Clariant

• The Lubrizol Corporation

• The Linde Group

• Temper Technology Ab

• A-Gas International

• Tazzetti S.P.A.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Clariant commenced construction of a second production line at its Cangzhou facility in Hebei Province, China, to manufacture the multifunctional additive Nylostab S-EED. This expansion, in partnership with Beijing Tiangang Auxiliary Co., Ltd., aims to meet the increasing demand from China's nylon industry, particularly in the textiles, automotive, and packaging sectors. The first production line, operational since 2021, has reached full capacity and earned a strong reputation for quality. Nylostab S-EED enhances nylon products by improving color stability, heat resistance, and process efficiency.

• In February 2022, Linde announced a long-term agreement with BASF to supply hydrogen and steam to BASF's new hexamethylenediamine (HMD) facility in Chalampé, France. As part of this agreement, Linde will design, build, own, and operate a second hydrogen production plant at the Chalampé chemical park, effectively doubling its existing capacity at the site. The new plant is expected to commence operations in the first half of 2024 and will also serve Linde's local merchant customers, addressing the growing demand for hydrogen in the region.

Global Secondary Refrigerants Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global secondary refrigerants market report on the basis of product, end-use, and region.

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• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Glycols

  • Salt Brines

  • Carbon Dioxide

  • Other Products

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Commercial Refrigeration

  • Industrial Refrigeration

  • Heat Pumps

  • Air Conditioning

  • Other End Use

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • North America 

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

Research Methodology

The secondary refrigerants market figures in this report are based on a proven research process that combines executive interviews with secondary research from proprietary databases, company filings, and recognized regulatory and institutional sources. Market size is built through value-chain sizing - reconciling supply-side and demand-side estimates - and triangulated with bottom-up and top-down approaches. Every estimate passes multiple levels of expert validation before publication, with each secondary refrigerants segment quantified using the revenue-capture definitions in the table below.

Delivered Customizations

This report has been delivered with the following In-depth customizations