Written by the Refrigeration Team, specialists in refrigerant gases and European F-Gas compliance. Last updated: 18 July 2026.
R404A prices rose 9% in late 2025, reaching €446 to €499 per 10-kilogram cylinder across EU markets (Alvadi, Friogaz, 2025). The increase marks a turning point: from 1 January 2026, the EU bans placing any fluorinated gas with a GWP above 2,500 on the market, including virgin R404A.
Key Takeaways
What Is the Current Price of R404A in 2026?
R404A prices across the EU currently range between €446 and €499 for a 10-kilogram cylinder, depending on whether you buy reclaimed or virgin gas (Alvadi, 2026; Friogaz, 2026). For larger volumes, distributors offer 30 and 50-kilogram cylinders with tiered pricing.
In Q4 2025, distributors and service companies recorded a 9% increase in the price of reclaimed and regenerated R404A compared with previous quarters (Cooling Post, 2025). That rise contrasts with stable pricing for low-GWP refrigerants such as R-290 (propane) and R-744 (CO2), whose rates have not moved.
Citation capsule: According to 2026 price surveys from major European distributors, R404A averages €446 for a reclaimed 10-kilogram cylinder, versus €499 for virgin gas, reflecting a 9% increase in late 2025 (Alvadi, Friogaz, Cooling Post, 2025-2026).
How Does F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 Affect R404A From 2026?
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated gases, applicable since 11 March 2024, introduces a major restriction from 1 January 2026: manufacturers and importers can no longer place fluorinated gases with a GWP above 2,500 on the market, whether virgin or recycled (European Commission, 2024). R404A, with a GWP of 3,922, falls into this banned category. The restriction applies to placing on the market, not to using equipment that is already installed.
Existing installations running on R404A can keep operating, and recovered and reclaimed gas can still be used to service and recharge existing systems. Even so, from 2026 the supply of virgin R404A will taper off steadily. For the full regulatory timeline, see our EU F-Gas Regulation 2026 guide.
Citation capsule: F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 bans, from 1 January 2026, placing on the market any fluorinated gas with a GWP above 2,500, including virgin R404A (GWP 3,922), while still allowing reclaimed gas for servicing existing systems (European Commission, 2024).
How Available Will R404A Be in 2026? Is a Shortage Coming?
Around 4,000 systems across Europe still run on R404A, mostly in commercial and industrial refrigeration (Natural Refrigeration Review, 2025). This installed base generates ongoing demand for reclaimed gas, but the supply of virgin R404A is shrinking steadily as manufacturers scale back production.
Distributors across the EU still hold stocks of reclaimed gas, but those reserves are being drawn down naturally as systems get retrofitted or decommissioned. Businesses still relying on R404A should build up stock or accelerate their transition to alternatives now.
Citation capsule: Despite roughly 4,000 R404A systems still in service across Europe, supply of virgin gas collapses after January 2026, pushing technicians toward reclaimed gas or retrofits to alternatives such as R-454B and R-449A (Natural Refrigeration Review, 2025).
What Are the Alternatives to R404A and Their Costs in 2026?
The market offers three categories of alternatives to R404A: low-GWP HFC-HFO blends, natural refrigerants, and reclaimed gas. R-454B (GWP 467) and R-449A (GWP 1,397) are the most common substitutes; R-290 (propane, GWP 3) and R-744 (CO2, GWP 1) make up the natural refrigerant class. In 2026, R-449A sells for roughly €310-619 for 5-10kg cylinders (Refrigerant Boys, 2026).
| Refrigerant | GWP | 10kg price (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| R404A (reclaimed) | 3,922 | €446 |
| R-449A | 1,397 | €310-619 |
| R-454B | 467 | Comparable or slightly higher |
| R-290 (propane) | 3 | Low gas cost, higher safety expertise required |
For smaller installations, R-454B remains the preferred option, since it needs only minor modification to existing equipment. For large industrial systems, the shift to transcritical R-744 or NH3/CO2 cascades is accelerating, delivering higher energy efficiency.
Citation capsule: R404A alternatives in 2026 include R-454B and R-449A (GWP 467-1,397, costing €310-619 per 10kg), or the natural refrigerants R-290 and R-744 (GWP 1-3, 10-20% lower energy use but greater technical expertise required) (Refrigerant Boys, Danfoss, 2026).
What Does the F-Gas Regulation Mean for Businesses in the EU?
Across the EU, HFC emissions have been trending down under earlier phase-down rules. France, for instance, saw HFC emissions fall 1.7% from 2022 to 2023, down to 5,910 tonnes in 2023 (Refindustry, 2026). In practical terms, the 2026 restriction means:
- Distributors and wholesalers: buying virgin R404A becomes impossible after 1 January 2026. Gas must be certified as reclaimed or recovered.
- Service and maintenance companies: reclaimed R404A stays usable for servicing, with mandatory traceability records.
- Equipment manufacturers: new R404A-charged equipment can no longer be placed on the EU market from January 2026.
- Compliance costs: a levy of €3.00 per tonne of CO2 equivalent adds to gas prices in 2026 (Refrigerant Boys, 2026).
To confirm what is and isn’t allowed under the current rules, see our guide to R404A’s legal status in 2026.
Citation capsule: Under F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573, businesses across the EU can no longer buy virgin R404A after 1 January 2026, but remain permitted to use reclaimed gas for servicing existing equipment, with an added levy of €3.00 per tonne of CO2 equivalent applying in 2026 (Refindustry, Refrigerant Boys, 2026).
How Should Technicians Adapt Their Strategy Before 2026?
The best strategy ahead of the 1 January 2026 deadline is early planning for retrofits or equipment replacement. Technicians across the EU should follow five steps.
- Audit your stock: inventory all existing R404A systems and estimate their remaining service life (typically 12-20 years).
- Build reclaimed gas reserves: before January 2026, secure enough supply to cover the next 2-3 years of servicing.
- Train your teams: get technicians up to speed on R-454B, R-449A, or natural-refrigerant alternatives.
- Plan retrofits: for systems nearing end of life, accelerate the move to low-GWP technology now.
- Keep documentation compliant: require up-to-date recovery and reclamation certificates from suppliers.
Citation capsule: Technicians across the EU have several months before the ban on new R404A to build reclaimed gas reserves, retrofit major equipment, and train their teams, cutting transition costs once the January 2026 restriction takes effect (F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573).
What Does the R404A Market Look Like After 2026?
The market for virgin R404A will effectively disappear in 2026, but a reclaimed-gas market will persist for roughly 5-10 years, as long as R404A systems remain in service. Experts project global HFC emissions will keep falling 7-10% per year through 2030 (IIR/IIFIIR, 2026).
Citation capsule: After 2026, the reclaimed R404A market will shrink gradually, while natural refrigerants and low-GWP blends capture the majority of Europe’s refrigeration market by 2030 (IIR, Danfoss, 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still buy virgin R404A after 1 January 2026?
No. From 1 January 2026, manufacturers and importers are banned from placing virgin R404A on the EU market under F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573. You can still buy reclaimed or recovered R404A, certified as such, to service existing installations.
Can my R404A equipment be recharged with an alternative gas like R-454B?
Yes, R-454B can replace R404A in most applications without major compressor modification, once oil compatibility (PVE or POE) is verified. A minor technical retrofit is usually required.
How much does it cost to retrofit an R404A system to a low-GWP alternative?
For a small to medium installation, expect €800-2,000. For industrial systems, €5,000-15,000. This investment typically pays back in 3-5 years through energy savings (a 10-20% reduction).
Is reclaimed R404A as effective as virgin gas?
Yes, when reclaimed to ISO 14903 standards. Reclaimed gas delivers performance identical to virgin gas, often at 20-30% lower cost.
Are there legal penalties for continuing to use R404A after 2026?
Using existing R404A systems remains legal after 2026. Penalties target manufacturers and importers who place virgin gas on the market. Always buy from established distributors and require reclamation certification.
Conclusion: Prepare Your Transition Before January 2026
R404A, though still vital for thousands of systems across the EU, is entering a regulation-driven decline. At €446-499 per 10kg cylinder, up 9% in 2025, its cost keeps climbing as virgin supply disappears. After 1 January 2026, only reclaimed gas will be available, forcing a transition to R-454B, R-449A, or natural refrigerants.
For the full legal picture on R404A in 2026, see our guide to R404A’s legal status. Explore our range of R404A refrigerant cylinders for compliant, certified supply.
Disclaimer: prices shown are indicative and vary by distributor and volume. Always consult a certified supplier before purchasing.
