Ho Chi Minh City Refrigeration Association Partners with CoolImpact to Pioneer Sustainable F-Gas Recovery in Vietnam

On August 25, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Refrigeration Association (HRA) held a strategic meeting with CoolImpact, a pioneering climate-tech startup from Vietnam, to co-develop a model for safe and sustainable refrigerant (F-gas) recovery aligned with international best practices.

🔗 Read the original article from HRA (Vietnamese)


The Urgent Challenge: Super-Pollutants in HVAC-R

Vietnam's HVAC-R industry faces a critical problem: end-of-life refrigerants such as HFCs, HCFCs, and SF₆ are frequently vented directly into the atmosphere. These gases are "super-pollutants" with a global warming potential (GWP) thousands of times higher than CO₂.

While regulations like Decree 06/2022, Decree 60/2023, and QCVN 76:2023/BTNMT are tightening, much of the sector still lacks:

  • Proper training and certification for technicians.
  • Safe storage and recovery infrastructure.
  • Transparent monitoring and reporting systems.

This creates both an environmental risk and a compliance challenge as Vietnam moves toward Net Zero 2050 commitments and alignment with the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment.


The Collaboration: Building a Transparent, Scalable Model

CoolImpact and HRA aim to establish a high-integrity recovery and destruction system that brings real value to technicians, enterprises, and the environment:

  • International-standard training & certification to professionalize Vietnam's HVAC-R workforce.
  • Transparent monitoring with QR codes, GPS tracking, and calibrated weighing systems.
  • Integrated logistics for collection, storage, and safe destruction of F-gases.
  • Carbon credit generation by converting super-pollutant recovery into measurable, verifiable climate impact.

This model is designed to be lean, scalable, and investor-ready, with MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) frameworks aligned with Verra and Gold Standard.


Leadership Perspectives

  • Mr. Tran Quoc Huy, President of HRA:
    "CoolImpact's model is practically meaningful—it protects the environment and elevates the professional standing of technicians."
  • Mr. Vu Van Nam, Co-Founder of CoolImpact:
    "We are committed to ensuring members stay compliant and respected—building a safer, more professional industry."

From Waste to Value: Climate Action with Co-Benefits

This partnership reflects CoolImpact's vision:

  • Turning Super-Pollutants into Carbon Credits
  • From Waste to Value – Circular Climate Solutions
  • Net Zero Enabler for Emerging Markets

By scaling this model, CoolImpact and HRA aim to prevent, reduce, and eliminate millions of tons of CO₂e emissions while unlocking new opportunities in the carbon market.