Supporting your transition to sustainable switchgear

The high environmental impact of SF6 gas and the tightening of global F-gas regulations¹ are accelerating the shift towards more sustainable alternatives in medium‑voltage equipment. ABB’s SF6 Services Program supports this transition by helping you safely manage existing assets which contain SF6 and plan your move toward SF6‑free technologies. This program also applies to other F-gases used for switchgear insulation e.g. C5 gas.

 

With advanced handling practices and SF6 regeneration² already in place, we ensure compliance, reduce CO2 emissions and enhance long‑term operational reliability. 

 

  1. For further details, please refer to the full text of the Regulation available at the provided link (Regulation - EU - 2024/573 - EN - EUR-Lex) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/573/oj  
    Footnote 
  2. SF6 regeneration and regenerated SF6 provision will be ensured if a certified and authorized supplier exists locally and where the environmental benefit of regeneration offsets the environmental cost of transportation.

Your Value

ABB Electrification Service is committed to supporting you through this transition. Our program is tailored to the needs of an SF6 installation with three key objectives:

Optimizing your SF6 life-cycle supporting you in maintaining and optimizing the life-cycle of your current SF6 installations., Lowering SF6 emissions reducing environmental impact and CO2 emissions of your SF6 installations., Modernize beyond SF6 guiding you you towards SF6-free transition with tailored modernization plans.

Your Benefits

<p>Get a seamless path to EU-regulation compliance by letting ABB professionally&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;your assets, handle the end-of-life process on your behalf when the time comes, and develop a transition plan.</p>

Optimize performance

<p>Tailored maintenance plans and lifecycle checkups to ensure your equipment continues to perform safely,&nbsp;efficiently&nbsp;and sustainably.</p>

Reduce emissions

<p>Reduce emissions to be Advanced SF6 leak detection and regeneration of extracted SF6 at end-of-life to minimize environmental impact.</p>

Build SF6 expertise

<p>Targeted trainings for your team to build deep sustainability knowledge on SF6 mitigation strategies and tools for measurable emissions reduction.</p>

Plan the SF6-free transition

<p>Tailored modernization roadmap to ensure a smooth and reliable shift to SF6-free technologies.</p>

Decommission responsibly

<p>Structured recycling and SF6 regeneration processes ensuring compliance and material recovery.&nbsp;</p>

Gain peace-of-mind

<p>Customized service support to keep your equipment running and prepare you for&nbsp;what’s&nbsp;next.</p>

SF6 Program

<p>ABB service offers the SF6 collect and refurbishing program, for easily moving towards the coming EU ban related to F-gas. ABB personnel are certificated on the use and handling of SF6 gas in electrical equipment. They can extract the contaminated SF6 from switchboards and breakers and transport to dedicated refurbishment plants.</p>

2024

The EU finalized a regulation that prohibited to put into operation new switchgear insulated with F-gas (including SF6) in both medium and high-voltage applications. It is not an immediate total ban, but a strict, deadline-driven phase-out aimed at replacing SF6 with insulation alternatives with a lower Global Warming Impact. Non-EU countries might be expected to follow similar regulatory standards in the following years.

2026

As of 1st January 2026, ban on using SF6 in new medium-voltage equipment (circuit breakers, switchgear) up to 24 kV.

2030

As of 1st January 2030, ban on using SF6 in new medium-voltage equipment (circuit breakers, switchgear) above 24 kV up to 52 kV.

2035

As of 1st January 2035, ban on using virgin SF6 for services. Use of recycled SF6 becomes mandatory. ABB already applies this practice, using regenerated SF₆ instead of virgin gas wherever feasible, ensuring compliance well in advance the required deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is SF6 and why is it under scrutiny?

    SF (Sulfur Hexafluoride) is a gas used in medium- and high-voltage switchgear for its excellent insulating and arc-quenching properties. However, if released into the atmosphere, it has a global warming potential 25,300 times higher than CO2. Special management is crucial to prevent and minimize leaks, safely manage SF6 end-of-life, and comply with environmental regulations (e.g., EU F-gas regulation).

  2. What are the key regulatory deadlines for SF6 phase-out defined by the EU F-gas regulation?

    The European Union's F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 sets clear phase-out timelines: 

     

    • January 1, 2026: Ban on SF6 in new medium-voltage switchgear up to and including 24kV

    • January 1, 2030: Ban extended to equipment rated between 24kV and 52kV

    • From 2035: Only recycled SF6 permitted for service activities; virgin SF6 gas completely banned

  3. What specific services are included in ABB's SF6 Services Program?

    ABB's SF6 Services Program is a dedicated support solution designed to maintain and protect the performance of SF6-containing equipment and supporting the transition to SF6-free systems:

     

    • Asset lifecycle check-up

    • Professional troubleshooting and maintenance

    • Leaks detection and intervention

    • SF6 awareness trainings

    • Asset modernization planning

    • End-of-life management & SF6 regeneration³

    For customers seeking predictable costs and comprehensive coverage, ABB offers Power Care service agreements in three tiers. Each level includes a tailored mix of inspections, training, modernization planning and end-of-life services, ensuring your SF6 management strategy is fully integrated into your asset care plan.