Honeywell begins production of new low-GWP blowing agent, propellant
Honeywell announced today that it has begun full-scale commercial production of a low global warming potential (GWP) material used as an aerosol propellant, insulating agent and refrigerant.
The Solstice line includes Solstice yf for automobile air conditioning, Solstice Propellant for aerosol applications, Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent and Gas Blowing Agent for foam applications, and Solstice Performance Fluid for use as an industrial solvent, all of which have been approved under the EPA’s significant new alternatives policy (SNAP) program.
In 2014, Honeywell announced that it will increase production of its low GWP refrigerants, insulation materials, aerosols and solvents, and, prior to 2020, will drive a 50% reduction in its annual production of high GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) on a CO2 equivalent basis. The company projects that use of its low GWP Solstice materials to replace HFCs will eliminate more than 350 metric MMt in CO2 equivalents by 2025.
“We are seeing increasing demand for our entire Solstice line of low GWP materials, and this new product has already been adopted by a range of customers globally,” said Ken Gayer, vice president and general manager of Honeywell’s Fluorine Products business.
HFO-1234ze is non-ozone depleting and nonflammable per ASTM E681 and ISO 10156:2010 testing, and has a GWP of less than 1. It has been determined as a non-volatile organic compound (VOC) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resource Board (CARB).
Honeywell said HFO-1234ze is a preferred replacement for both HFC-134a (which has GWP of 1,300) and HFC-152a (which is flammable and has a GWP of 138) in aerosol applications and thermal insulating foams, including extruded polystyrene board and polyurethane foams. It is also being considered to replace HFC-134a for large stationary and commercial refrigeration applications and, compared to other low GWP refrigerant options, provides energy efficiency benefits.
Honeywell’s Fluorine Products business also manufactures and supplies non-ozone depleting refrigerants used by air-conditioning and refrigeration makers worldwide, blowing agents for energy-efficient foam insulation, hydrofluoric acid used in gasoline and steel manufacturing, and precursors for nuclear fuel.
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