DuPont Ready to Supply More Sustainable Refrigerant, which will be in 7 Million Cars by End of 2015

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kathryn K. McCord, global business director, DuPont Fluorochemicals, said the following today about the automotive industry's movement toward HFO-1234yf:

"DuPont continues to see rapid transition to HFO-1234yf refrigerant for automotive air conditioning, and we expect to see the refrigerant in 3 million cars by the end of 2014, with that number growing to 7 million by the end of 2015. All but one of the world's leading automakers are adopting HFO-1234yf. 

"Action to adopt this more sustainable refrigerant has been reinforced recently by European Commission action to enforce the Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Directive and by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal that would limit the use of R-134a in automotive air conditioning.

"DuPont is prepared to supply HFO-1234yf, which it sells as DuPont™ Opteon® YF refrigerant, to both automakers and the service industry in the United States and Europe. DuPont was the first company to establish capacity of HFO-1234yf, with sites in China and Japan, and capacity expansions we announced last October are on track.  We have sufficient supply to meet our customers' projected demand, and are prepared to make additional investments when long-term demand justifies it.

"DuPont has put in place aftermarket distribution capabilities in 40 countries in Europe, the Middle-East and Africa, and across the United States.  Service equipment for use in handling this product is commercially available, and aftermarket service capability is developing in new countries as vehicles containing HFO-1234yf go to market there.

"An extensive distribution network and the availability of equipment enable automakers to adopt this product to comply with the MAC Directive in Europe and to take advantage of greenhouse gas credits in the United States.

"The industry is moving decidedly toward HFO-1234yf because it offers a range of advantages, including cooling power, energy efficiency, safety, materials compatibility, sustainability and total systems cost effectiveness.

"While CO2 also was proposed as a low GWP automotive refrigerant, it has been 25 years since the first patent was issued for this technology, yet all indications from the automotive industry are that commercialization of this technology would occur well into the future. CO2 has low energy efficiency in warm climates, potential for passenger asphyxiation in the event of leaks, and requires a high pressure system that adds weight and size, presenting problems for small car designs, and reportedly, greatly increasing the costs of automotive air conditioning.

"Opteon® YF has a GWP of less than one, which is lower than that of CO2, and has been accepted broadly as the preferred choice for a more sustainable automotive refrigerant."

DuPont has been a leader in refrigerants and foams for 85 years. HFOs represent the fourth generation of refrigerants, foams and related products introduced by DuPont, which pioneered much of the technology that makes air conditioning possible today. 

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802.  The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment.  For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.

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SOURCE DuPont