White House Recognizes Air Conditioner and Chemical Manufacturer Daikin for Commitment to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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Oct 15, 2015, 02:57 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the White House earlier today, the Obama Administration recognized Daikin Industries Ltd. and other private sector businesses for their continuing commitment to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and other powerful greenhouse gases that can contribute to climate change. The White House event was hosted by Dr. Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and Gina McCarthy, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Dr. Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and Gina McCarthy, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency meet with senior Daikin Industries executives following a White House meeting at which Daikin and other private sector businesses were recognized for their commitment to reduce greenhouse gases emissions that can contribute to climate change. Daikin announced it will begin production of a new high-efficiency Package Terminal Air Conditioning (PTAC) system such as the one shown here using HFC-32, which has a much lower global warming rating than other refrigerants now used throughout the U.S.

Mr. Shinya Okada, Senior Executive Officer of Daikin Industries Ltd., stated that "Daikin is committed to the future development and production of a full product line of HVAC systems that utilize environmentally beneficial technologies designed to have a positive impact on the environment. We are grateful that our efforts have been recognized by President Obama's Administration, and we feel Daikin can contribute to the private sector leadership that is needed for global climate protection."

Daikin Industries, Ltd. is the world's leading manufacturer of air conditioner products and fluorochemicals, and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The company has long been committed to producing HVAC systems that have a lower global warming potential than alternative systems. Daikin's U.S.-based subsidiary, Goodman Global Group, Inc., was recognized by the White House at a similar event last year.

Daikin made three specific announcements at the White House event today:

Daikin will begin production and sale of the first ever high-efficiency Package Terminal Air Conditioning (PTAC) systems using the next-generation refrigerant, HFC-32. PTAC units are self-contained heating and air conditioning systems used extensively in hotels, motels, senior housing facilities, hospitals, condominiums and apartment buildings. The new units will be manufactured in the United States beginning in the first quarter of 2016 and marketed under the Amana® brand name. Additional PTAC products are expected to be introduced over time.
Daikin said it would continue efforts to strictly control and eliminate by-product emissions of HFC-23, a high global warming potential (GWP) material created during production of HCFC-22. The commitment extends to both Daikin's U.S. and worldwide facilities. Destroying the HFC-23 by-product will reduce GWP emission releases by an amount equivalent to 6.7 million metric tons of C0₂per year.
The company also reiterated an announcement it made last month that Daikin is offering manufacturing companies worldwide free access to 93 patents to encourage others to develop and commercialize air conditioning and heat pump equipment that use HFC-32 as a single component refrigerant. HFC-32 is a next generation refrigerant that addresses a range of environmental considerations in a balanced manner. It is a non-ozone depleting substance, is energy efficient, affordable, is easier to recycle, and has a global-warming potential (GWP) that is one-third of today's most commonly used refrigerant.

About Daikin
Daikin Industries, Ltd. is the world's leading manufacturer of air conditioner products and fluorochemicals, including refrigerants. The company, leveraging its advanced core technologies for refrigerant control, inverters and heat pumps, develops innovative, high-quality air-conditioning solutions for homes, offices and industrial facilities. Founded in Osaka, Japan in 1924, Daikin and its affiliates now operate in more than 70 production bases worldwide and employ a global workforce of 59,000. Daikin products are available in more than 140 countries. For more information please visit, http://www.daikin.com/

About Goodman
Goodman was founded in 1982 and is based in Houston, Texas. The company is a leading U.S. manufacturer of residential and light commercial heating and cooling systems. In 2012, Goodman became a member of the Daikin Group.

Press release:
http://www.daikin.com/press/2015/151016/index.html

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151015/277406

SOURCE Daikin