Forane® 1234yf, a new low-GWP fluorinated gas for automotive air-conditioning

In the run-up to the stricter environmental standards coming into force in 2011, Arkema, a world leader in fluorinated gases, has developed Forane® 1234yf, a new fluorinated fluid with a low GWP designed to gradually replace HFC 134a currently used in automotive air-conditioning circuits.

Arkema is anticipating the tightening-up of environmental standards, in particular the adoption of European Directive 2006/40/CE, by developing today future generations of fluorinated products in an effort to help curb global warming. The GWP threshold imposed on the automotive industry by this Directive requires the substitution of HFC134a, a refrigerant fluid currently used in air-conditioning circuits, from 2011 for new automotive manufacturing platforms, and from 2017 for every new vehicle sold in Europe.

A 4th generation substitute for automotive air-conditioning circuits, Forane® 1234yf is characterized in particular by a global warming potential index (GWP = 4) that is much lower than that of HFC 134a (GWP = 1,300) currently on the market.

To assist its automotive customers with this latest challenge, Arkema has announced plans to produce Forane® 1234yf on an industrial scale in Europe, using an innovative process developed by its own R&D, within the time scale set out under Directive 2006/40/CE. With this project, Arkema confirms its ambition to remain a dedicated partner to carmakers as well as a leading player in fluorinated gases for refrigeration.

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Arkema, a world leader in fluorochemicals

A world-scale fluorocarbon producer, Arkema currently operates four industrial facilities on three continents: Pierre-Bénite in France, Zaramillo in Spain, Changshu in China, and Calvert City in the United States. The products manufactured in these four plants are sold under the Forane® trademark to the air-conditioning (construction and automotive), refrigeration, insulating foam, solvent, and aerosol industries.

A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three strategically related businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reported sales of 5.7 billion euros in 2007. Arkema has 15,200 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.