oneywell announced that a Chinese firm has agreed to stop infringing Honeywell patents for refrigerants as part of an ongoing Honeywell effort to halt the trade of patent-infringing goods.

Counterfeit R-410A refrigerants purveyed by Shandong Huaan were seized by Italian Customs Authorities in Gioia Tauro, Italy on Nov. 18, 2008. Shandong Huaan and its affiliates subsequently agreed not to manufacture, purchase, sell or otherwise dispose of, any products that infringe any intellectual property of Honeywell or its affiliates.

“Honeywell has a track record of inventing and developing innovative technologies for the refrigeration market and we have invested substantial resources to commercialize our innovative refrigerant technology,” says Rene Mueller, managing director for Honeywell’s Fluorines business in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India.

“We are committed to making the investments and will continue to work diligently with authorities to protect our patents from infringement worldwide.”

Honeywell invented and patented R-410A, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant, and its use in air conditioning and other applications. This technological innovation has since become the globally accepted standard for use in new residential and light-commercial air conditioning systems.  Honeywell has created a certified vendor program to encourage Chinese air-conditioner manufacturers to use R-410A refrigerant purchased from licensed suppliers.  

Honeywell announced the agreement at the 2009 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Chicago, Illinois, where leading air conditioning, heating and refrigeration professionals are gathered to discuss top industry issues.
Honeywell’s significant investment in research and development has led to patented inventions relating to the following refrigerants: R-410A, R-404A, R-408A, R-507, R-236fa and 245fa.

Currently, the company is commercializing a new refrigerant for mobile air conditioning with low global warming potential.