Arkema, one of the world’s largest producers of fluorochemicals, continues its program of major investments in the expansion of its global capacity to meet the current and future needs of its customers.
“Our steadfast belief in investment translates to investment in the success of our customers,” says Jean Saint Donat, regional president of Arkema’s Fluorochemicals Division in North America.
“Since the Montreal Protocol targeted phase out of all ozone depleting chemicals, Arkema has invested more than $400 million in its fluorochemicals business worldwide, including over $300 million in the U.S. alone,” Saint Donat says. “Our investments include a wide range of HFC production expansions, process improvements, product quality enhancements, and new technology here in North America.”
Arkema has invested in manufacturing capacity for all four key HFC components (R-32, R-125, R-134a, and R-143a), which may be combined to manufacture all the major HFC blends used in HVACR. As part of this investment, Arkema started up its HFC-125 refrigerant production in 2010 at the world-scale Changshu, China operation, the first of its size in Asia. Together with HFC-32, HFC-125 is an essential component of new generation refrigerant blends, most notably HFC-410A, the anointed replacement refrigerant for HCFC-22.
“In addition to these long-term investments, Arkema is well positioned to meet the short-term needs of its refrigerant customers through the use of HCFC-22 alternatives, reclaim services, and the full range of refrigerant products. We also hold significant allocation rights to HCFC-22 going forward,” Saint Donat says.
Retrofits and Reclaim
Arkema has expanded its HFC refrigerant line to the HVACR industry with better solutions for retrofitting HCFC-22 systems using Forane®427A and Forane®407A refrigerant. Forane®427A refrigerant has nearly identical operating pressures and similar performance characteristics to HCFC-22 for use in a wide range of air-conditioning and refrigeration applications. Arkema’s Forane®407A refrigerant closely matches the cooling capacity and flow rates of HCFC-22, making it particularly well suited for retrofitting supermarket and food storage applications.
“Both products are non-ozone depleting and offer some of the lowest global warming potential (GWP) available of the R-22 retrofits in the market today,” according to Mike Brubaker, global director of marketing and sales for Arkema’s Fluorochemicals.
Arkema continues to expand and improve its Forane® Refrigerant Reclaim Program for wholesalers.
“Our reclaim program is an important part of our commitment to provide leadership within the HVACR industry during the transition away from HCFC-22,” says Patti Conlan, product manager for Arkema’s Fluorochemicals division in North America. “The program is designed to provide an additional supply of recycled R-22 to Arkema customers and an environmental benefit by reducing overall ozone depletion potential (ODP) emissions,” Conlan says.
Next Generation Refrigerants
Arkema continues to develop next-generation fluorochemicals to help minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Arkema has initiated further development of low GWP products to replace those with higher GWP in all refrigerant market sectors.
Normal.dotm0011588Penton Media Inc.1110812.00false18 pt18 pt00falsefalsefalseFor additional information about Arkema's products and services, visit www.forane-us.com.