Seize the initiative on HCFC phase-out

All sectors of industry and commerce have a demand for cooling solutions, whether for air-conditioning, refrigeration or process cooling, incurring significant capital investments in equipment and systems to meet their needs. At the same time, the cooling industry strives to provide the most energy efficient systems, using the most sustainable materials, as it continues to comply with current and forthcoming environmental legislation on ozone depleting substances. Yet, as with the phase-out of CFCs in the EU in the mid-1990’s, it is once again DuPont that is leading the transition from ozone-depleting HCFCs with a range of replacement HFC products and the call for companies to seize the opportunity for environmental leadership.

An impending deadline

Time is running out for the phase-out and replacement of ozone-depleting HCFCs.

The legal deadline for the phase-out and replacement of ozone-depleting HCFC refrigerant gases (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) is approaching: Under EU regulations, there will be no further sales of ‘virgin’ HCFCs as of 1st January 2010. The consequence for those operating refrigeration and air conditioning systems using HCFC refrigerants (predominantly refrigerant R-22) is clear – the service and maintenance of these systems with virgin HCFCs must cease as of this date. Therefore, the recharging of these systems with sustainable HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerant solutions (commonly referred to as ‘retrofit’) must take place by December 2009. Time enough? Perhaps, but for a supermarket chain operating more than 200 stores the calculation is simple: the retrofit rate is more than one store a week for the next four years! Multiply this effect to industries using process cooling and commercial and private buildings using air conditioning and the scale of the problem becomes clear. It should also be mentioned at this point that there remains some doubt whether properly qualified, licensed refrigeration contracting resources will be available to meet every company’s needs in this timeframe.

A chance to take environmental leadership

Hence the time for action is now. As the global leader of the refrigerants industry for 75 years, and proponent of the Science of Cool™, DuPont is in prime position to lead this transition, and leverage its scientific and technical heritage to bring innovation and sustainable product offerings. Those involved in the refrigerants industry for some time will recall that DuPont led the CFC phase-out in the EU in the mid-1990's by introducing a range of HFC and transitional retrofit products. These products were tested and proven in the EU and beyond with end-users, contractors, and others. These were DuPont patented products, which were highly successful in setting the industry standard and enabling the phase-out of CFCs by the deadline date - the end of 1994. DuPont took the initiative, showed real leadership, and met the goal.

The company will do no less in the next phase of transition. In a repeat of the leadership shown 10 years ago, it will work in the EU with end-users and contractors to help the cooling industry move away from ozone depleting substances with the new DuPont™ ISCEON® 9 series HFC easy retrofit refrigerant blends. Direct benefits of the DuPont™ ISCEON® 9 series include:

• The avoidance of costly equipment replacement
• The continued use of existing equipment with minimal downtime for retrofit
• The ability to transition away from ozone-depleting refrigerants today
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations
• Demonstrate proactive environmental leadership
• The potential for improved compressor reliability and life

Early adoption in UK supermarkets

Supermarkets are already seeking environmentally acceptable and energy efficient refrigerant systems such as ISCEON ® 9 Series refrigerants from DuPont.

Advantages to which existing customers, including a leading UK supermarket chain, could testify. As part of its commitment to protecting the environment, the company sought environmentally acceptable and energy efficient refrigerant systems in over 40 UK stores and other facilities. It chose ISCEON® 9 Series refrigerants to replace HCFC refrigerants during a concerted programme in 2004-2005. The ISCEON® 9 Series blends chosen proved to be suitable in a wide range of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment that previously operated on the HCFC refrigerant, R-22. These included low temperature freezer rooms and pack systems, cold rooms, roof top packaged reverse cycle heat pumps, split air-conditioning systems as well as close control computer rooms in head offices. In the majority of these cases, the ISCEON® 9 Series family of refrigerant blends could be used with existing lubricating oils, did not require significant modifications to the systems and demonstrated improved energy efficiency, leading to substantial cost savings for the supermarket retailer. Indeed trials at its stores showed energy savings of between nine and 15 percent with the ISCEON® 9 Series as well as significantly improved operating conditions likely to prolong the running life of the systems.

The Science of Cool™

To conclude, the DuPont™ ISCEON® 9 Series refrigerants are easy-to-use, retrofit blends perfectly suited to enable the required transition - due to Montreal Protocol and EU regulation - to take place within the next 4 years. The products are well established in the region and proven with many success stories behind them, as illustrated above. They are fully commercially available from DuPont. Over the last 10 years, the DuPont refrigerants business has expanded and deepened its distribution infrastructure in Europe, and beyond. DuPont’s distributors are supported by locally-based sales and marketing personnel and a dedicated ISCEON® market development team in the region to bring greater access to its products and knowledge.

The right offering - ISCEON® 9 Series HFC refrigerant blends, at the right time – now, in order to meet the critical dates for EU and the Montreal Protocol, and for the right reason – a more sustainable future. It all adds up to the vision that DuPont calls The Science of Cool™.

The Science of Cool™ from DuPont: A Vision for the future of refrigerants

Interested in seizing the initiative on environmental leadership? Then contact DuPont by mail, Refrigerants.EMEA@che.dupont.com, or visit the website www.refrigerants.dupont.com.

The DuPont Oval, DuPontTM, The miracles of scienceTM, and The Science of Cool™ and all product names denoted with ® are trademarks or registered trademarks of DuPont or one of its affiliates.