The EU Commission has recently published the data for the production, import, export and sales of Fluorinated Gases (HFCs, PFCs and SF6) in the EU in 2010.
F-Gases Production amounted to 46,500 tonnes.
F-Gases Imports to 70,400 tonnes.
F-Gases Exports to 22,100 tonnes.
HFC-134a represented in each category 46-47 % of the total.
EU SALES
F-Gases Sales in the EU amounted to 97,995 tonnes, corresponding to 236.3 M tonnes CO2–equivalent.
HFC-134a represented 45,580 tonnes (less than in 2007 or in 2008, but more than in 2009, presumably because of the economic situation), representing 46.5 % of the total in tonnes and 25 % in CO2–equivalent (less than in previous years).
HFC-125 with 18,345 tonnes represented significantly higher than in previous years, while R-143a with 10,118 tonnes remained stable.
High GWP gas SF6 sales represented 1,851 tonnes but 41.09 M tonnes CO2–equivalent (17,4 % of total emissions).
It must be reminded that Sales do not correspond to emissions, and F-Gases should be used responsibly to minimize emissions.
EU APPLICATIONS
Sales in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning represented 69,404 tonnes (more than in previous years), 71 % of the Total in tonnes and 68 % in CO2 – equivalent.
Sales in Foams (11,695 tones) and Solvents 9,922 tonnes) followed.
Electrical Equipment represented 1,614 tonnes and 35.82 M tonnes CO2–equivalent (15.2 % of the total – as it includes SF6).
Figure : Main estimated intended uses of fluorinated gases reported by companies in 2010 (tonnes)
Commission data were aggregated from reports submitted by EU producers, importers and exporters, for quantities higher than 1 tonne per year, pursuant to the F-Gas Regulation EC 842/2006.
They did not include gases contained in imported or exported equipment, and only data from 3 or more companies were included in these statistics in order to protect the confidentiality of information submitted by fewer companies.