AN UPDATE ON FLUOROCARBONS

Dear subscribers,

We hope you enjoying reading the last newsletter.

In this EFCTC November 2024 newsletter, we report on a range of new developments: the increasing use of HFC-32, HFOs and HCFOs; properties offered by HFCs and HFOs to new equipment; the figures of HFCs contribution to climate warming according to the 2023 Greenhouse Gas Index; the annual inventory of refrigerant emissions in France; a round-up on illegal trade developments and lastly an update on the 2024 Environmental Effects Assessment Panel at 36th MOP.

The increasing use of HFC-32, HFOs and HCFOs is demonstrated by data available in the Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2024 report. The changes in HFCs and HFOs/HCFOs use patterns demonstrate the progress due to the efforts of industry to deliver the F-gas regulation requirements, while continuing to ensure availability of refrigerants with a good balance of safety and technical properties.

Furthermore, we give three examples of new equipment using the lower GWP refrigerants HFC-32, HCFO-1233zd(E) and R-513A. The refrigerants have a range of properties, including boiling point, critical temperature, safety classification and GWP, to meet the requirements of new equipment for different cooling and heating applications.

The US NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has released its 2023 update of the AGGI (Annual Greenhouse Gas Index), which follows the evolution of the radiative forcing (ability of all greenhouse gases to trap heat) since the onset of the industrial revolution. The HFC impact in 2023 is now 1.3% of the total (compared to about 1.25% in 2022).

We took a look at the Alliance Froid Climatisation Environnement (AFCE) 2022 annual inventory of refrigerant emissions for France, commissioned from Citepa, which was recently published, with results for 2023 being a provisional estimate. The September 2024 report demonstrates once again that the continuous efforts made by the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector for several years are relevant.

In our illegal trade round-up:  Intelligence provided by OLAF leads to seizures of illegal HFCs. Polish and Italian Customs stop illegal imports of HFCs. Initiatives to help combat illegal trade were discussed at the recent Montreal Protocol meeting and the US EPA increases civil and criminal enforcement efforts, having completed nine civil settlements in 2024 by September.

Finally, in its 2024 update at the 36th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel’s presentation included an update on PFAS, including TFA. The update summarised the effects of TFA on the environment & human health.

Do you want to learn more about EFCTC and fluorocarbons? More information is on the fluorocarbons.org website.

Thank you for your continued interest in EFCTC.

Lower GWP F-gases now 55% of the total HFC/HFO/HCFO supply in the EU

The Fluorinated greenhouse gases 2024 report shows that the adoption of lower GWP F-gases, particularly for refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps, due to the HFC phase down, has resulted in HFC-32, HFOs and HCFOs now contributing about 55% to the total metric tonnes supply of HFCs/HFOs/HCFOs in the EU in 2023. RACHP (Refrigeration, air-conditioning and heating and other heat transfer fluids) has reduced to 58% of all reportable F-gases as CO2e, compared to 73% in 2015.

Click "Read More" to read the full article.

HFC and HFO refrigerants offer range of properties for new equipment

Lower GWP refrigerants offer a range of properties, including boiling point, critical temperature, safety classification and GWP, to meet the requirements of new equipment for different cooling and heating applications. New equipment uses HFC-32, HCFO-1233zd(E) and R-513A to meet safety and performance requirements.

We show three examples of new equipment making use of these low GWP refrigerants.

Click "Read More" to read the full article.

2023: HFCs contribute 1.3% to climate warming influence of greenhouse gases

The US NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has released its 2023 update of the AGGI (Annual Greenhouse Gas Index) [1], which follows the evolution of the radiative forcing (ability of all greenhouse gases to trap heat) since the onset of the industrial revolution. The HFC impact in 2023 is now 1.3% of the total (compared to about 1.25% in 2022).

Click "Read More" to read the full article.

Annual inventory of refrigerant emissions for France - métropole reports decreasing HFC emissions 

The Alliance Froid Climatisation Environnement (AFCE) has published the 2022 annual inventory of refrigerant emissions for France, commissioned from Citepa, with results for 2023 being a provisional estimate. The September 2024 report [1] demonstrates once again that the continuous efforts made by the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector for several years are relevant.

Click "Read More" to read the full article.

Update 2024 Environmental Effects Assessment Panel at 36th MOP

In its 2024 update at the 36th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel’s presentation [1] included an update on PFAS, including TFA. The update summarised the effects of TFA on the environment & human health. 

Click "Read More" to read the full article