Dear subscriber,
In this EFCTC March 2026 newsletter, we discuss two papers that estimate the generation and deposition of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The first paper estimates the TFA generated by long-lived F-gases (HFCs, HCFCs and anaesthetics) between 2000 and 2022. According to the paper, global TFA deposition from these sources increased ∼3.5‐fold in the period from 2000 to 2022, with cumulative deposition reaching 335.5 Gg [1 Gg =1000 tonnes]. The paper reports that deposition is highest in the tropics and midlatitudes, and lowest in polar regions. The second paper estimates sources and budgets of TFA for Switzerland. Atmospheric deposition of TFA amounted to 24.5 ± 9.6 tonnes/year, whereas TFA terrestrial inputs from the degradation of plant protection products (PPP) in soils, estimated from the literature, ranged from 2.9 to 11.8 tonnes/year. TFA inputs from the degradation of PPP dominated 2–3 times over atmospheric deposition in Swiss croplands. The paper compares the observed atmospheric deposition with simulated degradation of known precursor compounds, and concludes there is gap that may be associated with unknown precursor compounds, underestimated TFA yields from known precursors, model shortcomings or a combination of these. We also report that the European Commission has requested the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to consider the fate and behaviour of TFA in soil and water. The request comments that TFA is primarily formed as a transformation/degradation product of a broad range of chemicals, including fluorinated refrigerants and some active substances used in plant protection products (PPPs) and biocidal products (BPs). The request reflects growing concern about the presence of TFA in the environment, particularly its potential to leach into groundwater and pose risks to human health through drinking water. Under the mandate, EFSA and ECHA are tasked with evaluating the formation of TFA from biocides and pesticides, reviewing current study guidelines, and exploring alternative methods for predicting TFA concentrations in groundwater and surface water. The scientific findings are expected to be ready by 1 June 2027. We report on the new PROZON refrigerant reclamation plant in Poland that uses two processes to separate mixtures and reclaim nearly 100% of used refrigerants. The plant has an innovative technology for the separation of refrigerant mixtures using an adsorption process for components of similar boiling points, and distillation for components with different boiling points. The adsorption technology used allows for the recovery of refrigerant mixtures that previously had to be disposed of. The new plant can process up to 200 tons of refrigerants per year. In the UK, a recycler has launched a UK-wide insulation panel recycling service for the construction industry. The foam cores and blowing agents are treated in line with ozone depleting substance and climate regulations, rather than allowing gases to escape during demolition, burning or landfill. Finally, we report on a new data centre cooling system that uses R-513A, which aims to improve energy efficiency and support compliance with F-gas Regulation 2024/573. The choice of this refrigerant contributes, to reduce installation costs as no additional safety devices are required, as is the case of indoor units using flammable refrigerants. The cooling system includes a pumped refrigerant circuit, which enhances free cooling by circulating refrigerant through a pumped loop and operates with significantly less power than traditional compressors. This approach allows the system to operate at a fraction of the power consumption of traditional compressor-driven cooling during favourable ambient conditions.
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.
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