Tag: HFC phase down

A column by VASA President Brett Meads You could be forgiven for thinking the following is a crude attempt at satire, perhaps even sarcasm – or maybe a bad dream – however, you would be wrong. This is a bizarre set of circumstances, with long-term negative environmental consequences, thanks to a sad omission by those … Continue reading Lack of restriction on high-GWP mobile air-conditioning refrigerants in Australia: A missed opportunity

PFAS warning sign

Proposals for a PFAS ban that conflicts with the finalisation of European Union F-Gas regulations have raised significant concerns among various stakeholders. Current drafts of these regulations pose a threat to global air-conditioning and refrigeration market as it works to integrate new-generation refrigerants and technologies aimed at combating climate change. The proposed PFAS ban: Known … Continue reading Europe makes progress on conflicting PFAS ban and F-Gas phase-out regulations

EPA HQ

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a reduction target for HFC refrigerants, aiming for a 40 per cent decrease below historic levels from 2024 to 2028. This EPA regulation aligns with the goals of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which seeks to reduce HFC production and consumption by 85 per cent … Continue reading USA Commits to 40 per cent HFC cut between 2024 and 2028

PFAS proposals and F-gas revisions in the European Union threaten to cause serious challenges, and industry groups are urging their members to promptly alert legislators to these issues. Current drafts of the European F-gas regulation amendment and the suggested PFAS revisions pose a threat to the existence of many air-conditioning refrigeration systems, including those using … Continue reading European industry faces tough PFAS and F-gas restrictions

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry (left) and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua

The United States and China have made a joint commitment of mutual cooperation to phase down HFCs under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, following meetings in Shanghai between US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua. Among the world’s largest producers and consumers of HFCs, the two … Continue reading US, China get serious on HFCs

Technology will help stem illegal sales, reduce influx of illicit refrigerants EFFORTS to counter the extensive illegal refrigerant trade in Europe are about to be bolstered by a new advanced software system from the United Kingdom.  The system, which will be developed by online trading specialist Vistalworks, will be designed to automatically find and identify … Continue reading Refrigerant robocop

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being sued for rolling back hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) leak prevention and repair requirements from 2016.  The lawsuit, filed by the international non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), is hoped to prevent the move as part of ongoing efforts to ease the climate crisis. HFCs are extremely powerful greenhouse … Continue reading Clash over US HFC regulations

The illegal refrigerant trade in Europe is extracting a heavy toll on legitimate business on both sides of the Atlantic. As a case in point, the profits of US-based refrigerant and chemical specialist Chemours fell from $10.1 billion in 2018 to $8.4 billion in 2019, with the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) black market cited as one of … Continue reading Trade in illegal refrigerant hits hard

The red R134a sticker on a refrigerant line fitting in the image above is found under the bonnet of a cutting-edge electric vehicle that is selling well in Australia. The Hyundai Kona. Inset is a J639 label from another hi-tech EV, the Jaguar I-Pace, sold in Australia carrying 850 grams of R134a. The Kona uses … Continue reading Car-makers keep using high-GWP refrigerant