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Arkema switches R134a production to 1233zd

USA: Arkema has completed the transition of its R134a refrigerant facility in Calvert City, Kentucky, to produce the new HFO 1233zd. 

Branded as Forane 1233zd, the new HFO is part of Arkema’s portfolio of next-generation reduced environmental impact refrigerants and blowing agents.

Previously mainly imported to the US, Arkema’s new 15kt state-of-the-art unit will be one of only two in the US producing the new HFO.

In addition, Forane® HTS 1233zd cooling properties enable efficient and sustainable thermal management, notably in high temperature heat-pumps and data centers cooling.

Forane HTS 1233zd will be sold as a low GWP HFO non-flammable refrigerant for use in centrifugal chillers, and, notably in high temperature heat pumps and data centre cooling.

For foam blowing applications it will be sold as FBA 1233zd. It is SNAP-approved for most polyurethane applications, including residential appliance, commercial refrigeration, construction panels and doors, as well as spray foam. 

The Calvert City facility joins Arkema’s network of manufacturing sites across North America, supporting the company’s strategy to meet growing demand for low-GWP solutions as regulations phase out higher-impact chemicals.

The site originally began producing R134a in 1997.

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