Chemours insists A2L auto AC retrofit is safe
11th September 2024
USA: Chemours has insisted that the R134a to R1234yf vehicle air conditioning retrofit solution it co-developed with Honeywell is safe and sustainable.
On Monday, Honeywell and Chemours simultaneously announced a means to retrofit older vehicles using R134a to the latest vehicle air conditioning refrigerant R1234yf. Chemours has now confirmed that the solution will be first rolled out in Europe, with the intention to expand the solution to all regions.
Although contrary to all previous manufacturers’ instructions which have warned against retrofitting flammable A2L refrigerants, like R1234yf, into existing non-flammable HFC systems, the two refrigerant manufacturers have assured the motor trade that the process is safe.
Having originally co-developed R1234yf with Honeywell, Chemours has revealed that the two companies took an “aligned approach” to develop the retrofit solution.
“Safety is paramount for Chemours, which is why we worked together with Honeywell to define a safe, efficient, and sustainable retrofit solution using existing service equipment and safety practices,” a Chemours spokesperson told the Cooling Post. “We are now seeking regulatory approval and we’re working with the SAE [the automotive standards organisation] to ensure safe implementation.”
However, the company insisted that it remained firm in its position that no refrigerant system retrofits should be completed without regulatory approval and industry standards to ensure safe implementation.
“We truly believe this mobile retrofit solution represents a win-win-win for consumers, industry, and society, providing a safe, efficient, cost-effective transition to lower GWP technologies in support of global climate targets,” the spokesperson said.
The manufacturers claim that the retrofit can be completed with existing R134a and R1234yf garage service equipment. The only additional items that are required are new charge port fittings, an oil supplement and new labels to indicate the vehicle has been converted to R1234yf.
The move comes as refrigerant rival Koura lines up two new vehicle AC retrofit refrigerants in a battle for control of the lucrative vehicle aftermarket.
In 2022, Koura announced the availability of R456A, a non-flammable HFC/HFO R134a retrofit blend with a GWP of 626. Then, in October last year, the same company announced the development of R444A as a cheaper direct replacement for R1234yf. R444A blends R1234ze(E) with 12% R32 and 5% R152a and has a GWP of just 92.
Related stories:
Honeywell and Chemours announce R1234yf auto retrofits – 9 September 2024
USA: Leading refrigerant manufacturers Chemours and Honeywell have separately announced a means to retrofit older vehicles using R134a to the latest air conditioning refrigerant R1234yf. Read more…
Koura announces R1234yf car AC replacement – 31 October 2023
USA: Refrigerant manufacturer Koura is to introduce a refrigerant it developed more than 10 years ago as a new, direct replacement for R1234yf in the US automotive aftermarket. Read more…
Koura’s new lower GWP option for existing R134a MAC systems – 10 January 2022
USA: Refrigerant manufacturer Koura has unveiled its new lower GWP refrigerant alternative to R134a in existing automotive air conditioning systems in the UK and Europe. Read more…
Koura targets CO2 with new refrigerant – 22 February 2021
UK: Koura claims that a new alternative to CO2 could provide greater efficiencies and lower operating pressures in mobile air conditioning systems and domestic heat pumps. Read more…
New blend could offer alternative to 1234yf – 24 July 2013
USA: A new refrigerant blend based around HFO1234ze could be a viable, less flammable alternative to 1234yf in car air conditioning systems. Read more…
