Honeywell and Chemours announce R1234yf auto retrofits

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.

While full details of the processes are vague, the announcements are contrary to all previous manufacturers’ instructions which have warned against retrofitting flammable A2L refrigerants, like R1234yf, into existing equipment designed for non-flammable HFC refrigerants. In some countries, like the USA where similar procedures would be a violation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules, it is positively banned on safety grounds.

It is known, however, that Honeywell filed an application with the US EPA last year seeking approval for the use of R1234yf as a retrofit refrigerant in R134a vehicle AC systems.

Honeywell quotes a “five-step” programme using existing service tools and equipment commonly found in automotive repair shops across Europe. After removing the R134a, new permanent fittings are attached to a car’s HVAC system and the R1234yf and a new oil/additive are added. Each vehicle that completes the programme then receives a new label attached under its hood to note that the retrofit has been completed.

“As R134a is phased out in the coming years, our Direct to YF retrofitting option directly addresses an urgent need in Europe,” commented Richard Winick, vice president and general manager at Honeywell Automotive Refrigerants. 

Chemours does not reveal its own retrofit process, only describing it as safe, simple, and cost-effective.

Joseph Martinko, Chemours president of Thermal & Specialized Solutions, describes it as “a simple retrofit approach that builds on existing safe service practices”. 

“Providing a fully integrable approach with matched performance and lower environmental footprint is a win-win for the automotive industry and society at-large,” he said.

“While many countries have transitioned to lower GWP refrigerant technologies, millions of vehicles remain on-the-road using R134a,” added colleague Amber Stephenson, Chemours’ senior director of technology.

R1234yf was originally co-developed by Honeywell and Chemours and the two manufacturers have since shared worldwide licensing. Honeywell’s Direct to YF Retrofitting Programme is specifically targeted at the European market. Chemours announcement does not indicate what countries it is targeting.