The Chemours Company began taking orders from North American customers in December for its Opteon XL41 (R-454B) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant, which the company will start fulfilling by the end of Q1 2023. Opteon XL41 is an R-410A replacement in new air conditioning and heat pump applications, offering zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and an approximate 78% reduction in global warming potential (GWP) when compared to R-410A (AR4 GWP). One of the latest next-generation solutions in the Chemours Opteon portfolio, in addition to being the lowest GWP replacement for R-410A alternatives on the market today, Opteon XL41 offers the optimal balance of performance, sustainability, and cost, and is classified as a low-flammability (A2L) refrigerant.
The availability of Opteon XL41 refrigerant comes approximately one year ahead of the next major scheduled step-down outlined in the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. Starting January 1, 2024, regulations will require an additional 30% reduction in hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production and consumption. Amidst this regulatory landscape, Opteon XL41 will offer customers product longevity.
Opteon XL41 has already been selected by most leading global OEMs, including Carrier, Johnson Controls, and Rheem, which have announced alignment with Chemours for the utilization of this product. Overall, OEM system design changes required for Opteon XL41 will be minimal, and it is expected that new equipment filled with the refrigerant will be available to customers before 2025. In addition to product innovation, Chemours commits extensive resources to provide customers with the training, technical support, customer service, and product supply necessary to upgrade, maintain, and service new equipment.
Chemours will spotlight Opteon XL41 - which was recently selected as the cooling category winner in the 2023 AHR Expo Innovation Awards - and other solutions in the Opteon portfolio at the 2023 AHR Expo. Chemours will exhibit at booth C-6425 at the Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, from Feb. 6-8, 2023.
Supporting the anticipated growth in demand for Opteon XL41 and steady demand growth for other ultra-low GWP refrigerants in the Opteon portfolio, Chemours’ $80 million capital expansion project and debottlenecking efforts at Chemours in Ingleside - located 20 minutes outside of Corpus Christi, Texas - will increase production capacity by approximately 40%. The expansion project will help Chemours meet the significant increase in product orders and aligns with the company’s corporate responsibility targets.
