Chemours to Supply Lower GWP Refrigerant to Three Ice Rink Venues in Beijing

The Chemours Company has achieved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Beijing National Aquatics Center, Beijing National Indoor Stadium and Wukesong Sports Centre for use of Opteon lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants at the three venues. This agreement supports the adoption of more sustainable solutions for the ice rink venues to help reduce the overall carbon footprint.

Beijing National Aquatics Center, Beijing National Indoor Stadium and Wukesong Sports Centre were main venues for 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games, and will be hosting hockey and curling ice games during the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. To support the mission of being "green, open, inclusive and clean" and to adopt more sustainable solutions, the venues in consultation with equipment suppliers, design engineers and service providers, selected Opteon XP40 (R-449A) refrigerant to provide reliable performance at the demanding low temperatures required for operating their facilities. Opteon XP40 provides a ~65% reduction in global warming potential (GWP) over hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants used previously, while cost-effectively enabling an energy efficient system design.

"Three ice making units of Ice Cube have been charged with Opteon XP40," said Mr. Yang Qiyong, General Manager of Beijing National Aquatics Center. "This project saves 4% of the charge compared to other refrigerants and saves installation costs. During the test games in 2019 and in April 2021, the ice making units performed well and have guaranteed excellent ice surface temperature.

"We commend the efforts of the venues to adopt a refrigerant with significantly lower GWP," said Alisha Bellezza, President of Thermal & Specialized Solutions at Chemours.  "This sets an example that positive steps can be made towards environmental sustainability, without sacrificing system performance or economic sustainability." 

After redesign and retrofit, ice making units and systems that are charged with Opteon XP40 have been installed in Beijing National Aquatics Center and Beijing National Indoor Stadium. Wukesong Sports Centre, which was equipped with refrigeration pipes at construction in 2006, changed out their old ice making units. The new units have also adopted Opteon XP40 which brings more energy efficiency and lower environmental impact.

In a series of testing games that have been held, the ice surface of the three venues has been well received by the participating athletes, which has successfully ensured the operation of the games, and has effectively reduced the environmental impact.