The Chemours Company (Chemours), a global leader in performance chemistry, has announced the development of a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant retrofit approach for the automotive aftermarket. This initiative aims to support the global phasedown of higher GWP hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. The newly developed technical solution will allow vehicle owners and service technicians to easily and safely replace the legacy R-134a refrigerant in existing vehicles with the low GWP Opteon YF (R-1234yf) refrigerant. Opteon YF was originally designed to replace R-134a in new mobile HVAC systems.
"Customer satisfaction, safety, and ease-of-use are always top priorities. The development of a simple retrofit approach that builds on existing safe service practices and provides a lower GWP refrigerant option, is a prime example of those commitments in action,” stated Joseph Martinko, President of Thermal & Specialized Solutions at Chemours. “Providing a fully integrable approach with matched performance and a lower environmental footprint is a win-win for the automotive industry and society at-large.”
As Opteon YF's use expands to meet global climate targets and regulations, Chemours has actively partnered with industry stakeholders to support widespread adoption.
“While many countries have transitioned to lower GWP refrigerant technologies, millions of vehicles remain on-the-road using R-134a,” noted Amber Stephenson, Senior Director of Technology at Chemours. “Developing a safe, simple, and cost-effective retrofit approach to facilitate the transition to low GWP technology is a critical step forward.”
Since its inception over a decade ago, Opteon YF has become the low GWP refrigerant of choice for global vehicle manufacturers. Currently, R-1234yf is used in 250 million light-duty vehicles, and by 2025, Chemours anticipates its Opteon portfolio will eliminate an estimated 325 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. As global HFC phase-out initiatives gain momentum, Opteon YF is well-positioned to meet GWP targets and performance standards.
