Honeywell announced that Tecumseh Products Company has approved Solstice N40 (R-448A) refrigerant with a lower global-warming-potential (GWP) for the reciprocating compressors used in its global commercial refrigeration systems.
The approval follows extensive testing by Tecumseh and confirms Solstice N40’s global acceptance as an alternative to the use of R-404A in self-contained integral systems and condensing units, when utilized according to Tecumseh application guidelines.
“Lower GWP refrigerants are important for curbing the carbon emissions generated by the cooling industry and they are the right direction for the commercial refrigeration industry,” said Ryan Burns, Vice President Global Engineering, Tecumseh Products Company. “Solstice N40 delivers the optimal blend of performance, environmental compliance and energy efficiency that we know our customers are looking for.”
Based on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology, Solstice N40 is the most widely accepted, lowest GWP, non-flammable replacement for R-404A in the supermarket industry. It is used in almost 16,000 stores in Europe alone. It offers GWP that is approximately 60 percent lower than legacy hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants such as R-404A. In addition, Solstice N40 also consumes less energy: in U.S. and European supermarket trials, Solstice N40 demonstrated in average 5% lower energy consumption in low-temperature applications and 5% to 15% percent lower energy consumption in medium-temperature applications compared with R-404A.
“We are delighted Tecumseh is enabling the use of Solstice N40 globally,” said Robert Kebby, global business manager – refrigeration, Honeywell Fluorine Products. “Solstice N40 is gaining momentum across the industry because it helps users lower their carbon footprints and save energy.”
Honeywell is a world leader in the development, manufacture and supply of refrigerants that are sold worldwide under the Solstice and Genetron brand names for a range of applications, including refrigeration, building and automobile air conditioning. Honeywell and its suppliers have completed a $900 million investment program in R&D and new capacity based on Honeywell’s HFO technology.
