Orbia Advance Corporation’s Fluor & Energy Materials business has appointed Dr. Samuel F. Yana Motta as its global refrigerant applications director. With over 30 years of experience in the refrigerants sector, Dr. Yana Motta will lead product development strategies and oversee the new application laboratory in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Yana Motta previously spent 20 years at Honeywell in senior roles, including global director of applications and research fellow for the refrigerants division. Most recently, he worked as an R&D scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Earlier in his career, he was affiliated with the Pontifícia Universidad Católica do Rio de Janeiro and completed postdoctoral research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
He is known for his contributions to the development of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants such as R-1234yf, R-1234ze, and blends including R-448A. Dr. Yana Motta is an ASHRAE Fellow (2025), has chaired key ASHRAE technical committees, and is a member of the UN Environment Programme’s Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee.
As global refrigerants applications director, he will align Orbia’s development efforts with future requirements in automotive and stationary markets.
“Samuel is respected on so many different levels for his research prowess, communication skills, and bright mind,” said Shawn Shorrock, Vice President, Refrigerants, Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials. “He has a proven track record in developing strategic technology roadmaps, mentoring teams, and driving innovation for HFOs and their mixtures, which makes him a perfect fit for this position.”
