Walmart will use refrigerant Solstice N40 (R-448A) in some stores in Mexico and Central America

Honeywell announced that Walmart will use its reduced global-warming-potential refrigerant Solstice N40 (R-448A) in some stores in Mexico and Central America. The project will cover more than 160 new supermarket refrigeration systems in the region. The use of Solstice will help Walmart reduce its carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency. This project represents a potential reduction of 130,000 metric tons of CO2e.

Based on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology, Solstice N40  offers a global warming potential (GWP) that is approximately 68 percent lower than legacy hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants like R-404A. Solstice N40 is the supermarket industry’s most widely accepted, lowest GWP, nonflammable replacement for R-404A, with more than 60,000 installations globally since its release in 2015. 

Walmart has addressed the climate crisis by targeting zero carbon emissions in its global operations by 2040 without relying on carbon offsets. Its goal to be a regenerative company includes transitioning to low-impact refrigerants for cooling and electrified equipment for heating in its stores, clubs, data centers and distribution centers. 

“With the adoption of Solstice N40, Walmart de México y Centroamérica joins the industry chorus who have sung the praises of this solution-- a cost-effective refrigerant with reduced global warming potential that meets high standards for performance and energy efficiency in commercial refrigeration,” said Ken West, president and CEO, Honeywell Advanced Materials. “We are proud to assist Walmart in meeting its sustainability targets, which are aligned with Honeywell’s own commitment to carbon neutrality.”

Honeywell’s Solstice technology, which is used in various applications, has avoided potential release of the equivalent of more than 250 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, equal to eliminating the potential emissions from more than 52 million cars for one year.