Chemours ends US sales of R404A and R507

May 06, 2024

Refrigerant producer Chemours is to cease sales of high GWP HFC refrigerants R404A and R507A in the USA.

Chemours says it has taken the decision to align with the HFC phase down regulations under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act and Canada’s Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations (ODSHAR).

R404A and R507A have been widely used for years, particularly in supermarket systems but also in a wide range of other commercial refrigeration equipment.

R404A was introduced in the mid-1990s as a replacement for ozone-depleting CFC refrigerants such as R12 and R502, as well as R22. At its peak, R404A accounted for 46% of global F-gas sales but, along with R507A, came under pressure for their high GWPs.

As a result of bans under the European F-gas regulation, Chemours ended supply of R404A and 507A in Europe in 2020.

“The US AIM Act outlines an ambitious phasedown program that demands a significant reduction in HFC sales and consumption with a targeted 40% phase down by 2024,” explained Doug Westerhoff, Americas sales director of Chemours Thermal & Specialised Solutions. “This target helped shape the timing of our announcement, and we are confident this decision will contribute significantly to our customers meeting their sustainability targets.”

Chemours and others have offered a number of lower GWP replacements for both R404A and R507A in existing systems in the US since 2015.

At the end of last year, Carrier Global Corporation entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Carrier Commercial Refrigeration business to Chinese manufacturer Haier for $775m.