As the greenhouse effect intensifies, the replacement of refrigerants is the general trend in the development of the refrigeration industry. In the past, commercial refrigerants used hydrochlorofluorocarbons ("HCFCs"), HCFCs, which exacerbated ozone depletion and are planned to be eventually phased out in accordance with the Montreal Protocol. The demand control of second-generation HCFC has brought about the development of the substitute market. For example, the r22 substitute market has developed rapidly. Since the substitutes are mainly third-generation HFC products in single quality or proportion, China's HFC production capacity has expanded rapidly, resulting in overcapacity. After a period of survival of the fittest, production capacity has remained relatively stable or even declined within a narrow range.
Although third-generation HFC does not aggravate ozone depletion, its relatively high gwp value has aggravated global warming. European and American regions have restricted the use of HFCs in terms of environmental policies. In addition, developing countries also impose restrictions on third-generation and similar HFCs. The use of chemical compounds has been regulated and reviewed, and China has started a quota system for HFC production in 2024. It can be seen that there are increasing calls and actions for refrigerants characterized by no ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low impact on global warming. obvious. Developed regions in Europe and the United States take this opportunity to accelerate the layout and promotion of third-generation product alternatives, such as fourth-generation hfo and its mixtures, and the replacement of automotive refrigerant HFC-134a. Although its high price mainly affects its promotion, the popularity of new energy vehicles The demand space brought by development. Not only that, there are also companies involved in research on the selection and replacement of marine refrigerants.
Currently, the leading companies in the fluorine chemical industry have already laid out patents for HFC substitutes. For example, Kemu (spun off from DuPont), Honeywell, Daikin, etc. are striving to apply for more substitute application patents. R448A has emerged in recent years. (R448A is composed of HFC-32 / HFC-125 / HFO-1234yf / HFC-134a / HFO-1234ze(E) (26 /26/20 /21 /7) Safety classification A1, GWP = 1273), R449A (composed of R449A For HFC-32 / HFC-125 / HFC-134a / HFO-1234yf (24. 3/24. 7 /25. 7 /25. 3) safety classification A1, GWP =1282), R513A, R450A, etc., expected to be in foreign markets The product replacement caused by the acceleration of environmental protection supervision will partially reduce the demand for third-generation HFC, which will bring more opportunities and space to the fourth-generation HFO. The patent layout of the fourth-generation will also become more intense. As China's fluorine chemical market becomes In the important supply side of the global fluorine chemical industry, Chinese patent applications outside Europe and the United States will increase significantly. For example, Chemours Eversey Co., Ltd. applied for R-1225ye(E), HFO-1234yf, R-32, R-125 and CO2 Heat transfer composition to replace R‑410A or R‑32 in refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump systems.
In summary, in the context of global environmental cooperation, although the quota system for the third generation of HFC will provide space for downstream demand during the implementation period, under the dual influence of the increase in the number of domestic and foreign policies and the fierce competition in the patent layout of various companies, the development of the foreign substitute market will It will directly affect the development of the domestic HFC market. The concept of China's new quality productivity will penetrate into all walks of life. This concept may bring about the possibility of accelerating the pace of China's refrigerant substitution.
