Chemours and Honeywell Collaborate on Refrigerant Recycling and Regeneration Pilot Program – Chemical Engineering

November 21, 2022 | By Mary Bailey

The Chemours Co. (Wilmington, Delaware) and Honeywell International Inc. (Charlotte, North Carolina) announced the launch of a new pilot program to allow qualified companies to recycle and return R-448A, also known as Honeywell Solstice N40and R-449A, also known as Opteon XP40proprietary blends of HFO refrigerants in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

In recent years, global regulatory factors and the growing need for a circular economy have spurred interest in activities such as refrigerant recycling and recovery. Chemours and Honeywell are uniquely positioned to support this activity and license qualified companies to process and recover proprietary fluorochemical refrigerants. The old refrigerant is cleaned, returned to specification and used to service refrigeration systems that need it. To ensure the integrity of these operations and the safety and quality of the R-448A and R-449A received, important criteria have been established for potential program participants, including audit requirements and strict recordkeeping.

“At Chemours, we’re committed to creating a better world through the power of our chemistry,” said Alicia Bellezza, president of Chemours Thermal and Specialty Solutions. “This program demonstrates that commitment by giving the market peace of mind that recovered and recycled HFO refrigerants are safe, legal and meet strict industry standards. These proprietary products, R-448A and R-449A, were invented and developed to bring to market efficient solutions with low global warming potential (GWP), and this program ensures that qualified recyclers and regenerators will use products obtained from an authorized source must be legally available for sale.”

“Honeywell is committed to developing turnkey solutions, including our Solstice hydrofluoroolefin technology portfolio, and supporting our customers in their environmental transformations,” said Ken West, president of Honeywell Advanced Materials. “This program is one example and an important step in ensuring greater recovery, recycling and regeneration of fourth-generation fluorochemical refrigerants, such as our energy-efficient, non-flammable Solstice N40 with reduced GWP, for a more sustainable future.”