Honeywell’s HFC-245fa Commercialisation on Track and Available in Semi-Commercial Quantities

Honeywell Fluorine Products Europe is now making semi-commercial quantities of its next-generation blowing agent HFC-245fa available to the European foam industry for customer trials.

Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-245fa is a non-ozone depleting blowing agent designed primarily to replace hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141b, which is used in a variety of rigid insulating foams. HCFC-141b is being phased out as part of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer.

According to Robert Blaise, Marketing Manager Foam for Europe, Middle East and Africa, "We are now making large scale quantities of HFC-245fa available for the European foam industry, which has been eagerly awaiting material ".

Honeywell has taken the necessary steps to ensure that semi-commercial quantities of HFC-245fa are available before the start-up of its new commercial facility and the eventual phase out of HCFC-141b.

"The next step is to work closely with the industry to ensure proper supply, effective conversions and to assist in technical development of formulations using HFC-245fa," says Blaise.

Honeywell also confirms that its new commercial HFC-245fa manufacturing facility in Geismar, Louisiana, is on-target for a mid-2002 start-up. According to Bill Cobb, Honeywell’s Fluorine Products Director of Operations, "All aspects of the engineering and construction project are moving according to schedule."

Honeywell has chosen to work with Kvaerner Engineering on the HFC-245fa plant design and construction. Also, the nearby Vulcan Chemicals plant being built to supply the key feedstock for HFC 245fa production is on schedule for completion in early 2002. "Our recent experience in the design and construction of similar plants and close relationships with our partners and suppliers significantly benefits us," noted Cobb.

HFC-245fa is proving to be an exceptional alternative to HCFC-141b for a number of applications and industries. At the upcoming Blowing Agents and Foaming Processes conference, March 2001, Honeywell will present a paper on the advantages of HFC-245fa in these applications. HFC-245fa is finding utility in applications including, but not limited to, boardstock, appliance and spray foam.

In the US Honeywell has recently filed a Notice of Commencement of Manufacture (NOC) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for HFC-245fa.

The NOC is the final step in the process necessary to approve a new chemical and have it listed on the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Inventory.

The receipt of the NOC was published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2000. Similar approvals have been gained in other major market areas, and have led to the global use of HFC-245fa.

Honeywell's R&D and Technical Service group continues to work closely with industry to develop cost effective HFC-245fa-based blowing agent solutions for all potential applications. "Honeywell's filing of the NOC, investment in commercial manufacturing of HFC-245fa, and ongoing technical leadership and support underscore our commitment to servicing the long-term needs of the global foam industry," commented Robert Blaise.

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