HFO refrigerant, marketed as an R404A alternative, aims to offer lower GWP product ahead of latest F-Gas quota reduction
Mexichem has launched a lower GWP refrigerant called Klea 407H that it will market as an alternative to R404A and R507 when used in medium and low temperature applications
Sarah Hughes, Mexichem’s Fluor Business Group commercial director, said that it had partnered with Daikin Global to provide the refrigerant as a means of minimising retrofitting requirements for the refrigeration market. The partnership is part of an attempt to better prepare for upcoming changes in gas supply and production linked to the EU F-Gas regulations.
“The move away from higher GWP refrigerants is gathering pace, and the F-Gas quota reductions due in January 2018 makes finding reliable, accessible alternatives to refrigerants such as R404A a priority for the industry,” she said.
“We are delighted to partner with Daikin in offering Klea 407H, which provides an effective combination of performance and lower GWP to meet this need with minimal retrofit requirements for the refrigeration market.”
The product has been developed by Daikin to have a GWP of 1495 and has a competitive cost compared to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) blends on the market.
Mexichem claims that the launch of the refrigerant forms part of a strategy to cut down on the production of higher global warming potential gases for cooling purposes in line with EU regulations.
Mexichem marketing and communications head Adam Greenland said the company would now be looking to potentially further extend its work with Daikin having partnered together to provide 407H.
“It has been two years since the F-Gas regulation was introduced by the European Commission. During this time, many businesses have started planning how they will choose alternative refrigerants that meet the same or similar specifications of those that they already use for their particular applications,” he said.
“There are several considerations when choosing an alternative product, including technical performance, cost, availability and environmental impact. R407H has been designed to be a technical match for R404A, while having a much lower GWP, meeting F-Gas regulations.”
