Honeywell Solstice™ yf refrigerant - Mobile Air Conditioning Refrigerant

Fact Sheet

Solstice yf refrigerant

	Developed for auto air conditioning
	Global usage
	Environmentally friendly
	Comprehensively tested
	Reliable
	Cost-efficient

HFO

Describes an organic fluorine compound called hydrofluoroolefin

1234

Stands for a specific compound:
1 = double bond
2 = carbons
3 = hydrogens
4 = fluorines

Denominates the specific isomer (position of the fluoro atoms)

MAC Directive

Starting in January 2011, all new vehicle types must have an air conditioning refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) below 150. From 2017 on, this will apply to all new vehicles. This is based on the MAC Directive (2006/40/EG), passed in July 2006.

Development

Honeywell and DuPont, in a joint development agreement, have developed a new low global warming potential refrigerant to replace R-134a. They are commercializing the product separately. Honeywell is selling the product under the brand name Solstice™ 1234yf refrigerant .

Environmental

Solstice yf refrigerant has a GWP of 4. It significantly exceeds the mandate of the MAC Directive (GWP below 150).

Approval

Solstice yf refrigerant is approved for use in Japan, Korea and China. Under the ECE Agreement, Solstice yf refrigerant is thereby also approved in Germany.

In the US and in Europe, the approval processes are in their final stages.

Solstice yf refrigerant is registered under the EU chemical regulation REACH.

The US EPA is planning to include Solstice yf refrigerant in their SNAP Program (Significant New Alternatives Policy). With this program, the EPA evaluates new and improved substances that replace ozone-depleting substances.

Adoption

Global adoption for new car models.

Time of Adoption

The first car manufacturers will receive the product according to their orders.

Quantity

About 600 grams in modern air conditioning equipment; refill in automotive lifecycle, if necessary.

Scientific Studies

Honeywell ensures that all products undergo intense testing both internally and externally, especially during the development phase.

SAE International – the international Society of Automotive Engineers with about 115,000 engineers and technicians – has tested Solstice yf refrigerant for five years in their Cooperative Research Program. 18 international, independent scientific institutions and 15 international car manufacturers and component suppliers have participated in this program.These industry participants include: Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Fiat, Ford/Volvo, GM/Opel, Honda, Porsche, PSA, Renault, Jaguar/Land Rover, Toyota and VW, as well as Conti Tech, Delphi, Denso, DuPont, Freudenberg, Goodyear, Maflow, Valeo and Visteon.

SAE has stated that Solstice yf refrigerant is safe for use in automotives.

Crash Tests

The automotive manufacturers and component suppliers have tested Solstice yf refrigerant in detail during the SAE Cooperative Research Program. They have modern testing facilities and broad experience in conducting these tests.

Two examples:
Fiat has conducted a crash test with Solstice yf refrigerant with a Fiat 500 at 65 km/h (in accordance with EuroNCAP Protocol).

There was no fire and no excursion of toxic materials.

Peugeot has conducted a crash test with Solstice yf refrigerant in a Peugeot 308 at 56 km/h (in accordance to ECE 94). The engine had been running for a long time and was particularly hot.

There was no fire and no excursion of toxic materials.

Safety

The EU differentiates gases into two categories: highly flammable and non-flammable. That is why Solstice yf refrigerant has to be called highly flammable (Directive for Dangerous Substances, Nov. 11, 2010 and Directive Nr. 1272/2008).

Tests have shown that the product does not ignite on surfaces up to 800 degrees Celsius.