Arkema is honored to be named as a finalist of the Platts Global Energy Awards’ Sustainable Chemicals Award by S&P Global Commodity Insights.
With the implementation of the EPA’s AIM Act in 2020, manufacturers in the US are required to phase-down of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), in line with reductions in the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Arkema’s research team began work over a decade ago to develop a molecule to address this need and launched Forane®1233zd, a blowing agent with a GWP of 1, in 2022 in North America to replace legacy material R-134a.
As of 2022, Arkema has sunset Forane®134a operations in 2022 and will have fully converted the Forane®134a line to manufacture Forane®1233zd in 2024 in Calvert City, KY. Forane®1233zd is expected to reduce Arkema’s Calvert City Scope 1 GHG emission by ~120,000 CO2 eq T/yr, the equivalent to the CO2 emissions of 21,182 homes energy use for one year. The reduction is in line with the company plan to reduce Scopes 1+2 GHG emissions by 48.5% reduction by 2030 compared with 2019.
Forane® 1233zd is used primarily in closed cell polyurethane foam for building insulation and cold chain applications. The material’s ultra-low GWP and high insulation value are a major benefit for builders and manufacturers looking to maintain a low environmental impact.
1233zd is part of the new generation of fluorospecialties with no or minimal emissive impact, aligned with Arkema’s sustainable development strategy to address the opportunities linked to global mega-trends. It is non-flammable and performs exceptionally well at extreme temperatures.
The final results of the awards will be announced in December.
For more information about Forane® 1233zd, visit: https://forane.arkema.com/en/blowing-agents/our-products/forane-fba-1233zd-blowing-agent/
Forane is a registered trademark of Arkema.