#USA #Wilmington #EU Regulations #Chemours #HFC Refrigerants

Chemours Advocates for a Delay in HFC Transition Deadline in the EU

On September 28, 2026, Chemours Company, a global leader in the chemical industry, announced its strong support for extending the transition deadline for hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in mobile air conditioning systems within the European Union (EU) beyond 2040. This advocacy aligns with requests from the automotive industry aiming for a timeline that is driven by scientific criteria, ensuring climate protection, vehicle safety, and consumer mobility.

A Call from the Automotive Sector

The automotive sector has expressed the necessity for a minimum transition period of 13 years for light-duty electric vehicles and up to 20 years for other vehicle types. This request is part of the regulatory public consultation process concerning the restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the EU. Key organizations, including ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers' Association) and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), have highlighted the lack of a direct replacement for R-1234yf, the currently used refrigerant, making such an extension essential.

Chemours' President of Thermal and Specialized Solutions, Joseph Martinko, emphasized this point: “We support our stakeholders in the automotive value chain in their request for a practical and scientifically grounded transition timeline, to safeguard consumer access to effective and sustainable cooling solutions.” He further explained that the previous transition from R-134a to R-1234yf, which was almost a direct swap, took over 15 years to complete. Therefore, a minimum 13-year exception period reflects the complexities involved in such transitions.

The Current State of Refrigerant Alternatives

Currently, only two non-PFAS refrigerants—propane (R-290) and carbon dioxide (R-744)—are under consideration for mobile air conditioning applications. The industry has identified significant barriers preventing either from being a direct short-term substitute for R-1234yf. Propane, for instance, poses considerable safety challenges due to its flammability, alongside regulatory hurdles in crucial markets like the U.S. This necessitates new system designs and enhanced safety protocols before widespread implementation can occur.

On the other hand, carbon dioxide (R-744) requires fundamentally different architectures that can support higher pressures, especially in warm climates. This could lead to increased energy consumption and additional costs due to the complexity and design adjustments required to accommodate its use.

Both alternatives would necessitate comprehensive redesign and validation processes, indicating that these refrigerants are not mere substitutes, but rather technologies that determine system architecture, vehicle integration, safety requirements, and overall performance before they can be scaled effectively.

A Prolonged Transition for Safety and Efficacy

Given these considerations—technical, regulatory, and manufacturing—the automotive sector argues for a lengthy transition aligned with the design, validation, and production cycles inherent in the automotive industry. Moreover, the automotive value chain has identified practical steps that can be taken during an exemption period to further decrease emissions. A report from the MAC Technical Working Group indicated that the gradual implementation of emission control measures, such as maximum leakage rates, mandatory inspections, and refrigerant recovery, could potentially reduce annual emissions by up to 60%.

Chemours remains committed to collaborating across the automotive value chain to facilitate high-performance, low-emission cooling solutions. Through its Opteon™ line and ongoing investment in refrigerant innovation, Chemours advocates for solutions that meet the evolving needs of the automotive sector while supporting European objectives related to climate, safety, and mobility.

For further updates and information, visit Chemours.