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U.S. On Track with HCFC Phaseout

Under the Montreal Protocol, as the 1987 international treaty to protect the stratospheric ozone layer is known, signatory countries agreed to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and certain other ozone-depleting substances. In the original treaty and subsequent amendments, the cap in HCFC consumption for developed countries was based on the following formula: 2.8% of the country’s 1989 CFC consumption plus 100% of the country’s 1989 HCFC consumption. Because these chemicals vary in their ozone-depletion potential (ODP), these calculations are based on weighted ODP values.

Under the treaty, each developed country was also required to achieve certain percentage reductions from this cap over a period of time. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been responsible for developing and enforcing this reduction timeline in the U.S. through Clean Air Act regulations. EPA’s HCFC phaseout schedule, listed below, eliminates those compounds with the highest ODP values first.

Jan. 1, 2003—HCFC-141b production and import banned for all uses (primarily used in polyisocyanurate and polyurethane foam insulation).

Jan. 1, 2010—HCFC-142b production and import for use in XPS insulation banned. HCFC-142b and HCFC-22 refrigerant production and import banned except for equipment manufactured before 2020.

Jan. 1, 2015—All other HCFC production or import banned except for use in equipment manufactured before 2020.

Jan. 1, 2020—HCFC-142b and HCFC-22 production and import banned without exception.

Jan. 1, 2030—All HCFC production or import banned without exception.

The most damaging of HCFCs, 141b, has already been eliminated in the U.S., with most manufacturers of polyisocyanurate converting to hydrocarbon blowing agents and spray polyurethane manufacturers converting to HFC-245fa. (Hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, do not deplete ozone, though they are greenhouse gases.) The last insulation material produced with an ozone-depleting HCFC blowing agent, extruded polystyrene (XPS), must discontinue the use of HCFC-142b by 2010. Dow Chemical, manufacturer of Styrofoam XPS, will complete the conversion of its first of nine plants from HCFC-142b by early 2009, a Dow representative told EBN, with subsequent plant transitions scheduled for the remainder of 2009. The company would not divulge the type of blowing agent it is converting to, except that it is non-ozone-depleting and contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Manufacturers of refrigerant-cycle chillers, air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigerators, and other mechanical equipment have more time to complete the conversion away from HCFCs. Beginning in 2010, no refrigerant-cycle equipment may be sold that relies on either HCFC-22 or HCFC-142b, and these two refrigerants will be totally banned starting in 2020. Restrictions on all other HCFCs, such as HCFC-123, kick in ten years later.

Efforts are currently underway to find replacements for blowing agents and refrigerants that, while safe for stratospheric ozone, have high global warming potential (GWP). These so-called 4th generation compounds have zero ODP and very low GWP and include hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane and isobutane. One of the challenges facing the industry is the fact that some of these compounds are flammable, which makes insurers in the U.S. nervous (although GE is seeking approval for isobutene in refrigerators—see EBN Feb. 2009).

– Alex Wilson

For more information:

U.S Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html

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	Polystyrene Insulation: Does It Belong in a Green Building? EBN: Feature - August 2009		GE Seeks EPA Approval for Isobutane Refrigerant EBN: Product News - February 2009
	Countries Agree to Speed Up Elimination of HCFCs EBN: Newsbrief - November 2007

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DISCUSSIONS There are no comments for this page yet. Log in to add comments RELATED ARTICLES Polystyrene Insulation: Does It Belong in a Green Building? EBN: Feature - August 2009 More related articles RELATED GREEN DESIGN Government Regulation More related green design