DuPont calls for faster HCFC phase-out.

DuPont is advocating acceleration of the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The company is urging governments and industry to take action to minimize emissions of refrigerants and adopt non-ozone-depleting and lower global warming potential (GWP) alternatives.

HCFCs are significantly less ozone depleting than chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the original products they were designed to replace. But they also are greenhouse gases. HCFCs are used primarily in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, which DuPont estimates account for more than 75 percent of the use of these compounds globally.

According to DuPont, there are approximately 6 million display cases for food preservation in supermarkets, restaurants, and convenience stores in the U.S. alone. There are also more than 100,000 chillers and 1.6 million rooftop building air conditioning systems. Almost 60 million of the approximately 110 million households in the U.S. have central air conditioning. Many of those systems still use HCFCs. DuPont Suva and Isceon alternative refrigerants have been used to retrofit existing systems.

The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer was signed in September 1987. It restricts the use of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs and HCFCs. After two decades, the treaty has led to substantial reductions in the emission of ozone-depleting substances.

The swift adoption of CFC alternatives during the 1990s combined with not-in-kind technologies and conservation measures has contributed to protection of both the ozone layer and the global climate. An article published in the proceedings of the National Academy of Science earlier this year, "The Importance of the Montreal Protocol in Protecting Climate," reports the protocol has had a significant impact in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases that otherwise would have been released into the atmosphere. Research indicates that the ozone layer is now recovering.

"The Montreal Protocol has been responsible for a significant improvement in the ozone layer, and because CFCs were also very potent greenhouse gases, their phase-out provided the added benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Linda Fisher, DuPont vice-president and chief sustainability officer. "We have learned many valuable lessons from the structure and implementation of the Montreal Protocol that could be applied as we develop legislation to curb greenhouse gases. DuPont has called for global action to reduce greenhouse gases and we continue to take a strong company position on the need for a global regulatory program."

Additional action needs to be taken globally by governments and industry to rapidly phase-out HCFCs. DuPont added that it will continue to play a leadership role in working with all stakeholders. INVISTA Canada produces HCFC-123 in Maitland, ON, for DuPont Canada. At this time, INVISTA plans to continue HCFC-123 production at the site. Future plans will be consistent with the company's overall commitments.

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