Daikin stimulates move to HFC32 with free access to patents
To encourage companies around the world to develop and commercialise air-conditioning, cooling and heat-pump equipment using HFC32 as a single-component refrigerant, Daikin is offering free access to 93 patents. HFC32 has a GWP (global warming potential) only a third that of R410A, which is commonly used in air-conditioning systems. If all the R410A refrigerant currently in use were to be replaced by HFC32, the total CO2-equivalent impact of HFCs [R410A is a blend of HFCs) could be reduced by up to 24% in 2030, compared to business-as usual scenarios.
Shinya Okada, Daikin’s senior executive officer, explains, ‘Daikin has offered free access to these patents in emerging countries since 2010 to accelerate the phase-out of ozone-depleting refrigerants such as HCFC22. Given the urgent need to address climate change, Daikin believes that this is the right time to extend free access to certain HFC32 equipment patents to manufacturers worldwide.’
HFC32 is available from a number of suppliers. This free access to certain patents allows manufacturers to use Daikin’s technologies for air-conditioning, cooling and heat-pump equipment to encourage the global industry to grow responsibly and meet rising demand.
Conversion from high-GWP refrigerants is underway. Early in 2014 the EU enacted the revised F gas regulation to reduce the global-warming impact of refrigerants.
