The World Needs F-gases

Fluorinated gases (F-gases) and specialty fluids (HFCs, HFOs, and HFO blends) power the largest industries and value chains, touching nearly every sector of the economy.

Rendering of planet earth, north America region from space.

Why F-gases are Essential to the World of Today and Tomorrow

F-gases make many aspects of our society possible, including green transition, the electrification of heating, the cold chain, advacning new technologies, and much more.

People walking/city from above — What are Fluorinated Gases?

F-gases and fluorinated specialty fluids are used in a wide variety of thermal management applications--from temperature controlling offices, homes, hospitals, vehicles, the cold chain and even data centers to life sustaining medical devices and much more. F-gases enable energy efficiency, helping industries reduce dependence on fossil fuels and ultimately advance global climate targets.

Ariel view of Chemours Facility — The Truth About “Naturals”

So-called “natural refrigerants” like CO₂, ammonia, and propane are not new, natural, universal, or risk-free. Chemically manufactured industrial gases require a series of energy-intensive processes that are complex and costly.
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Believe the Science. Not the Hype. Fluorinated gases offer an innovative, reliable, and sustainable answer to the hazards and shortcomings of outdated industrial gases in three key ways:

Safety, Circularity, Decarbonization, Socioeconomic Value

Achieving a Circular Economy

F-gases enable circularity—unlike alternatives—and can be recovered, reclaimed, and reused in perpetuity, while CO₂ is released into the atmosphere where it remains for hundreds of years. A circular economy is critical to reach sustainability goals, because raw materials can be used repeatedly, making better use of finite resources and reducing emissions.

Woman standing in front of a refrigerated section in a grocery store

Paving the Way to Decarbonization

F-gases are also critical to achieving global climate targets; electrification of heating, cooling, and transportation; and the green transition. While “natural” refrigerants may have a low GWP, they are inefficient and often require more energy, which hinders decarbonization and increases cost.

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Driving Innovation, Value & Reliability

F-gases are essential to the cold chain, transportation, medical devices, high speed computing, and many other critical industries of the future. A broad ban on F-gases would significantly impact businesses, industries, supply chains, innovation, and the economy—in fact a ban on EU mobile air conditioning alone would cost an estimated €230+ billion within 10 years*.

How F-gases Measure Up: Myth vs. Fact

Myth: “Naturals” are safer refrigerants than fluorinated gases.

Fact:

Studies have concluded that F-gases are safe for their intended use.

Propane is easily combustible—even static discharge from walking on a carpet can ignite propane built up during an accidental leak—whereas HFOs require 2000 times more energy to ignite.

Ammonia's use is already restricted due to health risks associated with leaks from its higher toxicity. Ammonia is considered a serious health hazard, because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs, and exposure to 300 parts per million (ppm) is dangerous.

Supporting Resources:

HFO-1234yf flammability no excuse for HC temptation – VASA
Myth: "Natural” refrigerants are better for the environment.

Fact:

“Natural” is a marketing buzzword and not based on engineering or sound science. Refrigerant-grade CO₂, hydrocarbons, and ammonia are not extracted from nature. They are made through industrial processes like all other refrigerants.

“Naturals” are the chemically manufactured industrial gases that were adopted more than a century ago and broadly abandoned for good reason. "Natural” refrigerants often incur higher lifecycle emissions compared to F-gases.

Supporting Resources:

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.osha.gov/ammonia-refrigeration#:~:text=Ammonia%20is%20considered%20a%20high,dangerous%20to%20life%20and%20health

https://ozone.unep.org/system/files/documents/EEAP-2022-Assessment-Report-May2023.pdf
Myth: “Naturals” will help achieve global climate targets.

Fact:

Fluorinated gases help advance global climate goals by moving heating and cooling away from fossil fuel use and towards energy-efficient solutions, like the adoption of heat pumps. Limiting access to F-gases would slow adoption, increase transition costs, create an incredible amount of material waste by crippling existing equipment infrastructure, and jeopardize the widespread deployment of heat pumps and other energy efficient solutions.

Our Position on PFAS

Fluoropolymers and fluorinated gases are critical solutions that will enable the energy transition, electrify transport, power AI, and battle the next pandemic. While some PFAS definitions include these chemistries, studies confirm they are safe for their intended use and can be responsibly manufactured and used with strict emissions control. They are critical components in technologies we use every day and are vital to decarbonization and the energy transition.

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Get Involved to Support F-gases: Proposed regulations aim to restrict the manufacturing, use, and import of F-gases. Such a restriction would have a devastating impact on jobs, supply chains, the economy, and the ability to achieve global climate goals.

Prepare for the latest regulations and their impact. Contact us to learn how.