Honeywell introduces eco-friendly refrigerant for retailers
Retailers have a new refrigerant solution to help them meet stricter regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Honeywell has expanded its low-global-warming-potential (GWP) line of Solstice refrigerants to include a non-flammable, energy-efficient solution with a GWP of less than 150. The new Solstice N71 is designed to meet the needs of grocers and retailers who are seeking low-global-warming solutions ahead of likely regulatory changes, the company said.
Honeywell's line of Solstice products includes Solstice N40, one of the most widely adopted replacement refrigerant for R-404A for the supermarket industry. With Solstice N71, Honeywell said it has engineered the next generation solution that meets increasingly stringent regulations that combat climate change and accelerates the industry's ability to achieve carbon neutrality.
The launch of Solstice N71 comes as some supermarkets, including those in California and Europe, are faced with new standards that restrict refrigerants with a GWP greater than 150 in new systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is also considering a similar national regulation that may take effect in 2024.
The restrictions follow guidelines established by the California Air Resource Board (CARB), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's AIM Act, and the pre-established F-Gas regulation in the EU stemming from the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down hydrofluorocarbons.
The Solstice N71 has been shown to reduce energy usage by 13% compared with R-404A systems and by 30% stacked up against traditional CO2 systems, according to Honeywell. The refrigerant is optimal for medium-temperature applications.
"The supermarket industry, along with countless other sectors, continues to face evolving regulations that make maintaining performance and sustainability challenging," said John Keating, VP and general manager of Honeywell's stationary refrigerants business. "We anticipated this latest transition for refrigerants, and we are proud to introduce an innovative, next-generation solution the industry was missing. Solstice N71 is a groundbreaking refrigerant that provides grocers with a solution that is both reduced-GWP and operationally safe, enabling our customers to reduce their carbon footprint and comply with new regulations."