Transcript Title

Update on alternative technologies and
international developments in the
Polyurethane Foams Sector
BACKGROUND
 HCFC phase-out in developing countries has started.
Short/medium term targets: Freeze in 2013, 10%
reductions from 2015, 35% reductions from 2020.
 HCFC-141b is the predominant blowing agent used in
polyurethane foams in developing countries
 Consumption of HCFC-141b in major developing
countries is significant and growing rapidly (typically 3040% of total HCFC consumption in ODP tonnes)
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BACKGROUND (CONT’D)
 UNDP is engaged in HCFC phase-out in the PU Foams
sector in many developing countries: Bangladesh,
Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Malaysia,
Mexico, Nigeria, etc.
 Reduction in HCFC consumption in the PU Foams
Sector is essential for compliance with the 2013-2015
control targets, due to the higher ODP of HCFC-141b
(0.11)
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KEY PU FOAM APPLICATIONS USING HCFC-141b
 Rigid polyurethane foams
o
o
o
o
o
Sandwich panels (continuous/discontinuous)
Appliances (refrigerators, water-heaters)
Thermoware and insulated boxes
Boardstock, slabs, pipe-sections/pipes
Spray
 Integral skin polyurethane foams
o Automotive
o Furniture
o Microcellular/shoe soles
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ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
 Low-GWP options (GWP lower than of HCFC-141b)
o
o
o
o
Hydrocarbons (n, iso, cyclo-pentanes and mixtures)
Aliphatic compounds (methyl formate, methyl al)
Natural fluids (CO2, water)
HFOs (Solstice LBA, FEA-1100, AFA-L1, 1234ze)
 Higher-GWP options (GWP higher than of HCFC-141b)
o HFCs (HFC-134a, HFC-245fa, HFC-365mfc/227ea)
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KEY CHALLENGES
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Low-GWP and non-flammable
Cost-effectiveness
Commercial availability
Maturity
Viability and implementability for small-scale operations
Performance
Next generation alternatives (HFOs) show promise on
technical properties.
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DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
UNDP carried out/is implementing demonstration projects
under MLF, for all the commercially available alternative
technologies:
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Methyl formate (Brazil, Mexico): Most applications
Methyl Al (Mexico): Shoe soles
Pre-blended HCs (Egypt): Rigid polyurethane foams
HFO-1234ze (Turkey): XPS foam
Supercritical CO2 (Colombia, Nigeria): Spray foams
Additional demonstration projects for next generation
blowing agents planned in 2012 (outside MLF).
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EXPERIENCE FROM PU FOAM SECTORS
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
 HCs are viable for larger enterprises with HCFC
consumption of at least 40 metric tonnes
 Methyl formate is acceptable where supply chain and
infrastructure is sound and legal arrangements can be
effectively executed
 Operating costs are a critical factor
 Flammability is a critical factor
 Difficult to address SMEs cost-effectively at this stage
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THANK YOU!
Comments, suggestions and questions welcome
http://www.undp.org/chemicals/montrealprotocol.htm
[email protected]
[email protected]
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