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Update on alternative technologies and international developments in the Polyurethane Foams Sector

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.

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Update on alternative technologies and international developments in the Polyurethane Foams Sector

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  1. Update on alternative technologies and international developments in the Polyurethane Foams Sector

  2. 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 30-40% of total HCFC consumption in ODP tonnes)

  3. 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)

  4. KEY PU FOAM APPLICATIONS USING HCFC-141b • Rigid polyurethane foams • Sandwich panels (continuous/discontinuous) • Appliances (refrigerators, water-heaters) • Thermoware and insulated boxes • Boardstock, slabs, pipe-sections/pipes • Spray • Integral skin polyurethane foams • Automotive • Furniture • Microcellular/shoe soles

  5. ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES • Low-GWP options (GWP lower than of HCFC-141b) • 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) • HFCs (HFC-134a, HFC-245fa, HFC-365mfc/227ea)

  6. KEY CHALLENGES • 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. • ‘

  7. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS • UNDP carried out/is implementing demonstration projects under MLF, for all the commercially available alternative technologies: • 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). • ‘

  8. 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

  9. THANK YOU! Comments, suggestions and questions welcome http://www.undp.org/chemicals/montrealprotocol.htm suely.carvalho@undp.org nandan.chirmulay@undp.org

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