Honeywell has revealed that Chinese authorities have taken action against two Chinese companies that fraudulently manufactured and sold counterfeit refrigerants under the Honeywell Genetron brand name for the market in China.
A coordinated raid led to the seizure and significant fines for the firms that made and sold counterfeit Honeywell Genetron 410A and 407C.

The two companies, Changzhi Co and Yingpeng Co, were ordered by a Chinese court in Shanghai to pay $52,000 in damages and make a public apology to Honeywell. Changzhi Co was previously convicted under the crime of trademark counterfeiting and its principal was sentenced to jail for three years with a probation of three years.

Managing director for Honeywell Fluorine Products in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, Paul Sanders, said: 'Honeywell continues to work closely with local law enforcement and other authorities to actively pursue and help prosecute counterfeiters of our Genetron refrigerants.'

He continued: 'Counterfeit refrigerants can be flammable and can pose a serious danger to contractors, consumers and refrigeration equipment. Users should demand product that originates from reputable producers like Honeywell.'

The seizure was part of a joint effort between the company and local law enforcement in Shanghai. According to local authorities, the counterfeit refrigerant was marked as Honeywell's Genetron 410A and 407C.

All Genetron refrigerants are subject to extensive quality and safety testing before they are sold. Honeywell says the safety and quality of Genetron refrigerants can only be guaranteed when buying the refrigerant from its authorised suppliers.

Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies has actively pursued counterfeits for more than 10 years with successful seizures in more than 20 countries covering six continents. In the last two years alone, Honeywell, working with local governments, have seized more than 200,000 counterfeit products. Since 2007, Honeywell has conducted 13 raids in China and seized more than 18,000 counterfeit products there.

The company continues its efforts to build awareness among end customers on risks of using counterfeit products. These include creating posters that explain how dangerous it can be to use non-genuine products as well as training for contractors on the proper use of refrigerants.