JAPAN: Leading air conditioning manufacturer Daikin has announced plans to switch to the 'mildly flammable' low GWP HFC refrigerant R32 from the current R410A.
In a statement from its headquarters in Japan, Daikin says it considers that HFC32 is suitable for split air conditioners and heat pumps. It plans to introduce the refrigerant to all models of residential air conditioners launched in Japan from autumn 2012 and expand its use to all commercial air conditioning equipment in the future.

R32 is a single component, zero ODP gas with a GWP of 550, significantly less than R410A's 1,980. It is classified as A2, or mildly flammable, under ASHRAE classifications. Ironically, R410A is a mixture of R32 and R125 - the R125 suppressing R32's flammability.

Based on its experience as both a refrigerant developer and supplier and as an air conditioning manufacturer, Daikin says it considers HFC32 'to be the most suitable refrigerant for split air conditioners and heat pumps from an investigation that took a comprehensive look at next-generation candidates such as natural and HFC refrigerants. The company has decided to commercialise air conditioning equipment using HFC32.'

Over the last two years Daikin has been repeatedly initiating discussions and recognition activities toward widespread acceptance of HFC32 and included an example of a split system running with R32 at Chillventa in 2010.

It is not yet clear whether Daikin's Ostend factory will also move to R32. ACR News is waiting for a response from Daikin Europe.