HONEYWELL has announced plans to invest $33m in the production of HFO-1234ze at its Baton Rouge, Louisiana, manufacturing facility.
The new low-GWP gas is already finding applications in foam blowing and aerosols but is also being considered to replace HFC-134a for large stationary refrigeration and air conditioning applications. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2013.

Andreas Kramvis, president and CEO of Honeywell Specialty Materials said: 'We are pleased that this investment will enable Baton Rouge to become the premier source of a next-generation technology that enables low-global-warming aerosol propellants, foam blowing agents and refrigerants.'

While 1234ze has been approved for use in the US, the majority of current demand is coming from Europe.