WITH demand for HFCs still rising around the world, a number of top producers have acted to increase supplies into the Far East.
The Arkema Daikin Advanced Fluorochemicals joint venture formed last year has announced a 30% increase in the production of HFC125 and the construction of a refrigerant blend unit at its Changshu site in China. The additional HFC125, a key component of R410A, will merely meet increasing demand from air conditioning manufacturing customers in China and South East Asia. The joint venture has also announced the construction of a new production plant for R410A on the same site.

Meanwhile, Honeywell has formed a 50/50 joint venture with Chinese chemical company Sinochem to produce and sell blowing agents for energy efficient foam insulation in China. The joint venture, to be located in Taicang, Jiangsu Province, will produce HFC245fa but may also be used to produce Honeywell's new HFO1234ze blowing agent.