MEXICHEM looks set to become a major rival to DuPont and Honeywell in the development of new fourth generation refrigerants. The company, which earlier this year bought the Ineos refrigerants business, has revealed plans to launch a new high efficiency, low GWP blend as a replacement for R134a in car air conditioning systems. Known as AC5, it and other low GWP blends are also being trialled for stationary systems as well as foam and aerosol applications.
AC5, will come head-to-head with HFO1234yf in the race to beat the R134a phase-out deadline. While AC5's GWP of less than 100 cannot match the GWP of 4 claimed by its rival, Mexichem claims that it is more efficient than 1234yf and consequently offers a better TEWI. Further, it matches or beats the efficiency of R134a.

Quantities are expected to be available for the car industry by the middle of next year.

Initial trials of AC5 in stationary systems are reported to have been very successful. Further trials will be carried out next year as well as trials on blend replacements for a number of other existing HFC refrigerants.

Mexichem is the world's largest supplier of increasingly scarce fluorspar and producer of hydroflouric acid, both vital components in HFC refrigerant production. Its purchase of Ineos Fluor in February added world leading fluorochemical research capabilities and production assets in North America, Europe, and Asia.