U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Advanced Refrigeration Partnership

Arkema’s Fluorochemicals Business has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership, which includes refrigerant manufacturers, several major supermarket chains, and refrigeration systems manufacturers. The GreenChill partnership works to promote green technologies, strategies, and practices that protect the stratospheric ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The GreenChill Program is proud to have Arkema join its growing list of partners,” says Julius Banks, Acting Branch Chief of the U.S. EPA’s Alternatives and Emissions Reduction Branch. “Arkema’s role as an industry leader in the Fluorochemicals Business and in environmental sustainability demonstrates that environmental stewardship makes good business sense.”

“During the last decade, Arkema has invested approximately $250 million in next-generation refrigerant development, manufacturing and product stewardship,” said Emanuel (Manny) Katz, Regional Group President, North America for Arkema’s Fluorochemicals Business. “Arkema is an advocate of the responsible use of materials that contribute to ozone layer depletion and global warming, and our participation in the GreenChill Program fits well with our business strategy,” he said.

In addition to joining GreenChill, Arkema completed several important initiatives in 2007 to meet the challenges of responsible use. Arkema has invested in HFC-32, a non-ozone depleting component of HFC-410A, with a new production unit at its Calvert City, Kentucky plant. The investment will help provide a secure supply of HFC-410A during the phaseout of HCFC-22. Arkema has also invested in HFC-427A, a non-ozone depleting retrofit for HCFC-22. This product provides a further alternative for users who need an immediate replacement for HCFC-22. Arkema’s new HFC product, Forane^® 427A, has been SNAP (Significant New Alternative Policy) approved by the EPA for commercial applications, such as in supermarket refrigeration.

“The EPA is pleased that industry continues to develop new environmentally-sound alternatives to HCFC-22 in preparation for the upcoming phase out in 2010,” says Margaret Sheppard, Coordinator for EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy Program.

Arkema received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Protection Award in 2007 for its continued leadership, innovation and achievement in improving the energy efficiency of its manufacturing sites and for developing products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since 1990, the Company has reduced its use of greenhouse gases in its worldwide manufacturing processes by two-thirds.

In addition to Arkema, the GreenChill partnership includes: Whole Foods Market, Food Lion, Giant Eagle Inc., Hannaford Bros. Co., Harris Teeter, Hill PHOENIX, Honeywell, Kysor/Warren, Publix Super Markets Inc., and DuPont.

Arkema, a world leader in fluorochemicals The world’s second largest fluorochemicals producer, Arkema currently operates four industrial facilities: Pierre-Bénite in France, Zaramillo in Spain, Changshu in China, and Calvert City, Kentucky, in the United States. The products manufactured in these plants are sold under the Forane® trademark to the refrigeration and air-conditioning (construction and automobile), insulating foam, solvent, and aerosol markets.

A world-class chemical company, Arkema combines three strategically related, integrated businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals and Performance Products. With operations in more than 40 countries and 17,000 employees, the company reported revenue of €5.7 billion.

Leveraging six research centers in France, the United States and Japan and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in each of its principal markets.

http://www.epa.gov/