FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stan Howard
Phone: 215-419-7027
Philadelphia, PA - January 22, 2010

Arkema, one of the world’s largest producers of fluorochemicals, continues its program of major investments in both advanced refrigerant technology and expansion of its global capacity to meet the current and future needs of the refrigerant market. Arkema will meet the short-term needs of the refrigerant market through the use of HCFC-22 alternatives, reclaim services, and the full range of refrigerant products. For longer-term needs, Arkema is investing in HFC production capacity and low GWP product development.

Retrofits
Arkema has expanded its HFC refrigerant line to the HVACR industry with better solutions for retrofitting R-22 systems using Forane®427A and Forane®407A refrigerant. Forane®427A refrigerant has nearly identical operating pressures and similar performance characteristics to HCFC-22 for use in a wide range of air-conditioning and refrigeration applications. Arkema’s new Forane®407A refrigerant closely matches the cooling capacity and flow rates of R-22, making it particularly well suited for retrofitting supermarket and food storage applications.

“Both products are non-ozone depleting and offer some of the lowest global warming potential (GWP) available of the R-22 retrofits in the market today,” said Mike Brubaker, Global Director of marketing and sales for Arkema Fluorochemicals.

Reclaim
Arkema re-launched its Forane® Refrigerant Reclaim Program for wholesalers last year. “Our reclaim program is an important part of our commitment to provide leadership within the HVACR industry during the transition away from HCFC-22,” said Patti Conlan, Product Manager for Arkema’s refrigerants business in North America. Conlan also manages Arkema’s reclaim program. “It’s designed to provide an additional supply of recycled R-22 to Arkema customers and an environmental benefit by reducing overall ozone depletion potential (ODP) emissions.”

If you would like to join the Forane® Refrigerant Reclaim Program, please contact Arkema’s reclaim hotline at 1-800-738-7694 to learn about its easy-to-use, incentive-based nationwide program for Arkema customers. Arkema is an EPA-approved refrigerant reclaimer.

Investments
Arkema has invested in manufacturing capacity for all four key HFC components (R-32, R-125, R-134a, R-143a), which may be combined to manufacture all the major HFC blends used in HVACR. As part of this investment, Arkema is starting up its HFC-125 refrigerant production at the world-scale Changshu, China operation, the first of its size in Asia. Together with HFC-32, HFC-125 is an essential component of new generation refrigerant blends, most notably HFC-410A, the replacement refrigerant for HCFC-22.

Low GWP Development
Arkema continues to develop next-generation fluorochemicals to help minimize greenhouse gas emissions. As part of this initiative, Arkema has announced plans to produce R-1234yf on an industrial scale. With negligible GWP, R-1234yf is a substitute for HFC-134a in automotive air-conditioning systems. In addition to this investment, Arkema has initiated further development of low GWP products to replace those with higher GWP in all refrigerant market sectors.

For more information about Arkema's products and services, please visit our website at
www.forane-us.com.

Arkema currently operates four industrial fluorochemicals facilities on three continents: Pierre-Bénite in France, Zaramillo in Spain, Changshu in China, and Calvert City, Kentucky in the United States. The products manufactured in these four plants are sold under the Forane® refrigerant trademark to the refrigeration and air-conditioning (construction and automobile), insulating foam, solvent, and aerosol industries.

global chemical company, Arkema consists of three business segments: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Present in over 40 countries with 15,000 employees, Arkema achieved sales of 5.6 billion euros in 2008. With its six research centers in France, the United States and Japan, and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.

© 2010 Arkema. All rights reserved.

Forane® is a registered trademark of Arkema.

www.forane-us.com