Honeywell Reaffirms Safety of New Low-GWP Automotive Refrigerant

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Jul 10, 2013, 03:12 ET

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) issued the following statement following recent media reports that falsely claim the new low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant HFO-1234yf is less safe than the commonly used, high global warming refrigerant, HFC-134a:

"Many automakers have engineered their vehicles for HFO-1234yf because they saw it as the safest, most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution to comply with the EU Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Directive. Their selection was backed by comprehensive testing conducted over a three-year period under the Cooperative Research Program (CRP) of SAE International, sponsored by 15 global automakers, including all leading German automakers. SAE's study – recently reaffirmed by another CRP – concluded that HFO-1234yf is safe for use in automobile applications.

"It is unfortunate that in the wake of controversy over implementation of the MAC Directive, caused by a single automaker's public declaration that it will not comply, media reports have surfaced misinformation about HFO-1234yf. Honeywell would like to set the record straight on two important points:

Industry safety experts agree that appropriate vehicle design vastly minimizes any refrigerant combustion risks. SAE has concluded that it is 300,000 times more likely that a vehicle would experience a fire for reasons unrelated to the refrigerant than due to its refrigerant – and that there is no significant risk caused by using HFO-1234yf. Independent research has demonstrated that both HFC-134a – the very safe automobile refrigerant in use for the past two decades – and HFO-1234yf, when mixed with oil in automotive air-conditioning systems, can combust when sprayed on extremely hot surfaces. Claims that HFC-134a cannot burn are false. To read SAE's report, visit http://www.sae.org/standardsdev/tsb/cooperative/executivesummary.pdf.
Fluorocarbons such as HFC-134a and HFO-1234yf are alike in the sense that that they can emit small quantities of hydrofluoric acid (HF) when they combust. SAE research demonstrated these quantities are well below thresholds that would affect human health and that, again, there is no significant risk caused by using HFO-1234yf. Fluorocarbon refrigerants have been used safely in automobiles for six decades, and there is no reason to believe HFO-1234yf will be different.

"Under the hood of an automobile are many flammable materials, including gasoline or diesel, lubricating oils, and brake and transmission fluids. Proper vehicle design allows these otherwise hazardous materials to be used safely by billions of people in automobiles every day to the benefit of society as a whole. For a video on this topic, which includes a comparison of HFO-1234yf vs. HFC-134a and other materials, visit www.1234facts.com/resources or www.1234fakten.de/ressourcen.

"Honeywell continues to stand firmly behind the safety of HFO-1234yf, and it will continue to supply its customers to enable them to comply with the MAC Directive."

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Honeywell