Refrigerants under fire: Federal Environment Agency criticizes the automotive industry

D The office declared on Thursday (August 26th) in Dessau-Roßlau. It urged automakers to use CO2. According to EU regulations, the automotive industry must reduce emissions from air conditioning systems from January 1, 2011. The industry therefore wants to use the refrigerant tetrafluoropropene instead of the previously common tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a).

UBA relies on CO2

'It may be that air conditioning with tetrafluoropropene is a simple and is a quick and obvious solution with a view to the international market. It is clearly not the best one for climate protection, 'said UBA President Jochen Flasbarth. 'The advantages from the point of view of the environment and technology speak in favor of carbon dioxide.'

According to the Federal Environment Agency, CO2 has other advantages compared to tetrafluoropropene, in addition to less damage to the climate. It is non-flammable, available worldwide and has a good cooling capacity. In addition, there would be no degradation products with CO2 as with fluorinated refrigerants.