May 9 2010
Arkema and Daikin have announced the successful startup of the HFC-125 world-scale production plant built on the Changshu site, China, as part of the Arkema Daikin Advanced Fluorochemicals Co. Ltd joint venture (ADAF), owned 60 % by Arkema and 40 % by Daikin.
HFC-125, with HFC-32, is an essential component in new-generation refrigerant blends such as R-410A which replaces HCFC-22.
" The startup of the Changshu Forane 125 plant falls in line with our strategy to serve our customers in Asia, a growth region in which China is a major player in the manufacture of air-conditioning equipment. Following the launch of Forane 32 in the United States in 2007, this latest development confirms Arkema's commitment to investing in the production of new-generation components poised to replace HCFCs ", comments Pierre Chanoine, Group President of Fluorochemicals business unit and Executive Vice President in charge of Arkema's Performance Products segment.
" The startup of production in ADAF meets the needs of the increasing demand in China and Southeast Asia on a timely manner and we are confident that the air-conditioning manufacturers and other customers will feel assured of their supply chain ", comments Guntaro Kawamura, Senior Executive Officer, Director and Member of the Board of Daikin Industries.
Arkema and Daikin have also joined forces within Daikin Arkema Refrigerants Asia Ltd, a 60 % Daikin / 40 % Arkema joint venture established to manufacture and market new-generation HFC refrigerant fluid blends, in particular R-410A, in the Asia-Pacific region.